As India set to commemorate the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on June 21, the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” underscores a universal message of unity and well-being. From Ladakh to Kerala, millions across India and the world are uniting through yoga, a practice rooted in India’s ancient civilization that promotes physical, mental, and spiritual harmony.
Yoga’s origins trace back thousands of years to the Indus-Saraswati Valley civilization, where archaeological evidence, such as seals depicting meditative poses, suggests early yogic practices. The Sanskrit word “yoga,” derived from “yuj” meaning “to unite,” symbolizes the integration of body, mind, and soul, fostering inner balance and harmony with the world. Initially a spiritual discipline, yoga evolved into a structured path toward self-realization, reflecting India’s enduring wisdom.
During the Vedic period, yoga was integral to spiritual practices and rituals, with practices like pranayama (breath control) and Surya Namaskara influenced by reverence for the Sun. Guided by gurus, yoga emphasized spiritual transformation. Its presence is also evident in the Upanishads, Smritis, Puranas, Buddhist and Jain traditions, and epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, with theistic traditions like Shaivism and Vaishnavism preserving its mystical essence.
A pivotal moment came in the 2nd century BCE with Maharshi Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, which codified yoga into the eightfold path of Ashtanga Yoga, formalizing its philosophical and practical foundations. Between 700 and 1900 CE, Hatha Yoga emerged, focusing on the body as a tool for spiritual growth, as detailed in texts like the Hathayogapradipika and Gheranda Samhita. Spiritual luminaries such as Swami Vivekananda, Ramana Maharshi, and Paramahansa Yogananda further enriched yoga, introducing it to global audiences.
In the 20th century, yoga gained prominence through pioneers like T. Krishnamacharya, B.K.S. Iyengar, and Swami Sivananda, who explored its therapeutic and psychological benefits. A landmark moment occurred on September 27, 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his United Nations General Assembly address, highlighted yoga’s role in holistic well-being, leading to the UN’s unanimous declaration of June 21 as International Day of Yoga. This date, coinciding with the Summer Solstice and revered as the day Lord Shiva, the Adi Yogi, began teaching yoga, holds deep spiritual significance.
(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is leading a strong 25-state coalition in filing a friend-of-the-court brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in support of President Donald Trump’s lawful use of executive authority to deport members of Tren de Aragua (TdA), a violent Venezuelan gang designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
“President Trump is acting decisively to protect American citizens, and we’re proud to stand with him,” said Attorney General Wilson. “For too long, America’s enemies have flooded through our open borders: violent gangs, traffickers, and foreign proxies exploiting our weakness. President Trump has plugged the holes in the boat, but we’re still bailing out water from years of federal failure. I am proud to be leading the states that are stepping up to help him stop the flood and protect our citizens before it’s too late.”
The brief argues that the President is operating at the height of his constitutional and statutory authority under Article II of the U.S. Constitution and the Alien Enemies Act to remove foreign nationals affiliated with hostile organizations. The brief underscores that this is not only a lawful use of power, but a necessary one in response to escalating violence across the nation tied to TdA.
States participating in the brief detail the ongoing harm their communities have suffered from TdA’s infiltration—ranging from murder and human trafficking to cartel-linked operations within the United States. The brief emphasizes that the gang’s expansion is not merely a public safety threat, but part of a broader campaign of hybrid warfare coordinated with the Maduro regime in Venezuela.
“This is about preserving national security and defending the rule of law,” Attorney General Wilson continued. “The Constitution vests the President with the authority, and the responsibility to act when foreign criminal organizations invade our communities. We won’t let activist courts tie the hands of our national leaders while innocent Americans are targeted.”
The coalition’s message is clear: judicial overreach must not interfere with the President’s core duty to defend the nation. The brief strongly urges the court to reject the injunction and allow federal authorities to continue removing dangerous illegal immigrants who do not belong in the country.
South Carolina is joined by: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
INDIANAPOLIS- John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney, announced a federal indictment charging 21 individuals from Indianapolis to Phoenix, Arizona for their alleged roles in an Indianapolis-based drug trafficking organization led by Eric Robinson.
On Friday, June 13, 2025, a multiple-agency operation consisting of 19 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies served search and arrest warrants at 21 locations in Indianapolis and Phoenix, Arizona, ultimately leading to the arrest of 19 individuals. During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized approximately 56 firearms, $12,000 in currency, 75 pounds of methamphetamine, eight kilograms of cocaine, two pounds of fentanyl, 100 suspected fentanyl pills, one-half pound of heroin, 2 ounces of crack cocaine, and one-half pound of hallucinogenic mushrooms.
The following individuals were apprehended and charged on Friday:
Defendant
Charge(s)
Eric L. Robinson, 55
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Jonhy Chacon-Hernandez, 28
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Genaro Tapia, 25
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Monte D. Scruggs, 44
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Joshua P. Sheehy, 32
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Heather A. Hill, 40
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Richard N. Irwin, II, 39
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
William Cox, 54
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Michael P Brandenburg, 35
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Eliud Chavez-Delgado, 45
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Theodore Sweat, 67
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Andrea Clayton, 36
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Jeremiha Dailey, 46
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Aaron Mooney, 37
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Hirohito Causeway, 61
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Michael Graham, 61
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Lawrence Davis, 50
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Timothy Barnes, 51
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Cory J. Alcorn, 45
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
According to the indictment, Eric Robinson was the alleged leader of a drug trafficking organization that operated in Indianapolis. Robinson received methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and Xanax from primary sources of supply in Texas and Arizona and alternative sources of supply in Indianapolis. Robinson then delivered the controlled substances to numerous other individuals in the Indianapolis area for redistribution.
The following investigative agencies collaborated to make this investigation and recent warrant execution possible:
Drug Enforcement Administration
Internal Revenue Service
Indianapolis Metropolitan Drug Task Force
Hamilton Boone Drug Task Force
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Marshal Service
Indiana State Police
Beech Grove Police
Lawrence Police
Brownsburg Police
Fishers Police
Carmel Police
Greenfield Police
Plainfield Police
Whitestown Police
Zionsville Police
Morgan County Sheriff’s Office
Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley A. Blackington and Matt Barloh, who are prosecuting this case.
This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). This operation is part of the Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program.
An indictment or criminal complaint are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
ISLAMABAD, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, commenced a high-level visit to the United States this week, signalling a renewed chapter in military diplomacy amid escalating tensions across the Middle East and South Asia.
The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in Islamabad held an event on “What’s next for Iran-US Nuclear negotiations” on the 12th of June 2025 where analysts reflected on Pakistan’s proactive diplomatic and defence engagement with the United States during a critical time for global and regional security. IRS and participating analysts spoke about Pakistan’s foreign policy and regional peace, noting that Pakistan has taken a strategic reset after the altercation with India in May 2025 – choosing to not only rekindle US-Pakistan ties but to take a proactive approach in managing regional peace and security.
With conflict intensifying between Iran and Israel, and Afghanistan remaining a fragile state following the U.S. withdrawal, Pakistan’s position (geographic, diplomatic and security) makes it a critical player for the US and the world at large. Munir’s visit is seen as part of a broader U.S. effort to cultivate reliable partners who can help contain extremist spill over, mediate regional hostilities, and provide strategic balance against escalating tensions and instability in the region.
Welcomed by diaspora communities across major American cities, the Field Marshal’s presence has been widely perceived as a message of resilience and a signal of Islamabad’s intent to re-engage proactively with Washington on defense and security matters.
Key Focus Areas of the Visit
Counterterrorism Coordination: Strengthening intelligence sharing to track extremist elements across the Afghan-Iranian corridor.
Securing Abandoned U.S. Military Assets: Developing joint protocols for tracking and neutralizing equipment left behind post-Afghanistan.
Strategic Dialogue: Opening renewed discussions on Kashmir, regional diplomacy, and economic cooperation.
Support to the US: in restoring the peace process with Iran-Israel
U.S. CENTCOM Chief General Michael Kurilla’s recent acknowledgment of Pakistan as a “phenomenal partner” highlights the importance of this engagement. Analysts view the visit as an inflection point in U.S.–Pakistan relations — moving from transactional ties to a more sustained security alliance.
About
The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) is an Islamabad-based think tank that conducts free, focused research on South Asia’s foreign and national affairs, including geostrategic, defense, economic, cultural, health, education, environment, science, technology, and social issues. IRS also works on China, West Asia, and the Central Asian Republics.
Representatives of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) have concluded a week-long high-level mission to Ghana, marking the institution’s first major engagement with the country’s new administration under President John Dramani Mahama.
The delegation, led by Solomon Quaynor, the Bank Group’s Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure, and Industrialization, conducted extensive consultations with key government ministries, public agencies, and private sector stakeholders, to align the Bank’s support with Ghana’s transformational development priorities.
The agencies included the ministries of Roads and Highways; Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation; the Bank of Ghana; Volta River Authority; Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority; Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (“GIIF”); National Pensions Regulatory Authority; National Insurance Commission, Securities Exchange Commission, Ghana Stock Exchange, Ghana Export-Import Bank, Pension Corporate Trustees and Fund Managers, and various private sector companies.
The delegation also cohosted a successful one-day roundtable discussion on “Unlocking Long-term Local Currency Finance for Infrastructure Development in Ghana,” jointly organized with GIIF, the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), InfraCredit, Stanbic Bank, and PetraTrust, an event that laid the foundation for domestic capital mobilization initiatives.
At the conclusion of the mission, the Bank identified five core areas for follow-up collaboration:
Mobilizing Domestic Capital for Infrastructure Development
The Bank will work with partners to establish a credit enhancement and de-risking facility to unlock part of Ghana’s USD 5.2 billion cedis equivalent in pension assets for infrastructure investment. Drawing on successful models implemented through InfraCredit in Nigeria and Dhamana in Kenya and East Africa, the initiative aims to make local infrastructure, industrial, affordable housing and public-private partnerships assets attractive to institutional investors.
Supporting the 24-Hour Economy Initiative
The Bank expressed strong enthusiasm for Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy concept, committing to provide comprehensive project preparation support, knowledge sharing on industrial parks development, and downstream financing solutions. Key focus areas include integrated industrial parks for textiles, garments, agro-processing and light manufacturing, and lake transport infrastructure all captured under the Volta Economic Corridor.
Advancing Transport Infrastructure Development
Leveraging its continental expertise, the Bank will support Ghana’s ‘Big Push’ infrastructure initiative through partnerships with the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority, and the PPP Unit at the Ministry of Finance.
Strengthening Digital Transformation Foundation
Collaborating with the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, the Bank will support critical policy and legislative reviews focusing on data harmonization, data governance, and cybersecurity enhancement to establish a robust foundation for Ghana’s digital transformation.
Unlocking Private Sector Investment Opportunities
The mission identified numerous investment opportunities across logistics, agriculture, agro-processing, energy, and other critical sectors, emphasizing the private sector’s fundamental role in sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Quaynor highlighted the success of the mission. “The enthusiasm, vision, and commitment we have witnessed this week from Ghana’s leadership and stakeholders give us great confidence in the transformational impact we can achieve together.”
He emphasized that all identified areas will be actively pursued, with the Bank firmly committed to working with all stakeholders to drive sustainable economic growth and development for Ghana, noting that the alignment between the government’s priorities and the Bank’s strategic capabilities creates an unprecedented opportunity for meaningful collaboration and impact.
The mission concluded with firm commitments for follow-up action across all identified areas, emphasizing the Bank’s dedication to forging concrete partnerships that deliver tangible results for Ghana’s economic transformation and improved livelihoods for its people.
Other members of the Bank’s delegation were Eyerusalem Fasika, Country Manager for Ghana; Mike Salawou, Director of Infrastructure and Urban Development; Ousmane Fall, Director of Private Sector and Industrial and Trade Development; Akane Zoukpo Sanankoua, Manager, Capital Markets Development; Aude Apetey-Kacou, Regional NSO Lead, West Africa; Dennis Ansah, Regional NSO Lead, Nigeria and Dovi Amouzou, Advisor to the Vice President.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Media Contact: Kwasi Kpodo Communication and External Relations w.kpodo@afdb.org
About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org
In March 2019, Cyclone Idai tore through Zimbabwe’s eastern districts with unprecedented fury, leaving behind a trail of devastation. Among the hardest hit regions were Chimanimani and Chipinge, where the lifelines of modern life—electricity, roads, and water systems—were severed in a matter of hours.
The 155-kilometer powerline stretching from Middle Sabi to Charter, once the backbone of energy supply for Manicaland Province, lay in ruins, plunging over 300,000 people into darkness. For more than two agonizing months, industries ground to a halt, hospitals operated without reliable power for life-saving equipment, and school computer labs stayed closed.
“The cyclone brought operations to a near standstill, recalls Witness Teteni, engineering foreman at Charter Sawmills, a facility employing 320 workers. “We experienced numerous power faults that severely disrupted our work. We had to rely on generators, which are expensive to run and not environmentally friendly.
The African Development Bank stepped forward with a $24.7 million Post-Cyclone Idai Emergency Recovery Project (PCIREP), implemented through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the United Nations agency dedicated to implementing humanitarian and development projects, in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe.
The goal was not just to restore what had been lost, but to provide a better, stronger, and more resilient replacement.
A beacon of light and hope
The electricity component of PCIREP, representing $3.7 million in strategic investment, focused on reinforcing 155 kilometers of 33kV overhead power lines and constructing a new 12-kilometer 33kV distribution line in Chipinge to separate the two districts’ power supplies.
It also included infrastructure upgrades such as replacing wooden poles with steel, using installation techniques that help these poles better withstand extreme weather conditions. The project also saw the supply of essential equipment, including vehicles and tools, to the state-owned Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution Company (ZETDC).
The African Development Bank-supported project has helped restore power to over 300,000 people. “We have significantly reduced the number of faults in the system,” explains engineer Selina Mudzinganyama, who oversaw the rehabilitation. “Maintenance costs have also gone down because the upgraded design is built to withstand harsher conditions. Clinics, schools, and households now enjoy reliable power, and businesses can operate without constant interruptions.”
Echoing this, Andreas Moyo, development engineer for ZETDC’s Eastern Region, says, “We now have just our normal faults. The safety, especially for these lines that we reinforced, has improved a lot. We only experience small faults now—one hour, and it’s sorted, whereas before we could easily go quite a long time without resolution.”
In Chimanimani’s health facilities, the impact has been life changing. Clinical nurse Patricia Chikandi describes the transformation: “Reliable electricity has been a game-changer for us. During emergencies, we no longer worry about power cuts, and our vaccines are stored safely in temperature-controlled refrigerators. It has improved the quality of care we provide.”
Farai Ndlovu, a student at Chipinge High School, says, “With electricity back, we can use computers in the lab and study after dark. This is helping us prepare better for exams and giving us skills we wouldn’t have access to otherwise.”
For agriculture workers, it means more earnings. “Before the power line was restored, our irrigation systems were unreliable, and we often lost crops,” says smallholder farmer Tsitsi Mutswairo. “Now, with consistent electricity, our yields have improved significantly, and we’re earning more from our produce.”
It’s a similar story for Leonard Nyamukondiwa, an agro-processor in Chipinge. “Before the rehabilitation, we couldn’t meet our targets because of constant outages. Now, we’re able to process more produce, and our profits have increased.”
Electricity equals entrepreneurship
Perhaps nowhere is the project’s impact more visible than in Jacob Mukunukuji’s workshop in Marimauta Village.
Before the power line restoration, Jacob’s business was severely constrained by the high cost of diesel generators. Now, with access to reliable three-phase industrial power, his small workshop has become a hub for skills development, training apprentices from local vocational centers, and creating a ripple effect of opportunity throughout the community.
“Having electricity is very, very important because I can make whatever I want,” Jacob explains, gesturing toward his creations—rip saw tables, grinding mills, and maize processing equipment that serve farmers across the region.
He points to Paul, whom he trained and now employs as a welder in his workshop. “He is part of the fourth batch I am training. One of my first graduates, Danmore Majuta has his own copper workshop at Rusitu. Another female apprentice is manufacturing window frames and building materials for general local housing maintenance.”
A model for sustainable development
Today, the lights are on in Chimanimani and Chipinge. Community elder and farmer Jeremiah Mutasa highlights the transformation: “The power lines have brought hope back to our region. We have electricity for our homes, our farms, and our schools. It’s more than just power; it is the light that keeps our community alive.”
The project, which aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy (NDS1), demonstrates how targeted infrastructure investments can transform entire regions.
As the African Development Bank’s Power Engineer, Seaga Molepo sums it up: “The electricity infrastructure interventions under this project exemplify the critical intersection of disaster recovery and sustainable development. The successful collaboration between the Bank, the Government of Zimbabwe, and UNOPS proves that when we align our efforts with clear strategic priorities – particularly ‘Lighting and Powering Africa’ – we can deliver transformative results that improve the quality of life for the people we serve.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org
Headline: Advancing healthcare AI innovation at HLTH Europe 2025
The global healthcare landscape is complex and challenging. Workforce shortages,1 clinician burnout, and lack of access to essential health services2 are placing increasing pressure on healthcare systems in Europe, and around the world. However, advancements in AI present a tremendous opportunity to help. In Europe, for example, hospital Trusts have made good progress migrating data to the cloud and adopting AI to enhance efficiency.3
To keep the momentum around innovation, AI leaders, innovators, startups, researchers, scientists, and policymakers are coming together at HLTH Europe 2025 to stand up their latest AI use cases. Microsoft will showcase our commitment to advancing AI for better health by focusing on accelerating life-saving breakthroughs, transforming the healthcare experience, and enabling global health equity. These areas are central to our mission to help shape a future for every person on the planet to live healthier.
Explore Microsoft Dragon Copilot capabilities
Accelerating life-saving breakthroughs
Advancements in AI are also playing a pivotal role in accelerating life-saving breakthroughs and transforming healthcare into a more precise and efficient domain. Microsoft and the Mayo Clinic are leveraging multimodal data imaging models for chest X-rays lines and tubes to drive innovations in disease detection, and treatment while advancing the state of precision medicine. Jonathan Carlson, Vice President Managing Director at Microsoft Health Futures, and Dr. Matthew Carlson, Vice President Chair of Radiology at Mayo Clinic, will spotlight the collaboration and the ways in which unified data, intelligence, and generative AI are adding value to clinician workflows and patient care.
Transforming the healthcare experience
At the heart of every clinical consultation is a human moment. But in an era of increasing clinical demands, empathy is at risk of becoming a casualty of efficiency. Our recent global survey, featuring insights from over 13,500 patients across 10 European countries and Australia, revealed a growing disconnect in the clinician-patient interaction but more importantly, an opportunity to rebuild that connection with the help of AI.
Earlier this year, we announced Microsoft Dragon Copilot, a new groundbreaking AI solution that transforms the way clinicians work. At HLTH Europe 2025 we are bringing Dragon Copilot to life with Dr. Markus Vogel, Chief Medical Information Officer, Microsoft DACH, Dr. Simon Wallace, Chief Medical Information Officer, Microsoft United Kingdom, and Dr. Joost Juiskens, Chief Medical Information Officer, Microsoft Netherlands, who will demonstrate how Dragon Copilot combines proven technologies with advanced generative AI and healthcare-focused safeguards to revolutionize clinical workflows and enhance patient care across Europe.
Dragon Copilot represents a significant step forward in scalable, AI-powered clinical productivity and will be generally available to European markets later this year. Ambient AI, when responsibly implemented, is transforming clinical documentation, lightening administrative burdens, and making healthcare more human-centered. Healthcare leaders should feel empowered to harness AI to restore what matters most—meaningful and empathetic connections between patients and clinicians.
Enabling global health equity, responsibly
Demonstrating a steadfast commitment to bringing AI technologies to life, we are dedicated to enabling global health equity through responsible innovation. By prioritizing health literacy, fostering trust, and aligning with Microsoft’s responsible AI practices, Microsoft is tackling real-world challenges in healthcare. We are focused on inclusive and equitable solutions that help ensure advancements in AI are accessible and impactful for every community. Through ongoing efforts to promote understanding and confidence in AI-powered healthcare, we are shaping a future where transformative technology benefits patients, clinicians, and populations worldwide.
The future of healthcare starts now
At Microsoft, we’re not just imagining meaningful change—we’re making it happen. Through strategic collaborations, responsible innovation, and deep commitment to the human side of healthcare, we are realizing the mission of AI for better health for every patient, provider, and population on the planet.
Learn more about Microsoft Healthcare solutions
Microsoft Dragon Copilot
An extensible AI workspace that scales across specialties, care settings, and devices
1 World Health Organization, Health workforce.
2 World Health Organization, Billions left behind on the path to universal health coverage, September 18, 2023.
3 NHS England, AWS NHS migration case studies.
Kees Hertogh
Vice President, Healthcare and Life Sciences Marketing
Kees Hertogh leads the Global Health & Life Science Product Marketing team at Microsoft. He is responsible for Microsoft’s global marketing priorities across the health and life science verticals and Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare portfolio and go-to-market strategies.
Headline: Advancing healthcare AI innovation at HLTH Europe 2025
The global healthcare landscape is complex and challenging. Workforce shortages,1 clinician burnout, and lack of access to essential health services2 are placing increasing pressure on healthcare systems in Europe, and around the world. However, advancements in AI present a tremendous opportunity to help. In Europe, for example, hospital Trusts have made good progress migrating data to the cloud and adopting AI to enhance efficiency.3
To keep the momentum around innovation, AI leaders, innovators, startups, researchers, scientists, and policymakers are coming together at HLTH Europe 2025 to stand up their latest AI use cases. Microsoft will showcase our commitment to advancing AI for better health by focusing on accelerating life-saving breakthroughs, transforming the healthcare experience, and enabling global health equity. These areas are central to our mission to help shape a future for every person on the planet to live healthier.
Explore Microsoft Dragon Copilot capabilities
Accelerating life-saving breakthroughs
Advancements in AI are also playing a pivotal role in accelerating life-saving breakthroughs and transforming healthcare into a more precise and efficient domain. Microsoft and the Mayo Clinic are leveraging multimodal data imaging models for chest X-rays lines and tubes to drive innovations in disease detection, and treatment while advancing the state of precision medicine. Jonathan Carlson, Vice President Managing Director at Microsoft Health Futures, and Dr. Matthew Carlson, Vice President Chair of Radiology at Mayo Clinic, will spotlight the collaboration and the ways in which unified data, intelligence, and generative AI are adding value to clinician workflows and patient care.
Transforming the healthcare experience
At the heart of every clinical consultation is a human moment. But in an era of increasing clinical demands, empathy is at risk of becoming a casualty of efficiency. Our recent global survey, featuring insights from over 13,500 patients across 10 European countries and Australia, revealed a growing disconnect in the clinician-patient interaction but more importantly, an opportunity to rebuild that connection with the help of AI.
Earlier this year, we announced Microsoft Dragon Copilot, a new groundbreaking AI solution that transforms the way clinicians work. At HLTH Europe 2025 we are bringing Dragon Copilot to life with Dr. Markus Vogel, Chief Medical Information Officer, Microsoft DACH, Dr. Simon Wallace, Chief Medical Information Officer, Microsoft United Kingdom, and Dr. Joost Juiskens, Chief Medical Information Officer, Microsoft Netherlands, who will demonstrate how Dragon Copilot combines proven technologies with advanced generative AI and healthcare-focused safeguards to revolutionize clinical workflows and enhance patient care across Europe.
Dragon Copilot represents a significant step forward in scalable, AI-powered clinical productivity and will be generally available to European markets later this year. Ambient AI, when responsibly implemented, is transforming clinical documentation, lightening administrative burdens, and making healthcare more human-centered. Healthcare leaders should feel empowered to harness AI to restore what matters most—meaningful and empathetic connections between patients and clinicians.
Enabling global health equity, responsibly
Demonstrating a steadfast commitment to bringing AI technologies to life, we are dedicated to enabling global health equity through responsible innovation. By prioritizing health literacy, fostering trust, and aligning with Microsoft’s responsible AI practices, Microsoft is tackling real-world challenges in healthcare. We are focused on inclusive and equitable solutions that help ensure advancements in AI are accessible and impactful for every community. Through ongoing efforts to promote understanding and confidence in AI-powered healthcare, we are shaping a future where transformative technology benefits patients, clinicians, and populations worldwide.
The future of healthcare starts now
At Microsoft, we’re not just imagining meaningful change—we’re making it happen. Through strategic collaborations, responsible innovation, and deep commitment to the human side of healthcare, we are realizing the mission of AI for better health for every patient, provider, and population on the planet.
Learn more about Microsoft Healthcare solutions
Microsoft Dragon Copilot
An extensible AI workspace that scales across specialties, care settings, and devices
1 World Health Organization, Health workforce.
2 World Health Organization, Billions left behind on the path to universal health coverage, September 18, 2023.
3 NHS England, AWS NHS migration case studies.
Kees Hertogh
Vice President, Healthcare and Life Sciences Marketing
Kees Hertogh leads the Global Health & Life Science Product Marketing team at Microsoft. He is responsible for Microsoft’s global marketing priorities across the health and life science verticals and Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare portfolio and go-to-market strategies.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Westerville woman who claimed affiliation with Dayton-area pizza restaurants to obtain nearly $1.9 million in COVD-19 relief funds was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 70 months in prison.
Lorie A. Schaefer, 63, also assisted a co-defendant in fraudulently receiving more than $980,000 pandemic relief loans in exchange for payment, causing a total of $2.8 million in fraud.
According to court documents, Schaefer opened new bank accounts in December 2020 prior to registering a fictitious business name with the State of Ohio in March 2021.
Schaefer fraudulently claimed affiliation with the Flying Pizza restaurants in Dayton, Centerville and Fairborn. When notified that a Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan for nearly $1.9 million had been filed in the name of Flying Pizza, individuals at the family-owned business said their restaurants could not justify such a large loan.
Schaefer claimed to have 98 employees and submitted altered bank records as part of her application. Schaefer also claimed the business was established in March 2021, even though the original Flying Pizza was established in 1984. Additionally, she claimed not to be under indictment despite having pending theft charges in Meigs County. Schaefer attached multiple fraudulent documents to her PPP application, including a bank statement, tax records, and a letter from the IRS.
Bank records indicate Schaefer improperly used PPP funds for personal expenses, for example, nearly $26,000 on liposuction, a $10,000 check for a “newborn baby gift,” and more than $900,000 to purchase and renovate a home in Westerville. Schaefer also made purchases at Wayfair, Lamps Plus, Kroger, KFC, Burger King, Arby’s, McDonald’s and Olive Garden. Evidence also suggests Schaefer used the fraud proceeds to purchase vehicles in Ohio and property in Australia.
After being charged in this case, Schaefer committed new offenses and violated her pre-trial release multiple times, leading to the revocation of her bond.
She pleaded guilty in July 2024 and twice attempted to withdraw her guilty plea.
Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Anthony Licari, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Midwestern Region; and Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Court Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorney David J. Twombly is representing the United States in this case.
TOKYO, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fairy Devices Inc., a Tokyo-based deep tech platformer, today announced the global launch of THINKLET, a programmable wearable AI device for AI application developers.
THINKLET is a programmable wearable AI device that enables developers to build AI applications using the THINKLET App SDK. It is designed for engineers with software development experience. A full suite of developer resources—including an official developer portal, tutorials, and sample apps—is available at https://fairydevicesrd.github.io/thinklet.app.developer/ (Note: The content is available in Japanese only. Please use your preferred translation tool.) Sample movies created with THINKLET are available at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@fairydevicesinc.official5032
THINKLET was exhibited at the ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2025, the premier international conference for Human-Computer Interaction, where it received high praise from researchers around the world. https://fairydevices-chi2025.studio.site/
Lightweight and worn around the neck, THINKLET is built for hands-free daily operation. It features a wide-angle Full HD camera, a five-microphone array for reliable voice capture in noisy environments, GPS and a 9-axis motion sensor for activity and location tracking, cellular connectivity via SIM card, and wireless interfaces such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. These features make it ideal for applications such as remote collaboration, on-site data capture, and voice-based AI interaction.
Note: THINKLET is intended for developers with software development experience. It is not a plug-and-play consumer device.
THINKLET has already been adopted by a wide range of Japanese research institutions and industrial partners—including Daikin Industries, a global air conditioning manufacturer—for use in field operations and prototyping of AI-powered solutions. With global availability now open, Fairy Devices aims to enable developers worldwide to build practical wearable AI applications.
About Fairy Devices Inc. Fairy Devices is a Japan-based technology company dedicated to revolutionizing how onsite and deskless workers interact with devices and data, particularly in industrial and field environments. By combining cutting-edge hardware, AI-driven software, and user-centric design, we create solutions that streamline workflows, improve safety, boost productivity, and enable interaction with AI. Our flagship product, THINKLET, exemplifies our commitment to pioneering next-generation human-computer interaction—providing a powerful wearable AI platform that supports both practical operations and advanced research.
Media Contact Fairy Devices Inc. Email: thinklet-sales@fairydevices.jp Website: https://fairydevices.jp/en
New York, NY, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GPC Exchange, a global digital asset trading platform known for its institutional-grade infrastructure, today announced the official launch of its Strategy Automation API Suite. This new toolkit is designed to support hedge funds, quantitative teams, and multi-account operators seeking seamless deployment and control of automated trading strategies across centralized and decentralized venues.
The API suite enables real-time execution of predefined logic across multiple accounts, trading pairs, and platforms—while maintaining strict control over latency, execution priority, and asset movement. This development marks another step in GPC Exchange’s roadmap to provide programmable, compliant, and performance-optimized services for professional digital asset participants.
“In today’s fragmented market landscape, institutional investors need smart infrastructure that adapts to their strategies, not the other way around,” said Evelyn Hartmann, Chief Infrastructure Officer at GPC Exchange. “This API suite turns GPC Exchange into a strategy execution backbone—capable of coordinating trades across regions, instruments, and risk frameworks.”
Core Features of the Strategy Automation API Suite: • Cross-Platform Execution Engine – Enables strategy logic to route orders across GPC Exchange and integrated external platforms, supporting arbitrage, hedging, and multi-exchange deployment. • Real-Time Strategy Feedback – Offers streaming updates on execution status, slippage rates, and market response signals. • Custom Risk Parameters – Institutional users can define automated stop conditions tied to NAV changes, volatility triggers, or portfolio drawdown thresholds. • Sub-Account Synchronization – Supports coordinated trading across team-managed sub-accounts with asset-specific permissions and automated allocation logic. • SDK Support – Developer tools available in Python, Go, and Node.js to integrate strategies with backtesting, order engines, and smart contract automation modules.
The suite operates on top of GPC Exchange’s high-performance matching engine, which delivers microsecond-level trade response. It integrates with GPC’s behavior-based risk model and supports KYC-verified user partitions for added control and compliance.
Expanding Institutional Use Cases GPC Exchange’s Strategy Automation API is ideal for a range of professional applications: • Statistical arbitrage and market-making algorithms • Global execution of delta-neutral and momentum strategies • Multi-platform rebalancing for asset managers • Automated execution of stablecoin settlement instructions for treasury teams
Early access participants have reported significant latency reductions and execution consistency, particularly in volatile conditions. The exchange plans to expand the suite to support DeFi protocol calls, strategy modularization, and event-driven smart order types.
About GPC Exchange GPC Exchange is a global digital asset platform serving institutions and professional traders. The platform offers multi-chain compatibility, AI-powered trading infrastructure, cross-chain settlement, and regulatory-grade security protocols. GPC Exchange operates regional hubs in Asia, North America, and Europe.
Disclaimer:The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.
New York, NY, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WMBT Exchange, a global digital asset trading platform known for its security standards and AI-driven infrastructure, today announced the launch of WPoints, a proprietary reward points system aimed at enhancing user interaction, retention, and long-term ecosystem value. This new incentive mechanism is part of WMBT Exchange’s broader strategic plan to drive user participation through structured engagement and reward logic.
WPoints are designed to accumulate through various verified user actions, including trading activity, account verification, platform education module participation, referrals, and community contributions. These points can then be redeemed for functional benefits such as trading fee discounts, priority access to token offerings, NFT collectibles, and other exclusive platform privileges.
“Building a self-reinforcing engagement model requires more than transactional efficiency,” said Matthew Collins, Director of Ecosystem Development at WMBT Exchange. “WPoints will help define long-term user participation standards and ensure that every action contributes to real economic utility within the WMBT ecosystem.”
Multi-Layered Reward Architecture
The WPoints system introduces a multi-dimensional reward engine designed to integrate seamlessly with daily platform operations. It includes the following core components:
Task-Based Point Generation: Users can earn WPoints through activities such as daily logins, successful KYC verification, first trade completion, course enrollments, staking participation, and referral conversions.
Tiered Loyalty Model: Accumulated WPoints contribute to a tiered loyalty structure that unlocks progressively higher benefits, including enhanced withdrawal limits, API usage preferences, and early access to promotional events.
Redemption Marketplace: WPoints can be redeemed within a dedicated on-platform marketplace for discounts, feature unlocks, and participation in WMBT Exchange-exclusive product launches.
Anti-Manipulation Safeguards: An AI-enhanced validation layer ensures WPoints are earned through authentic behavior. The system is protected against bots, farming schemes, and referral abuse through behavioral analysis and transaction fingerprinting.
Integration with Web3 and Governance Models
Looking ahead, WMBT Exchange plans to integrate WPoints into future decentralized governance mechanisms. Users who reach specific loyalty thresholds may be eligible for voting rights on platform development proposals, liquidity incentives, and project listing decisions. Furthermore, cross-platform recognition initiatives are being developed to allow WPoints interoperability with third-party DeFi platforms, NFT marketplaces, and crypto-focused learning tools.
The rollout of WPoints begins this month across Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and select EMEA regions. A phased expansion to North America and institutional partner platforms is scheduled for Q4 2025. As part of the onboarding strategy, all new users registering before July 31 will receive a welcome bonus of WPoints equivalent to a fee rebate on their first three trades.
Positioning WMBT Exchange as a Participatory Financial Ecosystem
With the introduction of WPoints, WMBT Exchange underscores its commitment to creating a participatory financial ecosystem where users contribute not just capital, but data, time, and behavior patterns that shape the growth of the platform. The system builds upon previous initiatives such as AI-powered security protocols, multilingual education hubs, and micro-investment products targeting underbanked populations.
WMBT Exchange continues to evolve from a pure trading venue into an intelligent infrastructure layer within the broader digital finance landscape. The addition of the WPoints system represents a significant milestone in aligning platform utility with user contribution, delivering both operational engagement and long-term network value.
About WMBT Exchange
WMBT Exchange is a global digital asset trading platform committed to building secure, compliant, and intelligent infrastructure for the future of finance. With support for multi-chain asset trading, institutional-grade custody, and AI-powered risk control, WMBT Exchange serves users across more than 30 countries. The platform prioritizes transparency, scalability, and user education to enable sustainable growth in the digital asset economy. Through continuous innovation and a commitment to regulatory alignment, WMBT Exchange is shaping the next generation of financial participation.
Disclaimer:The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
ASTANA, June 17 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan has great potential, calling on the two countries to increase trade and investment and expand cooperation in developing sectors.
Xi Jinping made the statement at a meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia summit in the Kazakh capital Astana.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 33 years ago, Chinese-Kyrgyz ties have developed rapidly and are now at the highest level in their entire history, Xi Jinping noted.
He recalled the fruitful meeting with S. Japarov in February in Beijing. During the talks, a number of important consensuses were reached, giving a new and powerful impetus to bilateral cooperation.
China is willing to work with Kyrgyzstan to continuously deepen the alignment of development strategies, continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, and safeguard the common and long-term interests of both sides, Xi said.
Xi Jinping called on the two sides to deepen financial cooperation, improve connectivity networks and promote high-quality construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.
He also called on both sides to stimulate new growth factors in clean energy, green minerals and artificial intelligence, strengthen exchanges in areas such as culture, tourism, education and health care, and implement more projects to benefit the peoples of the two countries.
Xi Jinping stressed that China and Kyrgyzstan are beneficiaries of economic globalization, and called on the two sides to jointly oppose unilateralism, firmly safeguard the international economic and trade order, and promote the building of a more fair and equitable global governance system.
Recalling that China and Kyrgyzstan will take turns chairing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and hosting summits, Xi Jinping said Beijing is ready to work with Bishkek to support each other and jointly promote the further development of the SCO.
For his part, S. Japarov said that under the outstanding leadership of Chairman Xi Jinping, China is moving along the path of prosperity and strength, achieving great achievements and playing an important leadership role in the international arena.
The Kyrgyz side attaches great importance to the development of relations with China and values strategic partnership based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, as well as good-neighborly friendship, he said.
According to him, the Kyrgyz side firmly supports China in matters concerning its fundamental interests, adheres to the one-China principle, and also opposes any form of “Taiwan independence” and any interference by external forces in the country’s internal affairs.
Noting that China is Kyrgyzstan’s largest trade and investment partner, the President indicated that the Kyrgyz side invites more Chinese companies to do business in Kyrgyzstan and is ready to work with China to jointly advance projects such as the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, strengthen cooperation in energy, green minerals and other areas for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.
Bishkek actively supports three important global initiatives put forward by Chairman Xi Jinping and is ready to cooperate with Beijing for their joint implementation, said S. Japarov.
He added that Kyrgyzstan will closely coordinate positions and cooperate with China within the framework of the UN, SCO and the China-Central Asia mechanism to promote regional and global security, stability, development and prosperity.
Following the meeting, the two heads of state attended a signing ceremony for a number of bilateral cooperation documents covering agriculture, customs, science and technology, media and other areas. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
ASTANA, June 17 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Tuesday that China and Central Asian countries have explored and formed the China-Central Asia Spirit, which features mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit, mutual assistance, and the pursuit of common modernization through high-quality development.
Xi made the remarks in his speech at the second China-Central Asia Summit in the Kazakh capital of Astana.
Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations, Banking, and Foreign Relations Committees and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, joined Mornings With Maria on Fox Business to discuss the conflict in the Middle East, the ongoing negotiations of the budget reconciliation package, and final passage of the GENIUS Act.
*Click the photo above or here to watch*
Partial Transcript
Hagerty on Trump preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon: “It’s not surprising. President [Donald] Trump has been entirely clear this entire period that Iran needs to come to the table, that he will not allow them to have a nuclear weapon. Yet what does Iran do? Continues to tap the ball. They go past the 60-day window that they’d been given, and they continue to advance their nuclear program. It’s no surprise that Israel has taken the action that they have, Maria. I think they have no choice. This is an existential decision on behalf of [Israel Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu. He cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon because Iran’s been very clear: death to Israel and also death to America. We have to take them at their word. This regime has been nothing but using every tactic in the book to, basically, buy more time to ‘negotiate’ while, in the background, they continue to develop this weapon. This capability is something we can’t let them finalize. President Trump has been, again, extraordinarily clear. He will not let that happen.”
Hagerty on the U.S. standing with Israel: “I think President Trump has been very clear. He’s not for these forever wars that go on. I agree with that. At the same time, he’s also been very clear that we stand with Israel. I think most people in America feel the same way. I think President Trump has a spectrum of options before him. I’m not going to get ahead of him and try to predict what he might do, but I’ll say this: Israel’s doing an incredible job. Their intelligence has been impeccable, and I think the Iranians need to wake up and realize they’re on their back foot. They’re on their back heel, and they need to get to the table quickly to get this resolved because they are not winning.”
Hagerty on China supporting Iran’s terror regime: “They have been supporting Iran, Maria, over time. If you think about it, who’s been buying this illicit oil? Iran’s been evading sanctions. How? They’re selling their oil to China. China’s been providing the funds. The funds have been used, therefore, to build up Hamas, to build up Hezbollah, to build up Houthis. It’s Iranian technology, Iranian knowhow, that’s being used, along with Iranian funds, which are being, basically, funneled from China through Iran, back into these zones of terror. China needs to bring this to a complete halt. They need to join us, and we need to see this come to an end.”
Hagerty on the ongoing budget reconciliation negotiations: “There’s a lot in that that, I think, is going to be refined. There’s going to be more deficit reduction orientation in what the Senate is working on right now. I’m not going to get in the middle of negotiations, but just take SALT, for example, the state and local tax exemption. It came over from the House with a $40,000 exemption per year. The Senate’s come back with a $10,000 exemption. That’s a negotiation that’s underway. Again, I’m not going to try to get ahead of the negotiators, but this is what’s going to take place. This is how it gets done here in Washington. Overall, though, I’d say this: we have to keep in mind that to not address this, to not address the extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, would deliver north of $4 trillion of tax increases to the American people. The White House budget model predicts that there would be a six percent decline in GDP next year, were that to happen. We’re not going to let that happen either, Maria. So, we’re in the process of fine-tuning. Everybody wants this to be as conservative as it can be, but also, it’s imperative that we get this passed and passed quickly, so the capital expenditure plans can firm up, so that the investments that we want to see happen in America do begin to get plans. The 2026 is the best year we’ve seen on record.”
Hagerty on SALT provisions: “I think you look at the Senate, we don’t have a SALT constituency in the Senate. We don’t have [Republican] senators from California, New York, Illinois. We’re trying to address this, but we’re trying to do this in a fiscally responsible manner. Again, we’re in the middle of a negotiation. [Representative] Mike [Lawler] is at $40,000, the U.S. Senate right now is at $10,000. Again, I’m sure Mike will be clear in his point tomorrow, but we’re in the middle of a negotiation. We’ll see where it lands.”
Hagerty on the IRA subsidies: “I think they’re going to be scrutinized very, very carefully, Maria. I understand the arguments that is that certain companies are relied, to their detriment, on the tax subsidies that were there, but I think we’re going through this with a fine-tooth comb. Certainly, we don’t want to see anymore new utilization of these types of tools, and I think they’re trying to minimize the disruption in the damage that might have occurred from those companies that have already relied upon it and started projects.”
Hagerty on final passage of the GENIUS Act: “I’m very enthusiastic about the stablecoin legislation that I’ve led. We’ve been working on this for months. We have a strong bipartisan product. We will deliver that midday today. We’ll have it ready, and I think it’s got a tremendous amount of input from the industry, from my colleagues here. We’ve involved the administration. I think we’re going to have a great product that actually sets the stage for moving into a modern-day payment system into the 21st century. Getting us off the old system that was designed in the 1970s and eighties, making the dollar the key element in the digital arena. And frankly, it will stimulate more demand for U.S. treasuries. It will strengthen the dollar’s position as a reserve currency. We’re going to see that advance in a way that, again, takes a lot of friction out of an old, clunky system, reduces counterparty risk, reduces currency risk, and will bring a lot of working capital back to the companies that need it and back into the economy. With respect to the [Securities and Exchange Commission], I couldn’t ask for a better partner than [SEC Chairman] Paul Atkins. He’s doing a terrific job already. We’re going to be working arm-in-arm to try to help advance the entire cryptocurrency industry, the entirety of this industry, that’ll keep us on the cutting edge of the 21st century. As you mentioned, I want to make my state a hub. We’ve got Bitcoin miners there. We’ve got Bitcoin Park there. We had the great Bitcoin Conference there that President Trump attended. That’s where he announced that he would be firing [Former SEC Chairman] Gary Gensler. I think that received great applause, and I think everybody’s extremely happy to see someone, strong conservative, hard-nosed fellow, like Paul Atkins, coming into office. I’m looking forward to working, arm-in-arm, together with him.”
Scientists have uncovered a remarkable 24-million-year-old secret hidden in the coal beds of Assam’s Makum Coalfield, shedding new light on South Asia’s ancient biodiversity. Fossilized leaves, identified as the world’s oldest known record of the Nothopegia plant genus, were discovered by researchers from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) in Lucknow, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology.
The fossil leaves, dating back to the late Oligocene epoch (24–23 million years ago), bear a striking resemblance to the modern Nothopegia species found today in the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s key biodiversity hotspots, located thousands of kilometers away from Assam. Notably, the Nothopegia genus no longer grows in Northeast India, making this discovery a significant clue to the region’s ecological past.
Using advanced techniques such as herbarium comparison, cluster analysis, and the Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program (CLAMP), the research team reconstructed the ancient environment of Northeast India. Their findings reveal a warm, humid climate during the late Oligocene, similar to the conditions in the Western Ghats today, which once supported Nothopegia’s growth in Assam.
The study, published in the journal *Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology*, traces the dramatic journey of Nothopegia from Northeast India to its current refuge in the Western Ghats. Geological upheavals, including the rise of the Himalayas due to tectonic movements, triggered significant climate changes in the Northeast, altering temperature, rainfall, and wind patterns. These shifts made the region inhospitable for tropical species like Nothopegia, leading to its disappearance from Assam. However, the plant survived in the climatically stable Western Ghats, where it remains a living relic of an ancient ecosystem.
“This fossil discovery is a window into the past that helps us understand the future,” said Dr. Harshita Bhatia, a co-author of the study. By combining paleobotany, systematics, and climate modeling, the research offers insights into how ecosystems adapt to environmental pressures and how some species endure dramatic shifts.
The findings also carry implications for today’s rapidly changing climate. Unlike ancient climate shifts, modern changes driven by human activity are occurring at an unprecedented pace. Understanding Nothopegia’s ancient migration highlights the importance of protecting biodiversity hotspots like the Western Ghats, which serve as sanctuaries for ancient plant lineages. The study underscores the need to preserve these ecosystems to safeguard India’s rich biodiversity amid ongoing climatic challenges.
The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), under the Ministry of Ayush, kicked off the global initiative ‘Yoga Bandhan’ today, marking a significant milestone in the lead-up to the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025. As one of the 10 Signature Events for IDY 2025, the program underscores India’s commitment to fostering global collaboration through yoga, promoting cultural exchange, academic dialogue, and holistic well-being.
The inaugural event brought together yoga ambassadors from 15 countries, including academicians, practitioners, studio founders, authors, and wellness experts. Held at MDNIY’s campus in Delhi, ‘Yoga Bandhan’ served as a platform to strengthen institution-to-institution partnerships and showcase India’s leadership in global yoga diplomacy.
In his keynote address, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, emphasized yoga’s universal appeal, noting that 95% of India’s population is aware of Ayush systems, with 35% actively practicing yoga, according to National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) data. “Yoga has found resonance across the globe,” he said, highlighting initiatives like Harit Yoga, Yoga Connect, and Samyoga under IDY 2025. He revealed that over 3.3 lakh yoga events have already been organized worldwide, with projections of reaching 5 lakh by June 21, 2025.
Kotecha also discussed upgrades to the Yoga Certification Board (YCB) to meet the rising demand for certified yoga professionals globally, inviting international delegates to collaborate with YCB for mutual growth.
Nandini Singla, Director General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), lauded the international dignitaries, calling them “voices of peace and harmony.” She highlighted yoga’s role in India’s cultural diplomacy, citing demonstrations by foreign dignitaries at iconic Indian locations like Delhi, Varanasi, Jodhpur, and Jaipur. Singla proposed introducing short-term yoga courses for international visitors to further promote cultural exchange.
Monalisa Dash, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, described IDY as a global movement that unites millions in pursuit of health and harmony. “The theme of IDY 2025 reflects the Indian philosophy of *Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam*—the world is one family,” she said, emphasizing yoga’s universal relevance.
Dr. Kashinath Samagandi, Director of MDNIY, welcomed the global gathering, stating, “Yoga Bandhan reflects India’s commitment to sharing yoga’s timeless wisdom, fostering humanity’s shared bonds through its unifying power.”
The event featured a guided tour of MDNIY’s campus, an interactive session on yoga communication, and a cultural yoga fusion performance by MDNIY students. Delegates explored opportunities for collaboration in yoga research, education, and training.
Notable international delegates included Josh Pryor (President & CEO, Yoga Australia), Prof. Danilo Forghieri Santaella (University of São Paulo, Brazil), Yin Yan (Founder, Yogi Yoga, China), and Vidya Volkova (Director, Shakti Yoga Studio, Kazakhstan), among others.
Over the coming days, these ambassadors will engage in cultural immersions, institutional visits, and policy dialogues, culminating in the grand IDY 2025 celebrations on June 21, 2025.
The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), under the Ministry of Ayush, kicked off the global initiative ‘Yoga Bandhan’ today, marking a significant milestone in the lead-up to the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025. As one of the 10 Signature Events for IDY 2025, the program underscores India’s commitment to fostering global collaboration through yoga, promoting cultural exchange, academic dialogue, and holistic well-being.
The inaugural event brought together yoga ambassadors from 15 countries, including academicians, practitioners, studio founders, authors, and wellness experts. Held at MDNIY’s campus in Delhi, ‘Yoga Bandhan’ served as a platform to strengthen institution-to-institution partnerships and showcase India’s leadership in global yoga diplomacy.
In his keynote address, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, emphasized yoga’s universal appeal, noting that 95% of India’s population is aware of Ayush systems, with 35% actively practicing yoga, according to National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) data. “Yoga has found resonance across the globe,” he said, highlighting initiatives like Harit Yoga, Yoga Connect, and Samyoga under IDY 2025. He revealed that over 3.3 lakh yoga events have already been organized worldwide, with projections of reaching 5 lakh by June 21, 2025.
Kotecha also discussed upgrades to the Yoga Certification Board (YCB) to meet the rising demand for certified yoga professionals globally, inviting international delegates to collaborate with YCB for mutual growth.
Nandini Singla, Director General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), lauded the international dignitaries, calling them “voices of peace and harmony.” She highlighted yoga’s role in India’s cultural diplomacy, citing demonstrations by foreign dignitaries at iconic Indian locations like Delhi, Varanasi, Jodhpur, and Jaipur. Singla proposed introducing short-term yoga courses for international visitors to further promote cultural exchange.
Monalisa Dash, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, described IDY as a global movement that unites millions in pursuit of health and harmony. “The theme of IDY 2025 reflects the Indian philosophy of *Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam*—the world is one family,” she said, emphasizing yoga’s universal relevance.
Dr. Kashinath Samagandi, Director of MDNIY, welcomed the global gathering, stating, “Yoga Bandhan reflects India’s commitment to sharing yoga’s timeless wisdom, fostering humanity’s shared bonds through its unifying power.”
The event featured a guided tour of MDNIY’s campus, an interactive session on yoga communication, and a cultural yoga fusion performance by MDNIY students. Delegates explored opportunities for collaboration in yoga research, education, and training.
Notable international delegates included Josh Pryor (President & CEO, Yoga Australia), Prof. Danilo Forghieri Santaella (University of São Paulo, Brazil), Yin Yan (Founder, Yogi Yoga, China), and Vidya Volkova (Director, Shakti Yoga Studio, Kazakhstan), among others.
Over the coming days, these ambassadors will engage in cultural immersions, institutional visits, and policy dialogues, culminating in the grand IDY 2025 celebrations on June 21, 2025.
74Software Appoints Julia Siepmann as Group Chief Human Resources Officer
Paris, June 17, 2025 – 74Software today announces the appointment of Julia Siepmann as Group Chief Human Resources Officer, effective as of 19th May 2025.
Julia Siepmann brings over 20-years of global experience in strategic human resources management within technology-driven companies undergoing companywide transformation. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong ability to lead deep cultural evolutions, implement global HR frameworks, and foster inclusive, engaging, and high-performing work environments.
Prior to joining 74Software, Julia served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Nielsen, Analytics Portfolio Organizations. She previously spent over 15 years at Teradata where she held Global HR leadership roles based in London and Singapore. Known for her thoughtful and structured approach, she has led numerous Global programs focused on HR transformation, employee engagement, and inclusion. Julia is based in London, United Kingdom.
Patrick Donovan, Chief Executive Officer of 74Software, stated:
“Julia’s appointment marks an important step in driving our development. We are committed to our team and their development, and her proven leadership and deep expertise in organizational transformation and talent management will be key assets in strengthening our corporate culture and sustaining our growth. We are pleased to welcome her to the executive leadership team.”
Julia will play a central role in shaping and executing a human resources strategy aligned with 74Software’s development ambitions. Her mission will be to enhance organizational performance by fostering cohesion across entities, supporting talent development, and embedding a company culture rooted in respect, equity, and well-being.
“I am delighted to be joining 74Software at a pivotal time in its growth as a portfolio company uniting several strong technology brands around shared values and a common culture,” said Julia Siepmann. “In a constantly evolving and competitive environment, HR plays a critical role in supporting this momentum and shaping a compelling, forward-looking employee value proposition. I look forward to contributing to the development of an inclusive, high-performing, and sustainable organization.”
With this appointment, the Executive Committee of 74Software now comprises 9 members representing 4 nationalities:
Patrick Donovan, Chief Executive Officer
Éric Bierry, Deputy CEO, CEO of SBS
Roland Royer, CEO of Axway
Tobias Unger, Chief Financial Officer
Xavier Rebeuf, Chief R&D Operations
Paul French, Chief of Staff
Philippe Buisson, Chief of Integration and Secretary
Yann Metz-Pasquier, Chief Strategy Officer
Julia Siepmann, Chief Human Resources Officer
About 74Software
74Software is an enterprise software group founded through the combination of Axway and SBS – independently operated leaders with unique experience and capabilities to deliver mission-critical software for a data driven world. A pioneer in enterprise integration solutions for 25 years, Axway supports major brands and government agencies around the globe with its core line of MFT, B2B, API, and Financial Accounting Hub products. SBS empowers banks and financial institutions to reimagine tomorrow’s digital experiences with a composable cloud-based architecture that enables deposits, lending, compliance, payments, consumer, and asset finance services and operations to be deployed worldwide. 74Software serves more than 11,000 companies, including over 1,500 financial service customers. To learn more, visit 74Software.com
Headline: Breaking down the chaos of a seemingly infinite workday
In our recent 2025 Work Trend Index Annual Report, we charted the emergence of the Frontier Firm—powered by intelligence on tap, run by human-agent teams, and defined by a new role for every employee, the agent boss. These firms are redesigning business processes around AI and agents to scale rapidly, operate with agility, and generate value faster than traditional companies.
But organizations will never complete their journey to becoming a Frontier Firm by concentrating on process alone. Our research, based on trillions of globally aggregated and anonymized Microsoft 365 productivity signals, reveals a challenging new roadblock: a seemingly infinite workday.
AI offers a way out of the mire, especially if paired with a reimagined rhythm of work. Otherwise, we risk using AI to accelerate a broken system. To get a handle on this barrier to transformation, let’s start our infinite workday.
The workday often begins before a lot of people are out of bed. By 6 am, many Microsoft 365 users are scanning overflowing inboxes in hopes of getting ahead. Our telemetry data shows:
40% of people who are online at 6 am are reviewing email for the day’s priorities.
The average worker receives 117 emails daily—most of them skimmed in under 60 seconds.
Mass emails with 20+ recipients are up 7% in the past year, while one-on-one threads are on the decline (-5%).
The inbox may still be the front door to work, but too often it opens to a flood of unprioritized chaos.
The chaos of the infinite workday
It starts early, mostly in email, and quickly swells to a focus-sapping flood of messages, meetings, and interruptions.
By 8 am, Microsoft Teams overtakes email as the dominant communication channel, shifting the day into high gear.
The average worker receives 153 Teams messages per weekday.
Messages per person are up 6% YOY globally—more than 20% in regions like Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and over 15% in the UK and South Korea.
Each email or message notification may seem small, but together they can set a frenetic tempo for the day ahead.
The most valuable hours of the workday are often ruled by someone else’s agenda. Half (50%) of all meetings take place between 9–11 am and 1–3 pm—precisely when, as research shows, many people have a natural productivity spike in their day, due to their circadian rhythms. But our data reveals that we fill this time with meetings, leaving little room for deep focus. Tuesdays now carry the heaviest meeting load (23%), while Fridays taper to just 16%. Instead of deep work, these prime hours are spent cycling through a carousel of calls.
Meetings hijack prime focus time
Studies show that many people have two natural performance spikes each day, but our data reveals that we fill one of them with meetings, leaving little room for focus work.
An area chart showing average productivity levels for workers between the hours of 6 am and 12 am, indicating that a high percentage of meetings are often scheduled during peak productivity hours, leaving workers with less time to dedicate to focus work.
But meetings aren’t the only force fracturing attention. By 11 am—peak productivity for many—message activity also surges, with 54% of users active. According to our telemetry data it’s the most overloaded hour of the day, as real-time messages, scheduled meetings, and constant app switching converge, making focus on any one task nearly impossible.
Calendars may show a break in meetings after lunch, but that could also be a mirage. During this time we see Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (WXP) usage surge as employees attempt focus work like writing, analyzing data, and creating decks—but that time is fragmented. Our telemetry data shows that, on average, employees using Microsoft 365 are interrupted every 2 minutes by a meeting, email, or notification. That competing digital noise doesn’t appear on calendars, but as many information workers will likely attest, it’s deeply felt. In fact, our global Work Trend Index survey shows that nearly half of employees (48%)—and more than half of leaders (52%)—say their work feels chaotic and fragmented.
The issue isn’t just volume—it’s sprawl. Our data shows that modes of communication are changing, coordination is more complex, and mental load is heavier.
57% of meetings are ad hoc calls without a calendar invite—and 1 in 10 scheduled meetings are booked at the last minute.
Large meetings (65+ attendees) are the fastest-growing type—likely a result of employees navigating increasingly complex, cross-functional teams.
Nearly a third of meetings now span multiple time zones—up 35% since 2021.
And in the final 10 minutes before a meeting, PowerPoint edits spike 122%—the digital equivalent of cramming before an exam.
For many, the workday now feels like navigating chaos—reacting to others’ priorities and losing focus on what matters most. In a time when every hour counts, that drift could quietly drain energy and stall business progress.
The shift to the triple peak day that started during the pandemic is no longer a trend—for many, it’s the norm. Today’s workday stretches well into the evening. Our telemetry data shows that meetings after 8 pm are up 16% year over year, with global and flexible teams accounting for much of the increase. And it’s not just meetings: the average employee now sends or receives more than50 messages outside of core business hours, and by 10 pm, nearly a third (29%) of active workers dive back into their inboxes, pointing to a steady rise in after-hours activity.
But “working late” can be experienced differently. A recent study from Microsoft Research found that remote workers often see evening hours as a productive window for quiet catch-up. Hybrid workers, by contrast, are more likely to experience that same time as a source of stress. For managers and leaders, this isn’t just a footnote—it’s a signal that can help set clearer expectations, shape team culture, and better support teams.
And for some, this pressure spills into the weekend—making Sunday feel like just another Monday:
Our telemetry data shows a notable bump in weekend email usage. Nearly 20% of employees actively working on the weekend are checking their email before noon on Saturday and Sunday—waking up to work, even on typical days off. And over 5% are back in email on Sunday evenings (6 pm and later)—the Sunday scaries are real and measurable.
And while email patterns mimic the workweek, other apps tell a different story: over the weekend, usage of WXP overtakes Teams messages as employees finally carve out time for uninterrupted focus work.
The infinite workday bleeds into evenings and weekends
Boundaries are eroding as 1 in 3 employees say the pace of work over the past five years makes it impossible to keep up.
This points to a larger truth: the modern workday for many has no clear start or finish. As business demands grow more complex and expectations continue to rise, time once reserved for focus or recovery may now be spent catching up, prepping, and chasing clarity. It’s the professional equivalent of needing to assemble a bike before every ride. Too much energy is spent organizing chaos before meaningful work can begin.
Leaders are feeling the squeeze. With flat budgets and rising pressure to perform, 1 in 3 employees in our global Work Trend Index survey responded that the pace of work over the past five years has made it impossible to keep up. The signals are clear: it’s time to break the cycle. The future of work won’t be defined by how much drudgery we automate, but by what we choose to fundamentally reimagine. AI can give us the leverage to redesign the rhythm of work, refocus our teams on new and differentiating work, and fix what has become a seemingly infinite workday. The question isn’t whether work will change. It’s whether we will.
Adopting AI isn’t enough. What you need now is a Frontier Firm mindset—one that questions how time is spent, how work gets done, and what truly drives impact. Here are three places to start:
Follow the 80/20 rule. In a world of flat budgets and shrinking attention, activity is not the same as progress. The most effective organizations know this—and act on it. Frontier Firms are putting the Pareto Principle into practice, focusing on the 20% of work that delivers 80% of the outcomes. AI makes this not only possible but scalable. By deploying AI and agents to streamline low-value tasks—status meetings, routine reports, admin churn—leaders can reclaim time for what moves the business: deep work, fast decisions, and focused execution. The companies that can win in the age of AI won’t just work harder—they’ll work smarter and sharper. Not sure where to start? Watch this leadership keynote from the Microsoft 365 Community Conference on Building the Future Firm.
Redesign for the Work Chart. Today, teams are organized by static functions like finance, marketing, and engineering. But with expertise available on demand through AI and agents, rigid structures add unnecessary friction. Take a product launch: content lives in marketing, data in analytics, budget in finance, and messaging with comms. A simple update like a price adjustment can take days and multiple meetings. It’s time to move from the org chart to the Work Chart—an agile, outcome-driven model in which lean teams form around a goal and use AI to fill skill gaps and move fast. At Supergood, an AI-first agency formerly called Supernatural, employees use a platform powered by decades of ad strategy to access insights instantly—no need to loop in a strategist on every brief.
Become an agent boss. There’s a new generation of professionals rising through the chaos—not by working more, but by working smarter. We call them agent bosses. Take Alex Farach, a researcher at Microsoft who uses a trio of agents to supercharge his work: one collects new research daily, the next runs statistical analysis, and the third drafts briefs to help connect the dots. Instead of getting bogged down in manual work, Farach can focus on what matters—fast, high-quality insights that benefit the entire team. This is the future of work: human-agent teams built to adapt and scale.
Methodology
Microsoft 365 Telemetry All data is based on aggregated and anonymized Microsoft 365 productivity signals, ending February 15, 2025. Data excludes education (Edu) and European Union (EU) tenants.
Interruptions Employees are interrupted every two minutes during core work hours—275 times a day—by meetings, emails, or chats. Calculated as a rolling 28-day sum of pings (meeting invites, emails, chats) per unique user per workday. The two-minute figure reflects the average time between pings during an eight-hour workday. The 275 is based on the 24-hour day. Based on the top 20% of users by ping volume received.
Last-Minute PowerPoint Edits Edits in PowerPoint spike 122% in the final 10 minutes before a meeting. Calculated as a rolling 28-day sum of PowerPoint view and edit actions per meeting participant, measured across fixed time windows before meetings.
Ad Hoc Meetings 60% of meetings are unscheduled or ad hoc. Based on a rolling 28-day volume of unique meetings per user per workday. Represents the top 20% of users by meeting volume.
After-Hours Chats Chats sent outside the standard 9-to-5 workday are up 15% year over year, with an average of 58 messages per user now arriving before or after hours. Calculated as a rolling 28-day sum of chats sent outside of Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm
Late-Night Meetings & Cross–Time Zone Work Meetings starting after 8 pm are up 16% year over year, driven by an increase in cross–time zone collaboration. 30% of meetings now span multiple time zones—a figure that has risen 8 percentage points since 2021. Measured as a rolling 28-day sum of meetings starting between 8 pm and 11:59 pm, adjusted for each participant’s local time.
Work Trend Index Survey The Work Trend Index survey was conducted by an independent research firm, Edelman Data x Intelligence, among 31,000 full-time employed or self-employed knowledge workers across 31 markets between February 6, 2025 and March 24, 2025. This survey was 20 minutes in length and conducted online, in either the English language or translated to local languages across markets. 1,000 full-time workers were surveyed in each market, and global results have been aggregated across all responses to provide an average. In the US, an additional sample of 4,500 full-time employed or self-employed knowledge workers was collected across nine sub-regions/metros.
Global markets surveyed include: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam.
Sub-regions/Metros in the United States surveyed include: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, DC Metro, Houston, New York City, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Audiences mentioned in the report are defined as follows:
Knowledge workers: Those who typically work at a desk (whether in an office or at home). This group includes those who are in person or working remotely in some capacity.
Leaders: Knowledge workers in mid to upper job levels (e.g., SVP, VP, Sr. Director, General Manager, EVP, C-Suite, President, etc.) who have at least some decision-making influence related to hiring, budgeting, employee benefits, internal communications, operations, etc.
Employees: Knowledge workers who are not in mid to upper job levels or have no influence on decision-making related to hiring, budgeting, employee benefits, internal communications, operations, etc.
Managers: Knowledge workers who manage a team or group of employees. Managers can be business decision makers or non-business decision makers.
Frontier Firms: Leaders who say their company has organization-wide deployment of AI and believe their organization is a leader in actively investing in AI, and is measuring ROI on these investments. They say they have seen some ROI from implementation of AI and believe it is critical to their long-term success as an organization. They believe agents will be key to realizing a return on their company’s AI investments. These leaders say they work at organizations that are currently using agents or other AI tools that bring previously outsourced skill sets in-house, or are using multi-agent systems that collaborate to achieve a goal or execute complex workflows. Their company plans to moderately or extensively incorporate agents into its AI strategy over the next 12–18 months.
Phil Barry ’54, who dedicated over 60 years of his life to the University of Connecticut as a student, Division of Athletics administrator, and later as a member of the Board of Trustees, passed away June 14 at the age of 96.
Born Philip Paul Barry in Willimantic on March 30, 1929, to the late Patrick and Rosa (Giraca) Barry, he leaves his beloved wife of 68 years, Lena (Gray) Barry, of Brooklyn, Conn. A lifelong resident of eastern Connecticut, Barry was a friend to all, a dedicated family man, loyal associate, and collaborator to organize good times.
Phil Barry (Contributed photo)
A 1947 graduate of Windham High School, he was class president of his freshman and senior classes. He excelled in sports – particularly basketball and baseball.
Barry enrolled at UConn and his academic career was interrupted by service in the United States Army, in which he completed officer training for two years during the Korean War. Following his military discharge, he graduated from UConn in 1954 and worked for two years at the former Willimantic Trust Company, where he met his wife when she came in to cash her nursing payroll checks.
Barry was hired in the UConn Division of Athletics as ticket manager and worked for 31 years in the department. His career in athletics progressed to business manager and later assistant to the director of athletics. In August 1970, he was named assistant director of athletics and in 1983 was named associate director of athletics for operations, before retiring in 1987. At UConn, he served on many search committees to fill staff and team coaching vacancies.
Barry served as the first treasurer of the Big East Conference at the league’s inception in 1979 and was also secretary-treasurer of the Yankee Conference.
He was active for many years in the Collegiate Athletic Business Management Association, serving that national group as president in 1974 and being named National Athletic Business Manager of the Year in 1975.
Following retirement, Barry was a member of UConn’s Board of Trustees from 2001-09 and the Board of Directors of the UConn Alumni Association. Barry was elected and served two terms as a member of the Mansfield Town Council. During his tenure, he focused on the Downtown Storrs project and worked to foster closer ties between the Town of Mansfield and UConn.
Phil Barry accepts the National Athletic Business Manager of the Year Award in 1975 from the College Athletic Business Managers Association. (Contributed photo)
In the community, Barry had many interests, including membership in the Willimantic Country Club, Elks Club, and Irish Club of Willimantic. He was one of the last living members of Roy’s Boys – a dedicated group of Willimantic area baseball players who benefited as teens under the guidance and teaching of Willimantic YMCA Director Roy Dissinger.
Barry was predeceased by his brother, John (Eloise) Barry; his sister, Pauline (Ben) Nault; and his son-in-law, John Geissler. In addition to his wife, Lena, Phil leaves four children: Patricia Geissler, David (Lori) Barry, Douglas (Pamela) Barry, and Daniel (Julie) Barry. He had nine grandchildren, which include Kristin (Phillippe and their children, Daysia, Mariah, and Devin), Alyssa (Michael), Sean, Nikki, Jessica, Anna, Emma, Ryan, and Bradley.
Barry’s family will receive relatives and friends Tuesday, July 1, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 7p.m. at First Baptist Church of Mansfield, 945 Storrs Road, Storrs. A memorial service will be celebrated Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Mansfield in Storrs. The family invites those attending to wear UConn blue and white.
The family would like to thank the kind and compassionate staff at Creamery Brook and Pierce Home in Brooklyn for its extraordinary care since 2019. Donations may be made in Barry’s honor to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Pierce Memorial Baptist Home Recreation Fund (checks made payable to PMBH, noting Recreation), 44 Canterbury Road, Brooklyn, CT 06234.
BILLINGS — In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced yesterday that it has reinvigorated efforts to protect American seniors from transnational schemes that cost seniors billions of dollars, often stealing their life savings. In the past few weeks alone, DOJ prosecutors have arrested and filed cases against foreign fraudsters and domestic actors who have knowingly facilitated foreign-based crimes.
“Our office will continue to vigorously prosecute those who would exploit our elderly friends, neighbors, and family members. We appreciate the efforts of our federal, state, local, and tribal partners to identify elder abuse in all its forms, physical, psychological, and financial. But we also need everyone’s help by checking on older adults, especially those with few family members close by, and watching for signs and abuse or unusual financial transactions. U.S. Attorney Alme said.
The DOJ is highlighting a number of recent prosecutions, including one here in Montana, to protect American seniors. These include cases against those who engage in, and knowingly facilitate, romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. Romance fraud is a confidence scheme where a perpetrator feigns romantic interest with a victim only to later extract money or property under false pretenses. Lottery fraud schemes trick victims into believing they have won a non-existent lottery or sweepstakes prize in order to extract fake fees, taxes, or other fabricated charges from the victim. Tech support fraud scams involve perpetrators tricking victims into believing that their computer or phone has a problem, often through fake pop-up messages, and to later seek funds from the victims in order to “fix” the “problem.” Grandparent scams, another type of confidence scheme, involve scammers impersonating a grandchild or close family member who experiences a fictitious emergency and needs money from the victim as soon as possible.
Victims face many challenges in financially recovering from fraud schemes—and that is even more true for elderly victims. Many retired seniors are no longer earning income and cannot count on market appreciation to grow their retirement savings. Perpetrators may have already spent or forwarded victim funds beyond the reach of United States law enforcement. Victims may not have the resources to pursue legal action or hire legal representation. These, and other reasons, make it critically important that the DOJ work hard to achieve substantial victim restitution in cases we investigate and prosecute.
National Elder Fraud Hotline 2025 WEAAD Campaign
The National Elder Fraud Hotline is a free, national resource for older adults and their loved ones experiencing financial fraud. Supported by the DOJ Office for Victims of Crime, the National Elder Fraud Hotline is staffed by professionals who have experience working with older adults. Staff are continuously updated on the latest scams, are trained to make referrals and warm hand-offs for resources and services in the older adult’s local area and can assist older adults in placing a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), a report which has the potential to freeze funds (although freezing funds cannot be guaranteed).
The DOJ urges individuals to be on the lookout for fraudulent lottery, prize notification, sweepstakes, and psychic scams. If you receive a phone call, letter or email promising a large prize in exchange for a fee, do not respond. Fraudsters often will use official-sounding names or the names of real lotteries or sweepstakes or pretend to be a government agent purportedly helping to secure a prize.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This DOJ hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.
More information about the DOJ’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or at 877-FTC-HELP. The DOJ provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.
The DOJ notes that for all cases discussed above, facts included in a Complaint, Information, or Indictment are only allegations, and all defendants are innocent until proven guilty by evidence beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) led a team of international experts to collect samples today of ALPS treated water stored at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) prior to the water’s dilution with seawater and its discharge to the sea.
The sampling mission is the fourth under the additional measures, which focus on expanding international participation and transparency. These measures permit third parties to independently verify that water discharge which Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) – operator of the FDNPS – began in August 2023 continues to be consistent with international safety standards.
International experts from Belgium, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and Switzerland, along with IAEA staff, conducted hands-on sampling of the water stored in tanks designated for the 14th batch of ALPS-treated water to be discharged.
The IAEA initiated the first practical steps of the additional measures in October last year. This fourth mission follows the mission in April which sampled diluted water just prior to its discharge into the sea, and a mission in February when IAEA Director General Grossi presided over the additional measures to collect seawater samples in the vicinity of FDNPS.
The samples collected in today’s mission will be analysed by the participating laboratories – the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, the China Institute of Atomic Energy, the Korean Institute for Nuclear Safety, the Institute for Problems of Environmental Monitoring of the Research and Production Association “Typhoon” in Russia and the Spiez Laboratory in Switzerland – as well as by the IAEA’s laboratory and TEPCO in Japan. All laboratories are members of the IAEA’s Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental Radioactivity (ALMERA) network, which are selected for their high level of expertise and analytical proficiency.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi during the high-level event on combatting marine pollution at the United Nations Conference in Nice, France (Photo: E. McDonald/IAEA)
The IAEA highlighted the role of nuclear science in protecting our oceans at the 2025 United Nations Oceans Conference held last week in Nice, France.
Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the conference convened over 10,000 participants, including scientists, diplomats and politicians, to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It aimed to accelerate progress towards SDG14, Life Below Water, through innovative technologies and action. The IAEA took center stage at the event to share how nuclear technology is boosting ocean health and tackling critical threats such as marine plastic pollution.
The IAEA organized and participated in more than a dozen events at the conference, and on research vessels in the Port of Nice. Experts from the IAEA’s Marine Environment Laboratories in Monaco highlighted how isotopic tools can help monitor and reduce plastic pollution in the ocean.
Plastic waste is not only infiltrating our oceans, but also the human body in the form of microplastics. Without urgent action, the amount of plastic entering the ocean each year could reach 37 million metric tons by 2040, according to UN estimates, becoming a threat to marine and human life.
Plastic pollution featured prominently throughout the conference, with a focus on the ongoing negotiations for the development of an internationally legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. The negotiations for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-led treaty are expected to conclude later this year in Geneva, following five previous sessions.
At the conference, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi spoke about the IAEA’s work to combat plastic pollution and emphasized the need to share data data between scientists, policymakers and environmental agencies.
“Four years ago, at the last UN Ocean Conference, I announced NUTEC Plastics, an initiative that gives countries the tools they need to address the issue of marine microplastic pollution. Today, I am delighted to report that we have made significant progress with 99 countries involved, and we have been equipping more than 100 Member State laboratories all over the world. We are building the capacity that countries need to translate data into policies and action.”
NUTEC Plastics is an IAEA flagship initiative that supports countries in researching microplastics and using nuclear techniques to improve recycling techniques.
Director of the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories Florence Descroix-Comanducci (left), highlighted the work of the IAEA’s Marine environment laboratories at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in France (Photo: E.McDonald/IAEA)
“Nuclear and isotopic techniques add incredible value to boost ocean health,” said Florence Descroix-Comanducci, Director of the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories. “Our laboratories in Monaco support Member States in the implementation and use of these techniques, and to develop harmonized methods to generate globally comparable data, especially in light of the forthcoming plastics treaty.”
At events organized by the IAEA, panelists highlighted the need to address the top of the plastic life cycle to prevent further pollution, employing a “source to sea approach” to reduce marine litter and, by extension, marine plastic pollution. “Our metrics on marine litter are moving in the right direction,” said Martin Adams, Head of the Environment Department at the European Environment Agency. “Timely and relevant data are increasingly important, but we don’t need to know everything. We just need to know enough to act.” Other events organized by the IAEA focused on ocean-based carbon dioxide removal, ocean acidification, IAEA support for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and nuclear energy and ocean health.
The IAEA’s unique expertise in nuclear applications is contributing to both mitigations, by using radiation technology for waste recycling, and monitoring, by using isotopic techniques to monitor and assess impacts of microplastic pollution. Through the NUTEC Plastics initiative, 99 countries are participating in marine monitoring of microplastics, and 52 around the world are developing innovative recycling technology.
The International High-Level Forum on NUTEC Plastics, organized by the IAEA on 25–26 November 2025, in Manila, Philippines, will highlight the progress achieved to date, address current challenges, and chart course to strengthen regional and international cooperation in the sustainable management of plastic waste through innovative nuclear technologies.
The 6th Mainland-Hong Kong-Macao Postal Summit was held in Hong Kong today where representatives from the three places engaged in business exchanges and in-depth discussions on key topics.
Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau delivered opening remarks at the summit.
State Post Bureau Director General Zhao Chongjiu, China Post Group Co Chairman Liu Aili, Macao Post & Telecommunications Bureau Director Lau Wai Meng, and Postmaster General Leonia Tai gave speeches respectively, and joined Mr Yau in officiating at the summit’s opening ceremony.
Seven important consensus were reached at the meeting, including collaboratively ensuring service support for the 15th National Games and jointly launching special products.
In his opening remarks, Mr Yau said it is highly significant for the postal summit to be held in Hong Kong for the first time. Under the leadership of the State Post Bureau, the summit provides a sustainable and effective platform for the postal services of the three places to deepen communication and co-operation, enhance policy co-ordination and resource sharing, and promote integration and exchange in postal development.
The Development Bureau (DEVB) and works departments bagged nine Martin Barnes Awards, including two prestigious winner awards.
An award ceremony was held yesterday in London, the UK, where Hong Kong won nine awards from the 27 awards in eight categories among 80 entries worldwide.
Hong Kong earned two of the prestigious winner awards. While the Water Supplies Department received one for the Climate Change Initiative category for the implementation of Shek Wu Hui Water Reclamation Plant, the other award, for the Distinguished Contribution category, was given to Deputy Secretary for Development (Works) Tony Ho in recognition of his outstanding performance in promoting the application of the New Engineering Contract (NEC) in construction projects over the years.
Apart from the two winner awards, the DEVB, the Civil Engineering & Development, the Drainage Services, the Electrical & Mechanical Services and the Highways departments also received accolades for several notable NEC entries.
While sending her congratulations to the project teams on their impressive achievements, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn highlighted that the DEVB and works departments have been committed to promoting collaborative partnerships in the delivery of public works projects through the adoption of the NEC form, enhancing mutual trust and co-operation among different industry stakeholders.
“Such collaborative partnerships help accomplish the primary goals of project management and enhance management efficiency and cost-effectiveness of projects. The awards fully demonstrate that their efforts and accomplishments have been recognised internationally.”
Introduced by the DEVB for public works projects in the city in 2009, the NEC form embraces a collaborative partnership between clients and contractors, thereby enhancing project performance.
As of today, more than 760 public works contracts, with a total value of over $510 billion, have adopted the NEC form.
A prestigious honour in the industry, the Martin Barnes Awards are presented by the New Engineering Contract Users’ Group under the UK Institution of Civil Engineers. The awards recognise construction projects, organisations and individuals worldwide that have demonstrated excellence in project delivery through collaborative partnership.
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. (Xinhua)
ASTANA, June 17 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said that cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan holds great potential, urging the two countries to scale up trade and investment and expand cooperation in emerging sectors.
Xi made the remarks in a meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in the Kazakh capital of Astana.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 33 years ago, China-Kyrgyzstan relations have achieved leapfrog development and are now at their best in history, Xi noted.
The Chinese president recalled that he held a fruitful meeting with Japarov in Beijing in February, where they reached a series of important consensuses that have injected new and strong impetus into bilateral cooperation.
China is ready to work with Kyrgyzstan to continuously deepen the alignment of development strategies, continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, and safeguard common and long-term interests of both sides, he said.
Xi urged the two sides to deepen financial cooperation, improve connectivity networks and advance the high-quality construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.
He also called on the two sides to foster new drivers of growth in clean energy, green minerals and artificial intelligence, enhance communication in fields such as culture, tourism, education and health, and implement more projects that benefit the people.
Noting that China and Kyrgyzstan are both beneficiaries of economic globalization, he called on the two sides to jointly oppose unilateralism, firmly safeguard the international economic and trade order, and promote a more just and equitable global governance system.
Noting that the two sides will successively assume the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and host summits, Xi said that China is willing to work with Kyrgyzstan to support each other and jointly promote the greater development of the SCO.
For his part, Japarov said that under the outstanding leadership of President Xi, China has strived forward on the path of prosperity and strength, achieving great accomplishments and playing a crucial guiding role on the international stage.
The Kyrgyz side attaches great importance to the development of relations with China and cherishes the strategic partnership built on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and good-neighborly friendship, Japarov said.
On issues concerning China’s core interests, the Kyrgyz side, he said, firmly supports China’s stance, adheres to the one-China principle, opposes all forms of “Taiwan independence,” and opposes any interference by external forces in China’s internal affairs.
Noting that China is Kyrgyzstan’s largest trading and investment partner, Japarov said the Kyrgyz side welcomes more Chinese enterprises to do business in Kyrgyzstan, stands ready to work with China to jointly advance such projects as the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, strengthen cooperation in energy, green minerals and other fields, and better benefit the peoples of both countries.
Japarov said the Kyrgyz side actively supports the three major global initiatives proposed by President Xi and is ready to work with China to jointly implement them.
Kyrgyzstan will closely coordinate and cooperate with China within the United Nations, the SCO and the China-Central Asia mechanism to promote regional and global security, stability, development and prosperity, he added.
Following the meeting, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents covering agriculture, customs, science and technology, media and other fields.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)
ASTANA, June 17 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said China is willing to work with Turkmenistan to fully unlock the potential for cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and win-win collaboration.
Xi made the remarks in a meeting with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in the Kazakh capital of Astana.
Xi urged China and Turkmenistan to scale up natural gas cooperation, expand cooperation in non-resource fields and optimize trade structure. He called on the two sides to accelerate the establishment of cultural centers in each other’s countries and promote people-to-people connectivity.
Xi said that China supports Turkmenistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Tao)
ASTANA, June 17 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on China and Tajikistan to expand the scale of bilateral trade and investment.
Xi made the remarks in a meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in the Kazakh capital of Astana.
Xi recalled that during his visit to Tajikistan last year, he and Rahmon jointly announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era between China and Tajikistan, and made new plans and arrangements for all-round cooperation between the two countries.
He said the two sides should promptly implement them, deliver more practical results, and advance the high-quality construction of the China-Tajikistan community with a shared future.
Xi emphasized that China is a trustworthy neighbor and partner of Tajikistan and firmly supports Tajikistan in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and security.
China and Tajikistan should give full play to the role of the strategic dialogue mechanism between the two countries’ foreign ministers, and coordinate and advance cooperation in various fields, said Xi.
The two countries should expand the scale of bilateral trade and investment, further speed up the construction of transportation infrastructure projects, and continuously promote connectivity, he said.
The role of the Confucius Institutes, Luban Workshop and Center for Traditional Medicine should be fully leveraged, while the “Chinese Culture Day” to be held this autumn in Tajikistan should be well organized, Xi said.
He stressed that China and Tajikistan should further strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation and step up efforts to crack down on terrorism, separatism and extremism.
The two countries share common interests in safeguarding multilateralism and defending international economic and trade order, Xi said, calling on both sides to enhance coordination and collaboration within multilateral mechanisms including the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism.
China supports Tajikistan to play an important role in global climate governance, Xi added.
For his part, Rahmon said China, under the strong leadership of President Xi, has achieved significant economic and social development accomplishments, and played an important role in international affairs.
He noted that Xi’s historical visit to Tajikistan last year has opened up new prospects for bilateral ties, and elevated the strategic cooperation between Tajikistan and China to a new level, adding that both sides are actively implementing the outcomes of the visit while cooperation in various fields is flourishing.
The Tajik side, he said, is ready to maintain close high-level exchanges with China and enhance strategic communication.
He also said that Tajikistan is willing to strengthen cooperation in traditional fields such as trade, investment, agriculture and infrastructure construction, and expand cooperation in emerging fields like new energy, green industries and artificial intelligence.
Tajikistan is ready to work with China to promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, ensure “Chinese Culture Day” a success, and deepen cooperation in law enforcement and security, Rahmon said.
He also called on both sides to strengthen coordination and cooperation so that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the China-Central Asia mechanism can play a bigger role.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
ASTANA, June 17 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Tuesday that all related parties should work to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East as soon as possible and avoid further escalation.
Xi made the remarks during his meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in the Kazakh capital of Astana.
Xi said China is deeply worried as Israel’s military operation against Iran has caused a sudden escalation of tensions in the Middle East, adding that China opposes any actions that infringe upon sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of other countries.
He said military conflicts are not the solution to problems, and the escalation of regional situations is not in the common interests of the international community.
Xi said China is ready to work with all parties to play a constructive role in restoring peace and stability in the Middle East.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)