Category: Vehicles

  • MIL-OSI USA: Trump tariff policy continues to cause chaos in American economy

    Source: US State of California 2

    Jul 30, 2025

    What you need to know: California is standing up for all Americans by challenging Trump’s unlawful tariff policy, which is slowing the national economy and raising prices for consumers. 

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today filed an amicus brief in support of another lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s illegal tariff debacle.  The tariffs continue to cause chaos in the national economy, raise prices for American families, and put California’s ongoing economic dominance under threat.

    “Trump’s illegal tariffs are stagnating our economy and hurting American families. Bragging that your unlawful policies are producing ‘BETTER THAN EXPECTED’ results while the economy slowed.  That’s like an F student bragging because they got a D-. We should all expect more from the executive branch. California will continue to stand up against Trump’s unlawful actions on behalf of all Americans.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    In the first six months of Trump’s presidency, the US economy slowed as a result of his policies. While Trump celebrates that his administration’s economic performance is “BETTER THAN EXPECTED,” American families continue to feel the pain from the impacts of his failed negotiations and increased prices. 

    Even Fox Business set the record straight on Fox News saying: Let’s be real clear here. Tariffs cost, they’re a tax. That tax often gets passed on to consumers.

    Consumers, retailers and the business economy are bracing for the impacts of Trump’s tariffs going into effect in August. Here’s how Trump’s failed tariff policy is impacting all Americans:

    • Fewer people are buying goods. Consumer spending is down to only a 1.4 percent annual rate in the second quarter — well below the 2.8 percent growth in spending in 2024.
    • Stockpiling in anticipation of price increases. Trump tariffs are expected to raise prices on groceries and even Trump officials have reportedly started stockpiling to prepare for price increases and shortages.
    • Prices are already increasing. Price increases due to tariffs could cost households on average an extra $2,400 in 2025, the Yale Budget Lab predicted in their most recent analysis.
       

    A one-two gut punch for California

    In addition to the national repercussions, Trump’s tariffs are having an outsized impact on California’s economy in recent months:

    • Families and workers will bear the brunt. Tariffs could cost households $25 billion and lead to a loss of over 64,000 jobs across California.
    • Businesses are also paying the price. California firms incurred $11.3 billion in tariff costs from January through May 2025, the highest of any state in the country.
    • Global supply chains will continue to be impacted, especially here at home. Recently, the Port of Los Angeles was operating at only 70% capacity due to ongoing tariffs and Southern California saw a 40% decline in job postings related to trade and logistics.

    Standing up for California 

    On April 16, Governor Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit arguing that President Trump lacks the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs through the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, creating immediate and irreparable harm to California, the world’s fourth largest economy, and nation’s leading manufacturing and agriculture state. Today’s amicus brief was filed as part of a separate lawsuit filed by private parties, but aligns with California’s arguments. The lawsuit is ongoing.
     

    “As the country braces for continuous chaos from President Trump’s illegal tariffs, standing united to fight for American consumers and businesses is more important than ever,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Today, I urge the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit  to affirm the District Court’s decision that President Trump’s chaotic tariffs are unlawful — not one word in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Trump Administration’s vehicle for these tariffs, authorizes tariffs. These illegal tariffs will affect everything from the cost of essential household items like food and toilet paper to the cost of housing. The tariff chaos is a man-made crisis, and California families and industries will pay the price.”

    Today’s brief was filed in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, a lawsuit challenging the tariffs President Trump imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and argues that the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia was correct in holding that the Trump Administration’s interpretation of its authority is unlawful. 

    Recent news

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    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:Gerald Tolbert, of La Jolla, has been appointed to the Medical Board of California. Tolbert has been a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Department of Emergency Medicine and Medical…

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    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Brazil’s Grupo Petrópolis Uses Descartes Routing Solution to Optimize Nationwide Beverage Distribution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SÃO PAULO and ATLANTA, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG), the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, announced that Brazil’s Grupo Petrópolis is using Descartes’ routing and fleet management solution to enhance its nationwide beverage distribution operations using approximately 2,900 vehicles. The Descartes solution helped Grupo Petrópolis achieve an on-time delivery rate of 98%, reduce overtime hours by 9% and decrease fuel consumption by 5%. These improvements reflect more efficient and sustainable fleet operations.

    “To better meet customer needs, we wanted a fleet management platform to enhance on-time performance, improve service in case of returns or customer concerns and advance sustainability goals by reducing carbon emissions,” said Luís Moura, Manager at Grupo Petrópolis. “The Descartes solution gives us a new level of control and visibility into our large distribution network. Across 160 locations, routes are now more intelligent and efficient, and we track all routes in real-time. If a driver goes off a planned route, the system immediately signals the detour so our team can respond quickly, which is critical to providing reliable service. And, because we can act with much more delivery precision and agility, we have lowered fuel and maintenance costs, gained visibility into idle vehicles and overcome challenges with product and delivery traceability.”

    Part of Descartes’ routing, mobile and telematics solution suite, the Descartes routing and fleet management solution helps retail food and beverage distribution companies, like Grupo Petrópolis, manage routes for optimal efficiency and minimize the impact of unforeseen events on customer service levels, mileage and costs. By continually re-optimizing route plans based on real-time traffic data and other variables, the solution enhances customer service by improving on-time delivery performance, lowers mileage by guiding drivers through shorter route paths, and decreases total route time and costs by helping drivers navigate through heavy traffic with alternate routes and stop sequences. The solution also monitors planned vs. actual deliveries, product traceability, journey control (including lunch breaks, overnights and overtime), route deviations, unplanned stops and departure or arrival delays.

    “Our collaboration with Grupo Petrópolis highlights how advanced routing solutions can help transform complex distribution environments into highly efficient, sustainable, and customer-focused logistics operations,” said Douglas Alves, Sales Executive at Descartes. “As food and beverage distributors look for opportunities to enhance last mile performance, our solution suite can help rebalance distribution networks; improve route productivity, execution and sustainability; respond more dynamically to demand; and accelerate cash flow with electronic proof-of-delivery.”

    Learn more about Descartes’ route execution and fleet performance management solutions and its Routing, Mobile and Telematics solution suite.

    About Grupo Petrópolis

    Grupo Petrópolis is the only major company in the beer sector with 100% Brazilian capital. It produces the beer brands Itaipava, Crystal, Petra, Black Princess, Cacildis, Cabaré, Lokal, and Weltenburger; the vodkas Blue Spirit Ice and Nordka; Cabaré Ice; the energy drinks TNT Energy Drink and Magneto; the liquid dietary supplement TNT Sports Drink; Petra mineral water; Petra tonic; and the soft drink It!. Through environmental projects, it promotes the planting and maintenance of thousands of trees, as well as sustainability initiatives and environmental education projects for public schools. Learn more at www.grupopetropolis.com.br and on LinkedIn.

    About Descartes

    Descartes (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG) is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, security and sustainability of logistics-intensive businesses. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service solutions to route, track and help improve the safety, performance and compliance of delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; access global trade data; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in the world’s largest, collaborative multimodal logistics community. Our headquarters are in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and we have offices and partners around the world. Learn more at www.descartes.com, and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

    Global Media Contact
    Cara Strohack                                                                     
    Tel: 226-750-8050                                 
    cstrohack@descartes.com  

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (“forward-looking statements”) that relate to Descartes’ routing, mobile and telematics solution offerings and potential benefits derived therefrom; and other matters. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the factors and assumptions discussed in the section entitled, “Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results” in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission and other securities commissions across Canada including Descartes’ most recently filed management’s discussion and analysis. If any such risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of our common shares could decline, perhaps materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purposes of providing information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: 101 Critical Days of Summer Mid-Term Update

    Source: United States Navy

    The weekend of July 12-13 marked the midpoint of the 101 Critical Days of Summer. There were seven motorcycle fatalities, two vehicle fatalities and one pedestrian fatality during the first half of the summer and we still have a significant portion of the second half left. These losses are tragic and sobering and remind us that we must double down on our efforts to apply the principles of risk management in all our efforts and mitigate the risks we identify.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: AMG Reports Financial and Operating Results for the Second Quarter and First Half of 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Positive net client cash flows of more than $8 billion, driven by ongoing momentum in private markets and liquid alternatives 
    • New partnership with Montefiore Investment further diversifies AMG’s business and expands its participation in private markets
    • Economic Earnings per share of $5.39 for the quarter, an increase of 15% relative to prior-year quarter
    • Repurchased ~$100 million in common stock, bringing total share repurchases to ~$273 million in the first half of the year

    WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AMG, a strategic partner to leading independent investment management firms globally, today reported its financial and operating results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2025.

    Jay C. Horgen, Chief Executive Officer of AMG, said:
    “In the second quarter, AMG reported growth of 15% in Economic Earnings per share relative to the year-ago quarter, reflecting the disciplined execution of our capital allocation strategy and the increasing momentum in our business. Net client cash flows of more than $8 billion firmwide were driven by record flows into alternatives, reflecting ongoing strength in private markets fundraising and growing client demand for liquid alternative strategies.

    “Through strong ongoing execution of our strategy, we are accelerating the evolution of AMG’s business toward areas of secular growth. AMG’s Affiliates managing private markets and liquid alternative strategies generated net client inflows of approximately $33 billion in the first half of the year, reflecting the ongoing demand for our Affiliates’ specialized strategies. In addition, we recently announced a new partnership with Montefiore, a leading European private equity firm focused on the services sector. So far in 2025, we have announced four new partnerships with firms collectively managing approximately $24 billion in alternative strategies, underscoring the ongoing demand for AMG’s unique approach, which magnifies the competitive advantages of partner-owned firms while also preserving their independence.

    “With our excellent capital position and distinct competitive advantages, including our worldwide reputation as a collaborative strategic partner to the highest-quality independent firms, we are uniquely positioned to execute on our opportunity set. We remain confident in our ability to generate meaningful additional shareholder value over time, as we invest in new and existing Affiliates while also returning excess capital to shareholders within our disciplined capital allocation framework.”

    FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS     Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended  
    (in millions, except as noted and per share data)     6/30/2024   6/30/2025       6/30/2024   6/30/2025  
    Operating Performance Measures                        
    AUM (at period end, in billions)     $ 701.0   $ 771.0       $ 701.0     $ 771.0  
    Average AUM (in billions)       693.1     736.6         686.5       724.3  
    Net client cash flows (in billions)       0.9     8.1         (2.9 )     7.7  
    Aggregate fees       1,098.1     1,173.5         2,569.7       2,443.9  
    Financial Performance Measures                        
    Net income (controlling interest)     $ 76.0   $ 84.3       $ 225.8     $ 156.6  
    Earnings per share (diluted)(1)       2.26     2.80         6.49       5.01  
    Supplemental Performance Measures(2)                        
    Adjusted EBITDA (controlling interest)     $ 217.5   $ 219.7       $ 477.3     $ 447.9  
    Economic net income (controlling interest)       155.9     159.2         342.6       317.9  
    Economic earnings per share       4.67     5.39         10.06       10.58  
                                       

    For additional information on our Supplemental Performance Measures, including reconciliations to GAAP, see the Financial Tables and Notes.

    Capital Management
    During the second quarter of 2025, the Company repurchased approximately $100 million in common stock, bringing total share repurchases to approximately $273 million in the first half of the year, and announced a second-quarter cash dividend of $0.01 per share of common stock, payable August 25, 2025 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 11, 2025.

    About AMG
    AMG (NYSE: AMG) is a strategic partner to leading independent investment management firms globally. AMG’s strategy is to generate long‐term value by investing in high-quality independent partner-owned firms, through a proven partnership approach, and allocating resources across AMG’s unique opportunity set to the areas of highest growth and return. Through its distinctive approach, AMG magnifies its Affiliates’ existing advantages and actively supports their independence and ownership culture. As of June 30, 2025, AMG’s aggregate assets under management were approximately $771 billion across a diverse range of private markets, liquid alternative, and differentiated long-only investment strategies. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.amg.com.

             

    Conference Call, Replay, and Presentation Information
    A conference call will be held with AMG’s management at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time today. Parties interested in listening to the conference call should dial 1-877-407-8291 (U.S. calls) or 1-201-689-8345 (non-U.S. calls) shortly before the call begins.

    The conference call will also be available for replay beginning approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call. To hear a replay of the call, please dial 1-877-660-6853 (U.S. calls) or 1-201-612-7415 (non-U.S. calls) and provide conference ID 13754341. The live call and replay of the session and a presentation highlighting the Company’s performance can also be accessed via AMG’s website at https://ir.amg.com/.

    Investor and Media Relations: Patricia Figueroa
    +1 (617) 747-3300
    ir@amg.com
    pr@amg.com

    Financial Tables Follow

    ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT – STATEMENTS OF CHANGES (in billions) 

      Alternatives   Differentiated Long-Only  
    BY STRATEGY – QUARTER TO DATE Private
    Markets
      Liquid
    Alternatives
        Equities   Multi-
    Asset &

    Fixed
    Income
      Total  
    AUM, March 31, 2025 $ 140.3   $ 154.8     $ 302.1   $ 115.0   $ 712.2  
    Client cash inflows and commitments   7.8     16.8       10.7     5.0     40.3  
    Client cash outflows   (0.0 )   (5.3 )     (21.2 )   (5.7 )   (32.2 )
    Net client cash flows   7.8     11.5       (10.5 )   (0.7 )   8.1  
    New investments       12.4               12.4  
    Market changes   1.3     1.3       24.0     3.8     30.4  
    Foreign exchange   0.7     2.9       5.4     1.1     10.1  
    Realizations and distributions (net)   (0.7 )   (0.1 )     (0.0 )   (0.1 )   (0.9 )
    Other       (1.1 )     (0.0 )   (0.2 )   (1.3 )
    AUM, June 30, 2025 $ 149.4   $ 181.7     $ 321.0   $ 118.9   $ 771.0  
                                     
      Alternatives   Differentiated Long-Only  
    BY STRATEGY – YEAR TO DATE Private
    Markets
      Liquid
    Alternatives
        Equities   Multi-
    Asset &

    Fixed
    Income
      Total  
    AUM, December 31, 2024 $ 135.4   $ 140.7     $ 316.2   $ 115.6   $ 707.9  
    Client cash inflows and commitments   11.3     32.7       19.5     9.8     73.3  
    Client cash outflows   (0.1 )   (11.0 )     (43.7 )   (10.8 )   (65.6 )
    Net client cash flows   11.2     21.7       (24.2 )   (1.0 )   7.7  
    New investments   1.7     12.4               14.1  
    Market changes   1.8     3.6       22.0     3.5     30.9  
    Foreign exchange   0.9     4.4       7.1     1.4     13.8  
    Realizations and distributions (net)   (1.6 )   (0.0 )     (0.1 )   (0.3 )   (2.0 )
    Other       (1.1 )     0.0     (0.3 )   (1.4 )
    AUM, June 30, 2025 $ 149.4   $ 181.7     $ 321.0   $ 118.9   $ 771.0  
                                     

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

      Three Months Ended
    (in millions, except per share data) 6/30/2024   6/30/2025
    Consolidated revenue $ 500.3     $ 493.2  
           
    Consolidated expenses:      
    Compensation and related expenses   215.3       263.7  
    Selling, general and administrative   89.4       95.7  
    Intangible amortization and impairments   7.3       6.3  
    Interest expense   33.5       34.5  
    Depreciation and other amortization   3.1       2.5  
    Other expenses (net)   10.8       10.0  
    Total consolidated expenses   359.4       412.7  
           
    Equity method income (net)(3)   18.1       65.6  
    Investment and other income   19.3       25.5  
    Income before income taxes   178.3       171.6  
           
    Income tax expense   43.3       35.7  
    Net income   135.0       135.9  
           
    Net income (non-controlling interests)   (59.0 )     (51.6 )
    Net income (controlling interest) $ 76.0     $ 84.3  
           
    Average shares outstanding (basic)   31.5       28.5  
    Average shares outstanding (diluted)   35.3       31.4  
           
    Earnings per share (basic) $ 2.42     $ 2.96  
    Earnings per share (diluted)(1) $ 2.26     $ 2.80  
                   

    RECONCILIATIONS OF SUPPLEMENTAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES(2)

      Three Months Ended
    (in millions, except per share data) 6/30/2024   6/30/2025
    Net income (controlling interest) $ 76.0     $ 84.3  
    Intangible amortization and impairments   65.6       31.0  
    Intangible-related deferred taxes   14.7       14.6  
    Other economic items(4)   (0.4 )     29.3  
    Economic net income (controlling interest) $ 155.9     $ 159.2  
           
    Average shares outstanding (adjusted diluted)   33.4       29.5  
    Economic earnings per share $ 4.67     $ 5.39  
           
    Net income (controlling interest) $ 76.0     $ 84.3  
    Interest expense   33.5       34.4  
    Income taxes   42.3       35.1  
    Intangible amortization and impairments   65.6       31.0  
    Other items(4)   0.1       34.9  
    Adjusted EBITDA (controlling interest) $ 217.5     $ 219.7  
                   

    See Notes for additional information.

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

      Six Months Ended
    (in millions, except per share data) 6/30/2024   6/30/2025
    Consolidated revenue $ 1,000.3     $ 989.8  
           
    Consolidated expenses:      
    Compensation and related expenses   455.7       494.1  
    Selling, general and administrative   181.1       190.4  
    Intangible amortization and impairments   14.5       89.6  
    Interest expense   63.4       68.6  
    Depreciation and other amortization   6.1       5.3  
    Other expenses (net)   19.9       21.6  
    Total consolidated expenses   740.7       869.6  
           
    Equity method income (net)(3)   135.7       140.9  
    Investment and other income   37.2       37.1  
    Income before income taxes   432.5       298.2  
           
    Income tax expense   98.7       63.1  
    Net income   333.8       235.1  
           
    Net income (non-controlling interests)   (108.0 )     (78.5 )
    Net income (controlling interest) $ 225.8     $ 156.6  
           
    Average shares outstanding (basic)   32.1       28.9  
    Average shares outstanding (diluted)   36.0       32.3  
           
    Earnings per share (basic) $ 7.02     $ 5.43  
    Earnings per share (diluted)(1) $ 6.49     $ 5.01  
                   

    RECONCILIATIONS OF SUPPLEMENTAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES(2)

      Six Months Ended
    (in millions, except per share data) 6/30/2024   6/30/2025
    Net income (controlling interest) $ 225.8     $ 156.6  
    Intangible amortization and impairments   91.2       116.8  
    Intangible-related deferred taxes   30.9       13.9  
    Other economic items(4)   (5.3 )     30.6  
    Economic net income (controlling interest) $ 342.6     $ 317.9  
           
    Average shares outstanding (adjusted diluted)   34.0       30.0  
    Economic earnings per share $ 10.06     $ 10.58  
           
    Net income (controlling interest) $ 225.8     $ 156.6  
    Interest expense   63.4       68.5  
    Income taxes   99.7       65.4  
    Intangible amortization and impairments   91.2       116.8  
    Other items(4)   (2.8 )     40.6  
    Adjusted EBITDA (controlling interest) $ 477.3     $ 447.9  
                   

    See Notes for additional information.

    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

      Period Ended
    (in millions) 12/31/2024   6/30/2025
    Assets      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 950.0     $ 361.0  
    Receivables   409.7       571.0  
    Investments   595.6       644.1  
    Goodwill   2,504.9       2,537.6  
    Acquired client relationships (net)   1,777.8       1,716.1  
    Equity method investments in Affiliates (net)   2,246.6       2,618.3  
    Fixed assets (net)   57.6       56.7  
    Other assets   288.7       302.8  
    Total assets $ 8,830.9     $ 8,807.6  
           
    Liabilities and Equity      
    Payables and accrued liabilities $ 639.1     $ 692.4  
    Debt   2,620.2       2,621.2  
    Deferred income tax liability (net)   520.5       544.3  
    Other liabilities   402.4       474.9  
    Total liabilities   4,182.2       4,332.8  
           
    Redeemable non-controlling interests   350.5       336.1  
    Equity:      
    Common stock   0.6       0.6  
    Additional paid-in capital   733.1       701.2  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (163.6 )     (125.0 )
    Retained earnings   6,899.8       7,055.9  
        7,469.9       7,632.7  
    Less: treasury stock, at cost   (4,124.6 )     (4,394.0 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   3,345.3       3,238.7  
    Non-controlling interests   952.9       900.0  
    Total equity   4,298.2       4,138.7  
    Total liabilities and equity $ 8,830.9     $ 8,807.6  
                   

     

    Notes
       
    (1) Earnings per share (diluted) adjusts for the dilutive effect of the potential issuance of incremental shares of our common stock.

    We assume the settlement of all of our Redeemable non-controlling interests using the maximum number of shares permitted under our arrangements. The issuance of shares and the related income acquired are excluded from the calculation if an assumed purchase of Redeemable non-controlling interests would be anti-dilutive to diluted earnings per share.

    We are required to apply the if-converted method to our outstanding junior convertible securities when calculating Earnings per share (diluted). Under the if-converted method, shares that are issuable upon conversion are deemed outstanding, regardless of whether the securities are contractually convertible into our common stock at that time. For this calculation, the interest expense (net of tax) attributable to these dilutive securities is added back to Net income (controlling interest), reflecting the assumption that the securities have been converted. Issuable shares for these securities and related interest expense are excluded from the calculation if an assumed conversion would be anti-dilutive to diluted earnings per share.

    The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

       
        Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
      (in millions) 6/30/2024   6/30/2025   6/30/2024   6/30/2025
      Numerator              
      Net income (controlling interest) $ 76.0     $ 84.3     $ 225.8     $ 156.6  
      Income (loss) from hypothetical settlement of Redeemable non-controlling interests, net of taxes   0.3       0.3       0.7       (1.5 )
      Interest expense on junior convertible securities, net of taxes   3.4       3.4       6.7       6.7  
      Net income (controlling interest), as adjusted $ 79.7     $ 88.0     $ 233.2     $ 161.8  
      Denominator              
      Average shares outstanding (basic)   31.5       28.5       32.1       28.9  
      Effect of dilutive instruments:              
      Stock options and restricted stock units   1.9       1.0       1.9       1.1  
      Hypothetical issuance of shares to settle Redeemable non-controlling interests   0.2       0.2       0.3       0.6  
      Junior convertible securities   1.7       1.7       1.7       1.7  
      Average shares outstanding (diluted)   35.3       31.4       36.0       32.3  
                                     
    (2) As supplemental information, we provide non-GAAP performance measures of Adjusted EBITDA (controlling interest), Economic net income (controlling interest), and Economic earnings per share. We believe that many investors use our Adjusted EBITDA (controlling interest) when comparing our financial performance to other companies in the investment management industry. Management utilizes these non-GAAP performance measures to assess our performance before our share of certain non-cash GAAP expenses primarily related to the acquisition of interests in Affiliates and to improve comparability between periods. Economic net income (controlling interest) and Economic earnings per share are used by management and our Board of Directors as our principal performance benchmarks, including as one of the measures for determining executive compensation. These non-GAAP performance measures are provided in addition to, but not as a substitute for, Net income (controlling interest), Earnings per share, or other GAAP performance measures. For additional information on our non-GAAP measures, see our most recent Annual and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q, respectively, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    Adjusted EBITDA (controlling interest) represents our performance before our share of interest expense, income and certain non-income based taxes, depreciation, amortization, impairments, gains and losses related to Affiliate Transactions, and non-cash items such as certain Affiliate equity activity, gains and losses on our contingent payment obligations, and unrealized gains and losses on seed capital, general partner commitments, and other strategic investments. Adjusted EBITDA (controlling interest) is also adjusted to include realized economic gains and losses related to these seed capital, general partner commitments, and other strategic investments.

    Under our Economic net income (controlling interest) definition, we adjust Net income (controlling interest) for our share of pre-tax intangible amortization and impairments related to intangible assets (including the portion attributable to equity method investments in Affiliates) because these expenses do not correspond to the changes in the value of these assets, which do not diminish predictably over time. We also adjust for deferred taxes attributable to intangible assets because we believe it is unlikely these accruals will be used to settle material tax obligations. Further, we adjust for gains and losses related to Affiliate Transactions, net of tax, and other economic items. Other economic items include certain Affiliate equity activity, gains and losses related to contingent payment obligations, tax windfalls and shortfalls from share-based compensation, unrealized gains and losses on seed capital, general partner commitments, and other strategic investments, and realized economic gains and losses related to these seed capital, general partner commitments, and other strategic investments.

    Economic earnings per share represents Economic net income (controlling interest) divided by the Average shares outstanding (adjusted diluted). In this calculation, we exclude the potential shares issued upon settlement of Redeemable non-controlling interests from Average shares outstanding (adjusted diluted) because we intend to settle those obligations without issuing shares, consistent with all prior Affiliate equity purchase transactions. The potential share issuance in connection with our junior convertible securities is measured using a “treasury stock” method. Under this method, only the net number of shares of common stock equal to the value of the junior convertible securities in excess of par, if any, are deemed to be outstanding. We believe the inclusion of net shares under a treasury stock method best reflects the benefit of the increase in available capital resources (which could be used to repurchase shares of our common stock) that occurs when these securities are converted and we are relieved of our debt obligation.

    The following table provides a reconciliation of Average shares outstanding (adjusted diluted):

       

       

        Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
      (in millions) 6/30/2024   6/30/2025   6/30/2024   6/30/2025
      Average shares outstanding (diluted) 35.3     31.4     36.0     32.3  
      Hypothetical issuance of shares to settle Redeemable non-controlling interests (0.2 )   (0.2 )   (0.3 )   (0.6 )
      Junior convertible securities (1.7 )   (1.7 )   (1.7 )   (1.7 )
      Average shares outstanding (adjusted diluted) 33.4     29.5     34.0     30.0  
                             
    (3) The following table presents pre-tax equity method earnings, equity method intangible amortization and impairments, and equity method income tax, which in aggregate form Equity method income (net):
       
        Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
      (in millions) 6/30/2024   6/30/2025   6/30/2024   6/30/2025
      Pre-tax equity method earnings $ 80.3     $ 94.1     $ 222.8     $ 193.6  
      Equity method intangible amortization and impairments   (60.8 )     (27.0 )     (81.6 )     (45.6 )
      Equity method income tax   (1.4 )     (1.5 )     (5.5 )     (7.1 )
      Equity method income (net) $ 18.1     $ 65.6     $ 135.7     $ 140.9  
                                     
    (4) For the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, other economic items and other items include a one-time expense of $30.5 million which resulted from a modification of Affiliate equity which, consistent with the definitions of our non-GAAP performance measures, has been added back to Economic net income (controlling interest) and Adjusted EBITDA (controlling interest).
       

    Forward-Looking Statements and Other Matters

    Certain matters discussed in this press release issued by Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (“AMG” or the “Company”) may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations regarding the performance of our business, our financial results, our liquidity and capital resources, and other non-historical statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “outlook,” “guidance,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “preliminary,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “projects,” “positioned,” “prospects,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “pending investments,” “anticipates,” or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including changes in the securities or financial markets or in general economic conditions, global trade tensions and changes in trade policies, the availability of equity and debt financing, competition for acquisitions of interests in investment management firms, uncertainties relating to closing of pending investments or transactions and potential changes in the anticipated benefits thereof, the investment performance and growth rates of our Affiliates and their ability to effectively market their investment strategies, the mix of Affiliate contributions to our earnings, and other risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including those described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this press release and in our filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

    This press release does not constitute an offer of any products, investment vehicles, or services of any AMG Affiliate.

    From time to time, AMG may use its website as a distribution channel of material Company information. AMG routinely posts financial and other important information regarding the Company in the Investor Relations section of its website at www.amg.com and encourages investors to consult that section regularly.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: June retail sales up 0.7%

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The value of total retail sales in June, provisionally estimated at $30.1 billion, was up 0.7% compared with the same month in 2024, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

    After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate for the month was 0.3% lower year on year.

    On a seasonally adjusted basis, the provisional estimate of the value of total retail sales was up 0.3% in the second quarter compared with the first quarter, while the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales increased by 2.7%.

    Online sales accounted for 8.5% of the total retail sales figure for the month. Provisionally estimated at $2.5 billion, the value of online retail sales rose 8.4% compared with a year earlier.

    Meanwhile, the value of sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts increased by 6.8%.

    There were also increases in the value of sales in the following categories: “other consumer goods not elsewhere classified” (+7.2%); commodities in supermarkets (+0.4%); medicines and cosmetics (+6%); commodities in department stores (+5.7%); and optical items (+1%).

    By contrast, the value of sales of apparel decreased by 4.3% for the period. Also down were sales of food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (-1.5%); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (-9.3%); motor vehicles and parts (-6%); fuels (-8.7%); furniture and fixtures (-16.3%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-7.2%); Chinese drugs and herbs (-2%); and books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (-4.7%).

    The Government said that retail sales have shown signs of stabilisation in recent months. Looking ahead, it expects that continued increases in employment earnings and a buoyant local stock market, coupled with the Government’s efforts in promoting tourism and mega events, as well as enterprises’ efforts to provide more diversified experiences, will support consumption.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cardiff Capital Region backed by £30m to unlock innovation and growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Cardiff Capital Region backed by £30m to unlock innovation and growth

    Cardiff Capital Region is one of three UK cities and regions supported through the UK Government’s £500m local innovation fund.

    Aerial view of Cardiff.

    • Local partnerships will direct funding to range of priorities, from life sciences to AI, or could capitalise on Cardiff Capital Region’s existing strengths such as in automotive technology to support a greener future
    • Builds on record £86bn R&D settlement until 2030 and backs local skills to deliver economic growth as part of our Plan for Change

    Cardiff Capital Region is among three UK cities and regions receiving at least £30m each from the UK Government to unlock new, locally led innovation that can improve lives across the country, UK Science Minister Lord Vallance has announced today (Tuesday 29 July). 

    Partnerships between the city region authority, businesses and research organisations will work with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to invest the funding into a range of regional and national priorities in science and technology – from life sciences to green energy solutions, AI to engineering, and beyond.

    It could even build on the existing strengths of Cardiff, and Wales more widely, from its role in developing electric vehicle components that will help us build a greener world to its data science capabilities which can improve lives from better public services to improving our health. 

    The funding forms part of the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) of up to £500m, announced ahead of last month’s Spending Review to empower local leaders with skin in the game. It will help target innovation investment and make the most of their communities’ expertise to unleash discoveries that benefit us all and grow the economy as part of our Plan for Change.

    The decision to earmark at least £30m to three high-potential areas in Glasgow, Belfast-Derry/Londonderry and Cardiff was reached following collaboration between the UK Government and the governments of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Seven regions of England were also announced as recipients last month – spanning the North-East to Greater Manchester, Liverpool to London.

    The funding was announced as part of a record £86bn R&D settlement until 2030 and will help the Government to deliver our modern Industrial Strategy by backing high growth sectors and bolstering partnerships with industry for long-term economic growth.

    UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said: 

    From driving the development of electric vehicle components that will help deliver a greener planet to cutting-edge data science work, the Cardiff Capital Region playing a leading role in the technologies of the future that can benefit people throughout the UK.

    By targeting this funding with local leaders to a range of science and technology sectors we can make the most of the expertise across Cardiff and wider Wales to grow the economy as part of our Plan for Change.

    Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

    This funding from the UK Government is vital to support Wales’s leading science and technology sectors. We are already punching above our weight in areas where there is huge potential for even more growth. 

    Wales has the talent and expertise to develop high tech solutions to a range of challenges, and this investment will help kickstart innovation, create new well-paid jobs and grow the Welsh economy.

    Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said:

    This investment represents another vote of confidence in the Cardiff capital region and builds on our work supporting its growth, strong university research ecosystem, industry base and innovation clusters over a number of years.

    We will continue working closely with the South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee and the UK Government to build on the region’s strengths, attract significant private investment, strengthen regional partnerships and deliver real benefits for people across South East Wales and beyond.

    High potential innovation clusters in places that have not been earmarked for funding will also be able to bid into a competition, with UKRI publishing guidance on this competition soon.

    The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund represents a significant shift in place-based innovation policy, giving regions greater control over how research and development investment is directed to maximise their innovation potential and drive economic growth.

    It builds on the lessons learned from programmes already underway to support high potential innovation clusters in regions across the UK, including the Strength in Places Fund and the Innovation Accelerator pilot scheme and Innovate UK Launchpads.  

    The Innovation Accelerator pilot scheme alone has leveraged more than

    £140 million in new private investment, created hundreds of jobs across the West Midlands, Greater Manchester and Glasgow City Region, and supported a range of new technologies.

    It includes those developed by the Greater Manchester advanced diagnostic accelerator, delivering quicker and cheaper detection for liver, heart and lung diseases, whilst Moonbility from the West Midlands is using AI software helping train companies to simulate, in real time, potential disruption to the network so they can alert passengers on delay length, giving advice on replanning journeys.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Oxford Square Capital Corp. Announces Offering of Notes

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GREENWICH, Conn., July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oxford Square Capital Corp. (NasdaqGS: OXSQ) (NasdaqGS: OXSQG) (NasdaqGS: OXSQZ) (the “Company”) today announced the commencement of a registered public offering of notes (the “Notes”). The public offering price and other terms of the Notes are to be determined by negotiations between the Company and the underwriters. The Company also plans to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase additional Notes on the same terms and conditions to cover over-allotments, if any.

    The Notes are expected to be listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and to trade thereon within 30 days of the original issue date.

    The Company expects to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay indebtedness, acquire investments in accordance with its investment objective and strategies and for general corporate purposes.

    Lucid Capital Markets, LLC and Piper Sandler & Co. are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. Clear Street LLC, InspereX LLC, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC and William Blair & Company, L.L.C. are acting as lead managers for the offering.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in this offering or any other securities nor will there be any sale of these securities or any other securities referred to in this press release in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

    A shelf registration statement relating to these securities is on file with and has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The offering may be made only by means of a prospectus and a related prospectus supplement, copies of which may be obtained, when available, from the following investment banks: Lucid Capital Markets, LLC at 570 Lexington Ave, 40th Floor, New York, NY 10022, at telephone number (646) 362-0256, or via email at: Prospectus@lucidcm.com; and Piper Sandler & Co., 350 North 5th Street, Suite 1300, Minneapolis, MN 55402, Attention: Prospectus Department, or by telephone at (800) 747-3924, or by email at prospectus@psc.com. The preliminary prospectus supplement, dated July 31, 2025, and accompanying prospectus, dated September 26, 2022, each of which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, contain a description of these matters and other important information about the Company and should be read carefully before investing. Investors are advised to carefully consider the investment objectives, risks and charges and expenses of the Company before investing.

    About Oxford Square Capital Corp.

    Oxford Square Capital Corp. is a publicly-traded business development company principally investing in syndicated bank loans and, to a lesser extent, debt and equity tranches of collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) vehicles. CLO investments may also include warehouse facilities, which are financing structures intended to aggregate loans that may be used to form the basis of a CLO vehicle.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates” and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Certain factors could cause actual results and conditions to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. These factors are identified from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect subsequent events, except as may be required by law.

    Contact:
    Bruce Rubin
    203-983-5280

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Thailand adjusts EV subsidy program to boost exports

    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

    BANGKOK, July 31 (Xinhua) — The Thai government on Wednesday approved adjustments to the country’s key incentive programs to encourage manufacturers to boost exports of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), a move aimed at bolstering the country’s position as a regional EV manufacturing hub.

    Manufacturers participating in the EV subsidy program, which started in 2022, are required to produce electric vehicles domestically as compensation for receiving subsidies and exemption from import duties.

    Under the revised terms, one BEV produced for export will count as 1.5 vehicles under the local production quota, making it easier to meet production commitments.

    “The changes will allow for greater flexibility and help Thailand, already a leader in the region’s auto industry, become a key base for electric vehicle production,” said Narit Terdsteerasukdee, secretary general of the Thai Board of Investment (BOI).

    The adjustments to the program come as total investment in the country’s EV supply chain as of June reached 137.7 billion baht (about US$4.21 billion), the BOI said in a statement.

    The move is expected to boost Thailand’s EV exports to around 12,500 units in 2025 and 52,000 units in 2026.

    In the first half of 2025, the number of new BEV registrations increased by 52.4 percent year-on-year to reach 57,289 units, accounting for 15 percent of all new vehicle registrations in Thailand.

    To date, the Thai government has provided subsidies totaling more than 12 billion baht (approximately $367.82 million) for 175,064 BEVs and 34,559 electric motorcycles under the EV 3.0 and 3.5 subsidy programs. –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: GraniteShares Announces Weekly Distributions for its YieldBOOST ETFs: COYY, TSYY, NVYY, XBTY, TQQY and YSPY

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GraniteShares today announced the weekly distributions for its GraniteShares YieldBOOST ETFs: COYY, TSYY, NVYY, XBTY, TQQY and YSPY, as shown in the table below.

    ETF Ticker ETF Name Distribution Frequency Distribution per Share Distribution Rate1,3 30-Day SEC Yield2 ROC4 Ex-Date & Record Date5,6 Payment Date7
    COYY GraniteShares YieldBOOST COIN ETF Weekly $ 0.8413 180.02 %   0.00 % Aug 01, 2025 Aug 05, 2025
    TSYY GraniteShares YieldBOOST TSLA ETF Weekly $ 0.2368 139.98 % 0.21 % 98.33 % Aug 01, 2025 Aug 05, 2025
    NVYY GraniteShares YieldBOOST NVDA ETF Weekly $ 0.5222 100.01 % 0.00 % 0.00 % Aug 01, 2025 Aug 05, 2025
    XBTY GraniteShares YieldBOOST Bitcoin ETF Weekly $ 0.4725 99.97 % 0.23 % 5.44 % Aug 01, 2025 Aug 05, 2025
    TQQY GraniteShares YieldBOOST QQQ ETF Weekly $ 0.1864 50.01 % 0.54 % 0.00 % Aug 01, 2025 Aug 05, 2025
    YSPY GraniteShares YieldBOOST SPY ETF Weekly $ 0.1954 49.99 % 0.91 % 0.00 % Aug 01, 2025 Aug 05, 2025


    Distributions are not guaranteed

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

    1The Distribution Rate shown is as of based of the NAV per share as of July 30, 2025, adjusted for corporate actions. The Distribution Rate is the annual rate an investor would receive if the most recent distribution remained the same going forward. The rate represents a single distribution from the fund and does not represent total return to the fund. The distribution rate is calculated by annualizing the most recent distribution and dividing it by the most recent NAV adjusted for corporate actions.

    2The 30-Day SEC Yield represents the net investment income (excluding option income) earned by the ETF over the 30-day period ended June 30, 2025. It is expressed as an annualized percentage rate based on the ETFs share price at the end of that period. This metric does not reflect the total income generated by the fund, as it excludes option premium income central to the YieldBOOST strategy.

    3Each GraniteShares YieldBOOST ETF seeks to generate income by selling put options on the underlying asset. While this strategy can generate attractive premiums, it generally caps the upside potential of the ETF. If the reference asset appreciates significantly, the ETF will not fully participate in those gains. However, if the reference asset declines in value, the ETF may experience losses that are not offset by the income received. Investors may be exposed to downside risk while forgoing upside participation.

    4ROC or Return of Capital indicates how much the distribution reflects an investor’s initial investment. The figures shown for each Fund in the table above are estimates based on the latest 19a1 forms and may later be determined to be taxable net investment income, short-term gains, long-term gains (to the extent permitted by law), or return of capital. Actual amounts and sources for tax reporting will depend upon the Fund’s investment activities during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Your broker will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year to tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

    5Ex-Date: The first day an ETF trades without the right to receive the upcoming distribution 

    6Record Date: The cut-off date set by the company to determine which ETF holders are eligible to receive the distribution

    7Payment Date: Date on which the distribution is paid to eligible ETF holders.

    Fund shareholders are not entitled to any distribution paid by the Underlying ETFs.

    GraniteShares Advisors LLC has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Fund to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses (exclusive of any (i) interest, (ii) brokerage fees and commission, (iii) acquired fund fees and expenses, (iv) fees and expenses associated with instruments in other collective investment vehicles or derivative instruments (including for example options and swap fees and expenses), (v) interest and dividend expense on short sales, (vi) taxes, (vii) other fees related to underlying investments (such as option fees and expenses or swap fees and expenses), (viii) expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or (ix) extraordinary expenses such as litigation) will not exceed 1.15%. This agreement is effective until December 31, 2025, and it may be terminated before that date only by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. GraniteShares Advisors LLC may request recoupment of previously waived fees and paid expenses from the Fund for three years from the date such fees and expenses were waived or paid, if such reimbursement will not cause the Fund’s total expense ratio to exceed the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver and/or expense payment and the expense limitation in place at the time of the recoupment.

    This website and its content have been provided by GraniteShares.

    Fund is newly launched and has risks associated with its limited operating history.

    The performance data quoted above represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted above. The distribution may include a combination of ordinary dividends, capital gain, and return of investor capital, which may decrease a fund’s NAV and trading price over time. As a result, an investor may suffer significant losses to their investment. Performance current to the most recent month-end can be obtained by calling (844) 476 8747.

    Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For a Prospectus or summary prospectus with this and other information about the Funds, please call (844) 476 8747 or. Read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing.

    The Distribution Rate and 30-Day SEC Yield is not indicative of future distributions, if any, on the ETFs. In particular, future distributions on any ETF may differ significantly from its Distribution Rate or 30-Day SEC Yield. You are not guaranteed a distribution under the ETFs. Distributions for the ETFs (if any) are variable and may vary significantly from month to month and may be zero. Accordingly, the Distribution Rate and 30-Day SEC Yield will change over time, and such change may be significant. The distribution may include a combination of ordinary dividends, capital gain, and return of investor capital, which may decrease a fund’s NAV and trading price over time. As a result, an investor may suffer significant losses to their investment. These distribution rates caused by unusually favorable market conditions may not be sustainable. Such conditions may not continue to exist and there should be no expectation that this performance may be repeated in the future. Additional fund risks can be found below.

    An investment in the Fund involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The Fund is non-diversified and includes risks associated with the Fund concentrating its investments in a particular industry, sector, or geographic region which can result in increased volatility. The use of derivatives such as option contracts and swaps are subject to market risks that may cause their price to include Risk of the Underlying ETF, Derivatives Risk, Affiliated Fund Risk, Put Writing Strategy Risk, Option Market Liquidity Risk, Counterparty Risk, Distribution Risk, & NAV Erosion Risk Due to Distribution. These and other risks can be found in the prospectus.

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

    An Investment in the Fund is not an investment in the Underlying ETFs

    – The Fund’s strategy will cap its potential gain if the Underlying ETFs share increases in value.
    – The Fund’s strategy is subject to all potential losses if the Underlying ETFs share decline, which may not be offset by the income received by the Fund,
    – The Fund does not invest directly in the Underlying ETFs,
    – Fund shareholders are not entitled to any distribution paid by Underlying ETFs.

    Shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the ETF. There can be no guarantee that an active trading market for ETF shares will develop or be maintained, or that their listing will continue or remain unchanged. Buying or selling ETF shares on an exchange may require the payment of brokerage commissions and frequent trading may incur brokerage costs that detract significantly from the returns.

    This information is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the shares of any Funds to any person in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. Please consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of an investment in Fund shares, including the possible application of foreign, state, and local tax laws. You could lose money by investing in the ETFs. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Funds will be achieved. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program.

    THE FUNDS AREDISTRIBUTED BY ALPS DISTRIBIUTORS, INC. GRANITESHRES IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH ALPS DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

    ©2025 GraniteShares Inc. All rights reserved. GraniteShares, GraniteShares ETFS, and the GraniteShares logo are registered and unregistered trademarks of GraniteShares Inc., in the United States and elsewhere. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

    Media contact:

    Gregory FCA for GraniteShares
    Te’a Gray, 203-815-4514
    graniteshares@gregoryfca.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Cerence AI to Participate in Two Investor Conferences in August

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BURLINGTON, Mass., July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cerence Inc. (NASDAQ: CRNC) (“Cerence AI”), a global leader pioneering conversational AI-powered user experiences, today announced that the company will participate in two investor conferences in August:

    • Raymond James Industrial Showcase – Cerence AI will host one-on-one investor meetings at the virtual investor conference on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
    • Needham & Company’s 6thAnnual Virtual Semiconductor & SemiCap 1×1 Conference – Cerence AI will host one-on-one investor meetings at the conference on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

    To schedule a meeting, please contact your Raymond James or Needham representative, or Cerence AI Investor Relations at cerence@pondel.com.

    To learn more about Cerence AI, visit www.cerence.ai, and follow the company on LinkedIn.

    About Cerence Inc.
    Cerence Inc. (NASDAQ: CRNC) is a global industry leader in creating intuitive, seamless, AI-powered experiences across automotive and transportation. Leveraging decades of innovation and expertise in voice, generative AI, and large language models, Cerence powers integrated experiences that create safer, more connected, and more enjoyable journeys for drivers and passengers alike. With more than 525 million cars shipped with Cerence technology, the company partners with leading automakers, transportation OEMs, and technology companies to advance the next generation of user experiences. Cerence is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, with operations globally and a worldwide team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of AI innovation. For more information, visit www.cerence.ai.

    Contact Information

    Media Relations: press@cerence.com

    Investor Relations: cerence@pondel.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government launches project for investors in energy sector

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Government launches project for investors in energy sector

    As part of ongoing efforts to unlock infrastructure investments and strengthen the energy sector, government is calling on investors to invest in the country’s transmission infrastructure through the Independent Transmission Projects (ITPs) Programme.

    This initiative marks the first time private investment will be allowed in South Africa’s transmission infrastructure, paving the way for a faster rollout of new high-voltage power lines across the country.

    “This will support the efforts already underway by the National Transmission Company of South Africa to implement the Transmission Development Plan, which calls for more than 14 000 km of new lines to be built over the next decade.

    “The introduction of ITPs is a key objective of Operation Vulindlela Phase II and will play an important role in the broader reform of the energy system. This reform includes the introduction of a competitive electricity market, which will allow multiple generators and traders to compete to provide electricity to consumers at the lowest cost and with the greatest efficiency,” Deputy Minister of Finance Dr David Masondo said on Thursday.

    Addressing the launch of the Request for Pre-Qualifications for Independent Transmission Projects (ITPs) in Johannesburg, the Deputy Minister said the reform of the energy system is advancing rapidly, and its commitment remains unwavering. 

    “We will not allow any vested interests to delay or obstruct this reform process, including Eskom itself. Indeed, today’s release of the Request for Quotation (RFQ) demonstrates that government, led by [Electricity] Minister Dr [Kgosientsho] Ramokgopa and his team, is working hard to implement the reforms that are needed to ensure long-term energy security and expand access to affordable electricity for all South Africans.

    “National Treasury has supported this process through the design of a Credit Guarantee Vehicle, as an innovative mechanism to unlock private capital and complement public financing for infrastructure while minimising contingent liabilities,” he said.

    South Africa is faced with a significant infrastructure financing need. 

    It is estimated that South Africa’s infrastructure gap is around R3.5 to R4 trillion by 2025, or around R400 billion per annum. 

    “This substantial need calls for scaling up of public financing for infrastructure as well as crowding in private capital through public-private partnerships (PPP). The objective of the Credit Guarantee Vehicle is to mobilise and leverage private capital to address South Africa’s infrastructure financing gap by mitigating offtake risk for private investors. 

    “This vehicle will also support the efficient deployment of development partner funding under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and the achievement of the country’s decarbonisation commitments,” the Deputy Minister said.

    While the Credit Guarantee Vehicle will focus on the initial phase on enabling investments in transmission infrastructure, it will be expanded into other areas such as logistics and water over time. 

    “The vehicle will be incorporated as a private company in South Africa, regulated by the Prudential Authority. It will operate as a standalone entity with an independent balance sheet and will target a minimum credit rating of AAA.

    “A professional executive management team and board of directors with relevant experience and expertise will be appointed to operate and manage the fund,” he said.

    The Credit Guarantee Vehicle will issue a combination of payment and termination guarantees to a Special Purpose Vehicle established for the project. 

    This will substantially derisk early investments in ITPs until the model has been proven and established.

    “We are targeting an initial capital raise of US$500 million for the vehicle, spread across a range of development partners. National Treasury has committed to providing first loss capital of 20%, which will be an initial US$100 million increasing to US$500 million (R9 billion) if needed.

    “In February 2025, the Minister of Finance [Enoch Godongwana] wrote to a range of development partners asking them to submit an expression of interest to invest in the vehicle. The responses received have been overwhelmingly positive, with 32 development partners engaged thus far,” the Deputy Minister said.

    Formal engagements with participating partners are continuing and will lead to the delivery of conditional equity participation commitment letters in the third quarter of 2025.

    This will enable the Credit Guarantee Vehicle to be operationalized by July 2026 to align with the first phase of ITP projects.

    “South Africa’s ITP programme, backed by credit guarantees, represents a globally innovative model which has been designed with our own context and needs in mind. 

    “It will not only result in massive new investment in infrastructure but will enable thousands of megawatts of new renewable energy capacity to be connected in areas where grid capacity is limited. This will support economic growth, create jobs, and power our economy into the future,” Masondo said. –SAnews.gov.za

    nosihle

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Nuclear Science and Nuclear Security Infrastructure to Protect Rare Rhinos: IAEA-Supported Project Marks a Milestone

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

    In a pioneering effort to combat wildlife trafficking of the threatened rhinoceros, a South African University today began implementing a project supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The project combines the safe insertion of radioactive isotopes into rhino horns and available nuclear security infrastructure to deter and detect illegal poaching.

    With over 10,000 rhinos lost to poaching in the past decade, South Africa – home to the world’s largest population of rhinos – remains a target for criminals driven by the illegal trade of rhino horn. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the South African Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment reported 103 rhinos poached. In response, this project run by the University of the Witwatersrand is using radiation to support conservation and enforcement efforts.

    After two years of initial tests, the Rhisotope Project was created in 2021 with the idea to tag rhino horns with radioactive material. This makes the horns detectable by radiation portal monitors (RPMs) already deployed at borders, ports and airports worldwide. These RPMs, commonly used to detect nuclear and other radioactive material, can now be harnessed against wildlife crime.

    The IAEA’s support to the Rhisotope Project leverages its central role in strengthening the global nuclear security framework. With millions of vehicles and people crossing borders every day, the use of an estimated 10,000 RPMs worldwide has become a critical tool for detecting unauthorized transboundary movements of nuclear and other radioactive material.

    “The Rhisotope Project shows how nuclear science and nuclear security infrastructure can be used in new ways to address global challenges,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. “The IAEA is supporting countries to maximize the benefits of nuclear. By using already installed nuclear security infrastructure in novel ways, we can help protect one of the world’s most iconic and endangered species.”

    At an event today in the Waterberg, Limpopo, about 250 kilometres north of Johannesburg, the University of Witwatersrand announced the results of the rigorous safety assessments conducted during the pilot phase of the project. In June last year, radioisotopes were inserted into 20 rhinos. Health monitoring and cytological examinations of 15 treated animals and a comparison of five animals not treated were conducted by Ghent University in Belgium. The test results proved that the method is non-invasive and does not pose a risk to the rhinos’ health.

    “This has been an international collaboration of likeminded individuals who are trying to make a real difference to this poaching crisis,” said James Larkin, Director, Radiation and Health Physics Unit at the University of the Witwatersrand. “We started with the question – what if radiation could protect rather than harm, by turning rhino horns into traceable markers that stop poachers before they trade? After two years of digital modelling, safety testing and detection simulations, we’re ready to roll out a solution that could truly reduce rhino poaching.”

    The success of project also opens the door for future applications to other endangered species.

    “The methodology could be adapted to protect other endangered species like elephants or pangolins,” said Larkin.

    The IAEA is providing both technical and financial support to the project under its Coordinated Research Project titled Facilitation of Safe and Secure Trade Using Nuclear Detection Technology – Detection of RN and Other Contraband. As part of the project, the Agency also supports countries in their efforts to optimize the detection of radiation by the use of its Minimum Detectable Quantity and Alarm Threshold Estimation Tool, thereby allowing detection of the tagged with radiation rhino horns.

    “The Rhisotope Project brings the entire global nuclear security network into play,” said Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security. “The nuclear security infrastructure that exists in many countries around the world to detect smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive material can be used to pick up the trafficking of rhino horn, and any other contraband that might be carried alongside it. Committing to nuclear security pays off in multiple ways.”

    B-roll and photos will be made available here.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nuclear Science and Nuclear Security Infrastructure to Protect Rare Rhinos: IAEA-Supported Project Marks a Milestone

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    The Rhisotope Project team inserting radioactive isotopes into rhino horns. (Martin Klinenboeck/IAEA)

    In a pioneering effort to combat wildlife trafficking of the threatened rhinoceros, a South African University today began implementing a project supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The project combines the safe insertion of radioactive isotopes into rhino horns and available nuclear security infrastructure to deter and detect illegal poaching.

    With over 10,000 rhinos lost to poaching in the past decade, South Africa – home to the world’s largest population of rhinos – remains a target for criminals driven by the illegal trade of rhino horn. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the South African Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment reported 103 rhinos poached. In response, this project run by the University of the Witwatersrand is using radiation to support conservation and enforcement efforts.

    After two years of initial tests, the Rhisotope Project was created in 2021 with the idea to tag rhino horns with radioactive material. This makes the horns detectable by radiation portal monitors (RPMs) already deployed at borders, ports and airports worldwide. These RPMs, commonly used to detect nuclear and other radioactive material, can now be harnessed against wildlife crime.

    The IAEA’s support to the Rhisotope Project leverages its central role in strengthening the global nuclear security framework. With millions of vehicles and people crossing borders every day, the use of an estimated 10,000 RPMs worldwide has become a critical tool for detecting unauthorized transboundary movements of nuclear and other radioactive material.

    “The Rhisotope Project shows how nuclear science and nuclear security infrastructure can be used in new ways to address global challenges,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. “The IAEA is supporting countries to maximize the benefits of nuclear. By using already installed nuclear security infrastructure in novel ways, we can help protect one of the world’s most iconic and endangered species.”

    At an event today in the Waterberg, Limpopo, about 250 kilometres north of Johannesburg, the University of Witwatersrand announced the results of the rigorous safety assessments conducted during the pilot phase of the project. In June last year, radioisotopes were inserted into 20 rhinos. Health monitoring and cytological examinations of 15 treated animals and a comparison of five animals not treated were conducted by Ghent University in Belgium. The test results proved that the method is non-invasive and does not pose a risk to the rhinos’ health.

    “This has been an international collaboration of likeminded individuals who are trying to make a real difference to this poaching crisis,” said James Larkin, Director, Radiation and Health Physics Unit at the University of the Witwatersrand. “We started with the question – what if radiation could protect rather than harm, by turning rhino horns into traceable markers that stop poachers before they trade? After two years of digital modelling, safety testing and detection simulations, we’re ready to roll out a solution that could truly reduce rhino poaching.”

    The success of project also opens the door for future applications to other endangered species.

    “The methodology could be adapted to protect other endangered species like elephants or pangolins,” said Larkin.

    The IAEA is providing both technical and financial support to the project under its Coordinated Research Project titled Facilitation of Safe and Secure Trade Using Nuclear Detection Technology – Detection of RN and Other Contraband. As part of the project, the Agency also supports countries in their efforts to optimize the detection of radiation by the use of its Minimum Detectable Quantity and Alarm Threshold Estimation Tool, thereby allowing detection of the tagged with radiation rhino horns.

    “The Rhisotope Project brings the entire global nuclear security network into play,” said Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security. “The nuclear security infrastructure that exists in many countries around the world to detect smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive material can be used to pick up the trafficking of rhino horn, and any other contraband that might be carried alongside it. Committing to nuclear security pays off in multiple ways.”

    B-roll and photos will be made available here.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Vivakor Confirms Special Dividend of Adapti, Inc. Record Date Set for August 20, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Dallas, TX, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vivakor, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIVK) (“Vivakor” or the “Company”), an integrated provider of energy transportation, storage, reuse, and remediation service, today announced the record date of August 20, 2025 for its previously disclosed plan to issue a special dividend to Vivakor shareholders.

    Vivakor currently holds 206,595 (approximately 13.5% of the outstanding common) shares of Adapti, Inc. (OTCID: ADTI), a company that manages the marketing of products, data and companies through its AdaptAI software platform that leverages advanced AI technology to match products and brands with influencers to attempt to generate superior marketing results.

    Based on Vivakor’s current shares outstanding of approximately 47,297,347 and excluding 20,963,229 shares held by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and former Chief Financial Officer who waived their right to the dividend, each Vivakor shareholder will be entitled to receive approximately 0.0079 shares of Adapti, Inc. common stock per Vivakor share. Based on the current $3.50 share price of Adapti’s common stock, the special dividend is currently valued at approximately $0.75 million.

    Adapti, Inc., formerly known as Scepter Holdings, Inc., filed its Form 10 Registration Statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in September 2024 and has since become a mandatory SEC reporting company. Adapti, Inc. filed its Annual Report on 10K for the period ended March 31, 2025 on July 3, 2025.

    The Ballengee Group, LLC, a Dallas-based baseball sports management agency which represents approximately 200 professional athletes, an entity previously controlled by Vivakor’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. James Ballengee, was acquired by Adapti, Inc. on July 14, 2025. Additional information regarding this transaction can be found in Adapti, Inc.’s filings with the SEC.

    About Vivakor, Inc.

    Vivakor, Inc. is an integrated provider of sustainable energy transportation, storage, reuse, and remediation services, operating one of the largest fleets of oilfield trucking services in the continental United States. Its corporate mission is to develop, acquire, accumulate, and operate assets, properties, and technologies in the energy sector. Vivakor’s integrated facilities assets provide crude oil and produced water gathering, storage, transportation, reuse, and remediation services under long-term contracts.

    Once operational, Vivakor’s oilfield waste remediation facilities will facilitate the recovery, reuse, and disposal of petroleum byproducts and oilfield waste products.

    For more information, please visit our website: http://vivakor.com

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond our control. Actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified but not limited by the use of the words “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “will,” “believes,” “estimates,” “potential,” or “continue” and variations or similar expressions. Our actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, , the expected transaction and ownership structure, the valuation of the transaction, the likelihood and ability of the parties to successfully and timely consummate planned acquisitions, the risk that any required regulatory approvals are not obtained, are delayed or are subject to unanticipated conditions that could adversely affect Vivakor or the expected benefits of the such transaction, our ability to maintain the listing of our securities on The Nasdaq Capital Market, the parties failure to realize the anticipated benefits of pending transactions, disruption and volatility in the global currency, capital, and credit markets, changes in federal, local and foreign governmental regulation, changes in tax laws and liabilities, tariffs, legal, regulatory, political and economic risks, our ability to successfully develop products, rapid change in our markets, changes in demand for our future products, and general economic conditions.

    These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties discussed in Vivakor’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which factors may be incorporated herein by reference. Actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially, and potentially adversely, from any projections and forward-looking statements and the assumptions on which those forward-looking statements are based. There can be no assurance that the data contained herein is reflective of future performance to any degree. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a predictor of future performance as projected financial information and other information are based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to various significant risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. All information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof in the case of information about Vivakor and the Endeavor Entities or the date of such information in the case of information from persons other than Vivakor and the Endeavor Entities, and we disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this communication. Forecasts and estimates regarding the Endeavor Entities industries and markets are based on sources we believe to be reliable; however, there can be no assurance these forecasts and estimates will prove accurate in whole or in part.

    Investors Contact:
    P:949-281-2606
    info@vivakor.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Nuclear Science and Nuclear Security Infrastructure to Protect Rare Rhinos: IAEA-Supported Project Marks a Milestone

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    The Rhisotope Project team inserting radioactive isotopes into rhino horns. (Martin Klinenboeck/IAEA)

    In a pioneering effort to combat wildlife trafficking of the threatened rhinoceros, a South African University today began implementing a project supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The project combines the safe insertion of radioactive isotopes into rhino horns and available nuclear security infrastructure to deter and detect illegal poaching.

    With over 10,000 rhinos lost to poaching in the past decade, South Africa – home to the world’s largest population of rhinos – remains a target for criminals driven by the illegal trade of rhino horn. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the South African Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment reported 103 rhinos poached. In response, this project run by the University of the Witwatersrand is using radiation to support conservation and enforcement efforts.

    After two years of initial tests, the Rhisotope Project was created in 2021 with the idea to tag rhino horns with radioactive material. This makes the horns detectable by radiation portal monitors (RPMs) already deployed at borders, ports and airports worldwide. These RPMs, commonly used to detect nuclear and other radioactive material, can now be harnessed against wildlife crime.

    The IAEA’s support to the Rhisotope Project leverages its central role in strengthening the global nuclear security framework. With millions of vehicles and people crossing borders every day, the use of an estimated 10,000 RPMs worldwide has become a critical tool for detecting unauthorized transboundary movements of nuclear and other radioactive material.

    “The Rhisotope Project shows how nuclear science and nuclear security infrastructure can be used in new ways to address global challenges,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. “The IAEA is supporting countries to maximize the benefits of nuclear. By using already installed nuclear security infrastructure in novel ways, we can help protect one of the world’s most iconic and endangered species.”

    At an event today in the Waterberg, Limpopo, about 250 kilometres north of Johannesburg, the University of Witwatersrand announced the results of the rigorous safety assessments conducted during the pilot phase of the project. In June last year, radioisotopes were inserted into 20 rhinos. Health monitoring and cytological examinations of 15 treated animals and a comparison of five animals not treated were conducted by Ghent University in Belgium. The test results proved that the method is non-invasive and does not pose a risk to the rhinos’ health.

    “This has been an international collaboration of likeminded individuals who are trying to make a real difference to this poaching crisis,” said James Larkin, Director, Radiation and Health Physics Unit at the University of the Witwatersrand. “We started with the question – what if radiation could protect rather than harm, by turning rhino horns into traceable markers that stop poachers before they trade? After two years of digital modelling, safety testing and detection simulations, we’re ready to roll out a solution that could truly reduce rhino poaching.”

    The success of project also opens the door for future applications to other endangered species.

    “The methodology could be adapted to protect other endangered species like elephants or pangolins,” said Larkin.

    The IAEA is providing both technical and financial support to the project under its Coordinated Research Project titled Facilitation of Safe and Secure Trade Using Nuclear Detection Technology – Detection of RN and Other Contraband. As part of the project, the Agency also supports countries in their efforts to optimize the detection of radiation by the use of its Minimum Detectable Quantity and Alarm Threshold Estimation Tool, thereby allowing detection of the tagged with radiation rhino horns.

    “The Rhisotope Project brings the entire global nuclear security network into play,” said Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security. “The nuclear security infrastructure that exists in many countries around the world to detect smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive material can be used to pick up the trafficking of rhino horn, and any other contraband that might be carried alongside it. Committing to nuclear security pays off in multiple ways.”

    B-roll and photos will be made available here.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: The quiet war: What’s fueling Israel’s surge of settler violence – and the lack of state response

    Source: The Conversation – USA (3) – By Arie Perliger, Director of Security Studies and Professor of Criminology and Justice Studies, UMass Lowell

    An Israeli soldier prays in the Evyatar outpost in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on July 7, 2024. AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg

    Since Oct. 7, 2023, as Israel’s war against Hamas drags on in the Gaza Strip, a quieter but escalating war has unfolded in the West Bank between Israelis and Palestinians.

    While precise figures are elusive, United Nations estimates indicate that Jewish settlers have carried out around 2,000 attacks against Palestinians since the war in Gaza began. That number represents a dramatic surge compared with any previous period during the nearly six decades Israel has controlled the West Bank.

    Attacks include harassment of Palestinian villagers trying to access their crops or work outside their villages, as well as more extreme and organized violence, such as raiding villages to vandalize property. While many of the attacks are unprovoked, some are what settlers call “price tag” actions: retaliation for Palestinian violence against Israelis, such as car-rammings, rock-throwing and stabbings.

    Settlers’ attacks displaced more than 1,500 Palestinians in the first year of the war in Gaza, and gun violence is increasingly common. Since October 2023, more than 1,000 Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed. While most of these fatalities resulted from military operations, some were killed by settlers.

    Mourners attend the funeral of three Palestinians who were killed when Jewish settlers stormed the West Bank village of Kafr Malik, on June 26, 2025.
    AP Photo/Leo Correa

    As a scholar who has studied Jewish religious extremism for over two decades, I contend this campaign is not merely a result of rising tension between the settlers and their Palestinian neighbors amid the Gaza conflict. Rather, it is fueled by a confluence of ideological fervor, opportunism and far-right Israelis’ political vision for the region.

    Religious redemption

    Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967’s Six-Day War against Egypt, Jordan and Syria, transforming this small region of around 2,000 square miles (5,200 square kilometers) to an amalgam of Jewish and Palestinian enclaves. Most countries other than Israel consider Jewish settlements illegal, but they have rapidly expanded in recent decades, becoming a major challenge for any settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

    The ideological roots of violence lie within religious Zionism: a worldview embraced by about 20% of Israel’s Jewish population, including most West Bank settlers.

    The great majority of the leaders of the early Zionist movement held strong secular views. They pushed for the creation of a Jewish state over the objections of Orthodox figures, who argued that it should be a divine creation rather than a human-made polity.

    Religious Zionists, on the other hand, view the creation of modern-day Israel and its military victories as steps in a divine redemption, which will culminate in a Jewish kingdom led by a heaven-sent Messiah. Adherents believe contemporary events, particularly those asserting Jewish control over the entire historical land of Israel, can accelerate this process.

    In recent decades, influential religious Zionist leaders have argued that final redemption requires Israel’s total military triumph and the annihilation of its enemies, particularly the Palestinian national movement. From this perspective, the devastation of Oct. 7 and the subsequent war are a divine test – one the nation can only pass by achieving a complete victory.

    This belief system fuels most religious Zionists’ opposition to ending the war, as well as their advocacy for scorched-earth policies in Gaza. Some hope to rebuild the Jewish settlements in the strip that Israel evacuated in 2005.

    Some religious Zionists hope to reestablish Jewish settlements in Gaza.‘
    Sally Hayden/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

    The violence in the West Bank reflects an extension of the same beliefs. Extreme groups within the settler population aim to solidify Jewish control by making Palestinian communities’ lives in the region unsustainable.

    Opportunistic violence

    Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre, which killed over 1,200 Israelis, traumatized the nation. It also hardened many Jewish Israelis’ conviction that a Palestinian state would be an existential threat, and thus Palestinians cannot be partners for peace.

    This shift in sentiment created a permissive environment for violence. While settler attacks previously drew criticism from across the political spectrum, extremist violence faces less public condemnation today – as does the government’s lack of effort to curb it.

    This increase in violence is also enabled by a climate of impunity. Israeli security forces have been stretched thin by operations in Gaza, Syria, Iran and beyond. In the West Bank, the military increasingly relies on settler militias known as “Emergency Squads,” which are armed by the Israeli military for self-defense, and army units composed primarily of religious Zionist settlers, such as the Netzah Yehuda Battalion. Such groups have little incentive to stop attacks on Palestinians, and at times, they have participated.

    This dynamic has dangerously blurred the line between the state military and militant settlers. The Israeli police, meanwhile, under the command of far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, appear focused on protecting settlers. Police leadership has been accused of ignoring intelligence about planned attacks and failing to arrest violent settlers or enforce restraining orders. Yesh Din, an Israeli human rights group, asserts that just 3% of attacks have resulted in a conviction.

    In June 2025, military attempts to curb settler militancy triggered a violent backlash, as extremist settlers attacked military commanders and tried to set fire to military facilities. Settlers view efforts to restrict their actions as illegitimate and a betrayal of Jewish interests in the West Bank.

    Political vision

    Violence by extremist settlers is not random; it is one arm of a coordinated pincer strategy to entrench Jewish control over the West Bank.

    Emergency volunteers put out a fire during an attack by Israeli right-wing settlers on the West Bank village of Turmusaya on June 26, 2025.
    Ilia Yefimovich/picture alliance via Getty Images

    While militant settlers create a climate of fear, Israeli authorities have undermined legal efforts to stop the violence – ending administrative detention for settler suspects, for example. Meanwhile, the government has intensified policies that undermine Palestinians’ economic development, freedom of movement and land use. In May, finance minister and far-right leader Bezalel Smotrich approved 22 new settlements, calling it a “historic decision” that signaled a return to “construction, Zionism, and vision.”

    Together, violence from below and policy from above advance a clear strategic goal: the coerced depopulation of Palestinians from rural areas to solidify Israeli sovereignty over the entire West Bank.

    Levers for change

    The militant elements of the settler movement constitute a fractional segment of Israeli society. When it comes to improving the situation in the West Bank, broad punitive measures against the entire country, such as economic boycotting and divestment, or blocking access to scientific, economic and cultural programs and organizations, have historically proved ineffective.

    Instead, such policies seem to entrench many Israelis’ perception of international bias and double standards: the sense that critics are antisemitic, or that few outsiders understand the country’s challenges – particularly in light of threats from entitles like Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah, which openly seek Israel’s elimination.

    More targeted policies aim specifically at the Israeli far right, including sanctions – economic, political or cultural – directed at settler communities and their infrastructure. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway and the U.K. have imposed travel bans on Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, and frozen their assets in those countries. Similarly, I believe decisions to ban goods produced in the West Bank settlements, as Ireland has recently debated, would be more effective than banning all Israeli products.

    This targeted approach, I would argue, would allow the international community to cultivate stronger alliances with the many Israelis concerned about the settlements and Palestinians’ rights in the West Bank.

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

    ref. The quiet war: What’s fueling Israel’s surge of settler violence – and the lack of state response – https://theconversation.com/the-quiet-war-whats-fueling-israels-surge-of-settler-violence-and-the-lack-of-state-response-261990

    MIL OSI

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: What is personalized pricing, and how do I avoid it?

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Jay L. Zagorsky, Associate Professor Questrom School of Business, Boston University

    Recently, Delta Air Lines announced it would expand its use of artificial intelligence to provide individualized prices to customers. This move sparked concern among flyers and politicians. But Delta isn’t the only business interested in using AI this way. Personalized pricing has already spread across a range of industries, from finance to online gaming.

    Customized pricing – where each customer receives a different price for the same product – is a holy grail for businesses because it boosts profits. With customized pricing, free-spending people pay more while the price-sensitive pay less. Just as clothes can be tailored to each person, custom pricing fits each person’s ability and desire to pay.

    I am a professor who teaches business school students how to set prices. My latest book, “The Power of Cash: Why Using Paper Money is Good for You and Society,” highlights problems with custom pricing. Specifically, I’m worried that AI pricing models lack transparency and could unfairly take advantage of financially unsophisticated people.

    The history of custom pricing

    For much of history, customized pricing was the normal way things happened. In the past, business owners sized up each customer and then bargained face-to-face. The price paid depended on the buyer’s and seller’s bargaining skills – and desperation.

    An old joke illustrates this process. Once, a very rich man was riding in his carriage at breakfast time. Hungry, he told his driver to stop at the next restaurant. He went inside, ordered some eggs and asked for the bill. When the owner handed him the check, the rich man was shocked at the price. “Are eggs rare in this neighborhood?” he asked. “No,” the owner said. “Eggs are plentiful, but very rich men are quite rare.”

    Custom pricing through bargaining still exists in some industries. For example, car dealerships often negotiate a different price for each vehicle they sell. Economists refer to this as “first-degree” or “perfect” price discrimination, which is “perfect” from the seller’s perspective because it allows them to charge each customer the maximum amount they’re willing to pay.

    Wanamaker’s department store in Philadelphia was a pricing pioneer.
    Hulton Archive/Getty Images

    Currently, most American shoppers don’t bargain but instead see set prices. Many scholars trace the rise of set prices to John Wanamaker’s Philadelphia department store, which opened in 1876. In his store, each item had a nonnegotiable price tag. These set prices made it simpler for customers to shop and became very popular.

    Why uniform pricing caught on

    Set prices have several advantages for businesses. For one thing, they allow stores to hire low-paid retail workers instead of employees who are experts in negotiation.

    Historically, they also made it easier for stores to decide how much to charge. Before the advent of AI pricing, many companies determined prices using a “cost-plus” rule. Cost-plus means a business adds a fixed percentage or markup to an item’s cost. The markup is the percentage added to a product’s cost that covers a company’s profits and overhead.

    The big-box retailer Costco still uses this rule. It determines prices by adding a roughly 15% maximum markup to each item on the warehouse floor. If something costs Costco $100, they sell it for about $115.

    The problem with cost-plus is that it treats all items the same. For example, Costco sells wine in many stores. People buying expensive Champagne typically are willing to pay a much higher markup than customers purchasing inexpensive boxed wine. Using AI gets around this problem by letting a computer determine the optimal markup item by item.

    What personalized pricing means for shoppers

    AI needs a lot of data to operate effectively. The shift from cash to electronic payments has enabled businesses to collect what’s been called a “gold mine” of information. For example, Mastercard says its data lets companies “determine optimal pricing strategies.”

    So much information is collected when you pay electronically that in 2024 the Federal Trade Commission issued civil subpoenas to Mastercard, JPMorgan Chase and other financial companies demanding to know “how artificial intelligence and other technological tools may allow companies to vary prices using data they collect about individual consumers’ finances and shopping habits.” Experiments at the FTC show that AI programs can even collude among themselves to raise prices without human intervention.

    To prevent customized pricing, some states have laws requiring retailers to display a single price for each product for sale. Even with these laws, it’s simple to do custom pricing by using targeted digital coupons, which vary each shopper’s discount.

    How you can outsmart AI pricing

    There are ways to get around customized pricing. All depend on denying AI programs data on past purchases and knowledge of who you are. First, when shopping in brick-and-mortar stores, use paper money. Yes, good old-fashioned cash is private and leaves no data trail that follows you online.

    Second, once online, clear your cache. Your search history and cookies provide algorithms with extensive amounts of information. Many articles say the protective power of clearing your cache is an urban myth. However, this information was based on how airlines used to price tickets. Recent analysis by the FTC shows the newest AI algorithms are changing prices based on this cached information.

    Third, many computer pricing algorithms look at your location, since location is a good proxy for income. I was once in Botswana and needed to buy a plane ticket. The price on my computer was about $200. Unfortunately, before booking I was called away to dinner. After dinner my computer showed the cost was $1,000 − five times higher. It turned out after dinner I used my university’s VPN, which told the airline I was located in a rich American neighborhood. Before dinner I was located in a poor African town. Shutting off the VPN reduced the price.

    Last, often to get a better price in face-to-face negotiations, you need to walk away. To do this online, put something in your basket and then wait before hitting purchase. I recently bought eyeglasses online. As a cash payer, I didn’t have my credit card handy. It took five minutes to find it, and the delay caused the site to offer a large discount to complete the purchase.

    The computer revolution has created the ability to create custom products cheaply. The cashless society combined with AI is setting us up for customized prices. In a custom-pricing situation, seeing a high price doesn’t mean something is higher quality. Instead, a high price simply means a business views the customer as willing to part with more money.

    Using cash more often can help defeat custom pricing. In my view, however, rapid advances in AI mean we need to start talking now about how prices are determined, before customized pricing takes over completely.

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

    ref. What is personalized pricing, and how do I avoid it? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-personalized-pricing-and-how-do-i-avoid-it-262195

    MIL OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Government backs Ford’s global transformation

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK Government backs Ford’s global transformation

    UK Export Finance announces a new £1 billion export guarantee, supporting Ford UK’s transition to electric vehicle production.

    • Iconic car manufacturer Ford continues global transformation as government backs new loan  

    • Financing assists Ford’s operations in developing world-leading products, including cleaner engines and electric power units while supporting thousands of jobs 

    • Latest action in the government’s Plan for Change and in support for the UK’s automotive sector as part of the Industrial Strategy 

    UK Export Finance (UKEF) is providing a £1 billion export development guarantee to Ford UK, supporting the car giant’s long-term growth ambitions around the world. 

    Ford operates various sites across the country including the UK’s largest automotive research & development (R&D) centre based in Essex and directly employs more than 5,500 workers across the country.   

    The loan will help Ford continue its global transformation, engineering and manufacturing smart, connected and electrified vehicles for customers around the world.  

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

    Ford has been the pride of Essex since 1911, over a century of innovation and industry. The R&D centre in Basildon employs thousands of people in well-paid, highly skilled jobs. 

    This £1 billion loan guarantee is a major boost for Britain’s auto sector. It will help develop world-leading products, open new export markets, and secure jobs. This is our Plan for Change in action – delivering growth and putting more money in people’s pockets.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    We’re proud of our historic auto sector, and the commitment that global companies like Ford have made to make cars and create jobs in the UK. 

    I’m delighted that UKEF is backing Ford in supporting the company’s ambitions for growth, helping to cement our position as a global leader for manufacturing and backing our Plan for Change. 

    This Government has taken significant action to back auto firms – including by securing landmark trade deals with the US and India to bring down tariffs for British car manufacturers and create new export opportunities, measures to lower electricity prices in our Industrial Strategy, and updating the ZEV mandate to support UK manufacturers and safeguard jobs of the future.

    In recent years, the company has invested heavily into electric vehicle development, including a £380 million transformation of its Halewood manufacturing plant from producing transmissions to electric motors for iconic vehicles like the Ford Transit van and Ford Puma. Ford has also invested £70 million in state-of-the-art testing and development labs at its R&D site in Essex.   

    This follows several significant announcements in recent months showing the government backing the UK’s automotive sector. This includes launching an Electric Car Grant to support the transition to zero emission vehicles and incentivise sustainable manufacturing, and the publication of the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan and Modern Industrial Strategy, which commits £2 billion capital and R&D funding to 2030, and an additional £500 million to extend the R&D support to 2035. This support is giving innovative manufacturers the confidence to pursue technological advancements needed in the automotive sector. 

    UKEF is guaranteeing 80 per cent (£800 million) of the £1 billion loan provided by Citi and a syndicate of lenders. Citi is the sole coordinator and agent on the loan to Ford. 

    This announcement forms part of the government’s Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth and raise living standards across the United Kingdom by supporting businesses to export and grow. 

    British car manufacturers now benefit from major tariff reductions when exporting to the US, thanks to the landmark trade deal secured with the US. The UK is the only country to have secured this deal with the US, which reduces car export tariffs from 27.5% to 10%, saving manufacturers hundreds of millions each year and protecting hundreds of thousands of jobs, backing the Plan for Change. 

    UKEF Chief Executive Tim Reid said:

    This is a great example of UKEF’s collaboration with the automotive industry, which is a key sector of the government’s Industrial Strategy. Our export development guarantee is a versatile product that has lasting impact on businesses. Boosting growth, securing key jobs, growing the UK’s export potential and doing so sustainably – that’s what UKEF does best. 

    Lisa Brankin, Chair, Ford Britain, said:

    Recent investments in the UK have proved crucial to our European operations and have expanded our UK export capability, on top of supporting Ford’s investment in an all-electric product line-for Europe. This new UKEF facility will play an important role in supporting our UK exporting footprint, especially amid the continued uncertainty in the trade landscape and the disconnect between electric vehicle targets and customer demand. 

    Richard Hodder, Global Head of Export and Agency Finance at Citi, said: 

    Citi is pleased to partner with Ford and UK Export Finance on this significant transaction. This third UKEF Guarantee loan under the EDG program demonstrates our dedication to supporting Ford’s global innovation and UK export operations. This transaction showcases both the cross-border expertise and local knowledge that Citi’s Services business provides clients in the UK, and around the world.

    This is the third EDG awarded by UKEF to Ford, taking total financing to almost £2.4 billion (£1.9 billion guaranteed by UKEF) since 2020: 

    • June 2022: £750 million UKEF EDG (UKEF guarantee of £600 million) supported phase two of Ford’s electric vehicle plans. The investment significantly expanding Ford’s electric power unit production line capability.  

    • June 2020: a £625 million UKEF EDG facility (UKEF guarantee on £500 million). This helped to finance Ford’s global vehicle research and development headquarters in Dunton in Essex, securing key of jobs and supporting the development of electric vehicle technologies. 

    This latest announcement follows the recent publication of UKEF’s annual report & accounts for 2024/25

    Over the last financial year, UKEF provided a record £14.5 billion in new financing, helping over 667 UK companies to export and grow and supported up to 70,000 jobs.

    Contact

    Media enquiries:

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Grayscale® Launches Grayscale® Story Trust

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    STAMFORD, Conn., July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Grayscale®, the world’s largest digital asset-focused investment platform, today announced the creation and launch of Grayscale® Story Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust provides investors with exposure to $IP, the native token of the Story network.

    Story is a blockchain network that powers programmable intellectual property, making real-world data a licensable, attributable subset of intellectual property for the artificial intelligence (AI) era. Designed to support the growing needs of AI, the creator economy, and digital rights management, Story enables ownership that is secure, scalable, and easily integrated across blockchain applications. Specifically, Story is designed to make intellectual property, including music, media, personal likeness, and real-world data like video and speech, traceable, enforceable, and monetizable on-chain. By transforming intellectual property and real-world data into fully programmable on-chain assets, Story is laying the foundational infrastructure for the global intellectual property economy, which has been reported to be worth as much as $80 trillion.1

    Although traditional intellectual property systems have served important roles, they can be fragmented, intermediary-dependent, and sometimes struggle to keep pace with the rapid evolution of digital content and AI. Story offers a new perspective designed to meet these emerging challenges. At the core of its architecture is a framework for representing intellectual property as smart contract-enabled non-fungible tokens, embedding licensing logic, attribution rules, and royalty flows, informed by intellectual property law, directly into the assets themselves. This aims to allow creators, companies, and even AI agents to register, remix, and monetize intellectual property compliantly.

    Today, adoption of Story is accelerating, driven by real-world use cases across cultural and technical ecosystems, from major artists and global brands to next-generation AI platforms. With over 1.7 million intellectual property transactions and more than 200,000 monthly users,2 Story is demonstrating growing demand for infrastructure that treats intellectual property as a programmable, on-chain primitive.3 Story also develops original initiatives like Poseidon, which brings real-world data to AI systems, including robots, surgical assistants, and autonomous vehicles. These partnerships and projects reflect the protocol’s broad and transformative potential.

    “Grayscale Story Trust gives investors exposure to a protocol shaping the foundational intellectual property layer for the information and AI era,” said Rayhaneh Sharif-Askary, Head of Product & Research at Grayscale. “That includes not just creative content, but real-world data — the force powering one of today’s most advanced intelligent systems.”

    “This launch marks a significant milestone in bringing programmable intellectual property to institutional markets. Story was designed to support the full lifecycle of intellectual property; from music and media to the real-world datasets that power intelligent systems. The launch of Grayscale Story Trust reflects growing recognition that intellectual property, in all forms, has the potential to become one of the most important assets of the AI era. With $IP now available via a Grayscale Trust, investors can gain exposure to the infrastructure layer that enables programmable licensing and attribution across AI and creative applications,” said SY Lee, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of PIP Labs, an initial core contributor to Story.

    The Trust is now open for daily subscription by eligible individual and institutional accredited investors.* The Trust functions like Grayscale’s other single-asset investment trusts and is solely invested in the $IP token underpinning the Story protocol. For additional information regarding the seeding of the Trust and other ways in which an investment in the Trust might differ from an investment in Grayscale’s other single-asset investment trusts, please refer to the Private Placement Memorandum relating to the Trust.

    This press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would be illegal, nor shall there be any sale of any security in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that jurisdiction.

    *An accredited investor, as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is an individual with income over $200,000 ($300,000 with spouse) in each of the past two years, an individual with net worth over $1 million, excluding primary residence, an individual holding certain financial licenses (e.g., Series 7, 65, or 82), or an entity with over $5 million in assets or all equity owners who are accredited.

    Grayscale may attempt to have shares of new products quoted on a secondary market. However, there is no guarantee that Grayscale will be successful. Although the shares of certain products have been approved for trading on a secondary market, investors in the new products should not assume that the shares will ever obtain such an approval due to a variety of factors, including questions regulators, such as the SEC, FINRA, or other regulatory bodies may have regarding such products. As a result, shareholders of such products should be prepared to bear the risk of investment in the shares indefinitely. To date, certain products have not met their investment objective, and the shares of such products quoted on OTC Markets have not reflected the value of the digital assets held by such products, less such products’ expenses and other liabilities, but have instead traded at a premium over such value, which at times has been substantial. There have also been instances where the shares of certain products have traded at a discount.

    Private placement securities are speculative, illiquid, and entail a high level of risk, including the risk that an investor could lose their entire investment. The Story protocol was relatively recently conceived and its particular underlying technological mechanisms may not function as intended, which could have an adverse impact on the value of IP and an investment in the Shares.

    Extreme volatility of trading prices that many digital assets have experienced in recent periods and may continue to experience, could have a material adverse effect on the value of the Trust and the shares could lose all or substantially all of their value.

    [1] According to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s 2025 Global Innovation Index, the estimated value of intangible assets — including intellectual property, data, software, brands, and human capital — held by publicly listed companies worldwide exceeds $80 trillion. Source: WIPO, The Value of Intangible Assets of Corporations (2025).

    [2]Story Blockchain Explorer, as of July 7, 2025

    [3] “On-chain primitive” refers to a foundational building block of blockchain-based systems, like a token or NFT, that is natively programmable and usable within blockchain applications.

    About Grayscale
    Grayscale enables investors to access the digital economy through a family of future-forward investment products. Founded in 2013, Grayscale has a decade-long track record and deep expertise as a digital asset-focused investment platform. Investors, advisors, and allocators turn to Grayscale for single asset, diversified, and thematic exposure. For more information, please follow @Grayscale or visit grayscale.com.

    Media Contact
    press@grayscale.com

    Client Contact
    866-775-0313
    info@grayscale.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: U.S. Drone Market Outlook and Competitive Landscape Becoming a Sector Poised for Prosperous Expansion

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Recently, drone market insiders, have issued very optimistic reviews on where the U.S. drone market is heading. Industry observers note that this legislative backing de-risks investment in defense and dual-use drone companies, making them more attractive to institutional investors and venture firms alike. The new funding is poised to expand domestic manufacturing capabilities, support R&D in autonomy and AI, and reward companies prepared to operate within the tightened regulatory and sourcing frameworks. On such report from Dronelife.com said: “Compare the U.S. surge in drone investment to the investment contraction and global market realignment that Drone Industry Insights (DRONEII), reported on just a few months ago. The earlier DRONEII report underscores the U.S. government’s legislative actions as especially impactful, setting the pace for global realignment and influencing investment priorities worldwide. The direct result of these policy moves has been an influx of both venture and public market investment into U.S.-aligned drone companies. Companies such as Firestorm Labs and Unusual Machines have openly referenced the “clear demand signals” coming from Washington in their fundraising releases. Meanwhile, market analysis on platforms like Nasdaq and Investing.com track a sector-wide uptick in share prices and capital-infused balance sheets in July 2025 alone.”   Active Companies in the drone industries include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE: TDY), ParaZero Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: PRZO), Safe Pro Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAI), Arbe Robotics Ltd. (NASDAQ: ARBE).

    The article continued discussing how legislative backing is a growth catalyst saying: “The strengthened investment environment for U.S. drone companies in the summer of 2025 is a direct response to aggressive legislative and executive action. As enhanced procurement mandates and funding priorities solidify, companies with domestic manufacturing capabilities and compliance adherence are best positioned to benefit. This unique interplay of policy and market forces is not only revitalizing the American drone industrial base but is also driving a more resilient, innovation-focused sector poised for further expansion.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) ZenaDrone Initiates AUVSI Membership Upgrade, Enabling Leadership on Drone Policy and Strengthening US Defense and Government Engagement – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a business technology solution provider specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), Enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, today announces its drone subsidiary ZenaDrone has initiated upgrading its membership to the Advocacy level with the influential Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), enabling it to join both the Defense Advocacy Committee and Air Advocacy Committee. This upgrade enables the company to engage alongside top US drone and defense innovators, such as Skydio, Anduril, Leidos and Shield AI, to elevate its leadership role in shaping critical drone policy and procurement as well as deepening relationships with important stakeholders and decisionmakers.

    “This is a clear investment in speed to market and long-term procurement success,” said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., ZenaTech CEO. “By joining AUVSI’s Defense and Air Advocacy Committees, ZenaDrone gains direct access to the policy, compliance, and acquisition conversations that shape Department of Defense agency procurement. It positions us alongside trusted defense leaders and innovators, accelerating our path to Green and Blue UAS certification by strengthening our ability to meet the security, interoperability, and regulatory expectations of federal buyers and leverage growth opportunities.”

    Through an upgraded Advocacy membership, ZenaDrone will be able to collaborate with AUVSI’s network of industry leaders and regulators to influence federal drone policies and shape the future of the drone industry in the US. This participation provides direct access to federal decision-makers, enabling influence on key policy areas such as BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) regulation and streamlined procurement, while ensuring the company’s drone platforms remain aligned with the evolving operational needs and priorities of US defense and government agencies.

    This involvement comes at a pivotal time, as recent Executive Orders and policy directives from the White House and Department of Defense accelerate support for NDAA-compliant, secure, and domestically produced drone technologies. These directives now move toward implementation, requiring practical policy frameworks and procurement processes—an area where ZenaDrone aims to contribute meaningfully.

    Founded in 1972, AUVSI is the largest nonprofit advancing uncrewed and autonomous systems through innovation, policy, and collaboration. It connects government, industry, and academia to drive safe, efficient integration of emerging technologies. The Air Advocacy Committee shapes policies to expand drone operations in national airspace, while the Defense Advocacy Committee influences defense acquisition policies and promotes NDAA-compliant drone technology. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    Other recent developments in the markets include:

    Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE: TDY), recently announced the winners of the 30th Annual ‘FLIR Vision Awards’ at the APSCON 2025 Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

    The FLIR Vision Awards are presented to members of the airborne law enforcement community who have best demonstrated use of thermal imaging systems in carrying out their missions, whether conducting search and rescue efforts, pursuing suspects, or saving lives in other ways. The awards are divided into four categories, including the FANG Award for operations involving a K-9 support team.

    ParaZero Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: PRZO) recently announced the launch of its latest product, the SafeAir Raptor. This latest and innovative safety system is specifically engineered for compatibility with Anzu Robotics’ Raptor and Raptor T (thermal) drone models.

    The SafeAir Raptor offers performance capabilities akin to ParaZero’s acclaimed SafeAir Mavic 3 System, providing autonomous monitoring and real-time failure detection to ensure optimal safety during drone operations. Notably, the SafeAir Raptor complies with ASTM F3322-22 standards, making it eligible for operations over people in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.

    Safe Pro Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAI), a leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-powered defense and security solutions, recently announced that it has been selected by the U.S. Army to participate in the Army Futures Command’s (AFC) Concept Focused Warfighting Experiment (CFWE) Maneuver (CFWE-M) 2026 event being held at Fort Benning, Georgia in March through April 2026.

    Army Futures Command, established in 2018, helps ensure the Army and its soldiers remain at the forefront of technological innovation and warfighting ability. The CFWE-M is a live and constructive simulation experiment held annually by the U.S. Army and serves as the primary venue for experimentation focusing on the small unit level. CFWE-M supports small unit modernization by providing Cross Function Teams (CFT), Centers of Excellence (CoE) capability developers, Science and Technology (S&T) community, and industry an opportunity to collaborate with the Army.

    Arbe Robotics Ltd. (NASDAQ: ARBE) recently announced that Sensrad, a leading radar Tier-1 supplier based in Sweden, has begun delivering its first radar series powered by Arbe’s chipset to customers. These radars are destined for deployment in a defense sector autonomous off-road vehicle application and in an intelligent road infrastructure project.

    Sensrad recently placed a significant purchase order for Arbe chipsets, a key step toward the commercialization of its radar solutions. These chipsets will be used in multiple programs, including an initiative involving autonomous vehicles for off-road applications for a strategic US customer in the defense sector, the China-based Tianyi Transportation project, and several customer evaluations. Sensrad’s progress reflects its growing commitment to expanding radar adoption across diverse verticals beyond traditional passenger automotive markets.

    To accelerate the deployment Arbe and Sensrad have signed a comprehensive support and maintenance agreement to reinforce Sensrad’s 4D Imaging Radar program built on Arbe’s advanced chipset technology. Under the terms of the agreement, Sensrad will pay Arbe a recurring fee for continued support, maintenance, and professional services.

    About FN Media Group:

    At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases

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    DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated fifty one hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by ZenaTech, Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: New peace plan increases pressure on Israel and US as momentum grows for Palestinian statehood

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics, Clinton Institute, University College Dublin

    A new vision for Middle East peace emerged this week which proposes the withdrawal of Israel from Gaza and the West Bank, the disarming and disbanding of Hamas and the creation of a unified Palestinian state. The plan emerged from a “high-level conference” in New York on July 29, which assembled representatives of 17 states, the European Union and the Arab League.

    The resulting proposal is “a comprehensive and actionable framework for the implementation of the two-state solution and the achievement of peace and security for all”.

    Signatories include Turkey and the Middle Eastern states of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Jordan. Europe was represented by France, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain and the UK. Indonesia was there for Asia, Senegal for Africa, and Brazil, Canada and Mexico for the Americas. Neither the US nor Israel were present.

    Significantly, it is the first time the Arab states have called for Hamas to disarm and disband. But, while condemning Hamas’s attack on Israel of October 7 2023 and recalling that the taking of hostages is a violation of international law, the document is unsparing in its connection between a state of Palestine and an end to Israel’s assault on Gaza’s civilians.

    It says: “Absent decisive measures toward the two-state solution and robust international guarantees, the conflict will deepen and regional peace will remain elusive.”

    A plan for the reconstruction of Gaza will be developed by the Arab states and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation – a Jeddah-based group which aims to be the collective voice of the Muslim world – supported by an international fund. The details will be hammered out at a Gaza Reconstruction and Recovery Conference, to be held in Cairo.

    It is a bold initiative. In theory, it could end the Israeli mass killing in Gaza, remove Hamas from power and begin the implementation of a process for a state of Palestine. The question is whether it has any chance of success.

    First, there appears to be growing momentum to press ahead with recognition of the state of Palestine as part of a comprehensive peace plan leading to a two-state solution. France, the UK and, most recently, Canada have announced they would take that step at the UN general assembly in September. The UK stated that it would do so unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire and the commencement of a substantive peace process.




    Read more:
    UK and France pledges won’t stop Netanyahu bombing Gaza – but Donald Trump or Israel’s military could


    These announcements follow those made in May 2024 by Spain, Ireland and Norway, three of the other European signatories. By the end of September at least 150 of the UN’s 193 members will recognise Palestinian statehood. Recognition is largely symbolic without a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from both Gaza and the West Bank. But it is essential symbolism.

    For years, many European countries, Canada, Australia and the US have said that recognition could not be declared if there was the prospect of Israel-Palestine negotiations. Now the sequence is reversed: recognition is necessary as pressure for a ceasefire and the necessary talks to ensure the security of both Israelis and Palestinians.

    Israel accelerated that reversal at the start of March, when it rejected the scheduled move to phase two of the six-week ceasefire negotiated with the help of the US, and imposed a blockade on aid coming into the Strip.

    The Netanyahu government continues to hold out against the ceasefire. But its loud blame of Hamas is becoming harder to accept. The images of the starvation in Gaza and warnings by doctors, humanitarian organisations and the UN of an effective famine with the deaths of thousands can no longer be denied.

    Saudi Arabia and Qatar, behind the scenes and through their embassies, have been encouraging European countries to make the jump to recognition. Their efforts at the UN conference in New York this week are another front of that campaign.

    Israel and the Trump administration

    But in the short term, there is little prospect of the Netanyahu government giving way with its mass killing, let alone entering talks for two states. Notably neither Israel nor the US took part in the conference.

    Trump has criticised the scenes of starvation in Gaza. But his administration has joined Netanyahu in vitriolic denunciation of France and the UK over their intentions to recognise Palestine. And the US president has warned the Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, that recognition of Palestinian statehood would threaten Canada’s trade deal with the US.

    In response to Trump’s concern over the images of starving children and his exhortation “We’ve got to get the kids fed,” Israel has airdropped a few pallets of aid – less than a truck’s worth. Yet this appears more of a public relations exercise directed at Washington than a genuine attempt to ease the terrible condition on the Strip.

    A small number of lorries with supplies from UN and humanitarian organisations have also crossed the border, but only after lengthy delays and with half still held up. There is no security for transport and delivery of the aid inside Gaza.

    A sacrifice for a state?

    So the conference declaration is not relief for Gaza. Instead, it is yet another marker of Israel’s increasing isolation.

    After France’s announcement, the Netanyahu government thundered: “Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy … A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel.”

    But while recognising Hamas’s mass killing of October 7 2023, most governments and their populations do not perceive Israel as attacking Hamas and its fighters. They see the Netanyahu government and Israeli military slaying and starving civilians.

    Even in the US, where the Trump administration is trying to crush sympathy for Palestine and Gazans in universities, non-governmental organisations and the public sphere, opinion is shifting.

    In a Gallup poll taken in the US and released on July 29, only 32% of respondents supported Israel’s actions in Gaza – an all-time low – and 60% opposed them. Netanyahu was viewed unfavourably by 52% and favourably by only 29%.

    Israel has lost its moment of “normalisation” with Arab states. Its economic links are strained and its oft-repeated claim to being the “Middle East’s only democracy” is bloodstained beyond recognition.

    This will be of no comfort to the people of Gaza facing death. But in the longer term, there is the prospect that this sacrifice will be the catalyst to recognise Palestine that disappeared in 1948.


    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

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

    ref. New peace plan increases pressure on Israel and US as momentum grows for Palestinian statehood – https://theconversation.com/new-peace-plan-increases-pressure-on-israel-and-us-as-momentum-grows-for-palestinian-statehood-262259

    MIL OSI Analysis

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: New peace plan increases pressure on Israel and US as momentum grows for Palestinian statehood

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics, Clinton Institute, University College Dublin

    A new vision for Middle East peace emerged this week which proposes the withdrawal of Israel from Gaza and the West Bank, the disarming and disbanding of Hamas and the creation of a unified Palestinian state. The plan emerged from a “high-level conference” in New York on July 29, which assembled representatives of 17 states, the European Union and the Arab League.

    The resulting proposal is “a comprehensive and actionable framework for the implementation of the two-state solution and the achievement of peace and security for all”.

    Signatories include Turkey and the Middle Eastern states of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Jordan. Europe was represented by France, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain and the UK. Indonesia was there for Asia, Senegal for Africa, and Brazil, Canada and Mexico for the Americas. Neither the US nor Israel were present.

    Significantly, it is the first time the Arab states have called for Hamas to disarm and disband. But, while condemning Hamas’s attack on Israel of October 7 2023 and recalling that the taking of hostages is a violation of international law, the document is unsparing in its connection between a state of Palestine and an end to Israel’s assault on Gaza’s civilians.

    It says: “Absent decisive measures toward the two-state solution and robust international guarantees, the conflict will deepen and regional peace will remain elusive.”

    A plan for the reconstruction of Gaza will be developed by the Arab states and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation – a Jeddah-based group which aims to be the collective voice of the Muslim world – supported by an international fund. The details will be hammered out at a Gaza Reconstruction and Recovery Conference, to be held in Cairo.

    It is a bold initiative. In theory, it could end the Israeli mass killing in Gaza, remove Hamas from power and begin the implementation of a process for a state of Palestine. The question is whether it has any chance of success.

    First, there appears to be growing momentum to press ahead with recognition of the state of Palestine as part of a comprehensive peace plan leading to a two-state solution. France, the UK and, most recently, Canada have announced they would take that step at the UN general assembly in September. The UK stated that it would do so unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire and the commencement of a substantive peace process.




    Read more:
    UK and France pledges won’t stop Netanyahu bombing Gaza – but Donald Trump or Israel’s military could


    These announcements follow those made in May 2024 by Spain, Ireland and Norway, three of the other European signatories. By the end of September at least 150 of the UN’s 193 members will recognise Palestinian statehood. Recognition is largely symbolic without a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from both Gaza and the West Bank. But it is essential symbolism.

    For years, many European countries, Canada, Australia and the US have said that recognition could not be declared if there was the prospect of Israel-Palestine negotiations. Now the sequence is reversed: recognition is necessary as pressure for a ceasefire and the necessary talks to ensure the security of both Israelis and Palestinians.

    Israel accelerated that reversal at the start of March, when it rejected the scheduled move to phase two of the six-week ceasefire negotiated with the help of the US, and imposed a blockade on aid coming into the Strip.

    The Netanyahu government continues to hold out against the ceasefire. But its loud blame of Hamas is becoming harder to accept. The images of the starvation in Gaza and warnings by doctors, humanitarian organisations and the UN of an effective famine with the deaths of thousands can no longer be denied.

    Saudi Arabia and Qatar, behind the scenes and through their embassies, have been encouraging European countries to make the jump to recognition. Their efforts at the UN conference in New York this week are another front of that campaign.

    Israel and the Trump administration

    But in the short term, there is little prospect of the Netanyahu government giving way with its mass killing, let alone entering talks for two states. Notably neither Israel nor the US took part in the conference.

    Trump has criticised the scenes of starvation in Gaza. But his administration has joined Netanyahu in vitriolic denunciation of France and the UK over their intentions to recognise Palestine. And the US president has warned the Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, that recognition of Palestinian statehood would threaten Canada’s trade deal with the US.

    In response to Trump’s concern over the images of starving children and his exhortation “We’ve got to get the kids fed,” Israel has airdropped a few pallets of aid – less than a truck’s worth. Yet this appears more of a public relations exercise directed at Washington than a genuine attempt to ease the terrible condition on the Strip.

    A small number of lorries with supplies from UN and humanitarian organisations have also crossed the border, but only after lengthy delays and with half still held up. There is no security for transport and delivery of the aid inside Gaza.

    A sacrifice for a state?

    So the conference declaration is not relief for Gaza. Instead, it is yet another marker of Israel’s increasing isolation.

    After France’s announcement, the Netanyahu government thundered: “Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy … A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel.”

    But while recognising Hamas’s mass killing of October 7 2023, most governments and their populations do not perceive Israel as attacking Hamas and its fighters. They see the Netanyahu government and Israeli military slaying and starving civilians.

    Even in the US, where the Trump administration is trying to crush sympathy for Palestine and Gazans in universities, non-governmental organisations and the public sphere, opinion is shifting.

    In a Gallup poll taken in the US and released on July 29, only 32% of respondents supported Israel’s actions in Gaza – an all-time low – and 60% opposed them. Netanyahu was viewed unfavourably by 52% and favourably by only 29%.

    Israel has lost its moment of “normalisation” with Arab states. Its economic links are strained and its oft-repeated claim to being the “Middle East’s only democracy” is bloodstained beyond recognition.

    This will be of no comfort to the people of Gaza facing death. But in the longer term, there is the prospect that this sacrifice will be the catalyst to recognise Palestine that disappeared in 1948.


    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

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

    ref. New peace plan increases pressure on Israel and US as momentum grows for Palestinian statehood – https://theconversation.com/new-peace-plan-increases-pressure-on-israel-and-us-as-momentum-grows-for-palestinian-statehood-262259

    MIL OSI Analysis

  • MIL-OSI China: Russia’s Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano erupts after major earthquake

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

    A damaged kindergarten is pictured after earthquake in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatka, Russia, July 30, 2025. Russia’s Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula was hit by a magnitude 8.7 earthquake, the strongest since 1952, according to the Kamchatka branch of the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences. [Government of Kamchatka Territory/Handout via Xinhua]

    The Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano is erupting in Kamchatka following a major earthquake in the region, the Kamchatka Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ (RAS) Geophysical Service said in a Wednesday Telegram post.

    “Right now, the Klyuchevskaya Sopka is erupting,” the RAS branch reported, with the message accompanied by a photo of the volcanic eruption.

    Also, scientists are tracking flows of incandescent lava down the western slope. Currently, explosions and intense glowing are visible above the volcano. Footage has been published on the Geophysical Service’s Telegram channel.

    Earlier in the day, an 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck offshore Kamchatka, the strongest in the region since 1952.

    Klyuchevskaya Sopka stands 4,850 meters above sea level, making it Eurasia’s highest active volcano. It forms a symmetrical cone with a summit crater approximately 700 meters in diameter. Its slopes contain around 80 secondary explosion craters and cinder cones.

    The volcano lies 30 km from the settlement of Klyuchi in the Ust-Kamchatsky District, where roughly 4,500 people reside. Its last eruption was in April 2025.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Hochul is a Guest on ‘inside City Hall’

    Source: US State of New York

    arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul was a guest on NY1’s “Inside City Hall” with Errol Louis. The Governor discussed Monday night’s tragic shooting in Midtown Manhattan, the need to implement stronger gun safety legislation nationwide, federal cuts to medicaid and provided a response to redistricting.

    AUDIO: The Governor’s interview is available in audio form here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s interview is available below:

    Errol Louis, NY1: Governor Hochul is here. She joins us to talk more about that. Welcome back to the program — good to see you.

    Governor Hochul: Good to see again as well, Errol.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Governor, were State Police or investigators part of the response to the shooting?

    Governor Hochul: We always offer our assistance. We call immediately and certainly NYPD had it under control. But we are there on the periphery.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Your New York City office is really a short walk from 345 Park Ave. Does your building and the neighborhood as a whole feel safe?

    Governor Hochul: Yes, but it’s very much on everyone’s minds since this horrific massacre of four innocent people in New York. Even I walked into my office the day after, and I look at the security guards and I think about what must be going through their minds right now to know that this happened so incredibly, brazenly beyond anything anyone could have ever imagined.

    So, I feel safe where I am. I mean, this is an event the likes of which we’ve never seen here. The last mass shooting in New York City was 25 years ago, so I don’t want people to think this is a regular occurrence. I mean, no one would ever possibly think that, but it does shake that sense of security that everybody should have getting off the subway, walking into their office building, walking past the guards, and you should have the confidence to know you’re going to make it safely.

    I think there’s a lot of people right now who are just feeling really anxious about it. I can feel the — not just the sadness throughout the city, but also the, “Am I going to be okay?”

    I was speaking to one of the victim’s spouses and his advice to me was, “Go home and hug your husband because you don’t know how long you have each other,” and I think that’s a reminder as New Yorkers of never taking for granted the fact that we have people in our lives we cherish, and when they’re gone, there’s nothing more devastating.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Absolutely. You are calling for reinstituting the assault weapons ban that America had for about a decade or so. You are also — I think I heard you talking about how New York laws, if applied nationally or in other states, would really cut down on a lot of these kinds of tragedies.

    Governor Hochul: Absolutely. We have the toughest gun laws in the nation. I have added to them, especially after something we spoke about a number of times, which is the massacre of 10 individuals in my hometown of Buffalo. I went back and toughened our laws and raised the age for acquisition of guns and furthered the red flag laws, expanding them. We now have 4,300 guns that have been taken out of the hands of people who could have used them to harm themselves or others — that’s how you prevent these tragedies.

    So other states could do this — we’ve banned assault weapons, there’s no high capacity magazines — but as long as other states do it and someone can cross our state lines by simply getting into a vehicle, we are not safe. And if every state on their own followed what we’re doing, they can also claim to be safe states.

    We also have the lowest homicide rate using guns of anywhere in the nation of the large states — it’s extraordinary. The laws are working. The data proves there are more people walking our streets that are alive today because our gun laws have protected them.

    Now, every state could manage the way we have, but also with respect to the assault weapons, there needs to be a national ban. It is within the realm of possibility. We had it for an entire decade, and Bill Clinton put it in motion in 1994 and George Bush let it lapse in 2004. And at that moment, we knew that we were more vulnerable to mass casualty events in our schools and at concerts, grocery stores or even in office buildings because of that action. Let’s restore it once again.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Okay. There’s been a lot of political development since 2004 and there’s a large constituency out there, so we’ll see where that goes. Let me switch to a different topic.

    The Republican-controlled Legislature in Texas is proposing a mid-decade redistricting. Normally you wait 10 years and then you do it after the census, but they’re proposing new lines — they were really released today — that would make five Democratic seats majority Republican. Basically, they’re trying to sort of really improve the politics and change, possibly, the control of the House or secure control of the House of Representatives. You’ve suggested that New York might do something similar.

    Governor Hochul: What they’re doing is outlandish. They’re not playing by the rules, but a state like New York who has played by the rules should not be at disadvantage when another state and Donald Trump, at his direction, is basically disenfranchising communities of color represented by Democrats and putting them under Republican control, who, as we know, will never represent their interests. They won’t fight for health care, they won’t fight for nutrition programs, they won’t save them from the Big Ugly Bill which is hurting our country.

    So New York, I’m looking at all of our options — we do have options. I’ve had many conversations at high levels and I’ll be announcing what our plans are going forward. But we’re not going to sit down and just take this, that’s not who we are. We have to fight back, we have to fight back hard, and, as I’ve said, all is fair in love and war. You want to play by new rules, then we’ll get new rules.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Okay, fair enough. Speaking of new rules, there’s a question on the ballot this fall for New York City voters asking whether or not we should change our municipal elections to coincide with the presidential election. I was wondering if you have an opinion about that.

    Governor Hochul: We did this at the state level because there’s not usually a lot of interest in the local election for supervisors and mayors and councilmembers — that’s the world I come out of. I was 14 years as a local official and they used to call it the “off-years,” and the “on-years” were presidential or when the governor runs, which always has a higher turnout.

    It is so important to me that we get more people participating in this process, and I do believe that if all the elections were shifted to the presidential year, there would be a lot of interest. People can process multiple elections at the same time, they can think about who they want for their local officials as well as the President, and it gives an opportunity for a party like the Democrats to have one coherent, strong message to help carry our candidates from the bottom on to the top.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Let me ask you about that, though. Let’s take you back to Kathy Hochul as Mayor of Hamburg, right? I mean if you are dealing with where to put the municipal waste water treatment center and there’s also conversations going on about war and peace and tariffs and everything else, isn’t there a concern — or a likelihood, frankly — that local issues will just get tossed?

    Governor Hochul: No. One of the reasons I think that there’s not the voter participation that we should have in a country like the United States of America — it is a privilege to vote, people shed blood for this right, it was denied to people of color for so many decades — for a hundred years — and people won that right. I want more people to exercise it. And what happens is in a non-presidential election, non-governor’s election year, there’s not as much attention. New York is a little bit different, but there’s not as much attention on this and I do believe that more people will turn out and participate.

    More people vote for president than any election out of this cycle. Why wouldn’t we want those people to also be able to select who their leaders are at the local level? We wish everybody would participate all four years but they don’t, so let’s acknowledge human nature.

    And I also think there’s something that goes on — it’s election fatigue. People need a break, otherwise it’s nonstop campaigning all-year-round for four straight years. And I think when you sometimes have special elections, and vacancies, and the mayor — we have school board races at different times — it’s very confusing to people. So let’s just simplify it and have one big election.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Okay. And you’re comfortable being part of that as Governor?

    Governor Hochul: Absolutely.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Okay, very interesting. We’ll see how that works out. While we’re talking about national issues, one result of the bill that President Trump just signed into law, the Essential Medicaid Plan that covers 1.6 million New Yorkers is being cut back. My understanding is that on January 1, an estimated 700,000 people are going to get kicked off that plan and they’ll have to go to the state-only Medicaid program, which will cost the State almost $3 billion. Is there a contingency in place for that, or is this going to be part of the next Budget?

    Governor Hochul: No, well, we have the time because the number of people who will be affected will be actually more 2027. So it’ll be — in our ‘26 function when we do our ‘27 Budget, we’ll be able to address it then. But, look at what we’re being asked to do.

    The Republicans can make all the cuts they want, save money for themselves and push it out onto the State — something that has always been a shared responsibility and expecting our residents to pay for something that they never had to before. So it’s hard to put this on the State. We receive about $93 billion in assistance from the federal government every year — we can’t make all that up. What we can do is be strategic about this.

    We don’t want people to go hungry in our state — that’s not going to happen. We want people to have health care, it’s critically important, so we’re going to have to prioritize our spending, but we can do that. There’s no urgency right now. I’m not sure for sure that we won’t come back in a special session, but I want people to understand it would not make a difference because what we would do this fall can be done in January or during the Budget process, because these cuts are not going to take place until later

    I want people to understand why there’s not the urgency to go have a special session today. for example.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Let me switch topics. We’ve been reporting that the State Office of Cannabis Management has notified over 150 dispensaries — including 88 here in the city — that they’re out of compliance, that there are laws that require them to be at least 500 feet from schools, and churches and so forth.

    The source of the problem seems to be that it was calculated wrong — the measurements were calculated wrong. What’s the fix that’s needed?

    Governor Hochul: The Legislature, when they wrote the legislation, decided to have 500 feet away from the property line. Some campuses of schools are quite large, so it does push out the opportunity for these businesses quite a bit further out.

    The State Liquor Authority, for example, has it be 500 feet from the front door, which is how it was applied by, interestingly, the previous individuals running Office of Cannabis Management who are no longer there. We went in and did an audit to see what was not working there and this was uncovered that they had applied the law incorrectly.

    But I don’t think it should be born on the backs of these people — so many of them, their life savings, they’re going to these businesses. They’ve worked hard to go through the lengthy process to be licensed and then to have a location. So I have said we are going to stand up for them. These are entrepreneurs, they’re small business owners — many from communities of color — and this is their shot to have a chance to be successful. So, we’re not going to let anything happen to them. We’ll make them whole, and I have got to go back to the Legislature and get them persuaded to change the law to be consistent with what we do for liquor stores, for example.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Got it. And would a solution also possibly include grandfathering in the ones that are already opening up.

    Governor Hochul: I’d like to do that, yes. Yeah, no, absolutely. I don’t want them hurt. They’re part of our community already, they’re working hard, they waited a long time for this, and, basically, I don’t want them screwed.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Okay. Look, we’ve got a lot more to think about as we get closer to the elections. Have you settled on a candidate? I think during the primary when I asked you about it, you said, “We’ll let New York City Democrats figure out who their nominee is and then we’ll figure it out.”

    Governor Hochul: That’s right.

    Errol Louis, NY1: So now that there is a nominee —

    Governor Hochul: I’m having very interesting conversations right now. So, there’s no urgency. The election is in November; it is the last day of July, almost August. We’ll be deciding our path forward, but it’s important to me to have a working relationship, whomever the Mayor is.

    I have said to individuals, “I can be your best friend or your worst enemy, you pick.” I can be a strong supporter — with Mayor Adams, I have been; $1 billion for City of Yes so we can build more housing. I’m paying overtime, the state is paying overtime so our subways are safer at night for the NYPD to be there.

    So, I’ve always been a strong partner. I also represent the 8.3 million people who call New York home. I have an apartment here, I’m here all the time. I’m walking the streets. I have the same complaints — like, why isn’t the garbage picked up here?

    Errol Louis, NY1: Sure.

    Governor Hochul: Why is there a scaffold building, scaffolding everywhere — it’s maddening. So I understand, but relationships are important and I think it’s important for me to have those talks in advance, any decisions I make.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Okay. Be sure to let us know when you have decided.

    Governor Hochul: We will.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Thanks so much for coming by. Great to see you.

    Governor Hochul: Good to see you, Errol.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 31, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 31, 2025.

    5 reasons why wind farms are costing more in Australia – and what to do about it
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magnus Söderberg, Professor and Director, Centre for Applied Energy Economics and Policy Research, Griffith University Saeed Khan/Getty Building a solar farm in Australia is getting about 8% cheaper each year as panel prices fall and technology improves, according to an official new report. Battery storage costs are

    Sporty spice: how romance fiction is adding a new dynamic to sports fandom
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kasey Symons, Lecturer of Communication, Sports Media, Deakin University Sports fans might love their teams, cheer or curse each game’s result and admire their favourite athletes, but we rarely associate sports with romance. However, that may be slowly changing thanks to the recent spike in the popularity

    Just as NZ began collecting meaningful data on rainbow communities, census changes threaten their visibility
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lori Leigh, Research Fellow in Public Health, University of Otago Getty Images New Zealand’s 2023 census was the first to collect data on gender identity and sexual orientation, showing one in 20 adults identify as LGBTQIA+. But just as reports from this more inclusive census are being

    Big tech says AI could boost Australia’s economy by $115 billion a year. Does the evidence stack up?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Uri Gal, Professor in Business Information Systems, University of Sydney Imaginima / Getty Images AI is on the agenda in Canberra. In August, the Productivity Commission will release an interim report on harnessing data and digital technology such as AI “to boost productivity growth, accelerate innovation and

    Progress on Closing the Gap is stagnant or going backwards. Here are 3 things to help fix it
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Madeleine Pugin, Research Fellow, School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University The Productivity Commission’s latest data on Closing the Gap progress represents an unsurprisingly grim overview of the socioeconomic inequalities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Closing the Gap is the plan federal and

    More than 2 in 5 young Australians are lonely, our new report shows. This is what could help
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle H. Lim, Associate Professor, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney Oliver Rossi/Getty Images Loneliness is not a word often associated with young people. We tend to think of our youth as a time spent with family, friends and being engaged with school and work

    How migrant business owners turn their identity into an asset, despite some bumps along the way
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shea X. Fan, Associate Professor, Human Resource Management, Deakin University Odua Images/Shutterstock Too often, it’s anti-immigration sentiment dominating headlines in Australia. But a quieter story is going untold. Migrants are not just fitting into Australian society, they’re actively reshaping it through entrepreneurship. Starting a business is difficult

    The Man from Hong Kong at 50: how the first ever Australian–Hong Kong co-production became a cult classic
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Ferris, Senior Lecturer, Media Arts & Production, University of Technology Sydney LMPC via Getty Images A cinematic firecracker of a film exploded onto international screens 50 years ago this week, blending martial arts mayhem, Bond-esque set pieces, casual racism – and a distinctly Australian swagger. From

    Rules for calculating climate risk in financial reporting by NZ businesses need revisiting – new research
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Martien Lubberink, Associate Professor of Accounting and Capital, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Andrew MacDonald/Getty Images The recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision on climate action marked a significant step forward in formalising an idea many already accept: climate inaction is not merely

    Climate justice victory at the ICJ – the student journey from USP lectures to The Hague
    By Vahefonua Tupola in Suva The University of the South Pacific (USP) is at the heart of a global legal victory with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivering a historic opinion last week affirming that states have binding legal obligations to protect the environment from human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. The case, hailed as a

    Climate justice victory at the ICJ – the student journey from USP lectures to The Hague
    By Vahefonua Tupola in Suva The University of the South Pacific (USP) is at the heart of a global legal victory with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivering a historic opinion last week affirming that states have binding legal obligations to protect the environment from human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. The case, hailed as a

    Kamchatka earthquake is among top 10 strongest ever recorded. Here’s what they have in common
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dee Ninis, Earthquake Scientist, Monash University Today at about 11:30am local time, a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula in the country’s far east. Originating at a depth of roughly 20 kilometres, today’s powerful earthquake – among the ten strongest in recorded

    Kamchatka earthquake is among top 10 strongest ever recorded. Here’s what they have in common
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dee Ninis, Earthquake Scientist, Monash University Today at about 11:30am local time, a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula in the country’s far east. Originating at a depth of roughly 20 kilometres, today’s powerful earthquake – among the ten strongest in recorded

    Tsunami warnings are triggering mass evacuations across the Pacific – even though the waves look small. Here’s why
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milad Haghani, Associate Professor and Principal Fellow in Urban Risk and Resilience, The University of Melbourne Last night, one of the ten largest earthquakes ever recorded struck Kamchatka, the sparsely populated Russian peninsula facing the Pacific. The magnitude 8.8 quake had its epicentre in the sea just

    NAPLAN is just one test. Here’s what to do if your child’s results were in the bottom bands
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sally Larsen, Senior Lecturer in Education, University of New England Rawpixel/ Getty Images The latest round of NAPLAN results are out, along with a string of news reports about “students falling behind” and “failing”, and experts sounding the “alarm” about school progress. In March, all Australian students

    Inflation slows again — but is it enough for the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stella Huangfu, Associate Professor, School of Economics, University of Sydney Doublelee/Shutterstock Inflation is moving in the right direction, but new figures released today may not be soft enough to trigger a cut in official interest rates in August. The Australian Bureau of Statistics released the June quarter

    With the UK and France moving toward recognising Palestine, will Australia now follow suit?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law, Australian National University One of the smallest and most exclusive clubs in the world belongs to states. The US Department of State puts the number of independent recognised states at 197, while others count 200. The United Nations, meanwhile, has 193

    With the UK and France moving toward recognising Palestine, will Australia follow suit?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law, Australian National University One of the smallest and most exclusive clubs in the world belongs to states. The US Department of State puts the number of independent recognised states at 197, while others count 200. The United Nations, meanwhile, has 193

    An underwater observatory keeping the pulse of the Southern Ocean for nearly 30 years yields fresh results
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Traill, PhD Candidate Southern Ocean biogeochemistry, University of Tasmania Elizabeth Shadwick In a world affected by climate change, the Southern Ocean plays an outsized role. It absorbs up to 40% of the human-caused emissions taken up by the oceans while also being home to some of

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI China: Renewables capacity doubles in first half

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

    A farmer works amid photovoltaic panels at a solar power station in the Yi-Hui-Miao Autonomous County of Weining, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, July 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s newly installed wind and solar power capacity nearly doubled year-on-year during the first half of this year, as the country ramps up its transition to cleaner energy sources, data from the China Electricity Council showed.

    Newly added power generation capacity during the first six months reached 290 million kilowatts, with new solar installations rising 107.1 percent year-on-year to 210 million kilowatts, and new wind power installations up 98.9 percent to 50 million kilowatts, it said.

    China’s renewable energy sector is expected to maintain rapid growth, with average annual new installed capacity reaching 200-300 million kilowatts during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), said Zhang Lin, head of the council’s planning and development department, during a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

    The near doubling of China’s wind and solar capacity in the first half is a clear signal of the country’s accelerating commitment to its energy transition goals, said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.

    “These installation figures demonstrate China’s ability to rapidly deploy renewable energy technologies at scale, positioning it as a global leader in clean energy investment and deployment.”

    According to the council, China’s power generation capacity is projected to hit a record high in 2025, fueled by a rapid expansion of renewable energy sources.

    New power generation capacity is expected to exceed 500 gigawatts in 2025, with new renewable energy capacity reaching approximately 400 GW, a result of China’s accelerated green energy transition and increasing investment in grid construction, the CEC said.

    Total installed power generation capacity is forecast to reach around 3.9 terawatts by the end of 2025, a year-on-year increase of approximately 16.5 percent. Nonfossil fuel sources are expected to account for 2.4 TW, or about 61 percent of total capacity, said Jiang Debin, deputy director of the council’s statistics and data center.

    The CEC also anticipates steady growth in China’s electricity demand in 2025, with total consumption expected to increase by 5-6 percent. Electricity demand is projected to grow faster in the second half of the year compared to the first, it said.

    China’s maximum power load once again set a new historical record on July 16, surpassing 1.5 billion kilowatts for the first time and reaching a peak of 1.506 billion kilowatts, according to the National Energy Administration.

    This represents an increase of 55 million kilowatts compared to last year’s peak load, the third time a historical record has been broken in July, it said.

    According to Chen Yaning, head of the council’s power supply and demand analysis department, the record reflects steady expansion in China’s electricity consumption, a key barometer of economic activity.

    Fueled by robust and sustained economic activity, power demand surged across the nation in the first half of this year, with industrial output, commercial operations and residential consumption all contributing to the heightened electricity needs, she said.

    “Equipment manufacturing and consumer goods manufacturing related to new quality productive forces have maintained strong resilience,” said Chen.

    The internet and related services sector saw a 27.4 percent year-on-year increase in electricity consumption, driven by the rapid development of mobile internet, big data and cloud computing.

    The charging and battery swapping services sector for electric vehicles saw a 42.4 percent increase in electricity consumption in the first half of the year, fueled by the rapid growth of the EV market.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI: Societe Generale: Second quarter and first half 2025 results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RESULTS AT 30 JUNE 2025

    Press release                                                         
    Paris, 31 July 2025, 6:25 a.m.

    GROUP NET INCOME OF EUR 3.1BN IN H1 25, UP +71% VS. H1 24

    UPGRADE OF 2025 TARGETS

    FIRST ADDITIONAL SHARE BUY-BACK OF EUR 1BN

    NEW INTERIM CASH DIVIDEND OF EUR 0.611 PER SHARE

    • Group revenues at EUR 13.9 billion in H1 25, up +8.6% excluding asset disposals vs. H1 24, exceeding 2025 annual target > +3%
    • Costs down -2.6% in H1 25 vs. H1 24, excluding asset disposals, ahead of our 2025 annual target of a decrease higher than -1%
    • Cost / income ratio at 64.4% in H1 25, below the initial annual target of <66% for 2025
    • Solid asset quality with a low cost of risk at 24bps in H1 25, below the 2025 annual target of 25 to 30 basis points
    • Group net income of EUR 3.1 billion in H1 25, up +71% vs. H1 24, ROTE at 10.3%, above the initial annual target of >8% for 2025
    • As in H1 25, strong performance in Q2 25, C/I ratio at 63.8% (vs. 68.4% in Q2 24), Group net income of EUR 1.5bn (+31% vs. Q2 24) and ROTE at 9.7%
    • Upgrade of the 2025 financial targets driven by better than guided revenues and costs:
      • Cost / income ratio now expected below 65% in 2025
      • ROTE target for 2025 increased to ~9% in 2025
    • First distribution of excess capital in the form of an additional share buy-back of EUR 1 billion (~-25 basis points of the CET1 ratio), to be launched as soon as 4 August 2025
    • CET1 ratio at 13.5% at the end of Q2 25 after additional share buy-back of EUR 1bn, around 330 basis points above the regulatory requirement
    • The Board of Directors approved an amendment to the distribution policy, introducing an interim cash dividend payable in the fourth quarter of each year from 2025 onwards. For the first half of 2025, an interim dividend of EUR 0.611 per share will be paid on 9 October 2025

    Slawomir Krupa, Group Chief Executive Officer, commented:

    “We are once again reporting strong results this quarter with a solid commercial and financial performance in all our businesses. Revenue growth, cost reduction, cost income ratio and profitability improvement: we are ahead of all our annual targets for the first half of the year, and we have revised them upwards for the full year 2025. With a high capital ratio, well above our target, we decided to provide an additional distribution to shareholders in the form of a share buy-back and to introduce an interim dividend for the first half of 2025. I would like to thank all our teams for their commitment to our clients and to our Bank. We remain fully focused on the precise and methodical execution of our 2026 roadmap to continue delivering sustainable and profitable growth for all our stakeholders.”

    1. GROUP CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
    In EURm Q2 25 Q2 24 Change H1 25 H1 24 Change
    Net banking income 6,791 6,685 +1.6% +7.8%* 13,874 13,330 +4.1% +8.8%*
    Operating expenses (4,331) (4,570) -5.2% -0.1%* (8,935) (9,550) -6.4% -2.6%*
    Gross operating income 2,460 2,115 +16.4% +25.3%* 4,939 3,780 +30.7% +37.8%*
    Net cost of risk (355) (387) -8.2% +0.7%* (699) (787) -11.1% -4.9%*
    Operating income 2,105 1,728 +21.8% +30.6%* 4,240 2,993 +41.7% +48.8%*
    Net profits or losses from other assets 75 (8) n/s n/s 277 (88) n/s n/s
    Income tax (477) (379) +25.8% +37.7%* (967) (653) +48.1% +58.3%*
    Net income 1,702 1,348 +26.3% +34.6%* 3,557 2,265 +57.1% +64.4%*
    o/w non-controlling interests 249 235 +5.8% +11.5%* 496 472 +5.0% +11.3%*
    Group net income 1,453 1,113 +30.6% +39.6%* 3,061 1,793 +70.8% +78.1%*
    ROE 8.6% 6.5%     9.1% 5.1% +0.0% +0.0%*
    ROTE 9.7% 7.4%     10.3% 5.8% +0.0% +0.0%*
    Cost to income 63.8% 68.4%     64.4% 71.6% +0.0% +0.0%*

    Asterisks* in the document refer to data at constant scope and exchange rates

    Societe Generale’s Board of Directors, at a meeting chaired by Lorenzo Bini Smaghi on 30 July 2025, reviewed the Societe Generale Group’s results for the second quarter and first half of 2025.

    Net banking income 

    Net banking income stood at EUR 6.8 billion, up +1.6% vs. Q2 24 and +7.1% excluding asset disposals.

    Revenues of French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance were up +6.5% vs. Q2 24 (+10.7% excluding asset disposals). They stood at EUR 2.3 billion in Q2 25. Net interest income grew strongly in Q2 25 by +14.8% vs. Q2 24, and by +2.4% when restating the disposals and the impact of short-term hedges recognised in Q2 24 (around EUR -150 million). Assets under management in Private Banking (excluding disposals of the Swiss and UK operations) and life insurance outstandings increased by +6% and +5% in Q2 25 vs. Q2 24 respectively. Lastly, BoursoBank continued its strong commercial development with ~424,000 new clients during the quarter, and has reached 8 million clients in July 2025, ahead of its initial 2026 guidance given at the Capital Markets Day in September 2023.

    Global Banking and Investor Solutions maintained a high level of revenues of EUR 2.6 billion in Q2 25, up +0.7% vs. Q2 24 owing to the continued sustained activity in Fixed Income and Currencies and in Financing and Advisory. Global Markets posted a revenue base up +0.8% in Q2 25, compared with a level that was already very high in Q2 24. The Equities business maintained a very high level of revenues, although this fell slightly by -2.9% in Q2 25, compared with an elevated level in Q2 24, mainly due to the positive commercial momentum in derivatives. Fixed Income and Currencies grew by 7.3%, driven by buoyant activity in flow and financing products. Securities Services posted a slight decrease in revenues of -3.1% due to the impact of the fall in interest rates. Global Banking & Advisory benefited from the strong performance of the acquisition finance, fund financing and project finance businesses, as well as from the solid momentum in loan origination and distribution. Lastly, despite robust commercial activity with corporate and institutional clients, Global Transaction & Payment Services recorded a fall in revenues of -4.7% compared with Q2 24, also due to the contraction of interest rates.

    In Mobility, International Retail Banking and Financial Services, revenues were down -5.6% vs. Q2 24 mainly due to a scope effect of around EUR -260 million in Q2 25. Excluding the impact of asset disposals, they were up +7.3%. International Retail Banking recorded a -12.1% fall in revenues vs. Q2 24 to
    EUR 0.9 billion, due to a scope effect related to the disposals completed in Africa (mainly Morocco and Madagascar). They rose +2.7% at constant perimeter and exchange rates. Revenues from Mobility and Financial Services were up +0.4% vs. Q2 24 and up +11.7% excluding the disposal of SGEF. Ayvens’ revenues grew by +10.6% vs. Q2 24, with notably improved margins. Consumer Finance posted a revenue increase of +12.6%, notably driven by higher net interest income.

    The Corporate Centre recorded revenues of EUR -160 million in Q2 25.

    In the first half of the year, the Group’s net banking income increased by +4.1% vs. H1 24 and +8.6% excluding asset disposals.

    Operating expenses 

    Operating expenses came to EUR 4,331 million in Q2 25, down -5.2% vs. Q2 24 and -0.6% excluding asset disposals.

    The slight decrease in operating expenses in Q2 25 excluding asset disposals largely results from the accounting of an exceptional charge of approximately EUR 100 million2 related to the launch of a Global Employee Share Ownership Programme in June 2025. Restated from this non-recurring item, operating expenses were down -2.8% vs. Q2 24, confirming the strong cost control at Group level. In Q2 25, transformation charges fell by EUR -93 million vs. Q2 24.

    The cost-to-income ratio stood at 63.8% in Q2 25, down from Q2 24 (68.4%) and below the initial guidance of <66% for 2025.

    In the first half of the year, operating expenses fell significantly by -2.6% vs. H1 24 (excluding asset disposals). The cost-to-income ratio stood at 64.4% (vs. 71.6% in H1 24), also ahead of the initial 2025 guidance of <66%.

    Revenues and costs in H1 25 being ahead of the initial targets in H1 25, the C/I ratio target is now at <65% in 2025.

    Cost of risk

    The cost of risk remained low during the quarter at 25 basis points, or EUR 355 million and is still at the lower end of the target set for 2025 of between 25 and 30 basis points. This comprises a
    EUR 390 million provision for doubtful loans (around 27 basis points) and a reversal of a provision for performing loans for EUR 35 million.

    At end-June, the Group had a stock of provisions for performing loans of EUR 3,011 million, down by -3.8% from 31 March 2025, mainly driven by asset disposals and FX impact.

    The gross non-performing loan ratio amounted to 2.77%3,4 at 30 June 2025, down compared with its level at end-March 2025 (2.82%). The net coverage ratio on the Group’s non-performing loans stood at 81%5 at 30 June 2025 (after netting of guarantees and collateral).

    Net profits from other assets

    The Group recorded a net profit of EUR 75 million in Q2 25, mainly related to the accounting impacts resulting from the sale of Societe Generale Burkina Faso, completed in June 2025.

    Group net income

    Group net income stood at EUR 1,453 million for the quarter, equating to a Return on Tangible Equity (ROTE) of 9.7%.

    In the first half of the year, Group net income stood at EUR 3,061 million, equating to a Return on Tangible Equity (ROTE) of 10.3%, higher than the target set for 2025 of >8%.

    Considering the performance in the first half of 2025, the Group is now targeting a ROTE of around 9% in 2025.

    Shareholder distribution

    The Board of Directors approved an amendment to the distribution policy, introducing an interim cash dividend payable in the fourth quarter of each year from 2025 onwards. Based on the financial statements for the first half of 2025, the Board of Directors has decided the payment of an interim dividend of EUR 0.61 per share. The ex-dividend date will be on 7 October 2025 and the payment on 9 October 2025.

    In addition, as part of the first application of a possible option of the Group’s new distribution policy announced on 6 February 20256, a distribution of excess capital will be made in the form of an additional EUR 1 billion share buy-back. Authorisations, including the one from the ECB, have been obtained7 to launch this programme, which will start on 4 August 2025.

    1. ESG: PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE

    The Group announced the composition of its Scientific Advisory Council this quarter. The role of this body is to provide the General Management with ESG insights, taking a science-based approach to the key emerging trends that will influence the economic environment and the Group’s activities in the future. Composed of eight expert members with complementary skills, the Council will provide holistic views in order to identify long-term opportunities and challenges (for more details, see Societe Generale unveils the composition of its Scientific Advisory Council – Societe Generale).

    At the same time, Societe Generale is continuing to develop its actions for the energy transition, as well as innovative financing solutions to support its customers:

    • During the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), Societe Generale recalled its efforts to protect marine ecosystems and its key role in the transition to a more sustainable maritime economy. It acted as the exclusive advisor to Eurazeo for the “Maritime Upgrade” debt fund (Eurazeo and Societe Generale to join forces to support the sustainable transition of the maritime sector – Wholesale Banking).
    • Through its subsidiary REED, Societe Generale has invested in Voltekko Tech, a platform specialising in energy-efficient data centres. A total of nine investments, mainly in the energy sector, have been made since the acquisition of REED.

    Lastly, Societe Generale received the Euromoney award for “The World’s Best Bank for ESG”, together with an excellent rating from Sustainalytics, at 15.4 – an improvement on the rating assigned by the agency in its last review, which positions it among the world’s best banks (top 12%).

    1. THE GROUP’S FINANCIAL STRUCTURE

    At 30 June 2025, the Group’s Common Equity Tier 1 ratio stood at 13.5%, or around 330 basis points above the regulatory requirement. Likewise, the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) was also well above regulatory requirements at 148% at end-June 2025 (149% on average for the quarter), while the Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) stood at 117% at end-June 2025.

    All liquidity and solvency ratios are well above the regulatory requirements.

      30/06/2025 31/12/2024 Requirements
    CET1(1) 13.5% 13.3% 10.22%
    Tier 1 ratio(1) 15.8% 16.1% 12.14%
    Total Capital(1) 18.4% 18.9% 14.71%
    Leverage ratio(1) 4.4% 4.3% 3.60%
    TLAC (% RWA)(1) 29.9% 29.7% 22.33%
    TLAC (% leverage)(1) 8.3% 8.0% 6.75%
    MREL (% RWA)(1) 33.4% 34.2% 27.44%
    MREL (% leverage)(1) 9.2% 9.2% 6.13%
    End of period LCR 148% 162% >100%
    Period average LCR 149% 150% >100%
    NSFR 117% 117% >100%
    In EURbn 30/06/2025 31/12/2024
    Total consolidated balance sheet 1,551 1,574
    Shareholders’ equity (IFRS), Group share 68 70
    Risk-weighted assets 388 390
    O.w. credit risk 314 327
    Total funded balance sheet 923 952
    Customer loans 456 463
    Customer deposits 594 614

    8

    As of 30 June 2025, the parent company has issued EUR 13.5 billion of medium / long-term debt under its 2025 financing programme, including EUR 4.5 billion of pre-financing raised at end-2024. The subsidiaries had issued EUR 1.8 billion. In total, the Group has issued a total of EUR 15.3 billion in medium / long-term debt since the start of the year.

    As of 30 June 2025, the parent company’s 2025 financing programme is around 80% complete for vanilla issuance.

    The Group is rated by four rating agencies: (i) Fitch Ratings – Issuer default rating “A-”, stable outlook, senior preferred debt rating “A”, short-term rating “F1”; (ii) Moody’s – long-term rating (senior preferred debt) “A1”, stable outlook, short-term rating “P-1”; (iii) R&I – long-term rating (senior preferred debt) “A”, stable outlook; and (iv) S&P Global Ratings – long-term rating (senior preferred debt) “A”, stable outlook, short-term rating “A-1”.

    1. FRENCH RETAIL, PRIVATE BANKING AND INSURANCE
    In EURm Q2 25 Q2 24 Change H1 25 H1 24 Change
    Net banking income 2,269 2,131 +6.5% 4,568 4,146 +10.2%
    Of which net interest income 1,036 902 +14.8% 2,097 1,729 +21.3%
    Of which fees 1,013 1,027 -1.4% 2,069 2,045 +1.1%
    Operating expenses (1,477) (1,649) -10.4% (3,043) (3,377) -9.9%
    Gross operating income 791 482 +64.3% 1,525 770 +98.2%
    Net cost of risk (146) (173) -15.4% (317) (420) -24.5%
    Operating income 645 309 x 2.1 1,208 350 x 3.5
    Net profits or losses from other assets 20 8 x 2.6 27 8 x 3.3
    Group net income 488 240 x 2.0 909 271 x 3.4
    RONE 11.2% 5.7%   10.4% 3.3%  
    Cost to income 65.1% 77.4%   66.6% 81.4%  

    Commercial activity

    SG Network, Private Banking and Insurance 

    The SG Network’s average outstanding deposits amounted to EUR 227 billion in Q2 25, down -3% compared with Q2 24, and -1% vs. Q1 25.

    The SG Network’s average loan outstandings contracted by -2% on Q2 24 to EUR 194 billion and were stable excluding repayments of state-guaranteed loans (PGE). Mortgage loan production saw a sharp increase of +175% vs. Q2 24.

    The average loan to deposit ratio came to 85.5% in Q2 25, down -1 percentage point relative to Q2 24.

    Private Banking saw its assets under management9 grow by +6% vs. Q2 24 to EUR 132 billion in Q2 25. Net asset inflows totalled EUR 2.3 billion in Q2 25, with asset gathering pace (annualised net new money divided by AuM) standing at +6% in H1 25. Net banking income amounted to EUR 308 million for the quarter and EUR 669 million for the first half of the year.

    Insurance, which covers activities in and outside France, posted a strong commercial performance. Life insurance outstandings increased by +5% vs. Q2 24 to reach EUR 150 billion in Q2 25. The share of unit-linked products remained high at 40%. Gross life insurance savings inflows amounted to EUR 4.8 billion in Q2 25.

    BoursoBank 

    BoursoBank reached 7.9 million clients in Q2 25, the threshold of 8 million clients being reached in July 2025. In Q2 25, the bank recorded a +22% increase in the number of clients vs. Q2 24, bringing growth in the number of clients to +1.4 million year on year. Onboarding remained high during the quarter (~424,000 new clients in Q2 25), while the attrition is very low, at less than 4%.

    BoursoBank once again confirmed its position as the French market leader, as shown by the award received from Euromoney for best digital bank in France10.

    Average outstanding savings, including deposits and financial savings, totalled EUR 69.8 billion, the average outstanding deposits increasing sharply by +16% vs. Q2 24. Average life insurance outstandings increased by +7% vs. Q2 24 (the share of unit-linked products was 48%) and gross inflows being up +12% vs. Q2 24. The brokerage activity recorded a strong increase in the number of market orders of +33% vs. Q2 24.

    Average loan outstandings rose +10% compared with Q2 24 to EUR 16.7 billion in Q2 25.

    Net banking income

    Revenues for the quarter amounted to EUR 2,269 million (including PEL/CEL provision) up +6.5% compared with Q2 24 and +10.7% excluding asset disposals. Net interest income grew by +14.8%
    vs. Q2 24 and +2.4% excluding asset disposals and the impact of short-term hedges in Q2 24. Fees were down -1.4% compared with Q2 24 and up +1.4% excluding asset disposals.

    First-half revenues came to EUR 4,568 million (including PEL/CEL provision), up +10.2% on H1 24 and +13.6% excluding asset disposals. Net interest income grew by +21.3% vs. H1 24. It is up +0.6% excluding asset disposals and the impact of short-term hedges in H1 24. Fee income rose +1.1% vs. H1 24 and +3.7% excluding asset disposals.

    Operating expenses

    Operating expenses came to EUR 1,477 million for the quarter, down -10.4% vs. Q2 24 and -5.7% excluding asset disposals. The cost-to-income ratio stood at 65.1% in Q2 25, an improvement of 12.3 percentage points vs. Q2 24.

    During the first half of the year, operating expenses amounted to EUR 3,043 million, down -9.9% compared with H1 24 and -6.2% excluding asset disposals. The cost-to-income ratio stood at 66.6%, an improvement of 14.8 percentage points vs. H1 24.

    Cost of risk

    The cost of risk amounted to EUR 146 million, or 25 basis points, for the quarter, which was lower than in Q2 24 and Q1 25 (29 basis points in both cases).

    In the first half of the year, the cost of risk totalled EUR 317 million, or 27 basis points.

    Group net income

    Group net income totalled EUR 488 million for the quarter. RONE stood at 11.2% in Q2 25.

    In the first half of the year, Group net income totalled EUR 909 million. RONE stood at 10.4% in H1 25.

    1. GLOBAL BANKING AND INVESTOR SOLUTIONS
    In EUR m Q2 25 Q2 24 Variation H1 25 H1 24 Change
    Net banking income 2,647 2,628 +0.7% +2.4%* 5,542 5,259 +5.4% +5.5%*
    Operating expenses (1,630) (1,647) -1.0% +0.2%* (3,385) (3,404) -0.5% -0.4%*
    Gross operating income 1,017 981 +3.6% +6.1%* 2,157 1,856 +16.2% +16.4%*
    Net cost of risk (81) (21) x 3.8 x 3.8* (136) (1) x 91.4 x 91.4*
    Operating income 936 960 -2.5% -0.1%* 2,021 1,854 +9.0% +9.2%*
    Reported Group net income 750 776 -3.4% -1.1%* 1,606 1,473 +9.0% +9.2%*
    RONE 16.8% 19.0% +0.0% +0.0%* 17.7% 18.2% +0.0% +0.0%*
    Cost to income 61.6% 62.7% +0.0% +0.0%* 61.1% 64.7% +0.0% +0.0%*

    Net banking income

    Global Banking and Investor Solutions reported solid results for the quarter, with revenues of
    EUR 2,647 million, remaining consistently high, slightly up +0.7% compared with Q2 24.

    In the first half of the year, revenues grew by +5.4% vs. H1 24 (EUR 5,542 million vs. EUR 5,259 million).

    Global Markets and Investor Services maintained a high level of revenues of EUR 1,753 million, stable (+0.4%) over the quarter compared with Q2 24. In the first half of the year, they amounted to EUR 3,674 million, up +5.2% vs. H1 24.

    Market Activities were slightly up during the quarter (+0.8%), with revenues of EUR 1,577 million. In the first half of the year, they rose +5.9% in comparison with H1 24 to EUR 3,336 million.

    The Equities business was resilient during the quarter, at -2.9% compared with a high level in Q2 24. Revenues stood at EUR 962 million for the quarter, driven by the positive commercial momentum in derivatives. In the first half of the year, they rose +8.7% in comparison with H1 24 to EUR 2,023 million.

    Fixed Income and Currencies rose sharply during the quarter, with revenues up +7.3% vs. Q2 24 to
    EUR 615 million, driven by a strong performance in flow and financing products. Commercial momentum remained strong during the quarter, despite an uncertain macroeconomic environment. In the first half of the year, revenues were up +1.9% from H1 24 to EUR 1,313 million.

    In Securities Services, revenues fell -3.1% compared with Q2 24 to EUR 176 million, due to the fall in interest rates. Excluding equity participations, revenues are down -2.4%. In the first half of the year, revenues were down -1.0% and -1.3% excluding equity participations. Assets under Custody and Assets under Administration amounted to EUR 5,222 billion and EUR 638 billion, respectively.

    Revenues for the Financing and Advisory business totalled EUR 895 million for the quarter, slightly up +1.3% compared with Q2 24. In the first half of the year, they were up +5.7% in comparison with H1 24 to EUR 1,868 million.

    Global Banking & Advisory posted significant revenues for the quarter, up +3.6% compared with Q2 24, driven in particular by buoyant activity in acquisition finance, fund financing and project finance. In the first half of the year, revenues were up +7.1% versus H1 24.

    Global Transaction & Payment Services delivered good commercial performance during the quarter, particularly with corporate and institutional clients. However, revenues fell by -4.7% during the quarter due to the impact of lower interest rates. In the first half of the year, revenues were up +1.6% vs. H1 24.

    Operating expenses

    Operating expenses came to EUR 1,630 million for the quarter, down -1.0% vs. Q2 24. The cost-to-income ratio was 61.6% in Q2 25.

    During the first half of the year, operating expenses contracted by -0.5% compared with H1 24, while the cost-to-income ratio reached 61.1%, vs. 64.7% in H1 24.

    Cost of risk

    During the quarter, the cost of risk was EUR 81 million, or 19 basis points vs. 5 basis points in Q2 24.

    During the first half of the year, the cost of risk was EUR 136 million, or 16 basis points vs. 0 basis points in H1 24.

    Group net income

    Group net income fell -3.4% vs. Q2 24 to EUR 750 million. In the first half of the year, it rose +9.0% to
    EUR 1,606 million.

    Global Banking and Investor Solutions reported RONE of 16.8% for the quarter and RONE of 17.7% for the first half of the year.

    1. MOBILITY, INTERNATIONAL RETAIL BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
    In EURm Q2 25 Q2 24 Change H1 25 H1 24 Change
    Net banking income 2,036 2,157 -5.6% +7.2%* 4,036 4,318 -6.5% +4.1%*
    Operating expenses (1,059) (1,261) -16.0% -4.2%* (2,240) (2,611) -14.2% -4.5%*
    Gross operating income 977 896 +8.9% +22.9%* 1,796 1,707 +5.3% +17.4%*
    Net cost of risk (126) (189) -33.1% -18.4%* (250) (370) -32.4% -21.2%*
    Operating income 850 708 +20.1% +32.9%* 1,546 1,336 +15.7% +27.5%*
    Net profits or losses from other assets 0 (0) n/s n/s 0 4 -92.7% -92.7%*
    Non-controlling interests 246 211 +16.5% +23.5%* 458 406 +12.6% +20.6%*
    Group net income 404 321 +25.7% +41.3%* 722 599 +20.5% +33.7%*
    RONE 15.3% 11.4%     13.2% 10.7%    
    Cost to income 52.0% 58.4%     55.5% 60.5%    

    )()

    Commercial activity

    International Retail Banking

    International Retail Banking posted strong commercial momentum in Q2 25, mainly driven by loan outstandings, up +4.3%* vs. Q2 24 to EUR 61 billion. Deposit outstandings stabilised* vs. Q2 24 to EUR 75 billion.

    Europe continued to post strong growth in loan outstandings of 7.0%* vs. Q2 24 to EUR 46 billion in Q2 25. Deposits were stable* this quarter at EUR 56 billion in Q2 25.

    In Africa, Mediterranean Basin and French Overseas Territories, loan outstandings were down -3.1%* vs. Q2 24 to EUR 15 billion. Deposit outstandings increased +1.9%* vs. Q2 24 to EUR 19 billion in Q2 25, mainly driven by sight deposits from retail and corporate clients.

    Mobility and Financial Services

    Overall, Mobility and Financial Services recorded a broadly stable commercial performance.

    Ayvens maintained earning assets of around EUR 53 billion at end-June 2025, broadly stable compared to end-June 2024.

    Consumer Finance posted loans outstanding of EUR 23 billion, still down -2.8% vs. Q2 24.

    Net banking income

    In Q2 25, Mobility, International Retail Banking and Financial Services delivered a good performance, with EUR 2,036 million in Q2 25, up 7.2%* vs. Q2 24.

    In the first half of the year, revenues grew by +4.1%* vs. H1 24 to EUR 4,036 million.

    International Retail Banking revenues increased +2.7%* vs. Q2 24 to EUR 920 million in Q2 25. They rose +2.3%* in the first half vs. H1 24 to EUR 1,833 million in H1 25.

    In Europe, revenues amounted to EUR 528 million in Q2 25, strongly up +6.1%* vs. Q2 24. The increase was due to the high level of net interest income in both countries (+7.3%* vs. Q2 24).

    Overall, revenues in Africa, Mediterranean Basin and French Overseas Territories were slightly down -1.5%* vs. Q2 24 to EUR 392 million in Q2 25, compared with a high Q2 24 level. The net interest income was up +2.8%* vs. Q2 24.

    Mobility and Financial Services posted strong revenue growth in both businesses, at +11.1%* overall vs. Q2 24, to EUR 1,116 million in Q2 25. In the first half of the year, the increase was +5.7%* vs. H1 24 to EUR 2,203 million.

    The significant improvement in Ayvens’ revenues of +10.6% vs. Q2 24 (EUR 868 million in Q2 25) is due, as expected, to the reduced impact of depreciation adjustments and non-recurring items11 (-3% revenues vs. Q2 24, adjusted from those two items). Margins increased to 550 basis points in Q2 25 vs. 539 basis points in Q2 24, excluding non-recurring items. The depreciations were down vs. Q2 24 and the average results on sales of used vehicles per unit on the secondary market continued to normalise very gradually (EUR 1,23412 in Q2 25 vs. EUR 1,4802 in Q2 24). At company level, Ayvens had a cost-to-income ratio of 57.6%13 in Q2 25, in line with the 2025 guidance (57%-59% for the year).

    Revenues from the Consumer Finance business increased by +12.6% vs. Q2 24, to EUR 247 million in Q2 25. This significant growth reflects both an improvement in the margin on new production and the positive impact of an asset revaluation.

    Operating expenses

    Over the quarter, operating expenses for the quarter decreased by -4.2%* vs. Q2 24 to EUR 1,059 million in Q2 25 (including EUR 29 million in transformation charges). The cost-to-income ratio improved in Q2 25 to 52.0% vs. 58.4% in Q2 24. In the first half of the year, costs of EUR 2,240 million were down -4.5%* vs. H1 24, while the cost-to-income ratio stood at 55.5% vs. 60.5% in H1 24.

    International Retail Banking recorded a -5.2%* decrease in costs vs. Q2 24 at EUR 482 million, in a still inflationary local environment.

    Mobility and Financial Services costs reached EUR 577 million in Q2 25, down -3.3%* vs. Q2 24. Ayvens benefitted from the initial cost synergies related to the integration of Leaseplan.

    Cost of risk

    Over the quarter, the cost of risk amounted to EUR 126 million or 35 basis points this quarter, which was considerably lower than in Q2 24 (45 basis points).

    In the first half of the year, the cost of risk stood at 33 basis points vs. 44 basis points in H1 24.

    Group net income

    Group net income came to EUR 404 million for the quarter, up +41.3%* vs. Q2 24. RONE improved to 15.3% in Q2 25 vs. 11.4% in Q2 24. RONE was 18.4% in International Retail Banking and 13.1% in Mobility and Financial Services in Q2 25.

    In the first half of the year, Group net income came to EUR 722 million, up +33.7%* vs. H1 24. RONE improved to 13.2% in H1 25 vs. 10.7% in H1 24. RONE was 16.3% in International Retail Banking and 11.1% in Mobility and Financial Services in H1 25.

    1. CORPORATE CENTRE
    In EURm Q2 25 Q2 24 Change H1 25 H1 24 Change
    Net banking income (160) (231) +30.8% +30.8%* (273) (394) +30.8% +30.8%*
    Operating expenses (164) (13) x 12.3 x 4.3* (267) (158) +68.3% +45.3%*
    Gross operating income (324) (245) -32.5% -20.2%* (539) (552) +2.4% +6.6%*
    Net cost of risk (2) (4) -55.7% -55.7%* 4 5 +16.7% +16.7%*
    Net profits or losses from other assets 57 (15) n/s n/s 250 (99) n/s n/s
    Income tax 83 67 -23.0% -12.2%* 143 157 +8.7% +12.3%*
    Group net income (188) (225) +16.1% +22.5%* (176) (551) +68.0% +69.1%*

    The Corporate Centre includes:

    • the property management of the Group’s head office,
    • the Group’s equity portfolio,
    • the Treasury function for the Group,
    • certain costs related to cross-functional projects, as well as various costs incurred by the Group that are not re-invoiced to the businesses.

    Net banking income

    The Corporate Centre’s net banking income totalled EUR -160 million for the quarter, vs. EUR -231 million in Q2 24.

    In the first half of the year, the Corporate Centre’s net banking income totalled EUR -273 million, vs. EUR -394 million in H1 24.

    Operating expenses

    During the quarter, operating expenses totalled EUR -164 million, vs. EUR -13 million in Q2 24. They include around EUR 100 million in expenses related to the Global Employee Share Ownership Programme launched in June 2025.

    In the first half of the year, operating expenses totalled EUR -267 million, vs. EUR -158 million in H1 24.

    Net profits from other assets

    The Corporate Centre recognised EUR 57 million in net profits from other assets during the quarter, mainly related to the completion of the disposal of Societe Generale Burkina Faso in June 2025.

    Group net income

    The Corporate Centre’s Group net income totalled EUR -188 million for the quarter, vs. EUR -225 million in Q2 24.

    The Corporate Centre’s Group net income totalled EUR -176 million in the first half, vs. EUR -551 million in H1 24.

    8.   2025 FINANCIAL CALENDAR

       2025 and 2026 Financial communication calendar
    7 October 2025 Ex-dividend date
    9 October 2025 Payment of the interim dividend
    30 October 2025 Third quarter and nine months 2025 results
    6 February 2026 Fourth quarter and full year 2025 results
    30 April 2026 First quarter 2026 results
     
    The Alternative Performance Measures, notably the notions of net banking income for the pillars, operating expenses, cost of risk in basis points, ROE, ROTE, RONE, net assets and tangible net assets are presented in the methodology notes, as are the principles for the presentation of prudential ratios.

    This document contains forward-looking statements relating to the targets and strategies of the Societe Generale Group.

    These forward-looking statements are based on a series of assumptions, both general and specific, in particular the application of accounting principles and methods in accordance with IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) as adopted in the European Union, as well as the application of existing prudential regulations.

    These forward-looking statements have also been developed from scenarios based on a number of economic assumptions in the context of a given competitive and regulatory environment. The Group may be unable to:

    – anticipate all the risks, uncertainties or other factors likely to affect its business and to appraise their potential consequences;

    – evaluate the extent to which the occurrence of a risk or a combination of risks could cause actual results to differ materially from those provided in this document and the related presentation.

    Therefore, although Societe Generale believes that these statements are based on reasonable assumptions, these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including matters not yet known to it or its management or not currently considered material, and there can be no assurance that anticipated events will occur or that the objectives set out will actually be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, overall trends in general economic activity and in Societe Generale’s markets in particular, regulatory and prudential changes, and the success of Societe Generale’s strategic, operating and financial initiatives.

    More detailed information on the potential risks that could affect Societe Generale’s financial results can be found in the section “Risk Factors” in our Universal Registration Document filed with the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers (which is available on https://investors.societegenerale.com/en).

    Investors are advised to take into account factors of uncertainty and risk likely to impact the operations of the Group when considering the information contained in such forward-looking statements. Other than as required by applicable law, Societe Generale does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements. Unless otherwise specified, the sources for the business rankings and market positions are internal.

    9.   APPENDIX 1: FINANCIAL DATA

    GROUP NET INCOME BY CORE BUSINESS

    In EURm Q2 25 Q2 24 Variation H1 25 H1 24 Variation
    French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance 488 240 x 2.0 909 271 x 3.4
    Global Banking and Investor Solutions 750 776 -3.4% 1,606 1,473 +9.0%
    Mobility, International Retail Banking & Financial Services 404 321 +25.7% 722 599 +20.5%
    Core Businesses 1,642 1,322 +24.2% 3,238 2,313 +40.0%
    Corporate Centre (188) (225) +16.1% (176) (551) +68.0%
    Group 1,453 1,113 +30.6% 3,061 1,793 +70.8%

    MAIN EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS

    In EURm Q2 25 Q2 24 H1 25 H1 24
    Operating expenses – Total one-off items and transformation charges (131) (127) (205) (479)
    Transformation charges (30) (124) (104) (476)
    Of which French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance (10) (45) (33) (127)
    Of which Global Banking & Investor Solutions 9 (29) (3) (183)
    Of which Mobility, International Retail Banking & Financial Services (29) (50) (68) (119)
    Of which Corporate Centre 0 0 0 (47)
    One-off items (101) (3) (101) (3)
    Global Employee Share Ownership Programme (101) (3) (101) (3)
             
    Other one-off items – Total 75 (8) 277 (88)
    Net profits or losses from other assets 75 (8) 277 (88)

    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

    In EUR m   30/06/2025 31/12/2024
    Cash, due from central banks   148,782 201,680
    Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss   566,690 526,048
    Hedging derivatives   7,769 9,233
    Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income   103,297 96,024
    Securities at amortised cost   49,240 32,655
    Due from banks at amortised cost   81,711 84,051
    Customer loans at amortised cost   446,154 454,622
    Revaluation differences on portfolios hedged against interest rate risk   (330) (292)
    Insurance and reinsurance contracts assets   494 615
    Tax assets   4,198 4,687
    Other assets   73,477 70,903
    Non-current assets held for sale   4,018 26,426
    Investments accounted for using the equity method   442 398
    Tangible and intangible fixed assets   60,465 61,409
    Goodwill   5,084 5,086
    Total   1,551,491 1,573,545
    In EUR m   30/06/2025 31/12/2024
    Due to central banks   10,957 11,364
    Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss   406,704 396,614
    Hedging derivatives   13,628 15,750
    Debt securities issued   156,922 162,200
    Due to banks   100,588 99,744
    Customer deposits   518,397 531,675
    Revaluation differences on portfolios hedged against interest rate risk   (6,129) (5,277)
    Tax liabilities   2,261 2,237
    Other liabilities   94,155 90,786
    Non-current liabilities held for sale   3,526 17,079
    Insurance and reinsurance contracts liabilities   156,370 150,691
    Provisions   3,916 4,085
    Subordinated debts   12,735 17,009
    Total liabilities   1,474,030 1,493,957
    Shareholder’s equity  
    Shareholders’ equity, Group share  
    Issued common stocks and capital reserves   20,657 21,281
    Other equity instruments   8,762 9,873
    Retained earnings   36,741 33,863
    Net income   3,061 4,200
    Sub-total   69,221 69,217
    Unrealised or deferred capital gains and losses   (928) 1,039
    Sub-total equity, Group share   68,293 70,256
    Non-controlling interests   9,168 9,332
    Total equity   77,461 79,588
    Total   1,551,491 1,573,545
    1. APPENDIX 2: METHODOLOGY

    1 –The financial information presented for the second quarter and first half 2025 was examined by the Board of Directors on July 30th, 2025 and has been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted in the European Union and applicable at that date. The limited review procedures on the condensed interim statement at 30 June 2025 carried by the Statutory Auditors are currently underway.

    2 – Net banking income

    The pillars’ net banking income is defined on page 38 of Societe Generale’s 2025 Universal Registration Document. The terms “Revenues” or “Net Banking Income” are used interchangeably. They provide a normalised measure of each pillar’s net banking income taking into account the normative capital mobilised for its activity.

    3 – Operating expenses

    Operating expenses correspond to the “Operating Expenses” as presented in note 5 to the Group’s consolidated financial statements as at December 31st, 2024. The term “costs” is also used to refer to Operating Expenses. The Cost/Income Ratio is defined on page 38 of Societe Generale’s 2025 Universal Registration Document.

    4 – Cost of risk in basis points, coverage ratio for doubtful outstandings

    The cost of risk is defined on pages 39 and 748 of Societe Generale’s 2025 Universal Registration Document. This indicator makes it possible to assess the level of risk of each of the pillars as a percentage of balance sheet loan commitments, including operating leases.

    In EURm   Q2-25 Q2-24 S1-25 S1-24
    French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance Net Cost Of Risk 146 173 317 420
    Gross loan Outstandings 230,025 236,044 231,781 237,219
    Cost of Risk in bp 25 29 27 35
    Global Banking and Investor Solutions Net Cost Of Risk 81 21 136 1
    Gross loan Outstandings 171,860 164,829 172,321 163,643
    Cost of Risk in bp 19 5 16 0
    Mobility, International Retail Banking & Financial Services Net Cost Of Risk 126 189 250 370
    Gross loan Outstandings 144,329 166,967 151,727 167,429
    Cost of Risk in bp 35 45 33 44
    Corporate Centre Net Cost Of Risk 2 4 (4) (5)
    Gross loan Outstandings 26,404 24,583 25,998 23,974
    Cost of Risk in bp 3 6 (3) (5)
    Societe Generale Group Net Cost Of Risk 355 387 699 787
    Gross loan Outstandings 572,618 592,422 581,827 592,265
    Cost of Risk in bp 25 26 24 27

    The gross coverage ratio for doubtful outstandings is calculated as the ratio of provisions recognised in respect of the credit risk to gross outstandings identified as in default within the meaning of the regulations, without taking account of any guarantees provided. This coverage ratio measures the maximum residual risk associated with outstandings in default (“doubtful”).

    5 – ROE, ROTE, RONE

    The notions of ROE (Return on Equity) and ROTE (Return on Tangible Equity), as well as their calculation methodology, are specified on pages 39 and 40 of Societe Generale’s 2025 Universal Registration Document. This measure makes it possible to assess Societe Generale’s return on equity and return on tangible equity.
    RONE (Return on Normative Equity) determines the return on average normative equity allocated to the Group’s businesses, according to the principles presented on page 40 of Societe Generale’s 2025 Universal Registration Document. Since Q1 25 results, with restated historical data, normative return to businesses is based on a 13% capital allocation. The Q1 25 allocated capital includes the regulatory impacts related to Basel IV, applicable since 1 January 2025.
    Group net income used for the ratio numerator is the accounting Group net income adjusted for “Interest paid and payable to holders of deeply subordinated notes and undated subordinated notes, issue premium amortisation”. For ROTE, income is also restated for goodwill impairment.
    Details of the corrections made to the accounting equity in order to calculate ROE and ROTE for the period are given in the table below:

    ROTE calculation: calculation methodology

    End of period (in EURm) Q2-25 Q2-24 H1 25 H1 24
    Shareholders’ equity Group share 68,293 66,829 68,293 66,829
    Deeply subordinated and undated subordinated notes (8,386) (9,747) (8,386) (9,747)
    Interest payable to holders of deeply & undated subordinated notes, issue premium amortisation(1) 23 (19) 23 (19)
    OCI excluding conversion reserves 512 705 512 705
    Distribution provision(2) (2,375) (718) (2,375) (718)
    ROE equity end-of-period 58,067 57,050 58,067 57,050
    Average ROE equity 58,579 56,797 58,743 56,660
    Average Goodwill(3) (4,174) (4,073) (4,182) (4,040)
    Average Intangible Assets (2,787) (2,937) (2,811) (2,947)
    Average ROTE equity 51,618 49,787 51,749 49,673
             
    Group net Income 1,453 1,113 3,061 1,793
    Interest paid and payable to holders of deeply subordinated notes and undated subordinated notes, issue premium amortisation (200) (190) (387) (356)
    Adjusted Group net Income 1,253 923 2,674 1,437
    ROTE 9.7% 7.4% 10.3% 5.8%

    141516
    RONE calculation: Average capital allocated to Core Businesses (in EURm)

    In EURm Q2 25 Q2 24 Change H1 25 H1 24 Change
    French Retail , Private Banking and Insurance 17,412 16,690 +4.3% 17,549 16,605 +5.7%
    Global Banking and Investor Solutions 17,894 16,313 +9.7% 18,109 16,162 +12.0%
    Mobility, International Retail Banking & Financial Services 10,535 11,247 -6.3% 10,955 11,250 -2.6%
    Core Businesses 45,841 41,180 +11.3% 46,613 40,955 +13.8%
    Corporate Center 12,738 12,544 +1.5% 12,130 12,644 -4.1%
    Group 58,579 56,797 +3.1% 58,743 56,660 +3.7%

    6 – Net assets and tangible net assets

    Net assets and tangible net assets are defined in the methodology, page 41 of the Group’s 2025 Universal Registration Document. The items used to calculate them are presented below:
    1718

    End of period (in EURm) H1 25 Q1 25 2024
    Shareholders’ equity Group share 68,293 70,556 70,256
    Deeply subordinated and undated subordinated notes (8,386) (10,153) (10,526)
    Interest of deeply & undated subordinated notes, issue premium amortisation(1) 23 (60) (25)
    Book value of own shares in trading portfolio (46) (44) 8
    Net Asset Value 59,884 60,299 59,713
    Goodwill(2) (4,173) (4,175) (4,207)
    Intangible Assets (2,776) (2,798) (2,871)
    Net Tangible Asset Value 52,935 53,326 52,635
           
    Number of shares used to calculate NAPS(3) 776,296 783,671 796,498
    Net Asset Value per Share 77.1 76.9 75.0
    Net Tangible Asset Value per Share 68.2 68.0 66.1

    7 – Calculation of Earnings Per Share (EPS)

    The EPS published by Societe Generale is calculated according to the rules defined by the IAS 33 standard (see pages 40-41 of Societe Generale’s 2025 Universal Registration Document). The corrections made to Group net income in order to calculate EPS correspond to the restatements carried out for the calculation of ROE and ROTE.
    The calculation of Earnings Per Share is described in the following table:

    Average number of shares (thousands) H1 25 Q1 25 2024
    Existing shares 800,317 800,317 801,915
    Deductions      
    Shares allocated to cover stock option plans and free shares awarded to staff 2,175 2,586 4,402
    Other own shares and treasury shares 12,653 7,646 2,344
    Number of shares used to calculate EPS(4) 785,488 790,085 795,169
    Group net Income (in EURm) 3,061 1,608 4,200
    Interest on deeply subordinated notes and undated subordinated notes (in EURm) (387) (188) (720)
    Adjusted Group net income (in EURm) 2,674 1,420 3,481
    EPS (in EUR) 3.40 1.80 4.38

    19
    8 – Solvency and leverage ratios

    Shareholder’s equity, risk-weighted assets and leverage exposure are calculated in accordance with applicable CRR3/CRD6 rules, transposing the final Basel III text, also called Basel IV, including the procedures provided by the regulation for the calculation of phased-in and fully loaded ratios. The solvency ratios and leverage ratio are presented on a pro-forma basis for the current year’s accrued results, net of dividends, unless otherwise stated.
    20

    9- Funded balance sheet, loan to deposit ratio

    The funded balance sheet is based on the Group financial statements. It is obtained in two steps:

    • A first step aiming at reclassifying the items of the financial statements into aggregates allowing for a more economic reading of the balance sheet. Main reclassifications:

    Insurance: grouping of the accounting items related to insurance within a single aggregate in both assets and liabilities.
    Customer loans: include outstanding loans with customers (net of provisions and write-downs, including net lease financing outstanding and transactions at fair value through profit and loss); excludes financial assets reclassified under loans and receivables in accordance with the conditions stipulated by IFRS 9 (these positions have been reclassified in their original lines).
    Wholesale funding: includes interbank liabilities and debt securities issued. Financing transactions have been allocated to medium/long-term resources and short-term resources based on the maturity of outstanding, more or less than one year.
    Reclassification under customer deposits of the share of issues placed by French Retail Banking networks (recorded in medium/long-term financing), and certain transactions carried out with counterparties equivalent to customer deposits (previously included in short term financing).
    Deduction from customer deposits and reintegration into short-term financing of certain transactions equivalent to market resources.

    • A second step aiming at excluding the contribution of insurance subsidiaries, and netting derivatives, repurchase agreements, securities borrowing/lending, accruals and “due to central banks”.

    The Group loan / deposit ratio is determined as the division of the customer loans by customer deposits as presented in the funded balance sheet.

    NB (1) The sum of values contained in the tables and analyses may differ slightly from the total reported due to rounding rules.
    (2) All the information on the results for the period (notably: press release, downloadable data, presentation slides and supplement) is available on Societe Generale’s website www.societegenerale.com in the “Investor” section.

    Societe Generale

    Societe Generale is a top tier European Bank with around 119,000 employees serving more than 26 million clients in 62 countries across the world. We have been supporting the development of our economies for 160 years, providing our corporate, institutional, and individual clients with a wide array of value-added advisory and financial solutions. Our long-lasting and trusted relationships with the clients, our cutting-edge expertise, our unique innovation, our ESG capabilities and leading franchises are part of our DNA and serve our most essential objective – to deliver sustainable value creation for all our stakeholders.

    The Group runs three complementary sets of businesses, embedding ESG offerings for all its clients:

    • French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance, with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank.
    • Global Banking and Investor Solutions, a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG.
    • Mobility, International Retail Banking and Financial Services, comprising well-established universal banks (in Czech Republic, Romania and several African countries), Ayvens (the new ALD I LeasePlan brand), a global player in sustainable mobility, as well as specialized financing activities.

    Committed to building together with its clients a better and sustainable future, Societe Generale aims to be a leading partner in the environmental transition and sustainability overall. The Group is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe).

    In case of doubt regarding the authenticity of this press release, please go to the end of the Group News page on societegenerale.com website where official Press Releases sent by Societe Generale can be certified using blockchain technology. A link will allow you to check the document’s legitimacy directly on the web page.

    For more information, you can follow us on Twitter/X @societegenerale or visit our website societegenerale.com.


    1 Out of a total contemplated distribution accrual of EUR 1.77 per share at end H1 25 based on a pay-out ratio of 50% of the H1 25 Group net income restated from non-cash items (including GESOP) and after deduction of interest on deeply subordinated notes and undated subordinated notes, pro forma including H1 25 results and including interim cash dividend; the distribution policy being based on a balanced mix of the payout between cash dividend and share buy-back
    2 A non-cash item with no impact on the CET1 ratio, and therefore no impact on distributable net income
    3 Ratio calculated according to EBA methodology published on 16 July 2019
    4 Ratio excluding loans outstanding of companies currently being disposed of in compliance with IFRS 5
    5 Ratio of S3 provisions, guarantees and collaterals over gross outstanding non-performing loans
    6 6 February 2025 – Q4 2024 Financial Results – Presentation – Page 6
    7 Cf. Description of the share buy-back program of 17 May 2024 relating to the 22nd resolution of the Combined general meeting of shareholders of 22 May 2024, for which the authorisation for the company to purchase its own shares is valid until 22 November 2025
    8 Including Basel IV phasing
    9 Excluding asset diposals (Switzerland and the United Kingdom)
    10 France Best Digital Bank, Awards for Excellence, Euromoney July 2025
    11 Mainly hyperinflation in Turkey
    12 Excluding impacts of depreciation adjustments
    13 As disclosed in Ayvens Q2 25 earnings report, excluding revenues from used vehicle sales and non-recurring items
    14   Interest net of tax
    15    The dividend to be paid is calculated based on a pay-out ratio of 50%, restated from non-cash items and after deduction of interest on deeply subordinated notes and on undated subordinated notes, and including the additional share buy-back of EUR 1bn for Q1 25 and H1 25
    16    Excluding goodwill arising from non-controlling interests
    17    Interest net of tax
    18 Excluding goodwill arising from non-controlling interests
    19 The number of shares considered is the number of ordinary shares outstanding at end of period, excluding treasury shares and buy-backs, but including the trading shares held by the Group (expressed in thousands of shares)
    20 The number of shares considered is the average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period, excluding treasury shares and buy-backs, but including the trading shares held by the Group (expressed in thousands of shares)

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Security: Laplace Man Charged With Bank Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that ERNEST X. TAYLOR, JR. (“TAYLOR”), age 40, a resident of LaPlace, Louisiana, was charged on July 30, 2025 in a superseding bill of information with Bank Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344(2).

    According to court documents, between 2019 and 2022, TAYLOR applied for over $400,000 in loans from credit unions and falsely claimed that the funds would be utilized to purchase vehicles. TAYLOR fraudulently applied for loans under other people’s names and did not disclose to the credit unions that the loan proceeds would go to TAYLOR. In furtherance of his scheme, TAYLOR presented materially false documentation to the credit unions, including fraudulent vehicle titles and falsified pay stubs. After receiving the loan proceeds, TAYLOR defaulted on the loans.

    If convicted, TAYLOR faces up to thirty years imprisonment, up to five years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that the superseding bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Maria M. Carboni and Edward Rivera of the Financial Crimes Unit are handling the prosecution.

     

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man Charged With Arson Of U.S. Post Office In San Jose

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN JOSE – A criminal complaint was unsealed today charging Richard Tillman with the federal crime of malicious destruction by fire of a U.S. post office in San Jose.  Tillman made his initial appearance in federal district court in San Jose today.  

    According to the criminal complaint, in the early hours of July 20, 2025, Tillman, 44, set fire to the Almaden Valley United States Post Office located on Crown Boulevard in San Jose.  Tillman allegedly purchased “instalogs” and lighter fluid and drove to the U.S. post office.  The complaint describes that Tillman then placed the instalogs throughout his vehicle, poured lighter fluid over the instalogs, backed his vehicle into the lobby of the U.S. post office, exited the vehicle, and lit the vehicle on fire with a match.

    Tillman then allegedly began spray painting the words “Viva La Me” on the outside of the building after starting the fire, but did not finish the graffiti because the heat from the fire was too intense.  

    The Almaden Valley United States Post Office was partially destroyed by the fire, as depicted below:

    The San Jose Fire Department and the San Jose Police Department responded to the fire.  Tillman allegedly told law enforcement officers that he set the fire to make a statement to the U.S. government and that he livestreamed the event on YouTube using his phone.  

    United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge Stephen M. Sherwood, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Topper, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

    Tillman is currently in federal custody.  He is next scheduled to appear in district court on Aug. 6, 2025, for a status conference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nathanael Cousins.    

    A criminal complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a minimum sentence of five years in prison, and a fine of $250,000 for the charge of malicious destruction of government property by fire in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(f)(1).  Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.  

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael G. Pitman is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Sahib Kaur.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the USPIS, ATF, FBI, and the San Jose Police Department.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office appreciates the assistance of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office. 

    Tillman Complaint

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Jury Convicts Texas Man of Cocaine Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Jorge Luis Guerrero, of Socorro, Texas, was found guilty by a federal jury in Pittsburgh of possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. The jury returned its verdict on July 29, 2025, after deliberating for five-and-a-half hours following a six-day trial.

    Guerrero, 39, was tried before Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

    The evidence presented at trial established that Guerrero transported five kilograms of cocaine to the Western District of Pennsylvania hidden in a secret compartment in the bumper of a vehicle registered to his wife. Accessing the cocaine required removing the bumper cover and bumper of the vehicle and then additional metal plates that concealed the compartment housing the cocaine.

    Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for December 10, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Robert C. Schupansky and V. Joseph Sonson prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

    Agents and task force officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as personnel from the Socorro Police Department, United States Customs and Border Protection, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, assisted in the trial.

    This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    MIL Security OSI