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MIL-OSI: BTCC Exchange Celebrates 14th Anniversary with Launch of First-Ever User Badge Program

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

VILNIUS, Lithuania, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BTCC, one of the world’s longest-serving exchanges, celebrates its 14th anniversary by launching its first-ever user badge program. The milestone campaign, running from June 16 to July 1, 2025, introduces the exclusive “14 Years of Momentum” badge. This limited-edition emblem aims to honor community loyalty as the exchange steps into its 15th year of operation in the crypto space.

In the fast-paced cryptocurrency industry, 14 years of operation represent an extraordinary milestone of excellence. BTCC has proven its commitment to security and reliability by weathering market volatility and regulatory changes while consistently maintaining user trust around the world.

The anniversary campaign marks BTCC’s first step into community recognition badges, offering users a new way to showcase their loyalty and trading achievements. To earn the anniversary badge, participants must deposit $200 worth of tokens, achieve VIP 2 status, and complete $1 million in cumulative futures trading volume during the event period. Anniversary badge holders will also receive trading rewards totaling $140, plus eligibility for ongoing exclusive benefits, including airdrops, special campaigns, and community recognition.

The campaign also features progressive social tasks that unlock throughout the event period, encouraging users to engage across BTCC’s social media channels including X (Twitter), Instagram, and Discord.

“This badge program represents just the beginning of how we plan to recognize and reward our community members,” said Alex, Head of Operations at BTCC. “BTCC stands the test of time thanks to our community’s support. Now we’re launching the badge program to create lasting value for those who’ve chosen to grow with us, and this is only the start of our journey in building meaningful connections with our trading family.”

This anniversary event will kickstart BTCC’s comprehensive badge program, with plans to roll out regular campaigns allowing users to collect badges and exchange them for rewards.

Bringing the celebration into the physical world, BTCC is launching an offline campaign featuring BTCC-branded taxis with QR codes roaming the streets of Berlin, Germany and Poznań, Poland. Pedestrians can scan the codes to participate directly in the anniversary campaign, bridging the gap between crypto trading and real-world engagement.

The “14 Years of Momentum” anniversary badge serves as both a celebration of BTCC’s milestone and a symbol of the platform’s evolution toward enhanced community engagement. As a pioneer that has stood the test of time in crypto’s demanding landscape, BTCC continues to evolve while prioritizing the security and trust that have defined its remarkable 14-year journey.

For more details about the anniversary campaign, please visit BTCC’s website.

About BTCC

Founded in 2011, BTCC is one of the world’s longest-serving cryptocurrency exchanges, offering secure and user-friendly trading services to millions of users globally. With a commitment to security, innovation, and community building, BTCC continues to be a trusted platform in the evolving cryptocurrency landscape.

Website: https://www.btcc.com/en-US

X: https://x.com/BTCCexchange

Contact: press@btcc.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b7e2626e-1b0f-4723-8e5e-66576f3494a8

The MIL Network –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI: Abuse Deterrent Formulations Market Exploding While Estimated to Reach $39 Million In 2025 and $54 Million By 2030
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

PALM BEACH, Fla., June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The market for abuse-deterrent opioids is still developing, but it’s estimated that replacing extended-release opioids with abuse-deterrent formulations could lead to significant cost savings and a reduction in abuse-related medical events. While specific revenue figures for the abuse-deterrent opioid market are not readily available, the potential impact on the broader opioid market is substantial. One such report from Roots Analysis, however, did project revenues, saying: “The abuse deterrent formulations market is estimated to grow from USD 25.7 million in 2024 to reach USD 39.8 million in 2025 and USD 54.8 million by 2030, representing a higher CAGR of 6.6% during the forecast period. Although the healthcare industry relies on patient to take medications responsibly, in 2017, close to 18 million individuals were reported to have misused prescription drugs, in the US. In fact, data from a National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted in the same year, showed that an estimated 2 million Americans misused prescription pain relievers for the first time in the previous year. Moreover, the same study reported 1.5 million people abusing tranquilizers, over 1 million abusing prescription stimulants and more than 270,000 abusing sedatives, for the first time, in the same time period. Owing to a rapid onset of medicinal effect, which offers immediate relief (with high efficacy), opioids are still considered to be one of the most widely used pharmacological interventions for pain management. However, these drugs are known to induce a euphoric state upon consumption, often causing patients to abuse them; increased recreational use of opioids is known to lead to addiction. Moreover, over-prescription of such medicinal products, which promotes their misuse, is considered as one of the root causes of the opioid crisis (increasing number of deaths involving misuse and addiction to opioids), in the US. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 72,000 overdose-related deaths were reported in 2017, of which close to 50,000 involved the use of an opioid.” Active healthcare/tech companies active in the markets include: Nutriband Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRB) (NASDAQ: NTRBW), Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE), Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. (NASDAQ: COLL), Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA), Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS).

Moreover, opioid abuse was estimated to have been responsible for an economic deficit of over USD 500 billion, related to loss of productivity and healthcare costs, in the US. Other drug classes that are prone to abuse include antidepressants and central nervous system (CNS) stimulants such as fentanyl and klonopin. In 2017, close to 17,000 deaths were reported to have been the result of an overdose of prescription antidepressants. Most of these deaths (~11,500) involved the misuse of benzodiazepines, such as VALIUM® (diazepam) and XANAX^® (alprazolam). CNS stimulants are usually indicated for the treatment of patients suffering from attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Among the various overdose-related deaths which took place in 2017, it is worth highlighting that over 12% involved the use of psychostimulants. Prescription drug abuse has prompted pharmaceutical developers to devise various strategies to prevent misuse. Some of the commonly used approaches to abuse deterrence include limiting use of opioids post-surgery, implementing stringent medicine prescribing guidelines and conducting prescription drug monitoring programs, and creating abuse deterrent formulations (ADFs) of drugs that are likely to be misused. Drug formulations that are designed to prevent an active pharmacological substance from being abused have been identified as a viable and sustainable alternative to limiting recreational / off-prescription use of the abovementioned drug classes and its consequences.”

NUTRIBAND INC. (NASDAQ: NTRB) AND KINDEVA COMPLETE COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURING PROCESS SCALE-UP FOR AVERSA™ FENTANYL ABUSE DETERRENT FENTANYL PATCH
- Nutriband and Kindeva have completed commercial manufacturing process scale-up for its lead product Aversa™ Fentanyl, an abuse-deterrent fentanyl patch
- Nutriband is partnering with Kindeva to develop Aversa™ Fentanyl which combines Nutriband’s Aversa™ abuse-deterrent technology with Kindeva’s FDA-approved fentanyl patch
Nutriband Inc. (NASDAQ:NTRB) (NASDAQ:NTRBW), a company engaged in the development of prescription transdermal pharmaceutical products, today announced that it has completed commercial manufacturing process scale-up for its lead product, Aversa™ Fentanyl, with Kindeva, a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) focused on drug-device combination products.

Nutriband is partnering with Kindeva to develop Aversa™ Fentanyl which combines Nutriband’s Aversa™ abuse-deterrent technology with Kindeva’s FDA-approved fentanyl patch. Aversa Fentanyl is manufactured at Kindeva’s state-of-the-art transdermal manufacturing facility located in the United States. The next step is to manufacture clinical supplies and file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the FDA to initiate a human abuse liability clinical study.

“We are excited to achieve this commercial development milestone with our partner, Kindeva. Completing the commercial manufacturing scale-up is an important step towards development of a commercially viable product and eventual NDA filing. This achievement demonstrates the compatibility of the Aversa™ abuse deterrent platform technology with established transdermal patch manufacturing processes. Aversa Fentanyl has the potential to be the first abuse deterrent pain patch on the market,” said Gareth Sheridan, CEO, Nutriband.

Nutriband’s AVERSA™ abuse-deterrent technology can be utilized to incorporate aversive agents into transdermal patches to prevent the abuse, diversion, misuse, and accidental exposure of drugs with abuse potential including opioids and stimulants. The AVERSA™ abuse-deterrent technology has the potential to improve the safety profile of transdermal drugs susceptible to abuse, such as fentanyl, while making sure that these drugs remain accessible to those patients who really need them.

AVERSA Fentanyl has the potential to be the world’s first abuse-deterrent opioid patch designed to deter the abuse and misuse and reduce the risk of accidental exposure of transdermal fentanyl patches. CONTINUED… Read this full press release and more news for NTRB at: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-ntrb

In other developments and happenings in the biotech market recently include:

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) announced involvement in the Abuse Deterrent Market stating that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved an updated label for EMBEDA^® (morphine sulfate and naltrexone hydrochloride) extended-release (ER) capsules, for oral use, CII, to include abuse-deterrence studies. The updated label states that EMBEDA has properties that are expected to reduce abuse via the oral and intranasal (i.e., snorting) routes when crushed. However, abuse of EMBEDA by these routes is still possible. The updated label also includes data from a human abuse potential study of intravenous (IV) morphine and naltrexone to simulate crushed EMBEDA. However, it is unknown whether the results with simulated crushed EMBEDA predict a reduction in abuse by the IV route until additional postmarketing data are available. EMBEDA is indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. Pfizer expects EMBEDA will be available in the U.S. in early 2015.

“Prescription opioids are an important treatment option for people with chronic pain. However, misuse and abuse of opioids in the U.S. is a serious societal concern, which is why the development of abuse-deterrent formulations of these medicines is a high priority,” said Bob Twillman, Ph.D., Director of Policy and Advocacy, American Academy of Pain Management. “All opioid medications, including morphine products, have the potential for abuse. We believe that anything that can be done to reduce this risk is a significant development for healthcare providers and their patients.”

Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. (NASDAQ:COLL) also announced involvement in the Abuse Deterrent Market by stating that U.S. Patent No. 9,044,398 was issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its patent application entitled, “Abuse-deterrent Pharmaceutical Compositions of Opioids and Other Drugs”. The issued patent covers the DETERx technology platform and Collegium’s lead product candidate, Xtampza ER (oxycodone extended-release capsules). The claims provide additional coverage for multiple opioid molecules, as well as non-opioid drugs prone to abuse that are developed with the DETERx technology platform. This is the seventh issued U.S. patent related to the DETERx technology platform.

“This newly issued patent expands our patent coverage for our lead product candidate, Xtampza ER, and the DETERx technology platform. We have a number of additional patent applications currently undergoing the patent prosecution process that, if issued, would continue to protect Xtampza ER, the DETERx technology platform, and additional product candidates in the U.S. and internationally,” said Michael Heffernan, Chairman and CEO of Collegium.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA) announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved VANTRELATM ER (hydrocodone bitartrate) extended-release tablets [CII] formulated with Teva’s proprietary abuse deterrence technology. VANTRELA ER is indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. The product’s approval is supported by a clinical program that evaluated the safety and efficacy of VANTRELA ER, as well as its abuse potential in laboratory-based in vitro manipulation and extraction studies, pharmacokinetic studies, and clinical abuse potential (CAP) studies.

“Teva understands the risk of prescription drug abuse is a challenge healthcare professionals face when treating millions of Americans affected by chronic pain,” said Rob Koremans, MD, President and CEO of Global Specialty Medicines at Teva. “Abuse-deterrent treatments provide options for prescribers that may help deter or mitigate abuse while still preserving access to pain medications for the patients that need them most.”

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) is teaming up with Victoria’s Voice Foundation to rally Americans to help save lives from the opioid epidemic on National Naloxone Awareness Day, which honors the late Victoria Siegel and others who have succumbed to overdose. As part of the effort, Victoria’s Voice has launched the “Shine. Wear. Share. Care” campaign to raise awareness and provide educational resources to individuals, organizations and businesses that includes a purple light bulb (Shine), a wearable promotional item (Wear), a QR code encouraging participation in the #sharenaloxone social media campaign (Share) and a box of NARCAN^® Nasal Spray (Care) provided by Emergent.

“It’s been 10 years since our Victoria lost her life to an accidental opioid overdose and we remain fiercely committed to honoring her memory and the memory of others who have succumbed to this same tragedy by fostering open dialogue about the dangers of opioids and precautionary safety measures, so other families don’t have to experience the same tragedy,” said Jackie Siegel, of Victoria’s Voice Foundation. “We’re pleased that Emergent is our sponsor for this year’s National Naloxone Awareness Day to further our shared mission of saving as many lives as possible through naloxone education and distribution.”

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The MIL Network –
June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Smartphones are once again setting the agenda for justice as the Latino community documents ICE actions

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Allissa V. Richardson, Associate Professor of Journalism, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Smartphone witnessing helped spur the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Ethan Swope

It has been five years since May 25, 2020, when George Floyd gasped for air beneath the knee of a Minneapolis police officer at the corner of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue. Five years since 17-year-old Darnella Frazier stood outside Cup Foods, raised her phone and bore witness to nine minutes and 29 seconds that would galvanize a global movement against racial injustice.

Frazier’s video didn’t just show what happened. It insisted the world stop and see.

Today, that legacy continues in the hands of a different community, facing different threats but wielding the same tools. Across the United States, Latino organizers are raising their phones, not to go viral but to go on record. They livestream Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, film family separations and document protests outside detention centers. Their footage is not merely content. It is evidence, warning – and resistance.

Here in Los Angeles where I teach journalism, for example, several images have seared themselves into public memory. One viral video shows a shackled father stepping into a white, unmarked van as his daughter sobs behind the camera, pleading with him not to sign any official documents. He turns, gestures for her to calm down, and blows her a kiss. In another video, filmed across town, Los Angeles Police Department officers on horseback charge into crowds of peaceful protesters, swinging wooden batons with chilling precision.

In Spokane, Washington, residents form a spontaneous human chain around their neighbors mid-raid, their bodies and cameras erecting a barricade of defiance. In San Diego, a video shows white allies yelling “Shame!” as they chase a car full of National Guard troops from their neighborhood.

The impact of smartphone witnessing has been immediate and unmistakable – visceral at street level, seismic in statehouses. On the ground, the videos helped inspire a “No Kings” movement, which organized protests in all 50 states on June 14, 2025.

Lawmakers are intensifying their focus on immigration policy as well. As the Trump administration escalates enforcement, Democratic-led states are expanding laws that limit cooperation with federal agents. On June 12, the House Oversight Committee questioned Democratic governors about these measures, with Republican lawmakers citing public safety concerns. The hearing underscored deep divisions between federal and state approaches to immigration enforcement.

The legacy of Black witnessing

What’s unfolding now is not new – it is newly visible. As my research shows, Latino organizers are drawing from a playbook that was sharpened in 2020 and rooted in a much older lineage of Black media survival strategies that were forged under extreme oppression.

In my 2020 book “Bearing Witness While Black: African Americans, Smartphones and the New Protest Journalism,” I document how Black Americans have used media – slave narratives, pamphlets, newspapers, radio and now smartphones – to fight for justice. From Frederick Douglass to Ida B. Wells to Darnella Frazier, Black witnesses have long used journalism as a tool for survival and transformation.

Latino mobile journalists are building on that blueprint in 2025, filming state power in moments of overreach, archiving injustice in real time, and expanding the impact of this radical tradition.

Their work also echoes the spatial tactics of Black resistance. Just as enslaved Black people once mapped escape routes during slavery and Jim Crow, Latino communities today are engaging in digital cartography to chart ICE-free zones, mutual aid hubs and sanctuary spaces. The People Over Papers map channels the logic of the Black maroons – communities of self-liberated Africans who escaped plantations to track patrols, share intelligence and build networks of survival. Now, the hideouts are digital. The maps are crowdsourced. The danger remains.

Likewise, the Stop ICE Raids Alerts Network revives a civil rights-era tactic. In the 1960s, organizers used wide area telephone service lines and radio to circulate safety updates. Black DJs cloaked dispatches in traffic and weather reports – “congestion on the south side” signaled police blockades; “storm warnings” meant violence ahead. Today, the medium is WhatsApp. The signal is encrypted. But the message – protect each other – has not changed.

Layered across both systems is the DNA of the “Negro Motorist Green Book,” the guide that once helped Black travelers navigate Jim Crow America by identifying safe towns, gas stations and lodging. People Over Papers and Stop ICE Raids are digital descendants of that legacy. Where the Green Book used printed pages, today’s tools use digital pins. But the mission remains: survival through shared knowledge, protection through mapped resistance.

The People Over Papers map is a crowdsourced collection of reports of ICE activity across the U.S.
Screenshot by The Conversation U.S.

Dangerous necessity

Five years after George Floyd’s death, the power of visual evidence remains undeniable. Black witnessing laid the groundwork. In 2025, that tradition continues through the lens of Latino mobile journalists, who draw clear parallels between their own community’s experiences and those of Black Americans. Their footage exposes powerful echoes: ICE raids and overpolicing, border cages and city jails, a door kicked in at dawn and a knee on a neck.

Like Black Americans before them, Latino communities are using smartphones to protect, to document and to respond. In cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles and El Paso, whispers of “ICE is in the neighborhood” now flash across Telegram, WhatsApp and Instagram. For undocumented families, pressing record can mean risking retaliation or arrest. But many keep filming – because what goes unrecorded can be erased.

What they capture are not isolated incidents. They are part of a broader, shared struggle against state violence. And as long as the cameras keep rolling, the stories keep surfacing – illuminated by the glow of smartphone screens that refuse to look away.

Allissa V. Richardson receives funding from the Ford Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

– ref. Smartphones are once again setting the agenda for justice as the Latino community documents ICE actions – https://theconversation.com/smartphones-are-once-again-setting-the-agenda-for-justice-as-the-latino-community-documents-ice-actions-258980

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Expansion of marriage rights to same-sex couples also expanded access to the psychological benefits that come with tying the knot

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Alana L. Riso, Ph.D. Student in Clinical Psychology, Binghamton University, State University of New York

Marriage and the ability to start a family are human rights. Ten years ago, on June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Obergefell v. Hodges case extended the right to marry to same-sex couples.

With 7.6% of Americans identifying as LGBTQ+, this decision continues to have an impact beyond legal benefits.

Marriage provides unique advantages – a reality we have come to know as psychology researchers who focus on couples. The right to marry allowed same-sex couples the opportunity to experience these advantages.

Benefits of a healthy marriage

Although evidence largely comes from different-sex couples, psychology research documents the numerous benefits healthy marriage confers on well-being. Married people experience more positive emotions. They also have many physical health advantages, such as being more likely to survive cancer or major surgery. Children of married couples seem to benefit as well.

A healthy marriage brings benefits that are distinct even from what couples in long-term relationships experience. Those who are married have better psychological well-being, such as less depression and better physical health than people in nonmarital romantic relationships, even those who live with their partner.

Not surprisingly, the benefits of being married do not extend to unhappy marriages. The effects of marriage on physical well-being, life satisfaction, depression and mental health more broadly depend on marital quality, and so do outcomes for children.

What’s so special about marriage?

What makes a happy marriage different from a happy cohabiting, stable relationship when it comes to well-being? Social scientists don’t know, but there are a few theories.

The one with the most empirical support involves a concept from physics called inertia. Applied in relationship science, inertia describes the idea that a relationship will remain the same or continue moving along the same trajectory unless some outside force acts upon it.

As relationships progress, they naturally gain momentum. Partners invest more into their relationship over time. They exchange gifts, meet each others’ friends, and start staying at each others’ homes. Eventually, a natural step in this progression is either cohabitation or marriage.

Marriage is a milestone, marking a new stage in life. Deciding to get married is a long-term commitment that often takes years of planning. Cohabitation, on the other hand, is easy to slide into due to the forward trajectory of a relationship. Cohabitors tend to stay together less as an intentional choice but for convenience.

The intentional lifelong commitment of marriage may explain why it offers more benefits than cohabitation.

Same-sex marriage has been legal nationwide in the U.S. since June 26, 2015.
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

10 years of same-sex marriage

As more same-sex couples have married, are they seeing the same marriage benefits that other-sex couples always had? Research on the topic is only just beginning. Still, there is some preliminary evidence that they are.

In a 2024 survey, respondents with same-sex spouses largely felt closer to their partner and more satisfied with life in general after getting married. Findings from one research study indicate that married same-sex couples see greater benefits to psychological well-being than do same-sex couples in registered domestic partnerships. Another study on same-sex relationships found that marriage was linked to greater happiness and fewer depression symptoms than cohabitation.

As for children of same-sex parents, they do just as well as those with other-sex parents. There’s not much data yet on the impact on kids of same-sex parents divorcing.

Do marriage benefits differ for same-sex couples?

The happiness of same- and other-sex relationships is largely determined by the same factors, but there are two key differences: gender composition of the couple and stress from discrimination.

In other-sex relationships, women tend to fall into subordinate positions. Same-sex couples are free from traditional male-female gender dynamics, allowing more of a balance of power. For instance, they have a more even division of household chores, and partners have a more equal say when resolving conflicts. Greater equality may improve the quality of same-sex relationships.

The other distinguishing feature of same-sex couples is that their relationships are negatively affected by discrimination, a known stressor. In research done mostly on different-sex couples, even support from a partner does not ameliorate the downstream effects of discrimination and – as is the case with other stressors – can make relationship problems seem worse.

Societal disapproval may lead someone to internalize negative ideas about their own sexuality and relationship. In other words, buying into society’s message that one’s relationship is morally wrong harms their own mental health and consequently their relationship. Psychology researchers theorize that societal disapproval is a key factor standing in the way of same-sex couples experiencing the full benefits of marriage.

More societal acceptance post-Obergefell

As an increasing number of U.S. states, and eventually the federal government, legalized same-sex marriage, greater societal acceptance has followed. In 2025, 67% of LGBTQ+ adults agree that the country has become more accepting of same-sex couples due to the legalization of same-sex marriage.

This trend is not unique to the U.S. Around the world, countries where same-sex marriage is legal tend to have a higher percentage of the population say they favor same-sex marriage. Although the causal direction is opaque, evidence from multiple countries indicates that same-sex marriage bans reinforce nonacceptance of LGBTQ+ people, while legal recognition fosters societal approval. Acceptance lowers stress for same-sex couples, allowing them to enjoy the benefits of marriage.

Although societal acceptance in the United States has improved dramatically over the past couple of decades, it is important to note that 19% of Americans still strongly oppose same-sex marriage. Legalization was a major step, but it has by no means eliminated discrimination altogether.

Matthew D. Johnson was an unpaid consultant on an amicus brief in support of the petitioners in Obergefell v Hodges that was submitted by Owen C. Pell of White & Case LLP.

Alana L. Riso 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. Expansion of marriage rights to same-sex couples also expanded access to the psychological benefits that come with tying the knot – https://theconversation.com/expansion-of-marriage-rights-to-same-sex-couples-also-expanded-access-to-the-psychological-benefits-that-come-with-tying-the-knot-257950

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Strategic Topics, Technical Insights: Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025 to Offer Multi-Track Program

This year’s edition of the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference & exhibition will feature a multi-track program examining how regulatory reform, foreign investment and domestic growth have shaped the market over the past five decades, and how greater collaboration, capital expenditure and local participation will shape the next 50 years of development.

Strategic Track

The AOG 2025 Strategic Track will feature a series of panel discussions, keynote addresses and in-conversation with sessions, all of which aim to provide key insight into the state of play of Angola’s oil and gas market. A session on Angola at 50: The Oil & Gas Industry – a catalyst for economic transformation will examine the role oil and gas has and will continue to play in unlocking economic opportunities for the country – from job creation to fuel security to revenue generation and infrastructure development.

Meanwhile, with the country on track for a $60 billion upstream investment drive in the coming five years and a 2025 licensing round set to offer 10 blocks in the offshore Kwanza and Benguela basins, Angola offers strategic investment opportunities for exploration and production firms. The AOG 2025 Strategic Track will feature sessions on The Role of Onshore & Shallow Water Operations in Maintaining Production Levels; and Strategic Partnerships: Unlocking Africa’s Deepwater Potential, tackling development opportunities across the market. Additionally, sessions on From Extraction to Expansion: Financing Angola’s Oil & Gas Development and Increased Production Through Investment Friendly Reforms, will examine the impact reform has played on the market and how amended policies and improved fiscals have strengthened the competitiveness of doing business in Angola.

Beyond the upstream sector, Angola targets 445,000 bpd in refining capacity, with a focus on reducing petroleum imports and bolstering regional fuel security. The Strategic Track will share insight into these objectives, with sessions on Towards a Secure Energy Future: Accelerating Downstream Development to Meet Market Demands; The Role of National Champions in Angola’s Development; Strategic Investments in Angola’s Logistics and Energy Infrastructure; and Building Tomorrow’s Workforce.

Technical Track

Geared towards service companies, innovators and data analytics firms, the AOG 2025 Technical Track will examine how technology-driven solutions will support oil and gas development in Angola. The Technical Track aligns closely with the broader goals of the nation to increase exploration, accelerate low-carbon fuel production while unlocking new opportunities for sustainable development. Sessions on Driving Investment for Seismic Opportunities in Angola and Best Practice Strategies for Successful Exploration in the Okavango Basin will explore the impact data and technology play on unlocking new frontiers in Angola.

Additionally, sessions on Economic Diversification Through Gas; Towards Net-Zero: Decarbonizing Operations; and AI and Machine-Learning: Enhancing Efficiency, Safety and Minimizing Environmental Impact will provide critical insight into emerging opportunities in Angola’s low-carbon space. Focus areas will include natural gas projects, how technology such as machine learning can enhance efficiency while reducing emissions and the role research and development plays in supporting Angolan oil and gas development. In addition to panel discussions, a series of presentations will take place across the Technical Track, led by global data and analytics providers, Angolan government leaders and major operators.

Additional Features

In addition to the main conference program, AOG 2025 will host a dedicated deal-room. Designed as a high-impact ‘Dragon’s Den’ style platform, the deal room offers Angolan entrepreneurs and innovators the chance to pitch their products and services to global operators. The deal room fosters collaboration, local participation and partnerships. Meanwhile, AOG 2025 will also host a pre-conference program on September 2, ahead of the main conference agenda. The pre-conference includes specialized workshops and sessions led by experts and is designed for engineers, geologists, project managers and financiers.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

MIL OSI Africa –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: UK Misogyny: the manosphere and online content – Women and Equalities Committee

Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

The Women and Equalities Committee is hearing from Laura Bates, Activist, Speaker and Writer, on the impact of:

– the manosphere
– misogynistic online content
– the use of AI

This hearing is part of the Committee’s wider inquiry on the manosphere and misogynistic online content. Find out more: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/9089/misogyny-the-manosphere-and-online-content

#Manosphere #Misogyny #OnlineHarm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVwyQdkS6A0

MIL OSI Video –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – What role for AI skills in (re-)shaping the future European workforce – 18-06-2025

Source: European Parliament 2

Driven by the rapid pace of technological change and the need for a human-centric approach to the development of artificial intelligence (AI), AI skills have a significant role in shaping the future European workforce. The growing skills gap in the EU, with almost half of the population lacking basic digital skills, including AI skills, poses a significant challenge for the future that needs to be addressed for the EU to maintain its competitiveness and manage regional disparities. Several EU initiatives are under way, including the recently adopted union of skills communication and AI continent action plan. Fostering anticipatory governance, a culture of innovation, supporting diversity and inclusiveness in the AI workforce, and strengthening digital infrastructure are all critical to ensuring that the benefits of AI are shared by all, while minimising its negative impacts. Aligning with European values will be important to ensure fairness in this process. The EU’s future prosperity depends on using AI’s potential while basing it on a human-centric approach and ethical development, ensuring transparency and accountability, as well as prioritising people’s wellbeing. Targeted investment in EU-wide digital infrastructure and education that emphasises lifelong learning and skills development could ensure balanced economic growth and competitiveness in the global talent market. By examining the multifaceted interaction between AI, skills and jobs, a way forward may be identified that focuses on the needs of EU citizens and ensures that the future European workforce – and citizens in general – are equipped to succeed in an increasingly automated and AI-driven economy.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Strengthening Women, Peace and Security focus of FSC Security Dialogue and side-event of the Estonian Chairpersonship

Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

Headline: Strengthening Women, Peace and Security focus of FSC Security Dialogue and side-event of the Estonian Chairpersonship

Strengthening Women, Peace and Security focus of FSC Security Dialogue and side-event of the Estonian Chairpersonship | OSCE

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MIL OSI Europe News –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Tackling hate speech in the digital age: Stronger Action Needed

Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

Headline: Tackling hate speech in the digital age: Stronger Action Needed

SARAJEVO, 18 June 2025 – Hate speech is not new, but, fueled by the anonymity and viral nature of digital platforms, it now travels faster and further. These new arenas for hate speech carry the potential for more devastating consequences – accelerating discrimination, creating hostile environments or inciting violence, including hate crimes. As we mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, we cannot ignore the real risks of our digital and internet age, including the growing incidence and impact of online hate speech and the escalating dangers of posed by generative artificial intelligence (AI).
These risks are particularly relevant in the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where hate speech has long prevented healing and exacerbated the wounds of a painful past, at the same time jeopardizing efforts to look towards a common brighter future.
One of the most widespread and troubling forms of hate speech in the country is the denial, justification and relativization of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes committed during the 1992–1995 conflict as well as the glorification of war criminals. Such narratives are perpetuated — sometimes by high-profile public figures and politicians — for political gain and with impunity. Murals and offensive graffiti that publicly glorify war criminals are not just painful and haunting reminders for victims; they also contribute to politically motivated historical revisionism by reflecting a deliberate manipulation of history to justify harmful ideologies and obstruct reconciliation.
Hate speech reflects our biases, for example, infused with gendered components such as such as discrediting survivors of conflict-related sexual violence or minimizing the distinct impact of war crimes of on the respective genders. Gendered hate speech undermines international justice, retraumatizes survivors and dehumanizes victims by aggravating suffering or erasing their experiences.
Hate speech also disproportionately targets marginalized communities, such as ethnic minorities, migrants and persons with disabilities, as well as women and girls, including those from these communities. This further amplifies fear and compounds structural inequalities and social exclusion. Children are especially vulnerable to online hate speech, with such exposure potentially permanently negatively impacting their well-being and development.
The anonymity and impersonal nature of online spaces often embolden the authors of hate speech, social media posts, videos or AI-generated images can be created and disseminated in seconds, reaching thousands—sometimes millions—without accountability.
No single organization or institution can tackle this issue alone. Eradicating hate speech demands joint action, bringing together governments, civil society, the media and tech platforms. Media and tech companies, who may profit from emotive and shocking content, must be aware of the particular responsibilities they have. Political actors and institutions at all levels must also act—decisively and consistently.
Critically, civil society, including grassroots organizations, human rights defenders, and environmental advocates, must be enabled and protected in fulfilling their vital role in raising awareness, providing support to survivors, and advocating for safer digital and public spaces. Countering hate speech must prioritize support for survivors, including access to justice through free legal aid, psychosocial services, and safe reporting mechanisms. We must also remember that protecting the most vulnerable requires active resistance to all forms of hate.
We — the United Nations, the European Union, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo — remain committed to working together and supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina towards stronger regulation against hate speech, greater accountability, and ethical and responsible public discourse, notwithstanding the right to freedom of opinion and expression in line with international standards.
We urge those in positions of responsibility, whether in politics, the media or other roles of influence, as well as citizens, to take a stand against hate speech and challenge hateful narratives in everyday life. Together, through courage and commitment, we can combat all forms of hate speech and ensure that dignity and respect remain the foundations of our both our democratic and digital societies.
—–
The Op-ed is published as part of the joint project “Možemo bolje”, funded by the European Union’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments under the Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – jointly implemented by the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 19, 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: DfE Update: 18 June 2025

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Correspondence

DfE Update: 18 June 2025

Latest information and actions from the Department for Education about funding, assurance and resource management, for academies, local authorities and further education providers.

Applies to England

Documents

DfE Update further education: 18 June 2025

HTML

DfE Update academies: 18 June 2025

HTML

DfE Update local authorities: 18 June 2025

HTML

Details

Latest for further education

Article	Title
Action	College financial data (CFD) service portal now available
Information	2024 to 2025 year-end forecast funding claim: indicative reconciliation statement(s)
Information	Adult residency eligibility criteria simplification
Information	Free Courses for Jobs construction expansion

Latest information for academies

Article	Title
Information	Academies chart of accounts 2025 to 2026
Information	DfE Connect is now available to multi-academy trusts
Events and webinars	Q&A drop-in sessions: Academies chart of accounts and automation
Events and webinars	Academies technical update 2025 to 2026
Events and webinars	Academies technical update 2025 to 2026
Events and webinars	Academies technical update 2025 to 2026
Events and webinars	RPA members only: Crime resilience workshop
Events and webinars	DfE Energy for schools: simplified buying of gas and electricity
Events and webinars	The Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) webinar
Events and webinars	Plan technology for your school

Latest information for local authorities

Article	Title
Information	2024 to 2025 year-end forecast funding claim: indicative reconciliation statement(s)
Information	Adult residency eligibility criteria simplification
Information	Free Courses for Jobs construction expansion
Events and webinars	RPA members only: Crime resilience workshop
Events and webinars	DfE Energy for schools: simplified buying of gas and electricity
Events and webinars	The Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) webinar
Events and webinars	Plan technology for your school

Published 18 June 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 19, 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Citizen Interaction Policy announced

Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

A new Citizen Interaction Policy, aimed at promoting positive engagement between the Council and citizens, was approved this week.

Councillors from the Staff Governance Committee approved the Citizen Interaction Policy, which reinforces the Council’s commitment to providing accessible services to all members of the community, while supporting the safety and wellbeing of employees and elected members.

In addition to promoting positive engagement, the policy includes a zero tolerance pledge against violence, aggression and abuse towards employees and elected members.

Committee Convener Councillor Neil Copeland said: “We are here to help and support citizens and we ask them to work with us to make this possible.

“The policy provides safeguards for Council employees and elected members – while also providing a single point of reference to understand the standards of behaviours expected from all involved parties.”

Vice Convener, Councillor Gill Al-Samarai said, “The safety of our employees and the citizens we serve is of paramount importance. By creating a single policy we aim to tackle unacceptable behaviours for the benefit of everyone.”

“We will publish the policy on the council website and will seek to raise public awareness of our zero tolerance approach through signage in all of our public facing buildings.”  

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Schools in Edinburgh adopt Scottish Government guidance on school uniforms

Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

Last week, Councillors agreed at Education, Children and Families Committee that the Scottish Government guidance on school uniform will apply to all City of Edinburgh Council schools.

In line with the decision, schools in the city should not require branded school items as a compulsory part of their uniform policy. Uniform policies should be flexible and include plain and non-branded uniform items that match school colours. Blazers and branded items of uniform will no longer be compulsory, encouraged or promoted by schools.

Schools in Edinburgh will continue to have uniforms but parents and carers will have wider choice on where they choose to purchase school uniform items and on how much they wish to spend.

In recent years the cost of school uniform has steadily increased and for some families, uniform costs, especially for higher priced branded and embroidered items, represent a significant impact on household budgets. Schools are expected to do all that they can to limit school clothing costs for families.

In line with this new guidance, parents or carers should not be directed to specialist suppliers to purchase branded items.

Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener said:

We are committed to tackling poverty and inequality in our schools and it is clear that the cost of school uniform items has, for some, created a barrier to school education. One of the ways we are addressing this is by removing the need for parents and carers to be compelled to spend more money than is necessary on school uniform.

The Scottish Government guidance makes clear the rationale behind the new approach to school uniforms. It is the right thing to do make changes that will have a positive financial impact on families by reducing the cost of the school day, while also creating a more inclusive school environment and promoting sustainability. I am pleased that members of the Education, Children and Families Committee have agreed this positive step forward which is focused on supporting all pupils to come to school feeling comfortable, confident and ready to learn.

Published: June 18th 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local leaders welcome leading role for Leeds in delivering government’s Plan for Change

Source: City of Leeds

The Leader of Leeds City Council and the Mayor of West Yorkshire have welcomed government plans to bring together local communities, civil servants, and frontline workers in Leeds and the wider region to have a greater voice in shaping and testing national policy.

As a part of the next phase of the Government’s plan to transform public services and deliver its ‘Plan for Change’, three key locations; Leeds, Sheffield, and Darlington, will use thematic campuses to focus on different government policy missions and solve major challenges facing communities.

Working hand in hand with local mayoral combined authorities and public service providers, the Community Mission Challenge pilot programme aims to draw together civil servants and frontline workers with a cross section of expertise, skills, and experience from departments such as teaching and the NHS, to have a greater impact on shaping and testing new government policy locally.

Once proved successful, these solutions and ways of working can then be scaled up across other parts of the UK to accelerate delivery of the missions nationally.

The pilot programme follows a recent government announcement that will see thousands of civil servants located outside London, with the aim of bringing central government closer to the people it serves.

Under the plans, Leeds will focus on the Government’s health mission, while Sheffield will focus on opportunity, and Darlington on growth.

Leeds already has a reputation for innovation in health and social care through its comprehensive Health and Wellbeing Strategy, Inclusive Growth Strategy, and its introduction of the Marmot city partnership. Coupled with a cutting-edge health technology and research sector, and its expansive voluntary and community organisations and anchor networks already working in close partnership with the local authority, the city has a wealth of experience in health innovation.

The Leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor James Lewis, said: “We are delighted that Leeds civil servants will take a leading role in delivering the Government’s health mission. This aligns with our local health and wellbeing strategy, which aims to improve the health of the poorest fastest.

“Leeds is a growing, diverse and ambitious city with well-established neighbourhood networks run by the voluntary and community sector and large anchor organisations working in partnership with the local authority, and a wealth of frontline expertise which will really benefit this new initiative.

“As a city, we have a hard-won reputation for innovation, especially within the health and social care sector, so we are perfectly suited to focus on the health mission which has been entrusted to the city.

“We look forward to playing a significant role in helping to shape national policy and to bringing central government closer to our community.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “This government understands that to achieve its missions and rebuild public services, it needs to listen to those who know their areas best.

“Frontline workers and civil servants across the North of England stand ready to help the government understand the challenges and deliver the change that’s needed to grow our economy and put more money in people’s pockets.

“Home to a thriving network of over 300 health tech companies, three innovative universities and the largest teaching hospital in Europe, it’s only fitting that Leeds will lead the way on transforming the NHS and the health of our communities across the UK.”

Plans for the scheme will continue to be drawn up throughout the summer with the programme expected to start work in the autumn. A new secondment scheme between government and local authorities is also being developed with people in both central and local government able to participate.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Aspiring young performers invited to panto auditions

Source: City of Derby

Are you looking for a fantastic opportunity for a talented youngster? The search is on for energetic and charismatic children to join the Junior Ensemble in this year’s Derby panto, Dick Whittington, at Derby Arena.

Little Wolf Entertainment is seeking young performers, bursting with personality, to share the stage with professional actors, including the acclaimed panto dame Morgan Brind.

This year’s production, another collaboration between Derby LIVE and Little Wolf, follows the massive success of previous pantomimes like 2024’s Cinderella, which received two nominations at the UK Pantomime Association Awards.

Auditions are open to boys and girls aged 9-16 who can act, sing, and dance. While previous theatre experience isn’t required, a passion for performing is a must! Please note that 16-year-olds must still be in compulsory full-time education (Year 11) at the time of the show.

If you know a young star who loves to sing and dance, this is their chance to shine on a big stage. Being part of the Junior Ensemble involves lots of hard work and commitment, but is fantastic opportunity to be part of a sensational production – and lots of fun!

To join the Junior Ensemble, you will need to be free for rehearsals on weekday evenings and all day at weekends from 13 November until the show opens, as well as performances from 5 – 31 December 2025.

Auditions will be held at Derby Arena on Sunday 20 July. Applications are open now via the Little Wolf website. Once you register, full details about the audition session for your child’s age group will be sent to you.

There’s no need to prepare anything in advance – it will be a fun, dance workshop-style audition. Each session is expected to last approximately three hours.

Morgan Brind and Alan Bowles from Derby-based Little Wolf Entertainment said:

Every year, we really look forward to these auditions. We’re consistently blown away by the sheer volume of young talent in Derby. If you’d like to be part of the team, be sure to apply soon – we can’t wait to meet you!

Dick Whittington is at Derby Arena from Friday 5 – Wednesday 31 December. Tickets are now on sale with ticket prices ranging from £22 to £37. Concessions and family ticket savings are available. Tickets can be purchased on the Derby LIVE website, at the Sales and Information Centre,19 Chapel Street, Derby, DE1 3GU, or by calling 01332 255 800.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Shanxi Province and Uzbekistan Establish Joint Archaeological Center in Fergana

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

BEIJING, June 18 (Xinhua) — North China’s Shanxi Province has made significant progress in international archaeological cooperation. The Fergana-Shanxi Joint Archaeological Center and the Laboratory for the Protection and Restoration of Cultural Relics were recently opened at Fergana State University in Uzbekistan, according to the provincial government’s official website.

The parties will cooperate in depth in the areas of joint archaeological research, personnel training, archaeology using scientific technologies and the protection of cultural relics.

Since the signing of the cooperation agreement between the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology and Fergana State University in October 2024, the two sides have been actively implementing the provisions of the agreement, developing exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

In March 2025, they held talks to deepen cooperation and reached a consensus, laying a more solid foundation for future joint work. From May 9 to 12, the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology, together with three professors and teachers from the History Department of Fergana State University, conducted a 4-day archaeological survey in the Fergana Valley. During the survey, 9 ancient sites from the Bronze and Iron Ages were examined.

The joint archaeological team applied a variety of advanced technological methods to comprehensively and in detail study the state of preservation of the sites, their cultural appearance, the history of archaeological research, and the relationship between the settlements and burial grounds. This allowed us to obtain key data on the archaeological sites of the region, providing strong support for subsequent in-depth archaeological excavations and research work.

Fan Wenqian, Director of the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology, said that promoting cooperation with Fergana State University in such areas as joint archaeological research, personnel training, archaeology using scientific technology, protection of cultural relics, exhibition, etc. is not only a responsibility but also a mission. The cooperation will not only enable a deep study of the historical and cultural content of the Fergana Valley, but also train more professional personnel with an international outlook for the archaeological circles of Shanxi, which will further enhance the international influence of Shanxi archaeology.

As it became known, from September to October 2025, employees of the Institute of Archaeology of Shanxi Province will again be in the Fergana Valley to conduct joint archaeological work. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: SCO Member States Intend to Strengthen Cooperation in Digital Technologies

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

URUMQI, June 18 (Xinhua) — Participants from various countries expressed their readiness to strengthen cooperation in the relevant field within the SCO framework at the 4th meeting of heads of ministries and departments of the SCO member states responsible for the development of information and communication technologies (ICT), which was held in Karamay city, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Tuesday.

At the event, Deputy Minister of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China Xiong Jijun called promoting sustainable development and accelerating modernization common goals of the SCO countries.

According to him, China is ready to work with all parties to improve the quality and level of cooperation among the member states by improving institutional mechanisms, strengthening political dialogue, deepening practical cooperation in the field of digital technologies and ICT, promoting the transformation and modernization of industries, building a more just, accessible and inclusive digital world, thereby contributing to the formation of a community of shared destiny of the SCO.

First Deputy Minister of Communications and Informatization of the Republic of Belarus Pavel Tkach stated that joint digital development allows for a significant deepening of integration, mutual trade and other sectors of the economy, and the exchange of experience in this area can be carried out within the framework of the SCO.

He stressed that due to the rapid growth of data in Belarus, there is a need to create centers for their processing and storage, adding that Belarus is interested in China’s experience in this area and expects to participate in specific projects with it.

Karamay City, the venue for the event, boasts of its dynamic digital economy in Xinjiang. According to local authorities, as of the end of 2024, the computing power of the cloud computing industrial park was 17,042 petaflops (1 petaflop equals 1 quadrillion floating-point operations per second), becoming the first such industrial park in the region with a computing power of more than 10,000 petaflops.

Zhanat Dzhabasova from Kazakhstan, head of the center for international cooperation and project implementation at the M. Dulatov Kostanay Engineering and Economics University, emphasized the prospects of Karamay to become a future hub of digital technologies. She stated that due to its geographical location, the city is quite capable of combining the experience of Kazakhstan and China in this area and becoming a center for digital transformation and exchanges between the two countries.

Zh. Dzhabasova also expressed hope for the development of cooperation with Chinese universities in the field of information technology and other areas, especially for conducting joint scientific research through the exchange of experience.

The head of Tajikistan’s Communications Service, Isfandiyor Sadullo, said that Karamay, as a city whose main industry is the oil industry, is making active efforts to develop digital technologies. According to him, he sees broad prospects here in the field of big data exchange.

I. Sadullo also said that Tajikistan expects cooperation with China in the field of digital and information and communication technologies, as well as in digital development and transformation.

Let us recall that the meeting adopted an action plan aimed at deepening exchanges and cooperation between the SCO member states in the development of measures for digital transformation, creation of digital infrastructure, digital government, cloud computing, digitalization of small and medium-sized enterprises, development and application of digital technologies, exchange of specialists in the field of digital technologies, etc. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Shanghai hosts Forum on Legal Support for SCO Economic and Trade Activities

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

BEIJING, June 18 (Xinhua) — The SCO Center for International Legal Training and Cooperation (China), based at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, held the Forum on Legal Support for SCO Economic and Trade Activities from Tuesday to Wednesday.

The event was held under the theme “Legal Innovations and International Cooperation – Building a New Era of Sustainable Development”. It was attended by more than 100 experts, scientists and industry representatives from international organizations, SCO countries, Chinese and foreign universities, research institutions and business circles.

The forum focused on creating an effective communication platform for deepening and promoting legal ideas in economic and trade activities, and was also aimed at forming a more open, mutually beneficial and sustainable platform for legal cooperation within the SCO.

The meeting discussed issues such as preventing legal risks in international investment and infrastructure construction within the Belt and Road Initiative, international trade, financial settlements and dispute resolution within the SCO.

Ge Weihua, Party Secretary of Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, said that in the context of growing uncertainty and complexity in economic and trade exchanges, there is an urgent need for more coordinated, higher-level legal support.

Since the establishment of the SCO/China International Legal Training and Cooperation Center, Shanghai University of Political Science and Law has always been committed to promoting in-depth exchanges and cooperation in the legal, economic and trade fields within the SCO framework. In the future, the university will continue to give full play to the advantages of the center to actively promote regional legal cooperation, he added.

The forum was organized by the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law and the SCO Center for International Legal Training and Cooperation /China/. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Iraqi Foreign Minister Calls on Europe to Seek Ceasefire Between Israel and Iran

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

BAGHDAD, June 18 (Xinhua) — Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein has called on European powers, particularly France, Britain and Germany, to play a direct and effective role in achieving an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Iran and resuming negotiations, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Hussein held a telephone conversation with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot, during which they discussed the escalation of tensions in the region, the ministry said in a statement.

According to the statement, both ministers stressed the need for immediate international action to halt military operations by all sides. They warned that further escalation could trigger a wider global economic and humanitarian crisis.

They also stressed the importance of preventing the conflict from spreading or involving other regional or international actors, which could further threaten world peace and stability.

Both sides agreed on the need to coordinate international efforts to support dialogue, describing it as the most viable way to prevent dangerous consequences for the region and the world, the statement added. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Iran’s Supreme Leader Says Iran Will Not Surrender

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

TEHRAN, June 18 (Xinhua) — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that the country remains steadfast in the conflict with Israel and will not give in to pressure, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported.

In a televised address, he praised the Iranian people’s “steadfast, courageous and timely” response to what he called Israel’s “stupid and malicious aggression.” He said the nation’s resilience reflected “the growth of rationality and spirituality” in the country.

“The Iranian people will firmly resist the imposed war, just as they will firmly resist the imposed peace. This nation will not surrender to anyone’s pressure,” Tasnim quotes A. Khamenei as saying.

He also warned that the United States would suffer “irreparable damage” as a result of any military intervention. “Those who know Iran and its history understand that threatening its people is futile,” he said.

Iran’s supreme leader made the remarks after US President Donald Trump made several social media posts on Tuesday demanding Tehran’s “immediate surrender,” fueling speculation that the US was getting militarily involved in the conflict.

The conflict between Israel and Iran is continuing for a sixth day. During this time, about 600 people have died in Iran and 24 in Israel. The escalation began after Israel launched surprise airstrikes on Iranian territory on June 13. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: China to establish international digital yuan operations center

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

SHANGHAI, June 18 (Xinhua) — China will set up an international digital yuan operations center, Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng announced at the Lujiazui Forum in Shanghai on Wednesday.

The purpose of establishing this center, he said, is to promote the internationalization of the digital yuan and the development of financial market services, as well as support innovation in the field of digital finance. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: EIA forecasts new export licensing requirements will reduce U.S. ethane exports

Source: US Energy Information Administration

In-brief analysis

June 18, 2025

We forecast U.S. ethane exports will decrease by 80,000 barrels per day (b/d) this year and by 177,000 b/d in 2026 in our June Short-Term Energy Outlook because of new licensing requirements for U.S. exports of ethane to China. Any policy changes that relax licensing requirements, such as the outcome of trade negotiations between the United States and China, would lead us to increase our forecasts for U.S. ethane exports again.

China is the largest destination for U.S. ethane exports, accounting for 47% of U.S. ethane exports in 2024. All U.S. ethane exports to China come from two terminals on the U.S. Gulf Coast. Enterprise operates the Orbit terminal in Morgan’s Point, Texas, and Energy Transfer operates a terminal in Nederland, Texas. These terminals have long-term contracts with ethane cracking facilities in China. Both companies announced they received notice from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) that they need to apply for a special license to export ethane to China. Both Enterprise and Energy Transfer report that BIS said ethane exports to China pose an “unacceptable risk” that the material could be used for military purposes.

According to Vortexa data, as of June 16, seven Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLECs), nearly a quarter of the VLEC fleet, are stalled along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Two stalled VLECs are laden with nearly 1 million barrels of ethane each. Typically, these loaded VLECs would be headed to China through the Panama Canal, indicating that they were likely loaded before the export licenses were denied. Three VLECs that typically go to China are ballast (empty) and moored off the U.S. Gulf Coast. Two vessels that typically carry ethane from the U.S. Gulf Coast to China on long-term agreements have been diverted to ethane crackers in Dahej, India. The last shipment of U.S. ethane to China left May 23 from Energy Transfer’s terminal on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Ethane is a natural gas liquid extracted from wet natural gas during processing and is primarily used to produce ethylene. Ethylene is a crucial component in the petrochemical industry and a building block for plastics, resins, and synthetic rubber.

Average annual U.S. ethane exports have increased every year since 2014 except 2020, when exports fell slightly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Growing U.S. ethane exports have been supported by rising global petrochemical demand, ethane’s cost advantage in ethylene production over other feedstocks such as naphtha and propane, and increased ethane tanker fleet shipping capacity.

Crackers in China that can only use ethane as a feedstock, such as Satellite Petrochemical, have already shut down, according to Argus, because no alternative sources for ethane imports exist. Other crackers in China can switch feedstock to naphtha or liquified petroleum gas (propane and butane), such as SP Chemical’s Taixing cracker.

Principal contributor: Josh Eiermann

MIL OSI USA News –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: FBI Honors Harrison County Deputy Reserve Program with National Award

Source: US FBI

CLARKSBURG, WV—On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division Assistant Director Timothy A. Ferguson presented the Harrison County (West Virginia) Deputy Reserve Program with the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA) for its service to citizens in West Virginia. The Harrison County Deputy Reserve Program is dedicated to strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the community.

The FBI established the DCLA in 1990 to publicly acknowledge the achievements of those working to make a difference in their communities through the promotion of education and the prevention of crime and violence.

“The FBI’s successes are built on our connections with our law enforcement partners and our communities,” said CJIS Division Assistant Director Ferguson. “Having partner organizations such as the Harrison County Deputy Reserve Program that engage with the public ensures we are able to maintain public trust and accountability, crush violent crime, and defend the homeland.”

The Harrison County Deputy Reserve Program is a non-profit organization comprised of volunteers who support law enforcement and the community in a myriad of ways. The organization’s members are trained to assist in missing persons’ searches and traffic incident management. They hold monthly meetings that provide opportunities to connect state, local, and federal law enforcement. They also provide platforms for the FBI’s CJIS Division to reach community members via the CJIS Community Outreach Program’s Child ID Fingerprinting—a service that gives parents and guardians copies of their children’s fingerprints. The family can then turn over the fingerprints and accompanying headshots, which are not stored in any FBI system, to police in the event a child goes missing. Inspired by the FBI CJIS Division’s Citizens Academy, the Harrison County Deputy Reserve Program created the Harrison County Citizens Academy to connect with, and better educate, community leaders about aspects of law enforcement and the judicial system. As with the FBI’s citizen academies, these opportunities enable frank discussion to enhance communities.

Multiple members of the Harrison County Deputy Reserve Program attended the award ceremony.

“I want to extend our sincere gratitude to the FBI for this tremendous honor,” said former Harrison County Sheriff Robert Matheny. “Thank you for your unwavering commitment to strengthening the bond between federal and local law enforcement and thank you recognizing the power of partnership in building safer communities. This award is a testament to what can be accomplished when ordinary citizens step forward to do extraordinary things. The men and women of our Reserve Unit have answered that call time and again, without hesitation and without expectation. We are honored to accept this award, not just as a unit, but as part of the greater law enforcement family—united by purpose, service, and the unwavering belief that communities are worth protecting.”

“This award was totally unexpected, but I am proud of how our unit has come together to give back to the community and to assist the sheriff’s office and deputies as they fulfill their duties,” said Deputy Sheriff Reserve Michael Lambiotte.

Learn more about the Director’s Community Leadership Award program, the FBI’s general outreach efforts, and the FBI’s CJIS Division online.

Photo Courtesy: Federal Bureau of Investigation – CJIS Division Assistant Director Timothy A. Ferguson (far left) and CJIS Division Section Chief Scott E. Schubert (far right) are joined by Harrison County Sheriff Robert Matheny II (center left) and members of the Harrison County Deputy Reserve Program.

MIL Security OSI –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: FBI Honors Harrison County Deputy Reserve Program with National Award

Source: US FBI

CLARKSBURG, WV—On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division Assistant Director Timothy A. Ferguson presented the Harrison County (West Virginia) Deputy Reserve Program with the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA) for its service to citizens in West Virginia. The Harrison County Deputy Reserve Program is dedicated to strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the community.

The FBI established the DCLA in 1990 to publicly acknowledge the achievements of those working to make a difference in their communities through the promotion of education and the prevention of crime and violence.

“The FBI’s successes are built on our connections with our law enforcement partners and our communities,” said CJIS Division Assistant Director Ferguson. “Having partner organizations such as the Harrison County Deputy Reserve Program that engage with the public ensures we are able to maintain public trust and accountability, crush violent crime, and defend the homeland.”

The Harrison County Deputy Reserve Program is a non-profit organization comprised of volunteers who support law enforcement and the community in a myriad of ways. The organization’s members are trained to assist in missing persons’ searches and traffic incident management. They hold monthly meetings that provide opportunities to connect state, local, and federal law enforcement. They also provide platforms for the FBI’s CJIS Division to reach community members via the CJIS Community Outreach Program’s Child ID Fingerprinting—a service that gives parents and guardians copies of their children’s fingerprints. The family can then turn over the fingerprints and accompanying headshots, which are not stored in any FBI system, to police in the event a child goes missing. Inspired by the FBI CJIS Division’s Citizens Academy, the Harrison County Deputy Reserve Program created the Harrison County Citizens Academy to connect with, and better educate, community leaders about aspects of law enforcement and the judicial system. As with the FBI’s citizen academies, these opportunities enable frank discussion to enhance communities.

Multiple members of the Harrison County Deputy Reserve Program attended the award ceremony.

“I want to extend our sincere gratitude to the FBI for this tremendous honor,” said former Harrison County Sheriff Robert Matheny. “Thank you for your unwavering commitment to strengthening the bond between federal and local law enforcement and thank you recognizing the power of partnership in building safer communities. This award is a testament to what can be accomplished when ordinary citizens step forward to do extraordinary things. The men and women of our Reserve Unit have answered that call time and again, without hesitation and without expectation. We are honored to accept this award, not just as a unit, but as part of the greater law enforcement family—united by purpose, service, and the unwavering belief that communities are worth protecting.”

“This award was totally unexpected, but I am proud of how our unit has come together to give back to the community and to assist the sheriff’s office and deputies as they fulfill their duties,” said Deputy Sheriff Reserve Michael Lambiotte.

Learn more about the Director’s Community Leadership Award program, the FBI’s general outreach efforts, and the FBI’s CJIS Division online.

Photo Courtesy: Federal Bureau of Investigation – CJIS Division Assistant Director Timothy A. Ferguson (far left) and CJIS Division Section Chief Scott E. Schubert (far right) are joined by Harrison County Sheriff Robert Matheny II (center left) and members of the Harrison County Deputy Reserve Program.

MIL Security OSI –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI: MasterQuant Introduces AI Bot for Smarter, Automated Trading Success
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

San Francisco, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

For many years, handling the complications of financial markets has felt like a high-stakes gamble for many. Keeping up with endless data, making split-second decisions, and managing risk often seem like tasks left to experienced professionals. It changes, today! MasterQuant is excited to announce the official launch of its innovative investment platform, MasterQuant, powered by a practical artificial intelligence trading bot, developed to bring enhanced quantifiable strategies within reach of every investor.

MasterQuant’s core belief of mission is to make smart investments accessible to everyone. The foundation of the platform is that the advanced expert system trading bot is far more than just a simple automated system. It functions as a skilled engine that is always learning and growing, converting vast amounts of market data into understandable and doable investing decisions.

The Power Behind the Attention: MasterQuant’s AI Trading Bot

Why is MasterQuant’s AI bot innovative? Deep Learning, which operates consistently in the background, is the foundation of its capabilities:
- Real-time Market Analysis: The trading bot continually shifts through tremendous volumes of market data, processing information as it happens. This bot isn’t just looking at the analysis of the charts, it’s understanding the nuances of price movements, trading volumes, and global indicators immediately
- Identifying Profitable Opportunities: Through ongoing analysis, the AI bot demonstrates exceptional ability in detecting investment opportunities that may not be apparent to humans. It recognizes trends and indicators that imply an opportune time to buy or sell a position.
- Generating Optimized Trading Strategies: Upon identifying an opportunity, the bot acts without delay. It designs and implements precisely tuned trading strategies, basing its choices on complex calculations instead of feelings or speculation.
- Dynamically Adjusting Risk Exposure: A major issue for every investor is risk. The deep learning bot from MasterQuant is designed to actively handle risk, modifying exposure levels instantaneously to safeguard capital and adhere to established criteria.
- Diversifying Assets Thoughtfully: The bot doesn’t put all its eggs in one basket. It works to diversify assets, spreading investments across different areas to balance potential returns and reduce overall vulnerability.
- Continuously Optimizing Trades: Learning is never-ending. The expert system bot continually adjusts its strategies, gathering knowledge from each trade and market fluctuation to enhance future performance. This ongoing improvement targets more and more efficient and profitable results in the long run.
The implementation of this AI trading bot is already breaking new ground in automated investment as it shows the ability to generate amazing profits by persistently executing its clever strategies. It is a major step forward in the process of simplifying the financial tools for ordinary people and increasing their effectiveness.

“MasterQuant was built because we recognized there was an obvious demand for a wiser, easier method of investing,” explained Ryan Franklin, MasterQuant’s Director of Communications. “Our AI-driven trading bot is the result of a lot of research and development that has gone into creating something that empowers both new and experienced investors. It eliminates the guesswork and emotional tension associated with trading, enabling our users to make the most of cutting-edge strategies with confidence and accuracy.”

MasterQuant’s first rollout targets the dynamic cryptocurrency markets, where its real-time analytical strength can shine. Expansion into other major markets, such as forex and traditional stocks, is already in the works, spreading its groundbreaking approach to even more assets.

MasterQuant is not only a platform rather it has become the new era of investing where innovation is a trusted partner in wealth development. It invites everyone to explore a more smart path to financial success by removing common barriers and putting experienced deep learning at the forefront.

About MasterQuant

MasterQuant is a ground-breaking quantitative investment platform that is powered by AI and dedicated to making advanced financial strategies accessible to everyone. MasterQuant, through its deep learning trading bot and intuitive design, enables investors with any level of skill to utilize the markets more efficiently, accurately, and with more confidence. MasterQuant is built on consistent innovation and has the goal of changing the way people create wealth in the new era.

To get more details or check out contract options, https://masterquant.com/

Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, legal advice, or investment recommendations. Stock Trading involves risk and market volatility. Please research or consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions. Masterquant.com and associated parties are not liable for any financial loss incurred.

The MIL Network –
June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI: MasterQuant Introduces AI Bot for Smarter, Automated Trading Success
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

San Francisco, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

For many years, handling the complications of financial markets has felt like a high-stakes gamble for many. Keeping up with endless data, making split-second decisions, and managing risk often seem like tasks left to experienced professionals. It changes, today! MasterQuant is excited to announce the official launch of its innovative investment platform, MasterQuant, powered by a practical artificial intelligence trading bot, developed to bring enhanced quantifiable strategies within reach of every investor.

MasterQuant’s core belief of mission is to make smart investments accessible to everyone. The foundation of the platform is that the advanced expert system trading bot is far more than just a simple automated system. It functions as a skilled engine that is always learning and growing, converting vast amounts of market data into understandable and doable investing decisions.

The Power Behind the Attention: MasterQuant’s AI Trading Bot

Why is MasterQuant’s AI bot innovative? Deep Learning, which operates consistently in the background, is the foundation of its capabilities:
- Real-time Market Analysis: The trading bot continually shifts through tremendous volumes of market data, processing information as it happens. This bot isn’t just looking at the analysis of the charts, it’s understanding the nuances of price movements, trading volumes, and global indicators immediately
- Identifying Profitable Opportunities: Through ongoing analysis, the AI bot demonstrates exceptional ability in detecting investment opportunities that may not be apparent to humans. It recognizes trends and indicators that imply an opportune time to buy or sell a position.
- Generating Optimized Trading Strategies: Upon identifying an opportunity, the bot acts without delay. It designs and implements precisely tuned trading strategies, basing its choices on complex calculations instead of feelings or speculation.
- Dynamically Adjusting Risk Exposure: A major issue for every investor is risk. The deep learning bot from MasterQuant is designed to actively handle risk, modifying exposure levels instantaneously to safeguard capital and adhere to established criteria.
- Diversifying Assets Thoughtfully: The bot doesn’t put all its eggs in one basket. It works to diversify assets, spreading investments across different areas to balance potential returns and reduce overall vulnerability.
- Continuously Optimizing Trades: Learning is never-ending. The expert system bot continually adjusts its strategies, gathering knowledge from each trade and market fluctuation to enhance future performance. This ongoing improvement targets more and more efficient and profitable results in the long run.
The implementation of this AI trading bot is already breaking new ground in automated investment as it shows the ability to generate amazing profits by persistently executing its clever strategies. It is a major step forward in the process of simplifying the financial tools for ordinary people and increasing their effectiveness.

“MasterQuant was built because we recognized there was an obvious demand for a wiser, easier method of investing,” explained Ryan Franklin, MasterQuant’s Director of Communications. “Our AI-driven trading bot is the result of a lot of research and development that has gone into creating something that empowers both new and experienced investors. It eliminates the guesswork and emotional tension associated with trading, enabling our users to make the most of cutting-edge strategies with confidence and accuracy.”

MasterQuant’s first rollout targets the dynamic cryptocurrency markets, where its real-time analytical strength can shine. Expansion into other major markets, such as forex and traditional stocks, is already in the works, spreading its groundbreaking approach to even more assets.

MasterQuant is not only a platform rather it has become the new era of investing where innovation is a trusted partner in wealth development. It invites everyone to explore a more smart path to financial success by removing common barriers and putting experienced deep learning at the forefront.

About MasterQuant

MasterQuant is a ground-breaking quantitative investment platform that is powered by AI and dedicated to making advanced financial strategies accessible to everyone. MasterQuant, through its deep learning trading bot and intuitive design, enables investors with any level of skill to utilize the markets more efficiently, accurately, and with more confidence. MasterQuant is built on consistent innovation and has the goal of changing the way people create wealth in the new era.

To get more details or check out contract options, https://masterquant.com/

Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, legal advice, or investment recommendations. Stock Trading involves risk and market volatility. Please research or consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions. Masterquant.com and associated parties are not liable for any financial loss incurred.

The MIL Network –
June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI: Oma Savings Bank Plc’s composition of Shareholders’ Nomination Committee
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

OMA SAVINGS BANK PLC STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE, 18 JUNE 2025 AT 15:55 P.M. EET, OTHER INFORMATION DISCLOSED ACCORDING TO THE RULES OF THE EXCHANGE

Oma Savings Bank Plc’s composition of Shareholders’ Nomination Committee

According to the shareholder list on 1 June 2025, representatives of the five largest shareholders have been appointed to the Nomination Committee of Oma Savings Bank Plc (OmaSp or Company):
- Raimo Härmä, appointed by Etelä-Karjalan Säästöpankkisäätiö
- Ari Lamminmäki, appointed by Parkanon Säästöpankkisäätiö
- Jouni Niuro, appointed by Liedon Säästöpankkisäätiö
- Aino Lamminmäki, appointed by Töysän Säästöpankkisäätiö
- Simo Haarajärvi, appointed by Kuortaneen Säästöpankkisäätiö
The Nomination Committee elects a Chairperson from among its members.

The Nomination Committee is responsible for preparing proposals for the election and remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors and for finding potential members of the Board of Directors to the Annual General Meeting and if necessary, to the Extraordinary General Meeting. OmaSp’s five largest shareholders each have the right to appoint one representative to the Nomination Committee.

The Nomination Committee must submit to OmaSp’s Board of Directors its proposals on the Board members and remuneration annually at the latest by the end of the calendar month preceding the meeting of the Board of Directors that decides on the convening of the Annual General Meeting. In the case of an Extraordinary General Meeting, the proposal must be made in advance of the Annual General Meeting so that they can be included in the notice to the General Meeting.

The Shareholders’ Nomination Committee charter is available on the Company’s website at https://www.omasp.fi/en/investors/management-and-corporate-governance/nomination-committee

Oma Savings Bank Plc

Additional information:
Karri Alameri, CEO, tel. +358 45 656 5250, karri.alameri@omasp.fi

Distribution:

Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
Major media
www.omasp.fi

OmaSp is a solvent and profitable Finnish bank. About 600 professionals provide nationwide services through OmaSp’s 48 branch offices and digital service channels to over 200,000 private and corporate customers. OmaSp focuses primarily on retail banking operations and provides its clients with a broad range of banking services both through its own balance sheet as well as by acting as an intermediary for its partners’ products. The intermediated products include credit, investment and loan insurance products. OmaSp is also engaged in mortgage banking operations.

OmaSp core idea is to provide personal service and to be local and close to its customers, both in digital and traditional channels. OmaSp strives to offer premium level customer experience through personal service and easy accessibility. In addition, the development of the operations and services is customer-oriented. The personnel is committed and OmaSp seeks to support their career development with versatile tasks and continuous development. A substantial part of the personnel also own shares in OmaSp.

The MIL Network –
June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI: Oma Savings Bank Plc’s composition of Shareholders’ Nomination Committee
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

OMA SAVINGS BANK PLC STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE, 18 JUNE 2025 AT 15:55 P.M. EET, OTHER INFORMATION DISCLOSED ACCORDING TO THE RULES OF THE EXCHANGE

Oma Savings Bank Plc’s composition of Shareholders’ Nomination Committee

According to the shareholder list on 1 June 2025, representatives of the five largest shareholders have been appointed to the Nomination Committee of Oma Savings Bank Plc (OmaSp or Company):
- Raimo Härmä, appointed by Etelä-Karjalan Säästöpankkisäätiö
- Ari Lamminmäki, appointed by Parkanon Säästöpankkisäätiö
- Jouni Niuro, appointed by Liedon Säästöpankkisäätiö
- Aino Lamminmäki, appointed by Töysän Säästöpankkisäätiö
- Simo Haarajärvi, appointed by Kuortaneen Säästöpankkisäätiö
The Nomination Committee elects a Chairperson from among its members.

The Nomination Committee is responsible for preparing proposals for the election and remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors and for finding potential members of the Board of Directors to the Annual General Meeting and if necessary, to the Extraordinary General Meeting. OmaSp’s five largest shareholders each have the right to appoint one representative to the Nomination Committee.

The Nomination Committee must submit to OmaSp’s Board of Directors its proposals on the Board members and remuneration annually at the latest by the end of the calendar month preceding the meeting of the Board of Directors that decides on the convening of the Annual General Meeting. In the case of an Extraordinary General Meeting, the proposal must be made in advance of the Annual General Meeting so that they can be included in the notice to the General Meeting.

The Shareholders’ Nomination Committee charter is available on the Company’s website at https://www.omasp.fi/en/investors/management-and-corporate-governance/nomination-committee

Oma Savings Bank Plc

Additional information:
Karri Alameri, CEO, tel. +358 45 656 5250, karri.alameri@omasp.fi

Distribution:

Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
Major media
www.omasp.fi

OmaSp is a solvent and profitable Finnish bank. About 600 professionals provide nationwide services through OmaSp’s 48 branch offices and digital service channels to over 200,000 private and corporate customers. OmaSp focuses primarily on retail banking operations and provides its clients with a broad range of banking services both through its own balance sheet as well as by acting as an intermediary for its partners’ products. The intermediated products include credit, investment and loan insurance products. OmaSp is also engaged in mortgage banking operations.

OmaSp core idea is to provide personal service and to be local and close to its customers, both in digital and traditional channels. OmaSp strives to offer premium level customer experience through personal service and easy accessibility. In addition, the development of the operations and services is customer-oriented. The personnel is committed and OmaSp seeks to support their career development with versatile tasks and continuous development. A substantial part of the personnel also own shares in OmaSp.

The MIL Network –
June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI: Tokio Marine HCC Appoints Elizabeth Geary to Lead North America P&C Businesses

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

HOUSTON, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tokio Marine HCC (TMHCC), based in Houston, Texas, today announced the appointment of Elizabeth Geary to the newly created role of President & CEO of North America P&C. She will be responsible for the growth and leadership of TMHCC’s North America P&C business units. Ms. Geary assumes her new role on June 30, 2025, reporting to Susan Rivera, TMHCC’s CEO, and will be based in New York City.

Ms. Geary brings more than two decades of underwriting and senior leadership experience to TMHCC. She joins from Liberty Mutual, where, as President of Insurance Solutions, she was responsible for the launch and development of a new organization, focused on proactively managing brokers’ and clients’ evolving risk needs with a focus on cyber, energy transition, and alternative risk solutions. Ms. Geary began her career at TransRe, gaining underwriting experience across the spectrum of specialty classes, starting with US Property and Healthcare, progressing to Global Head of Cyber, and ultimately serving in a dual role as Chief Underwriting Officer, North America, and President, Global Portfolio Management.

This announcement is the latest in a series of key executive appointments at TMHCC, with Barry Cook promoted to the role of Deputy CEO in April 2025, as the business evolves and expands its leadership structure to maintain its growth momentum.

Ms. Rivera said, “Appointing Liz to the new role of President & CEO of our North America P&C business units is a statement of intent for our business. Her talent and track record of underwriting acumen, product strategy, and leadership are exceptional. As TMHCC continues to expand and evolve, driven by our commitment to enhancing our offerings to reflect the needs of insureds in a rapidly changing risk environment, we will need to attract the leading talent in the market who share our specialized focus and approach. Liz is an example of this approach in action, and I look forward to working with her to successfully harness the opportunities present in this expansive sector of the insurance market.”

Ms. Geary added, “Tokio Marine HCC’s North American business has become a market leader in its chosen sectors, and its specialty insurance reputation is second to none. TMHCC is known for its long-term commitment to markets, underwriting excellence, and top-notch financial strength. I am delighted to be joining Susan and her team and look forward to helping the business realize its profitable growth ambitions in North America while providing market-leading solutions for our brokers and insureds.”

About Tokio Marine HCC
Tokio Marine HCC is a member of the Tokio Marine Group, a premier global company founded in 1879 with a market capitalization of $74 billion as of March 31, 2025. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Tokio Marine HCC is a leading specialty insurance group with offices in the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. Tokio Marine HCC’s major domestic insurance companies have financial strength ratings of ‘A+’ (Strong) from S&P Global Ratings, ‘A++’ (Superior) from AM Best, and ‘AA-’ (Very Strong) from Fitch Ratings; its major international insurance companies have financial strength ratings of ‘A+’ (Strong) from S&P Global Ratings. Tokio Marine HCC is the marketing name used to describe the affiliated companies under the common ownership of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc., a Delaware-incorporated insurance holding company. For more information about Tokio Marine HCC, please visit www.tokiomarinehcc.com.

Contact:
Doug Busker, Vice President – Public Relations
Tokio Marine HCC
713-996-1192

The MIL Network –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI: Tokio Marine HCC Appoints Elizabeth Geary to Lead North America P&C Businesses

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

HOUSTON, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tokio Marine HCC (TMHCC), based in Houston, Texas, today announced the appointment of Elizabeth Geary to the newly created role of President & CEO of North America P&C. She will be responsible for the growth and leadership of TMHCC’s North America P&C business units. Ms. Geary assumes her new role on June 30, 2025, reporting to Susan Rivera, TMHCC’s CEO, and will be based in New York City.

Ms. Geary brings more than two decades of underwriting and senior leadership experience to TMHCC. She joins from Liberty Mutual, where, as President of Insurance Solutions, she was responsible for the launch and development of a new organization, focused on proactively managing brokers’ and clients’ evolving risk needs with a focus on cyber, energy transition, and alternative risk solutions. Ms. Geary began her career at TransRe, gaining underwriting experience across the spectrum of specialty classes, starting with US Property and Healthcare, progressing to Global Head of Cyber, and ultimately serving in a dual role as Chief Underwriting Officer, North America, and President, Global Portfolio Management.

This announcement is the latest in a series of key executive appointments at TMHCC, with Barry Cook promoted to the role of Deputy CEO in April 2025, as the business evolves and expands its leadership structure to maintain its growth momentum.

Ms. Rivera said, “Appointing Liz to the new role of President & CEO of our North America P&C business units is a statement of intent for our business. Her talent and track record of underwriting acumen, product strategy, and leadership are exceptional. As TMHCC continues to expand and evolve, driven by our commitment to enhancing our offerings to reflect the needs of insureds in a rapidly changing risk environment, we will need to attract the leading talent in the market who share our specialized focus and approach. Liz is an example of this approach in action, and I look forward to working with her to successfully harness the opportunities present in this expansive sector of the insurance market.”

Ms. Geary added, “Tokio Marine HCC’s North American business has become a market leader in its chosen sectors, and its specialty insurance reputation is second to none. TMHCC is known for its long-term commitment to markets, underwriting excellence, and top-notch financial strength. I am delighted to be joining Susan and her team and look forward to helping the business realize its profitable growth ambitions in North America while providing market-leading solutions for our brokers and insureds.”

About Tokio Marine HCC
Tokio Marine HCC is a member of the Tokio Marine Group, a premier global company founded in 1879 with a market capitalization of $74 billion as of March 31, 2025. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Tokio Marine HCC is a leading specialty insurance group with offices in the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. Tokio Marine HCC’s major domestic insurance companies have financial strength ratings of ‘A+’ (Strong) from S&P Global Ratings, ‘A++’ (Superior) from AM Best, and ‘AA-’ (Very Strong) from Fitch Ratings; its major international insurance companies have financial strength ratings of ‘A+’ (Strong) from S&P Global Ratings. Tokio Marine HCC is the marketing name used to describe the affiliated companies under the common ownership of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc., a Delaware-incorporated insurance holding company. For more information about Tokio Marine HCC, please visit www.tokiomarinehcc.com.

Contact:
Doug Busker, Vice President – Public Relations
Tokio Marine HCC
713-996-1192

The MIL Network –

June 19, 2025
MIL-OSI: ACNB Corporation Announces Common Stock Repurchase Program

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

GETTYSBURG, Pa., June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ACNB Corporation (“ACNB”) (NASDAQ: ACNB), financial holding company for ACNB Bank and ACNB Insurance Services, Inc., announced today that the Board of Directors approved a new plan to repurchase, in open market transactions at prevailing market prices, up to 314,000, or approximately 3.0%, of the outstanding shares of ACNB’s common stock. The amount and timing of any shares repurchased will be evaluated and determined by management in its discretion and will depend upon a number of factors, including ACNB’s capital position, liquidity, financial performance and alternate uses of capital, the market price of ACNB’s securities, general market and economic conditions, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements, with no guarantee as to the exact number of shares that will be repurchased. The common stock repurchases are expected to be funded by using available capital. Further, this new common stock repurchase program replaces and supersedes any and all earlier announced repurchase plans.

ACNB Corporation, headquartered in Gettysburg, PA, is the independent $3.27 billion financial holding company for the wholly-owned subsidiaries of ACNB Bank, Gettysburg, PA, including its operating divisions Traditions Bank and Traditions Mortgage, and ACNB Insurance Services, Inc., Westminster, MD. Originally founded in 1857, ACNB Bank serves its marketplace with banking and wealth management services, including trust and retail brokerage, via a network of 33 community banking offices and one loan offices located in the Pennsylvania counties of Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, Lancaster and York and the Maryland counties of Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick. ACNB Insurance Services, Inc. is a full-service insurance agency with licenses in 46 states. The agency offers a broad range of property, casualty, health, life and disability insurance serving personal and commercial clients through office locations in Westminster, MD, and Gettysburg, PA. For more information regarding ACNB Corporation and its subsidiaries, please visit investor.acnb.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS – In addition to historical information, this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, (a) projections or statements regarding future earnings, expenses, net interest income, other income, earnings or loss per share, asset mix and quality, growth prospects, capital structure, and other financial terms, (b) statements of plans and objectives of Management or the Board of Directors, and (c) statements of assumptions, such as economic conditions in the Corporation’s market areas. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes”, “expects”, “may”, “intends”, “will”, “should”, “anticipates”, or the negative of any of the foregoing or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussion of strategy. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties such as national, regional and local economic conditions, competitive factors, and regulatory limitations. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results and experience to differ from those projected include, but are not limited to, the following: short-term and long-term effects of inflation and rising costs on the Corporation, customers and economy; effects of governmental and fiscal policies, as well as legislative and regulatory changes; effects of new laws and regulations (including laws and regulations concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance) and their application with which the Corporation and its subsidiaries must comply; impacts of the capital and liquidity requirements of the Basel III standards; effects of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Financial Accounting Standards Board and other accounting standard setters; ineffectiveness of the business strategy due to changes in current or future market conditions; future actions or inactions of the United States government, including the effects of short-term and long-term federal budget and tax negotiations and a failure to increase the government debt limit or a prolonged shutdown of the federal government; effects of economic conditions particularly with regard to the negative impact of any pandemic, epidemic or health-related crisis and the responses thereto on the operations of the Corporation and current customers, specifically the effect of the economy on loan customers’ ability to repay loans; effects of competition, and of changes in laws and regulations on competition, including industry consolidation and development of competing financial products and services; inflation, securities market and monetary fluctuations; risks of changes in interest rates on the level and composition of deposits, loan demand, and the values of loan collateral, securities, and interest rate protection agreements, as well as interest rate risks; difficulties in acquisitions and integrating and operating acquired business operations, including information technology difficulties; challenges in establishing and maintaining operations in new markets; effects of technology changes; effects of general economic conditions and more specifically in the Corporation’s market areas; failure of assumptions underlying the establishment of reserves for loan losses and estimations of values of collateral and various financial assets and liabilities; acts of war or terrorism or geopolitical instability; disruption of credit and equity markets; ability to manage current levels of impaired assets; loss of certain key officers; ability to maintain the value and image of the Corporation’s brand and protect the Corporation’s intellectual property rights; continued relationships with major customers; and, potential impacts to the Corporation from continually evolving cybersecurity and other technological risks and attacks, including additional costs, reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and financial losses. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. They only reflect Management’s analysis as of this date. The Corporation does not revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or changed circumstances. Please carefully review the risk factors described in other documents the Corporation files from time to time with the SEC, including the Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Please also carefully review any Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by the Corporation with the SEC.

ACNB #2025-11
June 18, 2025

Contact: Kevin J. Hayes

SVP/General Counsel,

Secretary & Chief

Governance Officer

717.339.5161

khayes@acnb.com

The MIL Network –

June 19, 2025

Contact:	Kevin J. Hayes
	SVP/General Counsel,
	Secretary & Chief
	Governance Officer
	717.339.5161
	khayes@acnb.com

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The legacy of Black witnessing

Dangerous necessity

Benefits of a healthy marriage

What’s so special about marriage?

10 years of same-sex marriage

Do marriage benefits differ for same-sex couples?

More societal acceptance post-Obergefell

DfE Update: 18 June 2025

Applies to England

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