NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing invites overseas talent to explore opportunities

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

    The summer session of the 14th Beijing Tour for Overseas Talents, a crucial channel for overseas talent to connect with Beijing and develop in the city, commenced on Tuesday at HICOOL industrial park in Beijing’s Shunyi district.

    As a platform of international talent exchange and cooperation, the tour brought nearly 30 representatives of student associations and international students from 16 prestigious universities — including Yale University, Columbia University, New York University, and the University of Milan — to engage in networking and matchmaking sessions with leading enterprises and innovation parks in the Chinese capital.

    At the opening ceremony, the Investment Promotion Service Center of Shunyi District presented the region’s development environment, highlighting its unique advantages in industrial clusters and business-friendly policies. A service station for overseas student associations was also established to provide comprehensive support for international students who intend to start their careers in Beijing.

    During the tour, overseas talent will also visit selected districts in Beijing and the Xiong’an New Area to gain firsthand insight into the city’s innovation and entrepreneurship environment, as well as the latest development in Xiong’an.

    The “Hong Kong Talents Beijing Tour” was held concurrently, with 32 outstanding individuals from seven renowned universities — including the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong — invited to visit and engage in exchange activities in Beijing.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ZGC forum on AI, future city held in Beijing

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

    The 2025 ZGC Forum on Artificial Intelligence and Future City was held on Tuesday in Beijing, highlighting the deepening integration of AI technologies into urban development. 

    With the theme “AI + City: A New Digital Era,” the forum showcased a wide range of new applications and innovations driving smart city construction and digital transformation.

    Dozens of achievements were released at the event, including upgraded intelligent agent technologies and trusted data infrastructure models, all aimed at enhancing city governance, public services, and digital ecosystems.

    The forum also marked the first anniversary of Zhongguancun Science City’s AI empowerment initiative. A total of 44 outstanding use cases were announced this year, covering areas such as healthcare, embodied intelligence, education, and city services. These cases demonstrate how scenario-driven AI solutions are expanding possibilities across sectors.

    Collaborations were also a key focus. New partnerships between research institutions, government departments, and urban management bodies were formed to build joint laboratories, explore smart city metrics, and support cross-sector data sharing. Efforts to strengthen data infrastructure for sectors like energy were highlighted as essential to unlocking the value of data as a production factor.

    Several participants also jointly launched an AI agent ecosystem cooperation plan, aiming to create more integrated application scenarios, strengthen innovation, and accelerate the transformation of scientific research into practical outcomes.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: What’s The Story? Grassroots glory – Council reveals plan to turn big gig revenue into support for smaller venues

    Source: City of Manchester

    Manchester City Council is set to earmark almost £250,000 to support grassroots music venues in the city and help them share the success of the city’s summer of music.

    In recent weeks, hundreds of thousands of music fans have converged on the city to celebrate its music scene – 340,000 at the five Oasis Heaton Park homecoming gigs alone. Other star names appearing in Manchester this summer include Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Charlie XCX, Elbow, Fontaines DC and Robbie Williams.

    Over the course of the summer it has been estimated that Manchester will have attracted 1.3 million music tourists – a tremendous boost for the city’s economy as a whole, especially the hospitality industry.

    These huge events are also generating income for the Council, either by being hosted in the city’s largest parks – with commercial arrangements for their use – or through the business rates paid by major venues.

    As well as reinvesting part of this revenue in parks, the Council is planning to set aside £245,000 to be made available in financial support for Manchester’s grassroots venues.

    While exact details are being finalised, the intention is that the scheme will be administered by Music Venue Trust to ensure that the money gets to where it is needed as quickly and effectively as possible.

    It comes as small venues across the country face a difficult economic climate, with a combination of increasing costs and reducing incomes leaving some in a precarious position. One particular challenge is an increase in nationally-set business rates. These had been significantly reduced for the sector in response to the impacts of the pandemic, but this financial year (2025/26) – while still being lower than pre-pandemic levels – they have gone back up significantly.

    Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester is a big noise in the music world. This summer all eyes have been on the city as we’ve hosted some huge concerts and seen unprecedented success in our large venues as the EMA MTV Music Awards showed.

    “But while the biggest gigs – in the city’s arenas and parks – might dominate the headlines, we know they are only possible because they are part of a wider ecosystem with smaller, grassroots venues providing the launchpads for acts to develop and grow.

    “We know that across the country grassroots venues are struggling. That’s why we want to ensure that our grassroots venues can share some of the benefit from the success of those big events.

    “We’re blessed in Manchester with an array of great smaller venues. They are there to be enjoyed and I’d encouraged anyone who values them to get out and support them.”

    Jay Taylor, Music Venue Trust National Co-ordinator, said: “Music Venue Trust wants to thank and congratulate Manchester City Council for leading on this crucial support for grassroots music venues. It’s inspiring to see Manchester recognise its place as one of the world’s leading music cities, and acknowledge that the fantastic grassroots music venue network in the city is an essential cornerstone of the amazing music being produced by Manchester artists.

    “In April, the government reduced business rates relief in England for many grassroots music venues, significantly impacting their long-term sustainability. Manchester City Council has taken the lead with this bold and innovative action and we hope many more cities and towns across the country can join their efforts to secure the future of the UK’s grassroots music venue network.”

    Kate Lowes, Director, Brighter Sound (sector lead Manchester Music City) said: “Grassroots venues sit at the heart of our city’s music scene – supporting emerging artists, bringing people together, and enriching local communities.

    “Recent research, commissioned by Manchester Music City and delivered by the hub, has shown that business rates relief is one of the sector’s most pressing concerns. We therefore welcome this announcement and are encouraged to see Manchester City Council and Music Venue Trust working in partnership to deliver meaningful and targeted support.

    “Manchester Music City is now working with the council to shape a full sector response and action plan, with a further set of actions to be announced this autumn. This type of collaborative approach and investment is essential to ensuring that Manchester remains a city where music and creativity can thrive at every level.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New supported living service to empower young adults with disabilities

    Source: City of Derby

    Derby City Council plans to create a new local supported living provision for young adults aged 18-25 living with learning disabilities, neurodiversity, or autism. The project, in partnership with an external service provider, aims to bridge a gap in local specialist provisions, enabling young people to transition successfully into adulthood. 

    The service will repurpose two former children’s homes to provide support for up to 12 individuals. The focus is on empowering residents to develop essential skills, maximise their potential, and ultimately move towards independent living.

    The proposal to commission an external service provider to deliver, manage and operate the provision in close partnership with the Council will be discussed by Cabinet members at a meeting on Wednesday 6 August.

    The Council is committed to enhancing adult social care in Derby by developing innovative care models. This includes integrating Technology-Enabled Care (TEC) to promote independence, improve safety, and provide reassurance to both individuals and their families. This can include a range of devices and apps, from basic community alarms and wearables to more advanced systems like fall detectors and remote monitoring.

    Councillor Alison Martin, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Care, said:

    This exciting initiative aims to enhance the lives of young adults with additional needs by fostering greater independence and facilitating a smooth transition into adulthood. 

    Collaborating with an external provider will enable us to strengthen supported living services in Derby, ensuring we deliver high-quality and sustainable solutions that genuinely promote independence.

    Currently, Derby City Council supports 366 adults in various Supported Living settings, at an annual cost of approximately £21 million. 

    Looking ahead, the need for supported accommodation is expected to rise, with the 18-25 age group projected to increase from 13% to 18% of the younger adult population by 2030. Annually, the Council’s Preparing for Adulthood team consistently supports around 40 new entrants to adult social care.

    While some young adults currently need out-of-area placements, this project presents an opportunity to expand suitable options within Derby. Many individuals have said they’d prefer to live in the local area, so developing provision in the city will create a positive impact.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: RSV vaccine highly effective in preventing hospitalisation

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    RSV vaccine highly effective in preventing hospitalisation

    RSV vaccines are 82% effective for older people and 72% for newborns when mothers are vaccinated at least 14 days before birth.

    A new UK Health Security Agency study – Effectiveness of RSV Vaccine Against RSV Associated Hospitalisation Among Adults Aged 75 to 79 years in England – in partnership with Nottingham University Hospitals and other NHS trusts, shows the RSV vaccine provided strong protection for older people, around 82% effective in preventing hospital admissions with RSV infection.

    The study also found that the vaccine is highly effective in preventing hospitalisation for older people with a chronic respiratory condition and those living with immunosuppression.

    Two new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programmes were introduced to the NHS Vaccination Schedule in September last year; an older adults programme and a maternal programme.

    The programme for older adults offers the vaccine to those turning 75, as well as a one-off catch up campaign for all adults aged 75 to79 years.

    The maternal vaccination programme is offered to women from 28 weeks of pregnancy to protect newborns, who are at higher risk of severe illness from RSV.

    A separate new study – Vaccination in Pregnancy and RSV Hospitalisation in Infants in the UK, led by NHS paediatricians, published in the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health – found that  the maternal RSV vaccine was 72% effective in preventing hospitalisation for infants whose mothers were vaccinated more than 14 days before delivery.

    UKHSA has also today published the latest vaccine uptake figures for both RSV programmes, including the:

    • older adults programme: overall coverage as of 30 June 2025 in the catch-up cohort (adults aged 75 to 79) reached 62.9%, up from the 60.3% reported in March
    • maternal programme: of the 36,657 women reported as having given birth in March 2025, 20,051 (54.7%) had received an RSV vaccine
    • maternal coverage varied by ethnic group with the highest coverage reported among the Chinese ethnic group (73.3%) and lowest among Black and Black British Caribbean (26.4%)

    Greta Hayward, Consultant Midwife at the UK Health Security Agency, said:

    Having the RSV vaccine during every pregnancy is the best way for women to protect their newborn against RSV, as the vaccine boosts their immune system to produce more antibodies against the virus, and these then pass through the placenta to help protect their baby from the day they are born. RSV infects around 90% of children in their first 2 years of life.

    The RSV season usually starts in October and while there is no risk-free birth month, babies born in late summer or the autumn are most likely to be admitted to hospital. Hundreds of babies attend Emergency Departments each day for bronchiolitis through most of November and December. That is why it is so important that over the summer pregnant women reaching 28 weeks of pregnancy, ensure they are vaccinated as soon as possible.

    Dr Conall Watson, Immunisation Consultant at the UK Health Security Agency, said:

    The evidence clearly shows the RSV vaccine for pregnant women is highly effective and will give much reassurance to parents, knowing their newborn is protected from birth, when they are at much greater risk from RSV.

    As a parent and health professional I can’t stress enough the importance of getting the RSV vaccine during every pregnancy. We recommend vaccination in week 28 or soon after but if you are later on in your pregnancy and still haven’t had your vaccine please contact your maternity service or GP practice to arrange one.

    RSV can be a particularly serious infection for older people, so this new evidence will also give much reassurance that having the RSV jab will greatly reduce their chances of ending up in hospital.

    While the uptake of the RSV vaccine continues to rise, we want to see every single pregnant woman and eligible older person getting protected. The virus picks up in the autumn, so don’t put if off over the summer – as soon as you reach your 75th birthday or week 28 of pregnancy get the vaccine for healthy peace of mind.

    UKHSA has published its first RSV Annual Report, which looks back at the 2024 to 2025 RSV season, providing analysis on disease pattern, vaccine uptake and vaccine impact.

    The surveillance shows RSV activity started across all UK nations around week 42 of 2024 (week starting 14 October) and peaked around weeks 47 to 49 2024 (18 November to 8 December), before steadily declining and reaching baseline activity around weeks 7 to 8 2025 (10 to 23 February).

    The Report also details UKHSA’s analysis from the primary care surveillance, which involves swabbing in around 300 GP Practices in England when a patient presents with an acute respiratory infection (ARI). This found that by age group, the highest RSV positivity (% of laboratory confirmed RSV cases out of total ARI swabs) was observed in children under 5 years; with positivity peaking at 53.1% in week 46 (11-17 November).

    Among those aged 75 years and above, the highest RSV positivity rate was 18.5% reported in week 49 (2 to 8 December).

    Surveillance of patients attending hospital emergency departments (ED) in England found that among infants (babies under 1), bronchiolitis peaked in late November. This is the main clinical presentation of infant RSV and RSV is the primary pathogen causing bronchiolitis.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New flavour for Herb’s career at EIT Tairāwhiti | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

    Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

    6 hours ago

    What started as a ride to campus for a friend has led to a new career path for Herb Kepa (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Pāoa), who recently completed the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4) at EIT Tairāwhiti.

    The 56-year-old spent more than three decades working in landscaping and stone masonry before a serious health scare in 2019 forced him to step away from the physical work.

    Herb Kepa at EIT Tairāwhiti, where his passion for cooking turned into a new career path.

    He spent months in hospital with a torn aorta and has since experienced a series of mini strokes, most of them occurring around the end of the year.

    No longer able to return to the work he had done most of his life, Herb was unsure what would come next.

    “A friend of mine wanted a lift to come in to check out this cooking course. I sat in on it, and then the tutor asked if I wanted to join up too. I said, I’ve got nothing else to do, so why not give it a go. I’ve been there ever since.”

    That decision led to four years of study in hospitality. Herb began with the New Zealand Certificate in Food and Beverage Service (Level 3), followed by a plant-based cookery training scheme, the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3), and then the two-year New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4), which he completed last year.

    While studying, Herb worked part-time at The Vines Restaurant in Makaraka. He continues to work there, preparing entrees, desserts and breads.

    “I’ve always loved cooking, but I never thought I’d be a chef,” he said. “I love my breads. It’s something I enjoy.”

    Herb said his background in landscaping helped with the hands-on nature of kitchen work, and that returning to study in his 50s came with some challenges but was well worth it.

    “I’ve never been one to study. I’m better with my hands. But this is the first time I’ve actually studied properly.”

    He said the tutors were “really good”, especially Maaki Gooding, Karen Johnston and Tony Davis who “helped a lot”.

    His advice to others thinking about making a change later in life and studying at EIT is simple.

    “If you like food, give it a go. It’s definitely worth it. You’re never too old.”

    Assistant Head of School for Tourism and Hospitality at EIT, Nikki Lloyd said the level 4 cookery programme allows students to study while they work, attending class one day a week while working in the industry.

    “The ability to learn and earn is a win-win for both student and employer. What students learn in class is put into practice in the workplace, giving them the confidence that is critical to their success. Employers often mention how students grow into key roles in the workplace as a result of their training.”

    Chef tutor Tony Davis said Herb’s curiosity with food regularly showed results above expectation.

    “The enjoyment he gets from cooking is apparent both in the classroom and the workplace. This combined with his steady work ethic has seen him graduate as one of our top students and now a respected, qualified chef in the workplace.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Govt to resume land for rail link

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Lands Department today posted land resumption notices for private lots required for the construction of the Northern Link (NOL) Main Line, in accordance with the Railways Ordinance.

    The land will revert to the Government on November 1.

    The NOL Main Line project is a 10.7-kilometre underground railway connecting Kam Sheung Road Station, on the Tuen Ma Line, and Kwu Tung Station, a stop on the East Rail Line that is under construction. There will be three intermediate stations at Au Tau, Ngau Tam Mei and San Tin.

    In all, 686 private lots, comprising about 26 hectares, and an underground batch of 252 private lots, comprising about 8.6 hectares, will be resumed. The Government will release ex-gratia land compensation to relevant land owners and handle statutory claims for compensation after the land reversion.

    The Lands Department will post notices in relevant areas according to applicable procedures about three months before departure deadlines for affected households and business undertakings.

    It is estimated the affected households and business undertakings will have to move out from early 2026 at the earliest. The Government will liaise with land owners and affected parties, and handle all compensation and rehousing matters proficiently. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • At least 60 dead in north China following extreme rain, authorities say

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Extreme weather killed at least 60 people in northern China over the past week, with 31 deaths in an elderly care home in Beijing’s hilly Miyun district in one of the deadliest floods to have hit the Chinese capital in years.

    In Beijing, 44 people were killed and nine were missing as of midday Thursday, deputy mayor of Beijing, Xia Linmao, said at a press conference.

    Heavy rains began a week ago and peaked around Beijing and surrounding provinces on Monday, with Miyun experiencing rainfall of up to 573.5 mm (22.6 inches) – levels local media described as “extremely destructive.” The average annual rainfall in Beijing is around 600 mm.

    In the nearby province of Hebei, 16 people died as a result of the intense rainfall, authorities said.

    At least eight were killed in the city of Chengde just outside Beijing, with 18 unaccounted for.

    The deaths occurred in villages within the Xinglong area of Chengde in Hebei province, state-run Xinhua reported late on Wednesday citing local authorities, without specifying when or how the people died.

    The deaths in Chengde occurred in villages which border Beijing’s Miyun about 25 km (16 miles) from the Miyun reservoir, the largest in China’s north.

    The reservoir saw record-breaking overall water levels and capacity during the rains which devastated nearby towns.

    At its peak on Sunday, up to 6,550 cubic metres of water – about 2.5 Olympic-sized pools’ worth – flooded into the reservoir every second.

    In another Hebei village north of the reservoir, a landslide on Monday killed eight people, with four missing.

    Extreme rainfall and severe flooding, which meteorologists link to climate change, pose major challenges for Chinese policymakers, with officials partially attributing a slowdown in factory activity to such events.

    (Reuters)

  • Flood threat in Rajasthan’s Dholpur as Chambal river swells; Army called in, Officials’ leave cancelled

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A flood threat looms over rural areas in Rajasthan’s Dholpur district after heavy rainfall in the Hadoti region and nearby areas led to the release of nearly 5 lakh cusecs of water into the Chambal River – from both Kota Barrage and later the Navnera Barrage.

    The Chambal’s water level surged to 141.10 metres by 10 PM on Wednesday, significantly breaching the danger mark of 131.79 metres, according to the Water Resources Department. The old Chambal bridge has submerged due to the rising water, prompting the district administration to request Army assistance. Troops are expected to reach Dholpur today.

    Floodwaters have begun entering villages in the Sarmathura and Rajakheda subdivisions, sharply increasing the risk to life and property. In response, the leave of all government officers and employees has been cancelled to ensure coordinated relief efforts.

    Despite the flooding of the old bridge, traffic on National Highway 44 remains unaffected, as vehicles are being rerouted via the new Chambal bridge.

    Dholpur SP Vikas Sangwan and District Collector Nidhi B.T. are closely monitoring the situation and conducting visits to the affected areas. Army personnel will assist in relief and rescue operations, particularly in flood-prone zones like Rajakheda.

    Meanwhile, Director of the Meteorological Center, Jaipur, Radheshyam Sharma, said that the low-pressure system, a remnant of the Bay of Bengal depression, is expected to weaken from August 2. However, due to the monsoon trough line currently passing through Bikaner and Sikar, heavy rainfall is still likely in parts of Rajasthan on Thursday. A reduction in rainfall activity is anticipated from August 1.

    Earlier on Wednesday, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma conducted a detailed inspection of rain-affected areas in Jaipur, spending over two-and-a-half hours reviewing the situation.

    He visited B-2 Bypass Road, Sanganer, Sumer Nagar, Surajmal Circle, Muhana Mandi, and Chauradia Petrol Pump, issuing immediate instructions to address waterlogging, damaged roads, potholes, and drainage issues.

    The Chief Minister also inspected the Dravyavati River near B-2 Bypass Road and directed officials to prune overgrown trees and repair damaged ferro drain covers.

    At the Sanganer camp office, he reviewed the status of waterlogged areas across the city. Later, at the Muhana Mandi intersection, he gave instructions for the construction of a traffic circle and urgent road repairs at Maharaja Surajmal Circle and Kesar Nagar intersection.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Homebuyers warning as HMRC gets tough on bogus Stamp Duty claims

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Homebuyers warning as HMRC gets tough on bogus Stamp Duty claims

    HMRC is actively pursuing dishonest agents who make false Stamp Duty Land Tax repayment claims

    • Landmark Court of Appeal decision confirms that properties needing repair remain chargeable to residential rates of SDLT.
    • Homebuyers warned about rogue agents advertising misleading SDLT repayment claims.

    Homebuyers are being warned to avoid Stamp Duty Land Tax scams, following a landmark Court of Appeal decision.

    HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning people purchasing properties to be vigilant of tax agents offering to secure Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) repayments on their behalf where repairs are needed to a property they have bought.

    Some agents have suggested that, for a fee, they can reclaim SDLT the buyer has already paid by saying that the property is non-residential because it’s uninhabitable. But making claims of this kind often leave the homeowner liable for the full amount of SDLT, plus penalties and interest.

    A recent Court of Appeal judgment in the case of Mudan & Anor v HMRC has confirmed that housing (“dwellings”) in need of repair are chargeable at the residential rates of SDLT, and that repayment claims based solely on a property’s condition are not valid.

    This decision confirms HMRC’s long-standing view that if a property requires repairs but retains the fundamental characteristics of a dwelling, it is still suitable for use as a dwelling and attracts residential rates of SDLT. A key factor in determining suitability is whether a property had been previously used as a dwelling.

    HMRC is taking decisive action on spurious SDLT repayment claims, using civil and criminal powers to deal with the minority who undermine the tax system.

    Anthony Burke, HMRC’s Deputy Director of Compliance Assets, said:

    The Court of Appeal’s decision is a major win, protecting public funds. Homebuyers should be cautious of allowing someone to make a Stamp Duty Land Tax repayment claim on their behalf. If the claim is inaccurate, you could end up paying more than the amount you were trying to recover.

    Anyone who is unsure of the rules should check the SDLT guidance on GOV.UK.

    As an example, if Joe bought a house in London for £1,100,000 and his solicitor filed the SDLT return, SDLT was calculated at the residential rates (£53,750). As the house required modernisation and repair, Joe couldn’t move in straight away. The house needed a new boiler, rewiring and damp proofing.

    Shortly after moving in, Joe received an advert in the post from a repayment agent which incorrectly suggested that due to the required repairs they could get him a refund of SDLT on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis. In Joe’s case the refund amounted to £9,250 (the difference between residential and non-residential rates), less the agent’s 30% fee. Joe agreed for the agent to make a claim on his behalf, and he received his repayment. Later in the year, HMRC opened a compliance check into the repayment claim and concluded that the property was residential. 

    Consequently, Joe found out that he owed £9,250 SDLT, plus interest and a penalty, even though the agent only sent him £6,475, after deducting their fee. He is now out of pocket as the agent refused to cover the interest and penalty and the agent has since refused to respond to his emails and phone calls. 

    Further information

    For more information visit HMRC’s Stamp Duty Land Tax guidance

    SDLT is a self-assessed tax, so when claiming a repayment of SDLT it is the responsibility of the taxpayer to get it right.

    In the case of Mudan & Anor v HMRC, the claimant had requested a refund of SDLT paid on a property transaction from August 2019. The property was in a poor state of repair. Their claim was submitted by their tax agent who persuaded them that the condition of the purchased property would qualify for a repayment. The dispute centred on the definition of residential property for SDLT purposes, and specifically whether the legal term ‘suitable for use as a dwelling’ meant that the purchaser should be able to move in straight away.

    The primary findings from the Upper Tribunal decision include:

    • being suitable for use as a dwelling does not mean the same thing as ready for immediate occupation
    • taxpayers should assess to what extent the building has the fundamental characteristics of a dwelling, and is structurally sound
    • if a property has previously been used as a dwelling, this will be relevant for considering whether it is suitable for use as a dwelling
    • the question to consider is whether the defects have the result that the building no longer has the characteristics of a dwelling

    The Court of Appeal firmly dismissed the appeal, finding that the Upper Tribunal decision was legally sound, and that the principles laid down in that decision are practical and workable. The decision confirms that the definition of ‘residential property’ should be considered against its statutory context, bearing in mind what the “ordinary speaker of English” would characterise as residential property (that being the “sort of property that people live in”). Past use of the building and whether it retains its identity or character as residential property, despite any disrepair and the requirement for renovations, will therefore be important considerations.

    HMRC has a high success-rate litigating cases where the refund claimed is not due. We encourage customers to carefully consider the terms of engagement with the reclaims specialist including understanding any fee that might be taken.

    Where a claim is due, it can be made directly by the customer at no cost.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to air traffic control issue

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on a UK air traffic control issue which led to flight delays and cancellations.

    Dr Guy Gratton, Associate Professor of Aviation and the Environment, Cranfield University, said:

    “National Air Traffic Services (NATS) have said there was a fault with their radar system, and this caused a stop on departing and arriving airline traffic on Wednesday afternoon for about an hour.  They control the upper airways of the UK from two sites – Swannick near Southampton, and Prestwick near Glasgow.  It’s very integrated, and any interruption, as occurred, can only be solved in the short term by reducing the volume of traffic so as to make absolutely sure that in Britain’s very busy airways system, they achieve safe separation of all aircraft.  As the systems come back up, they have to maintain that safe separation whilst introducing new traffic back into the airways system, so even a short delay will cause disruption for some time.

    “It looks to me that NATS handled this very well, with departures and arrivals only stopped for about an hour.  There’s no sign that safety was compromised, and hopefully the overnight reduction in air traffic will give them a chance to clear the disruption and recommence flying on Thursday morning with only minimal residual delays.  It’s inevitable that people directly affected are frustrated, but safety has to be the primary concern.”

    Junade Ali, a Fellow at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), said:

    “The cause of this significant grounding of aircraft appears to be a technical issue at National Air Traffic Services (NATS).  As of 16:25, NATS report a fix is being rolled out, meaning the issue was addressed promptly.

    “In late 2023, there was a similar incident related to the IT systems that NATS uses.  Given the short duration of the outage, it seems likely this is also an IT or software outage.

    “NATS has previously thoroughly investigated such incidents and implemented suitable measures.  From prior incident reports, the software is understood to not compromise safety at the expense of keeping airspace open.  This is the right approach as, whilst keeping airspace open is important, the public risk appetite demands a high standard of safety when it comes to air travel.  Incidents like this remind us of the need for robust IT systems that are resilient.” 

    Statement from the National Air Traffic Control Services: https://www.nats.aero/statement/statement-technical-issue-at-swanwick/

    Declared interests

    Junade Ali: “No conflicts of interest.”

    For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Trading standards seize nearly £700,000 of illegal tobacco and vapes in latest crackdown

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Thursday, 31st July 2025

    Stoke-on-Trent City Council is stepping up its crackdown on illegal tobacco and vape sales after seizing more illegal cigarettes, tobacco and vapes.

    Trading Standards officers carried out a visit to a storage facility in Etruria on Wednesday 23 July, supported by police officers and a tobacco dog and handler from JMS Accelerant Search.

    The teams seized 638,380 cigarettes, 108kg of hand rolling tobacco and 1262 vapes – with a total retail value of £671,363.

    The individual who hired the two shipping containers, which stored the illegal goods, is now under investigation.

    The work is part of Operation CeCe – a national operation with HMRC and National Trading Standards to tackle illegal tobacco.

    Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride, environment and sustainability at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “This work clearly shows that illegal tobacco sales will not be tolerated. Those involved in the storage, distribution, or sale of illicit tobacco will face serious consequences.

    “Smuggling and counterfeiting on this scale is organised crime – the shops these goods were destined for don’t care who they sell to and are happy to sell to the city’s children.

    “Our message is clear, those engaging in crime will be held accountable. We are committed to making Stoke-on-Trent a greener, fairer, cleaner, safer city and keeping these substances off our streets.”

    Lord Michael Bichard, Chair, National Trading Standards, said: “The illicit tobacco trade is driven by organised criminal gangs and poses serious risks to local communities, especially young people.

    “Since its launch in January 2021, Operation CeCe – a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC – has removed 69 million illegal cigarettes, 19,750kg of hand-rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale, helping to clamp down on this illicit trade and protect communities and honest businesses across the UK.”

    Anyone with concerns about illegal tobacco, vapes and underage sales can contact Trading Standards on the hotline at 01782 238884 or visit www.stoke.gov.uk/tradingstandards

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ofsted praises Plymouth’s progress in supporting care leavers

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Significant strides have been made in how care-experienced young people are supported in Plymouth according to Ofsted inspectors, who found ‘many improvements’ since their last visit in February 2024. The Council’s ambition and commitment to its role as a corporate parent were particularly highlighted.

    A focused visit in early July looked specifically at the arrangements for care leavers, who are young people aged 16 to 25-years-old who have previously lived in the local authority’s care. While focused visits do not result in a graded judgement, inspectors published a letter detailing their findings and areas for improvement today.

    The inspection found that ‘Plymouth City Council is an ambitious Corporate Parent, driven effectively by the Director of Children’s Services’.

    Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care said: “There is a lot in this inspection letter to celebrate and I am incredibly proud that we are now delivering a better service to all our care-experienced young people.

    “We are absolutely committed to being corporate parents, which means supporting our care-experienced young people as a family would support their own young adult children. As every parent knows, your responsibility does not end once your child reaches adulthood.

    “By working closely with partners across the city, we can ensure that care leavers are properly supported at this crucial time in their lives.”

    Corporate parenting means that it is the collective responsibility of the Council and partner organisations to support children in care and care leavers. 

    Plymouth City Council is committed to supporting care leavers as set out in the updated corporate parenting strategy, ‘The Sky’s the Limit’ and in the comprehensive local support offer, which was commended by Ofsted. This includes dedicated help to access health, education and wellbeing services, as well as financial support.

    The Council also agreed to treat care experience as a protected characteristic in March 2023 and is a signatory of the Care Leavers Covenant.

    The Council’s Corporate Parenting Board meets four times a year and works to advise on best practices in fulfilling the council’s role as a corporate parent to ensure the best possible outcomes for children in care and care leavers. Ofsted inspectors noted that the Board ‘provides effective governance and oversight of the council’s work with care-experienced young people’.

    There are currently 200 care-experienced young people in Plymouth aged 18 to 21-years-old, and a further 86 young people aged between 21 and 25 who have chosen to continue receiving support from the Council.

    Each of these young people has a personal adviser (PA) who works closely with them to offer advice and support. The inspectors highlighted how positive these trusting relationships are: young people ‘describe their PAs as always being responsive and kind’ and ‘receive timely practical and emotional support from social workers and PAs who know them well’.

    One young person shared that their PA ‘is amazing, I have no negatives about her, she is trying her best to get the right support for me.’

    Inspectors also noted that care-experienced young people who are pregnant or parents receive ‘dedicated effective support’ to help them ‘succeed in their parenting, and reduce risks in meeting the needs of their children’.

    Karen Blake, Head of Service for Permanence at Plymouth City Council, said: “I am delighted by the recognition we have received from Ofsted about the improvements that have been made for our care-experienced young people. Our staff are extremely dedicated and work incredibly hard every day to support young people as they transition into adulthood.

    “While we’re very proud of these achievements, we know what we need to do to make our service even better and will be focusing on the further improvements that are required as a priority.”

    The inspection letter outlines two key areas for improvement. The first is the effectiveness of joint working with housing to improve the quality and availability of accommodation for care leavers, with a small number of young people having spent too long living in bed and breakfast accommodation.

    Joint working across the Council is already taking place to address this issue, which includes finding alternative accommodation that is more suited to individual young people’s needs.

    The other area for improvement is the identification and management of risk for young people. An additional team manager had already been recruited and has since started with the team, providing additional management capacity which will help to address this issue and work is being undertaken to improve quality assurance across the service.

    Councillor Laing continued: “We completely accept that there are still improvements that need to be made in order to give our young people the best possible start to their adult life. Council teams are working collaboratively to make these improvements as swiftly as possible and the Corporate Parenting Board will have oversight of these improvements.”

    The inspection letter also positively highlights how partnership working between the Council and health organisations means that ‘the physical health needs of young people are well considered and well met’, with access to a flexible nursing team and dental services. Support is given to help young people access mental health services and more work is underway to develop bespoke mental health support.

    Penny Smith, Chief Nursing Officer at NHS Devon said: “It is great to see the hard work that has been put into improving health services for care-experienced young people in Plymouth over the last 18 months recognised by OFSTED.

    “These improvements include improved access to mental health support and dental services and are the result of strong partnership working between numerous organisations.

    “Care-experienced young people in Plymouth have for some time had access to well established, flexible, and responsive nursing teams and these improvements further enhance the support offer available to them.

    “We are committed to continuing to further improve health services for care-experienced young people in Plymouth and growing the strong partnership arrangements we have in place to do this.”

    Read the full inspection letter on the Ofsted website.

    For more information about Plymouth’s offer to care-experienced young people, please visit: www.plymouth.gov.uk/care-leavers.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Aberdeen parks retain world-wide accolade

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    Parks, gardens, and allotments all over Aberdeen have retained accolades in a world-wide awards which rewards well managed spaces – just before the city is judged in Britain in Bloom.

    Hazlehead Park, Seaton Park, Westfield Park, Victoria Park, Johnstone Gardens, Garthdee Field Allotments, and Slopefield Allotments have been given the Green Flag Award which sets the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the UK and around the world. Duthie Park has been awarded Green Heritage Site from the awards which celebrates its historical and cultural significance alongside environmental beauty.  

    Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “Aberdeen is famous for its parks and green spaces. They offer a splendid array of beautiful and peaceful environments for all to enjoy. The Green Flag award is welcome recognition of the high quality of these open places. It is important to maintain them to high standards because of the recreational and health benefits that they offer to residents and to the environment.”

    Aberdeen City Council Net Zero, Environment and Transport vice convener Councillor Miranda Radley said: “The Green Flag and Green Heritage Site accolades are thanks to the great work carried out by our enthusiastic gardeners and greenkeepers as well as all the amazing community organisations, groups and individuals who help to continue make Aberdeen’s green spaces beautiful.”

    The purpose and aim of The Green Flag Award is:

    • To ensure that everybody has access to quality green and other open spaces, irrespective of where they live;
    • To ensure that these spaces are appropriately managed and meet the needs of the communities that they serve;
    • To establish standards of good management;
    • To promote and share good practice amongst the green space sector;
    • To recognise and reward the hard work of managers, staff, and volunteers.

    The Green Heritage Site accreditation acknowledges parks which excel as guardians of history, bring history to life, a place for exploration, preserving authenticity, and understanding the past while inspiring the future.

    Aberdeen is in the 2025 finals of the prestigious Britain in Bloom competition after winning the overall best in Scotland award – the Rosebowl – along with the City Trophy, the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society Award, the VisitScotland Award for Tourism and a Gold Medal Certificate, at the Beautiful Scotland Awards. Britain in Bloom judges will be in Aberdeen next month.

    Aberdeen has won a medal in either Britain in Bloom or Beautiful Scotland every year since 2008 and has been award-winning in the competitions since 1964. Aberdeen City Council this year is also celebrating 61 years competing in Britain in Bloom and Beautiful Scotland.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: More chewing gum tackled on Union Street

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    An additional thousands of pieces of chewing gum have been removed from Union Street thanks to a grant administered by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

    The £27,500 grant, from the Chewing Gum Task Force, contributed towards additional cleaning and signage aimed at preventing people from littering again – estimates suggest the annual clean-up cost of chewing gum for councils in the UK is about £7million.

    Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “This additional action to remove chewing gum really helps with the shared aim of improving the city centre. The area should be pleasant and attractive for the benefit of all businesses, visitors and residents.

    “The £27,500 grant from the Chewing Gum Task Force is a welcome boost to enable more cleaning and to introduce signage aimed at preventing the unacceptable practice of discarding chewing gum. The collective work is important and will hopefully be able to make a lasting difference.”

    Aberdeen City Council Net Zero, Environment and Transport vice convener Councillor Miranda Radley said: “The Council’s cleansing team work hard keeping Union Street free of litter.

    “We’d ask people as always not to drop litter, including chewing gum, as it is unsightly and its removal takes time and money.”

    Aberdeen City Council was one of 52 local authorities across the country which successfully applied to the Chewing Gum Task Force, now in its fourth year and funded by major gum manufacturers including Mars Wrigley and Perfetti Van Melle with an investment of up to £10million spread over five years.

    Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Chewing gum continues to be an unsightly form of litter in our public spaces – though thankfully the scheme is leading to significant reductions.

    People need to remember that disposing irresponsibly of their gum causes harm to our environment as it takes years to decompose naturally – and, ultimately, costs the public purse to clean it up.”

    Established by Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, the Chewing Gum Task Force Grant Scheme is open to councils across the UK who wish to clean up gum in their local areas and invest in long-term behaviour change to prevent gum from being dropped in the first place.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Urumqi Airport Records Significant Growth in Passenger and Cargo Traffic in First Half of 2025

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) — The number of people crossing the Chinese border at the Tianshan International Airport checkpoint in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, totaled 449,900 in the first half of 2025, up 63.58 percent year-on-year, the Xinjiang Daily newspaper reported, citing data from the airport administration.

    In addition, during the same period, 43 thousand tons of cargo were imported and exported through Tianshan Airport, which is 465 percent more than during the same period last year.

    In the first six months of this year, the checkpoint handled 3,575 inbound and outbound passenger flights, up 51 percent from a year earlier. The airport currently operates 32 international passenger routes, connecting Urumqi with 27 cities in 19 countries.

    From January to June this year, airport customs officers processed 2,549 incoming and outgoing cargo flights, up 620 percent year-on-year. The total value of imported and exported goods passed through the airport checkpoint increased by 221.4 percent year-on-year.

    Today, 24 international cargo routes operate at the specified border crossing, covering key hub cities in Europe, as well as Central and Western Asia.

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: /China Focus/ Beijing steps up recovery efforts after rare rainfall in city’s history

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) — Beijing is stepping up efforts to restore power, clear roads and deliver essential supplies to residents displaced by flash floods and landslides caused by some of the most intense rainfall in the capital’s mountainous suburbs.

    In Miyun District, one of the hardest-hit areas of the Chinese capital, a temporary supply center in the village of Xizhuangzi was bustling with activity as of the morning of July 30, with supplies of bottled water, instant noodles, sausages and canned eggs ready to be shipped out.

    More than 60 tons of relief supplies were distributed across Miyun District on July 28 and 29, and four helicopters were deployed on the morning of July 30 to further deliver relief supplies. Repair crews were also dispatched to restore damaged communication and power lines, according to local authorities.

    As of midnight on July 28, 30 people had been confirmed dead in Beijing, including 28 in Miyun District and two in Yanqing District. Authorities said the Miyun Reservoir had recorded its highest inflow, highest water level and fastest outflow since it was built in 1959.

    In Yanqing, more than 4,200 people were evacuated. Some 488 rescue teams with a total of more than 8,300 personnel were dispatched to provide emergency assistance. Communications were restored to all previously cut-off villages, while damaged roads were cleared and basic utilities such as electricity were restored.

    Taotiaogou, a remote village in Yanqing, was the hardest hit. After more than 48 hours of rescue work, its 49 residents were gradually brought to safety.

    “I have never seen such a powerful flood in my life,” said 89-year-old Zhai Cheng’an, recalling how his home was quickly inundated by torrents of dirty water.

    Zhai Yonghui, deputy secretary of the Taotiaogou village party branch, said the downpour intensified at 10:20 p.m. on July 26, breaking local rainfall records. Yanqing County plans to help residents of the devastated village start new lives elsewhere.

    “The waters will recede and we will have our homes again. We believe in that,” he added.

    As part of ongoing restoration work, train services on the Beijing-Baotou high-speed railway will resume on Thursday after being suspended due to heavy rains in Beijing and Hebei province earlier this week, China Railway Hohhot Group Co., Ltd. said.

    Heavy rains also hit other parts of northern China.

    In Hebei province, eight people were confirmed dead and 18 were missing in Xinglong County, while eight people were killed after a rain-triggered landslide hit a village in Luanping County. Ten people were confirmed dead in Shanxi province after a mid-size bus carrying 14 passengers went missing on the morning of July 27 amid days of heavy rainfall. -0-

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese border town becomes key hub for importing Russian Kamchatka crabs

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) — Did you know that out of five Russian Kamchatka crabs eaten by Chinese, four came from the border town of Hunchun, (Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Northeast China’s Jilin Province), which is not actually a coastal town?

    At the King Crab Exhibition Hall located in the Northeast Asia Cross-Border E-Commerce Industrial Park in Hunchun, hundreds of blue and red king crabs from the Bering Strait live comfortably in a huge pool.

    The cool air in the exhibition hall mixes with the faint salty taste of sea water. It turns out that the pool is filled with sea water from the “native land” of king crabs, and its temperature is maintained at about 2 degrees Celsius.

    “The king crabs, which cost more than 320 yuan (US$44.5) per kilogram, were transported to China using original transport and water environment to ensure their longer life,” said Cui Ling, an employee of Hunchun Shengjin International Trade Co., Ltd., adding that July to August is the busiest time of the year. On average, up to 150 king crabs are sold per day through online and offline sales. These king crabs are shipped from here and delivered across the country within two weeks. In many regions, customers who order this seafood delicacy in the morning receive it the next day.

    Why hasn’t the coastal city of Hunchun become the key hub for importing Russian Kamchatka crabs?

    Previously, Kamchatka crabs imported from Russia to China had to be transported through the Republic of Korea and Japan, which led to higher costs and a deterioration in the quality of king crabs.

    After Hunchun Port was approved as a specialized port for importing chilled seafood and edible aquatic animals, this “golden corridor” for importing king crabs into China was opened. In addition, the Kamchatka-Zarubino-Hunchun route made the transportation of aquatic products between China and Russia more stable and smooth.

    To ensure the freshness of imported seafood, Hunchun Customs has opened a “green channel” to provide inspection and release services by appointment all year round and around the clock, speeding up customs clearance.

    “In 2024, about 1.5 million pieces of king crab worth 3.31 billion yuan were imported into China through Hunchun Port, accounting for more than 80 percent of the country’s total market,” said Sun Jufeng, head of the Hunchun Port Management Service Center.

    According to him, in recent years the efficiency of customs clearance has been constantly improving. If the driver registers in advance, the passage through the checkpoint can be completed in a matter of minutes.

    Let us recall that last year, construction of a new terminal began in Hunchun on the territory of the checkpoint in order to meet the increasing volumes of cargo flow between China and Russia. The new terminal with a design capacity of 2 million tons will be put into operation during this year, and then the volume of transportation through the Hunchun checkpoint will increase more than fourfold.

    In recent years, Chinese consumers’ interest in Russian Kamchatka crabs has grown rapidly. According to the General Administration of Customs of China, the total value of China’s imports of live, fresh and frozen crabs from Russia exceeded US$1.14 billion last year, up 16.7 percent from the previous year. -0-

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Tata Motors announces euro 3.8 billion acquisition of Iveco Group

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Tata Motors Limited has announced plans to acquire Iveco Group N.V., a leading European commercial vehicle and mobility company, through an all-cash voluntary tender offer valued at approximately €3.8 billion.

    The proposed acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and the successful separation of Iveco’s defence business. The deal aims to create a powerful global player in the commercial vehicle industry, combining complementary capabilities, a broader market presence, and a shared commitment to sustainable mobility.

    Under the terms of the deal, Tata Motors will acquire all issued common shares of Iveco Group—excluding its defence division—at €14.1 per share in cash. Completion of the transaction is conditional upon the separation of the defence business, which is expected to be finalised by March 31, 2026.

    The offer represents a 22–25% premium over Iveco’s average share price in the three months ending July 17, 2025. Factoring in the estimated €5.5–€6.0 per share extraordinary dividend from the defence division’s sale, the premium could increase to 34–41%.

    The merger will combine Tata Motors’ commercial vehicle division with Iveco’s operations, bringing together annual sales of approximately 540,000 units and revenues of €22 billion (INR 2.2 lakh crore). The combined revenue base will be spread across Europe (50%), India (35%), and the Americas (15%).

    “This is a logical next step following the demerger of Tata Motors’ Commercial Vehicle business,” said Tata Motors Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran. “It will allow the combined group to compete globally with two strategic home markets in India and Europe.”

    Olof Persson, CEO of Iveco Group, said the partnership with Tata Motors would strengthen industrial capabilities, accelerate innovation in zero-emission transport, and expand the company’s presence in key global markets.

    Tata Motors has secured full financing for the acquisition through a consortium led by Morgan Stanley and MUFG Bank. Clifford Chance, PwC, and Kearney are advising Tata Motors, while Goldman Sachs and law firms De Brauw and PedersoliGattai are advising Iveco Group.

    — ANI

  • Centre constructs 16,207 km of highways, sanctions ₹69,342 crore for railway projects in Northeast

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Central Government has constructed 16,207 km of National Highways and sanctioned ₹69,342 crore for railway projects to bolster infrastructure and accelerate economic development in the Northeastern Region (NER), the Parliament was informed on Thursday.

    Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region Sukanta Majumdar told the Rajya Sabha that the Ministry of Railways has approved 12 railway projects – including 8 new lines and 4 doubling projects – spanning a total length of 777 km, either partially or fully within the NER. Of this, 278 km have already been commissioned, and ₹41,676 crore has been expended up to March 2025.

    Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the government has sanctioned 17,637 road works covering 89,436 km and 2,398 bridges in the Northeast. Out of these, 16,469 road works (80,933 km) and 2,108 bridges have been completed, the Minister added.

    To enhance digital connectivity in remote and rural areas of the Northeast, several initiatives have been undertaken with support from the Digital Bharat Nidhi. As many as 6,355 Gram Panchayats have been made service-ready under the BharatNet project. In addition, 3,297 mobile towers have been commissioned in the region under various government-funded mobile connectivity schemes.

    The Ministry of Civil Aviation, through the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, has significantly improved regional air connectivity by operationalising 90 routes in the Northeast. These routes connect 12 airports and heliports across the region, aiming to make air travel more accessible and affordable for the masses.

    Further, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) is providing financial assistance to all eight Northeastern states for developmental projects related to infrastructure, connectivity, and communication, under five Central Sector Schemes.

    A key initiative in this regard is the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE). This 100% centrally funded scheme, launched with a total outlay of ₹6,600 crore, is scheduled to run from 2022–23 to 2025–26. The scheme focuses on funding infrastructure projects in line with PM GatiShakti, supporting social development, and promoting livelihood opportunities for youth and women, while addressing developmental gaps in critical sectors.

    The DoNER Ministry is also providing financial support to boost tourism development across the eight Northeastern states through its various Central Sector Schemes.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Western Cape school transfer applications to open on 4 August

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Parents in the Western Cape, who wish to apply for a school transfer for their children for the 2026 school year, can submit their applications between 4 and 18 August 2025. 

    According to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), this applies to learners currently enrolled in Grades 2 to 7 and Grades 9 to 12.

    “Transfer applications can also be submitted at the relevant school to which the parent or caregiver wishes to transfer, or at the relevant district office,“ the department explained. 

    Parents applying will need supporting documents, including the last school report card, identity document (ID), birth certificate, passport, study permit or proof of application or police affidavit, and proof of address or police affidavit. 

    “Parents who have not registered on the online system previously will first need to register on the online site. Once registration is completed, they can then proceed to the application,” the statement read. 

    According to the department, schools can only capture applications for their institution, but the online system allows for applications to multiple schools.

    Parents or caregivers will be required to fill out the WCED application form, which can also be downloaded from the WCED website. The form can only be submitted to schools or the district office from 4 August 2025 onwards.

    Parents can drop off the application form and supporting documents directly at the school or contact the school for details on electronic submissions using only the official WCED form.

    Regarding Grades R, 1, and 8 applications, the department announced that schools are currently finalising their admission lists and confirming placements for children on their waiting lists. This process is still ongoing.

    “We do, however, appeal to all parents and caregivers who have not yet applied for Grade 1 and Grade 8 for the 2026 school year to do so immediately. The online platform is closed for these late applications.” 

    Parents are advised to contact their district office or call 0861 819 919 for more information.

    Online video tutorials and step-by-step guidelines for school transfer applications are available on the website: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/admissions. 

    Visit the admissions site for the form and relevant details: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/admissions. 

    Applications can be done online at: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/education/service/learner-admissions. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs detects case involving precious metals and stones dealer carrying out specified cash transaction without Category B registration

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 30) detected a case involving a local watch company that conducted a cash transaction valued at over HK$120,000, while not being a Category B registrant under the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime. A director of the company was arrested.
     
    The investigation is ongoing. The arrested person has been released on bail.
     
    According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), the Regime came into effect on April 1, 2023. Any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones in Hong Kong and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with the Commissioner of Customs and Excise.
     
    In particular, no person other than a Category B registrant may carry out a cash transaction with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in the course of business of dealing in precious metals and stones. Any dealer who is not a Category B registrant, who claims to be a Category B registrant, claims to be authorised to carry out, or carries out any cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for six months.
     
    Customs reminds dealers in precious metals and stones that they must obtain the relevant registration before they can carry out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000.
     
    For the forms, procedures and guidelines to submit applications for registration, please visit the website for the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Registration System (www.drs.customs.gov.hk) or Customs’ webpage (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/anti-money-laundering/supervision-of-dealers-in-precious-metals-and-ston/index.html).
     
    Members of the public may report any suspected transactions involving precious metals and stones with a total value at or above HK$120,000 conducted without the required registration to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hospital Authority streamlines clinical research approval to promote medical research development (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

         The Hospital Authority (HA) held a sharing session today (July 31) with representatives from the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute (GBAICTI) and Hong Kong’s pharmaceutical industry to outline a series of enhancement measures implemented by the HA for promoting clinical research development, including the recently implemented streamlined approval procedures aiming at attracting more clinical research projects from the industry.
     
         Last year, the HA established a Central Clinical Research and Innovation Office and Cluster Clinical Research Support Offices in each cluster to provide support for frontline healthcare professionals and proactively encourage participation in clinical research. In April this year, the HA further enhanced the application and approval procedures for commercially sponsored clinical research, including revising the long-standing standard clinical research agreement template to provide more up-to-date content and balance the interests of all parties. The HA has also engaged a professional organisation to assist in the review and approval of commercially sponsored clinical research applications, expediting the approval process and timeframe through the incorporation of industry expertise.
     
         The Director (Quality and Safety) of the HA, Dr Michael Wong, expressed confidence that the new measures will promote the clinical research development. “As a key player in local clinical research with professional medical teams and extensive healthcare data, the HA has been aligning with government policies and engaging in communication and exchange with various healthcare institutions and industry stakeholders. Through optimising processes and streamlining approval procedures, the HA aims to facilitate efficient implementation and execution of clinical research, fostering a more conducive environment for medical innovation and enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness in international clinical research.”
     
         About 100 participants in the sharing session included members and representatives from the GBAICTI and the Hong Kong Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry, who had in-depth exchanges on the development of clinical research in Hong Kong.
     
         The HA Central Institutional Review Board (Central IRB) completed the integration of all cluster Research Ethics Committees in March 2024 and has processed over 1 000 clinical research applications. The Central IRB serves as a co-ordinator and has been further streamlining the research ethics application and approval process and facilitating cross-cluster clinical research applications. Following process optimisation, simple clinical research applications can now be processed through an expedited review procedure, with approval times significantly reduced to within 30 days, while the ethics review for complex research applications can be completed within 60 days.
     
         The HA will continue to dovetail with government policy directions and the needs of the pharmaceutical industry, deepen collaboration with the GBAICTI, and fully support various clinical research applications, thereby promoting Hong Kong’s medical and scientific research, enhancing healthcare standards, and benefitting patients.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government revises eligibility criteria for government-subsidised post-secondary student places and subsidies

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         The Government today (July 31) announced the revision of the eligibility criteria for government-subsidised post-secondary student places and subsidies: introducing two categories of tuition fees and revising the eligibility criteria. The revision will apply to the 2027/28 academic year and thereafter (the application cycle for the 2027/28 academic year commencing in October 2026). This will allow the affected persons reasonable time to make their own plans and the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS) Office and the admissions offices of various institutions (including the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and the Vocational Training Council) sufficient time to make corresponding administrative arrangements.
     
    A Government spokesperson said, “Under the current admissions arrangements, dependant visa/entry permit holders who were below 18 years old when first issued with such visa/entry permit by the Immigration Department (ImmD) are considered local students. There has been recent concern that some of these students did not come to reside in Hong Kong but applied for government-subsidised student places at UGC-funded universities as local students, which affected opportunities for university admission and the targeted use of public funds.
     
         “To clarify the eligibility criteria for government-subsidised post-secondary student places and subsidies, and to ensure the proper use of public funds, the Education Bureau, having regard to overseas practices and the practical situation in Hong Kong, considers it necessary for dependant children to reside in Hong Kong for two years before becoming eligible for government-subsidised post-secondary student places. Holders of a full-time employment visa/work permit or a visa/entry permit for various admission schemes will no longer be eligible for government-subsidised post-secondary student places.”
     
         Two categories of tuition fees are introduced under the revision. Category I refers to subsidised fees. Persons holding the following documents are eligible for government-subsidised student places in relation to sub-degree, undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes:
     

    • A Hong Kong permanent identity card, other documents issued by the ImmD showing the right to land/right of abode in Hong Kong, and a visa label for unconditional stay;
    • A One-way Permit for entry to Hong Kong; and
    • A dependant visa/entry permit: holders who were below 18 years old when first issued with such visa/entry permit by the ImmD, provided that they have resided in Hong Kong for two years immediately preceding the first day of their respective programmes. Regarding first-year student places, to facilitate institutions’ admissions procedures, the two-year period will be specified appropriately by the JUPAS office or the institutions concerned having regard to the first day of the respective programmes. Whether the residency requirement is met is determined at or before the start of each academic year and shall remain the same for the remainder of that academic year. The first day of the academic year of a programme is determined by the programme’s start day. 

     
         Category II refers to non-subsidised fees and applies to persons not meeting the eligibility criteria in the above-mentioned Category I. These persons include:
     

    • Dependant visa/entry permit holders who were below 18 years old when first issued with such visa/entry permit by the ImmD, and they do not meet the two-year residency requirement;
    • Holders of a full-time employment visa/work permit;
    • Holders of a visa/entry permit for various admission schemes (including the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme or the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents); and
    • Non-local students (such as holders of a student visa/entry permit; holders of a visa/entry permit under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates; dependant visa/entry permit holders who were 18 years old or above when first issued with such visa/entry permit by the ImmD).

     
         Category II persons may still apply for government-subsidised sub-degree, undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes but have to pay non-subsidised fees. The institutions may determine appropriate non-subsidised fee levels, following the established principles, having regard to their own circumstances and programme costs, and taking a holistic view of various factors. The levels have to be at least sufficient to recover all additional direct costs, and to be on par with those applicable to non-local students.
     
         The Government will put in place a transitional arrangement for the above-mentioned revision, whereby the residency requirement for the 2027/28 academic year (its application cycle commencing in October 2026) will be set at one year. The two-year residency requirement will be implemented starting from the 2028/29 academic year.
     
    The spokesperson said, “When formulating the revision, the Government fully listened to various views in society and struck the right balance. The revision is not expected to have a significant impact on families with genuine intentions to come to Hong Kong for development.”
     
    Regarding the residency requirement for JUPAS applications for government-subsidised first-year-first-degree student places, applicants are required to provide the following proof:

    (a) proof from the applicant that he or she is enrolled as a full-time student in a school offering a formal curriculum in Hong Kong for the two-year period ending on May 31 in the year in which his or her respective programme begins; or
     
    (b) for those who cannot provide the proof in (a) above, a statement of travel records of the applicant which can be obtained at a fee from the ImmD covering the two-year period to demonstrate that the applicant is not absent from Hong Kong for a maximum of 90 days in each year of the two-year period.
       
         Regarding other government-subsidised post-secondary student places, including those in relation to sub-degree, senior year undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes of UGC-funded universities, the relevant institutions are required to process the applications in an approach similar to the above-mentioned one.
     
         The eligibility criteria and related arrangements for government scholarship, fellowship or subsidy schemes which are currently premised on the definitions of “local students” and “non-local students” (such as the Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies, the Tuition Waiver for Local Research Postgraduate Students, the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors, and the Non-means-tested Subsidy Scheme for Self-financing Undergraduate Studies in Hong Kong) will also be correspondingly revised to ensure consistency. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Exemption for temporary construction emissions and depositions for sustainable projects – P-003051/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-003051/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Tom Berendsen (PPE)

    In its resolution on the Clean Industrial Deal (2025/2656 (RSP)), Parliament expressly called on the Commission to introduce a temporary exemption for construction emissions and depositions for clean and net-zero projects and storage and grid infrastructure. The Draghi report also makes reference to the need for this.[1]

    In several Member States, including the Netherlands, sustainable projects for CCS infrastructure, green hydrogen production or grid reinforcement, for instance, are being delayed or blocked because of permit requirements in connection with construction emissions or deposition (nitrogen-related for the most part).[2] This stems from European legislation and needs to be resolved urgently.[3]

    Emissions and deposition during construction are temporary and, in most instances, are no more than ‘negligible’[4] while, over time, the sustainable projects themselves actually lead to substantial reductions in CO₂ and nitrogen emissions. Current European legislation in this area is therefore hampering the necessary speeding up of the energy transition for industry and of the process of making industry sustainable.

    • 1.Does the Commission agree that there should be exemptions for temporary construction emissions and depositions for sustainable projects?
    • 2.Is the Commission considering making specific proposals along those lines, for example in the prospective European Grids Package and/or the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act?
    • 3.If so, on what timescale is a proposal to be expected?

    Submitted: 23.7.2025

    • [1] The Draghi report (Part A), p. 50; the Draghi report (Part B), p. 33.
    • [2] See inter alia ‘Volkskrant’, ‘Groen licht voor CO2-opslag onder Noordzee, milieuactivisten verliezen strijd tegen Porthos-project’ (16.8.2023); ‘L1 Nieuws’, ‘Provincie zet vergunning waterstoffabriek door, ondanks negatief advies’ (7.5.2025); De Telegraaf, ‘Netbeheerder: zeker 317 uitbreidingsprojecten in gevaar door stikstofregels, tekort stroom dreigt’ (21.4.2025).
    • [3] Such as the Habitats Directive, the Birds Directive and the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive.
    • [4] See, for example, Council of State, Ruling 202107079/2/R4, para. 15-15.11.
    Last updated: 31 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU’s inaction in the face of Türkiye’s political hegemony over Libya – P-003025/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-003025/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Emmanouil Fragkos (ECR)

    Launched in 2020, Operation IRINI (Greek for ‘peace’) is supposed to be the EU’s core tool for implementing the UN arms embargo on Libya. Despite a number of extensions, prolonging the mission to 2027, and a ‘broadening of its remit’ to include monitoring of critical infrastructure and illegal activities, its effectiveness remains disputed. Türkiye, a major disruptor of the legal order in the region, is openly violating the arms embargo on Libya, without consequences. The mission has resulted in just three seizures of cargo in five years, with tens of thousands of vessels contacted by radio and few ships actually inspected. The lack of binding enforcement measures weakens any deterrent effect. It seems, therefore, that Operation IRINI is more of a symbolic gesture than an effective mechanism for enforcing international law in the Mediterranean.

    The recent ‘Goodwill Agreement’ between Türkiye and Libya increases bilateral trade and strengthens cooperation in the fields of energy, mining and infrastructure. What is more, the ‘controlled’ illegal migration flows to Greece and Italy demonstrate that Libya has been implementing ‘Turkish know-how’ in hope of securing an economic package equivalent to the 2016 agreement between the EU and Türkiye.

    Given that Greece is receiving irregular immigrants from Libya and that both Western and Eastern Libyan administrations are cooperating closely with Türkiye in the face of international law and Greek sovereign rights and sovereignty, what action does the Commission intend to take in order to address Türkiye’s anti-Greek ‘campaign’ in Libya?

    Submitted: 21.7.2025

    Last updated: 31 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Sidetrade charts its course in responsible AI with the publication of its 2024 CSR report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    In a digital world where algorithms grow more powerful by the day, Sidetrade, a pioneer in AI-powered cash flow management, reaffirms its role as a responsible leader. Today, the company releases its 2024 CSR Report, marking a new milestone in its commitment to sustainable technology, ethical governance, and inclusive growth.

    Structured in accordance with the voluntary CSRD VSME framework, Sidetrade’s 2024 report tells a standout story in the tech industry: a company that, in 2024, achieved remarkable revenue growth (+26%) while reducing its carbon footprint by 3.3%. This contrast reflects Sidetrade’s core ambition: to decouple business growth from environmental impact.

    “Cash is still the oxygen that fuels business growth. But that growth must no longer come at any cost. We have set a new standard, one that aligns performance with purpose,” said Olivier Novasque, CEO and founder at Sidetrade. “Our agentic AI, Aimie, must be useful, efficient, and capable of delivering business value, operational excellence, and positive societal impact.”

    In 2024, Sidetrade launched an ambitious digital sobriety program. With a virtualization rate of 95.6%, data centers powered by renewable energy (both in Europe and North America), and a Power Usage Effectiveness of 1.39 (well below the EU average*), Sidetrade is redefining SaaS industry benchmarks.

    Sidetrade also made a notable impact in non-financial ratings, earning a Platinum Medal from EthiFinance and a Silver Medal from EcoVadis, placing it among the top 15% of rated companies in Europe. This recognition highlights both its tangible carbon reductions and the strength of its CSR governance, led by a dedicated committee reporting to executive leadership.

    “Excellence and ambition are the dual engines of our CSR journey,” said Philippe Gangneux, CFO and CSR Ambassador at Sidetrade. “Excellence ensures discipline in our commitments; ambition pushes us to aim higher, to reach further, and to generate lasting impact.”

    As an active member of the United Nations Global Compact, Sidetrade has aligned its roadmap with 10 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, including climate action, workplace equity, ethical governance, and digital resilience.

    The 2024 Sidetrade CSR report, with detailed performance indicators, is available here.

    *source: ADEME, 2024

    Investor & Media relations @Sidetrade
    Christelle Dhrif                +33 6 10 46 72 00          cdhrif@sidetrade.com

    About Sidetrade (www.sidetrade.com)
    Sidetrade (Euronext Growth: ALBFR.PA) provides a SaaS platform designed to revolutionize how cash flow is secured and accelerated. Leveraging its new-generation agentic AI, nicknamed Aimie, Sidetrade analyzes $7.2 trillion worth of B2B payment transactions daily in its Cloud, thereby anticipating customer payment behavior and the attrition risk of 40 million buyers worldwide. Sidetrade has a global reach, with 400+ talented employees based in Europe, the United States, and Canada, serving global businesses in more than 85 countries. Among them: AGFA, BMW Financial Services, Bunzl, DXC, Engie, Inmarsat, KPMG, Lafarge, Manpower, Morningstar, Page, Randstad, Safran, Saint-Gobain, Securitas, Siemens, UGI, Veolia.
    For further information, visit us at www.sidetrade.com and follow @Sidetrade on LinkedIn.
    In the event of any discrepancy between the French and English versions of this press release, only the French version is to be taken into account.

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. : Form 8.3 – INTERNATIONAL PERSONAL FINAN – Ordinary Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1. KEY INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Full name of discloser: Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. in its capacity as investment advisor and on behalf its affiliates who are also investment advisors (”Dimensional”). Dimensional expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares described in this form 8.3.  
    (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
    The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		    
    (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
    Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 International Personal Finance PLC  
    (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:    
    (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken:
    For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 30 July 2025  
    (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
    If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/A  
       
    2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.  
    (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)  
       
    Class of relevant security: 10p ordinary (GB00B1YKG049)  
      Interests Short Positions  
      Number % Number %  
    (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 6,560,666 2.99 %      
    (2) Cash-settled derivatives:          
    (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:          
      Total 6,560,666 * 2.99 %      
    * Dimensional Fund Advisors LP and/or its affiliates do not have discretion regarding voting decisions in respect of 18,517 shares that are included in the total above.  
       
    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    		  
       
       
    (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)  
       
    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:    
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:    
       
    3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    		  
    (a) Purchases and sales  
       
    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit  
             
       
    (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit  
               
       
    (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)
     
    (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying
     
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
                   
       
    (ii) Exercise  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit  
               
       
    (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)  
                 
    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable)  
             
       
    4. OTHER INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements  
       
    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
    (b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives  
       
    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
    (c) Attachments  
       
    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO  
       
    Date of disclosure 13 August 2025  
    Contact name Thomas Hone  
    Telephone number +44 20 3033 3419  
       

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Prospera Energy Inc. Provides Operations Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prospera Energy Inc. (TSX.V: PEI, OTC: GXRFF) (“Prospera”, “PEI” or the “Corporation”)

    Operations Update
    Prospera continues to demonstrate strong operational performance, averaging gross production of 859 boe/d (97% oil) from July 1st to July 23rd. This sustained growth follows the successful completion of numerous projects across the company’s properties including well reactivations, rod repairs, sand control upgrades, engine maintenance and tune-ups, lease upgrades, mineral rights acquisitions, coil-tubing cleanouts, and waterflood optimizations. Nine additional wells have come online in the last 10 days and are currently in stages of load fluid recovery or initial optimization.

    Notably, these figures exclude production from the recently acquired White Tundra Petroleum assets, which remains subject to TSXV acceptance. Comprehensive well-by-well analysis is now being conducted weekly, with production enhancement changes implemented on a daily basis through communication with field operations personnel. Concurrently, Prospera’s service rig continues to systematically work through a robust inventory of over 150 remaining workover and reactivation candidates across its heavy oil properties, further enhancing operational efficiency.

    Prospera’s predominantly heavy oil production base continues to operate in favorable pricing conditions with WCS (Western Canadian Select) differentials in an optimal range, contributing to enhanced revenue and cash flow. The Corporation’s high netbacks support our strategy to reallocate capital efficiently into high-impact and reliable projects, with 50+ projects now completed and plans finalized for its Q3 and Q4 service rig programs including nine Luseland reactivations that have completed engineering and planning stages.

    Cuthbert
    Production at the Cuthbert pool has been rising steadily, averaging 356 boe/d (100% oil) from July 1st to July 23rd. This sustained growth is supported by ongoing waterflood optimization, increased pump speeds, and the completion of critical maintenance across wellsite and battery infrastructure.

    A high-impact remediation project on the 16-28 HZ well has been successfully completed, involving the installation of a downhole bridge plug to isolate a section of the well previously drilled into coal and water-bearing part of the formation. Additionally, a high-impact remediation project on the 08-02 HZ well has been fully funded and is awaiting mobilization after lease conditions dry up. This project includes a casing cut and cementing to block water production from the heel of the well.

    Hearts Hill
    Production at the Hearts Hill pool remains stable, averaging 230 boe/d (91% oil) from July 1st to 23rd. The Corporation is actively advancing waterflood pattern optimization and fluid level drawdown initiatives to enhance reservoir performance. A comprehensive line-by-line review of all pipelines in the area has been completed to confirm injection volumes, validate pipeline integrity, and support the development of a final field reactivation and workover plan. Earlier Sparky zone recompletions continue to deliver consistent oil production, with future Sparky waterflood development held in inventory. Prospera is also actively evaluating uphole recompletion opportunities in the Waseca and Rex zones to further unlock production potential.

    Luseland
    The Corporation continues to advance its growth trajectory at the Luseland pool, averaging production of 193 boe/d (100% oil) from July 1st to 23rd. This performance is supported by ongoing workovers, well reactivations, and field optimizations. In the past 10 days, five reactivated wells have been brought online, with two additional wells recently completed under Single Well Battery setups and awaiting start-up.

    Numerous other wells are currently undergoing optimization, including the installation of recycle pumps, application of sand suspension chemical treatments, increased pump speeds to accelerate fluid drawdown, flushby operations, and well loads to bring sand up the wellbore. These efforts are complemented by various initiatives aimed at reducing operating costs. Prospera’s engineering team is focused on well-by-well monitoring of all new reactivations to maximize production rates and enhance reservoir understanding while minimizing well failures and decline rates.

    Several high-performing Luseland wells are featured in the accompanying Key Wells Report, demonstrating the success of Prospera’s strategic focus on revitalizing legacy wells with significant original oil in place (OOIP). By reactivating these assets, the company is effectively converting wells previously classified as No Reserves Associated (NRA) and burdened solely with Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO) into actively producing wells with meaningful Proved Developed Producing (PDP) reserves—resulting in sustainable revenue generation and positive cash flow.

    Production, Workover Tracker, and Key Wells Report
    Prospera is enhancing its transparency measures with the publishing of its updated production, workover tracker, and key wells report. Production volumes on each field will continue to be reported on a monthly basis, along with corporate revenue information. A detailed workover tracker will share production rates from all workovers and reactivations completed, with information on capital spend and cumulative production since start-up to be added to the August iteration of this report. Additionally, numerous key wells and their production graphs are explained in detail as the company further proves out its highly capital-efficient workover and reactivation business model.

    Price Hedging
    The Corporation is pleased to announce that it has entered into a contract to hedge a portion of its oil production. From September 2025 through February 2026, Prospera has hedged 100 barrels of oil per day at an average price of approximately USD $67.00 per barrel of WTI. This strategic initiative is aimed at providing improved cash flow stability, strengthening corporate governance through proactive risk management, and capitalizing on current favorable market pricing. It represents a disciplined approach to managing commodity price exposure while preserving upside potential across the remainder of PEI’s production.

    Shares for Debt
    Prospera has entered into agreements with two vendors to settle outstanding trade payables through the issuance of common shares. The first vendor has agreed to settle a total of $28,900.45 through the issuance of 125,000 common shares at a deemed price of $0.231 per share. The second vendor has agreed to settle $7,392.55 through the issuance of 40,000 common shares at a deemed price of $0.185 per share. The shares will be subject to a trading restriction of four months and a day from the date of issuance and are subject to TSXV acceptance.

    Loan Amendment
    The Corporation announces a further amendment to its $11,000,000 promissory note, originally dated June 7, 2024, in collaboration with its principal lender. Following previous increases, an additional $2,000,000 has been added, bringing the total principal amount to $18,700,000. The note retains its original terms, including a 12% interest rate and a two-year maturity, with no other changes. The proceeds are earmarked specifically towards production-increasing capital projects. This amendment remains subject to acceptance by the TSXV.

    Promissory Note Update
    The Corporation provides an update regarding the previously disclosed one-year secured promissory note on January 9th, 2025. The promissory note component of the offering will now be unsecured. The placement closed with four subscribers, raising aggregate gross proceeds of $900,000. Each unit, priced at $1,000, consists of: (i) a one-year unsecured promissory note with a principal amount of $1,000, carrying a 12% annual interest rate, and (ii) 5,000 common share purchase warrants of the Corporation, exercisable at $0.05 for a period of one year, for a total of 4,500,000 warrants. Subscribers are entitled to a 5% gross overriding royalty (GORR) for every $1,000,000 of principal investment on revenue from all Prospera properties on incremental production above 1,363 barrels per day, calculated on a monthly average until the principal debt is fully repaid. Interest on the notes will accrue and be paid quarterly, accompanied by a 2% facility fee. This offering has been accepted by the TSX Venture Exchange.

    Insiders have participated in this offering for a principal amount of $800,000, which results in this being a Related Party Transaction pursuant to TSXV Policy 5.9 and MI 61-101. The Corporation is relying upon numerous exemptions under these policies with respect to minority approval and valuation requirements, including those found in section 5.5 (a), (b), and (c) and 5.7 (a) and (b). The following reporting Insiders have participated in this offering:

    Summerhill Investments Corp. subscribed for $500,000 and was issued an aggregate of 2,500,000 warrants, each exercisable at $0.05 per share for a period of one year from the date of issuance.

    Mantl Canada Inc. subscribed for $200,000 and was issued an aggregate of 1,000,000 warrants, each exercisable at $0.05 per share for a period of one year from the date of issuance.

    Countryman Investments Ltd. subscribed for $100,000 and was issued an aggregate of 500,000 warrants, each exercisable at $0.05 per share for a period of one year from the date of issuance.

    About Prospera
    Prospera Energy Inc. is a publicly traded Canadian energy company specializing in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Prospera is dedicated to optimizing recovery from legacy fields using environmentally safe and efficient reservoir development methods and production practices. The company’s core properties are strategically located in Saskatchewan and Alberta, including Cuthbert, Luseland, Hearts Hill, and Brooks. Prospera Energy Inc. is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PEI and the U.S. OTC Market under GXRFF.

    Prospera reports gross production at the first point of sale, excluding gas used in operations and volumes from partners in arrears, even if cash proceeds are received. Gross production represents Prospera’s working interest before royalties, while net production reflects its working interest after royalty deductions. These definitions align with ASC 51-324 to ensure consistency and transparency in reporting.

    For Further Information:

    Shawn Mehler, PR
    Email: investors@prosperaenergy.com

    Chris Ludtke, CFO
    Email: cludtke@prosperaenergy.com

    Shubham Garg, Chairman of the Board
    Email: sgarg@prosperaenergy.com

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
    This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Corporation and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “expects” and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of the Corporation, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

    Although Prospera believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Prospera can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks), commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures.

    The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Prospera. As a result, Prospera cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize, and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward- looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and Prospera does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by Canadian securities law.

    Neither TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC Launches ETH Launchpad for Ethereum’s 10th Anniversary: Users Share 100 ETH at Up to 90% Off

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, today announced it has launched its exclusive ETH Launchpad subscription event, offering users the opportunity to share 100 ETH at unprecedented discount rates of up to 90% off in celebration of Ethereum’s 10th anniversary.

    MEXC Launchpad is an innovative token issuance platform that provides users with guaranteed access to high-quality projects at discounted prices. In its previous BTC discount purchase event, MEXC Launchpad attracted over 90,000 participants, with 28,000 successful subscribers and a total subscription volume exceeding $3.3 million. New users achieved returns of up to 902.5%, with an annual percentage yield (APY) of 23,530.2%, while existing users earned 25.0% returns with an APY of 651.2%.

    Key Event Information

    Event Timeline

    • Subscription Period: July 31, 2025, 08:00 (UTC) – August 21, 2025, 08:00 (UTC)
    • Allocation Period: August 21, 2025, 08:00 (UTC) – August 21, 2025, 10:00 (UTC)

    Subscription Pools
    New User Exclusive Pool

    • Subscription Price: 360 USDT
    • Total Supply: 60 ETH
    • Min. Subscription: 100 USDT
    • Max. Subscription: 200 USDT

    To be eligible, new users must maintain a net deposit of at least 100 USDT, and complete at least 100 USDT in spot trading and 1,500 USDT in futures trading during the event period.

    MX Pool (All Users)

    • Subscription Price: 1,360 MX
    • Total Supply: 40 ETH
    • Min. Subscription: 50 MX
    • Max. Subscription: 6,000 MX

    To participate in the MX pool, users must complete at least 2,000 USDT in futures trading during the event.

    Referral Rewards
    Existing users can invite friends to join MEXC and share a 10,000 USDT bonus pool. Referrers will receive 20 USDT for each new user who signs up using their referral code and successfully subscribes to the USDT pool. Rewards are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

    How to Participate:

    1. Users must create a MEXC account (if they haven’t already) and register for the event.
    2. Participants are required to complete Advanced KYC verification.
    3. Complete any required tasks and subscribe with MX or USDT during the Subscription Period.
    4. Subscriptions will be locked for final calculation during the Allocation Period.

    MEXC’s User-First Philosophy

    This ETH Launchpad event embodies MEXC’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing user benefits above all else through industry-leading discount rates. With industry-leading token listing efficiency, over 3,000 digital assets available, exceptional trading depth, low trading fees, and robust security infrastructure, MEXC has become the preferred platform for an increasing number of traders worldwide. MEXC will continue to roll out innovative events and substantial rewards that empower users and enhance their trading experience.

    For more information and to participate in MEXC’s ETH Launchpad, please visit here.

    About MEXC
    Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Serving over 40 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, daily airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
    MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC

    For media inquiries, please contact MEXC PR team: media@mexc.com

    Risk Disclaimer:
    The information provided in this article regarding cryptocurrencies does not constitute investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully assess market fluctuations, the fundamentals of projects, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/02b063d4-732c-424b-aaa3-69b4ec191fdf

    The MIL Network –