Category: Artificial Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI: 22 X Ventures Invests in PureWager Group, LLC to Transform the U.S. Gaming Landscape

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHERIDAN, Wyo., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 22 X Ventures, a private equity firm known for investing in disruptive and mission-driven companies, today announced its strategic investment in PureWager Group, LLC, an emerging force in the U.S. sports betting and online gaming sector.

    Founded by gaming veterans Wayne Stevenson and Elliott Banks, PureWager brings together over 50 years of combined leadership in gaming, fintech, and global entertainment technologies. The company is developing a next-generation platform that integrates real-time fan engagement, cutting-edge gamification, and AI-powered personalization. Its proprietary technology stack is well underway, with key operational milestones scheduled ahead of its official launch in 2025.

    “PureWager is uniquely positioned to capture a meaningful share of the booming online sports betting market,” said Minh Le, Managing Partner at 22 X Ventures. “Their bold vision, commitment to ethical user engagement, and AI-powered platform make them one of the most compelling opportunities in the space.”

    The U.S. sports betting market is projected to surpass $45 billion by 2030, driven by accelerating legislation and increased access through both state and sovereign tribal partnerships. 22 X Ventures’ investment will help PureWager fast-track its go-to-market strategy, licensing efforts, and platform innovation.

    “Over the past 30+ months, PureWager has quietly developed a series of strategic advantages and partnerships that will give us a competitive edge at launch,” said Wayne Stevenson, Co-Founder of PureWager Group.

    “This platform is designed to do more than entertain—it’s meant to redefine how communities engage with gaming in an ethical and immersive way,” added Elliott Banks, Co-Founder of PureWager Group.

    This investment marks a continued expansion of 22 X Ventures’ portfolio in high-impact sectors including fintech, infrastructure, AI, and gaming innovation.

    About 22 X Ventures, LLC  
    22 X Ventures, LLC is a private equity firm investing in transformative companies that align with its mission to create sustainable value across industries and communities. The firm focuses on growth-stage companies with high disruption potential and clear market advantages. Learn more www.22xventures.com.

    About PureWager Group, LLC

    PureWager Group, LLC is a gaming technology company reimagining the sports betting experience through real-time interaction, personalized engagement, and responsible innovation. Co-founded by Wayne Stevenson and Elliott Banks, the company is preparing for a national rollout of its proprietary platform in regulated and sovereign markets across the United States.

    Media Contact:

    Minh Le
    Public Relations Manager
    22 X Ventures & PureWager Group
    Email: info@22capitalpartners.com
    Phone: 703-629-1131

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: MiddleGround Capital Hires Private Equity Industry Veteran Jonathan La as Chief Financial Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEXINGTON, Ky., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MiddleGround Capital (“MiddleGround”), an operationally focused private equity firm that makes control investments in North American and European headquartered middle-market B2B industrial and specialty distribution companies, today announced that it has hired Jonathan La as Chief Financial Officer. He reports to Christopher Speight, Partner, and works in MiddleGround’s New York office. He began the position in February 2025.

    In this role, Jonathan is responsible for all aspects of the firm’s financial operations, as well as for accurate and timely financial reporting. Additionally, he leads the Accounting and Fund Accounting teams for all of MiddleGround’s U.S. and European offices. Jonathan joins MiddleGround Capital with 25 years of experience in the private equity industry, including serving for 17 years at Monomoy Capital Partners as Director of Finance. He was involved in all aspects of financial planning, treasury functions and tax structuring, and implemented new ERP and budgeting systems to increase efficiency and reporting capabilities.

    “Having worked with Jonathan for many years at Monomoy, I can say that MiddleGround is very fortunate to have such an experienced financial expert on board,” said John Stewart, Founding and Managing Partner of MiddleGround. “His expertise in middle market private investment accounting practices is second to none, and his help in building efficient reporting structures and processes will be a great asset for our stakeholders.”

    Prior to Monomoy, Jonathan worked at Evercore Partners, where he helped transition the books and records of the private equity funds in-house for IPOs. Before that, he was at BISYS, a private equity fund administrator, managing various private equity funds, fund of funds and hedge funds clients. He began his career at Deloitte & Touche LLP in their private equity audit practice.

    “MiddleGround’s focus on continual improvement and operational excellence across its platform investments makes it a true innovator in the private equity space,” said Jonathan. “I’m very excited to help further those efforts from a financial, accounting, and tax perspective.”

    Jonathan graduated from Bernard M. Baruch College with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, and is a CPA.

    About MiddleGround Capital
    MiddleGround Capital is a private equity firm based in Lexington, Kentucky with over $3.85 billion of assets under management. MiddleGround makes control equity investments in middle market B2B industrial and specialty distribution businesses. MiddleGround works with its portfolio companies to create value through a hands-on operational approach and partners with its management teams to support long-term growth strategies. For more information, please visit: https://middleground.com/.

    MiddleGround Capital Media Contacts
    Doug Allen/Maya Hanowitz
    Dukas Linden Public Relations
    MiddleGround@dlpr.com
    +1 (646) 722-6530

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  • MIL-OSI: Zoom Workplace for Frontline now available to improve on-shift communications and work management for frontline workers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN JOSE, Calif., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Zoom Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM), announced the launch of Zoom Workplace for Frontline, a purpose-built mobile-first solution that unlocks agentic Zoom AI Companion skills for all frontline workers and managers with paid Zoom accounts. Zoom Workplace for Frontline is designed to streamline on-shift communications and work management tools to help frontline workers—ranging from retail and manufacturing to healthcare and first responders—get more done, do better work, and strengthen relationships.

    “Our mission of delivering an AI-first open work platform isn’t just limited to knowledge workers; we’re also thinking about how we can address the needs of frontline workers, who represent over 80% of the global workforce,” said Smita Hashim, chief product officer at Zoom. “Zoom Workplace for Frontline empowers frontline workers to stay connected, access critical information on the go, and streamline daily tasks – ultimately fostering a more engaged, productive, and connected workforce.”

    Key features of Zoom Workplace for Frontline include:

    On-shift communications:

    • Real-time activity feed on Zoom’s mobile app: Enables workers to access critical shift communications and resources, and tasks at hand to get the job done quickly.
    • Auto-generated on-shift chat groups: Instantly connects employees, clearly identifying on-floor workers and managers, and removes the tedious task of manually creating new chats for every shift.
    • Push-to-talk functionality: Enables seamless real-time voice communication at the push of a button.

    Work management capabilities:

    • Shift swapping: Allows employees to request and manage shift swaps directly from their mobile devices.
    • Task management: Streamlines work assignments and progress tracking for improved efficiency with Zoom Tasks.
    • Shift summaries: Provides an overview of key conversations, pending tasks, and other important updates for the incoming shift. Enables shift managers to have oversight on shift progress, attendance, and task reports.

    Zoom AI Companion:

    • Automatic shift reporting: AI-generated shift discussion summaries, attendance reports, and task reports expedite shift handoffs.
    • Smart, natural search: Access information trained on knowledge bases.
    • Automatic translation: Chat messages in the user’s preferred supported language.

    To learn more about Zoom’s commitment to frontline workers, click here.

    About Zoom

    Zoom’s mission is to provide one platform that delivers limitless human connection. Reimagine teamwork with Zoom Workplace — Zoom’s open collaboration platform with AI Companion that empowers teams to be more productive. Together with Zoom Workplace, Zoom’s Business Services for sales, marketing, and customer care teams, including Zoom Contact Center, strengthen customer relationships throughout the customer lifecycle. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ: ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California. Get more information at zoom.com.

    Zoom Public Relations
    Bridget Moriarty
    press@zoom.us

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Tenable Appoints Steve Vintz and Mark Thurmond as Co-CEOs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COLUMBIA, Md., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tenable®, the exposure management company, today announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Steve Vintz and Mark Thurmond as co-Chief Executive Officers on a permanent basis. Following an extensive search process that considered both internal and external candidates, the Board concluded that Vintz and Thurmond are best positioned to move the company forward. The decision reflects the Board’s confidence in the strength of their leadership following a successful interim period during which they drove significant operational and strategic momentum. The Board also intends to appoint Vintz and Thurmond to the Board immediately following the company’s annual shareholder meeting to be held on May 14, 2025.

    Vintz, Tenable’s Chief Financial Officer since 2014, and Thurmond, who has served as Chief Operating Officer since 2020, bring deep industry and operational experience. Under the co-CEO structure, Vintz will oversee product, cyber security, corporate development and all general and administrative functions, while Thurmond will oversee GTM functions including sales, professional services, technical support, marketing, and customer success. Together, they will continue to guide the company’s mission to help organizations understand and reduce cyber risk across their modern attack surfaces.

    “Mark and Steve have demonstrated exceptional leadership and alignment during their time as interim co-CEOs,” said Art Coviello, Chairman of the Tenable Board of Directors. “Their collaborative leadership style, deep industry knowledge, and customer-first mindset have already created strong results. We are confident in their ability to continue driving innovation and long-term value for all stakeholders.”

    Under their interim leadership, Tenable has expanded its customer footprint, with strong adoption of the Tenable One Exposure Management platform and growing momentum behind Tenable Cloud Security. They also completed the strategic acquisition of Vulcan Cyber, advancing Tenable’s product roadmap with the expected launch of a significantly expanded version of Tenable One that we believe will be the most comprehensive exposure management platform on the market.

    “We are honored to lead Tenable as co-CEOs and energized by the opportunity ahead,” said Vintz and Thurmond in a joint statement. “We have tremendous belief in Tenable’s mission, team and market position, and we’re excited to build on our momentum to deliver meaningful outcomes for our customers, employees and shareholders.”

    Coviello, a respected cybersecurity leader, will remain Chairman of the Board. Additionally, Steve Vintz will continue to serve as Chief Financial Officer, while the company conducts a CFO search.

    About Tenable
    Tenable® is the exposure management company, exposing and closing the cybersecurity gaps that erode business value, reputation and trust. The company’s AI-powered exposure management platform radically unifies security visibility, insight and action across the attack surface, equipping modern organizations to protect against attacks from IT infrastructure to cloud environments to critical infrastructure and everywhere in between. By protecting enterprises from security exposure, Tenable reduces business risk for approximately 44,000 customers around the globe. Learn more at tenable.com.

    Media Contact:
    Tenable
    tenablepr@tenable.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding the effects of appointing the co-CEOs, are forward-looking statements and represent our views as of the date of this press release. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “will” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of assumptions and risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control that could affect our financial results. These risks and uncertainties are detailed in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 as well as other filings that we make from time to time with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future events and trends discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in any forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we are under no obligation to update these forward-looking statements subsequent to the date of this press release, or to update the reasons if actual results differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: 84% of Organizations’ SOC Analysts are Unknowingly Investigating the Same Incidents

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Devo Technology, the security data analytics company, today unveiled the results of a new survey examining alert management in security operations centers (SOCs) and the growing need for a shift to an Alertless SOC. The Evolution Toward an Alertless SOC report found that the current alert-centric SOC architecture creates numerous pain points for analysts, including duplicated work.

    Organizations reported that their analysts spend significant time manually gathering evidence from different tools, enriching data, and cross-checking data to understand if new alerts are connected to already-known incidents. More specifically, the survey found that:

    • 83% of analysts are overwhelmed by alert volume, false positives, and lack of alert context.
    • 85% of analysts spend substantial time gathering and connecting evidence to transform an alert into an actionable security case.

    The alert-centric model also duplicates work, wasting analysts’ already limited time. A staggering 84% of organizations report that SOC analysts unknowingly investigate the same incidents several times a month or more. More specifically, 60% reported discovering duplicated investigations at least once per week.

    Under-delivery from tools and a reactive approach hinders SOC efficiency
    The study showed that analysts are more likely to take a reactive approach, working in response to alert notifications rather than proactively investigating and threat hunting. In total, 47% say they primarily discover security incidents through alerts, compared with just 33% who say discovery comes primarily through proactive investigation.

    The under-delivery of tools in the SOC technology stack exacerbates this reactive approach. When asked to rank the top capabilities that are not meeting expectations, organizations cited case management (77%), threat intelligence integration (76%), reporting metrics (75%), investigation workflow automation (75%), and alert prioritization accuracy (73%).

    “Even with best-in-class technology and highly-skilled teams, the alert-centric model still leaves SOC analysts overwhelmed,” said Rakesh Nair, chief technology officer at Devo. “As AI-enhanced threats become more prevalent, it’s more important than ever to free analysts’ time to focus on proactive investigation to maintain and improve organizations’ security posture.”

    Organizations are ready to level up AI use in the SOC
    While AI adoption in the SOC is widespread, current use cases are focused on basic functions like alert severity (47%), response triggers (42%), and anomaly detection (41%). A significant opportunity exists to leverage AI for more impactful, proactive security measures. Despite high demand, fewer than one in three organizations use AI for automated alert triage, and only 36% use it for alert enrichment, both critical for reducing manual labor. However, organizations are eager to advance within the next year:

    • 82% want to prioritize proactive investigations instead of reactive alert responses.
    • 81% aim to enhance alert correlation and enrichment.
    • 80% seek cost-effective methods to analyze broader data sources.

    The Alertless SOC charts a path away from the alert-centric SOC model
    The Alertless SOC offers a new approach to SOC work by unleashing analysts’ expertise through intelligent automation and investigation capabilities. Devo’s vision for the Alertless SOC goes beyond the traditional Threat Detection, Investigation, and Response (TDIR)—it’s a fundamental reimagining of how SOC teams operate, replacing reactive alert management with precision threat hunting and coordinated response.

    Read the full survey results and learn more about the Alertless SOC in Devo’s Evolution Toward an Alertless SOC report.

    Methodology
    The Evolution Toward an Alertless SOC survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 200 US security operations professionals with seniority of manager or director who work at companies with a minimum of 1,000 employees, between January 28 and February 10, 2025, using an email invitation and online survey.

    About Devo
    Devo Technology delivers a real-time security data platform that serves as the foundation of your security operations and includes data-powered threat detection, automated case management, autonomous investigations and threat hunting. AI and intelligent automation help your SOC work faster and smarter so your team can proactively make the right decisions in real time. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with operations in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, Devo is backed by Insight Partners, Georgian, TCV, General Atlantic, Bessemer Venture Partners, Kibo Ventures and Eurazeo.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: STMicroelectronics future-proofs the development of next-gen cars with innovative memory solution for automotive microcontrollers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    STMicroelectronics future-proofs the development of next-gen cars
    with innovative memory solution for automotive microcontrollers

    • New Stellar microcontrollers with xMemory enable simpler, more scalable computing platform for developing software-defined vehicles and evolving electric vehicle architectures  
    • Extensible capability equips carmakers for continuous innovation, including more memory-hungry AI applications  
    • xMemory, based on ST proprietary phase-change memory (PCM) technology, will start production later in 2025 

    Geneva, Switzerland, April 16, 2025 — STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has announced Stellar with xMemory, a new generation of extensible memory embedded into its Stellar series of automotive microcontrollers, that transforms the challenging process of developing software-defined vehicles (SDV) and evolving platforms for electrification.  

    Instead of managing multiple devices with varying memory options and the associated development and qualification costs, Stellar with xMemory introduces a single, innovative device with extensible memory, providing customers with an efficient and cost-effective solution. This simpler approach from the start enables carmakers to future-proof their designs, with room for additional innovation later in their development cycle, reducing development costs and accelerating time to market with a simpler supply chain. Stellar with xMemory will be first available on the Stellar P6 MCUs, which target the new drivetrain trends and architectures for electric vehicles (EVs), with production to start later in 2025. 

     “ST has developed the ultimate memory technology for the automobile market with the smallest bit cell to meet the endless need for more memory. Stellar with xMemory will streamline the car architectures of tomorrow, making them more cost-effective and significantly reduce development time for carmakers,” said Luca Rodeschini, Group Vice President and General Purpose and Automotive Microcontrollers Division General Manager, STMicroelectronics. “This innovative solution enables the same hardware to ensure carmakers have the infrastructure and capabilities with the headroom to continuously innovate their products over time. It provides peace of mind to introduce new innovations in digitalization and electrification, allowing them to stay ahead in the market and extend the lifetime of their vehicles.” 

    “With the embedded Phase Change Memory (PCM) technology, Stellar offers a robust and flexible memory concept to create highly performant, adaptable microcontrollers for automotive usage. The technology provides application advantages compared to other memory technologies, such as RRAM and MRAM,” said Axel Aue, Vice President, Bosch. 

    By choosing an extensible MCU like Stellar with xMemory, engineers can avoid costly hardware redesigns to support software features. As software inevitably grows, whether during the initial development or through post-launch OTA updates, the same platform can be upgraded in the field, significantly reducing time-to-market and maintenance costs. A solution like Stellar with xMemory also enables simplified logistics and bill of material efficiency,” said Anshel Sag, Principal Analyst, Moor Insights & Strategy.

    How it works 
    Carmakers need seamless integration of software and hardware to maximize reuse across platforms, extend vehicle longevity and enhance digital capabilities. Memory becomes a bottleneck as software complexity grows, driven by new features and regulations, memory-hungry AI and Machine Learning applications, and over-the-air (OTA) updates. ST’s xMemory addresses this challenge by extending the memory either during the development phase or when vehicle is in the field, giving them unlimited application upgrades. 

    Selecting the right MCU at the start of the SDV lifecycle ensures sufficient on-chip memory for future software development. Today’s choice of over-specifying memory increases costs, while under-specifying may necessitate finding and re-qualifying a different MCU with extra memory later, adding complexity, cost, and delays. Stellar MCUs with xMemory are competitively priced to bring additional savings, simplify the OEM supply chain, and accelerate time to market by lengthening the product lifetime and maximizing reuse across projects to reduce time for qualification. 

    Technical notes for editors on PCM and Stellar: 
    ST has been at the forefront of the transition from Flash to eNVM technology in automotive MCUs, introducing the first 28nm eNVM qualified for automotive applications, which is at the core of the xMemory. ST’s embedded Phase-Change Memory (ePCM) has the best power, performance, area (PPA) index of NVM technologies such as RRAM, MRAM, and Flash. 

    With the industry’s smallest eNVM cell size, PCM fabricated at 18nm and 28nm nodes provides twice the memory density of other technologies.

    The latest-generation PCM technology will be available on all upcoming Arm®-based Stellar P and G automotive MCUs. The Stellar family is dedicated to automotive applications and simplifies vehicle electrical architectures for increased power, flexibility, and safety. The portfolio includes Stellar Integration MCUs (Stellar P and Stellar G series) for centralized zone and domain controllers and body applications, which consolidate the functions of multiple, separate communication and control ECUs, and Stellar Electrification MCUs (Stellar E series), which are optimized for control of EV traction-module power converters.  

    For more information, please go to www.st.com/stellar-xmemory  

    About STMicroelectronics
    At ST, we are 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of cloud-connected autonomous things. We are on track to be carbon neutral in all direct and indirect emissions (scopes 1 and 2), product transportation, business travel, and employee commuting emissions (our scope 3 focus), and to achieve our 100% renewable electricity sourcing goal by the end of 2027.

    Further information can be found at www.st.com.

    INVESTOR RELATIONS
    Jérôme Ramel
    EVP Corporate Development & Integrated External Communication
    Tel: +41.22.929.59.20
    jerome.ramel@st.com

    MEDIA RELATIONS
    Alexis Breton
    Corporate External Communications
    Tel: +33.6.59.16.79.08
    alexis.breton@st.com

    Attachments

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  • MIL-OSI: Varonis and Concentrix Forge Partnership to Deliver Data Security for the AI Revolution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Varonis Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRNS) announced a strategic partnership with Concentrix Corporation (NASDAQ: CNXC) to deliver end-to-end solutions to help large enterprises implement and harness AI safely and effectively while protecting what matters most — data.

    The partnership brings together two global security leaders. Concentrix is a Fortune 500 company serving 155+ Fortune Global 500 clients. Varonis is the leader and customer favorite in data security trusted by thousands of organizations to protect data wherever it lives.

    The companies will provide technology and services to help organizations reduce sensitive data exposure from AI agents, chatbots, and LLMs, and address AI-driven cyber threats. Varonis’ Data Security Platform will integrate with Concentrix, offering automated data classification, remediation, alerting, and AI readiness monitoring while providing customers with 24/7 Managed Data Detection and Response service.

    “AI is transforming business performance, but it’s also introducing new vulnerabilities and placing critical data at risk,” said Ryan Peterson, Chief Product Officer at Concentrix. “Our partnership with Varonis enables us to bring to market a robust, turnkey solution that leverages best-in-class automated data security to stop threats before they start. Whether it’s threat detection, vulnerability management, or compliance assurance, we provide our clients with unparalleled security, efficiency, and operational excellence.”

    “AI, LLMs, and agentic AI increase data vulnerability,” stated Varonis Vice Chairman of Sales Jim O’Boyle. “Endpoint security, MFA, and other technologies are important but don’t prevent data breaches. Partial solutions that discover issues or sample data are inadequate. Only automated, end-to-end data security backed by a dedicated team can protect data in the AI era — and that’s why we are thrilled to collaborate with Concentrix.”

    Additional Resources

    About Concentrix: Powering a World That Works  
    Concentrix Corporation (NASDAQ: CNXC), a Fortune 500® company, is the global technology and services leader that powers the world’s best brands, today and into the future. We’re solution-focused, tech-powered, intelligence-fueled. Every day, we design, build, and run fully integrated, end-to-end solutions at speed and scale across the entire enterprise, helping over 2,000 clients solve their toughest business challenges. With unique data and insights, deep industry expertise, and advanced technology solutions, we’re the intelligent transformation partner that powers a world that works, helping companies become refreshingly simple to work, interact, and transact with. Delivering outcomes unimagined across every major vertical in 70+ markets. Virtually everywhere. Visit concentrix.com to learn more. 

    About Varonis
    Varonis (Nasdaq: VRNS) is the leader in data security, fighting a different battle than conventional cybersecurity companies. Our cloud-native Data Security Platform continuously discovers and classifies critical data, removes exposures, and detects advanced threats with AI-powered automation.

    Thousands of organizations worldwide trust Varonis to defend their data wherever it lives — across SaaS, IaaS, and hybrid cloud environments. Customers use Varonis to automate a wide range of security outcomes, including data security posture management (DSPM), data classification, data access governance (DAG), data detection and response (DDR), data loss prevention (DLP), AI security, and insider risk management.

    Varonis protects data first, not last. Learn more at www.varonis.com.

    Varonis Investor Relations Contact:
    Tim Perz
    Varonis Systems, Inc.
    646-640-2112
    investors@varonis.com

    Varonis News Media Contact:
    Rachel Hunt
    Varonis Systems, Inc.
    877-292-8767 (ext. 1598)
    pr@varonis.com 

    Concentrix Public Relations Contact:
    Concentrix Media
    media@concentrix.com

    From Fortune ©2024 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Fortune and Fortune 500 are registered trademarks of Fortune Media IP Limited and are used under license. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse the products or services of, Concentrix.

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  • MIL-OSI: 96% of Enterprises are Expanding Use of AI Agents, According to Latest Data from Cloudera

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cloudera, the only true hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI, released the findings of its latest survey report, “The Future of Enterprise AI Agents.” The survey polled nearly 1,500 enterprise IT leaders across 14 countries to understand their adoption patterns, use cases, and sentiments around AI agents. Results show an overwhelming 96% of respondents have plans to expand their use of AI agents in the next 12 months, with half aiming for significant, organization-wide expansion. The applications for this deployment include performance optimization bots (66%), security monitoring agents (63%), and development assistants (62%).

    For business and IT leaders alike, agentic AI marks a new frontier—moving beyond traditional automation to systems that can reason, act, and adapt in real-time. When implemented effectively, these intelligent agents unlock operational agility, drive cost savings, and dramatically improve customer engagement. As a result, AI agents are quickly becoming a key source of competitive advantage, with 83% of organizations stating that investing in them is crucial to maintaining their edge in the market.

    In addition to the benefits of the technology, Cloudera’s survey answered some of the biggest questions around agentic AI, including:

    • How widely is this being adopted? Adoption is already underway. A majority (57%) of enterprise IT leaders report they’ve implemented AI agents in the past two years—21% in just the last year—signaling rapid momentum that’s only expected to grow.
    • How are organizations deploying agents? Two-thirds (66%) are building agents on enterprise AI infrastructure platforms, while 60% are leveraging agentic capabilities embedded in existing core applications. This hybrid approach reflects a clear preference for scalable, secure, and close-to-data deployments.
    • What’s getting in the way? The top three barriers are data privacy (53%), integration with legacy systems (40%), and high implementation costs (39%). These pain points all stem from a common root: the need for robust, unified data management and governance.
    • Where should companies begin? Start with a contained, high-impact project—such as an internal IT support agent. These “fast-to-value” use cases help teams prove ROI, build internal confidence, and lay the foundation for broader, scaled deployments.

    “AI agents have moved beyond experimentation—they’re now delivering real automation, efficiency, and business results. We’re seeing enterprises run hundreds of models in production, all demanding high-fidelity, well-managed data to drive better outcomes,” said Abhas Ricky, Chief Strategy Officer, Cloudera. “In 2025, agentic AI is taking center stage, building on the momentum of generative AI but with even greater operational impact. Cloudera is enabling this transformation through a robust Enterprise AI Ecosystem, helping global organizations design secure, scalable, and integrated AI workflows that turn data into action.”

    Cloudera’s report also addresses what enterprises are actually doing with AI agents. The top use cases vary by industry, shaped by the specific needs and priorities of each sector:

    • Finance & Insurance: Fraud detection (56%), risk assessment (44%), and investment advisory (38%) are the leading use cases. AI agents are flagging suspicious transactions in real time, simulating market scenarios to evaluate risk, and supporting advisors with personalized investment suggestions.
    • Manufacturing: Top applications include process automation (49%), supply chain optimization (48%), and quality control (47%). Agents are monitoring production lines to catch defects early, rerouting logistics to avoid delays, and streamlining repetitive tasks to improve efficiency.
    • Healthcare: Appointment scheduling (51%), diagnostic assistance (50%), and medical records processing (47%) are the most common use cases. AI agents are reducing admin burden by coordinating schedules, surfacing relevant EMR data, and helping clinicians identify conditions in imaging data.
    • Telecommunications: The telecoms industry is seeing substantial innovation fueled by AI. Customer support bots (49%), customer experience agents (44%), and security monitoring agents (49%) are key deployments. Agents are resolving service issues instantly, flagging at-risk customers using behavior data, and protecting networks from emerging threats.

    To download the full report, click here.

    About Cloudera
    Cloudera is a hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI. With 100x more data under management than other cloud-only vendors, Cloudera empowers global enterprises to transform data of all types, on any public or private cloud, into valuable, trusted insights. Our open data lakehouse delivers scalable and secure data management with portable cloud-native analytics, enabling customers to bring GenAI models to their data while maintaining privacy and ensuring responsible, reliable AI deployments. The world’s largest brands in financial services, insurance, media, manufacturing, and government rely on Cloudera to use their data to solve what once seemed impossible—today and in the future. 

    To learn more, visit Cloudera.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X. Cloudera and associated marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cloudera, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

    Contact
    Jess Hohn-Cabana
    cloudera@v2comms.com

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  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese economy firms up recovery in Q1, ready to navigate uncertainties

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s economy started 2025 on solid footing, bolstered by a structural shift toward domestic demand and innovation, positioning the country to better weather global uncertainties.

    The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.4% year on year to 31.8758 trillion yuan (about $4.42 trillion) in the first quarter of 2025, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed Wednesday.

    China’s GDP grew 5% year on year in 2024 and the country has targeted its full-year economic growth at around 5% for this year.

    The country’s economy delivered a strong start in the first quarter, ranking among the highest of the world’s major economies, Sheng Laiyun, deputy head of the NBS, told a press conference Wednesday.

    At the same time, Sheng cautioned that the external environment has become increasingly complex and challenging, with a rapid rise in global trade protectionism and growing strains on the international economic order.

    China has made thorough policy preparations to address external changes, Sheng said, noting that a series of targeted marco policies have already taken effects and that more incremental policies will be introduced as needed to mitigate external shocks.

    SOLID START

    Highlighting broad-based improvements across key indicators, Sheng pointed out that value-added industrial output expanded 6.5% year on year. In March alone, the industrial output grew 7.7% from one year earlier.

    During the period, fixed-asset investment went up 4.2% year on year, with investment in infrastructure construction rising 5.8%, and manufacturing investment increasing 9.1%, according to the NBS data.

    Retail sales of consumer goods, a major indicator of the country’s consumption strength, gained 4.6% year on year.

    Supported by targeted policies to boost consumption, service-related spending also picked up pace. In the first quarter, retail sales of services grew 5% year on year, outpacing goods retail by 0.4 percentage points.

    Wednesday’s data also showed that the country’s per capita disposable income increased by 5.5% year on year in nominal terms to 12,179 yuan in Q1, with the employment situation remaining stable.

    Sheng credited these improvements to decisive policy support, local-level responsiveness, and the rapid buildup of innovation-driven momentum.

    Noting that China’s massive market, backed by a population of 1.4 billion and a per capita GDP exceeding $13,000, offers substantial room for both consumption and investment, Sheng said this strong domestic demand potential will continue to support the country’s sustained economic growth.

    FASTER UPGRADE

    China has been steadily advancing structural upgrading and high-quality development, with its growth model shifting fundamentally from one driven by investment and exports to one increasingly powered by domestic demand and innovation, Sheng stressed.

    Over the past five years, domestic demand has contributed more than 80% of the country’s economic growth on average, he added.

    As part of its move to make domestic demand the main engine and anchor of economic growth, China unveiled a targeted consumption-boosting plan in March. The initiative reflects the policy direction outlined in this year’s government work report, which emphasizes improving living standards and boosting consumer spending.

    New consumption scenarios are rapidly emerging with the rise of big data and AI, Sheng said, citing movie “Ne Zha 2” as an example of booming cultural demand that reflects the country’s vibrant consumer innovation and growth potential.

    Emerging sectors such as the digital economy are playing an increasingly important role in China’s growth, with new drivers expanding steadily and contributing to greater economic resilience and long-term stability, Sheng said.

    Regarding foreign trade, Sheng noted that a more diversified export structure is emerging, lowering reliance on any single trading partner.

    When asked about the impact of U.S. tariff hikes, Sheng said they “may exert short-term pressure on China’s economy and foreign trade, but will not alter the country’s long-term positive outlook,” pointing to China’s firm fundamentals, diverse strengths, strong resilience, and substantial growth prospects.

    China is well prepared to address all uncertainties, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said when presiding over a symposium with economic experts and entrepreneurs on April 9.

    Li noted that it is particularly crucial to ensure effective economic work in the second quarter and beyond, stressing that it is necessary to implement more proactive macro policies and introduce new incremental policies in a timely manner in light of the needs of the situation. 

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI: NANO Nuclear Energy Launches Recruitment Drive to Build Full-Scale KRONOS MMR Reactors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NANO Nuclear Aims to Expand Engineering and Project Development Team to Support U.S. and Canadian KRONOS MMR Energy System Reactor Construction and Licensing Efforts

    New York, N.Y., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nano Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or the “Company”) is launching a recruitment initiative focused on the Midwest region to support its ambitious plans to construct, demonstrate and gain regulatory approval for full-scale KRONOS MMR Energy Systems in both the United States and Canada.

    NANO Nuclear’s plans to extend its technical and project execution team are critical in the Company’s transition from design to ultimate commercial deployment of the proprietary, stationary KRONOS microreactor. In tandem with upcoming geological characterization work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) site, this workforce build-out will consolidate the expertise and provide the personnel necessary to complete the construction permit application and begin construction of the first KRONOS prototype on the UIUC campus shortly thereafter.

    Rendering of the KRONOS MMRTMEnergy System

    “As we prepare to break ground on the KRONOS reactor prototype at UIUC, it’s time to scale our team to match our vision,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear. “This is a call to the best and brightest in nuclear and energy innovation in the Midwest region—we’re building a reactor, and we need you on the team.”

    Now Hiring Across All Core Disciplines

    NANO Nuclear is actively recruiting top talent across a variety of critical disciplines for the KRONOS MMR project. Open positions include:

    • Nuclear Engineers – Fuel & materials, reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, safety, and licensing
    • Mechanical Engineers – design, structural, CAD, balance of plant
    • Electrical Engineers – Instrumentation & control (I&C), power electronics, transmission
    • Civil Engineers & Geotechnical Experts – Site layout, structural foundations, drilling operations
    • Project Managers & Construction Specialists – Full-cycle oversight from permitting through commissioning
    • QA/QC Professionals – Nuclear-grade standards, documentation, and supplier oversight
    • Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Experts – NRC and CNSC compliance and filings
    • Skilled Technicians – Fabrication, assembly, testing, and field support

    Applicants with previous experience in nuclear R&D, DOE national labs, SMR or MMR programs, or international reactor development are especially encouraged to apply.

    “Our collaboration with UIUC will be a critical operations hub for our KRONOS reactor development effort,” said Jay Yu, Founder, Chairman and President of NANO Nuclear. “It will house the growing team that’s building not only our U.S. research reactor, but also laying the foundation for our demonstration reactor deployment in Canada, which will open the path for eventual commercial rollout in both the U.S. and Canada.”

    Canadian Reactor Construction Also in Focus

    In parallel with the UIUC research reactor, Nano Nuclear is actively preparing to construct a KRONOS demonstration reactor in Canada, where it will enter the licensing process under Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) oversight. The effort will establish a second fully licensed KRONOS unit, positioning NANO Nuclear to efficiently move its microreactor technology through construction, demonstration, regulatory licensing and eventual commercialization across North America.

    “Canada represents an incredible opportunity for clean, reliable microreactor deployment,” added Florent Heidet, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Reactor Development of NANO Nuclear. “By expanding our team and bringing additional talents onboard, we ensure we have the capacity to deliver simultaneous full-scale projects in two countries, each with independent regulatory pathways and future market potential.”

    Join the Team Shaping the Future of Nuclear Energy

    NANO Nuclear is a company that doesn’t just imagine the future—it’s engineering it, constructing it and moving towards regulatory licensing for it. With multiple microreactor project in progress, fuel qualification methodology already accepted by the NRC, and strategic partnerships underway, NANO Nuclear is one of the most active and ambitious advanced nuclear developers in the world.

    “This recruitment drive is about finding those who want to be part of history,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear. “If you want to help build the next generation of nuclear reactors from the ground up—this is your chance.”

    How to Apply

    Interested candidates can view open positions, including details regarding salary ranges and benefit offerings, and apply directly at:

    https://nanonuclearenergy.com/careers

    For inquiries, please contact:
    Email: careers@nanonuclearenergy.com
    Business Tel: (212) 634-9206

    About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

    NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across five business lines: (i) cutting edge portable and other microreactor technologies, (ii) nuclear fuel fabrication, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation, (iv) nuclear applications for space and (v) nuclear industry consulting services. NANO Nuclear believes it is the first portable nuclear microreactor company to be listed publicly in the U.S.

    Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s reactor products in development include patented KRONOS MMREnergy System, a stationary high-temperature gas-cooled reactor that is in construction permit pre-application engagement U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in collaboration with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.), “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, and the space focused, portable LOKI MMR, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors.

    Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world aiming to build a North American transportation company that will provide commercial quantities of HALEU fuel to small modular reactors, microreactor companies, national laboratories, military, and DOE programs. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy. Assuming development and commercialization, AFT is expected to form part of the only vertically integrated nuclear fuel business of its kind in North America.

    HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear’s own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.

    NANO Nuclear Space Inc. (NNS), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is exploring the potential commercial applications of NANO Nuclear’s developing micronuclear reactor technology in space. NNS is focusing on applications such as the LOKI MMR system and other power systems for extraterrestrial projects and human sustaining environments, and potentially propulsion technology for long haul space missions. NNS’ initial focus will be on cis-lunar applications, referring to uses in the space region extending from Earth to the area surrounding the Moon’s surface.

    For more corporate information please visit: https://NanoNuclearEnergy.com/

    For further NANO Nuclear information, please contact:

    Email: IR@NANONuclearEnergy.com
    Business Tel: (212) 634-9206

    PLEASE FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES HERE:

    NANO Nuclear Energy LINKEDIN
    NANO Nuclear Energy YOUTUBE
    NANO Nuclear Energy X PLATFORM

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. In this press release, forward-looking statement relate to the NANO Nuclear’s recruitment drive and its development, demonstration, licensing and commercial plans, each as described herein. These and other forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) or related state or non-U.S. nuclear fuel licensing submissions, (ii) risks related the development of new or advanced technology and the acquisition of complimentary technology or businesses, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, regulatory delays, integration issues and the development of competitive technology, (iii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iv) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor or other technology in the timelines we anticipate, if ever, (v) risks related to the impact of U.S. and non-U.S. government regulation, policies and licensing requirements, including by the DOE, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and (vi) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the operating an early stage business a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Rocket Software Celebrates 35 Years of Innovation in IT Modernization

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WALTHAM, Mass., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rocket Software, a global technology leader in modernization software, is celebrating 35 years of innovation, growth, and excellence. Trusted by 43 of the Fortune 50, Rocket Software has grown from a start-up focused on enabling IBM solutions into a global enterprise driving the modernization efforts of over 12,500 customers and 750 partners. Founded in 1990 by Andy Youniss and Johan Magnusson Gedda, the company now proudly employs more than 3,200 employees worldwide. Over the decades, the company has modernized billions of lines of code, transformed countless databases, and helped organizations unlock the true potential of their IT infrastructure.

    “Rocket Software has been a catalyst for modernization—and we’re just getting started,” said Milan Shetti, president and CEO of Rocket Software. “We remain committed to bold innovation, empowering our global customers to solve complex IT challenges while modernizing without disruption. Our momentum is unstoppable, and we’re shaping the future of digital transformation. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible Rocketeers for their dedication over the past 35 years. Their hard work and passion are the foundation of our success, and together, we’ll continue to push the boundaries of innovation.”

    A Legacy of Innovation and Growth
    Over the last few years, the company has expanded its global partner program to include leading global system integrators, value-added resellers, and cloud service providers. While the company continues to grow its partner ecosystem, its relationship with IBM has deepened over 35 years. As a longtime IBM partner, the company has worked closely to enhance enterprise modernization solutions, helping businesses optimize their mission-critical IBM systems, ensuring seamless operations and future-ready innovation.

    “AI is fundamentally changing the mainframe experience, empowering developers, operations staff and business users,” said Skyla Loomis, General Manager, IBM Z Software. “IBM Z is built on a foundation of performance, resiliency and trust at the core to help clients create value from their mission-critical applications and data. Congratulations to Rocket Software on this anniversary. We look forward to innovating new AI use cases together that help our mutual clients take full advantage the newly released IBM z17.”

    Rocket Software has spent more than three decades modernizing IT infrastructure, applications, and data for some of the world’s most essential businesses. Building on this legacy, the company continues to drive innovation by helping organizations integrate with hybrid cloud environments, strengthen security, and unlock the power of metadata for AI and analytics-driven decision-making.

    Since its founding, the company has acquired many organizations, including Aldon, ASG Technologies, D3, Key Resources, Shadow, and Zephyr, strengthening its solutions and teams to better serve mission-critical industries such as banking, healthcare, manufacturing, and government. In 2024, the company completed the $2.275 billion acquisition of OpenText’s Application Modernization and Connectivity (AMC) business.

    A Culture of Excellence and Community Commitment
    The company’s success is driven by a strong culture, grounded in its core values of Empathy, Humanity, Trust, and Love. In line with its commitment to developing future software developers, the company established the NextGen Academy, a six-month program offering its employees the opportunity to take on full-time engineering roles. This program provides employees with valuable hands-on experience and mentorship from industry experts.

    To celebrate 35 years of growth, the company is hosting a Community Day on April 16. This initiative, which began over two decades ago, provides employees with dedicated time off to volunteer and create a positive impact in their communities. In recent years, its employees have donated thousands of hours to philanthropic projects around the world.

    Looking ahead, the company remains focused on its mission to help organizations modernize without disruption—today, tomorrow, and for many years to come.

    A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

    About Rocket Software
    Rocket Software is a global technology leader in modernization and a partner of choice that empowers the world’s leading businesses on their modernization journeys, spanning core systems to the cloud. Trusted by over 12,500 customers and 750 partners, and with more than 3,200 global employees, Rocket Software enables customers to maximize their data, applications, and infrastructure to deliver critical services that power our modern world. Rocket Software is a privately held U.S. corporation headquartered in the Boston area with centers of excellence strategically located throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Rocket Software is a portfolio company of Bain Capital Private Equity. Follow Rocket Software on LinkedIn and X or visit www.RocketSoftware.com.

    IBM is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

    Media Contact
    Lacey Darrow
    ldarrow@rocketsoftware.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: iRhythm Technologies Releases 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report That Demonstrates Ongoing Commitment to Culture of Quality and Sustainability

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — iRhythm Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:IRTC), a leading digital health care company focused on creating trusted solutions that detect, predict, and prevent disease, today announced that it has published its 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report, highlighting the company’s efforts to build a sustainable and inclusive future.

    “iRhythm’s core mission is to create a better world for patients by delivering better health and better insights through our trusted solutions and innovative technologies,” said Sumi Shrishrimal, iRhythm’s Chief Risk Officer and leader of Sustainability and Impact. “We accomplish this by being a responsible, ethical, and inclusive company dedicated to the highest standards of quality and excellence across our business as we execute upon our long-term strategic growth plan. I am so proud of the work our teams do every day, and our 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report reflects how we make cardiac monitoring more accessible, how we enable providers to better detect and prevent disease, and how we impact our communities as a global company.”

    The 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report details sustainability accomplishments across four key pillars:

    • Quality and Sustainable Technology Innovation highlights include enhancing our quality systems, improving our customers’ experience through Electronic Health Record (EHR) integration and innovative product launches, securing a strategic licensing agreement to advance connected patient care, and forming an Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) Governance Steering Committee to address AI risks and opportunities in alignment with the company’s strategic goals
    • Access and Health Equity highlights include expanding globally by launching commercially in four European countries (Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland) and receiving regulatory approval from the Japanese Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Agency for the Zio® 14-day, long-term continuous ECG monitoring system
    • Workforce and Inclusion highlights include refreshing our core values to define the workplace culture we would like to shape going forward, revising our code of conduct to provide employees with resources and guidance needed to operate with unquestionable integrity, and introducing new recognition opportunities to celebrate employees who elevate the company’s values through their work
    • Environmental Impact highlights include completing inventory of Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions, achieving 89.5% landfill waste diversion across our operations, obtaining ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems Certification, completing a life cycle analysis (LCA) of our products, and being named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Greenest Companies for 2025

    For more information about iRhythm’s corporate sustainability efforts, please visit our Corporate Sustainability page here.

    About iRhythm Technologies
    iRhythm is a leading digital health care company that creates trusted solutions that detect, predict, and prevent disease. Combining wearable biosensors and cloud-based data analytics with powerful proprietary algorithms, iRhythm distills data from millions of heartbeats into clinically actionable information. Through a relentless focus on patient care, iRhythm’s vision is to deliver better data, better insights, and better health for all. To learn more, please visit https://www.irhythmtech.com/.

    Investor Contact
    Stephanie Zhadkevich
    investors@irhythmtech.com

    Media Contact
    Kassandra Perry
    irhythm@highwirepr.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Intermex to Release First Quarter 2025 Earnings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — International Money Express, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMXI), also known as Intermex, will release its First Quarter 2025 earnings before the start of trading on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The Intermex management team will be hosting a conference call on the same day at 9:00 am ET.

    Interested parties are invited to join the discussion and gain firsthand knowledge about Intermex’s financial performance and operational achievements through the following channels:

    • A live broadcast of the conference call may be accessed via the Investor Relations section of Intermex’s website at https://investors.intermexonline.com/.
    • To participate in the live conference call via telephone, please register HERE. Upon registering, a dial-in number and unique PIN will be provided to join the conference call.
    • Following the conference call, an archived webcast of the call will be available for one year on Intermex’s website at https://investors.intermexonline.com/.

    About International Money Express, Inc.
    Founded in 1994, Intermex applies proprietary technology, enabling consumers to send money from the United States, Canada, and Europe to more than 60 countries. The Company provides the digital movement of money through a network of agent retailers in the United States, Canada, and Europe; Company-operated stores; our mobile app; and the Company’s websites. Transactions are fulfilled and paid through thousands of retail and bank locations around the world. Intermex is headquartered in Miami, Florida, with international offices in Puebla, Mexico, Guatemala City, Guatemala, London, England, and Madrid, Spain. For more information about Intermex, please visit www.intermexonline.com.

    Investor Relations:
    Alex Sadowski
    Investor Relations Coordinator
    Tel: 305-671-8000
    IR@intermexusa.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Richtech Robotics Announces an Agreement to Purchase an Approximately 20,000 Square Foot Property to Expand Its Headquarters 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New Las Vegas-based facility plans to increase manufacturing and assembly capacity by 400% and accommodate further integration of domestic supply chain

    Las Vegas, NV, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Richtech Robotics Inc. (Nasdaq: RR) (“Richtech Robotics” or “the Company”), a Nevada-based provider of AI-driven service robots, announced the entry of a purchase and sale agreement for the purchase of a piece of land located at 2975 Lincoln Road, Las Vegas, Nevada (“Lincoln Property”), covering approximately 20,000 square feet, to expand its headquarters. The acquisition of the Lincoln Property is scheduled to close on or before May 15, 2025, and is expected to quadruple the Company’s assembly and manufacturing footprint for its robotics solutions, supporting increased demand and future growth.

    “Richtech Robotics is experiencing rapid growth in demand for our AI-powered service robots,” said Matt Casella, President of Richtech Robotics. “At the same time, we remain committed to strengthening our domestic supply chain. Staying in Las Vegas is a strategic decision for a variety of reasons, and this new facility gives us the expanded capacity and flexibility needed to scale with the increasing interest in our robotics solutions.”

    The Company anticipates the new facility will ultimately result in long-term cost savings compared to their previous rental arrangement. In addition to the expanded assemble and manufacturing capacity, the new headquarters is also expected to include a dedicated studio for content creation.

    As part of its continued expansion, Richtech Robotics has also signed a lease for a new office in Newark, California, located near the heart of Silicon Valley. Engineers who have undergone training at the Las Vegas headquarters will now begin working out of the Newark location, helping to further develop and deploy the Company’s AI and robotics platforms.

    Richtech Robotics maintains its commitment to U.S. assembly and manufacturing, with flagship ADAM and Scorpion robot systems being engineered, developed, and assembled in the Company’s Las Vegas headquarters. These systems feature American-engineered control technologies and are powered by NVIDIA-based operating platforms. The Company also regularly seeks to expand the reach of its supply chain to increase the use of U.S. sourced materials.

    About Richtech Robotics

    Richtech Robotics is a provider of collaborative robotic solutions specializing in the service industry, including the hospitality and healthcare sectors. Our mission is to transform the service industry through collaborative robotic solutions that enhance the customer experience and empower businesses to achieve more. By seamlessly integrating cutting-edge automation, we aspire to create a landscape of enhanced interactions, efficiency, and innovation, propelling organizations toward unparalleled levels of excellence and satisfaction. Learn more at www.RichtechRobotics.com.

    Forward Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend,” among others. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the performance of Richtech Robotics’ products, the targeted closing date of the Lincoln Property, and the increase of manufacturing and assembly capacity as a result of the acquisition of the Lincoln Property.

    These forward-looking statements are based on Richtech Robotics’ current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, risks and uncertainties related to the targeted closing date of the Lincoln Property, the increase of manufacturing and assembly capacity as a result of the acquisition of the Lincoln Property, and the ability of AI-powered robotic solutions to improve efficiency. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in Richtech Robotics’ Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, filed with the SEC on March 4, 2025, the IPO registration statement and periodic reports filed with the SEC on or after the date thereof. All of Richtech Robotics’ forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by all such risk factors and other cautionary statements. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date thereof. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible for Richtech Robotics to predict those events or how they may affect Richtech Robotics. If a change to the events and circumstances reflected in Richtech Robotics’ forward-looking statements occurs, Richtech Robotics’ business, financial condition and operating results may vary materially from those expressed in Richtech Robotics’ forward-looking statements.

    Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Richtech Robotics assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Contact:

    Investors:
    CORE IR
    Matt Blazei
    ir@richtechrobotics.com

    Media: 
    Timothy Tanksley
    Director of Marketing
    Richtech Robotics, Inc
    press@richtechrobotics.com
    702-534-0050

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Cerence to Announce Fiscal Second Quarter Results on May 7, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BURLINGTON, Mass., April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cerence Inc. (NASDAQ: CRNC) (“Cerence AI”), a global leader pioneering conversational AI-powered user experiences, will announce its second quarter financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 4:05pm Eastern Time / 1:05pm Pacific Time.

    The company will host a live conference call and webcast, with supplementary slides, to discuss the results on the same day at 5:00pm Eastern Time / 2:00pm Pacific Time. Interested investors and analysts are invited to join the audio conference call by registering here.

    Webcast access will be available in the Investor section of the company’s website, www.cerence.ai.

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

    About Cerence Inc.
    Cerence Inc. (NASDAQ: CRNC) is a global industry leader in creating intuitive, seamless, AI-powered experiences across automotive and transportation. Leveraging decades of innovation and expertise in voice, generative AI, and large language models, Cerence powers integrated experiences that create safer, more connected, and more enjoyable journeys for drivers and passengers alike. With more than 500 million cars shipped with Cerence technology, the company partners with leading automakers, transportation OEMs, and technology companies to advance the next generation of user experiences. Cerence is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, with operations globally and a worldwide team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of AI innovation. For more information, visit www.cerence.ai.

    Contact Information

    Investor Relations | Email: investorrelations@cerence.com

    Kate Hickman | Tel: 339-215-4583 | Email: kate.hickman@cerence.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi urges joint efforts to build high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with shared future

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a welcome ceremony held by Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 16, 2025. Xi met with Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese President Xi Jinping said Wednesday that China is ready to work with the Malaysian side to build a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future, so as to usher in new “Golden 50 Years” for bilateral ties.

    Xi made the remarks when meeting with Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar during a state visit to the country. Prior to their meeting, Sultan Ibrahim held a grand welcome ceremony for Xi.

    During the meeting, Xi pointed out that China and Malaysia are good neighbors, good friends and good partners who visit each other as often as family. Bilateral relations have gone through a magnificent half-century and are embracing an even brighter future, he added.

    Xi said he is ready to work with Sultan Ibrahim, the Malaysian supreme head of state, to lead the long-term and stable development of China-Malaysia ties, and write a new chapter in good-neighborliness, friendship, solidarity and cooperation.

    China and Malaysia should continue to deepen political mutual trust and support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, Xi said.

    The two sides should deepen the synergy of development strategies, draw on each other’s strengths for mutual benefit and win-win results, and jointly pursue modernization, he said.

    He called on the two sides to ensure good implementation of major projects such as the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” program and the East Coast Rail Link, and to actively foster cooperation in future industries such as artificial intelligence, digital economy and green economy.

    China welcomes more high-quality Malaysian agricultural products to the Chinese market, and encourages Chinese enterprises to invest in Malaysia, he said.

    China stands ready to promote the Confucian-Islamic civilizational dialogue with Malaysia and to carry out further cooperation with Malaysia in culture, tourism and education to enhance people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, said the Chinese president.

    China supports Malaysia in its role as the ASEAN chair and stands ready to work with Malaysia to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, Xi said.

    He also urged joint efforts to promote the Global South’s pursuit of solidarity-driven collective advancement and common development, so as to contribute more certainty and positive energy to the region and the world.

    For his part, Sultan Ibrahim said that President Xi’s state visit to Malaysia is a major event in bilateral relations, which fully demonstrates the high level of Malaysia-China relations, adding that his successful visit to China last September is still fresh in his memory.

    Sultan Ibrahim said he believes that Xi’s visit will comprehensively upgrade bilateral relations and promote vigorous development of cooperation in various fields, adding that China’s impressive development achievements are attributable to the foresight of President Xi and the hard work of the Chinese people.

    Malaysia attaches great importance to its relations with China and will join hands to forge ahead for win-win cooperation and promote the building of the high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future no matter how the international landscape evolves, he said.

    Malaysia attaches importance to regional economic integration, firmly supports the Belt and Road Initiative, and is ready to strengthen trade and investment cooperation with China, jointly stabilize industrial and supply chains, enhance connectivity and boost people-to-people and educational exchanges, said Sultan Ibrahim.

    The Malaysian side speaks highly of China’s central conference on work related to neighboring countries held recently and values China’s important role in addressing global and regional challenges, he said.

    As the rotating chair of ASEAN and country coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, Malaysia is committed to promoting greater development of ASEAN-China ties and jointly building a peaceful and prosperous future, he added.

    After the meeting, Xi attended the welcome banquet held by Sultan Ibrahim.

    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   >  

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: GPT-4.1 impresses influencers with coding prowess, surpassing GPT-4o, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    GPT-4.1 impresses influencers with coding prowess, surpassing GPT-4o, reveals GlobalData

    Posted in Business Fundamentals

    OpenAI emerged as a prominent subject of discussion among influencers in mid-April 2025, driven by the introduction of its GPT-4.1 model suite, comprising GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1-mini, and GPT-4.1-nano, specifically designed for developer applications. This rise to prominence was reinforced by the accompanying prompting guide and the models’ integration into platforms such as VS Code, GitHub Copilot, and Foundry. Influencers perceive this as a strategic effort by OpenAI to maintain its competitive edge against industry peers, including Google and Anthropic, particularly in light of its reported exploration of open-source initiatives, reveals the Social Media Analytics Platform of GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Shreyasee Majumder, Social Media Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Influencer sentiment is predominantly optimistic about GPT-4.1’s advancements, emphasizing its superior coding precision, enhanced instruction adherence, and expanded contextual understanding compared to earlier models. Several influencers assert that GPT-4.1 delivers performance surpassing that of GPT-4o, with some even claiming it outperforms GPT-4.5, which OpenAI recently announced it would phase out from its API. However, confusion and skepticism persist regarding OpenAI’s complex naming conventions, with some observers critiquing the numbering system as lacking clarity.”

    Below are a few popular influencer opinions captured by GlobalData’s Social Media Analytics Platform:

    1. Thomas Dohmke, CEO at GitHub:

    “The next evolution of GPT GitHub Copilot is here. OpenAI GPT-4.1 is now available for all Copilot Plans, including Free, via the model picker in Visual Studio Code and http://GitHub.com chat (support in Visual Studio and JetBrains coming soon). It’s also up and running on GitHub Models, for all your model comparison needs. GPT-4.1 improves on GPT-4o’s coding accuracy, performance, and context awareness. It’s a strong choice for tasks that require speed, responsiveness, and general-purpose reasoning. And it’s ready for you to explore today.”

    1. Ethan Mollick, Associate Professor at The Wharton School:

    “Resisting the standard urge to tweet about OpenAI’s naming system given today’s new products are named 4.1, 4.1-mini, and 4.1-nano, given the existence of 4o, the upcoming o4, and the existing 4.5. Don’t worry, the numbering system is completely uninformative as to capabilities.”

    1. Aaron Levie, CEO at Box:

    “OpenAI just dropped GPT-4.1. It’s a huge jump over GPT-4o on basically every metric, and importantly document processing and data extraction from enterprise content. Box is now offering it in beta in the Box AI Studio, and will be rolling out to everyone shortly.”

    1. Tom Warren, Senior Editor at The Verge:

    “as I exclusively reported last week, OpenAI has just announced GPT-4.1, which it claims is better than GPT-4o “on just about every dimension.” I’m also expecting an o3 and o4 mini reveal, and other announcements later this week”

    1. Elvis S, Cofounder & CEO at DAIR.AI:

    “GPT-4.1 > GPT-4o OpenAI mentioned that GPT-4.1 is better than GPT-4o on every dimension and even beats GPT-4.5 in some tasks. The models can handle up to 1M content window (for the first time).”

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI: Draganfly Establishes Public Safety Advisory Board, Appoints Homeland Security and Law Enforcement Expert Paul Goldenberg as Chair

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Industry Veteran Joins Draganfly to Drive Innovation at the Intersection of Public Safety and Technology

    Tampa, FL, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO) (FSE: 3U8) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), an industry-leading developer of drone solutions and systems, is proud to announce the formation of its Public Safety Advisory Board. This new initiative reinforces Draganfly’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge, mission-critical technologies that support enforcement and public safety agencies worldwide. Renowned global public safety expert and Homeland Security advisor Paul Goldenberg will serve as the inaugural Chair of the Board.

    With more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, global security, and national intelligence, Goldenberg brings unparalleled expertise to the role. Recently named America’s Most Influential Person in Homeland Security, he has advised U.S. Presidents, members of Congress, and international security bodies on counterterrorism, cybercrime, and public safety. As a former senior member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC), Goldenberg led pivotal initiatives, including the DHS Cybersecurity Task Force and the Countering Foreign Influence Task Force. He currently serves as Chief Advisor for Policy and International Policing at the Rutgers University Miller Center on Policing, a Distinguished Visiting Fellow for Transnational Security at the University of Ottawa, and a member of the National Sheriffs’ Association Southern Border Security Committee.

    Goldenberg’s career also includes directing the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) transitional policing mission, working on the ground in regions such as Kosovo, Bosnia, Ukraine, and France. His efforts focused on strengthening police responses to extremism and fostering collaboration between law enforcement agencies and vulnerable communities.

    “Draganfly’s commitment to utilizing technology to enhance public safety and law enforcement aligns with my lifelong mission to improve security and foster trust between agencies and the communities they serve,” said Goldenberg. “Given the challenges law enforcement agencies face, including recruitment and retention issues, drones have become an invaluable tool that helps officers protect both themselves and the communities they serve.”

    Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly, emphasized the significance of Goldenberg’s appointment:
    “Paul’s vast experience in homeland security, counterterrorism, and law enforcement makes him the ideal choice to lead our Public Safety Advisory Board. His leadership will be instrumental in advancing Draganfly’s mission to deliver innovative, AI-powered drone technologies that improve situational awareness and operational efficiency for law enforcement agencies across the globe.”

    Goldenberg’s past roles have included serving as the first Chief of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office for Hate Crime and Domestic Terrorism Investigations, managing major organized crime cases, spending six years deep undercover as part of the South Florida Task Force, and leading one of the United States’ largest social service and juvenile justice systems. His work has directly influenced modern policing strategies and shaped national and international policy.

    The creation of Draganfly’s Public Safety Advisory Board marks a pivotal step in the Company’s continued efforts to strengthen public safety and law enforcement capabilities, offering innovative solutions that support officers in the field.

    About Draganfly

    Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8A) is a pioneer in drone solutions, AI-driven software, and robotics. With over 25 years of innovation, Draganfly has been at the forefront of drone technology, providing solutions for public safety, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, mapping, and surveying. The Company is committed to delivering efficient, reliable, and industry-leading technology that helps organizations save time, money, and lives.

    For more information, visit www.draganfly.com.

    For investor details, visit:
    CSE
    NASDAQ
    FRANKFURT

    Media Contact
    media@draganfly.com

    Company Contact
    info@draganfly.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This release contains certain “forward looking statements” and certain “forward-looking ‎‎‎‎information” as ‎‎‎‎defined under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎and information can ‎‎‎‎generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as ‎‎‎‎‎“may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, ‎‎‎‎‎“estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar ‎‎‎‎terminology. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎and information are based on forecasts of future ‎‎‎‎results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and ‎‎‎‎assumptions that, while believed by ‎‎‎‎management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant ‎‎‎‎business, economic and ‎‎‎‎competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎include, but are not ‎‎‎‎limited to, statements with respect to the Public Safety Advisory Board advancing Draganfly’s mission to deliver innovative, AI-powered drone technologies that improve situational awareness and operational efficiency for law enforcement agencies across the globe. Forward-‎‎‎‎looking statements and information are subject to various ‎known ‎‎and unknown risks and ‎‎‎‎‎uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to ‎control or ‎‎predict, that ‎‎‎‎may cause ‎the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be ‎materially ‎‎different ‎‎‎‎from those ‎expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions ‎about ‎‎such ‎‎‎‎risks, uncertainties ‎and other factors set out here in, including but not limited to: the potential ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎impact of epidemics, ‎pandemics or other public health crises, including the ‎COVID-19 pandemic, on the Company’s business, operations and financial ‎‎‎‎condition; the ‎‎‎successful integration of ‎technology; the inherent risks involved in the general ‎‎‎‎securities markets; ‎‎‎uncertainties relating to the ‎availability and costs of financing needed in the ‎‎‎‎future; the inherent ‎‎‎uncertainty of cost estimates; the ‎potential for unexpected costs and ‎‎‎‎expenses, currency ‎‎‎fluctuations; regulatory restrictions; and liability, ‎competition, loss of key ‎‎‎‎employees and other related risks ‎‎‎and uncertainties disclosed under the ‎heading “Risk Factors“ ‎‎‎‎in the Company’s most recent filings filed ‎‎‎with securities regulators in Canada on ‎the SEDAR ‎‎‎‎website at www.sedar.com and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on EDGAR through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes ‎‎‎no obligation to update forward-‎looking ‎‎‎‎information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-‎‎‎looking information represents ‎‎‎‎‎managements’ best judgment based on information currently available. ‎‎‎No forward-looking ‎‎‎‎statement ‎can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. ‎‎‎Accordingly, readers ‎‎‎‎are advised not to ‎place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or ‎‎‎information.‎

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA response to NATO-Japan joint statement stressing importance of cross-strait peace and stability

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA response to NATO-Japan joint statement stressing importance of cross-strait peace and stability

    • Date:2025-04-11
    • Data Source:TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

    April 11, 2025 

    Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mark Rutte held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Japan Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo on April 9. In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the two sides strongly opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. They also emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of the international community’s security and prosperity and encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues. Furthermore, the statement recognized that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and that of the Indo-Pacific were interconnected, stressing that continued Japan-NATO cooperation would benefit the security of both regions. 

     

    This Japan-NATO bilateral meeting was the first since Secretary General Rutte assumed office. It also marked the third time since 2022 that the two sides had issued a joint statement conveying a high level of concern over cross-strait issues. The joint statement underscored the fact that the security of Taiwan has become a common global issue and that the international community has formed a high level of consensus on countering authoritarian expansion led by China and Russia and on ensuring peace across the Taiwan Strait. In addition, it demonstrated that cross-strait peace and stability are closely related to not only the security environment of the Indo-Pacific but also that of Europe. 

     

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely appreciates and welcomes the support for cross-strait peace and stability that NATO and Japan expressed at their meeting. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates that Taiwan, as an important country in the Indo-Pacific and a responsible member of the international community, will continue to work closely with allied nations to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific; uphold the rules-based international order; and safeguard regional and world peace, stability, and prosperity.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI: YieldMax™ ETFs Announces Distributions on TSLY (101.76%), CRSH (100.89%), ULTY (76.45%), LFGY (65.07%), FEAT (61.22%), and Others

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE and NEW YORK, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — YieldMax™ today announced distributions for the YieldMax™ Weekly Payers and Group A ETFs listed in the table below.

    ETF
    Ticker1
    ETF Name Distribution Frequency Distribution
    per Share
    Distribution Rate2,4 30-Day
    SEC Yield3
    ROC5 Ex-Date & Record
    Date
    Payment
    Date
    CHPY YieldMax™ Semiconductor Portfolio Option Income ETF Weekly $0.3627 84.42% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    GPTY YieldMax™ AI & Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF Weekly $0.2545 34.59% 0.00% 63.04% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    LFGY YieldMax™ Crypto Industry & Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF Weekly $0.4307 65.07% 0.00% 35.49% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    QDTY YieldMax™ Nasdaq 100 0DTE Covered Call ETF Weekly $0.3320 43.93% 0.00% 100.00% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    RDTY YieldMax™ R2000 0DTE Covered Call ETF Weekly $0.3745 46.65% 0.00% 100.00% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    SDTY YieldMax™ S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call ETF Weekly $0.3085 38.91% 0.00% 100.00% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    ULTY YieldMax™ Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF Weekly $0.0852 76.45% 2.21% 99.18% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    YMAG YieldMax™ Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs Weekly $0.0943 33.85% 69.89% 65.96% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    YMAX YieldMax™ Universe Fund
    of Option Income ETFs
    Weekly $0.1334 54.00% 96.57% 54.97% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    CRSH YieldMax™ Short TSLA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.5616 100.89% 1.79% 0.00% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    FEAT YieldMax™ Dorsey Wright Featured 5 Income ETF Every 4 weeks $1.6435 61.22% 108.54% 0.00% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    FIVY YieldMax™ Dorsey Wright Hybrid 5 Income ETF Every 4 weeks $1.0283 37.65% 69.37% 0.00% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    GOOY YieldMax™ GOOGL Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3729 40.07% 4.67% 90.74% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    OARK YieldMax™ Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.2923 51.17% 3.51% 93.61% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    SNOY YieldMax™ SNOW Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.6864 59.94% 3.01% 94.51% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    TSLY YieldMax™ TSLA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.6598 101.76% 3.87% 96.85% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    TSMY YieldMax™ TSM Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.5635 51.83% 3.61% 16.38% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    XOMO YieldMax™ XOM Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3500 34.91% 3.18% 90.74% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    YBIT YieldMax™ Bitcoin Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.4110 53.00% 1.52% 30.49% 4/17/25 4/21/25
    Weekly Payers & Group B ETFs scheduled for next week: CHPY GPTY LFGY QDTY RDTY SDTY UTLY YMAG YMAX BABO DIPS FBY GDXY JPMO MARO MRNY NVDY PLTY
     

    Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted above. Performance current to the most recent month-end can be obtained by calling (833) 378-0717.

    Note: DIPS, FIAT, CRSH, YQQQ and WNTR are hereinafter referred to as the “Short ETFs.”

    Distributions are not guaranteed. The Distribution Rate and 30-Day SEC Yield are not indicative of future distributions, if any, on the ETFs. In particular, future distributions on any ETF may differ significantly from its Distribution Rate or 30-Day SEC Yield. You are not guaranteed a distribution under the ETFs. Distributions for the ETFs (if any) are variable and may vary significantly from period to period and may be zero. Accordingly, the Distribution Rate and 30-Day SEC Yield will change over time, and such change may be significant.

    Investors in the Funds will not have rights to receive dividends or other distributions with respect to the underlying reference asset(s).

    1 All YieldMax™ ETFs shown in the table above (except YMAX, YMAG, FEAT, FIVY and ULTY) have a gross expense ratio of 0.99%. YMAX, YMAG and FEAT have a Management Fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.99% for a gross expense ratio of 1.28%. FIVY has a Management Fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.59% for a gross expense ratio of 0.88%. “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” are indirect fees and expenses that the Fund incurs from investing in the shares of other investment companies, namely other YieldMax™ ETFs. ULTY has a gross expense ratio after the fee waiver of 1.30%. The Advisor has agreed to a fee waiver of 0.10% through at least February 28, 2026.

    2 The Distribution Rate shown is as of close on April 15, 2025. The Distribution Rate is the annual distribution rate an investor would receive if the most recent distribution, which includes option income, remained the same going forward. The Distribution Rate is calculated by annualizing an ETF’s Distribution per Share and dividing such annualized amount by the ETF’s most recent NAV. The Distribution Rate represents a single distribution from the ETF and does not represent its total return. Distributions may also include a combination of ordinary dividends, capital gain, and return of investor capital, which may decrease an ETF’s NAV and trading price over time. As a result, an investor may suffer significant losses to their investment. These Distribution Rates may be caused by unusually favorable market conditions and may not be sustainable. Such conditions may not continue to exist and there should be no expectation that this performance may be repeated in the future.

    3 The 30-Day SEC Yield represents net investment income, which excludes option income, earned by such ETF over the 30-Day period ended March 31, 2025, expressed as an annual percentage rate based on such ETF’s share price at the end of the 30-Day period.

    4 Each ETF’s strategy (except those of the Short ETFs) will cap potential gains if its reference asset’s shares increase in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset’s shares decrease in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF. Each Short ETF’s strategy will cap potential gains if its reference asset decreases in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset increases in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF.
    5  ROC refers to Return of Capital. The ROC percentage is the portion of the distribution that represents an investor’s original investment.

    Each Fund has a limited operating history and while each Fund’s objective is to provide current income, there is no guarantee the Fund will make a distribution. Distributions are likely to vary greatly in amount.

    Standardized Performance

    For YMAX, click here. For YMAG, click here. For TSLY, click here. For OARK, click here. For APLY, click here. For NVDY, click here. For AMZY, click here. For FBY, click here. For GOOY, click here. For NFLY, click here. For CONY, click here. For MSFO, click here. For DISO, click here. For XOMO, click here. For JPMO, click here. For AMDY, click here. For PYPY, click here. For XYZY, click here. For MRNY, click here. For AIYY, click here. For MSTY, click here. For ULTY, click here. For YBIT, click here. For CRSH, click here. For GDXY, click here. For SNOY, click here. For ABNY, click here. For FIAT, click here. For DIPS, click here. For BABO, click here. For YQQQ, click here. For TSMY, click here. For SMCY, click here. For PLTY, click here. For BIGY, click here. For SOXY, click here. For MARO, click here. For FEAT, click here. For FIVY, click here. For LFGY, click here. For GPTY, click here. For CVNY, click here. For SDTY, click here. For QDTY, click here. For WNTR, click here. For CHPY, click here.

    Important Information

    This material must be preceded or accompanied by the prospectus. For all prospectuses, click here.

    Tidal Financial Group is the adviser for all YieldMax™ ETFs.

    THE FUND, TRUST, AND ADVISER ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY UNDERLYING REFERENCE ASSET.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable to all YieldMax ETFs referenced above, except the Short ETFs)

    YMAX, YMAG, FEAT and FIVY generally invest in other YieldMax™ ETFs. As such, these two Funds are subject to the risks listed in this section, which apply to all the YieldMax™ ETFs they may hold from time to time.

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

    Referenced Index Risk. The Fund invests in options contracts that are based on the value of the Index (or the Index ETFs). This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of companies that comprised the Index or an ETF that tracks the Index, even though it does not.

    Indirect Investment Risk. The Index is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way. Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the companies that comprise the Index but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Index.

    Russell 2000 Index Risks. The Index, which consists of small-cap U.S. companies, is particularly susceptible to economic changes, as these firms often have less financial resilience than larger companies. Market volatility can disproportionately affect these smaller businesses, leading to significant price swings. Additionally, these companies are often more exposed to specific industry risks and have less diverse revenue streams. They can also be more vulnerable to changes in domestic regulatory or policy environments.

    Call Writing Strategy Risk. The path dependency (i.e., the continued use) of the Fund’s call writing strategy will impact the extent that the Fund participates in the positive price returns of the underlying reference asset and, in turn, the Fund’s returns, both during the term of the sold call options and over longer periods.

    Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in options contracts. Transactions in some types of derivatives, including options, are required to be centrally cleared (“cleared derivatives”). In a transaction involving cleared derivatives, the Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house rather than a bank or broker. Since the Fund is not a member of clearing houses and only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate directly in the clearing house, the Fund will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members.

    Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, imperfect correlation with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions. 

    Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events.

    Distribution Risk. As part of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund seeks to provide current income. There is no assurance that the Fund will make a distribution in any given period. If the Fund does make distributions, the amounts of such distributions will likely vary greatly from one distribution to the next.

    High Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may actively and frequently trade all or a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings. A high portfolio turnover rate increases transaction costs, which may increase the Fund’s expenses.

    Liquidity Risk. Some securities held by the Fund, including options contracts, may be difficult to sell or be illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil.

    Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Fund is “non-diversified,” it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund.

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

    Price Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of call option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will participate in increases in value experienced by the underlying reference asset over the Call Period.

    Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security (ARKK, TSLA, AAPL, NVDA, AMZN, META, GOOGL, NFLX, COIN, MSFT, DIS, XOM, JPM, AMD, PYPL, SQ, MRNA, AI, MSTR, Bitcoin ETP, GDX®, SNOW, ABNB, BABA, TSM, SMCI, PLTR, MARA, CVNA), may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole.

    Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of the Fund’s assets and distributions, if any, may decline.

    Indirect Investment Risk. The Index is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GPTY)

    Artificial Intelligence Risk. Issuers engaged in artificial intelligence typically have high research and capital expenditures and, as a result, their profitability can vary widely, if they are profitable at all. The space in which they are engaged is highly competitive and issuers’ products and services may become obsolete very quickly. These companies are heavily dependent on intellectual property rights and may be adversely affected by loss or impairment of those rights. The issuers are also subject to legal, regulatory, and political changes that may have a large impact on their profitability. A failure in an issuer’s product or even questions about the safety of the product could be devastating to the issuer, especially if it is the marquee product of the issuer. It can be difficult to accurately capture what qualifies as an artificial intelligence company.

    Technology Sector Risk. The Fund will invest substantially in companies in the information technology sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. Market or economic factors impacting technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technological advances could have a significant effect on the value of the Fund’s investments. The value of stocks of information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology is particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in technology product cycles, rapid product obsolescence, government regulation and competition, both domestically and internationally, including competition from foreign competitors with lower production costs. Stocks of information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall market. Information technology companies are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights, the loss or impairment of which may adversely affect profitability.

    Risk Disclosure (applicable only to MARO)

    Digital Assets Risk: The Fund does not invest directly in Bitcoin or any other digital assets. The Fund does not invest directly in derivatives that track the performance of Bitcoin or any other digital assets. The Fund does not invest in or seek direct exposure to the current “spot” or cash price of Bitcoin. Investors seeking direct exposure to the price of Bitcoin should consider an investment other than the Fund. Digital assets like Bitcoin, designed as mediums of exchange, are still an emerging asset class. They operate independently of any central authority or government backing and are subject to regulatory changes and extreme price volatility.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to BABO and TSMY)

    Currency Risk: Indirect exposure to foreign currencies subjects the Fund to the risk that currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates and the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the U.S. or abroad.

    Depositary Receipts Risk: The securities underlying BABO and TSMY are American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). Investment in ADRs may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market.

    Foreign Market and Trading Risk: The trading markets for many foreign securities are not as active as U.S. markets and may have less governmental regulation and oversight.

    Foreign Securities Risk: Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in securities of U.S. issuers, such as risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability, as well as varying regulatory requirements applicable to investments in non-U.S. issuers. There may be less information publicly available about a non-U.S. issuer than a U.S. issuer. Non-U.S. issuers may also be subject to different regulatory, accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and investor protection standards than U.S. issuers.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GDXY)

    Risk of Investing in Foreign Securities. The Fund is exposed indirectly to the securities of foreign issuers selected by GDX®’s investment adviser, which subjects the Fund to the risks associated with such companies. Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities.

    Risk of Investing in Gold and Silver Mining Companies. The Fund is exposed indirectly to gold and silver mining companies selected by GDX®’s investment adviser, which subjects the Fund to the risks associated with such companies.

    The Fund invests in options contracts based on the value of the VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX®), which subjects the Fund to some of the same risks as if it owned GDX®, as well as the risks associated with Canadian, Australian and Emerging Market Issuers, and Small-and Medium-Capitalization companies.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YBIT)

    YBIT does not invest directly in Bitcoin or any other digital assets. YBIT does not invest directly in derivatives that track the performance of Bitcoin or any other digital assets. YBIT does not invest in or seek direct exposure to the current “spot” or cash price of Bitcoin. Investors seeking direct exposure to the price of Bitcoin should consider an investment other than YBIT.

    Bitcoin Investment Risk: The Fund’s indirect investment in Bitcoin, through holdings in one or more Underlying ETPs, exposes it to the unique risks of this emerging innovation. Bitcoin’s price is highly volatile, and its market is influenced by the changing Bitcoin network, fluctuating acceptance levels, and unpredictable usage trends.

    Digital Assets Risk: Digital assets like Bitcoin, designed as mediums of exchange, are still an emerging asset class. They operate independently of any central authority or government backing and are subject to regulatory changes and extreme price volatility. Potentially No 1940 Act Protections. As of the date of this Prospectus, there is only a single eligible Underlying ETP, and it is an investment company subject to the 1940 Act.

    Bitcoin ETP Risk: The Fund invests in options contracts that are based on the value of the Bitcoin ETP. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of the Bitcoin ETP, even though it does not. Bitcoin ETPs are subject, but not limited, to significant risk and heightened volatility. An investor in a Bitcoin ETP may lose their entire investment. Bitcoin ETPs are not suitable for all investors. In addition, not all Bitcoin ETPs are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Those Bitcoin ETPs that are not registered under such statute are therefore not subject to the same regulations as exchange traded products that are so registered.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to the Short ETFs)

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

    Price Appreciation Risk. As part of the Fund’s synthetic covered put strategy, the Fund purchases and sells call and put option contracts that are based on the value of the underlying reference asset. This strategy subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it shorted the underlying reference asset, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s indirect inverse exposure to changes in the value of the underlying reference asset, the Fund is subject to the risk that the value of the underlying reference asset increases. If the value of the underlying reference asset increases, the Fund will likely lose value and, as a result, the Fund may suffer significant losses.

    Put Writing Strategy Risk. The path dependency (i.e., the continued use) of the Fund’s put writing (selling) strategy will impact the extent that the Fund participates in decreases in the value of the underlying reference asset and, in turn, the Fund’s returns, both during the term of the sold put options and over longer periods.

    Purchased OTM Call Options Risk. The Fund’s strategy is subject to potential losses if the underlying reference asset increases in value, which may not be offset by the purchase of out-of-the-money (OTM) call options. The Fund purchases OTM calls to seek to manage (cap) the Fund’s potential losses from the Fund’s short exposure to the underlying reference asset if it appreciates significantly in value. However, the OTM call options will cap the Fund’s losses only to the extent that the value of the underlying reference asset increases to a level that is at or above the strike level of the purchased OTM call options. Any increase in the value of the underlying reference asset to a level that is below the strike level of the purchased OTM call options will result in a corresponding loss for the Fund. For example, if the OTM call options have a strike level that is approximately 100% above the then-current value of the underlying reference asset at the time of the call option purchase, and the value of the underlying reference asset increases by at least 100% during the term of the purchased OTM call options, the Fund will lose all its value. Since the Fund bears the costs of purchasing the OTM calls, such costs will decrease the Fund’s value and/or any income otherwise generated by the Fund’s investment strategy.

    Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in options contracts. Transactions in some types of derivatives, including options, are required to be centrally cleared (“cleared derivatives”). In a transaction involving cleared derivatives, the Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house rather than a bank or broker. Since the Fund is not a member of clearing houses and only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate directly in the clearing house, the Fund will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members.

    Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, imperfect correlation with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions. 

    Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying reference asset, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events.

    Distribution Risk. As part of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund seeks to provide current income. There is no assurance that the Fund will make a distribution in any given period. If the Fund does make distributions, the amounts of such distributions will likely vary greatly from one distribution to the next.

    High Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may actively and frequently trade all or a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings.

    Liquidity Risk. Some securities held by the Fund, including options contracts, may be difficult to sell or be illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil.

    Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Fund is “non-diversified,” it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund.

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

    Price Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of put option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will participate in decreases in value experienced by the underlying reference asset over the Put Period.

    Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, for any Fund that focuses on an individual security (e.g., TSLA, COIN, NVDA, MSTR), may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. 

    Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of the Fund’s assets and distributions, if any, may decline.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to CHPY)

    Semiconductor Industry Risk. Semiconductor companies may face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, and such competition may have an adverse effect on their profit margins. Semiconductor companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. Semiconductor companies’ supply chain and operations are dependent on the availability of materials that meet exacting standards and the use of third parties to provide components and services.

    The products of semiconductor companies may face obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction, unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. Capital equipment expenditures could be substantial, and equipment generally suffers from rapid obsolescence. Companies in the semiconductor industry are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights would adversely affect the profitability of these companies.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YQQQ)

    Index Overview. The Nasdaq 100 Index is a benchmark index that includes 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, based on market capitalization.

    Index Level Appreciation Risk. As part of the Fund’s synthetic covered put strategy, the Fund purchases and sells call and put option contracts that are based on the Index level. This strategy subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it shorted the Index, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s indirect inverse exposure to changes in the Index level, the Fund is subject to the risk that the Index level increases. If the Index level increases, the Fund will likely lose value and, as a result, the Fund may suffer significant losses. The Fund may also be subject to the following risks: innovation and technological advancement; strong market presence of Index constituent companies; adaptability to global market trends; and resilience and recovery potential.

    Index Level Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of put option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will benefit from decreases in the Index level experienced over the Put Period. This means that if the Index level experiences a decrease in value below the strike level of the sold put options during a Put Period, the Fund will likely not experience that increase to the same extent and any Fund gains may significantly differ from the level of the Index losses over the Put Period. Additionally, because the Fund is limited in the degree to which it will participate in decreases in value experienced by the Index level over each Put Period, but has significant negative exposure to any increases in value experienced by the Index level over the Put Period, the NAV of the Fund may decrease over any given period. The Fund’s NAV is dependent on the value of each options portfolio, which is based principally upon the inverse of the performance of the Index level. The Fund’s ability to benefit from the Index level decreases will depend on prevailing market conditions, especially market volatility, at the time the Fund enters into the sold put option contracts and will vary from Put Period to Put Period. The value of the options contracts is affected by changes in the value and dividend rates of component companies that comprise the Index, changes in interest rates, changes in the actual or perceived volatility of the Index and the remaining time to the options’ expiration, as well as trading conditions in the options market. As the Index level changes and time moves towards the expiration of each Put Period, the value of the options contracts, and therefore the Fund’s NAV, will change. However, it is not expected for the Fund’s NAV to directly inversely correlate on a day-to-day basis with the returns of the Index level. The amount of time remaining until the options contract’s expiration date affects the impact that the value of the options contracts has on the Fund’s NAV, which may not be in full effect until the expiration date of the Fund’s options contracts. Therefore, while changes in the Index level will result in changes to the Fund’s NAV, the Fund generally anticipates that the rate of change in the Fund’s NAV will be different than the inverse of the changes experienced by the Index level.

    YieldMax™ ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. Foreside is not affiliated with Tidal Financial Group, or YieldMax™ ETFs.

    © 2025 YieldMax™ ETFs

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Morning After Federal Election, Canada’s Top Innovation Leaders Converge at NACO Summit in Ottawa

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OTTAWA, Ontario, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) will host its flagship NACO Summit 2025 on April 29–30 at Ottawa’s iconic National Arts Centre, directly across from Parliament Hill. This sold-out event gathers 500 of Canada’s leading investors, entrepreneurs, and senior innovation leaders at a pivotal moment—as the country welcomes a newly elected federal government.

    Kicking off the morning immediately after the federal election, this symbolic setting underscores the Summit’s role in shaping a bold vision for Canada’s economic future. The event convenes leaders representing the full spectrum of the country’s innovation economy—from globally scaled entrepreneurs to founders of high-growth companies in strategic sectors.

    “At this moment of national reflection, a new economic story is being written—one shaped by Canada’s builders, innovators, and investors,” said Claudio Rojas, CEO of NACO. “These bold leaders and job creators are gathering to chart the path toward a resilient, self-reliant, and globally competitive Canadian economy.”

    “The Summit serves as a premier forum for innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders to convene, exchange ideas, and share insights,” said Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa. “It provides unparalleled networking opportunities, connecting global investors directly with Canada’s tech leaders and high-growth startups. Events like the NACO Summit significantly enhance Ottawa’s—and Canada’s—position as a leading innovation economy.”

    Honouring Canada’s Builders, Entrepreneurs, and Risk-takers

    At the heart of the Summit is a celebration of those whose leadership and vision are shaping Canada’s innovation landscape toward a more transformative and innovation-driven future.

    The 2025 NACO Awards recognize outstanding contributions in three categories:

    • Canada’s Angel of the Year – a national honour recognizing an outstanding angel investor who has made a meaningful and lasting impact on Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
    • NACO Nation Builder Award – honouring leaders whose extraordinary contributions have significantly advanced Canada’s cultural, economic and innovation landscape.
    • Lifetime Achievement Award – recognizing decades-long commitment to mobilizing angel capital and strengthening Canada’s innovation infrastructure.

    Showcasing Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies

    NACO Summit will unveil the highly anticipated 2025 Moonshots Showcase, highlighting more than 20 of Canada’s most promising early-stage ventures, representing sectors that are essential to the economy of the future—including healthtech, artificial intelligence, cleantech, enterprise software, and frontier technologies. Collectively, these companies have raised over $122 million in early-stage funding with many actively pursuing Series A and B investment rounds.

    Interactive Roundtables with Canada’s Innovators and Entrepreneurs

    With Canada at an economic inflection point, interactive roundtables will tackle the country’s most urgent innovation challenges, including:

    • Resilience Through Risk Capital: Leveraging early-stage investment to build adaptive, resilient ventures that thrive amid market shifts.
    • Angel-to-VC Pipeline: Exploring how angel investment serves as a critical foundation for venture capital success and long-term innovation growth.
    • Regional Capital Gaps and Opportunities: Revealing new data and strategies to address funding disparities across Canadian regions.
    • Scaling Emerging Ecosystems: Actionable strategies for growing vibrant entrepreneurial communities beyond major urban centres.

    Fireside Interviews with Media Personalities and Thought Leaders

    Renowned media personalities Amanda Lang, Keshia Chanté, Takara Small, Douglas Soltys, Camila Gonzalez, Michael Curran, and others will moderate fireside chats and panel discussions, revealing bold ideas and fresh insights on innovation, economic resilience, and Canada’s evolving global role.

    Notable speakers at NACO Summit include:

    • Daniel Debow, angel investor, serial entrepreneur and founding member of Build Canada, an initiative committed to building a more prosperous nation.
    • Mike Serbinis, CEO and Co-Founder of League, a leading healthcare technology platform, and a serial entrepreneur with over $1 billion in successful exits.
    • Mark Miller, an angel investor and the Chief Operating Officer of Constellation Software, a TSX-listed company valued at CAD $96 billion.
    • Senia Rapisarda, Managing Director at HarbourVest, a global private-markets investment firm with USD $140 billion in assets.
    • Tabatha Bull, President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business.
    • Allen Lau, Operating Partner and Co-Founder of Two Small Fish Ventures, and Co-Founder of Wattpad, acquired in 2021 for USD $660 million.
    • Christiane Germain, Co-President and Co-Founder of Germain Hôtels, Canada’s pioneering boutique hotel company with 40 years of innovation leadership.
    • Geneviève Bouthillier, Executive Vice President at BDC Capital, Canada’s largest and most active venture investor, managing over CAD $6 billion.


    About National Angel Capital Organization (NACO)

    Established in 2002, NACO is Canada’s professional association representing over 4,000 angel investors, serving as the national umbrella for more than 100 member organizations—including angel groups, venture funds, incubators, and accelerators. Collectively, NACO members have invested more than CAD $1.66 billion into over 2,000 Canadian ventures.

    Angel investors are individuals or funds deploying capital at the earliest stages of growth. They include limited partners (LPs) investing in venture funds, family offices backing pre-seed and seed-stage ventures, and individuals investing directly or through angel groups.

    High-growth companies backed by angel investment that went on to achieve significant global scale include Slack (British Columbia), Verafin (Newfoundland and Labrador), Wealthsimple (Ontario), Hopper (Québec), and Jobber and Neo Financial (Alberta). Recent standouts include CoLab (NL) and 7shifts (Saskatchewan). These successes illustrate how angel investment drives Canada’s pipeline of innovative ventures, fueling future global success stories.

    Learn more at nacocanada.com

    For media inquiries, contact:
    Claudio Rojas, CEO, National Angel Capital Organization
    Email: media@nacocanada.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: 
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5b08d0f6-5bd3-4549-98bc-850c5518908f

    A video accompanying this announcement is available at: 
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ca74a13c-cf87-46ce-9ca8-4108e44f6c5d

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Rivalry Reports Strong Q1 2025 KPI Growth, Validating Strategic Pivot Amid Temporary Margin Variance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rivalry Corp. (TSXV: RVLY) (OTCQB: RVLCF) (“Rivalry” or the “Company”), the leading sportsbook and iGaming operator for digital-first players, today shared preliminary key performance indicators (“KPIs”) and revenue figures for the three months ended March 31, 2025 (“Q1 2025”), underscoring the success of its strategic transformation and path toward sustainable, profitable growth. All dollar figures are quoted in Canadian dollars.

    Q1 2025 marks the first full quarter under Rivalry’s revamped operating model, following significant changes to product offerings, organizational structure, cost management, and user acquisition strategies. Underlying KPIs show improved unit economics, deeper engagement, and structural momentum toward long-term sustainability.

    Revenue in the quarter was lower than prior periods – a result of Rivalry’s deliberate shift to a leaner, more efficient model – creating a stronger foundation that the Company is now building on. The shortfall also reflected temporary variance in sportsbook hold, amplified by a strategic focus on high-value and VIP players. The Company believes that these segments drive significantly greater long-term value but can introduce short-term volatility as they scale.

    “Our Q1 KPIs are delivering tangible results that validate our strategic shift,” said Steven Salz, Co-Founder and CEO of Rivalry. “The structural changes we implemented over the past six months – from streamlining operations and refocusing the product, to modernizing our platform and concentrating on high-value players – are now clearly reflected in our KPIs. We’re operating more efficiently than ever, generating significantly more revenue per user, and moving closer to achieving sustainable profitability.”

    Q1 2025 Highlights1:

    • Operational Efficiency Up 400%: In Q1 2025, Rivalry generated over 400% more net revenue per user per dollar of operating expense as compared to its average before the strategic overhaul. This marks a significant leap in cost efficiency and operating leverage, validating the impact of recent changes.
    • Shift to High-Value Players Driving 175% Increase in Player Monthly Deposits: Total deposits rose 36% month over month in February 2025 and another 12% in March 2025, despite a smaller active user base than past peaks. In Q1 2025, average monthly deposits per player were just over 175% higher than the periods prior to Rivalry’s October 2024 strategic overhaul – a clear result of the Company’s focus on acquiring and retaining high-value players, while improving unit economics and lowering variable costs.
    • 115% Increase in Monthly Deposit Frequency: In Q1 2025, average monthly deposit frequency per player increased by 115% compared to the average prior to Rivalry’s October 2024 rebuild – signaling strong user re-engagement and validating the Company’s refined product experience and more targeted player strategy.
    • All-Time High in Monthly Betting Handle per User: Monthly betting handle per active user hit a new all-time high in March 2025, marking the fifth consecutive month of record-breaking engagement and deeper player value.
    • Record Revenue per User: In March 2025, monthly Gross and Net Revenue per active user reached all-time highs (normalized for margin variance), extending a four-month streak of consistent revenue per active user growth and player monetization strength.
    • Month over Month Active User Growth: Monthly active players grew by 9% in March 2025, following a similar increase in February 2025, despite a significantly reduced global marketing budget compared to the same period last year.
    • Ontario Regulated Market Showing Strong, Improving Unit Economics: Since the Company’s operational shift, Rivalry’s Average Revenue Per Playing Account (“ARPPA”) in Ontario – a monthly metric defined by and publicly reported by gaming regulator iGO – has generally trended in line with the market average, and in some months exceeded it by as much as 50%. ARPPA has also nearly doubled compared to pre-overhaul levels at Rivalry, reflecting strengthening unit economics supported by efficient customer acquisition, with customer acquisition cost paybacks consistently within single-digit weeks.

    Operational Momentum and Efficiency Gains Reflect Structural Progress

    The Company’s Q1 2025 performance reflects the first full quarter operating under a significantly leaner structure, with total monthly run rate operating expenses reduced by approximately 65% as compared to prior peak periods.

    Betting handle in Q1 2025 was $58.2 million, and net revenue $1.3 million1, for a net revenue margin of 2.3%. This compares to Rivalry’s full-year 2024 net revenue margin of 4.4%1, with the Q1 2025 margin variance largely attributable to short-term fluctuations in sportsbook hold. This was amplified by the Company’s strategic pivot toward high-value and VIP players – segments that offer significantly greater long-term value but naturally introduce more short-term variability in margin performance as they scale.

    On a normalized margin basis, Rivalry’s Q1 2025 net revenue would have covered approximately 75% of current run rate operating expenses, inclusive of additional cost reductions completed in early April that lowered monthly operating expenses by approximately $140,000. Growing user value, rising engagement, and stronger unit economics reflect encouraging momentum toward long-term financial sustainability.

    “The KPIs are telling the real story – user value is up, efficiency is up, and player engagement is the strongest we’ve seen in the Company’s history,” said Steven Salz, Co-Founder and CEO of Rivalry. “Even with soft margin outcomes in Q1 2025, the model is showing strong underlying signals. As sportsbook hold normalizes and our cost base becomes leaner, we believe we’re moving in the right direction.”

    Over the past six months, Rivalry has reduced monthly run rate operating expenses by approximately $1.7 million per month, inclusive of the recently completed April 2025 reductions. These reductions have been enabled by a fully modernized core product with improved site performance and ongoing development velocity across key revenue-driving features. The Company has also realized efficiencies through vendor rationalization and the rollout of AI-driven tools across departments.

    “We’ve built a stronger, leaner, and more focused Rivalry,” Salz added. “Our improved KPIs and disciplined cost management have created a healthier foundation. With continued operational momentum and a re-energized product, we believe we’re on a promising path forward.”

    Company Contact:

    Steven Salz, Co-founder & CEO

    ss@rivalry.com

    Investor Contact:

    investors@rivalry.com

    Financial Outlook

    This news release contains a financial outlook within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. The financial outlook has been prepared by management of the Company to provide an outlook for ​​net revenue and net revenue margin for the period ending March 31, 2025, and net revenue margin for the 12 months ended December 31, 2024 and may not be appropriate for any other purpose. Preliminary and unaudited financial results are subject to customary financial statement procedures. Actual results could be affected by subsequent events or determinations. The financial outlook has been prepared based on a number of assumptions including the assumptions discussed under the heading “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements”. The actual results of the Company’s operations for any period will likely vary from the amounts set forth in these projections and such variations may be material. The Company and its management believe that the financial outlook has been prepared on a reasonable basis. However, because this information is highly subjective and subject to numerous risks, including the risks discussed under the heading “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements”, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements

    This news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (“forward-looking statements”). All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “achieve”, “could”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “objective”, “continuous”, “ongoing”, “estimate”, “outlook”, “expect”, “project” and similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes or that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Company’s financial performance, including net revenue and net revenue margin for the three months ended March 31, 2025, the anticipated results of the Company’s strategic shift and ongoing efforts to reduce operating expenses and achieving sustainable profitability. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management of the Company at the date the statements are made based on information then available to the Company. Various factors and assumptions are applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking statements.

    Forward-looking statements are subject to and involve a number of known and unknown, variables, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause the Company’s actual performance and results to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include regulatory or political change such as changes in applicable laws and regulations; the ability to obtain and maintain required licenses; the esports and sports betting industry being a heavily regulated industry; the complex and evolving regulatory environment for the online gaming and online gambling industry; the success of esports and other betting products are not guaranteed; changes in public perception of the esports and online gambling industry; negative cash flow from operations and the Company’s ability to operate as a going concern; the Company’s ability to repay amounts owing under its secured and unsecured indebtedness; failure to retain or add customers; the Company having a limited operating history; operational risks; cybersecurity risks; reliance on management; reliance on third parties and third-party networks; exchange rate risks; risks related to cryptocurrency transactions; risk of intellectual property infringement or invalid claims; the effect of capital market conditions and other factors on capital availability; competition, including from more established or better financed competitors; and general economic, market and business conditions. For additional risks, please see the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 under the heading “Risk Factors”, and other disclosure documents available on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

    No assurance can be given that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.


    1 Preliminary and unaudited financial results are subject to customary financial statement procedures by the Company and its auditors. Actual results could be affected by subsequent events or determinations. These preliminary results represent forward-looking information. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements” and “Financial Outlook”.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Delegation of the Humanitarian Institute visited the Gumilyov Eurasian University

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    As part of the Decade of Science, a delegation of teachers from the Humanitarian Institute visited the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (Kazakhstan). The long-standing and fruitful cooperation between the Humanitarian Institute of SPbPU and the Philological Faculty of ENU continues to strengthen, acquiring new formats of academic interaction.

    Commenting on the importance of interaction between universities, Director of the Humanitarian Institute Natalia Chicherina noted: International cooperation today is not just an exchange of knowledge, it is a joint search for new meanings, a unification of efforts in understanding the challenges of the time and the formation of transformative scientific thinking.

    The delegation included:

    Associate Professor of the Department of Foreign Languages Maya Bernavskaya; Member of the Union of Designers of Russia, Senior Lecturer of the Higher School of Media Communications and Public Relations Evgenia Tuchkevich; Senior Lecturer of the Higher School of Linguistics and Pedagogy Evgenia Vorontsova.

    The visit to Astana was an important step towards further expansion of interuniversity cooperation and strengthening of academic partnership. Polytechnics met with the Dean of the Faculty of Philology of ENU Serikzat Duysengazy, the Head of the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics Evgeniya Zhuravleva, and the Professor of the Department Sholpan Zharkynbekova. The specialists discussed the prospects for expanding cooperation, strengthening scientific ties and implementing joint academic initiatives.

    SPbPU teachers spoke at the scientific seminar “New paradigms of scientific research in the era of AI: opportunities and transformation of research practices”, where they presented current approaches to the use of artificial intelligence technologies in scientific activities.

    They also held lectures for students of the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics, dedicated to the issues of digital transformation of education and the introduction of AI into the educational process. The lectures aroused great interest and became the reason for meaningful discussions with students.

    SPbPU expresses its sincere gratitude to Professor of the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics Sholpan Zharkynbekova for the high level of organization of events and contribution to the development of scientific and educational dialogue between universities.

    Our delegation noted the high level of organization of the visit and the atmosphere of open academic dialogue: We were sincerely impressed by the attention to the scientific agenda, the interest of students and colleagues, as well as the warm welcome that was felt at every stage of our stay. Such meetings inspire further cooperation and give impetus to joint scientific projects.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA response to NATO-Japan joint statement stressing importance of cross-strait peace and stability

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    MOFA response to NATO-Japan joint statement stressing importance of cross-strait peace and stability

    Date:2025-04-11
    Data Source:TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

    April 11, 2025 

    Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mark Rutte held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Japan Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo on April 9. In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the two sides strongly opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. They also emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of the international community’s security and prosperity and encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues. Furthermore, the statement recognized that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and that of the Indo-Pacific were interconnected, stressing that continued Japan-NATO cooperation would benefit the security of both regions. 
     
    This Japan-NATO bilateral meeting was the first since Secretary General Rutte assumed office. It also marked the third time since 2022 that the two sides had issued a joint statement conveying a high level of concern over cross-strait issues. The joint statement underscored the fact that the security of Taiwan has become a common global issue and that the international community has formed a high level of consensus on countering authoritarian expansion led by China and Russia and on ensuring peace across the Taiwan Strait. In addition, it demonstrated that cross-strait peace and stability are closely related to not only the security environment of the Indo-Pacific but also that of Europe. 
     
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely appreciates and welcomes the support for cross-strait peace and stability that NATO and Japan expressed at their meeting. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates that Taiwan, as an important country in the Indo-Pacific and a responsible member of the international community, will continue to work closely with allied nations to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific; uphold the rules-based international order; and safeguard regional and world peace, stability, and prosperity.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI: Orezone Reports Q1-2025 Production and Hard Rock Expansion Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE, OTCQX: ORZCF) (the “Company” or “Orezone”) is pleased to announce its Q1-2025 gold production results and a construction update for the Stage I hard rock expansion at its Bomboré Gold Mine. All dollar amounts are in USD unless otherwise indicated and abbreviation “M” means million.

    Q1-2025 Production Results

    • Gold production of 28,688 ounces
    • Gold sales of 28,943 ounces at an average realized price of $2,851 per ounce for sales of $82.5M
    • Quarter-end cash balance of $102.0M and senior debt of $65.2M after principal repayments of $4.8M in the quarter
    • Safety milestone of 20 million person-hours worked without a Loss Time Injury (“LTI”) achieved in March

    Stage I Hard Rock Construction Update

    • Construction of the Stage I hard rock expansion remains ahead of schedule and on budget. First gold pour and mill commissioning on track for Q4-2025
    • Engineering is ahead of schedule with 85% progress to the end of March
    • Procurement is substantially complete with only minor bulk material top-ups outstanding
    • SAG mill major components are now onsite, well ahead of schedule for the longest lead items
    • Concrete works remain ahead of schedule with the dump pocket and SAG mill foundations significantly advanced, and CIL tank foundations complete
    • Structural/Mechanical/Piping contractor has mobilized and is progressing with CIL tank installation
    • Several mining areas for hard rock mining have now been readied in preparation for commencement of hard rock mining later this year
    • Completed first monthly hard rock expansion video, which can be viewed here

    Patrick Downey, President & CEO stated, “Q1 was another solid operating quarter at Bomboré, with slightly lower than planned gold ounces produced as a result of re-scheduled mill maintenance. Mined tonnage was ahead of plan for the quarter, which keeps the Company well-positioned to achieve its 2025 production guidance of 115,000-130,000 ounces.

    During the quarter, the Company achieved a major milestone of 20 million person-hours worked without a LTI. This industry leading safety record speaks to the exceptional effort on injury prevention by the entire Bomboré team which has instilled a pervasive, safety first, culture onsite.

    Throughout the quarter, the Company made material progress advancing the Stage I hard rock expansion, with concrete foundations for the dump pocket and SAG mill significantly advanced, and CIL tank installation now underway. The Stage I hard rock expansion remains ahead of schedule and on budget, with first gold and mill commissioning on track for Q4-2025. Completion of the Stage I expansion will mark a material transformation in the Bomboré operation, with gold production forecasted to increase by approximately 45% from current levels to 170,000-185,000 ounces in 2026.

    Further positioning the Company for a significant transformation, Orezone announced during the quarter that: (1) it is advancing a secondary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”), with a target listing in mid-2025, and (2) is evaluating plans to accelerate the Stage II hard rock expansion to an overall 5.0 million tonnes per annum (“Mtpa”) two years ahead of schedule (see news release dated February 23, 2025). While subject to final Board approval, the Stage II expansion is forecasted to increase the overall gold production profile at Bomboré to 220,000-250,000 ounces per year. We also expect to release drill results from the P17S and P17 area in the coming weeks as we target the high-grade extensions of these highly prospective zones.”

    Bomboré Q1-2025 Production Results (100% Basis)

      Unit Q1-2025
    Ore processed Tonnes 1,511,303
    Ore grade Au g/t 0.67
    Plant recovery % 87.9
    Gold produced Au oz 28,688


    Hard Rock Plant and Operations Overview

    The 2.5Mtpa Stage I hard rock expansion is designed to process higher-grade hard rock ore. The expansion is independent of the adjacent 6.0Mtpa oxide plant but will utilize a number of shared services and infrastructure including the tailings storage facility, warehouses, administration complex, and technical services. The concentrated scope of the brownfield expansion significantly reduces schedule and budget risk in comparison to a new build, with the ramp-up to benefit from the well-established mining, processing, and maintenance teams onsite.

    This Stage I expansion is scheduled for commissioning in Q4-2025 and as with the oxide plant, which had a nameplate capacity of 5.2Mtpa, the Company views the potential to achieve materially higher throughput rates than that of the 2.5Mtpa Stage I design.

    With the strong price of gold, the Company continues to evaluate the timing of the Stage II hard rock expansion, which will increase the nameplate hard rock throughput to 5.0Mtpa, yielding a forecasted overall production profile of 225,000-250,000 ounces per year. With a 5.0Mtpa jaw crusher currently being installed in Stage I, the Stage II expansion will primarily consist of a ball mill, pebble crusher, thickener, four additional CIL tanks and a gold room upgrade. Consideration in the Stage I design and layout has been made to easily accommodate these Stage II additions.

    Figure 1: Bomboré Processing Complex – Hard Rock Plant Layout (blue labels) Relative to Oxide Plant and Other Established Infrastructure (white labels)

    Figure 2: Stage I Hard Rock Expansion – Major Plant Component Construction

    Contact Information

    Patrick Downey
    President and Chief Executive Officer

    Kevin MacKenzie
    Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations

    Tel: 1 778 945 8977 / Toll Free: 1 888 673 0663
    info@orezone.com / www.orezone.com

    For further information please contact Orezone at +1 (778) 945-8977 or visit the Company’s website at www.orezone.com.

    The Toronto Stock Exchange neither approves nor disapproves the information contained in this news release.

    Qualified Persons

    The scientific and technical information in this news release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Rob Henderson, P. Eng, Vice-President of Technical Services and Mr. Dale Tweed, P. Eng., Vice-President of Engineering, both of whom are Qualified Persons as defined under NI 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain information that may constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian Securities laws and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws (together, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as “plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “potential”, “possible” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may”, “will”, “could”, or “should” occur. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements that Orezone is positioned for a transformational 2025, the Company is positioned well to achieve its 2025 production guidance of 115,000-130,000 ounces, the target of listing on the ASX in mid-2025, the construction of the Stage I hard rock expansion is well advanced (and fully financed) with completion and commissioning set for Q4-2025 and once commissioned, will increase annual production by approximately 45%, the potential greater capacity than the 2.5Mtpa design of the hard rock plant, and statements with resect to the Stage II hard rock expansion.

    All such forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management and the qualified persons believe are appropriate in the circumstances.

    All forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, delays caused by pandemics, terrorist or other violent attacks (including cyber security attacks), the failure of parties to contracts to honour contractual commitments, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, the possibility of unanticipated costs and expenses, accidents and equipment breakdowns, political risk, unanticipated changes in key management personnel and general economic, market or business conditions, the failure of exploration programs, including drilling programs, to deliver anticipated results and the failure of ongoing and uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, and other factors described in the Company’s most recent annual information form and management discussion and analysis filed on SEDAR+. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

    Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: 

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cca4323f-6a20-4430-af3d-07ad2afb2fb3

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c74297eb-35e9-4882-b8d5-8640934caaaf

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: DIAGNOS announces major advances in Cybersecurity certification by the Cyber Defense Operations Center (COCD) for its CARA System application

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BROSSARD, Quebec, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diagnos Inc. (“DIAGNOS” or the “Corporation”) (TSX Venture: ADK, OTCQB: DGNOF, FWB: 4D4A), a pioneer in early detection of certain ophthalmic health issues using advanced technology based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), announces major advances in Cybersecurity certification by the Cyber Defense Operations Center (COCD) for its CARA System application.

    As part of its ongoing ISO 27001 certification process, DIAGNOS is pleased to announce that its CARA System application has recently undergone a series of extensive penetration tests, in accordance with the cybersecurity requirements of the Quebec Ministry of Health. The vulnerabilities identified during these tests were rapidly corrected following regression tests carried out in early March 2025. These measures enabled DIAGNOS to receive a positive assessment of CARA’s security posture from the Cyber Defense Operational Center (COCD), underlining compliance with stringent cybersecurity standards.

    An official notification has been sent to Quebec’s healthcare institutions, including CISSS and CIUSSS, as well as CHUM, authorizing them to integrate CARA into their projects.

    “Protecting personal data is at the heart of our commitment to our customers. The successful completion of our intrusion test validated by Quebec’s Centre opérationnel de cybersécurité gouvernemental (COCD) is indisputable proof of the high level of security of our CARA application. This test marks a key step in our drive to obtain ISO 27001 certification. The planned verification audit will be decisive in confirming our ongoing efforts and commitment to the highest standards of cybersecurity. Our users can have total confidence in our rigorous standards to protect their information. André Larente, CEO DIAGNOS ”

    In addition, DIAGNOS is also proud to announce that its ISO 27001 certification process is progressing according to plan. Audit dates with certification body Intertek have been set, and an update will be published over the summer.

    About DIAGNOS
    DIAGNOS is a publicly traded Canadian corporation dedicated to early detection of critical eye-related health problems. By leveraging Artificial Intelligence, DIAGNOS aims to provide more information to healthcare clinicians to enhance diagnostic accuracy, streamline workflows, and improve patient outcomes on a global scale.

    Additional information is available at www.diagnos.com  and www.sedarplus.com.

    This news release contains forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in these statements. DIAGNOS disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

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

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Launches Industry-First On-Chain Affiliate Program with 40% Rebates to Support Content Creators

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has launched a groundbreaking addition to its affiliate program: the first-ever on-chain affiliate initiative in the crypto exchange sector, offering partners up to 40% in rebates alongside existing commission structures. This innovative program bridges centralized (CEX) and decentralized (DEX) trading ecosystems, empowering affiliates to seamlessly monetize their influence across both worlds.

    While traditional affiliate programs reward referrals for spot and futures trading, Bitget’s on-chain extension allows partners to earn rebates when users engage with Bitget Onchain, a product designed to simplify on-chain trading for CEX users. Affiliates can now tap into the booming DeFi market without requiring their audience to navigate complex wallet setups or sacrifice security.

    “Bitget has grown to become a top #5 exchange with the support of its 120 million users. To show our gratitude and work more closely with our ecosystem contributors, we’ve decided to reward pioneers who help users discover the full spectrum of crypto opportunities—whether on-exchange or on-chain,” said Vugar Usi Zade, Chief Operating Officer at Bitget. “Our affiliates asked for ways to monetize DeFi interest without technical friction, and we listened. This is yet another step from our side to support a community that thrives at the intersection of CEX convenience and DeFi innovation,” he added.

    Bitget’s referral program is open to content creators, influencers, and community leaders with 100+ followers through a simple application process. Participants share unique referral links for both traditional trading and Bitget Onchain transactions. They can earn up to 50% commissions on spot and futures trading fees and up to 40% rebates on on-chain activity. The program features tiered rewards, with top performers eligible for the highest payout tiers, incentivizing sustained growth and engagement.

    Bitget Onchain removes the traditional barriers to DeFi participation by allowing users to trade on-chain assets directly from their Bitget spot accounts – no complicated wallet setups or private key management required. All transactions benefit from institutional-grade security backed by Bitget’s $600M Protection Fund, giving users enterprise-level asset protection without sacrificing DeFi’s opportunities. The platform further enhances decision-making with AI-powered asset screening that surfaces high-potential projects in real-time, helping users navigate the vast on-chain landscape with confidence rather than guesswork. From YouTube influencers to Telegram admins, Bitget’s Affiliate Program democratizes access to crypto’s next growth phase.

    Applications are now open via the Bitget Affiliate Portal.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 100 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin priceEthereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more.

    Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    For more information, visit: WebsiteTwitterTelegramLinkedInDiscordBitget Wallet

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e8613f35-892b-4e0c-a134-abd46ff8f0de

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI China: Multinationals fast-track localization to leverage China NEV boom

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

    SHANGHAI, April 16 — The rapid evolution of China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) sector is driving multinational corporations to restructure their China strategies, prompting some to scale up local investments across R&D, production and supply chains.

    German chemical giant BASF earlier this week announced a 500-million-yuan (about 69.3 million U.S. dollars) investment for the expansion of its Shanghai Cellasto plant, which provides noise, vibration and harshness reduction solutions for automobiles.

    To capitalize on China’s booming NEV market, the new facility will feature advanced mold lines and is scheduled to be operational in 2027, with a nearly 70-percent capacity increase.

    As a leading chemical supplier to the automotive industry, BASF strives to accelerate business growth in China’s automotive sector, said Jeffrey Lou, president and chairman of BASF Greater China.

    “BASF has made substantial investments in China since entering the Chinese market 140 years ago. Today’s expansion is another strong testament to BASF’s commitment to staying close to the local market and our customers,” Lou remarked.

    To deepen ties to China’s NEV ecosystem, some foreign automakers are shifting from traditional manufacturing partnerships to localized R&D.

    In March, German carmaker BMW partnered with Chinese tech giant Huawei to develop a China-specific in-car digital ecosystem, set to debut on BMW’s locally produced next-generation electric models in 2026.

    Before that, Japanese auto behemoth Toyota announced the establishment of a new company in Shanghai for the R&D and production of all-electric Lexus vehicles and batteries, with plans to start production in 2027.

    The new plant marked a significant investment in enhancing Toyota’s R&D and production capabilities specifically tailored for the EV sector in China, the world’s largest auto exporter.

    In January, Chinese NEV maker XPENG and German giant Volkswagen announced that they had signed a memorandum of understanding for strategic collaboration on a superfast charging network in China.

    Behind these localization initiatives is China’s supportive environment for the NEV market through measures like vehicle purchase subsidies, investment in charging infrastructure, and development of intelligent connected vehicles.

    Industry insiders believe that Chinese consumers’ openness to new technologies and demand for smart connectivity are unlocking fresh business opportunities for multinationals.

    Official data showed that China’s NEV production and sales both exceeded 3 million units in the first quarter of 2025, with each rocketing around 50 percent year on year. The country’s measures to stimulate consumption, including large-scale trade-in programs, are expected to provide a strong boost for NEV production and sales.

    “China’s NEV market holds huge potential, with a constantly improving business environment and well-developed, efficient industrial and supply chains,” said Gao Yuning, deputy dean of the School of Public Policy and Management at Tsinghua University. “These are key reasons why foreign automakers are stepping up investment and deepening their footprint in China.”

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Kashi Ringing the Bells of Progress

    Source: Government of India

    Kashi Ringing the Bells of Progress

    Building Modern India

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 2:28PM by PIB Delhi

    Today, Kashi stands not only as a symbol of antiquity but also as a beacon of progress.

    ~ Prime Minister Narendra Modi

    Introduction

    On April 11, PM Modi launched development projects worth ₹3,880 crore in Kashi. The ancient city is getting a modern makeover. Roads are being widened; schools are being upgraded and new power stations are coming up. Kashi is growing while keeping its roots alive. From 2014 to March 2025, 580 projects were taken up under Kashi Development with a total investment of ₹48,459 crore. The aim is to improve infrastructure, preserve heritage and support tourism in Varanasi.

    Kashi’s Development Journey: Key Milestones

    🗓️ November 7, 2014: The Powerloom Service Centre was inaugurated and a ₹2,375 crore revival package was announced for district cooperative banks.

    🗓️ September 18, 2015: ₹572 crore was announced for Kashi’s upgrade, along with ₹11,000 crore for roads connecting nearby districts.

    🗓️ December 22, 2016: Projects worth ₹2,100 crore were inaugurated, including foundation stones of various projects.

    🗓️ September 22, 2017: PM Modi dedicated the Deendayal Hastkala Sankul, a trade facilitation centre for handicrafts.

    🗓️ July 14, 2018: Foundation stone of key projects worth over ₹900 crore was laid.

    🗓️ March 8, 2019: The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.

    🗓️ November 30, 2020: The 73 km six-lane NH19 built at ₹2,447 crore was inaugurated to ease travel between Prayagraj and Varanasi. The Maha Kaal Express India’s first overnight private train was also launched.

    🗓️December 13-14, 2021: Phase 1 of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham, constructed at a cost of around Rs 339 crores inaugurated.

    🗓️ July 7, 2022: PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth over ₹1,800 crore. This includes ₹590 crore under Varanasi Smart City and Urban Projects.

    🗓️ January 13, 2023: PM Modi flagged off the world’s longest river cruise ‘MV Ganga Vilas.’ 🗓️ December 18, 2023: The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation several development projects worth over ₹19,150 crore in Varanasi.

    🗓️ October 10, 2024: The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects worth Rs 6,100 crores.

    From Pilgrimage to Premium Experiences

    Tourism in Varanasi is more than just travel, it’s a journey through history, faith and vibrant culture. Below are key initiatives that are reshaping the tourism experience in the city:

    1. MV Ganga Vilas: World’s Longest River Cruise

    Launched by PM Narendra Modi on January 13, 2023, the MV Ganga Vilas is the world’s longest river cruise, starting from Varanasi and culminating in Dibrugarh on 28th February 2023.

     

    2. Tent City: Riverside Luxury Experience

    The Tent City was inaugurated on January 13, 2023 on the opposite bank of the Ganga from the city ghats. Open from October to June annually, the Tent City helps manage the increasing tourist flow by providing a unique and peaceful riverside stay experience.

     

    3. Shri Kashi Vishwanath Corridor

    Inaugurated on December 13, 2021, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor is a transformative ₹355-crore project that spans an area of 5.5 acres. It connects the Kashi Vishwanath Temple directly to the Ganges River via a four-lane pathway, making the temple more accessible to pilgrims.

     

    4. Monument Illumination Projects

    To enhance the visual appeal of Varanasi’s historic monuments, several illumination projects have been undertaken: In 2015, ₹5.12 crore was sanctioned for lighting up monuments like Dhamekh Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Tomb of Lalkan, and Man Mahal. In 2017, ₹2.93 crore were sanctioned to illuminate Dashashwamedh to Darbhanga Ghat, Tulsi Manas Mandir, and the Sarnath Museum.

     

    Kashi’s Infrastructure Boost

    Kashi’s infrastructure development has seen major progress from 2021 to 2025. The Varanasi-Gorakhpur NH-20 (Package-2), a 72.16 km road was inaugurated on October 25, 2021. The project cost was ₹3,509 crore. The redevelopment of Namo Ghat (Khidkiya Ghat) was completed on November 15, 2024. The cost of the redevelopment was ₹95.2 crore. The ghat now features a cafeteria, viewing platforms and heritage murals. The construction of the jetty at Rajghat costed approximately Rs.10 crore. Each cruise boat was procured at a cost of Rs.20 crore. Furthermore, the tourism circuit along the riverfront will feature the construction of a walkway, a viewing deck, and a food court. The operation of cruise boats started in March, 2023.  Additionally, over ₹980 crore is allocated for flyovers, road bridges, and an airport underpass on April 11, 2025.

    Urban Transformation in Kashi

    Varanasi is undergoing a major urban makeover with focus on sustainability and civic upgrades. To reduce pollution in the Ganga, diesel/petrol boats were converted to CNG. This project, worth ₹29.7 crore, was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on July 7, 2022. It is being executed by Varanasi Smart City Ltd. and GAIL. The Goitha Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), with a capacity of 120 million litres per day (MLD), was inaugurated on February 19, 2019. Built at a cost of ₹217.57 crore, it was aimed at treating sewage and reducing pollution in the Ganga. Under the Namami Gange scheme, a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) with a capacity of 55 million litres per day (MLD) is also being built at a cost of ₹300 crore. On April 11, 2025, ₹345 crore has been allocated under Jal Jeevan Mission for rural drinking water schemes. Varanasi connected 55,000 houses to sewer lines under AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation), using ₹105 crore, by March 2017. For better parking and traffic flow, the Godowlia Multilevel Two-wheeler Parking, a four-storey facility for 375 vehicles, was built for ₹19.55 crore and operates 24/7 with full security.

    Varanasi’s Handloom and Handicraft Revival

    Varanasi is renowned not just for its spiritual aura, but also for its rich tradition of handlooms and handicrafts. Generations of artisans have mastered the art of silk weaving, wood and stone carving, metalwork, pottery and jewellery making. Their creations reflect incredible skill and cultural heritage. Many of these crafts, like Banarasi sarees, Soft Stone Jali work, Banaras Gulabi Meenakari and Wooden Lacquerware & Toys etc, have received Geographical Indication (GI) tags, marking their authenticity and excellence.

    To support and promote these traditional arts the government announced the establishment of a Trade Facilitation Centre and Crafts Museum in the 2014-15 Union Budget. This initiative aimed to help weavers, artisans, and entrepreneurs market their products. The complex was built over 7.93 acres with a total cost of ₹300 crore, providing a space for showcasing, training and selling local crafts. The Centre was inaugurated on September 22, 2017 and today stands as a key step in preserving Varanasi’s artistic legacy.

    Kashi’s Education and Health Drive

    Kashi is witnessing rapid growth through major investments in research, healthcare, energy, and education. The Inter-University Teacher Education Center (IUTEC) at BHU, Varanasi, was inaugurated on December 23, 2021. Built at a cost of ₹107.36 crore, it will offer a two-year M.Ed. program for 1,000 students. In February 2019, PM inaugurated the PARAM Shivay Supercomputing Center at BHU, with a peak performance of 3.3 petaflops and a cost of ₹32.5 crore. In agriculture, ₹105 crore bonus was transferred to Banas Dairy milk suppliers in April 11, 2025. In the power sector, ₹1,820 crore has been allocated for new substations and transmission upgrades. The redevelopment of Sports Stadium in Sigra is an ambitious project with a total budget of ₹180.03 crore (Phase 1: ₹90.01 crore, Phase 2: ₹90.02 crore). It was designed as a world-class hub for sports. It was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on October 20, 2024.

    Conclusion

    Kashi stands today as a shining example of how heritage and modernity can thrive together. With transformative projects in infrastructure, tourism, health, education, and culture, the city is not just preserving its spiritual essence but also creating a vibrant, future-ready identity. From ghats to gateways of development, Kashi is truly ringing the bells of progress.

    References

    Click here to see PDF.

    *****

    Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Kamna Lakaria/ Kritika Rane

    (Release ID: 2122058) Visitor Counter : 54

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: WAVES Cosplay Championship Finalists Announced — A Celebration of Creativity and Fandom Culture

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 2:01PM by PIB Mumbai

    Mumbai, 16 April 2025

     

    Last Saturday, the city of Hyderabad witnessed an explosion of creativity & fandom as the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) Cosplay Championship Meetup unfolded at Mindspace Social. Organized by MEAI, Indian Comics Association, and Creators Street, powered by Epiko-con, and in collaboration with Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, TVAGA and Forbidden Verse, the event was a massive success, becoming a trending topic across cosplay communities and anime forums throughout the weekend.

    Now, after an intensive nationwide hunt and a series of high-energy meetups across Hyderabad and Mumbai, the organizers have unveiled 29 of the most talented cosplayers who have earned their place on the final stage of the WAVES Cosplay Championship. These finalists will showcase their skills and creativity at Creatosphere during WAVES 2025.

    Ajay Krishna, Founder of Forbidden Verse and one of the organizers for the Cosplay event, said that what makes this championship different from other such contests is that it is specially designed to shift the focus to Indian mythology and pop culture apart from the other popular characters that are portrayed regularly in other such events.

    The next in line before the main championship at WAVES is the Mumbai Wildcard Meetup on 19th April. At this event, a select number of Wildcard Entries will be added to the finalists, bringing unexpected talent and raising the competition to an entirely new level. Prepare for a championship filled with surprises, intensity, and world-class cosplay!

    Official Finalists:

    1. KaizadSheshbaradaran – Mumbai
    2. Puneeth V – Bengaluru
    3. Shaikh Sameer Kalim – Latur
    4. Tejal Sanjay Mulik – Mumbai
    5. Anup Bhatia – Pune
    6. Navdeep Singh Pannu – Mumbai
    7. Akashi Gautam – Lucknow
    8. Aditya Kalebere – Pune
    9. Swaraj Kalebere – Pune
    10. Shreeharsh Narwade – Pune
    11. Vivek Dilip Mane – Pune
    12. Esha Joshi – Mumbai
    13. Kedar Pandit – Mumbai
    14. ArshyDeori – Guwahati
    15. Marshy Deori – Guwahati
    16. Md Piyal Shaikh – Mumbai
    17. Pranay Panpatil – Mumbai
    18. Gaurav Vishwakarma – Pune
    19. Akhil – Hyderabad
    20. Staya – Hyderabad
    21. Nupur Munda – Hyderabad
    22. Nakshatra – Hyderabad
    23. Ruchira Corolin – Hyderabad
    24. Sonali – Hyderabad
    25. Neeraj Kumar – Hyderabad
    26. Sravani – Hyderabad
    27. Akhil C.H. – Hyderabad
    28. Nayana Sai Sree – Hyderabad
    29. Leeladhar – Hyderabad

    The finalists were selected based on their craftsmanship, originality, performance, and dedication to character authenticity.

     

    About WAVES

    The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit, a milestone event for the media & entertainment sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.

    Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, the Summit offers the ultimate global platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the M&E landscape.

    WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound and Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR).

    Have questions? Find answers here

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    PIB TEAM WAVES 2025 | Riyas Babu/ Darshana | 94

     

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