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  • MIL-OSI: SINTX Technologies Acquires SiNAPTIC Surgical Assets and IP to Expand into $1.3B Foot and Ankle Fusion Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Strategic Acquisition Brings Patented Implant Designs, Seasoned Executive Team, and Near-Term Commercial Opportunities

    SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SINTX Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SINT) (“SINTX” or the “Company”), an advanced ceramics company focused on medical device innovation, today announced that it has executed a Definitive Agreement to acquire the surgical business assets of SiNAPTIC Holdings, LLC, a privately held company focused on silicon nitride ceramic manufacturing and innovation. This transaction is a significant milestone in SINTX’s strategy to acquire a potential competitor and drive commercial revenue growth and expand its product portfolio in the foot and ankle fusion market.

    Under the terms of the agreement, SINTX has acquired all intellectual property, product designs, and development assets related to six (6) differentiated foot and ankle implant systems. These designs are backed by clinical development and mechanical testing and a 510(k) pre-submission that is expected to accelerate near-term commercial launch activities. The global ankle fusion market, currently valued at approximately $750.5 million, is expected to grow to $1.38 billion by 2032, representing a CAGR of 9.1%, according to industry research.

    “This acquisition is transformative for SINTX by adding a family of FDA-reviewed implants, portfolio of new technologies, and capital, accelerating our shift from R&D to revenue generation and commercial scale,” said Eric Olson, CEO of SINTX Technologies. “Additionally, the SiNAPTIC team brings deep expertise in product development, regulatory strategy, and commercialization to support our existing commercial product portfolio—key elements in driving increased value for our shareholders.”

    As part of the transaction, key members of the SiNAPTIC Surgical executive team and board of directors will join SINTX in the following roles:

    • Chairman of SINTX Clinical Advisory Board, Bryan Scheer, M.D.
    • Managing Director of Business Development, Hugh Roberts
    • Chief Commercial Officer, Lisa Marie Del Re, MPE, ATC, NASM-PES
    • Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Quality Affairs, Brian Hockett
    • Senior Design Engineer, Basil Tharu, M.S.

    In consideration for the acquired assets, SINTX issued $750,000 in common shares , priced at $3.465 per share which represents a 10% premium to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on Friday, June 20, 2025, along with 325,000 performance-based common stock purchase warrants. The common shares are subject to a six-month lock-up agreement and the Company has committed to file a resale registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering the resale of the common shares and the common shares issuable on exercise of the common stock purchase warrants. These warrants are exercisable over five years at a strike price of $6.30, and vest upon achieving specific regulatory and commercial milestones, including FDA clearance and revenue targets.

    SINTX will manufacture all devices under its FDA-registered and ISO-certified quality system and leverage existing FDA clearances and Master Files to streamline regulatory approvals.

    In addition, Dr. Bryan Scheer, Chairman and CEO of SiNAPTIC, will lead a newly formed Clinical Advisory Board to guide ongoing product development and surgeon engagement.

    “This acquisition reflects our shared belief in the transformative potential of silicon nitride ceramic-enhanced implants and the strength of our combined teams,” said Dr. Scheer. “Together, we can accelerate the development of disruptive products and deliver meaningful clinical value.”

    For more information, visit www.sintx.com.

    About SINTX Technologies, Inc.

    Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, SINTX Technologies is an advanced ceramics company that develops and commercializes materials, components, and technologies for medical and agribiotech applications. SINTX is a global leader in the research, development, and manufacturing of silicon nitride, and its products have been implanted in humans since 2008. Over the past several years, SINTX has utilized strategic acquisitions and alliances to enter new markets. For more information on SINTX Technologies or its materials platform, visit www.sintx.com.

    About SiNAPTIC

    From industry to medical, SiNAPTIC is dedicated to the development and on-demand manufacturing of additive manufactured technical ceramics to improve lives and inspire the world to see in new ways. With a focus on innovation and quality, we offer a wide range of ceramic materials, allowing us to accelerate various applications across multiple industries such as aerospace & defense, medical, semiconductors, transportation, electronics, industrial manufacturing, and more. SiNAPTIC is based outside of Denver, Colorado. We transform ideas into real possibilities with our additive manufacturing platforms. Contact us to learn more about our services and how our technologies are driving the industry forward. For additional information, please visit www.sinaptic.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”) that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods.

    Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made and reflect management’s current estimates, projections, expectations and beliefs. Forward looking statements include our belief that the acquisition will successfully shift our focus from R&D to revenue generation and commercial scale and result in increased value for our shareholders and accelerate the development of disruptive products and deliver meaningful clinical value. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, difficulty in commercializing ceramic technologies and development of new product opportunities. A discussion of other risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements can be found in SINTX’s Risk Factors disclosure in its Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 19, 2025, and in SINTX’s other filings with the SEC. SINTX undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this report, except as required by law.

    Business and Media Inquiries for SINTX:
    SINTX Technologies, Inc.
    801.839.3502
    IR@sintx.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African leaders urge United States (U.S.) to embrace investment-driven partnerships and review tariffs


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    African leaders have called on Monday for an urgent review of U.S. tariffs on African exports, urging a shift towards transformative partnerships and investment in Africa’s economic potential.

    Addressing more than 2,000 government and business leaders, and other delegates at the U.S.-Africa business summit in the capital Luanda, Angolan President João Lourenço said: “It is time to replace the logic of aid with the logic of investment and trade.”

    He urged U.S. companies to diversify beyond traditional oil and mineral extraction and invest in sectors such as automotive manufacturing, shipbuilding, tourism, cement production, and steel production.

    African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, added, “We’re not seeking aid, but building co-created solutions.” He called for the removal of punitive tariffs and visa restrictions, noting that Africa’s 1.3 billion people and abundant resources remain among the world’s most significant untapped economic opportunities.

    “This should not just be a summit, but a call to action. Together, let’s walk the pathways to prosperity—with unity, purpose, and Agenda 2063 as our guide,” he told the summit.

    In his remarks, African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina said, “We should review the high tariffs on African countries. What is needed is more trade between Africa and the U.S., not less.”

    African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretary General Wamkele Mene reinforced Africa’s integration agenda, highlighting the importance of open regional markets. “The undertaking of the AfCFTA is an ambitious one—It has to be ambitious,” Mene said. He emphasized that the success of AfCFTA is essential to scale investment, reduce fragmentation, and accelerate industrial development across the continent.

    From rhetoric to action: Building real partnerships

    The central message was clear: the era of aid dependency is over, and the time for transformative investment partnerships has arrived. The leaders called for bold, strategic investments to unlock Africa’s trillion-dollar potential.

    Responding to the call for deeper engagement, U.S. officials acknowledged Africa’s growing economic importance and the need to reset perceptions. Senior State Department Bureau Official Troy Fitrell said, “There are business leaders in the U.S. who need to understand the opportunities that lie in doing business with Africa. Our mission going forward will be to find them—and bring them in.”

    The U.S.-Africa Business Summit promotes economic cooperation and investment between the United States and Africa with a focus on fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth. By bringing together leaders from government, business, and civil society, the summit provides a platform to discuss key issues and opportunities in the U.S.–Africa relations, ultimately driving growth and development on both sides.

    Adesina pointed to the Lobito corridor as a concrete example of strategic investment already underway.

    “That is why the African Development Bank is a key strategic partner with the U.S., Angola, and Zambia on the development of the Lobito corridor,” he said. This critical corridor will link the vast areas of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the port of Angola, improving mineral supplies, unlocking agricultural potential, and creating jobs.

    The African Development Fund, the soft loan arm of the Bank Group, will be providing $500 million in support of the development of the Lobito Corridor. Additionally, the African Development Bank will provide $1 billion over five years for complementary investments around the corridor, including agricultural value chains, roads, and energy infrastructure.

    Act on the data, not perceptions

    The Bank President went further: “As we build transport corridors, let us also build strategic partnership corridors. Strategic partnerships that prioritize capital investments in infrastructure, agriculture, minerals industrialization, and development of digital infrastructure, as well as capital markets.”

    He charged U.S. investors: “Act on the data, not perceptions. Think Africa. Think opportunities. Think competition. From the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to the Export-Import Bank of the United States, as well as institutional investors and capital allocations, invest in Africa. Let’s make America and Africa great again.”

    Corporate Council on Africa President Florie Liser challenged summit delegates to embrace true partnership: “Beyond deals, let’s strive for lasting transformation.” As part of the opening ceremony of the Summit, the Corporate Council on Africa honored Dr. Adesina with its Distinguished Economic Leadership Award, recognizing his significant contributions to Africa’s transformation.

    Council Deputy Chairman, Mr. Jean Raymond Boulle, conferred the award, describing how the African Development Bank has impacted millions of Africans under Adesina’s leadership, while transforming the Bank to a world-class institution and a partner of choice.

    Akinwumi Adesina, who will complete his second and final five-year term as President of the African Development Bank Group on 31 August, has led for the past decade transformative projects across Africa under the Bank’s five strategic priorities, the “High 5s”. They have positively impacted the lives of more than 565 million people on the continent.

    Speaking at a high-level event hosted by Africa50, a pioneering infrastructure investment platform dedicated to accelerating project development and delivery across Africa, Adesina emphasized the urgent need to scale local financing solutions—especially in local currencies—to mitigate forex volatility, reduce risk mismatches, and enhance the bankability and stability of infrastructure projects for global investors.

    The event, titled “Unlocking Capital for Africa’s Infrastructure through Innovative Finance,” featured a high-level panel discussion on asset recycling, moderated by CNN’s Richard Quest, with insights from Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50; Brook Taye, Director General of Ethiopia Investment Holdings; and Armando Manuel, Chairman of Fundo Soberano de Angola.

    Together, they explored how innovative models, such as asset recycling, can unlock capital and accelerate infrastructure development across Africa.

    Alain Ebobissé stated that the asset recycling model has been successfully implemented in many countries worldwide.

    “In implementing this initiative in Africa, we are pursuing three objectives. First, monetizing assets—ensuring that, instead of owning only a bridge, you receive cash that you can reinvest in your assets. Second, improving the efficiency of the asset by bringing in first-class operators to help us manage those assets. Third, and most importantly, we aim to bring pension funds and other investors interested in cash flow-generating assets to finance these projects,” Ebobissé explained.

    Adesina said over the past decade, the African Development Bank Group has invested over $55 billion in infrastructure, including regional projects, making the Bank the largest financier of infrastructure in Africa.

    The African Development Bank established Africa50 as a private equity infrastructure platform, comprising a project development company and a project finance company, to support the development of infrastructure with market-rate returns.

    Africa’s missing share of a $2.9 trillion opportunity

    The Bank President informed the audience that, in the past eight years since its establishment, Africa50 has invested in a portfolio of infrastructure projects worth over $8 billion.

    “But more is needed, especially from private sector investors,” stated Adesina. “Africa should be well positioned to attract some of the $2.9 trillion global green bonds. However, the continent represents less than 1% of global green bond issuance. Because most of Africa’s infrastructure is yet to be built, this represents a huge opportunity for green bond issuances to build green infrastructure, reduce carbon emissions, and build climate resilience.”

    The African Development Bank launched the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa (AGIA) to mobilize $500 million for project preparation and development, as well as $10 billion for green infrastructure investments. Africa50 is the General Partner for the AGIA-Project Development Fund, with several Limited Partners, including the G7 countries.

    To mitigate risks at scale across Africa, the African Development Bank is establishing the Africa Risk Mitigation Agency, which will consolidate all banks’ guarantee instruments into a single entity. The entity will support guarantees for equity risk, climate risk, refinancing risk, and political risk.

    He emphasized that Africa50 is also pioneering asset recycling, enabling governments to recover their investment in infrastructure by transferring brownfield assets to the private sector. This can help to reduce debt burdens and provide liquidity for governments.

    “The Senegambia bridge, which the African Development Bank financed with $104 million, was the first to be used for the asset recycling program. It worked successfully, as Gambia received $104 million it spent back through Africa50,” he added. “Following this, several asset recycling initiatives are being proposed for many infrastructure projects financed for governments by the African Development Bank Group.”

    The renewed momentum for U.S.-Africa business partnerships received strong political backing, with the participation of seven Heads of State, several Prime Ministers, and leaders of key regional organizations.

    Attending dignitaries included Presidents Denis Sassou Nguesso (Republic of the Congo), Faustin-Archange Touadéra (Central African Republic), Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Taye Aske Selassie (Ethiopia), Duma Gideon Boko (Botswana), Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (Namibia), and Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema (Gabon); Prime Ministers Gervais Ndirakobuca (Burundi), Robert Beugré Mambé (Côte d’Ivoire), Russell Mmiso Dlamini (Eswatini), Manuel Osa Nsue Nsua (Equatorial Guinea), Christian Louis Ntsay (Madagascar), and Deputy Prime Minister Nthomeng Justina Majara (Lesotho); as well as Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ambassador Gilberto Da Piedade Verissimo, Chairperson of the Economic Community of Central African States, and Elias M. Magosi, Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

    Media contact:
    Emeka Anuforo
    Communication and External Relations Department
    media@afdb.org

    About the African Development Bank Group:
    The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier meets Ecuadorian president

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

    BEIJING, June 24 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, who is in China to attend the 2025 Summer Davos forum, in Beijing on Tuesday.

    Li said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 45 years ago, China-Ecuador relations had maintained a good development momentum, with political mutual trust consolidated, practical cooperation achieving fruitful results, and bilateral friendship deepened.

    He said China stands ready to work with Ecuador to carry forward the traditional friendship, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, promote the continuous deepening of the China-Ecuador comprehensive strategic partnership, and add more impetus to the modernization drive of both sides.

    China is willing to enhance the docking of development strategies with Ecuador, strengthen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, expand the scale of bilateral trade, and deepen cooperation on clean energy, infrastructure, and finance, Li said.

    Noting that China is glad to see more high-quality products from Ecuador exported to China, he said China welcomed Ecuador to make good use of promotion platforms such as the China International Import Expo (CIIE), and called on both sides to enhance exchanges and cooperation in fields such as education, culture and youth, and facilitate personnel exchanges.

    China stands ready to enhance communication and coordination with Ecuador in multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, practice true multilateralism, and make positive contributions to maintaining world peace and development and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Li added.

    Noting that China is Ecuador’s second-largest trading partner, Noboa said the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides has been fruitful and has effectively enhanced the well-being of the Ecuadorian people.

    Ecuador is willing to have dialogues in various fields with China, deepen the friendship between the two countries, promote cooperation on trade, finance, agriculture, clean energy, infrastructure, and education, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and jointly address common challenges, Noboa said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. International Transactions, 1st Quarter 2025 and Annual Update

    Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis

    Current-Account Deficit Widened by 44.3 Percent in the First Quarter

    Current-Account Balance (Table 1 and Chart 1)

    The U.S. current-account deficit, which reflects the combined balances on trade in goods and services and income flows between U.S. residents and residents of other countries, widened by $138.2 billion, or 44.3 percent, to $450.2 billion in the first quarter of 2025, according to statistics released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The revised fourth-quarter deficit was $312.0 billion (table A).

    The first-quarter deficit was 6.0 percent of current-dollar gross domestic product, up from 4.2 percent in the fourth quarter.

    The $138.2 billion widening of the current-account deficit in the first quarter mostly reflected an expanded deficit on goods.

    Current-Account Transactions (tables 1–5 and chart 2)

    Exports of goods and services to, and income received from, foreign residents decreased $3.9 billion to $1.24 trillion in the first quarter. Imports of goods and services from, and income paid to, foreign residents increased $134.3 billion to $1.69 trillion.1

    Trade in goods (table 2)

    Exports of goods increased $21.1 billion to $539.0 billion, and imports of goods increased $158.2 billion to $1.00 trillion. The increase in exports was led by capital goods, mainly civilian aircraft and computer accessories, peripherals, and parts. The increase in imports was led by nonmonetary gold and consumer goods, mostly medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical products (see “Additional Information” for a definition of nonmonetary gold under “Goods”).

    Trade in services (table 3)

    Exports of services decreased $4.4 billion to $293.2 billion, reflecting decreases in government goods and services, mostly military units and agencies, in travel, mostly “other personal travel,” and in “other business services,” mainly professional and management consulting services. These decreases were partly offset by an increase in maintenance and repair services. Imports of services decreased $1.8 billion to $217.8 billion, reflecting a decrease in charges for the use of intellectual property, mostly licenses for the use of outcomes of research and development.

    Primary income (table 4)

    Receipts of primary income decreased $22.9 billion to $355.1 billion, and payments of primary income decreased $13.7 billion to $362.7 billion. The decreases in both receipts and payments reflected a decrease in direct investment income, mostly earnings.

    Secondary income (table 5)

    Receipts of secondary income increased $2.3 billion to $49.6 billion, reflecting an increase in private transfers, primarily fines and penalties. Payments of secondary income decreased $8.4 billion to $101.5 billion, reflecting a decrease in general government transfers, primarily international cooperation.

    Capital-Account Transactions (table 1)

    Capital-transfer receipts decreased $2.4 billion to $8.9 billion in the first quarter. The decrease reflected first-quarter receipts from foreign insurance companies for losses resulting from wildfires in Southern California that were lower than fourth-quarter receipts for losses resulting from Hurricane Milton. For information on transactions associated with hurricanes and other disasters, see “How do losses recovered from foreign insurance companies following natural or man-made disasters affect foreign transactions, the current account balance, and net lending or net borrowing?”. Capital-transfer payments increased $0.5 billion to $2.0 billion.

    Financial-Account Transactions (tables 1, 6, 7, and 8 and chart 3)

    Net financial-account transactions were −$299.5 billion in the first quarter, reflecting net U.S. borrowing from foreign residents.

    Financial assets (tables 1, 6, 7, and 8)

    First-quarter transactions increased U.S. residents’ foreign financial assets by $524.9 billion. Transactions increased “other investment assets,” mostly short-term loans, by $328.2 billion; portfolio investment assets, mostly debt securities, by $128.4 billion; direct investment assets, mostly equity, by $66.8 billion; and reserve assets by $1.5 billion.

    Liabilities (tables 1, 6, 7, and 8)

    First-quarter transactions increased U.S. liabilities to foreign residents by $843.7 billion. Transactions increased portfolio investment liabilities, mostly long-term debt securities, by $429.9 billion; “other investment liabilities,” mainly short-term deposits and loans, by $358.9 billion; and direct investment liabilities, mostly equity, by $54.9 billion.

    Financial derivatives (table 1)

    Net transactions in financial derivatives were $19.3 billion in the first quarter, reflecting net U.S. lending to foreign residents.

      

    Table A. Updates to Fourth-Quarter 2024 International Transactions Accounts Balances

    [Billions of dollars, seasonally adjusted]
      Preliminary estimates Revised estimates
    Current-account balance –303.9 −312.0
        Goods balance −326.1 −328.9
        Services balance 76.1 78.0
        Primary income balance 2.3 1.6
        Secondary income balance −56.2 −62.6
    Net financial-account transactions −385.3 −350.8
    U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

    Annual Update of the U.S. International Transactions Accounts

    The statistics in this release reflect the annual update of the U.S. International Transactions Accounts. With this update, BEA has incorporated newly available and revised source data and recalculated seasonal and trading-day adjustments beginning with 2018. This annual update also reflects the incorporation of (1) BEA’s 2022 Benchmark Survey of Transactions in Selected Services and Intellectual Property With Foreign Persons, (2) a new balance of payments adjustment to exports of goods to redistribute estimates for late receipts for Canada from “other goods” to detailed commodities, (3) a new method for estimating other investment assets and other investment liabilities transactions by maturity, and (4) new statistics for transactions, income, and positions related to a repurchase agreement facility for foreign and international monetary authorities. A summary of the revisions to high-level aggregates is shown in table 9.

    Table B. Newly Available and Revised Source Data: Key Providers and Years Affected

    Agency Data Years affected
    U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Quarterly and benchmark international trade in services surveys 2018–2024
    Annual and quarterly direct investment surveys 2022–2024
    U.S. Census Bureau Revised source data for international trade in goods 2022–2024
    U.S. Department of the Treasury Quarterly and monthly portfolio and other investment surveys 2022–2024
    Benchmark and quarterly portfolio investment surveys 2023–2024
    U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

    More information on the annual update is available in “Preview of the 2025 Annual Update of the International Economic Accounts” in the Survey of Current Business. Additional information will be provided in the Survey in July 2025. U.S. International Economic Accounts: Concepts and Methods will be updated in September 2025 accordingly.

    For resources, definitions, and more, visit “Additional Information.”

    Next release: September 23, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. EDT
    U.S. International Transactions, 2nd Quarter 2025

    1 U.S. international transactions are presented in current dollars in accordance with international statistical presentation guidelines. For a comparison of current-dollar, or nominal, and inflation-adjusted, or real, measures of international transactions, see “SECTION 4 – FOREIGN TRANSACTIONS” of the National Income and Product Accounts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. International Transactions, 1st Quarter 2025 and Annual Update

    Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis

    Current-Account Deficit Widened by 44.3 Percent in the First Quarter

    Current-Account Balance (Table 1 and Chart 1)

    The U.S. current-account deficit, which reflects the combined balances on trade in goods and services and income flows between U.S. residents and residents of other countries, widened by $138.2 billion, or 44.3 percent, to $450.2 billion in the first quarter of 2025, according to statistics released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The revised fourth-quarter deficit was $312.0 billion (table A).

    The first-quarter deficit was 6.0 percent of current-dollar gross domestic product, up from 4.2 percent in the fourth quarter.

    The $138.2 billion widening of the current-account deficit in the first quarter mostly reflected an expanded deficit on goods.

    Current-Account Transactions (tables 1–5 and chart 2)

    Exports of goods and services to, and income received from, foreign residents decreased $3.9 billion to $1.24 trillion in the first quarter. Imports of goods and services from, and income paid to, foreign residents increased $134.3 billion to $1.69 trillion.1

    Trade in goods (table 2)

    Exports of goods increased $21.1 billion to $539.0 billion, and imports of goods increased $158.2 billion to $1.00 trillion. The increase in exports was led by capital goods, mainly civilian aircraft and computer accessories, peripherals, and parts. The increase in imports was led by nonmonetary gold and consumer goods, mostly medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical products (see “Additional Information” for a definition of nonmonetary gold under “Goods”).

    Trade in services (table 3)

    Exports of services decreased $4.4 billion to $293.2 billion, reflecting decreases in government goods and services, mostly military units and agencies, in travel, mostly “other personal travel,” and in “other business services,” mainly professional and management consulting services. These decreases were partly offset by an increase in maintenance and repair services. Imports of services decreased $1.8 billion to $217.8 billion, reflecting a decrease in charges for the use of intellectual property, mostly licenses for the use of outcomes of research and development.

    Primary income (table 4)

    Receipts of primary income decreased $22.9 billion to $355.1 billion, and payments of primary income decreased $13.7 billion to $362.7 billion. The decreases in both receipts and payments reflected a decrease in direct investment income, mostly earnings.

    Secondary income (table 5)

    Receipts of secondary income increased $2.3 billion to $49.6 billion, reflecting an increase in private transfers, primarily fines and penalties. Payments of secondary income decreased $8.4 billion to $101.5 billion, reflecting a decrease in general government transfers, primarily international cooperation.

    Capital-Account Transactions (table 1)

    Capital-transfer receipts decreased $2.4 billion to $8.9 billion in the first quarter. The decrease reflected first-quarter receipts from foreign insurance companies for losses resulting from wildfires in Southern California that were lower than fourth-quarter receipts for losses resulting from Hurricane Milton. For information on transactions associated with hurricanes and other disasters, see “How do losses recovered from foreign insurance companies following natural or man-made disasters affect foreign transactions, the current account balance, and net lending or net borrowing?”. Capital-transfer payments increased $0.5 billion to $2.0 billion.

    Financial-Account Transactions (tables 1, 6, 7, and 8 and chart 3)

    Net financial-account transactions were −$299.5 billion in the first quarter, reflecting net U.S. borrowing from foreign residents.

    Financial assets (tables 1, 6, 7, and 8)

    First-quarter transactions increased U.S. residents’ foreign financial assets by $524.9 billion. Transactions increased “other investment assets,” mostly short-term loans, by $328.2 billion; portfolio investment assets, mostly debt securities, by $128.4 billion; direct investment assets, mostly equity, by $66.8 billion; and reserve assets by $1.5 billion.

    Liabilities (tables 1, 6, 7, and 8)

    First-quarter transactions increased U.S. liabilities to foreign residents by $843.7 billion. Transactions increased portfolio investment liabilities, mostly long-term debt securities, by $429.9 billion; “other investment liabilities,” mainly short-term deposits and loans, by $358.9 billion; and direct investment liabilities, mostly equity, by $54.9 billion.

    Financial derivatives (table 1)

    Net transactions in financial derivatives were $19.3 billion in the first quarter, reflecting net U.S. lending to foreign residents.

      

    Table A. Updates to Fourth-Quarter 2024 International Transactions Accounts Balances

    [Billions of dollars, seasonally adjusted]
      Preliminary estimates Revised estimates
    Current-account balance –303.9 −312.0
        Goods balance −326.1 −328.9
        Services balance 76.1 78.0
        Primary income balance 2.3 1.6
        Secondary income balance −56.2 −62.6
    Net financial-account transactions −385.3 −350.8
    U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

    Annual Update of the U.S. International Transactions Accounts

    The statistics in this release reflect the annual update of the U.S. International Transactions Accounts. With this update, BEA has incorporated newly available and revised source data and recalculated seasonal and trading-day adjustments beginning with 2018. This annual update also reflects the incorporation of (1) BEA’s 2022 Benchmark Survey of Transactions in Selected Services and Intellectual Property With Foreign Persons, (2) a new balance of payments adjustment to exports of goods to redistribute estimates for late receipts for Canada from “other goods” to detailed commodities, (3) a new method for estimating other investment assets and other investment liabilities transactions by maturity, and (4) new statistics for transactions, income, and positions related to a repurchase agreement facility for foreign and international monetary authorities. A summary of the revisions to high-level aggregates is shown in table 9.

    Table B. Newly Available and Revised Source Data: Key Providers and Years Affected

    Agency Data Years affected
    U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Quarterly and benchmark international trade in services surveys 2018–2024
    Annual and quarterly direct investment surveys 2022–2024
    U.S. Census Bureau Revised source data for international trade in goods 2022–2024
    U.S. Department of the Treasury Quarterly and monthly portfolio and other investment surveys 2022–2024
    Benchmark and quarterly portfolio investment surveys 2023–2024
    U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

    More information on the annual update is available in “Preview of the 2025 Annual Update of the International Economic Accounts” in the Survey of Current Business. Additional information will be provided in the Survey in July 2025. U.S. International Economic Accounts: Concepts and Methods will be updated in September 2025 accordingly.

    For resources, definitions, and more, visit “Additional Information.”

    Next release: September 23, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. EDT
    U.S. International Transactions, 2nd Quarter 2025

    1 U.S. international transactions are presented in current dollars in accordance with international statistical presentation guidelines. For a comparison of current-dollar, or nominal, and inflation-adjusted, or real, measures of international transactions, see “SECTION 4 – FOREIGN TRANSACTIONS” of the National Income and Product Accounts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: OptimizeRx Corporation Appoints CEO Steve Silvestro to Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WALTHAM, Mass., June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OptimizeRx Corp. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: OPRX), a leading provider of healthcare technology solutions helping life sciences companies reach and engage healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients, today announced the appointment of Steve Silvestro, currently serving as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, to its Board of Directors, effective as of June 20, 2025.

    Mr. Silvestro joined the Company in 2019 and has been the Company’s CEO since March 2025, after serving as the interim CEO from January 2025. The appointment of Mr. Silvestro, with his knowledge of the Company and expertise in the industry, will enhance overall leadership and greatly contribute to the Company’s ability to execute its value creation plans and support key initiatives to deliver on its customer and shareholder roadmap.

    “The Board of Directors has been impressed with Steve’s leadership and the meaningful progress the Company has made since he stepped into the CEO role,” said Lynn Vos, Chairperson of OptimizeRx’s Board of Directors. “The initiatives he and the leadership team have executed have significantly strengthened OptimizeRx’s position with customers and laid a solid foundation for sustained long-term shareholder value creation. We’re pleased to welcome Steve to the Board and look forward to his continued contributions as we work together to refine and advance the Company’s strategic direction.”

    “It’s truly an honor to have the trust of such an experienced Board and be able to lead a team that is focused on operational excellence and customer delight,” added Steve Silvestro. “I am excited with the direction OptimizeRx is headed and believe we’re firmly positioned for a strong 2025 and are building a solid foundation for continued growth and execution in 2026 and beyond. I’m excited to join the Company’s Board and look forward to continuing to partner with our team, strategic partners, and customers as we continue to drive the Company’s growth. Our focus will remain on delivering exceptional customer experiences, deepening our value proposition with pharmaceutical partners, accelerating our shift toward a recurring revenue model, and progressing toward Rule of 40 performance.”

    About Stephen L. Silvestro

    Steve Silvestro was appointed Chief Executive Officer in March 2025. He joined the Company as Chief Commercial Officer in April 2019 and has since served as President from October 2023 until his appointment as interim CEO in January 2025. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Silvestro was with CCH® Tagetik, a Wolters Kluwer company that provides corporate performance management software solutions for planning, consolidation and reporting, as its Vice President and General Manager from January 2018 until April 2019. From April 2017 to January 2018, Mr. Silvestro was with Prognos Health, Inc., a healthcare data and analytics company, as its Chief Commercial Officer and, before that, from September 2007 to April 2017, he was with Decision Resources Group, a multi-national corporation that provides high value global data solutions, analytics and consulting services to pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, healthcare provider and payer, and managed care companies, in various capacities with him last serving as Executive Vice President, Head of Global Sales.

    About OptimizeRx

    OptimizeRx is a leading healthcare technology company that’s redefining how life science brands connect with patients and healthcare providers. Our platform combines innovative AI-driven tools like the Dynamic Audience Activation Platform (DAAP) and Micro-Neighborhood Targeting (MNT) to deliver timely, relevant, and hyper-local engagement. By bridging the gap between HCP and DTC strategies, we empower brands to create synchronized marketing solutions that drive faster treatment decisions and improved patient outcomes.

    Our commitment to privacy-safe, patient-centric technology ensures that every interaction is designed to make a meaningful impact, delivering life-changing therapies to the right patients at the right time. Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, OptimizeRx partners with some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and life sciences companies to transform the healthcare landscape and create a healthier future for all.

    Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “expects”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “plans”, “projects”, “targets”, “designed”, “could”, “may”, “should”, “will” or other similar words and expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. All statements in this press release that reflect the Company’s expectations, assumptions, projections, beliefs or opinions about the future, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements relating to OptimizeRx’s commitment to appointing directors who have perspectives, insights, experiences, and skills that expand the depth and breadth of the Board, executing the Company’s value creation plans, supporting key initiatives, advancing the Company’s strategic direction, delivering exceptional customer experiences, deepening the Company’s value proposition with pharmaceutical partners, accelerating the Company’s shift towards a recurring revenue model, progressing towards a Rule of 40 performance, and other statements relating to future performance, plans, and expectations. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company’s current expectations and involve assumptions regarding the Company’s business, the economy, and other future conditions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted, or quantified. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the Company’s ability to identify and appoint a new independent director, the effect of government regulation, seasonal trends, dependence on a concentrated group of customers, cybersecurity incidents that could disrupt operations, the ability to keep pace with growing and evolving technology, the ability to maintain contracts with electronic prescription platforms and electronic health records networks, competition, and other factors discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in other filings the Company has made and may make with the SEC in the future. One should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as may be required by law.

    OptimizeRx Contact 

    Andy D’Silva, SVP Corporate Finance   
    adsilva@optimizerx.com
      
    Investor Relations Contact
    Steven Halper
    LifeSci Advisors, LLC
    shalper@lifesciadvisors.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: iBio and AstralBio Unveil Obesity Program with Novel Amylin Agonist Antibody Demonstrating Promising In Vivo Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Lead amylin receptor agonist engineered antibody significantly reduced acute food intake in a mouse model of obesity, comparable to the efficacy of a leading amylin peptide agonist

    Findings support the potential of antibody-based agonists to address the growing demand for safer, longer-acting treatments for obesity and cardiometabolic diseases

    Conference call today, June 24 at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss new pre-clinical data and obesity pipeline

    SAN DIEGO, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — iBio, Inc. (Nasdaq: IBIO), an AI-driven innovator of next-generation antibody therapies, today announced preclinical data in which an engineered amylin receptor agonist antibody reduced acute food intake in a mouse model of obesity by 60% (p<0.05), equivalent to the reduction in food intake from a clinically advanced dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist (DACRA) peptide (67%). The effect on food intake was monitored over various time points in this side-by-side study with the amylin agonist iBio discovered and a DACRA peptide. The study marks the third target to emerge from iBio’s partnership with AstralBio.

    The successful iBio-AstralBio collaboration now includes multiple novel engineered antibody agonists with a wide range of profiles targeting the amylin receptor, a heterodimeric G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR).

    “Emerging clinical data suggest selective activation of the amylin receptor—rather than dual agonism of the amylin and calcitonin receptors—can match or even exceed DACRA efficacy, with improved tolerability,” said Martin Brenner, DVM, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of iBio. “Our AI-enabled antibody discovery platform allows us to precisely dial in that selectivity and specifically target the amylin receptor and even its subtypes. This new program underscores iBio’s commitment to developing next-generation therapies to address the limitations of current treatments in the fast-growing obesity market.”

    Amylin, or islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), is a pancreatic B-cell hormone shown to regulate satiety and delay gastric emptying. When activated through receptor agonism, it enhances meal-ending metabolic signals that prolong the feeling of fullness. Amylin receptors (AMYRs), composed of heterodimeric GPCRs, represent a compelling therapeutic target for obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases. iBio’s approach leverages its proprietary Drug Discovery Platform and advanced AI platform to discover innovative antibodies with exceptional selectivity and potency. This allowed the discovery of molecules capable of agonizing a single AMYR subtype or having balanced agonism at multiple receptors (i.e., DACRA-like agonism profile). This precise and versatile GPCR agonist discovery is thought to allow the identification of a best-in-class therapeutic candidate for an optimal profile of quality weight loss, gastrointestinal tolerability, and lean mass preservation.

    Other amylin analogs currently under clinical development have achieved reduced body weight in obese patients of up to 22.7%1 when used in combination with semaglutide and 11.8%2 as monotherapy. By targeting a different set of signaling pathways, this novel approach holds promise not only for enhancing the weight-loss efficacy seen with GLP-1 receptor agonists but also as a monotherapy option for patients who are intolerant or insufficiently responsive to GLP-1-based interventions.

    References

    1. https://www.hcplive.com/view/cagrisema-achieves-22-7-weight-loss-in-phase-3-redefine-1-trial

    2. https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/novo-nordisk-cagrisema-study-results-diabetes-weight-loss/742008/

    Conference Call Details

    iBio will host a conference call today, June 24, at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss new pre-clinical data and the Company’s obesity pipeline.

    The webcast of the live call may be accessed on the Investors section of the iBio website at ir.ibioinc.com/news-events/ir-calendar. A replay of the webcast will be available on the iBio website for approximately 60 days following the presentation.

    To join the live call, participants need to access this link for dial-in numbers and a unique participation code.

    About iBio, Inc.

    iBio (Nasdaq: IBIO) is a cutting-edge biotech company leveraging AI and advanced computational biology to develop next-generation biopharmaceuticals for cardiometabolic diseases, obesity, cancer and other hard-to-treat diseases. By combining proprietary 3D modeling with innovative drug discovery platforms, iBio is creating a pipeline of breakthrough antibody treatments to address significant unmet medical needs. Our mission is to transform drug discovery, accelerate development timelines, and unlock new possibilities in precision medicine. For more information, visit www.ibioinc.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and include statements regarding the potential of antibody-based agonists to address the growing demand for safer, longer-acting treatments for obesity and cardiometabolic diseases, accelerating the development of novel antibodies for obesity and cardiometabolic diseases in partnership with AstralBio Inc., the positive early results supporting iBio’s approach to antibody-based amylin receptor agonism for the treatment of obesity, iBio’s engineered antibody potentially offering differentiated advantages in dosing and tolerability, developing next-generation therapies to address the limitations of current treatments in the fast-growing obesity market, leveraging iBio’s proprietary Drug Discovery Platform and advanced AI platform to discover innovative antibodies with exceptional selectivity and potency and iBio’s approach targeting the amylin receptor holding promise not only for enhancing the weight-loss efficacy seen with GLP-1 receptor agonists but also as a monotherapy option for patients who are intolerant or insufficiently responsive to GLP-1-based interventions. While iBio believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the ability of amylin receptor to be a successful target for obesity and cardiometabolic diseases; iBio’s ability to obtain regulatory approvals for commercialization of its product candidates, or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements; regulatory limitations relating to iBio’s ability to promote or commercialize its product candidates for specific indications; acceptance of iBio’s product candidates in the marketplace and the successful development, marketing or sale of products; and whether iBio will incur unforeseen expenses or liabilities or other market factors; and the other factors discussed in iBio’s filings with the SEC including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2024 and its subsequent filings with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and iBio undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

    Corporate Contact:
    iBio, Inc.
    Investor Relations
    ir@ibioinc.com

    Media Contacts:
    Ignacio Guerrero-Ros, Ph.D., or David Schull
    Russo Partners, LLC
    Ignacio.guerrero-ros@russopartnersllc.com
    David.schull@russopartnersllc.com
    (858) 717-2310 or (646) 942-5604

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK partnership brings new 250-bed Islamabad hospital closer to opening

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK partnership brings new 250-bed Islamabad hospital closer to opening

    The first NHS Trust partnership with a Pakistani hospital will focus on sharing clinical best practices and staff development.

    London’s Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust will provide specialist knowledge and advice on hospital planning, staffing and training to Novacare. In turn, affiliate fees from services will be reinvested back into Imperial’s NHS services.

    The hospital is designed to offer comprehensive care across 28 clinical specialties, including cardiology, oncology, orthopaedics, neurology, and maternal health. It is set to open in 2026 and will feature advanced infrastructure such as smart building management systems, AI-optimised vertical transportation, and infection control and fall prevention technologies.

    British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, said:

    “This agreement is bringing the UK’s world leading healthcare expertise to Pakistan, and in turn support the UK’s NHS. Through sharing the NHS’s cutting edge clinical best practices, and through helping to develop staff, this agreement will directly help to save lives.”

    This partnership strengthens the UK’s global healthcare leadership by exporting NHS clinical standards and expertise. It includes opportunities for Novacare clinicians to observe multidisciplinary team meetings, receive second opinions from UK specialists, and undergo training aligned with NHS protocols. Complex cases may also be referred to Imperial’s private facilities in London, enhancing revenue for UK healthcare institutions.

    Her Excellency visited the construction of the hospital with the UK Trade Envoy to Pakistan, Mohammad Yasin MP, who is on a 3-day visit to Pakistan. Following a tour of the site, she met with:

    • Johannes Kedzierski, CEO, Novacare
    • Faraz Minai, Director, Novacare and CEO, Andalus Holdings
    • Ghalib Hafiz, Director, Novacare and Partner, Andalus Holdings
    • Mustafa Hassan, Director, Novacare
    • Qaiser Rafiq, Project Director, Novacare

    The Novacare Islamabad site, based in DHA Phase V, will be a 15-minute journey from the Blue Zone by the time the hospital opens.

    For updates on the British High Commission, please follow our social media channels:

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa launches second phase of phytosanitary programme to fight crop pests

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), has unveiled the second phase of the Africa Phytosanitary Programme (APP).

    APP is an initiative of the IPPC and FAO, which aims to strengthen the resilience of Africa’s phytosanitary systems against plant pests of regulatory, economic, and environmental significance, using cutting-edge digital tools.

    Held in White River, Mpumalanga on Monday, the launch brought together over 50 phytosanitary specialists from nine countries, including Algeria, Cape Verde, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Liberia, Malawi, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia.

    The countries will take part in a weeklong Train-the-Trainer (ToT) workshop in advanced pest surveillance techniques, including the use of customised digital tools and applications for monitoring, detecting, and reporting major pests of economic, regulatory, and environmental importance in Africa.

    The participants will be equipped with state-of-the-art tablets for geospatial pest surveillance, use field survey protocols developed by technical experts, and undertake practical sessions using the pest survey tools.

    Delivering remarks on behalf of Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, Jan Hendrik Venter, Director of Plant Health at the Department of Agriculture, emphasised Africa’s potential to become a global leader in high-quality plant product trade.

    “Africa stands at a turning point. With immense biodiversity, rising agricultural productivity, and growing opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), we are well-positioned to become a global leader in the trade of high-quality plant products.

    “But this vision can only be achieved if we ensure that the movement of plants and plant products is safe, traceable, and fully compliant with international phytosanitary standards,” Venter said.

    Venter added that well-trained, well-equipped plant health officials across the continent, are the best line of defence in maintaining pest-free or low-prevalence status, “an essential condition for accessing these lucrative markets.”

    The first and pilot phase of APP started in 2023, engaging phytosanitary specialists from Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Morocco, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

    Phase 2 builds on achievements made in the pilot phase and aims to train plant health officers, who upon their return to their countries will teach their peers in the national plant protection organisations (NPPOs) and other government stakeholders on the use of the APP suite of digital tools.

    “We are building a critical mass of phytosanitary inspectors, technicians and officers across Africa, by equipping plant health officers with the tools and skills to prevent and address major plant pest threats, that ultimately jeopardise food security, agricultural trade, economic growth and the environment,” FAO Deputy Director General and IPPC Officer-in-Charge, Beth Bechdol said in her video message.

    Funded through generous contributions from the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, APP phase two builds on support from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) which funded phase one in 2023.

    FAO and the IPPC are working to replicate and scale up the benefits from APP to more African countries and other regions.

    Mitigating the pest problem in Africa

    Globally, plant pests are responsible for destroying about 40 percent of crop yields, resulting in economic losses of approximately USD 220 billion.

    In Africa, the impacts of climate change are exacerbating the problem, with invasive pests such as, fruit flies, false codling moth, maize lethal necrosis disease, citrus greening and fall armyworm – causing major damages.

    According to the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) data, fall armyworm alone is estimated to cause the highest yield loss in Africa – USD 9.4 billion annually.

    The African Union’s Plant Health Strategy for Africa highlights that limited technical capability remains a key barrier to achieving sustainable agriculture on the continent.

    Through APP, FAO, the IPPC and partners aim to strengthen plant health systems and build national phytosanitary capacity across Africa. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: At the conference of employees and students of the State University of Management, a new Academic Council was elected and the future of education was discussed

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On June 23, a conference of employees and students of the State University of Management was held at the State University of Management.

    Of the 151 approved delegates, 130 people took part in the meeting; the required quorum was 101 delegates, therefore the Conference was considered to have taken place.

    The Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Dmitry Bryukhanov was unanimously elected as the Chairman of the Conference; the Secretariat included Marina Grigorieva, Artem Geokchakyan and Irina Kogotkova.

    Those gathered also approved the credentials committee, consisting of Marina Zhukova, Olga Zhuravleva and Natalia Tymchuk.

    The following persons were members of the counting commission: Olga Ageeva; Valeria Androsenko; Maria Guseva; Valentina Polyakova; Alexey Stepanov; Marina Trachenko; Milena Trapezanova; Elena Frolova; Andrey Sychev.

    After the conference regulations were approved, those gathered moved on to consider the agenda items, of which there were four:

    Approval of employee representatives in the labor dispute commission; Approval of the number of members of the Academic Council of the State University of Management in the amount of 47 people; Approval of the number of elected members of the Academic Council of the State University of Management in the amount of 32 people; Election of members of the Academic Council of the State University of Management.

    As a result of the vote, the following employees were approved for the labor dispute commission:

    From the employer’s side:

    Bryukhanov Dmitry Yurievich; Lenshin Sergey Ivanovich; Morozova Alexandra Yurievna.

    On behalf of the representative body of workers – the Trade Union Committee of the State University of Management:

    Brikoshina Irina Stanislavovna; Dmitrieva Svetlana Yurievna; Trapezanova Milena Valerievna.

    The number of members of the Academic Council of the State University of Management in the amount of 47 people and the number of elected members of the Academic Council of the State University of Management in the amount of 32 people were also unanimously approved on the basis of the decision of the Academic Council of the State University of Management dated May 27, 2025 No. 13.

    Following a secret vote, the following were elected to the Academic Council:

    No.

     

    Full name of the candidate

     

    1.

    Astafieva Olga Evgenievna

    2.

    Afanasyev Valentin Yakovlevich

    3.

    Ashurbekov Rafik Ashurbekovich

    4.

    Borisova Victoria Vladimirovna

    5.

    Godin Vladimir Viktorovich

    6.

    Grigorieva Marina Yuryevna

    7.

    Gonov Askarbi Muvedovich

    8.

    Dikikh Vadim Alexandrovich

    9.

    Zhukova Marina Alexandrovna

    10.

    Zhuravleva Olga Vyacheslavovna

    11.

    Kabaeva Kristina Olegovna

    12.

    Kamchatova Ekaterina Yuryevna

    13.

    Karp Marina Viktorovna

    14.

    Kuznetsov Nikolay Vladimirovich

    15.

    Larshina Ekaterina Andreevna

    16.

    Morozova Alexandra Yuryevna

    17.

    Nosova Elizaveta Vladimirovna

    18.

    Ovchinnikova Tatyana Vladimirovna

    19.

    Omelchenko Nikolay Alekseevich

    20.

    Perfil’ev Alexey Anatolyevich

    21.

    Pletnev Maxim Gennadievich

    22.

    Polyakov Mikhail Borisovich

    23.

    Redko Evgeniy Valerievich

    24.

    Smirnov Evgeniy Nikolaevich

    25.

    Sokolovskaya Irina Eduardovna

    26.

    Starostin Vasily Sergeevich

    27.

    Sudorgin Oleg Anatolievich

    28.

    Starkova Natalia Alekseevna

    29.

    Sumarokova Ekaterina Viktorovna

    30.

    Chicherin Vadim Petrovich

    31.

    Chuev Sergey Vladimirovich

    32.

    Shnyreva Elena Arkadyevna

    Director of the Department of Digital Development and Admission of Applicants Vadim Dikikh gave a presentation on “The State University of Management in the Modern System of Higher Education”.

    “As you all know, next year higher education in our country will undergo changes. First of all, this is the rejection of the Bologna system and the formation of our own. It is already known that it will consist of three equivalent stages, which will form unified tracks. In other words, each stage will logically continue the previous one and it will be impossible to study at the first stage for one profession, and then go to the second stage for a completely different one. There will also be more practice and interaction with industrial partners in education,” said Vadim Dikikh.

    In addition, Vadim Aleksandrovich devoted significant attention in his speech to the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the modern education system.

    “Now all browsers use AI to quickly find answers to queries. This has greatly affected both the work of teachers and staff, and interaction with students. AI is only in the development and implementation stage. Many young specialists face problems of misunderstanding when setting a task. Do not forget that neural networks are the same algorithm that was trained on the basis that we ourselves have been creating over the past 50 years in the form of our publications,” Vadim Dikikh shared.

    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: Garden Stage Limited Regains Compliance with Nasdaq Minimum Bid Price Listing Requirements

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Hong Kong, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Garden Stage Limited (NASDAQ: GSIW) (“GSIW” or the “Company”), today announced that on June 23, 2025, the Company received written notice from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) that the Company has regained compliance with the minimum closing bid price requirement under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2).

    As previously disclosed , the company received a delinquency notification letter (the “Notice”) from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) on December 24, 2024 indicating that the Company is not currently in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement set forth in Nasdaq’s Listing Rules for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, as the closing bid price for the Company’s ordinary shares listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market was below $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) requires listed securities to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share, and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) provides that a failure to meet the minimum bid price requirement exists if the deficiency continues for a period of 30 consecutive business days. The Notice provides that the Company has a period of 180 calendar days from the date of the Notice, or until June 23, 2025, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement. This requirement was met on June 23, 2025.

    About Garden Stage Limited

    GSIW, through our Operating Subsidiaries, are a Hong Kong-based financial services provider principally engaged in the provision of (i) placing and underwriting services; (ii) securities dealing and brokerage services; (iii) asset management services; and (iv) investment advisory services. Our operation is carried out through our wholly-owned Operating Subsidiaries: a) I Win Securities Limited, which is licensed to conduct Type 1 (dealing in securities) regulated activities under the SFO in Hong Kong, and b) I Win Asset Management Limited, which is licensed to conduct Type 4 (advising on securities) and Type 9 (asset management) regulated activities under the SFO in Hong Kong. I Win Securities Limited is the Stock Exchange Participant and holds one Stock Exchange Trading Right. I Win Securities Limited is a participant of the HKSCC.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in verbal statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of the press release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

    For more information, please contact:

    Garden Stage Limited
    Chan Sze Ho
    Chief Executive Officer
    Email: rickychan@iwinsec.com
    Tel: (852) 2688 6333

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £1.6m lost to gig ticket scams as public urged to take caution

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    £1.6m lost to gig ticket scams as public urged to take caution

    Gig-goers have been urged to be wary of scams when purchasing last-minute tickets on social media after £1.6 million was lost to ticket fraud in 2024.

    Photo: Getty Images

    On the eve of Glastonbury, British music lovers are being urged to take caution over last-minute tickets for sale on social media, after new figures revealed that the amount lost to ticket fraud more than doubled to £1.6m in 2024.

    The government has issued the warning as part of its wider crackdown on scammers and online fraud, designed to ensure money is kept in working people’s pockets, as part of the Plan for Change.

    With a host of tours and festivals due to take place this summer, including the Oasis reunion tour kicking off in July, new Action Fraud data released by the Home Office today finds the public lost more than £1.6 million in scams related to concert tickets in 2024 – more than double the figure from the previous year.

    Around 3,700 gig ticket fraud reports were made to Action Fraud in 2024, with almost half of them referring to offers made on social media platforms. The government has called on tech companies to go further and faster to protect the public from the fraudulent offers being advertised on their platforms.

    The data shows that people in their twenties were most likely to become victims of ticket fraud last year, accounting for 27% of all victims, and the government has urged people to follow the government’s Stop! Think Fraud campaign advice to ensure they are protected from scams ahead of a busy summer of gigs and festivals.

    1. If you’re offered tickets for something in high demand don’t let the fear of missing out rush your decision. Take a moment to stop, think, and check if the offer is genuine.
    2. Only buy tickets from the venue’s box office or an official ticketing website.
    3. Never move away from an official payment platform to make a direct payment via bank transfer or virtual currency. Use the site’s recommended payment methods to stay protected.

    With fraud the most commonly experienced crime in the UK, affecting 1 in 15 adults each year, the government is taking further steps to crack down on the scammers behind the surge in fraud over the last decade, including through a new ban on SIM farms, technical devices which facilitate fraud on an industrial scale.

    The UK is also driving the response to fraud internationally through the adoption of the first ever UN resolution on fraud and has launched the first ever Insurance Fraud Charter to reduce fraud against the sector and consumers. The government will go further by publishing a new, expanded fraud strategy before the end of the year, which will place raising public awareness and working with tech companies at its heart.

    This follows government plans to tackle greedy ticket touts through new measures announced earlier this year which will put a cap on the price of resold tickets for concerts, live sport and other events, to put the power back in the hands of fans.

    Fraud Minister Lord Hanson said:

    Fraud is an absolutely shameful crime and today’s data shows that anyone can be a victim.

    While millions of Britons are getting ready to attend concerts this summer, the scammers are getting ready to exploit the desperate search for tickets, posting fake messages on social media sites offering to resell tickets they can’t use, or making last-minute offers from fake ticket companies.

    That is why our campaign is called Stop! Think Fraud, so no matter how real a deal looks, we all need to take a moment to think: am I being ripped off? So, let’s all stay cautious, stay alert, and stay protected from fraud. Don’t let the scammers ruin your summer.

    Tor Garnett, City of London Police Commander for Cyber and Economic Crime, said:

    People go to gigs for that ‘once in a lifetime’ experience – especially at sold out concerts and festivals, where the atmosphere is unmatched. But the excitement can vanish in an instant when fans discover their tickets are fake or they’ve been scammed through social media or resale sites. The loss isn’t just financial – it’s deeply emotional, turning anticipation into heartbreak.

    Criminals are targeting those looking to snap up last minute or resale tickets for sold out and highly in-demand concerts this year, and Action Fraud reporting data highlights this increasing issue. That’s why we encourage everyone to stay alert and recognise the tactics fraudsters use to commit ticket fraud this summer.

    Key signs of ticket fraud include unsolicited messages with ticket offers and deals, or requests for payment via bank transfer. When buying tickets, use a reputable or official ticket-selling site. Always take a moment to double check offers for tickets and pay using a credit card. Follow the advice from Stop! Think Fraud site on how to protect yourself from fraud.

    National Coordinator for the National Trading Standards eCrime Team, Mike Andrews, said:

    Every summer music fans desperate to see their favourite artists at festivals or stadium tours are left distraught and considerably out of pocket at the turnstiles as they discover the tickets they bought in good faith are in fact part of a fraudulent scam.

    Recent National Trading Standards prosecutions have led to serious jail time for ticket touts, which should send a message to all those who choose to engage in fraud that there are severe consequences.

    Fans should avoid buying from unofficial ticket sellers, but we know fans desperate for tickets will try to source them via any means possible. For fans who do risk using secondary sites, always use a credit card and never pay by money transfer or buy tickets on social media channels.

    Founder of face-value ticket resale platform Twickets, Richard Davies, said:

    We’ve seen firsthand how fraudsters attempt to exploit high-demand tours. In recent weeks alone, we’ve had to warn fans about multiple fake Twickets accounts and websites set up to trick Oasis fans into handing over money for non-existent tickets.

    Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often mimicking trusted resale platforms like ours or creating convincing social media profiles. It’s vital that fans stop and think before making a purchase. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Always check that the platform is an official resale partner, never buy tickets from unofficial sellers on social media or marketplaces and avoid anyone asking for payment via personal bank transfer.

    Twickets was created to give fans a safer, fairer way to buy and sell tickets at face value, and we’ve already helped thousands of Oasis fans do just that ahead of the band’s upcoming tour. We’re committed to protecting fans and will continue to work hard to ensure ticketing remains transparent, trustworthy and scam-free.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: C&D Inc. Shares Three Key Experiences to Help Chinese Enterprises Navigate Global Commodity Risks

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HANGZHOU, China, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the era of Globalization 3.0 approaches—marked by rising calls for “de-globalization” on one hand, and the vigorous global expansion of Chinese enterprises on the other—the “Born to Be Global” 2nd Global Summit of Chinese Enterprises Going Overseas and 2025 Mid-Year Industry Summit was held at the National University of Singapore from June 19 to 20, 2025.

    Jointly launched by Hangzhou Ba Jiu Ling Cultural Creative Co., Ltd., Jidang Business Studies, and the Sino-Commercial Overseas Industrial Alliance (SCOIA), and co-organized by C&D Inc., the summit brought together over 50 political and business leaders, along with representatives from international business associations and more than 1,000 corporate delegates from China and abroad, to explore the latest trends and opportunities in global expansion.

    As a leading player in the supply chain sector, C&D Inc. was invited to share its insights on using futures instruments to help global enterprises mitigate the risks of commodity price volatility in international markets.

    Li Zhi, General Manager of the Futures Management Department of the Risk Control Center, C&D Inc., delivering a keynote speech at the summit.

    In his speech titled “Proactive Risk Management: Tackling Supply Chain Black Swans,” Li Zhi highlighted the key challenges faced by Chinese enterprises going global. Drawing from historical lessons and innovative practices, he offered a systematic analysis of how futures instruments can play a critical role in stabilizing global supply chains.

    In his presentation, Li Zhi highlighted three core concepts in price risk management: Breakthrough, Exploration, and Transformation.

    Breakthrough: From the “Soybean Incident” to Financial Tool Innovation

    Li Zhi began his speech by revisiting the 2004 “Soybean Incident,” a crisis that shook China’s grain and oil industry. The international soybean market underwent extreme volatility over a six-month period—prices surged and plunged by more than 50%—driven by multiple factors, including the price discovery mechanisms of the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). The shock was severe for China’s soybean processing sector, which was highly dependent on imports. “Nearly 1,000 Chinese companies went bankrupt,“ he said, “with 85% of the processing capacity shifting to foreign ownership, resulting in total economic losses exceeded 15 billion yuan (approximately USD 2.1 billion)”.

    The crisis became a catalyst for change. According to Li Zhi, the adoption of futures instruments helped compress the price volatility of soybeans from 1,300 cents to just 210 cents per bushel—an 85% reduction. This has been a key factor in preventing similar crises since the “Soybean Incident.”

    Leveraging futures instruments to effectively manage price volatility has become a critical strategy for enterprises seeking to navigate international markets.

    Exploration: C&D Inc.’s Three Core Practices

    Even today, many Chinese enterprises remain unfamiliar with the use of futures instruments in global markets. Citing data, Li Zhi noted that 98% of Fortune 500 companies utilize financial derivatives for hedging purposes, whereas only about 30% of non-financial listed firms on China’s A-share market do the same.

    With four decades of experience in international operations, C&D Inc. stands out as a leading Chinese enterprise in the strategic use of financial derivatives within the supply chain sector.

    During his speech, Li Zhi shared how C&D Inc. has built an effective framework for using futures instruments, structured around three core pillars: risk control, business operations, and research. He distilled this approach into a guiding principle: “Risk control comes first, business forms the foundation, and research supports the base.”

    Transformation: From Managing Its Own Risks to Empowering Others
    As C&D Inc. has matured in its application of futures instruments, it has progressively integrated its proprietary futures framework into its broader supply chain services. By leveraging these tools, the company has helped over 900 industrial clients build robust risk management shields—enabling stable upstream pricing, consistent midstream margins, and predictable downstream costs.

    As acclaimed Chinese financial commentator Wu Xiaobo observed, “C&D Inc. has transformed its externally driven resource integration capabilities into internally driven service delivery—offering end-to-end support across information, logistics, and finance.”

    As Chinese enterprises embark on this new wave of globalization, it is companies like C&D Inc.—with deep operational experience and robust overseas supply chain capabilities—that must step forward to share their know-how and open up their resources. Only then can Chinese firms expand globally in a more professional, secure, and efficient manner.
    In closing, Li Zhi emphasized, “In this new era of global navigation, only by jointly building a shared risk-bearing mechanism can Chinese enterprises chart a steady course through turbulent global waters and achieve sustainable success.”

    “One struggles alone, but thrives together.” This is not only a recognition of C&D Inc.’s forward-thinking practices, but also a broader call for Chinese enterprises to embrace collective resilience in navigating global risks.

    Organization: Hangzhou Ba Jiu Ling Cultural Creative Co., Ltd

    Contact Person: Daisy Xing

    Website: www.890xsx.com

    Email: xingqian@890media.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by Hangzhou Ba Jiu Ling Cultural Creative Co., Ltd. The statements, views, and opinions expressed are solely those of the provider and do not necessarily reflect those of this media platform or its publisher. Any names or brands mentioned are used for identification purposes only and remain the property of their respective owners. No endorsement or guarantee is made regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct independent research and consult qualified professionals. The publisher is not liable for any losses, damages, or legal issues arising from the use or publication of this content.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0e91b3b9-e047-44c6-949c-f709ac13fc92

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: C&D Inc. Shares Three Key Experiences to Help Chinese Enterprises Navigate Global Commodity Risks

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HANGZHOU, China, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the era of Globalization 3.0 approaches—marked by rising calls for “de-globalization” on one hand, and the vigorous global expansion of Chinese enterprises on the other—the “Born to Be Global” 2nd Global Summit of Chinese Enterprises Going Overseas and 2025 Mid-Year Industry Summit was held at the National University of Singapore from June 19 to 20, 2025.

    Jointly launched by Hangzhou Ba Jiu Ling Cultural Creative Co., Ltd., Jidang Business Studies, and the Sino-Commercial Overseas Industrial Alliance (SCOIA), and co-organized by C&D Inc., the summit brought together over 50 political and business leaders, along with representatives from international business associations and more than 1,000 corporate delegates from China and abroad, to explore the latest trends and opportunities in global expansion.

    As a leading player in the supply chain sector, C&D Inc. was invited to share its insights on using futures instruments to help global enterprises mitigate the risks of commodity price volatility in international markets.

    Li Zhi, General Manager of the Futures Management Department of the Risk Control Center, C&D Inc., delivering a keynote speech at the summit.

    In his speech titled “Proactive Risk Management: Tackling Supply Chain Black Swans,” Li Zhi highlighted the key challenges faced by Chinese enterprises going global. Drawing from historical lessons and innovative practices, he offered a systematic analysis of how futures instruments can play a critical role in stabilizing global supply chains.

    In his presentation, Li Zhi highlighted three core concepts in price risk management: Breakthrough, Exploration, and Transformation.

    Breakthrough: From the “Soybean Incident” to Financial Tool Innovation

    Li Zhi began his speech by revisiting the 2004 “Soybean Incident,” a crisis that shook China’s grain and oil industry. The international soybean market underwent extreme volatility over a six-month period—prices surged and plunged by more than 50%—driven by multiple factors, including the price discovery mechanisms of the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). The shock was severe for China’s soybean processing sector, which was highly dependent on imports. “Nearly 1,000 Chinese companies went bankrupt,“ he said, “with 85% of the processing capacity shifting to foreign ownership, resulting in total economic losses exceeded 15 billion yuan (approximately USD 2.1 billion)”.

    The crisis became a catalyst for change. According to Li Zhi, the adoption of futures instruments helped compress the price volatility of soybeans from 1,300 cents to just 210 cents per bushel—an 85% reduction. This has been a key factor in preventing similar crises since the “Soybean Incident.”

    Leveraging futures instruments to effectively manage price volatility has become a critical strategy for enterprises seeking to navigate international markets.

    Exploration: C&D Inc.’s Three Core Practices

    Even today, many Chinese enterprises remain unfamiliar with the use of futures instruments in global markets. Citing data, Li Zhi noted that 98% of Fortune 500 companies utilize financial derivatives for hedging purposes, whereas only about 30% of non-financial listed firms on China’s A-share market do the same.

    With four decades of experience in international operations, C&D Inc. stands out as a leading Chinese enterprise in the strategic use of financial derivatives within the supply chain sector.

    During his speech, Li Zhi shared how C&D Inc. has built an effective framework for using futures instruments, structured around three core pillars: risk control, business operations, and research. He distilled this approach into a guiding principle: “Risk control comes first, business forms the foundation, and research supports the base.”

    Transformation: From Managing Its Own Risks to Empowering Others
    As C&D Inc. has matured in its application of futures instruments, it has progressively integrated its proprietary futures framework into its broader supply chain services. By leveraging these tools, the company has helped over 900 industrial clients build robust risk management shields—enabling stable upstream pricing, consistent midstream margins, and predictable downstream costs.

    As acclaimed Chinese financial commentator Wu Xiaobo observed, “C&D Inc. has transformed its externally driven resource integration capabilities into internally driven service delivery—offering end-to-end support across information, logistics, and finance.”

    As Chinese enterprises embark on this new wave of globalization, it is companies like C&D Inc.—with deep operational experience and robust overseas supply chain capabilities—that must step forward to share their know-how and open up their resources. Only then can Chinese firms expand globally in a more professional, secure, and efficient manner.
    In closing, Li Zhi emphasized, “In this new era of global navigation, only by jointly building a shared risk-bearing mechanism can Chinese enterprises chart a steady course through turbulent global waters and achieve sustainable success.”

    “One struggles alone, but thrives together.” This is not only a recognition of C&D Inc.’s forward-thinking practices, but also a broader call for Chinese enterprises to embrace collective resilience in navigating global risks.

    Organization: Hangzhou Ba Jiu Ling Cultural Creative Co., Ltd

    Contact Person: Daisy Xing

    Website: www.890xsx.com

    Email: xingqian@890media.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by Hangzhou Ba Jiu Ling Cultural Creative Co., Ltd. The statements, views, and opinions expressed are solely those of the provider and do not necessarily reflect those of this media platform or its publisher. Any names or brands mentioned are used for identification purposes only and remain the property of their respective owners. No endorsement or guarantee is made regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct independent research and consult qualified professionals. The publisher is not liable for any losses, damages, or legal issues arising from the use or publication of this content.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0e91b3b9-e047-44c6-949c-f709ac13fc92

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Aurora Mobile’s Board of Directors Approves Investment in Digital Assets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHENZHEN, China, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aurora Mobile Limited (NASDAQ: JG) (“Aurora Mobile” or the “Company”), a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a strategic initiative as part of the Company’s overall treasury management plan to preserve and enhance asset value while supporting its strategy to expand market coverage, partnerships and ecosystem. The Company will invest up to 20% of the cash and cash equivalents of the Company and its consolidated entities in cryptocurrencies and other digital assets. These investments may include but are not limited to, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, SUI and other tokens. This decision reflects the Company’s commitment to innovative treasury practices and its focus on long-term value creation for shareholders.

    Mr. Weidong Luo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aurora Mobile, commented, “We believe our treasury optimization strategy through investments in digital assets will:  

    1. Enhance our portfolio diversification by gaining exposure to an emerging asset class with low correlation to traditional markets
    2. Demonstrate forward-looking innovation by aligning with the technological advancements reshaping global finance

    We view this as a measured step towards modernizing our treasury management practices. We will continue to maintain ample liquidity for operational needs, while a strategic allocation to digital assets positions Aurora Mobile at the intersection of finance and innovation, unlocking potential long term value.

    Importantly, this initiative does not impact core business operations or capital allocation for growth initiatives. We remain fully committed to our primary business strategy and delivering shareholder value through our dual-engine strategy of global market expansion and AI empowerment.”

    About Aurora Mobile Limited

    Founded in 2011, Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG) is a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China. Since its inception, Aurora Mobile has focused on providing stable and efficient messaging services to enterprises and has grown to be a leading mobile messaging service provider with its first-mover advantage. With the increasing demand for customer reach and marketing growth, Aurora Mobile has developed forward-looking solutions such as Cloud Messaging and Cloud Marketing to help enterprises achieve omnichannel customer reach and interaction, as well as artificial intelligence and big data-driven marketing technology solutions to help enterprises’ digital transformation.

    For more information, please visit https://ir.jiguang.cn/.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Among other things, the Business Outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Aurora Mobile’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Aurora Mobile may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Aurora Mobile’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Aurora Mobile’s strategies; Aurora Mobile’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Aurora Mobile’s ability to attract and retain customers; its ability to develop and effectively market data solutions, and penetrate the existing market for developer services; its ability to transition to the new advertising-driven SAAS business model; its ability to maintain or enhance its brand; the competition with current or future competitors; its ability to continue to gain access to mobile data in the future; the laws and regulations relating to data privacy and protection; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and Aurora Mobile undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

    For more information, please contact:

    Aurora Mobile Limited
    E-mail: ir@jiguang.cn

    Christensen

    In China
    Ms. Xiaoyan Su
    Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
    E-mail: Xiaoyan.Su@christensencomms.com

    In US
    Ms. Linda Bergkamp
    Phone: +1-480-614-3004
    Email: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Understanding drug precursor control in the European Union – 24-06-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Drug precursors are substances that may have legitimate commercial or industrial applications but are also used to produce illicit drugs. Criminal organisations seek to divert these substances from licit trade, while governments strive to prevent this without hindering the commercial interests of lawful operators. Faced with challenges in accessing these substances, primarily produced outside the European Union (EU) and subject to stringent regulations, criminal organisations have increasingly turned to using uncontrolled substitutes, putting in question conventional prevention strategies. Trade in drug precursors is strictly monitored and controlled at the international, EU, and Member State levels. The 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances is the cornerstone of the international framework for regulating these substances. Precursors are listed in the tables annexed to the Convention, which also outlines the roles of various bodies, such as the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the International Narcotics Control Board, in the scheduling process. To address the diversion of drug precursors, the EU has established a comprehensive framework composed of legislative, policy and institutional elements. The provisions of the 1988 Convention have been implemented through two EU regulations: one governing intra-EU trade and the other regulating trade with third countries. These laws impose obligations on operators handling substances listed by the EU. The EU Drugs Agency has been granted an enhanced mandate to assist the European Commission in monitoring precursor-related developments. In 2020, the Commission published a report assessing the effectiveness of EU drug precursors regulations in terms of implementation, impact, efficiency, relevance, coherence and EU added value. The evaluation’s findings will inform the forthcoming revision of the two regulations.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Clean Industrial Deal – P10_TA(2025)0137 – Thursday, 19 June 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Parliament,

    –  having regard to the Commission communication of 26 February 2025 entitled ‘The Clean Industrial Deal: A joint roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation’ (COM(2025)0085),

    –  having regard to the Commission communication of 26 February 2025 entitled ‘Action Plan for Affordable Energy – Unlocking the true value of our Energy Union to secure affordable, efficient and clean energy for all Europeans’ (COM(2025)0079),

    –  having regard to the report of 9 September 2024 by Mario Draghi entitled ‘On the future of European competitiveness’,

    –  having regard to the report of April 2024 by Enrico Letta entitled ‘Much more than a market’,

    –  having regard to the Commission communication of 29 January 2025 entitled ‘A Competitiveness Compass for the EU’ (COM(2025)0030),

    –  having regard to the Commission communication of 19 March 2025 entitled ‘A European Steel and Metals Action Plan’ (COM(2025)0125),

    –  having regard to its resolution of 15 September 2022 on the implementation of the Updated New Industrial Strategy for Europe: aligning spending to policy(1),

    –  having regard to its resolution of 3 April 2025 on energy-intensive industries(2) and the related oral question O-00010/2025,

    –  having regard to the Commission communication of 11 December 2019 on the European Green Deal (COM(2019)0640),

    –  having regard to the report of its Committee on Industry, Research and Energy of 13 May 2025 on electricity grids: the backbone of the EU energy system,

    –  having regard to the question to the Commission O-000020/2025,

    –  having regard to Rules 142(5) and 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

    –  having regard to the motion for a resolution of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy,

    A.  whereas the Clean Industrial Deal (CID) aims to bring together climate action and competitiveness under one overarching growth strategy focusing on supporting energy-intensive industries and the clean tech sector; whereas this is much needed, as the transition to a decarbonised and circular economy can only be successful when competitiveness is maintained;

    B.  whereas the Action Plan for Affordable Energy aims to provide affordable clean energy and short-term relief by lowering energy bills while accelerating the implementation of structural reforms and strengthening our energy systems to mitigate future price shocks;

    C.  whereas European industry is currently facing enormous challenges with high fossil-based energy prices, unfair international competition, lost jobs and skills shortages, leading to scaled-back production, delocalisation and closed sites, thereby increasing our dependency on external suppliers and undermining strategic autonomy, while innovation, manufacturing and associated emissions risk being relocated rather than addressed at source;

    D.  whereas European industry is willing to move towards sustainability, contributing to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, and a future-proof, decarbonised industrial base can offer significant opportunities, but decarbonisation projects risk being shelved because their business case within Europe no longer adds up;

    1.  Welcomes the Clean Industrial Deal as a long-awaited first step towards strengthening Europe’s industrial competitiveness and innovation, strategic autonomy, decarbonisation, prosperity and clean growth; urges the Commission to swiftly move from strategy to action and implementation; recognises that the proposed actions must be expanded with further measures; stresses that robust and well-targeted industrial policy is crucial to ensure a strong and sustainable industrial base in Europe and to create and maintain high-quality jobs while decarbonising our economy, reducing pollution and strengthening Europe’s resilience;

    2.  Welcomes the establishment of the Industrial Decarbonisation Bank with the aim of mobilising EUR 100 billion in funding, as well as the announced pilot with a EUR 1 billion auction on the decarbonisation of key industrial processes across various sectors supporting industrial decarbonisation and electrification; emphasises the importance of scaling up investment in and access to capital for clean tech manufacturing, including via additional funding through the Innovation Fund; calls for broader participation by the Member States in auction-as-a-service schemes; calls for the adoption of investment criteria based on carbon impact, scalability and security of supply; supports Carbon Contracts for Difference in closing the gap between the carbon price and the cost of industrial carbon management projects for hard-to-abate sectors; considers its establishment as a budget line for deployment of industrial decarbonisation technologies within the governance of the Competitiveness Fund;

    3.  Supports the Action Plan for Affordable Energy and its focus on the implementation of the Electricity Market Design, enhancing tools such as Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and two-way Contracts for Difference (CfDs) to reduce the influence of fossil fuel prices on electricity prices; welcomes the pilot programme for corporate PPAs via the European Investment Bank and stresses the need to leverage PPAs to expand capacity and achieve genuine decarbonisation; calls on the Commission to introduce de-risking tools to address the main barriers that energy-intensive industries face in signing PPAs, in particular renewable PPAs, as well as CfDs for risk reduction on the demand side for energy users, and to explore how to stimulate the development of hybrid PPAs with matching flexibility products;

    4.  Underlines the need to boost energy infrastructure, especially cross-border, including interconnections, and to complete the Energy Union; calls for the pursuit of an ambitious outcome of the future dialogue on deeper electricity market integration, as the current fragmentation of regulatory oversight and investment planning across all Member States is hampering integration and electrification; calls on the Member States, transmission system operators and the Commission to boost cross-border electricity trading so as to unlock the benefits of market integration and improve reliability of supply for all interconnected parties; urges the Member States to strive to achieve the current 15 % interconnection target, as set out in Regulation (EU) 2018/1999(3);

    5.  Highlights the need to finalise work on the revision of the Energy Taxation Directive(4), which aims to align the taxation of energy products with the EU’s energy and climate policy objectives, and to harmonise a design of tariff methodologies for network charges, provided that such measures do not come at the expense of final consumers; calls on the Member States to urgently provide short-term relief to industry and households, for example by reducing electricity taxes and levies and abstaining from unjustified additional requirements (‘gold-plating’ EU legislation) where this distorts the level playing field;

    6.  Encourages the Commission and the Member States to improve the coordination of state aid spending on common European industrial priorities and calls on the Member States to make use of this to support industry on the path towards a clean transition, while taking into account different fiscal capacities; reiterates the need for a level playing field; stresses the need for improved coordination of industrial policy across the Union, both among the Member States and between the Member States and the Commission; supports the deployment of the competitiveness coordination tool to guide and align national efforts; considers that public support should contribute to safeguarding jobs and industrial activity in Europe, and that beneficiaries of such support should commit to safeguarding decent employment and working conditions and engage in social dialogue;

    7.  Endorses simplification and digitalisation to speed up permitting procedures, while respecting environmental safeguards and protecting human health; calls on the Commission to further address permitting bottlenecks for industrial access to energy and industrial decarbonisation in the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act, including through the adoption of measures to accelerate judicial and administrative procedures, and to assess criteria for targeted exemptions for construction emissions and depositions for clean and net zero projects, storage and grid projects; urges the Member States to improve their administrative capacities to ensure timely processing of permits and to fully implement the Renewable Energy Directive(5), including the overriding public interest principle, and the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA)(6);

    8.  Calls on the Commission to take into account, in safeguarding both security of supply and affordability, all available technologies that contribute to reaching the EU’s climate neutrality goal for 2050 in a cost-effective way in the pursuit of a cleaner, stable, secure and more independent energy mix; recognises that renewable energy, alongside nuclear energy for those Member States that decide to use it, is essential for a clean and secure energy mix; calls on the Commission to strengthen cooperation on the safe development and production of small modular reactors in Europe and to advance research in nuclear fusion as a future energy technology; welcomes the announced assessment of the possibility of streamlining licensing practices for new nuclear energy technologies;

    9.  Stresses the role of electrification, but notes that significant expansion and modernisation of grids are necessary; calls for an ‘EU strategy on energy flexibility’ with a focus on demand-side response and energy storage; welcomes the intention to update the Heating and Cooling Strategy and Electrification Action Plan; calls on the Commission to recognise the energy efficiency sector as a key strategic sector for industrial decarbonisation and European competitiveness;

    10.  Stresses the important role that renewable and low-carbon hydrogen can play in the decarbonisation of industry; calls for the swift adoption and implementation of a simple, technology-neutral and investment-friendly definition of low-carbon hydrogen in the forthcoming delegated regulation to supplement Directive (EU) 2024/1788(7) by specifying a methodology for assessing greenhouse gas emissions savings from low-carbon fuels, while ensuring that such a definition is robust, science-based and incentivises hydrogen production and usage to ensure emissions reductions; supports the announcement of a study on the rules for renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs); urges the Commission to take into account the outcomes of this study and the concerns of stakeholders and propose, where appropriate, changes to the delegated act on RFNBOs(8) in order to increase renewable hydrogen production and lower its prices for consumers;

    11.  Reiterates the need to develop measures to ensure gas supply at a mitigated cost for those sectors which cannot rely substantially on electrification in the short to medium term; calls for diversified and reliable partnerships in line with the Union’s security, interests and the RePowerEU roadmap;

    12.  Urges the Commission to engage in sectoral dialogues with industries, academia, social partners and relevant stakeholders from clean tech and energy-intensive industries and (cross-border) regional industrial clusters to strengthen their competitiveness and facilitate their transition pathways; stresses that industrial ecosystems are highly interconnected and efficient, where closure of one facility affects the whole cluster; calls for annual monitoring and reporting on the competitiveness and resilience of our industrial ecosystems and on the progress made on the transition pathways, so that instruments can be adapted swiftly with tailor-made support when needed;

    13.  Underlines that the success of the clean industrial transition hinges on a skilled workforce; calls on the Commission and the Member States to develop a coordinated industrial skills strategy aligned with the NZIA and clean technology priorities; supports the swift deployment and expansion of the Net-Zero Industry Academies and Centres of Vocational Excellence; encourages the use of EU instruments such as ESF+, Erasmus+ and the Just Transition Fund to support targeted up- and reskilling in industrial regions undergoing transformation, including rural areas;

    14.  Welcomes lead markets for European-made clean, circular and low-carbon products; underlines the need to stimulate demand through public and private procurement and with the introduction of sustainability and resilience criteria and standards, where appropriate; supports the creation of voluntary carbon intensity labels for industrial products (e.g. for steel and cement), which should reflect carbon performance rather than process bias, and alignment with existing EU legislation, including the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation(9) and the Construction Products Regulation(10); calls on the Commission to explore other requirements to guarantee demand for clean EU-made products;

    15.  Welcomes the proposed actions powering the circular economy and the bioeconomy by securing access to materials and resources; encourages the inclusion in the Circular Economy Act of measures to increase the use and affordability of strategic secondary materials within the EU, taking into consideration the aims of the Critical Raw Materials Act(11); stresses the need to define those secondary raw materials that are strategic and that should be subject to export monitoring, such as steel and metal scrap, and to tackle any imbalance in their supply and demand, including by exploring export restrictions; insists on the effective enforcement of the Waste Shipment Regulation(12); calls for a predictable regulatory framework that unlocks circular business models, particularly those based on waste prevention, reuse and high-quality recycling;

    16.  Stresses the need to protect the European market from unfair competition and the dumping of industrial overcapacity from non-EU countries by using trade defence mechanisms to their full extent; calls on the Commission to adopt a systematic, proactive and proportionate use of trade defence instruments, including anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations; demands that the enforcement capacity of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation(13) be strengthened, and regrets that this tool has not yet been activated systematically in key sectors; calls for the Commission to treat industrial overcapacity and strategic dependencies as core competition risks requiring a coordinated EU-level response and appropriate tools; calls on the Commission to ensure that access to the EU internal market or to European industrial projects is not granted to actors contributing to structural market distortions or unfair competition;

    17.  Welcomes the proposed simplification of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in the first omnibus package as an important step to further enhance the effectiveness of the CBAM to address carbon leakage; reiterates its call for a workable export solution to address the risk of carbon leakage for CBAM goods exported from the EU to non-EU countries; asks the Commission to analyse carefully the risks associated with unverified certificates from outside the EU, which could harm fairness and competitiveness; welcomes the Commission’s intention to present an anti-circumvention strategy before the end of the year, and to consider extending the CBAM to additional sectors as part of the upcoming review; underlines the importance of an effective CBAM in the context of phasing out the free allowances in the EU emissions trading system;

    18.  Welcomes, in the context of the implementation of the Industrial Carbon Management Strategy, building the business case for permanent carbon removals into upcoming (reviews of) legislation; recognises that carbon management, including capture, storage, transport and utilisation, may be needed for hard-to-abate sectors; underlines the need to propose a CO2 market framework package for CO2 transport and infrastructure;

    19.  Urges accessible funding for SMEs; welcomes accelerated approval and disbursement in instruments such as the Innovation Fund and the NZIA and stresses that the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) initiative needs to be accessible to SMEs; urges further improvements and harmonisation to simplify funding applications, reduce reporting obligations and fast-track small projects;

    20.  Stresses the importance of sector-specific approaches to effectively implement the Clean Industrial Deal across the full range of industrial ecosystems; welcomes the Industrial Action Plan for the Automotive Sector, the Steel and Metals Action Plan, the announcement of the Chemicals Industry Package, the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan and the Bioeconomy Strategy as key building blocks of a coherent industrial transition; calls for the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan to include detailed decarbonisation strategies, reflecting the specific technological and investment needs for the different modes of transport; calls for the inclusion of other sectors, such as the European aerospace sector and alternative fuels, in the framework of the Clean Industrial Deal; calls for a specific action plan on clean tech;

    21.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

    (1) OJ C 125, 5.4.2023, p. 124.
    (2) Texts adopted P10_TA(2025)0065.
    (3) Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, amending Regulations (EC) No 663/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directives 94/22/EC, 98/70/EC, 2009/31/EC, 2009/73/EC, 2010/31/EU, 2012/27/EU and 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 2009/119/EC and (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/1999/oj).
    (4) Council Directive 2003/96/EC of 27 October 2003 restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity (OJ L 283, 31.10.2003, p. 51, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2003/96/oj).
    (5) Directive (EU) 2023/2413 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 October 2023 amending Directive (EU) 2018/2001, Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and Directive 98/70/EC as regards the promotion of energy from renewable sources, and repealing Council Directive (EU) 2015/652 (OJ L, 2023/2413, 31.10.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2023/2413/oj).
    (6) Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology manufacturing ecosystem and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 (OJ L, 2024/1735, 28.6.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1735/oj).
    (7) Directive (EU) 2024/1788 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on common rules for the internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen, amending Directive (EU) 2023/1791 and repealing Directive 2009/73/EC (OJ L, 2024/1788, 15.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1788/oj).
    (8) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1184 of 10 February 2023 supplementing Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council by establishing a Union methodology setting out detailed rules for the production of renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biological origin (OJ L 157, 20.6.2023, p. 11., ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2023/1184/oj).
    (9) Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for sustainable products, amending Directive (EU) 2020/1828 and Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and repealing Directive 2009/125/EC (OJ L, 2024/1781, 28.6.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1781/oj).
    (10) Regulation (EU) 2024/3110 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2024 laying down harmonised rules for the marketing of construction products and repealing Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 (OJ L, 2024/3110, 18.12.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/3110/oj).
    (11) Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials and amending Regulations (EU) No 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2018/1724 and (EU) 2019/1020 (OJ L, 2024/1252, 3.5.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1252/oj).
    (12) Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on shipments of waste, amending Regulations (EU) No 1257/2013 and (EU) 2020/1056 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 (OJ L, 2024/1157, 30.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1157/oj).
    (13) Regulation (EU) 2022/2560 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market (OJ L 330, 23.12.2022, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2560/oj).

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UKEF unveils new strategic financing for industrial growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UKEF unveils new strategic financing for industrial growth

    Up to £13 billion of direct lending will be used to help boost British exports across key industrial sectors as part of new growth measures spearheaded by UK Export Finance (UKEF).

    • Multi-billion-pound direct lending by UK Export Finance will help boost orders for British exporters across key industrial sectors, including defence

    • Export credit agency to introduce new product to secure critical minerals supply and plans to legislate to increase its statutory commitment limit to support even more businesses

    • New measures announced as part of Industrial Strategy published yesterday

    Through its Direct Lending Facility, UKEF – the government’s export credit agency – provides loans to overseas buyers, allowing them to finance the purchase of capital goods and services from UK suppliers.

    Outlined in the Industrial Strategy, UKEF now has greater flexibility of direct lending powers to support all eight Industrial Strategy sectors, from clean industries and life sciences to advanced manufacturing and defence.

    The £13 billion marks a £3 billion uplift in UKEF’s facility. Of this £13 billion, at least £3 billion will be used to stimulate defence exports, demonstrating the growing importance of this sector to economic and national security.

    Recent direct lending deals include a £18.8 million equivalent loan for an Angolan clean water project delivering up to approximately £6.8 million of supply contracts for British exporters, and a £23 million equivalent loan to Iraq’s Ministry of Interior to purchase 62 UK-made fire-fighting vehicles.

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    UKEF plays an instrumental role in delivering our Industrial Strategy – providing the essential support that British businesses need to compete internationally.  

    By unlocking export opportunities and supporting innovation across key sectors through mechanisms like direct lending, UKEF is helping to drive sustainable economic growth, create highly skilled jobs and strengthen Britain’s place as a go-to trading partner.  

    Our commitment to backing British exporters forms a vital part of this government’s Plan for Change which will raise living standards in every part of UK.

    Following on from the announcement of UKEF’s Critical Minerals Supply Finance product in the Autumn Statement, the department is going further to secure industry access to critical minerals by launching a new loan guarantee scheme for UK-based suppliers that sell critical minerals, or products that contain critical minerals, to UK exporters.  

    UKEF also plans to legislate to have its statutory commitment limit – the entire amount of support that the department can have on its books at any one time – increased which will enable it to support more businesses of all sizes across the UK. The department will review its operating mandate to consider taking on a broader trade and investment finance remit.

    To encourage growth at a local level, the department plans to expand its network of 24 local export finance managers to give focus on city regions and clusters where key sectors have a presence. Export finance managers provide free and impartial guidance to businesses on their export finance needs.

    UK Export Finance CEO Tim Reid added:

    UKEF is well positioned to drive exports across high-impact industry sectors and create economic growth. We look forward to playing a key role in driving delivery of the Industrial Strategy, using our increased capacity and flexible product range.

    Backed by our comprehensive five-year business plan that will reach businesses of all sizes across every region and nation of the UK, we’re laying the extra foundations to enable thousands more British businesses to take their products and services to global markets.

    The measures are announced ahead of UKEF’s 2024/25 annual report & accounts which will be published shortly. The results are expected to show it was a record-breaking year for the department.

    It will build on the results of the 2023/24 financial year in which UKEF provided over £8.8 billion of support to 650 businesses of all sizes and types, supported up to 41,000 jobs in communities around the whole UK and the contribution of up to £3.3 billion to the overall economy.

    Contact 

    Media enquiries:

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Trade: Trends and Endgames

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    Trade: Trends and Endgames

    With heightened uncertainty on increased tariffs, the risk of geoeconomic fragmentation is growing.

    How has the trade landscape shifted compared to recent years and how can leaders look beyond the current volatility?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjHSLOzY1eE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Deputy President to speak at G20 youth roundtable in Johannesburg

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Deputy President to speak at G20 youth roundtable in Johannesburg

    Deputy President Paul Mashatile will address the high-level Group of 20 (G20) intergenerational roundtable hosted by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) on Friday in Johannesburg. 

    The roundtable is part of South Africa’s G20 Presidency and will focus on promoting equity, enhancing capabilities, and fostering innovation.

    The Deputy President’s Office announced that the upcoming gathering will bring together youth activists, professionals, international partners and policymakers. 

    The focus of the event will be to discuss inclusive development pathways and generational equity.

    The roundtable will include high-level contributions from Cabinet members, industry leaders, continental development partners, and representatives from civil society.

    “The engagement also aims to amplify youth voices in shaping national and global development agendas, while accelerating opportunities for their meaningful inclusion in economic, governance, and innovation ecosystems,” said the Presidency.

    In line with the priorities of the G20 Presidency, Deputy President Mashatile will discuss the importance of building youth capabilities for a developmental state. 

    He will address the structural barriers that young people face and promote government-led solutions through collaborative policy instruments, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    In addition, his talk will emphasise the need for strategic investments in education, innovation, and inclusive growth.

    “This roundtable engagement, which advances the development and empowerment of the county’s young people, falls within the ambit of the Deputy President’s responsibility as the Chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council,” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za

    Gabisile

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Economic Security: Polytechnic University Students Win Prestigious Engineering Competition

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The award ceremony for the winners and prize winners of the All-Russian Engineering Competition 2024-2025 took place in Moscow. About 12,000 people applied to participate. 184 semi-finalists became laureates, 110 students became finalists, and only 68 received the status of winners. Among the best were students from the Higher School of Public Administration of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade.

    The goal of the All-Russian Engineering Competition is to develop the human resources potential of high-tech industries, to attract young people to solve promising production, technical and economic problems that are of strategic importance for the development of Russian industry. The competition is also aimed at improving the quality of engineering education through the creation of tools for interaction between educational and scientific organizations and high-tech enterprises in the real sector of the economy.

    Fifth-year students of the specialty “Economic Security” presented two works: Alena Akentyeva – “Financial pyramids, modern methods of fraud: analysis and measures to reduce them”, Yulia Kolesnikova – “Use of new technologies for illegal purposes”. The scientific supervisor was Associate Professor of the Higher School of State University Olga Makarova.

    I defended the project before federal experts, who helped to assess its strengths and growth points. Communication with other participants, dedicated to interesting developments in Russian universities, was especially useful, – shared Alena Akentyeva.

    Yulia Kolesnikova noted that participation in the competition inspires her to further achievements and helps her set new goals in her professional sphere.

    I am proud of the results of our students. The defenses of the projects confirmed their scientific novelty and practical significance. Such victories are an excellent indicator of the level of our students and the potential of the university, – emphasized Olga Makarova.

    Representatives of IPMET also took part in the competition committee. Associate Professor of the Higher School of Service and Trade, Deputy Director for Academic and Methodological Work Anna Chernikova and Head of the Department of Economic Theory Svetlana Golovkina were members of the state examination committee.

    The participation of students majoring in Economic Security in the All-Russian engineering competition required a great deal of coordinated work not only from the students and the supervisor, but also from consultants from the Higher School of Public Administration. The students demonstrated an excellent level of preparation when defending their final qualification work in Moscow at the Rosfinmonitoring base, Anna Chernikova noted.

    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 Russia: From the Caspian to Kamchatka: what kind of herring can you buy at the Moscow-on-the-Wave markets

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    June is the season for catching Pacific herring, so at the beginning of summer a new catch of this popular fish appears on the capital’s shelves. At the “Moscow – on the Wave” markets you can buy herring from the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as the Bering and Caspian seas.

    So different and very tasty

    Each type of herring has its own characteristics. Pacific herring has tender meat and rich taste, it is best suited for salads and sandwiches. You can find this type in the canned food section. Canned herring is usually purchased when there is no time or desire to cut up the fish yourself.

    Olyutorskaya herring is a subspecies of Pacific herring. The fish got its name from the place where it was caught: it lives in Olyutorsky Bay of the Bering Sea on the northeastern coast of Kamchatka. This herring is considered one of the fattest, tastiest and healthiest. The tender meat is rich in unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins D and B12. At the Moscow-on-the-Wave fish markets, Olyutorskaya herring is sold lightly salted and fresh-frozen.

    Atlantic herring is also popular among city dwellers, as it has a balanced taste and is versatile in cooking: it is not only salted and smoked, but also marinated and even fried. Due to its high protein and healthy fat content, it is one of the most nutritious sea fish. Whole Atlantic herring carcasses are sold in the frozen food department and the specialized Seledochka department.

    Caspian herring (another name is zalom) is known for its large size and high fat content (up to 20 percent), which makes it especially tasty. In addition, this fish is rich in such useful microelements as calcium and iron. In the past, Caspian herring was served at the royal table and was considered a delicacy. The gastronomic legend is sold in the markets in the lightly salted fish section.

    Canapes, cold appetizers and hot dishes

    Aleksandr Chervyakov, a chef at the Moscow-on-the-Wave fish market, says that the culinary use of herring is by no means limited to the traditional salad. For example, he recommends a fresh look at the usual combination of products and suggests making canapes from lightly salted fish, boiled potatoes, pickled onions (or fresh cucumbers) and garlic sauce. This buffet snack is made quickly, looks appetizing and turns out very tasty.

    The chef also reminded that herring can be fried or baked, and shared a recipe. Fresh-frozen fish should be cut, removing bones and skin, and marinated with garlic and unagi sauce. The marinated fillet should be put on thin skewers or sticks and lightly fried over high heat. Wrap the finished fish in foil and let it rest on its own. Serve the dish with mashed potatoes.

    What do astronauts eat: at the markets “Moscow – on the wave” you can buy products from the ISS crew’s diet“Active Citizens” chose the best seafood for shashlik

    The Moscow-on-the-Wave fish markets, which opened in the Kosino-Ukhtomsky (November 2023) and Mitino (September 2024) districts, are popular among city residents. Each is several thousand square meters in area, two million people have already visited them, and about 1.5 thousand tons of products have been sold. In addition to shopping arcades, there are storage areas with different temperature conditions, food courts, and master class studios. And most importantly, there are laboratories on site that check the quality of all products sold.

    The range includes more than 600 types of fish and seafood. Products are supplied from the key fish regions of the country: Astrakhan, Murmansk, Magadan regions, Kamchatka and Khabarovsk territories, Karelia, Crimea and Yakutia.

    More information about the activities of the capital Department of Trade and Services can be found inofficial telegram channel.

    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/155732073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Defiance Launches First Mover Single-Stock Leverage ETFs: IONZ (2X Short IONQ), OKLL (2X Long OKLO), and SOUX (2X Long SOUN)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Defiance ETFs is excited to introduce a new suite of first mover single-stock leveraged and inverse ETFs. Defiance’s single-stock leveraged ETFs empower retail investors by providing access to leverage without the need for a margin account, offering leverage within an ETF wrapper. IONZ aims to deliver -200% short daily targeted exposure to IonQ, while OKLL and SOUX seek to provide 200% long daily targeted exposure to Oklo and SoundHound AI, respectively.

    Defiance Daily Target 2X Short IONQ ETF (Ticker: IONZ)

    • Investment Objective: Seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that are -2 times (-200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of IonQ Inc.
    • Company Profile: IonQ Inc. is a leader in quantum computing, developing hardware and providing cloud-based access to quantum systems.
    • Intended Use: Designed for traders with a short-term bearish outlook on IONQ, aiming to profit from declines in its share price.

    Defiance Daily Target 2X Long OKLO ETF (Ticker: OKLL)

    • Investment Objective: Seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that are 2 times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of Oklo Inc.
    • Company Profile: Oklo Inc. specializes in designing and developing advanced fission power systems and used fuel recycling technologies.
    • Intended Use: Tailored for investors seeking short-term leveraged bullish exposure to OKLO’s share price growth.

    Defiance Daily Target 2X Long SOUN ETF (Ticker: SOUX)

    • Investment Objective: Seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that are 2 times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of SoundHound AI, Inc.
    • Company Profile: SoundHound AI, Inc. provides voice AI technology for industries such as automotive and IoT.
    • Intended Use: Created for traders seeking leveraged bullish exposure to SOUN’s daily share price increases.

    For more information, please visit https://defianceetfs.com/.

    An investment in IONZ, OKLL, or SOUX is not an investment in IonQ Inc., Oklo Inc., or SoundHound AI, Inc., respectively.

    The Funds are not intended to be used by, and are not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. The Funds pursue daily leveraged or inverse leveraged investment objectives, which means that they are riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage or short strategies because the Funds magnify the performance (or inverse performance) of the Underlying Securities. The Funds are not suitable for all investors. The Funds are designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged or inverse leveraged (±2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage and short exposure, and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. For periods longer than a single day, the Funds will lose money if the Underlying Securities’ performance is flat, and it is possible that the Funds will lose money even if the Underlying Securities’ performance moves in the expected direction over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of their investment within a single day.

    About Defiance ETFs

    Founded in 2018, Defiance ETFs is a leader in ETF innovation, focusing on thematic, income, and leveraged ETFs. Our pioneering leveraged single-stock ETFs allow investors to take amplified positions in high-growth companies without a margin account.

    IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

    Defiance ETFs LLC is the ETF sponsor. The Fund’s investment adviser is Tidal Investments, LLC (“Tidal” or the “Adviser”).

    The Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other important information about the investment company. Please read the prospectus and / or summary prospectus carefully before investing. Hard copies can be requested by calling 833.333.9383.

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. As an ETF, the funds may trade at a premium or discount to NAV. Shares of any ETF are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. A portfolio concentrated in a single industry or country, may be subject to a higher degree of risk.

    There is no guarantee that the Fund’s investment strategy will be properly implemented, and an investor may lose some or all of its investment.

    Indirect Investment & Issuer Affiliation Risk

    The Funds invest in swap contracts and options that are based on the share prices of IonQ Inc. (IONQ), Oklo Inc. (OKLO), and SoundHound AI, Inc. (SOUN). This subjects each Fund to certain of the same risks as if it held or shorted shares of the underlying company, even though it does not. IONQ, OKLO, and SOUN are not affiliated with the Trust, the Funds, or the Adviser, and are not involved with these offerings in any way.

    Trading & Volatility Risk

    The trading prices of IONQ, OKLO, and SOUN may be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations due to market conditions, investor sentiment, company-specific developments, or external factors such as regulatory announcements or industry changes.

    Performance Risk

    Each underlying company may fail to meet—or in IONQ’s case, exceed—publicly announced expectations or performance guidelines.

    Industry and Business Model Risks

    • SOUN operates in the software and AI industries, which are highly competitive and subject to rapid technological change, pricing pressure, and product obsolescence. SOUN has experienced substantial net losses and negative cash flows, with no assurance of future profitability.
    • OKLO operates in the nuclear energy and electric utilities sectors. Its success depends on the development of advanced fission powerhouses and fuel recycling capabilities. OKLO has not yet constructed any commercial powerhouses or entered binding customer contracts.
    • IONQ is part of the emerging quantum computing industry. As the sector develops, IONQ’s progress in technological advancements, contract acquisition, or broader adoption could contribute to upward pressure on its stock price—posing a risk to short-exposure strategies like those used in IONZ.

    Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally.

    Compounding and Market Volatility Risk. The Fund’s performance for periods greater than a trading day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which is likely to differ from ±200% of the Underlying Security’s performance, before fees and expenses.

    Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of inverse correlation to the Underlying Security and therefore achieve its daily inverse investment objective.

    Leverage Risk. The Fund obtains investment exposure in excess of its net assets by utilizing leverage and may lose more money in market conditions that are adverse to its investment objective than a fund that does not utilize leverage. The Fund could theoretically lose an amount greater than its net assets in the event the share price of the Underlying Security declines more than 50%. Leverage will also have the effect of magnifying any differences in the Fund performance’s correlation with the Underlying security’s share price.

    Derivatives Risk. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, leverage, imperfect daily correlations with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions.

                   Swap Agreements. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity, which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

                   Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

    Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in derivatives which exposes the Fund to the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund.

    Fixed Income Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates.

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

    Diversification does not ensure a profit nor protect against loss in a declining market. Brokerage Commissions may be charged on trades.

    Distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC

    Contact Information
    David Hanono
    info@defianceetfs.com
    833.333.9383

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f9fddda4-b1ee-41e6-bfb6-dd66c8da2e35

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Delivery For Britain: PM Hails £40 Billion Amazon Investment Set To Create Thousands Of Jobs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    Prime Delivery For Britain: PM Hails £40 Billion Amazon Investment Set To Create Thousands Of Jobs

    Prime Minister welcomes a £40bn investment plan by Amazon over the next three years in show of confidence following Industrial Strategy launch.

    • Amazon confirms £40bn investment plan for the UK over the next three years in vote of confidence following the Industrial Strategy
    • Investment goes towards four new fulfilment centres in Hull, Northampton and East Midlands creating over 4,000 jobs across the sites
    • Business Secretary visits Amazon’s HQ to welcome news as further proof Britain is the best place to do business as Government’s Plan for Change delivers for working people

    Thousands of new jobs are set to be created across the UK, as Amazon today (Tuesday 24 June) announces a landmark £40 billion investment over the next three years.

    This investment – announced the same week as the Government’s transformational Industrial Strategy – includes building four new fulfilment centres and new delivery stations nationwide, as well as upgrades and expansions to its existing network of over 100 operations buildings across the country.

    The investment will create thousands of new permanent, full-time jobs in the UK, with the vast majority outside of London and the South East.

    These include 2,000 jobs at the previously announced state-of-the-art fulfilment centre in Hull and 2,000 jobs at another in Northampton, plus additional positions at new sites in the East Midlands and at delivery stations across the country.

    The investment also includes part of the £8 billion previously announced in September 2024 for building, operating, and maintaining data centres in the UK. This will support the UK’s ambition to increase AI compute capacity and meet the growing demand for cloud and AI technologies, while creating thousands of skilled jobs in the tech supply chain.

    Alongside the planned creation of the new operations facilities, the investment will also go towards the redevelopment of the historic Bray Film Studios in Berkshire, continued investment in multimillion-pound skills and training programmes, and landmark original TV and film productions.

    This announcement is the latest sign that the government’s Plan for Change is working – making Britain the best place to do business, creating jobs, and putting more money in working people’s pockets.

    It follows the publication of the modern Industrial Strategy, which marks a new era of collaboration between government and high growth industries slashing energy bills for industry, increasing skills, and boosting investment to unlock the UK’s economic potential.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who met Amazon’s CEO last week ahead of the announcement, said:

    Amazon’s £40 billion investment adds another major win to Britain’s basket and is a massive vote of confidence in the UK as the best place to do business.

    It means thousands of new jobs—real opportunities for people in every corner of the country to build careers, learn new skills, and support their families.

    Whether it’s cutting-edge AI or same-day delivery, this deal shows that our Plan for Change is working—bringing in investment, driving growth, and putting more money in people’s pockets.

    Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said:

    This investment is a powerful endorsement of Britain’s economic strengths.

    The world is changing, but this Government is working hand in hand with businesses to navigate that change to create jobs, wealth and opportunity in every corner of the country.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will visit Amazon’s HQ in London to mark the announcement. There he will meet apprentices to talk about the importance of backing British skills just days after the Government announced a £275 million skills package to boost training and build a skilled workforce of the future.

    Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds said:

    Our Modern Industrial Strategy will ensure the UK is the best country to invest and do business, and seeing massive international firms like Amazon bank on Britain shows we are on the right track.

    This investment will create highly-skilled jobs and boost living standards across the country, and the £100 billion of investment we’ve secured in the past year shows our Plan for Change is already delivering for working people.

    Amazon are offering 1,000 new full-time apprenticeship roles this year, and already employs more than 75,000 people in over 100 sites across the UK. This new investment will supercharge its impact on local economies. The data centre investment alone is expected to contribute £14 billion to the UK economy over 5 years (2024-2028) and support 14,000 full-time equivalent jobs each year – many of them in small and medium-sized businesses.

    Amazon CEO, Andy Jassy, said:

    Amazon has been proud to serve our customers in the UK for the past 27 years. Thanks to their support, we’ve grown to be part of over 100 communities nationwide, from developing drone technology in Darlington to producing world-class entertainment at our studios in Bray. We now employ over 75,000 people and have become one of the UK’s largest private sector employers and taxpayers.

    When Amazon invests, it’s not only in London and the South East – we’re bringing innovation and job creation to communities throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, strengthening the UK’s economy and delivering better experiences for customers wherever they live.

    The announcement comes as UK business confidence hits a nine-month high, according to the latest Lloyds Business Barometer, with optimism boosted by falling interest rates and new trade deals with the EU, US and India – cutting costs for businesses and protecting jobs.

    Since the government was elected, interest rates have fallen four times, and the UK started the year as the fastest-growing economy in the G7. The government has also secured three major trade deals with the EU, US and India, which will cut costs for businesses, protect jobs and attract further investment.

    Notes to editors

    A release from Amazon will be available separately. A full media pack including a photo of the Prime Minister with Amazon’s CEO can be found here.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: More cost‑of‑living help on the way, a week from today

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    The Albanese Labor Government is delivering more real, practical and ongoing help with the cost of living for Australians, with more support set to roll out a week from today.

    This is more responsible, meaningful hip pocket help for households.

    The Albanese Labor Government is delivering what we said we would at last month’s election, rolling out billions of dollars’ worth of responsible support from 1 July:

    • The National Minimum Wage and award wages will increase by 3.5 per cent from 1 July, benefitting up to 2.9 million Australians on low and award wages.
    • Employers’ minimum required contribution to employees’ superannuation accounts will rise to 12 per cent.
    • Paid Parental Leave (PPL) will increase to 24 weeks, and individual and family income limits will increase.
    • Super will be paid on all Government PPL.
    • Every household and around one million small businesses will receive a further $150 in energy bill relief before the end of the year.
    • New tradies who take up apprenticeships in housing construction will receive $10,000 in incentive payments, on top of their wages.
    • Households and businesses looking to lower their energy bills will be eligible for around 30 per cent off the cost of installing a battery system alongside solar energy, with the Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries program.
    • In addition to cutting 20 per cent off student loan debts for 3 million Australians, the Government will also increase the amount that people can earn before they are required to start paying back their loans to $67,000, subject to the passage of legislation.
    • Commonwealth Prac Payments start for nursing, midwifery, teaching and social work students.
    • Important social security payments will increase by 2.4 per cent.

    After 1 July, our meaningful, responsible cost of living relief will continue rolling out through the remainder of 2025:

    • Another 50 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will open throughout the rest of the year, and bulk billing is expanding from November.
    • The Government is freezing the indexation of draught beer excise for two years from August 1.
    • Hard‑working aged care nurses will receive the next instalment of their pay rise in October, following the first instalment in March this year.

    Under Labor, inflation is down substantially, real wages are up, unemployment is low, our economy is growing, debt is down and interest rates are falling, but we know people are still under pressure.

    All this progress we have made together means we are well placed and well prepared at a time of global economic uncertainty and volatility.

    In our second term, the Albanese Labor Government will continue to help Australians with the cost of living, finish the fight against inflation, strengthen Medicare and build a stronger economy.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Press conference, Commonwealth Parliament Offices, Brisbane

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    Jim Chalmers:

    I’ve got a number of issues that I wanted to cover today, but to begin by acknowledging the statements that the Prime Minister has just made, and obviously we’ve seen statements by the Americans and the Iranians as well. This remains a perilous time in the Middle East and for the global economy and that’s why we have consistently been advocating for stabilisation and de‑escalation. We urge the parties to implement the ceasefire which was announced by President Trump today. We need to see an enduring ceasefire in the Middle East. We need this ceasefire to stick. That is in the interests of the region and it’s in the interests of the global economy as well, and the Prime Minister has made all of that clear in the last few minutes.

    Regardless of what happens in the next day or 2 in the Middle East, it remains the case that there is a great deal of global economic uncertainty. We are seeing a global economy which is defined by unpredictability and volatility and uncertainty, and these will be the primary influences on the government and on our country and its economy as we make important decisions about how we manage the economy in uncertain times.

    In this context, I welcome the opportunity to speak once again with my American counterpart, the US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent tomorrow morning our time. This will be an opportunity to engage once again on issues which are central to this very important economic relationship between the United States and Australia. I expect the conversation to traverse issues like critical minerals, legislation before the US Congress, obviously trade and tariffs, but also this global economic uncertainty that we’re seeing around the world in the Middle East but also in Eastern Europe, also closer to home.

    We do have very substantial concerns about the global economy, whether it’s the impact on oil prices of what we’re seeing in the Middle East, whether it’s the ongoing implications of Russian aggression in Ukraine, whether it’s the potential impact on global demand of these escalating trade tensions. The global economy is a dangerous place right now and that’s why one of our overriding economic goals is to make the Australian economy more resilient.

    When it comes to oil prices, we’ve seen oil prices come up quite substantially over the course of this month. Remember the barrel price was about $82 at the start of the year, it got down to $62 at the start of this month, it got up to $79 at the start of this week and now it’s trading at around $69. This gives you a sense of the quite extraordinary volatility in the oil price and that obviously has implications for the global economy, for our own economy and also for the prices that Australians pay at the petrol bowser.

    I have written today to the Chair of the ACCC to make sure that Australians are treated fairly at the bowser. We don’t want to see service stations do the wrong thing by Australian motorists. We want to make sure that the market is operating effectively when it comes to the petrol price and what’s happening with this volatility in the global oil price but we call on the service stations to do the right thing by their customers. We’ve empowered and asked the ACCC to use its monitoring powers to make sure that the servos are doing the right thing by Australian motorists. We don’t want to see this volatility in global oil prices lead to more than justifiable changes in the price that Australian motorists pay at the bowser, I’ve made that very clear with my instructions to the ACCC today.

    Tomorrow we will get the monthly inflation data for May. That monthly figure is notoriously volatile and hard to predict but the very strong expectation is that we will see monthly inflation in the Reserve Bank’s target band once again. This will be a very substantial indication that we have got inflation down substantially and sustainably in our economy. This monthly inflation data is not as reliable as the quarterly figures but it’s an important indication of the progress that Australians have made together when it comes to the fight against inflation.

    The monthly figure bounces around a bit. We may see that in the numbers tomorrow but regardless, we expect to see another month where inflation is within the Reserve Bank’s target band, that’s a good thing given the very high and rising inflation that we inherited 3 years ago when we came to office.

    We’ve made a lot of progress together on inflation but I wanted to run through today the very substantial additional help that we will be providing Australians from the 1st of July. More help is on the way a week from today when it comes to cost‑of‑living help. We’ve made this progress on inflation together, though we know that the job is not done because people are still under pressure and that’s why there is more help on the way a week from today when 8 new measures come into effect from the 1st of July which is a week away now.

    I wanted to briefly run through the 8 changes that will come into effect from next Tuesday. First of all, the national minimum wage and award wages will go up by 3 and a half per cent. That will benefit 2.9 million Australians on low and award wages.

    Secondly, superannuation goes up to 12 per cent. We’re very proud to see the superannuation guarantee rise to 12 per cent. That will benefit 14 and a half million Australian employees, and it means tens of thousands of dollars extra in people’s super at retirement.

    We’re also increasing the duration of paid parental leave from 22 to 24 weeks and we’ll be paying super on government‑paid parental leave. That is a very substantial change and we’re very proud of that as well. That’s the third big change that comes into effect from the 1st of July.

    The fourth one is that we’ve extended the energy bill rebates from the 1st of July for another 6 months. That means another $150 of help for 10 million households and one million small businesses as well.

    The fifth change from the 1st of July is that our $10,000 incentive payments for apprentices to top up their wages in housing construction will come into place as well, and that will help us build the homes that we need, recognising that we need the tradies, the builders, to build those 1.2 million homes.

    The sixth change is our cheaper home batteries program kicks in from the 1st of July. That means that households and businesses could be eligible for around 30 per cent of the up‑front cost of installing a battery.

    The seventh one is that we are increasing the amount people can earn before they have to start paying back their student debt. Subject to the passage of that legislation, that change will be effective in the middle of this year.

    The eighth change is that we’re seeing an increase to the social security payments with the indexation and lifting the asset limits for payments like family payments. And this will benefit more than 2.4 million people.

    So there are 8 different ways that we are helping Australians with the cost of living. We’re getting inflation down, we’re getting on top of inflation in welcome and encouraging ways, we’re still helping with the cost of living, but because we’re making progress on inflation and because we’re helping with the cost of living, that also allows for an even bigger focus on our 3 priority areas this term which are productivity, budget sustainability and resilience in the face of global economic uncertainty and that’s what the roundtable is all about that I’ll be convening next month in Canberra.

    I’ve had some very productive conversations with businesses and unions already. Today at their invitation I briefed and then had a good conversation with the Transurban board, meeting here in Brisbane. I’ll be meeting with the Business Council of Australia again today after this press conference. I’ve had good engagement with the unions and others to see what progress we can make together when it comes to reforming our economy, making it more productive, making our budget more sustainable and making our economy more resilient at the same time as well.

    I’m in the process of finalising the invitation list for the Economic Reform Roundtable in August. But the guidance is already very clear – we want people to come with an eye to the national interest. We want people to understand and engage and propose trade‑offs, and we want people to come with specific ideas, not just problem identification. If people do that, I’m confident that we will make progress at the Economic Reform Roundtable in August. People will be in the room able to contribute, but also there’ll be opportunities for people outside the room to make a contribution as well. I’ve been really heartened and encouraged by the amount of interest that people have shown already in the Economic Reform Roundtable, and I think that augers well for the next steps in the already very substantial program of economic progress and reform that we have undertaken.

    Journalist:

    Just on that reform roundtable, will the Opposition have a place, given they’ve asked to be involved?

    Chalmers:

    I’ve made it clear to Ted O’Brien, the Shadow Treasurer, this morning that there is an invitation for him to the economic roundtable in August. I’ve provided that invitation in good faith. I think it would be a good thing for the country to have the Shadow Treasurer engaged at the Economic Reform Roundtable. I think it would give us a better chance of making the kind of progress that we desperately need to see on reform and in our economy more broadly. So I’ve issued an invitation to Ted O’Brien. I’ve had a brief exchange with him earlier this morning about that. I hope that he accepts that invitation. It’s certainly been offered in good faith.

    This is a big chance for Australians either side of the parliament, for Australians in business, in unions, in the community sector, the community more broadly to engage where we can in a non‑partisan way in the interests of our people and their economy. And so I hope Ted O’Brien accepts that invitation. We are still finalising all of the other invitations, but I think there’s heightened public interest in whether the Opposition has been invited, and that’s why we’ve got the question from you, Kate and I want to make it clear today we have offered that invitation to the Shadow Treasurer, and we hope that he accepts it.

    Journalist:

    Treasurer, I want to ask you a question about GST. How serious do you think the states are about wanting to reform the GST?

    Chalmers:

    I think it remains to be seen. From time to time the states have made that proposal, not just the current batch of premiers and treasurers, but from time to time we’ve seen that idea pitched up. What I’ve tried to do, what I said at the National Press Club last week – I think everybody knows and understands the comments that I’ve made on the GST in the past. I’m not walking away from those comments but I’m not trying to artificially limit the contribution that people might want to make in and around the Economic Reform Roundtable in August.

    I think inevitably there is, from time to time, tension between the Commonwealth and the states about Commonwealth funding. Every state and territory wants more funding from the Commonwealth. From time to time, they pitch up ideas like this one. I like to engage with the states and territories in good faith from both sides of the political equation and I hope that at the Economic Reform Roundtable, however we work out the best way to involve the states in this process – whether inside or outside the room – I hope that people come to this in a constructive way, and I suspect they will.

    Journalist:

    And what would be the prerequisites for you to seriously consider any reforms in this space?

    Chalmers:

    Well, I’ve made it clear that the major prerequisites for the reform roundtable are first of all to try and take a national view and not just a sectoral view or a state or territory view but to try and see the whole national economic interests, as governments are invited to do. I’ve asked people to make sure that where they are proposing a change, whether it’s in tax or productivity in or in other areas around resilience, that that’s done recognising the trade‑offs, particularly the fiscal trade‑offs. We’ve got to make the budget more sustainable, not less sustainable, so that’s an important guiding principle. And thirdly, to make sure that people come with specific and realistic ideas and that they try and build consensus around those ideas. And so that’s the guidance we’ve provided to business, to unions, to the community sector, to the states and territories, to everyone who’s shown an interest. And that will apply to everyone, not just the government.

    Journalist:

    Do you – and I know you made the opening statements about Israel and Iran, but do you have faith that Donald Trump’s declaration there will be a ceasefire will actually eventuate?

    Chalmers:

    Look, obviously I’ve seen the more recent comments from the Iranians – I think it was the Foreign Minister – in relation to the ceasefire. I think the region and the world desperately needs this ceasefire to be implemented and we need it to stick. The best way out of this perilous time in the Middle East is for people to come to the table to engage in dialogue and diplomacy as the Prime Minister said a few minutes ago and that’s what we want to see.

    Journalist:

    And do you – or are you able to update us at all on efforts to assist Australians leaving Iran or Israel or plans for broader updates to travel advice?

    Chalmers:

    Can I say that Penny Wong’s colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are outstanding people working around the clock to try and keep our people safe. There are thousands of Australians who have registered to come out of Iran or Israel and DFAT is working around the clock to make that possible. There have been some people that have been able to be extracted from this dangerous part of the world and the assurance that we give to everyone else – and I’ve been part of some of these but not all of these conversations and I’ve seen for myself the very hard and tireless work being done by DFAT to get people out – they will continue to do the very best they can. We understand that there’s a lot of concern, people in those dangerous places and their family members around the world, including here in Australia, and we’ll do everything that we can to keep them safe.

    Journalist:

    And can I just ask one more about the eSafety Commissioner’s found children are experiencing harm more often on YouTube than any other platform. Would it undermine the purpose of the ban to leave it out?

    Chalmers:

    I’ll leave some of those questions in the very capable hands of Anika Wells. Obviously our objective here is to keep young people safe online in particular. We’ll work through all of those issues to make sure that we’ve got the most effective regime. We know that people have got views about what’s included and what’s excluded. I think that’s natural when you’re proposing a change of this magnitude. We pay close attention to the sorts of data that you’re referring to and we will finalise the best regime that we can.

    We shouldn’t lose sight of the major objective here. A lot of us – you don’t have to be a parent but certainly parents around Australia, including this one speaking right now – are very concerned about the safety of young Australians online. We’re doing what we can to help out. We’ll take into consideration all of those kinds of views and that kind of data like the one you’re asking me about.

    Thanks very much.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: A carbon levy on global shipping promises to slash emissions. We calculated what that means for Australia’s biggest export

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Brear, Director, Melbourne Energy Institute, The University of Melbourne

    Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Moving people and things around the world by sea has a big climate impact. The shipping industry produces almost 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions – roughly the same as Germany – largely due to the movement of container ships, bulk carriers and tankers.

    Under international rules, these emissions are not included in any nation’s greenhouse gas reporting. That means they often escape scrutiny.

    Unlike cars, international shipping can’t shift to using low-emissions electricity – the batteries required are too big and heavy. So clean fuels must play a role.

    A proposed shake-up of the global shipping industry would encourage the use of clean fuels and penalise shipping companies that stick to cheaper, more polluting fuels. Should it proceed, emissions from global shipping would be regulated for the first time.

    Using our peer-reviewed modelling, we investigated how the changes might affect Australia’s largest export: iron ore.

    What is the proposed carbon levy all about?

    The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is the United Nations body responsible for regulating international shipping. It recently approved a draft plan to tackle the shipping sector’s contribution to climate change through a type of “cap and trade” scheme.

    The plan would involve setting a limit, or cap, on how much each shipping company can emit. Companies must then either buy credits or be penalised if they go over their limit. Companies that stay under their limit – for example, by using cleaner fuels – would earn credits, which they could then sell.

    In this way, high-emitting shipping companies are penalised and low-emitting companies are rewarded.

    Under the plan, the total limit for emissions from global shipping would fall each year. This increases the incentive for companies to switch to lower emission fuels and makes higher-emission fuels progressively more expensive to use.

    The plan is scheduled to be adopted by the shipping industry in October this year and would begin in 2027.

    Not all fuels are the same

    The proposed change is particularly significant for Australia. As a remote island nation, our imports and exports are heavily reliant on massive ships. This is most important for our commodity exports – iron ore in particular.

    Our recently published modelling estimated the emissions and financial impacts of various low-emission shipping options for Australia’s exports.

    We estimated Australia’s commodity exports create about 34 million tonnes of greenhouse gases a year. This is about 8% of Australia’s domestic greenhouse gas emissions, but it’s not included in Australia’s national reporting.

    Using the same modelling, we then examined how the proposed new regulation would affect the cost of shipping Australia’s largest export, iron ore. We chose a common route from Port Hedland in Western Australia to Shanghai in China.

    First, we looked at current fuel costs, as well as overall shipping costs measured per tonne of delivered ore. Shipping costs include both the fuel costs and the cost of the ships designed to use it. Then we estimated how much fuels and shipping might cost from 2030, assuming the proposed regulation has come into force.

    We also examined three types of fuel.

    The first was heavy fuel oil (HFO), one of the main fuels used in international shipping. It’s traditionally the cheapest shipping fuel and also has the highest greenhouse gas emissions.

    The second was “blue” ammonia. This fuel is typically made from natural gas using a manufacturing process where the carbon in the natural gas is captured and stored. It has lower greenhouse gas emissions than heavy fuel oil, but it is not a “green” fuel.

    Thirdly, we looked at “green” ammonia, which is produced using renewable energy. We examined two types of green ammonia – that produced using current technology, and “advanced” green ammonia, made using new technologies in development.

    Is green ammonia an answer?

    From about 2030, the overall cost of shipping powered by heavy fuel oil will start to rise significantly under the proposed regulation. That’s because shipping companies using this fuel must purchase credits from those using cleaner options.

    Blue ammonia may then make it cheaper to ship iron ore from Australia to Asia. Users of this fuel could generate and sell credits that higher-emitting fuel users buy, offsetting some of the shipping costs associated with using blue ammonia.

    But if international shipping is to reach the IMO’s goal of net-zero emissions by about 2050, this is very likely to require a green fuel.

    However, green ammonia is more expensive than heavy fuel oil and blue ammonia with current technology. And our analysis found the proposed regulation – and associated subsidy – doesn’t make it the lowest cost shipping option from 2030 onwards either.

    This is why technological innovation is important. CSIRO projections of the future costs of renewable energy and green-fuel manufacture suggest that, should technologies improve, green ammonia may compete on cost with heavy-fuel oil in the 2030s, even without subsidies.

    If so, this zero-emission fuel could become the cheapest way to export Australian iron ore.

    Looking ahead to net-zero

    As our calculations show, a combination of regulation and innovation could help international shipping achieve its goal of net-zero emissions.

    These fuels could be made in Australia, and potentially used by other industries such as rail, mining, road freight and even aviation.

    Such an industry would therefore contribute significantly to the world’s emission-reduction goals, and could help Australia realise its ambition to become a major global exporter of green fuels and other green products.

    Michael Brear receives research funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, the Australian Research Council, the Future Energy Exports CRC and the Clean Marine Fuel Institute. He also receives funding from other government and industry organisations for work on other aspects of energy and transport decarbonisation.

    Gerhard (Gerry) F. Swiegers is an ARC Industry Laureate Fellow and the Chief Technology Officer of Hysata. Hysata is a manufacturer of electrolysers which are used for green hydrogen manufacture. Green hydrogen is a key feedstock for the manufacture of green ammonia.

    Michael Leslie Johns receives funding from the ARC and Future Energy Exports CRC.

    Nguyen Cao receives funding from the Future Energy Exports CRC and the Clean Marine Fuel Institute.

    Rose Amal is the leader of the Particles and Catalysis Research Group, Co-Director of ARC Training Centre for the Global Hydrogen Economy and the Lead of the PowerFuels Network under NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub. Rose receives funding from Australian Research Council (ARC) and Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, Department of Education (Trailblazer Recycling and Clean Energy program), ARENA and NSW Environmental Trust. She was an ARC Laureate Fellow.

    – ref. A carbon levy on global shipping promises to slash emissions. We calculated what that means for Australia’s biggest export – https://theconversation.com/a-carbon-levy-on-global-shipping-promises-to-slash-emissions-we-calculated-what-that-means-for-australias-biggest-export-258915

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Passes Congressman Valadao’s Romance Scam Prevention Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

    WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 2481, the Romance Scam Prevention Act. Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) introduced the bipartisan legislation in April alongside Reps. Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), and Craig Goldman (TX-12). This bill would require dating apps and services to issue fraud ban notifications to users who have interacted with a person removed from the app for fraudulent activity.

    Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced the companion bill in the Senate, which passed out of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on March 12, 2025.

    “Millions of Americans use online dating platforms to connect with romantic partners, but unfortunately, they’ve also become a way for scammers to target and exploit unsuspecting victims,” said Congressman Valadao. “As criminals become more sophisticated, it’s important we have safeguards in place to protect users. The Romance Scam Prevention Act is a bipartisan effort to enhance online safety and combat financial fraud, and I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to get this bill across the finish line.”

    “Online dating services are being used as a platform for bad actors to target and exploit individuals, yet protections continue to lag behind,” said Rep. Pettersen. “Notifying users if they have been in contact with a potential scammer is a basic security feature that every online dating service should provide. This bipartisan bill will help reduce online crime and keep people safe from online scammers. I’m grateful this legislation has passed the House with bipartisan support, and I will keep working to see it signed into law.”

    “These aren’t just creepy or shady tactics—they are life-ruining attacks that disproportionately target the elderly, as well as young men and women,” said Rep. Suozzi. “As a father, a former mayor and as a member of Congress, I’ll never stop fighting to protect people from exploitation—online or anywhere else.”

    Congressman Valadao spoke on the House Floor during debate on the legislation. Watch his remarks here or read as prepared below:

    Mr. Speaker,

    I rise to urge support for my bill, the Romance Scam Prevention Act. 

    Every year, millions of Americans from all ages and backgrounds use dating apps and websites to make connections. For many, online dating has made it easier to build relationships, but unfortunately there are countless stories of criminals using these sites for fraudulent activity.

    While it’s sadly common to see users lie about things like their age or occupation, romance scammers use fake profiles to develop connections and emotionally or financially exploit unsuspecting users.

    According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost over $1.1 billion in 2023 alone, with senior citizens being the most at-risk age group.

    There have been countless stories of people being conned out of their entire life savings, all because they believed they had found love online.

    People who meet online often take their conversations to other communication platforms and might not know they are talking to someone who has been removed. 

    This bill requires dating platforms to issue fraud ban notifications to users who have interacted with an account who has been removed for fraudulent activity.

    As criminals are becoming more sophisticated when it comes to exploiting victims online, it’s time to put safeguards in place to protect users from financial fraud. 

    I want to thank Chairman Guthrie and his staff at the Committee on Energy & Commerce for their work on this important bill as well as my co-leads, Reps. Brittany Pettersen, Tom Suozzi, and Craig Goldman.

    Thank you, and I yield back.

    Background:

    Over 60 million Americans used an online dating service in 2023, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that romance scams resulted in victims losing over $1.1 billion. Criminals use false names and stories to lure individuals into conversation before manipulating them to give up sensitive information. When an online dating service provider becomes aware of a user committing fraudulent activity, like illegally obtaining money, the online dating service provider immediately deactivates the fraudulent user’s account. However, individuals who meet online often take their conversations to other communication platforms, so even when a fraudulent account is removed, an individual might not know they are still communicating with someone who was banned from the platform.

    Read the full bill here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Case Opposes Proposed Funding Bill That Cuts Food Assistance To Hawaii Residents

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, tonight voted against the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Related Agencies funding measure.  

    The measure would provide $25.5 billion, a $1 billion decrease from the current year, for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agriculture and rural development programs, the Farm Credit Administration, Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the FDA.

    It is the third of twelve separate bills developed and approved by the Appropriations Committee that would fund the federal government at some $1.6 trillion for FY 2026 commencing October 1st of this year. 

    “While the measure funds many critical Hawai‘i priorities, I regrettably had to vote against it because it would cut food assistance for vulnerable families and make it even harder for Hawai‘i farmers to make ends meet,” said Case, who is in his seventh year on Appropriations and previously served on the House Committee on Agriculture.  

    “At a time when families around the country and our state are struggling with the high cost of living and rising food costs, and when Hawai‘i agriculture is struggling with high production costs and the consequences of the administration’s rash and chaotic tariff war, we should be maintaining our time-tested federal programs, not reducing or even eliminating them.” 

    The bill:  

    ·        Cuts $100 from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and fails to support the cash benefit for fruits and vegetables that ensures women, infants and children get the nutrients they need.  

    ·        Reduces staffing for the Farm Service Agency (FSA), which operates offices across the country that assist farmers in getting needed federal assistance. The bill provides $110 million less for FSA staffing than what was provided in FY 2025.  

    ·        Cuts funding for the Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Operations by 5 percent below FY 2025 funding levels.

    ·        Cuts rural housing and water and waste-water grants.

    In addition, the bill eliminates key programs for Hawai‘i, like the Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program for Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers. This program helps our local farmers with the cost of getting their produce to the mainland markets. Additionally, the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program, which increases the quantity and quality of locally grown food through small-scale gardening, herding and livestock and apiary operations, was eliminated.  

    Case especially objected to large cuts in critical foreign food assistance programs, including $900 million for Food for Peace, almost 50% down to its lowest level since 2002, and $220 million for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition program, $20 million below the FY 2025 level. 

    “Cutting our international food assistance programs is contrary to our values and harms our national security. Global food insecurity leads to political instability, making countries more vulnerable to conflict and extremism, and helping other countries and peoples with their food needs knits together alliances and partnerships which are critical to our national defense,” said Case, a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.  

    Despite these and other significant problems with the bill, Case highlighted positive provisions he requested including important victories for Hawai‘i, including $216 million for the Specialty Crop Pests Program, which helps to protect our topical crops from invasive species. In addition, $15 million was included for Minor Crop Pest Management, which provides expert assistance for effective minor/specialty crop protection. The bill also provides research and education funds for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving institutions, in addition to funding for our land-grant universities like the University of Hawai‘i.  

    “Invasive species pose a significant ecological and economic threat to our Hawai‘i, with specially damaging impacts on local agriculture,” said Case.  

    “This agriculture funding bill provides support for our local farmers, farmers markets and food promotion programs, which combined will help our Hawai‘i deal with the soaring cost of food, much of which is imported to our islands,” said Case.  

      Provisions in the bill of interest to Hawai‘i that Case worked to secure include:  

    ·        $5 million for Education Grants for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions. This program addresses the educational needs of food and agricultural sciences-related disciplines and prepares low-income students for careers related to food, agricultural and natural resources.  

    ·        $123 million for the USDA Wildlife Damage Management Program, which helps to prevent the spread of the Brown Tree Snake to Hawai‘i.  

    ·        $3 million for Agricultural Canine Detection and Surveillance of invasive species and diseases, an increase of $500,000.  

    ·        $1.1 billion for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, including $216 million for combating specialty crop pests.  

    ·        $36 million for Agriculture Quarantine Inspections to prevent infestations of pests and diseases.  

    ·        $15 million for the Minor Crop Pest Management Program to provide expert assistance to minor and specialty crop producers.  

    ·        $8 million for the Grassroots Source Water Protection Program that is designed to prevent water source pollution.  

    ·        $5 million for Aquaculture Centers and $2 million for aquaculture research programs.  

    ·        $1 million for Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural Research Grants for Insular Areas.  

       The measure also:  

    ·        Directs the Agricultural Research Service to continue research on tropical and subtropical crops, emphasizing the need to combat invasive pests.

    ·        Directs the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to report on existing protocols protecting Hawai‘i from invasive species and evaluate options for enhancing this protocol.  

      A summary of the agriculture funding bill is available here.  

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Missouri Small Businesses, Private Nonprofits and Residents Affected by Adverse Weather

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to Missouri small businesses, private nonprofits and residents to offset physical and economic losses from severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, heavy rains, large hail, flooding and flash flooding occurring April 29. The SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a request received from Gov. Mike Kehoe on June 21.

    The disaster declaration covers the Missouri counties of Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Polk, Stone and Webster as well as the Kansas county of Cherokee, and the Oklahoma county of Ottawa.

    Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

    Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.

    SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and private nonprofit (PNP)organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.62% for nonprofits, and 2.81% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    “When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers play a vital role in helping small businesses and their communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “At these centers, SBA specialists assist business owners and residents with disaster loan applications and provide information on the full range of recovery programs available.”

    Beginning Wednesday, June 25, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov.

    The DLOCs hours of operations are as follows:

    GREENE COUNTY
    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    Greene County Public Safety Center
    330 W. Scott St.
    Springfield, MO  65802

    Opens at 1 p.m., Wednesday, June 25
    Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    Closed Independence Day, Friday, July 4

    LAWRENCE COUNTY
    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    Monett Chamber of Commerce
    200 E. Broadway St.
    Monett, MO  65708

    Opens at 1 p.m., Wednesday, June 25
    Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    Closed Independence Day, Friday, July 4

    NEWTON COUNTY
    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    Newton Emergency Management
    202 W. Brook St.
    Neosho, MO  64850

    Opens at 1 p.m., Wednesday, June 25
    Mondays – Fridays, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    Closed Independence Day, Friday, July 4

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to return physical damage applications is Aug. 22, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 23, 2026.

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    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –