Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

July 10 2025 – Bitcoin surged above $112,000 this week for the first time, driven by mounting political momentum, regulatory repositioning, and strategic allocations from both corporations and sovereign entities, says deVere Group, one of the world's largest independent financial advisory and asset management organizations.

“The shift is clear and aggressive,” said Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group. “Bitcoin is being pulled into the core of national economic thinking in the US – the world's largest economy – and also corporate treasury policy, and institutional portfolios. This isn't hype. This is capital following political will.”

The Trump administration is sending unmistakable signals. Senior Treasury officials have confirmed internal reviews are underway on the potential inclusion of Bitcoin in US reserve strategy.

Also committees continue to receive Bitcoin contributions, discussions between policymakers and digital asset custodians are ongoing, and new legislation supporting digital asset classification, custody, and tax treatment is gaining bipartisan support on Capitol Hill.

“When a sitting administration is weighing Bitcoin as part of sovereign reserves, that reshapes the global risk framework,” said Nigel. “It doesn't just legitimize Bitcoin, it forces others—institutions and governments alike—to act.”

Elon Musk's newly formed America Party has pushed Bitcoin further into the national conversation.

In his Independence Day speech, Musk positioned Bitcoin as the foundation of economic resilience.

This has reignited interest across retail platforms and triggered increased flows from politically aligned investor groups.

“Musk is giving Bitcoin further ideological weight and policy relevance,” says the deVere CEO.

“That moves markets. His reach is unmatched, and he's aligning it with a monetary vision that resonates with a generation raised on decentralized tech.”

At the regulatory level, the SEC has softened its stance. Several enforcement actions have been withdrawn, and spot Bitcoin ETFs are moving through review with renewed agency engagement. Regulators are now focused on operational safeguards and disclosure standards. “The era of blanket resistance appears to be over,” notes Nigel Green.

“Regulatory friction held back institutional involvement for years. Now that it's easing, we're seeing fresh inflows from asset managers who were waiting for exactly this moment.”

Corporates are moving aggressively. MicroStrategy added $2 billion in Bitcoin in June, pushing its total above 300,000 BTC. Seventeen publicly listed companies disclosed Bitcoin holdings in recent filings, with more deploying capital through custodial structures and ETFs. Firms are integrating it into liquidity and risk frameworks.

“Boards are acting to preserve value through a cycle of rising debt and monetary uncertainty,” explains Nigel Green. “Bitcoin gives them optionality, mobility, and a non-correlated reserve that holds its form under stress.”

Sovereign institutions are advancing too. Pakistan has begun holding state-mined Bitcoin through its central bank.

The Czech National Bank is reviewing Bitcoin for potential inclusion in foreign reserves.

Sovereign wealth funds across Southeast Asia and Latin America are now engaged in operational discussions with digital custodians. While not all activity is being publicized, it is being closely tracked by global capital.

“These are central banks, state treasuries, and sovereign wealth funds treating Bitcoin as a strategic asset. They're not chasing headlines. They're preparing for what comes next.”

Market data supports the shift. More than $340 million in short liquidations were triggered around the $112,000 breakout, according to data. Spot ETF inflows remain steady. Institutional buyers are dominating recent volume, with fewer retail-driven spikes and more structured accumulation.

 “Governments and political figures are reshaping the environment Bitcoin operates in, and institutions—including corporate treasuries—are responding with deliberate allocation,” concludes Nigel Green.

 “The new all-time highs are being powered by political and regulatory will that are unlocking new channels for capital, and by the growing acceptance that Bitcoin now plays a strategic role in global finance.”

deVere Group is one of the world's largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients.  It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.

For the second consecutive month, the Coincident and Leading Barometers rise in July. However, they have not yet recovered the losses incurred between March and May. Despite these increases, the indicators continue to suggest that the global economic growth rate will remain modest in 2025.

In July, the Global Economic Coincident Barometer rises by 1.5 points to 95.4 points, and the Leading Barometer increases by 1.0 point to 97.4 points. The results are mainly driven by the Asia, Pacific & Africa region.

“Although geopolitical risks and the resulting economic uncertainty have not disappeared, the Global Barometers suggest a slight improvement towards long-term averages. However, new information reflecting divergent monetary policies among major central banks, ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the vulnerability of global growth to trade shocks indicates that, while major economies are avoiding recession, growth remains fragile. Elevated policy uncertainty, persistent inflationary pressures in certain regions and geopolitical tensions combine to create a challenging environment for stable economic growth”, comments KOF Director Jan-Egbert Sturm the latest results.

Coincident Barometer – regions and sectors

The 1.5-point increase in the Coincident Barometer in July results from positive contributions of 0.9 and 0.5 points from the Asia, Pacific & Africa and Western Hemisphere regions, respectively. The Europe indicator contributes modestly with 0.1 points to the aggregated result. Despite the second consecutive increase, the Western Hemisphere indicator continues to show the lowest level among the regional coincident indicators.

All five coincident sectoral indicators rise in July, with Services ending a sequence of five consecutive declines and Trade, along with Construction, recording levels above the 100-point mark.

Leading Barometer – regions and sectors

In July, the 1.0-point increase in the Global Leading Barometer results from a positive contribution of 1.0 point from the Asia, Pacific & Africa region, while the Western Hemisphere decreases moderately by 0.1 point and Europe remains unchanged. All three regions show moderate growth for the coming months. The Leading Global Barometer leads the world economic growth rate cycle by three to six months on average.

Among the leading sectoral indicators, only Construction does not rise in the month, recording its third consecutive decrease. Despite this, it continues to show the highest level among the sectors. All leading sectoral indicators remain below the neutral 100-point level.

Nairobi – July 9, 2025 – Global Credit Ratings (GCR), has affirmed and upgraded Shelter Afrique Development Bank's (ShafDB) international and several key national scale ratings, reflecting the Bank's strengthened capital position, risk management improvements, and growing credibility across our its shareholder base.

In its latest review, the Johannesburg-based rating agency has affirmed the Bank's international scale long-term and short-term issuer ratings at B/B, with a Stable Outlook.

At the same time GCR has also upgraded the long and short-term national scale issuer ratings for Kenya to AA+(KE)/A1+(KE) from AA-(KE)/A1+(KE); Nigerian to AAA(NG)/A1+(NG) from AA+(NG)/A1+(NG); and Mauritian to BBB(MU)/A2(MU) from BB+(MU)/B(MU). All the three national scale ratings have been accorded a stable outlook.

The Agency has also Upgraded the ratings of its Nigerian Series 1 Senior Unsecured Notes under the NGN200bn Domestic Bond Issuance Programme to AAA(NG) from AA+(NG).

“The upgrades reflect GCR's confidence in the Bank's improved risk management, strengthened capitalization (leverage ratio up to 82.2% in FY2024), and progress in capital arrears resolution. The Stable Outlook affirms expectations of continued sound capitalization, strategic disbursement growth, and enhanced shareholder engagement,” GCR said in a commentary.

“This recognition underscores Shelter Afrique's growing operational credibility, commitment to quality lending, and continued transformation into a resilient and trusted multilateral development bank dedicated to delivering affordable housing and urban development solutions across Africa,” GCR added.

Welcoming the rating reviews, Shelter Afrique Development Bank's Director of Risk, Bernard Oketch said the rating upgrade has reinforced the Bank's financial strength, strategic direction, and institutional credibility.

“These upgrades reflect our strong fundamentals and our unwavering commitment to reforms, growth, and sustainable impact.  Clearly, we are on a solid path forward in delivering impactful, quality-driven housing finance solutions across Africa,” Mr. Oketch said.

Shelter Afrique Development Bank's has 46 shareholders comprising 44 member States under “Category A” shareholding, and African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Africa Reinsurance Corporation (Africa-Re) under “Category B” shareholding – who will be convening in Algiers, Algeria from 15th to 17th July 2025 for the Bank's 44th Annual General Meeting and Housing Symposium. https://www.agm.shelterafrique.org/agm-2025/

It has also “Category C” shareholding for non-African institutions and States willing to join the institution as shareholders.

About Shelter-Afrique Development Bank:

Shelter Afrique Development Bank is a Pan-African institution solely dedicated to financing and promoting housing, urban & related infrastructure development across the African continent. ShafDB operates through a partnership involving 44 African Governments, as well as the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Africa Reinsurance Corporation (Africa-Re).

The Institution delivers financial solutions and associated services that support both the supply and demand aspects of the affordable housing value chain. As a premier provider of financial, advisory, and research solutions, ShafDB focuses on addressing Africa's housing crisis through financial institutions, project finance and public-private partnerships, striving to achieve sustainable developmental impact.

Gaza, 9 July 2025 – A recent retrospective mortality survey of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) staff and their families reveals the appalling death rate of Israel's all-out war on Gaza, especially among children, which is consistent with conflict-related figures provided by the Gazan Ministry of Health.

Osnabrueck, Delhi, July 09, 2025 – Hellmann Worldwide Logistics India has for the second year in a row received the certification as a Best Workplaces™ in Transportation & Logistics 2025 by the Great Place to Work® Institute India.

Chisinau, Moldova, July 9th,2025 – Moldova Innovation Technology Park (MITP), the first fully virtual IT park in Europe and a key pillar of Moldova's innovation ecosystem, continues to break records and transform the country's economic landscape.

A lift in household spending is expected for the remainder of 2025, however a slower interest rate cutting cycle could dampen this recovery.

https://youtu.be/UP9AxIqN2VY

The CommBank Household Spending Insights (HSI) Index rose for the third month in a row in June, up 0.3 per cent following gains of 0.4 per cent in April and May.

Eight of the twelve HSI categories recorded spending growth for the month, led by Utilities (+2.9 per cent), Education (+1.1 per cent) and Communications & Digital (+1.0 per cent). The timing of the energy rebates has made the utilities category choppy, while the release of Nintendo Switch 2 likely supported sales in the Communications & Digital category.

Three categories saw a fall in the month, led lower by Hospitality (-0.8 per cent), Motor Vehicle (-0.1 per cent) and Recreation (-0.1 per cent). These categories all performed relatively well in May and again show the fickle nature of consumer spending at present.

Refugees settling in Australia feel welcomed by Indigenous communities and believe it is important to respect and learn about first nations' culture, according to a new survey.

More than half (63 per cent) of respondents said that felt welcomed by Indigenous communities and that it was important to be welcoming to Indigenous Australians, while just 13 per cent said it was not important.

The findings are part of a survey of refugees who have settled in regional Australia, conducted by migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia and the University of Wollongong.

The interim results of the 'Settling Well' survey found refugees in the regions feel welcome and safe, and value the peaceful environment regional communities provide in raising children.

The study is a five-year longitudinal comparative assessment of the impacts of refugee settlement in regional Australia.

The study surveyed refugee and established communities in Nhilll, Mildura, Albury-Wodonga, Cowra-Orange, Rockhampton and Townsville.

Mildura based former refugee Jules Kangeta said it was important to respect Indigenous culture.

“I find welcome to country ceremonies very moving. You can see an ancient culture at work and the local Indigenous community are telling us we are welcome,” Mr Kangeta said.

“It is a very generous gesture that shows love and shows that these are good people. The ceremonies are important because the give authority and agency to newcomers, like me, to this country.

“It is important that Indigenous communities are recognised and have a say in the country that was originally theirs,” Mr Kangeta said.

AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth said refugee and Indigenous communities had many things in common and natural affinity.

“Many people from both communities can, at times, feel marginalised and can struggle to find their places in mainstream society. So, it's not surprising there is a level of empathy between them,” she said.

The study also found refugees were finding employment opportunities and affordable housing in the regions.

It found refugees valued the lack of congestion in regional Australia and they most planned to stay.

But it also identified issues with a lack of service provision and educational opportunities.

It asked refugees how they felt about life in rural Australia in terms of economic, cultural and social outcomes as well as access to opportunity and health and wellbeing.

The study surveyed 324 people from 25 countries. Most of the participants were from the Democratic republic of Congo, Burma, the Central African Republic, Afghanistan and Bhutan.

“Overall, people feel safe and peaceful in regional Australia. They felt welcomed by, but also a little isolated from, communities mostly because of language barriers,” the report said.

“They like the lack of congestion, and they see regional communities as better places to raise kids because they see them as safer from bad influences. But this also comes with less educational opportunities.

“Many people have been able to buy houses, that would have been out of reach in the cities. And employment opportunities are generally good,” the report said.

Asked if they planned to stay in regional Australia, 75 per cent said they planned to stay long term and just 5 per cent said they did not.

The study found refugees were mostly satisfied with the support they received on settling into new communities.

“We found that individuals – settlement workers, volunteers and community members – were important in helping people to settle,” the report said.

The study also found services in the regions were less accessible that in cities.

“In some communities we found a lack of things like dental services, refugee mental health and immigration lawyers,” the report said.

“We also found that younger adults were missing out on schooling and further educational opportunities.”

The study also identified a lack of English language tuition in secondary settlement locations, where mainstream settlement services are not available.

The study's preliminary recommendations included: flexible settlement core funding to respond to needs that arise; reassessment of needs after initial settlement, and flexible delivery of English language classes tailored to different aspirations and locations.

Predatory fish that evolved into the first terrestrial animals on Earth are still revealing insights into the origins of mammals – including new research into the eating habits of lobe-finned fish which inhabited an ancient reef in Australia.

In new research in iScience journal, an international study led by Flinders University reveals new insights into the lives of 380-million-year-old lungfish after a high-tech examination of ‘remarkable’ well-preserved jawbones found in the remote Gogo fossil field in northern Western Australia.

The 3D finite element model (FEM) analysis of the strength and features of fossilised mandible bones was used to evaluate how multiple species co-existed in the tropical prehistoric ecosystem during the Devonian ‘Age of Fishes’.

Dr Alice Clement, corresponding author of the new study, says lungfish are ‘sister taxa’ to the tetrapods – or all four-limbed animals with a backbone, including humans – “which means they are our closest ‘fishy’ relatives”.

“They have an extensive fossil history stretching back over 400 million years and still with living representatives today and their phylogenetic proximity to tetrapods giving insight into our long distant ancestors who first made the move from water to land,” she says.

The exceptional Gogo Formation has so far yielded the greatest diversity of lungfishes known from any time or space – with 11 described showing a remarkable diversity of morphologies, particular relating to skull and jaw shape.

Now for the first time the different biomechanical function has been reconstructed – to highlight the diet and predatory powers of the mysterious fish.

“We’re slowly teasing apart the details of how the bodies and lifestyles of these animals changed, as they moved from being fish that lived in water, to becoming tetrapods that moved about on land,” says Dr Clement.

With Australian and overseas colleagues, the Flinders team included honours palaeontology researcher Joshua Bland, Dr Clement, Professor John Long and biomedical experts in the US including Dr Olga Panagiotopoulou.

 “Our comprehensive dataset offers the most detailed quantification of biting performance in any fossil fish thus far, providing biomechanical evidence for diverse feeding adaptations and niche partitioning within Gogo lungfishes,” says Dr Panagiotopoulou, from Touro University California.

Based on CT scans of exceptionally-preserved 3D fossils, seven taxa were examined to quantify shape disparity, with FEM used on five which were preserved with associated crania and lower jaws.

“We were then able to model the stress and strain experienced by these lower jaws during biting,” she says

The 3D virtual models are all available via Morphosource.

Strategic Professor of Palaeontology John Long says the new study features important information about the specialised way ‘gracile’ or ‘robust’ morphology and dentition of their jawbones allowed these fascinating fish to hunt, bite and eat.

“The results were somewhat surprising, with some ‘robust’-looking lower jaws appearing to not be all that well suited to biting stress, and some of the more gracile or slender jaws appeared to be able to with strand stress and strain very well,” says Professor Long, who previously described the slender long-snouted Griphognathus whitei (or ‘duck-billed’ lungfish) from the Gogo Formation area.

“This diversity of biomechanical function seen in the Gogo lungfishes suggest that there was niche partitioning and tropic differentiation among lungfishes, possibly accounting for their incredibly high species diversity at this site.”

Primitive forms of placoderm and other fish were the dominant predators around the world for about 60 million years before becoming extinct. Some fossil samples of lobe-finned fish found 50-100 years ago can now be studied in more detail with new techniques such as FEM, which is often used in engineering research.

Lead author, Flinders Palaeontology Lab researcher Joshua Bland, adds: “The Late Devonian reefs of the Gogo Formation were a truly unique lungfish community with species possessing a whole host of different behaviours and abilities.

“To capture parts of that story, hidden in the bone, was extremely rewarding. It felt like we lifted the veil on some real functions behind the form. It was impressive to see the more complex morphology perform better in our tests,” he says.

The latest research article – ‘Comparison of diverse mandibular mechanics during biting in Devonian lungfishes’ (2025) by Joshua Bland (Flinders University), Hugo Dutel (University of Bristol & Université de Bordeaux), John A Long (Flinders), Matteo Fabbri (Center of Functional Anatomy and Evolution, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, US), Joseph Bevitt (Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, ANSTO), Kate Trinajstic (Curtin University & WA Museum), Olga Panagiotopoulou (Touro University California) and Alice M Clement (Flinders) – has been published in iScience. DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.112970

This work was funded by the Australian Research Council grant DP 220100825.

Acknowledgements: Researchers thank the Gooniyandi Peoples, the local station managers of Gogo and Mt Pierre Stations, those who facilitated specimen and museum collection access and the facilities and the scientific and technical assistance from multiple organisations and individuals.

The United Nations is urging governments to accelerate efforts to make trade systems more inclusive and sustainable, highlighting limited support for vulnerable groups including small and medium-sized enterprises, women traders and the agricultural sector despite steady progress in broader trade facilitation.

“The global trading environment has recently faced unprecedented challenges. Extensive tariff measures have introduced uncertainty and increased trade costs, while broader disruptions have exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains. These tr