Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MOFA announces one-year extension of trial visa-free entry for nationals of New Southbound Policy partner countries Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines from August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026
Date：2025-06-14
Data Source：Bureau of Consular Affairs
June 14, 2025
In line with efforts to promote the New Southbound Policy (NSP), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) convened a meeting on April 16 with relevant government agencies on further improving visa measures for nationals of NSP partner countries traveling to Taiwan. The meeting conducted a comprehensive review of existing visa and entry measures, focusing on the trial visa-free entry program for nationals of Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines; the Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries; and conditional visa-free entry through the Online Application for R.O.C. (Taiwan) Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC) scheme for nationals of Southeast Asian countries.
After evaluating the effectiveness of the above measures over the past years, participating agencies decided to extend the trial visa-free entry program for one year for nationals of Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026. In addition, the Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries will be extended for a further year through December 31, 2026, and the conditional visa-free entry through the TAC scheme will remain in place.
MOFA will continue to review and fine-tune visa policies, with a view to strengthening bilateral relations and attracting more visitors while ensuring border and public security. MOFA will also continue to communicate with the governments of related countries to enhance visa treatment for Taiwan nationals and make their overseas travel more convenient.
CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong arrived in Hong Kong this evening.
Mr Xia will attend the 5th Anniversary of Promulgation & Implementation of Hong Kong National Security Law Forum organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government on June 21. He will also take the opportunity to inspect the latest economic and social developments of Hong Kong.
Upon arrival in Hong Kong, Mr Xia went to Government House to meet Chief Executive John Lee and heads of the executive authorities, the legislature and the judiciary, and had exchanges with senior officials of the Hong Kong SAR Government.
Mr Lee expressed gratitude to Mr Xia for his continued concern and support for Hong Kong. He also extended his warmest welcome to Mr Xia on his visit to Hong Kong for the forum and inspection.
Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law today visited the Shanghai Museum on People’s Square and a CPC memorial hall, met Shanghai Administration of Sports Director Xu Bin, and attended the WestK Shanghai Week 2025 opening ceremony and dinner.
At the Shanghai Museum on People’s Square, Miss Law was given a guided tour of the exhibition, “On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt”, and met Shanghai Museum Deputy Director Huang He who shared his experiences in developing and designing creative products.
At a working lunch with Mr Xu, Miss Law shared Hong Kong’s progress and achievements in promoting sports development.
Miss Law hoped through today’s exchange to learn from Shanghai’s experiences in hosting the same events and further improve the preparatory work for the 15th National Games, and the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities & the 9th National Special Olympic Games.
In the afternoon, she visited the Memorial Hall of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China and met the memorial’s Party Committee Secretary and Director Xue Feng.
Noting that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is setting up a museum on the country’s developments and achievements, and preparing shows related to the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, Miss Law said she intended to seek guidance through the visit.
In the evening, the culture chief attended the WestK Shanghai Week 2025 opening ceremony and dinner.
Addressing the event, she said the WestK Shanghai Week, kick-started today by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA), is the first time a series of exhibitions and performing arts programmes and cultural exchange activities have been brought outside Hong Kong.
This is not only an important milestone of the Hong Kong SAR Government driving top-notch arts, cultural and creative programmes to go global, but also attracts local and overseas visitors to Hong Kong, she added.
In the morning, Miss Law visited the “WestK x MANNER” limited-edition art collaboration themed store, jointly rolled out by the WKCDA and Shanghai’s beloved coffee brand MANNER COFFEE.
On Tuesday, upon arrival, she had a working lunch with representatives of the Shanghai Shendi Group management to exchange information on the latest tourism situation in Shanghai and Hong Kong as well as toured the Shanghai Disney Resort to learn about its operation and development.
In a nationwide show of unity and enthusiasm, Gram Panchayats across India are preparing to make the upcoming International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025 a historic grassroots celebration. This momentum follows a personal appeal from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, in a letter addressed to Gram Pradhans, urged them to spearhead community-level participation and integrate yoga into daily life.
“Yoga has positively transformed lives not only in India but across the world,” the Prime Minister wrote, emphasizing the transformative impact of yoga and the importance of making it a collective practice. This year’s IDY also marks a decade of its observance on the global stage, making it a significant milestone in India’s cultural and wellness journey.
The theme for IDY 2025, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” reflects the interconnectedness of individual health, community well-being, and environmental balance. PM Modi described yoga as a timeless part of India’s heritage and a vital tool for achieving a balanced and harmonious life.
Across the country, panchayats are taking up the Prime Minister’s call with fervour. Villages are organising regular yoga sessions, public demonstrations of the Common Yoga Protocol, and community outreach events in schools, anganwadis, health centres, and open public spaces. These efforts aim to make IDY 2025 a jan-andolan—a people’s movement that reaches every corner of rural India.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, praised the collective spirit of the nation. He noted that the overwhelming response from Gram Panchayats demonstrated the inspiring influence of Prime Minister Modi. “His heartfelt call has transformed IDY into a mass movement, with villages across the country embracing yoga as a vital part of rural life,” the Minister said.
In Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur district, Om Prakash Yadav, Sarpanch of Pariyari village, shared that the Prime Minister’s letter had a profound impact on his community. Motivated by the message, the village initiated weekly yoga sessions at the Panchayat Bhavan and introduced yoga competitions for school children. A special ‘Yoga Yatra’ was also organised to foster awareness and unity.
In Madhya Pradesh, Sunil Kumar W, Gram Pradhan of Bandakpur in Damoh district, expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister’s initiative, calling it a historic moment for rural India. He shared that the panchayat is preparing a large community yoga session under the Common Yoga Protocol, accompanied by an awareness campaign to ensure every household is informed and involved.
Similarly, in Khera Kursi village of Kanpur Dehat, Uttar Pradesh, Sarpanch Pawani Mishra expressed pride and appreciation for the Prime Minister’s outreach. Inspired by the letter, the panchayat established an open-air yoga site in their hilly terrain, which now hosts daily sessions. Women’s groups have also launched campaigns promoting the theme “Health is Wealth,” while schools have conducted painting and essay competitions on Prosperity through Yoga’ to engage children.
In his message, the Prime Minister urged Gram Pradhans to ensure inclusive participation, encouraging involvement from children, youth, women, and the elderly alike. He expressed confidence that these grassroots efforts would make yoga a household practice and turn IDY 2025 into a deeply meaningful national celebration.
MOFA extends condolences following plane accident in India
Date：2025-06-12 Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
June 12, 2025No. 205On June 12, Air India flight 171 crashed shortly after taking off from the airport in Ahmedabad in western India. On behalf of the people and government of Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) promptly conveyed condolences to the India-Taipei Association and instructed the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in India to also express sympathies to India’s Ministry of External Affairs. In addition, TECC in India and TECC in Mumbai, after contacting relevant Indian agencies, have so far determined that no Taiwanese nationals were on the accident flight. MOFA and its missions in India will continue to closely follow developments, maintain contact with Indian agencies, and provide necessary assistance in a timely manner.Taiwanese nationals visiting India who require emergency assistance may call the hotlines of TECC in India (+91-9810642658), TECC in Mumbai (+91-8850842243), or TECC in Chennai (+91-9600099511). They may also ask friends or family in Taiwan to call the MOFA emergency hotline (0800-085-095). (E)
MOFA response to joint statement by leaders of Japan and Finland emphasizing importance of Taiwan Strait peace and stability
Date：2025-06-12 Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
June 12, 2025Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Finnish President Alexander Stubb met in Tokyo on June 11. In a joint statement, they said that Japan and Finland strongly opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the South and East China Seas by force or coercion, emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element in the security and prosperity of the international community, and encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues.This is the first time that the leaders of Japan and Finland have expressed their high concern for Taiwan Strait peace in a joint statement. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung welcomes this concrete action by Japan and Finland to support peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and appreciates Japan and other like-minded nations continuing to call the international community’s attention to the Taiwan Strait situation during international gatherings, including the US-Japan leaders’ summit in February, the meeting between Prime Minister Ishiba and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in April, and Japan’s summit meetings with Latvia and Guatemala in May. This shows the high degree of consensus and common interest that the international community has for maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hopes that democracies around the world will continue to take preventative action and countermeasures to stop the expansion of authoritarianism from posing a threat to regional peace and stability and challenging the rules-based global democratic order. Taiwan will uphold the ideals of integrated diplomacy as it continues to deepen cooperation with friends and allies, jointly advancing peace, stability, and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific region and around the globe.
MOFA announces one-year extension of trial visa-free entry for nationals of New Southbound Policy partner countries Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines from August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026
Date：2025-06-14 Data Source：Bureau of Consular Affairs
June 14, 2025In line with efforts to promote the New Southbound Policy (NSP), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) convened a meeting on April 16 with relevant government agencies on further improving visa measures for nationals of NSP partner countries traveling to Taiwan. The meeting conducted a comprehensive review of existing visa and entry measures, focusing on the trial visa-free entry program for nationals of Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines; the Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries; and conditional visa-free entry through the Online Application for R.O.C. (Taiwan) Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC) scheme for nationals of Southeast Asian countries.After evaluating the effectiveness of the above measures over the past years, participating agencies decided to extend the trial visa-free entry program for one year for nationals of Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026. In addition, the Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries will be extended for a further year through December 31, 2026, and the conditional visa-free entry through the TAC scheme will remain in place.MOFA will continue to review and fine-tune visa policies, with a view to strengthening bilateral relations and attracting more visitors while ensuring border and public security. MOFA will also continue to communicate with the governments of related countries to enhance visa treatment for Taiwan nationals and make their overseas travel more convenient.
Foreign Minister Lin presents Friendship Medal of Diplomacy to former French Senator Gattolin
Date：2025-06-16 Data Source：Department of European Affairs
June 16, 2025 No. 211
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung presented the Friendship Medal of Diplomacy to former French Senator André Gattolin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on the morning of June 16 in recognition of his long-standing efforts to promote Taiwan-France relations and his staunch support of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.
In his speech, Minister Lin stated that Mr. Gattolin had long been a good friend of Taiwan in the French Senate, sparing no effort to speak up for Taiwan over the years. He pointed out that during the COVID-19 outbreak of 2020, Mr. Gattolin had taken the lead in bringing together a total of 110 members from both chambers of the French Parliament to sign an open letter calling for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization, helping Taiwan gain widespread recognition in France and paving the way for the first passage of resolutions supportive of Taiwan in 2021 by both chambers.
He also mentioned that Mr. Gattolin had worked with French parliamentarians friendly to Taiwan to facilitate the adoption of the seven-year Military Programming Law in 2023, reiterating France’s continued defense of freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait. He added that during Mr. Gattolin’s tenure as French cochair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) in 2020, he had enthusiastically encouraged French parliamentarians to participate in various IPAC initiatives. On behalf of MOFA, Minister Lin extended sincere appreciation to Mr. Gattolin for having actively deepened Taiwan-France relations and expressed hope that he would continue to leverage his influence to further this bilateral friendship.
Mr. Gattolin said in his remarks that the honor of receiving the medal was not only a recognition of him personally but also a commendation of the French Senate’s Taiwan Friendship Group. He observed that the French Parliament’s support for Taiwan had continued to expand, noting that the Senate’s Taiwan Friendship Group had grown to over 60 members and that they continued to exhort the French government to attach greater importance to Taiwan. He stated that he was profoundly pleased to have been able to facilitate the training of Taiwan’s Olympic and Paralympic teams in his electoral district of Levallois-Perret last year. And as current vice chair of the IPAC Alumni Council, Mr. Gattolin affirmed that he continued to pay close attention to the situation across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.
Deputy Director of the French Office in Taipei Cléa Le Cardeur, former Minister of Taiwan’s Council for Cultural Affairs Tchen Yu-chiou, and Chair of the Egret Cultural and Educational Foundation Lu Chia-hui attended the award ceremony and offered their congratulations. The atmosphere was heartfelt and earnest. (E)
Headline: Strengthen business resilience with Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop
Build a future-ready IT strategy with secure, scalable cloud solutions
In the face of today’s complex and interconnected work ecosystems, resilience isn’t just a safeguard; it’s a strategic imperative for IT leaders driving sustainable transformation. True resilience means building an environment that proactively minimizes disruptions through robust systems, secured architectures and operational foresight. Resilience means an organization can anticipate, respond and recover swiftly, maintaining continuity without compromise. Security plays a foundational role in this approach.
That’s why cloud-powered solutions such as Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop are essential; they empower organizations to build resilience from the ground up. By enabling secure and scalable Windows experiences, these services help minimize disruptions, support flexible work and protect business continuity. Whether it’s seamless access to apps and data or built-in security and compliance, customers rely on these solutions to stay productive and protected, no matter where or how they work.
Building on that foundation, we’re introducing new experiences across Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop, each designed to strengthen organizational resilience through simplified, secured and flexible Windows solutions.
And to make it easier for organizations to take the first step, new customers can take advantage of a limited-time 20% discount on all Windows 365 plans. Visit Windows 365 todayto take advantage of the 20% promotional offer.
Introducing Windows 365 Reserve: uninterrupted access, secured and ready when users need it
Unexpected disruptions such as a lost, stolen, delayed or malfunctioning device can bring productivity to a halt and lead to considerable financial and operational losses. A recent study, which surveyed 1,000 ITDMs across a range of industries, highlighted the impact on business operations caused by device thefts and resulting data breaches. Seventy-six percent of those surveyed reported having been impacted by incidents of device theft in the last two years, with 33% reporting they were subjected to legal or regulatory consequences due to compromised data and 32% citing disruption to employee productivity. 1
With Windows 365 Reserve, a new offering from Microsoft, employees can have instant access to a temporary, pre-configured Cloud PC when their primary device is unavailable. Windows 365 Reserve provides a secure, cloud-hosted Windows desktop that looks and feels like a physical PC, and is accessible from any device, anywhere, so employees can continue being productive.
Device disruptions are more than an inconvenience — they’re a business risk that can lead to lost revenue, delayed service and reduced employee productivity.
Windows 365 Reserve helps mitigate these risks by enabling:
Business continuity during device loss, theft, delivery delays or outages
Temporary access for onboarding, remote work delays or testing new OS/app configurations
Faster recovery from disruptions, reducing downtime and IT burden
Windows 365 Reserve isn’t your traditional virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution — it’s a modern, secured and scalable offering designed for any type of worker across the entire organization to stay uninterrupted and productive, without the hassle or cost of managing cumbersome loaner PCs, temporary backup PC solutions or legacy VDI access. Each Reserve Cloud PC is preloaded with Microsoft 365 apps,2 corporate settings and security policies — ensuring data protection and compliance. IT teams can manage both physical and Cloud PCs — including these new Reserve Cloud PCs — through Microsoft Intune, streamlining endpoint oversight and reducing complexity. And because users can connect to their Reserve Cloud PC within minutes from any device using the Windows App or a browser to access the Windows 11 experience, there is minimal disruption to their workflow and business continuity.
Windows 365 Reserve will soon be available for preview. Complete this form or contact your Microsoft account team to express interest in participating in the preview.
Windows 365 Cloud Apps: app streaming without the full desktop
Now in private preview, Windows 365 Cloud Apps let organizations deliver secure access to individual apps hosted on Cloud PCs, without requiring a dedicated Cloud PC for every user. Windows 365 Cloud Apps are a great fit for enterprise customers whether they’re experienced with VDI or just starting their cloud journey. They also give IT teams more flexibility to support a range of user needs and scenarios, while maintaining centralized control. Organizations can use Windows 365 Cloud Apps to:
Streamline app delivery for frontline, seasonal or remote workers
Provide information workers with the line of business apps they require
Simplify management with Windows 365 and Microsoft Intune integration
Accelerate migration from on-premises VDI to the cloud
Windows 365 Cloud Apps will soon be available for preview. Complete this form or contact your Microsoft account team to express interest in participating in the preview.
Windows 365 Link: purpose-built Cloud PC device gets even better
Windows 365 Link — the first Cloud PC device purpose-built by Microsoft for Windows 365 — became generally available in select markets in April 2025 and is expanding to more markets later this year. To make the experience of using Windows 365 Link even better, we are excited to introduce the following updates:
Connection Center: access multiple Cloud PCs with ease
The Connection Center makes accessing multiple Cloud PCs from a Windows 365 Link simple and intuitive. For users with more than one Cloud PC and no default set, the Connection Center prompts them to choose the Cloud PC they want to use right at sign-in. This means less confusion and more control.
The Connection Center also empowers users with self-service tools to reboot, restore and manage their Cloud PCs without needing IT support. If something goes wrong, people can quickly access troubleshooting options — minimizing downtime and boosting productivity.
This experience is now generally available, and starting mid-July, the Connection Center can also be launched from the Ctrl+Alt+Delete screen, making it even more accessible.
Connection Center showing multiple Cloud PCs after sign-in
Enhanced multi-monitor support for a more flexible Windows 365 Link experience
For users who rely on multiple monitors to stay productive, Windows 365 Link now offers expanded display settings — available in preview. Users can easily configure duplicate or extend monitors, giving them the flexibility to mirror their screen or expand their workspace across displays.
We have also added intuitive controls to adjust resolution, scale and orientation — all fully integrated into the Cloud PC settings. That means they can personalize their display setup directly from the familiar Display Settings menu, just like on a local PC.
With these latest updates, Windows 365 Link makes it even easier to work more efficiently, multitask seamlessly and tailor your Cloud PC experience to meet your unique workflows.
Accessing display settings for Windows 365 Link
Making sign-in even easier with NFC reader support
We have heard from customers that using near-field communication (NFC) readers helps streamline the Windows sign-in experience — especially in environments where speed and security are critical. That is why, based on your feedback, we introduced preview support for NFC readers for FIDO2 security keys with the launch of Windows 365 Link in April 2025. Today, we’re excited to announce that NFC reader support is now generally available. Users can simply tap their FIDO2 security key on a USB NFC reader and enter their PIN to sign in. This enhancement helps organizations improve both security posture and user productivity, especially in shared device or frontline scenarios. To learn more, check out the documentation.
To purchase Windows 365 Link for desk-based and frontline users in your organization, contact your Microsoft account team or select resellers in Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. We continue to expand availability to new markets, including Denmark, France, India, Netherlands and Sweden, with Switzerland anticipated later this year.
Cross-region Disaster Recovery is available for Windows 365 Frontline
Disaster recovery is a critical consideration for any IT desktop strategy. When it comes to virtualization, most organizations consider disaster recovery a primary objective. Since its introduction, Windows 365 has provided robust business continuity and disaster recovery options. Whether for compliance requirements, natural disasters, technical failure or human error, putting greater distance between your primary and backup environments can add an extra sense of security and peace of mind to any IT desktop strategy.
On July 1, 2024, we introduced Cross-region Disaster Recovery, an add-on feature for Windows 365 Enterprise that creates “snapshots” of Cloud PCs. These snapshots are placed in customer-defined, geographically distant locations, and they can be recovered to Cloud PCs running in the selected location during a disaster recovery event.
Today, we are excited to announce Cross-region Disaster Recovery is available in public preview as an add-on for Windows 365 Frontline. Now, in addition to Windows 365 Enterprise users, any user assigned to a dedicated Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PC will also be shielded against regional outages. If you’re interested in signing up for the public preview, please use this form. To learn more, read Cross-region Disaster Recovery in Windows 365 | Microsoft Learn.
Secure by default: New security settings for Windows 365 Cloud PCs
New default security settings are available for new and newly reprovisioned Cloud PCs. These updates mean Cloud PCs are more secure by default and include:
Disabling select redirections, such as USB and clipboard, making it easier for organizations to protect their data
Enabling additional security controls, including virtualization-based security, to better protect against credential theft and kernel-level exploits
These updates are part of Microsoft’s commitment to making our products more secure by default, one of the core principles of our Secure Future Initiative.
Powering high-performance scenarios: GPU support now available in HP Anyware for Windows 365
We’re expanding our collaboration with HP Anyware to support GPU-enabled Windows 365 Enterprise Cloud PCs, now in preview. This integration brings the power of PC-over-IP (PCoIP) — a protocol known for delivering high-definition, low-latency performance — to Windows 365, making it ideal for graphics-intensive workloads such as 3D modeling, video editing and data visualization.
With HP Anyware for Windows 365, users can securely access their Cloud PCs through a familiar digital workspace, while IT admins benefit from simplified deployment and management with Intune — no additional gateways or network reconfiguration required.
To learn more or join the public preview of HP Anyware for Windows 365 GPU-enabled Enterprise Cloud PCs, contact your Microsoft account team or sign up to be notified.
Bridge legacy and modern app delivery: App-V support now available for App attach in Azure Virtual Desktop
Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) for Windows is now supported by App attach in Azure Virtual Desktop and is generally available, marking a major step forward in application delivery for virtual environments.
Organizations can incorporate existing App-V packages into the App attach framework without repackaging. This capability streamlines the transition to Azure Virtual Desktop by preserving investments in legacy applications while enabling more modern and scalable delivery.
The time for this update is critical, as App-V enters a phase of extended support. By bridging the gap between legacy application virtualization and modern desktop infrastructure, App attach combines continuity with innovation to help teams maintain stability while evolving their cloud strategy. To learn more about App-V support in App attach and to find information about partner solution integration with App attach visit our Azure Virtual Desktop documentation pages.
Windows App updates: better Microsoft Teams, printing and remote access
The Windows App is your gateway to securely connect to Windows on any device across Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, Remote PC, Remote Desktop Services, Microsoft Dev Box and more. Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS,3 web browsers and now Android,4 it brings a unified, modern experience across platforms, making it easier than ever to access your Cloud PCs, virtual machines (VMs) and remote resources anywhere on any device. With the latest updates, we are excited to announce several new capabilities that will enhance your experience and productivity.
Better Microsoft Teams performance on mobile: in public preview for Windows App on Android and iOS/iPadOS
Building on last year’s Teams optimizations for Windows App on Windows, new exclusive optimizations for the Windows App on Android and iOS/iPadOS will soon be available in the newest versions of Windows App. These enhancements improve audio and sound quality in Teams, reducing issues and enhancing the overall user experience. Learn more.
New Remote App launcher in Windows App on web
People connecting to Windows App via the web can access the Remote App launcher directly from the toolbar inside the web client. The Remote App launcher can be used to launch additional apps from the same workspace without switching between tabs, making app discovery and launching apps more seamless.
New printing capabilities in Windows App on web
Windows App on web now supports new printing capabilities for locally attached printers on Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop. Users can easily print documents directly to their locally attached printers, streamlining the printing process and eliminating extra steps between viewing and printing documents.
Native access to remote sessions in Windows App on web
You can now utilize the Windows App on web to access Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop remote sessions natively. By simply selecting the “Connect in desktop app” option from the dropdown menu, you can open the desktop version of the Windows App.
Users can also access their desktops and apps using direct launch URLs in Windows App on web. Learn more.
Resilience starts with the right tools so organizations can stay agile, secured and ready
Organizational resilience isn’t just convenient; it’s an essential approach to remain functional, flexible, prepared and competitive. With the latest enhancements to Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft is enabling organizations to safeguard business continuity, navigate disruptions with confidence and maintain control. Now is the time to explore how these innovations can help strengthen your resilience strategy.
Get 20% off Windows 365 today
Microsoft is currently offering a 20% discount on all Windows 365 plans for the first 12 months for new customers, making it an even more compelling option for those looking to transition smoothly. Visit Windows 365 today to take advantage of the 20% promotional offer.*
* Notice: Microsoft reserves the right to discontinue this promotion, and to modify these policies and the promotion’s terms and conditions at any time.
This offer runs from May 1 to Oct. 31, 2025, and is for customers not currently subscribing to Windows 365. Transactions must be processed through Microsoft’s operations center before 11:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Oct. 31, 2025. This offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount on Windows 365. This offer is available only once per customer. The discount price will be in effect for the duration of the purchase commitment. Purchases made prior to the effective date of the offer are not eligible. Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the recipient.
Source: Study Highlights Prevalence of Device Theft and the Impacts on Businesses in U.S. and Europe. April 22, 2025; Methodology: study conducted by market research firm, Vanson Bourne on behalf of Kensington Computer Products Group; Survey size: 1,000 IT decision-makers.
Microsoft 365 subscription is required.
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The Nigerian economy grew at a robust rate of 3.4% in 2024, the highest it has been since 2019 (except 2021 when the COVID rebound occurred).
This should have been cheering news, worthy of firecrackers and champagne-popping. Rather it came with a catch: the country’s poverty profile worsened.
In its annual review of the country, the World Bank applauded Nigeria for its economic reforms. These include the removal of fuel subsidies, liberalisation of the foreign exchange market and maintenance of a contractionary monetary policy. This is a policy of raising interest rates, reducing money supply and increasing borrowing costs to rein in inflation.
But the bank also drew attention to the fact that the country’s poverty profile has become grim. About 31% of Nigerians lived in poverty prior to the COVID-19 epidemic. Since then, an additional 42 million have become poor, increasing the poverty rate to about 46% in 2024.
Poverty is even worse in Nigeria’s rural communities: 75.5% live on US$2.15 or less per day (based on 2017 prices). The average poverty rate for sub-Saharan African countries was 36.5% in 2024 and 0.8% for East Asia and the Pacific.
Nigeria’s poverty rate would have been higher if the multidimensional poverty index had been used. In addition to income, the index considers access to education, health, decent housing, nutrition, sanitation, electricity and water. Access to these critical services has worsened for many Nigerians, despite improvements in macroeconomic stability.
A challenge for policy makers is how to translate impressive macroeconomic outcomes into high-paying jobs, lower poverty rates and access to health, good sanitation, education, electricity and affordable housing. The question is even more acute for people in rural areas.
As an economist who has studied the Nigerian economy for over four decades and lived in a rural community, I believe Nigeria needs a radical shift in its economic policy approach.
One major step should be a change in the country’s growth drivers. Oil, information and communications technology and finance are the major drivers of growth in Nigeria.
These sectors are not employment-intensive, and they require skills that most Nigerians don’t have. Because of the lack of employment opportunities in these sectors, most Nigerians gravitate towards the informal sector, which accounts for about 90% of employment in the country.
By continuing to urge Nigerians to be patient for economic reforms to have a positive impact on their living conditions, the Tinubu administration appears to assume that improvements in macroeconomic performance will eventually manifest in lower unemployment and poverty rates. This notion of “trickle-down economics” is misconceived and illusory.
The government needs to intentionally create transmission mechanisms through which economic growth and macroeconomic stability can raise living standards.
Fostering growth with development
Concerted efforts will be needed to target poverty in general, and rural poverty in particular.
Five key policies could get Nigeria closer to this goal:
Building productive capacities: People who live in rural areas in Nigeria are eager to work and full of creative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit. But they lack the resources and opportunity to fully unleash their potential.
Building their productive capacities would entail giving them access to basic education, technical and managerial skills, and other productive resources such as tools, equipment, finance and land. The government should identify the comparative advantage of different rural communities, and put in place policies that encourage those communities to use their comparative advantage and distinctive competencies.
Opportunity to diversify incomes: In developed countries, many people hold multiple jobs. Most rural dwellers in Nigeria, however, rely on agriculture as their only source of livelihood.
Because of limited access to inputs and modern technology, and outdated agricultural practices, their productivity is often very low. Their low income makes it difficult to save and invest in education, health and housing.
Non-agricultural activities, especially manufacturing, need to be located in rural communities, to give rural dwellers the opportunity to diversify their income sources.
Agriculture-led industrial strategy: This would involve the location of manufacturing plants close to the sources of agricultural raw materials.
Nigerian manufacturers locate their factories in urban areas. The result of urban-biased development strategy in Nigeria has been the lack of employment opportunities in rural communities, and a decline in the rural population, from about 85% in 1960 to 46% in 2023.
Moving manufacturing to rural areas would require massive investment in infrastructure such as electricity, water, roads and health services.
Ending patriarchy and male domination: Women disproportionately bear the burden of rural poverty in Nigeria. A study in rural south-east Nigeria found that the poverty rate among women was 98%, compared to 85% for men. Men are often given preference regarding access to land, education, skills acquisition and financial inclusion.
Women are also imbued with the responsibility of caring for children, the elderly and the sick, as well as household chores. This leaves them with little time for paid work or opportunities to acquire marketable skills.
Ability to absorb shocks and vulnerability: Rural poverty is often exacerbated by shocks and vulnerability such as extreme weather conditions, attacks by insurgents and other criminal groups, and illness. With no safety nets, and little or no saving, most rural dwellers are unable to withstand shocks.
The Tinubu administration plans to disburse N25,000 (about US$17) each to 60 million Nigerians. But these kinds of support are too small, non-pervasive, irregular and unpredictable.
Nigeria could do well to borrow from the Indian model of an institutionalised safety net.
India issues “ration cards” to eligible households. The cards enable poor people to purchase essential food items such as grains, milk, eggs, cooking oil and bread at subsidised prices from designated stores.
Nigeria could finance this kind of programme with a special tax on oil companies and financial institutions, which frequently post huge after-tax profits.
China has had an impressive record of poverty reduction. Using the US$1.90 poverty line, China’s poverty rate decreased from 88.1% in 1981 to 0.3% in 2018.
The fall in rural poverty is even more dramatic, from 96% in 1980 to 1% in 2019.
This reduction was accomplished in stages, starting with an increase in agricultural productivity. It then shifted focus to the development of non-agricultural sectors of the economy, including manufacturing. These sectors were able to draw surplus labour from the agricultural sector, giving them skills that led to higher wages and poverty alleviation.
The World Bank in its report noted that addressing pressing social and humanitarian challenges remains critical to ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth in Nigeria.
Cash transfers and social assistance programmes could provide temporary relief for the poor in rural communities. But a long-term solution is to build their productive capacities and transform rural communities in ways that provide opportunities for income diversification.
Stephen Onyeiwu does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Stephen Onyeiwu, Professor of Economics & Business, Allegheny College
The Nigerian economy grew at a robust rate of 3.4% in 2024, the highest it has been since 2019 (except 2021 when the COVID rebound occurred).
This should have been cheering news, worthy of firecrackers and champagne-popping. Rather it came with a catch: the country’s poverty profile worsened.
In its annual review of the country, the World Bank applauded Nigeria for its economic reforms. These include the removal of fuel subsidies, liberalisation of the foreign exchange market and maintenance of a contractionary monetary policy. This is a policy of raising interest rates, reducing money supply and increasing borrowing costs to rein in inflation.
But the bank also drew attention to the fact that the country’s poverty profile has become grim. About 31% of Nigerians lived in poverty prior to the COVID-19 epidemic. Since then, an additional 42 million have become poor, increasing the poverty rate to about 46% in 2024.
Poverty is even worse in Nigeria’s rural communities: 75.5% live on US$2.15 or less per day (based on 2017 prices). The average poverty rate for sub-Saharan African countries was 36.5% in 2024 and 0.8% for East Asia and the Pacific.
Nigeria’s poverty rate would have been higher if the multidimensional poverty index had been used. In addition to income, the index considers access to education, health, decent housing, nutrition, sanitation, electricity and water. Access to these critical services has worsened for many Nigerians, despite improvements in macroeconomic stability.
A challenge for policy makers is how to translate impressive macroeconomic outcomes into high-paying jobs, lower poverty rates and access to health, good sanitation, education, electricity and affordable housing. The question is even more acute for people in rural areas.
As an economist who has studied the Nigerian economy for over four decades and lived in a rural community, I believe Nigeria needs a radical shift in its economic policy approach.
One major step should be a change in the country’s growth drivers. Oil, information and communications technology and finance are the major drivers of growth in Nigeria.
These sectors are not employment-intensive, and they require skills that most Nigerians don’t have. Because of the lack of employment opportunities in these sectors, most Nigerians gravitate towards the informal sector, which accounts for about 90% of employment in the country.
By continuing to urge Nigerians to be patient for economic reforms to have a positive impact on their living conditions, the Tinubu administration appears to assume that improvements in macroeconomic performance will eventually manifest in lower unemployment and poverty rates. This notion of “trickle-down economics” is misconceived and illusory.
The government needs to intentionally create transmission mechanisms through which economic growth and macroeconomic stability can raise living standards.
Fostering growth with development
Concerted efforts will be needed to target poverty in general, and rural poverty in particular.
Five key policies could get Nigeria closer to this goal:
Building productive capacities: People who live in rural areas in Nigeria are eager to work and full of creative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit. But they lack the resources and opportunity to fully unleash their potential.
Building their productive capacities would entail giving them access to basic education, technical and managerial skills, and other productive resources such as tools, equipment, finance and land. The government should identify the comparative advantage of different rural communities, and put in place policies that encourage those communities to use their comparative advantage and distinctive competencies.
Opportunity to diversify incomes: In developed countries, many people hold multiple jobs. Most rural dwellers in Nigeria, however, rely on agriculture as their only source of livelihood.
Because of limited access to inputs and modern technology, and outdated agricultural practices, their productivity is often very low. Their low income makes it difficult to save and invest in education, health and housing.
Non-agricultural activities, especially manufacturing, need to be located in rural communities, to give rural dwellers the opportunity to diversify their income sources.
Agriculture-led industrial strategy: This would involve the location of manufacturing plants close to the sources of agricultural raw materials.
Nigerian manufacturers locate their factories in urban areas. The result of urban-biased development strategy in Nigeria has been the lack of employment opportunities in rural communities, and a decline in the rural population, from about 85% in 1960 to 46% in 2023.
Moving manufacturing to rural areas would require massive investment in infrastructure such as electricity, water, roads and health services.
Ending patriarchy and male domination: Women disproportionately bear the burden of rural poverty in Nigeria. A study in rural south-east Nigeria found that the poverty rate among women was 98%, compared to 85% for men. Men are often given preference regarding access to land, education, skills acquisition and financial inclusion.
Women are also imbued with the responsibility of caring for children, the elderly and the sick, as well as household chores. This leaves them with little time for paid work or opportunities to acquire marketable skills.
Ability to absorb shocks and vulnerability: Rural poverty is often exacerbated by shocks and vulnerability such as extreme weather conditions, attacks by insurgents and other criminal groups, and illness. With no safety nets, and little or no saving, most rural dwellers are unable to withstand shocks.
The Tinubu administration plans to disburse N25,000 (about US$17) each to 60 million Nigerians. But these kinds of support are too small, non-pervasive, irregular and unpredictable.
Nigeria could do well to borrow from the Indian model of an institutionalised safety net.
India issues “ration cards” to eligible households. The cards enable poor people to purchase essential food items such as grains, milk, eggs, cooking oil and bread at subsidised prices from designated stores.
Nigeria could finance this kind of programme with a special tax on oil companies and financial institutions, which frequently post huge after-tax profits.
China has had an impressive record of poverty reduction. Using the US$1.90 poverty line, China’s poverty rate decreased from 88.1% in 1981 to 0.3% in 2018.
The fall in rural poverty is even more dramatic, from 96% in 1980 to 1% in 2019.
This reduction was accomplished in stages, starting with an increase in agricultural productivity. It then shifted focus to the development of non-agricultural sectors of the economy, including manufacturing. These sectors were able to draw surplus labour from the agricultural sector, giving them skills that led to higher wages and poverty alleviation.
The World Bank in its report noted that addressing pressing social and humanitarian challenges remains critical to ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth in Nigeria.
Cash transfers and social assistance programmes could provide temporary relief for the poor in rural communities. But a long-term solution is to build their productive capacities and transform rural communities in ways that provide opportunities for income diversification.
– Nigeria’s economy is growing but rural poverty is rising: 5 key policies to address the divide – https://theconversation.com/nigerias-economy-is-growing-but-rural-poverty-is-rising-5-key-policies-to-address-the-divide-257152
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this evening delivered congratulatory remarks at the Canada Day 2025 Reception hosted by the Mission of Canada to ASEAN and the Embassy of Canada in Jakarta. In his remarks, Dr. Kao highlighted the achievements made in the 48 years of ASEAN-Canada Dialogue Relations and expressed ASEAN’s appreciation for Canada’s support for ASEAN’s Community building efforts. Dr. Kao also reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to working closely with Canada to advance the ASEAN-Canada ties into a more substantive, meaningful and mutually beneficial relationship.
Download the full congratulatory remarks here.
The post Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers remarks at the Canada Day 2025 Reception appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
DENVER, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BACXN has officially launched its “Global Partnership Expansion Plan,” with the first batch of strategic agreements already signed with several technology and infrastructure partners from Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. This move marks the BACXN entry into a new stage of platform globalization and demonstrates its dual-track strategy of “deep cultivation + synergy” within the global Web3 ecosystem.
In the rapidly converging world of digital finance and blockchain, no platform can build an ecosystem in isolation. Truly vital projects are always deeply rooted in the global open network. BACXN has always upheld the philosophy of “connecting the world, building the future together,” actively forging close partnerships with leading enterprises, academic institutions, and technology innovation teams across multiple countries to drive both technological innovation and practical applications forward in unison.
Since its inception, the platform has established deep collaborations with organizations such as Polygon, the Ethereum Foundation, MIT Blockchain Lab, and the National University of Singapore. Through joint research and development, hackathons, and academic cooperation, BACXN continuously absorbs cutting-edge achievements, transforming exploratory thinking into momentum for product evolution. The platform-led “Digital Inclusion Program” and “Blockchain Education Initiative” are both carried out with multilateral support, combining technological exploration with social value.
To further accelerate the integration of technology and business, BACXN has established Labs and a Ventures Fund, focusing on key areas such as privacy computing, cross-chain communication, RWA (Real World Assets), and decentralized identity. Labs provides engineering support and resource collaboration, while Ventures assists partner projects with funding and market networks to enable rapid validation and real-world deployment. Several innovative projects have already moved from concept to commercialization through this system, with deployments in ecosystems like Sui, TON, and Ethereum.
On the global operations front, BACXN has achieved localized user access by collaborating with local industry leaders, payment channel providers, and Web3 infrastructure companies. In Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, the platform is advancing the standardization and popularization of user experience through a “joint expansion” strategy, accelerating the transition from Web3 awareness to practical usage.
BACXN firmly believes that the next stage of digital finance does not belong to any single player, but to a global network woven by cooperation, connection, and trust. Looking forward, we will continue to work openly and pragmatically with visionary partners to jointly build a trustworthy, accessible, and mutually beneficial digital asset world.
Disclaimer: This press release is provided byBACXN. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.
Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.
DENVER, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BACXN has officially launched its “Global Partnership Expansion Plan,” with the first batch of strategic agreements already signed with several technology and infrastructure partners from Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. This move marks the BACXN entry into a new stage of platform globalization and demonstrates its dual-track strategy of “deep cultivation + synergy” within the global Web3 ecosystem.
In the rapidly converging world of digital finance and blockchain, no platform can build an ecosystem in isolation. Truly vital projects are always deeply rooted in the global open network. BACXN has always upheld the philosophy of “connecting the world, building the future together,” actively forging close partnerships with leading enterprises, academic institutions, and technology innovation teams across multiple countries to drive both technological innovation and practical applications forward in unison.
Since its inception, the platform has established deep collaborations with organizations such as Polygon, the Ethereum Foundation, MIT Blockchain Lab, and the National University of Singapore. Through joint research and development, hackathons, and academic cooperation, BACXN continuously absorbs cutting-edge achievements, transforming exploratory thinking into momentum for product evolution. The platform-led “Digital Inclusion Program” and “Blockchain Education Initiative” are both carried out with multilateral support, combining technological exploration with social value.
To further accelerate the integration of technology and business, BACXN has established Labs and a Ventures Fund, focusing on key areas such as privacy computing, cross-chain communication, RWA (Real World Assets), and decentralized identity. Labs provides engineering support and resource collaboration, while Ventures assists partner projects with funding and market networks to enable rapid validation and real-world deployment. Several innovative projects have already moved from concept to commercialization through this system, with deployments in ecosystems like Sui, TON, and Ethereum.
On the global operations front, BACXN has achieved localized user access by collaborating with local industry leaders, payment channel providers, and Web3 infrastructure companies. In Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, the platform is advancing the standardization and popularization of user experience through a “joint expansion” strategy, accelerating the transition from Web3 awareness to practical usage.
BACXN firmly believes that the next stage of digital finance does not belong to any single player, but to a global network woven by cooperation, connection, and trust. Looking forward, we will continue to work openly and pragmatically with visionary partners to jointly build a trustworthy, accessible, and mutually beneficial digital asset world.
Disclaimer: This press release is provided byBACXN. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.
Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ThoughtSpot, the Agentic Analytics Platform company, today announced Gartner Inc. has positioned the company in the Leaders quadrant in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Analytics and BI Platforms. A complimentary copy of the report can be found here.
We believe the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant arrives amidst a transformative period, characterized by a rapid surge in demand for trusted generative AI solutions that customers can rely on. Business, data, and product leaders are faced with the challenge of scaling efficiently, sparking innovation and delivering differentiated experiences – or risk being left behind. Traditional BI tools characterized by static charts and standalone dashboards that require the user to go and find the insight are long over. We’re now in a world where self-service is delivering the experience it always meant to be.
ThoughtSpot’s recognition as a Leader in this dynamic landscape of GenAI analytics we feel is a testament to how our agentic analytics platform is connecting users with accessible, governed, transparent AI-powered insights embedded directly in their flow of work. We believe the recognition underscores ThoughtSpot’s unwavering commitment to redefining how the world gets insights, empowering businesses to drive decisions on data and AI at scale.
Customers like Capital One, Comcast, Lyft, and Klaviyo are turning to ThoughtSpot as an innovative business partner they can trust to deliver value in their GenAI analytics strategies.
As reviewed on Gartner Peer Insights™ by customers across industries and roles:
“ThoughtSpot has been an excellent choice for our business users who may not be technically savvy, but have mastery of their data. This tool allows them to drill down into levels of detail quickly and easily to help them understand how the business is performing, detect anomalies, and perform data-driven strategic planning,” said a VP of data engineering at $30B insurance firm; source.
“We wanted the best natural language search BI tool that leverages generative AI and helps both technical and non-technical business users access their data and get their questions answered. We were able to successfully implement a production analytics offering within 4 months from contract signing, which was incredible including we were able to keep the team optimised… Spotter is tech that’s best in class, drill down on visuals was also really important to always be able to access the underlying data,” said the data product manager at an IT Services company; source.
“We are incredibly proud to be recognized as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant as the industry fully embraces the transformative power of AI-powered analytics – a shift that legacy BI solutions simply weren’t built for,” said Ketan Kharkanis, CEO at ThoughtSpot. “ThoughtSpot has surged in driving Agentic Analytics for the market, enabling customers across the Fortune 500 to agile startups in operationalizing data and AI at scale with connected insights that meet you where you are. Our robust platform supports data teams in preparing AI ready data in Analyst Studio, equips business users with a conversational data experience that takes them from insight to action, and allows product builders and developers to effortlessly create smart apps and intelligent experiences. As a trusted partner, we empower our customers to unlock unprecedented value and drive their businesses forward with confidence. This continued recognition is a testament to our relentless pursuit of innovation, from pioneering search-driven analytics to now leading the industry with agentic analytics.”
Key Business Achievements
The report publication follows a year of exceptional growth and innovation for ThoughtSpot, including:
The launch of Spotter, an agentic AI analyst, built for every business user and transforming the way users proactively derive actionable and meaningful insights from their data.
The expansion of the ThoughtSpot platform with the introduction of Analyst Studio, the creator space that empowers data teams to get data ready for AI and analytics, manage cloud costs, seamlessly switch between ad-hoc analysis and advanced data science, and focus on driving strategic impact—all within a unified, flexible, and integrated platform.
ThoughtSpot announced two additional agentic capabilities including ThoughtSpot Agentic MCP Server, allowing users to bring the power of the world’s leading Agentic Analytics Platform to any AI agent or application that supports MCP and the introduction of ThoughtSpot’s Agentic Semantic Layer designed for the AI era. This advanced semantic layer acts as the intelligent bridge between your data and the business logic that drives decision-making.
Rapid expansion of ThoughtSpot’s global presence with significant growth in Japan, ANZ and across EMEA. These key regions are pivotal to continued growth and helping leading organizations across the globe with AI-powered data-driven decision making.
These milestones are underpinned by ThoughtSpot posting significant fiscal growth in Fiscal Year 2024, closing with 40% year-over-year SaaS growth and more than doubling its monthly active users.
Magic Quadrant reports are a culmination of rigorous, fact-based research in specific markets, providing a wide-angle view of the relative positions of providers in markets where growth is high and provider differentiation is distinct. Providers are positioned into four quadrants: Leaders, Challengers, Visionaries and Niche Players. The research enables companies to get the most from market analysis in alignment with their unique business and technology needs.
Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Analytics and Business Intelligence Platforms, Anirudh Ganeshan, Edgar Macari, Jamie O’Brien, Kurt Schlegel, Christopher Long, June 16, 2025.
GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and MAGIC QUADRANT is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.
Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
About ThoughtSpot ThoughtSpot is the Agentic Analytics Platform that empowers every enterprise to transform insights into action. Our mission is to create a more fact-driven world by delivering a platform where anyone can effortlessly explore any data, ask any question, and uncover actionable insights faster—leading to growth, better business outcomes, and efficiency in their organizations. Agentic AI combined with ThoughtSpot’s intuitive natural language search, every user can confidently discover proactive insights from their business data creating real-time decisioning with impact. The platform’s unified capabilities, along with our agentic AI analyst, Spotter, ensures insights are connected and pervasive, enabling users to create precise, transparent, personalized, and actionable insights with enterprise grade trust, security, and scale. Accessible via the web and mobile app, ThoughtSpot ensures intelligent decision-making happens seamlessly, wherever and whenever needed. For organizations looking to drive value, ThoughtSpot Embedded provides a low-code solution to integrate AI-powered analytics directly into products and services that make every application an intelligent experience, driving data monetization and boosting user engagement for customers. Industry leaders like NVIDIA, Toyota, Hilton Worldwide, Capital One and Matillion rely on ThoughtSpot to transform how their employees and customers take advantage of data to create better business outcomes. Try ThoughtSpot today and experience the new era of analytics.
PR Contact: Lindsay Noonan Director of Communications, ThoughtSpot press@thoughtspot.com
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ThoughtSpot, the Agentic Analytics Platform company, today announced Gartner Inc. has positioned the company in the Leaders quadrant in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Analytics and BI Platforms. A complimentary copy of the report can be found here.
We believe the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant arrives amidst a transformative period, characterized by a rapid surge in demand for trusted generative AI solutions that customers can rely on. Business, data, and product leaders are faced with the challenge of scaling efficiently, sparking innovation and delivering differentiated experiences – or risk being left behind. Traditional BI tools characterized by static charts and standalone dashboards that require the user to go and find the insight are long over. We’re now in a world where self-service is delivering the experience it always meant to be.
ThoughtSpot’s recognition as a Leader in this dynamic landscape of GenAI analytics we feel is a testament to how our agentic analytics platform is connecting users with accessible, governed, transparent AI-powered insights embedded directly in their flow of work. We believe the recognition underscores ThoughtSpot’s unwavering commitment to redefining how the world gets insights, empowering businesses to drive decisions on data and AI at scale.
Customers like Capital One, Comcast, Lyft, and Klaviyo are turning to ThoughtSpot as an innovative business partner they can trust to deliver value in their GenAI analytics strategies.
As reviewed on Gartner Peer Insights™ by customers across industries and roles:
“ThoughtSpot has been an excellent choice for our business users who may not be technically savvy, but have mastery of their data. This tool allows them to drill down into levels of detail quickly and easily to help them understand how the business is performing, detect anomalies, and perform data-driven strategic planning,” said a VP of data engineering at $30B insurance firm; source.
“We wanted the best natural language search BI tool that leverages generative AI and helps both technical and non-technical business users access their data and get their questions answered. We were able to successfully implement a production analytics offering within 4 months from contract signing, which was incredible including we were able to keep the team optimised… Spotter is tech that’s best in class, drill down on visuals was also really important to always be able to access the underlying data,” said the data product manager at an IT Services company; source.
“We are incredibly proud to be recognized as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant as the industry fully embraces the transformative power of AI-powered analytics – a shift that legacy BI solutions simply weren’t built for,” said Ketan Kharkanis, CEO at ThoughtSpot. “ThoughtSpot has surged in driving Agentic Analytics for the market, enabling customers across the Fortune 500 to agile startups in operationalizing data and AI at scale with connected insights that meet you where you are. Our robust platform supports data teams in preparing AI ready data in Analyst Studio, equips business users with a conversational data experience that takes them from insight to action, and allows product builders and developers to effortlessly create smart apps and intelligent experiences. As a trusted partner, we empower our customers to unlock unprecedented value and drive their businesses forward with confidence. This continued recognition is a testament to our relentless pursuit of innovation, from pioneering search-driven analytics to now leading the industry with agentic analytics.”
Key Business Achievements
The report publication follows a year of exceptional growth and innovation for ThoughtSpot, including:
The launch of Spotter, an agentic AI analyst, built for every business user and transforming the way users proactively derive actionable and meaningful insights from their data.
The expansion of the ThoughtSpot platform with the introduction of Analyst Studio, the creator space that empowers data teams to get data ready for AI and analytics, manage cloud costs, seamlessly switch between ad-hoc analysis and advanced data science, and focus on driving strategic impact—all within a unified, flexible, and integrated platform.
ThoughtSpot announced two additional agentic capabilities including ThoughtSpot Agentic MCP Server, allowing users to bring the power of the world’s leading Agentic Analytics Platform to any AI agent or application that supports MCP and the introduction of ThoughtSpot’s Agentic Semantic Layer designed for the AI era. This advanced semantic layer acts as the intelligent bridge between your data and the business logic that drives decision-making.
Rapid expansion of ThoughtSpot’s global presence with significant growth in Japan, ANZ and across EMEA. These key regions are pivotal to continued growth and helping leading organizations across the globe with AI-powered data-driven decision making.
These milestones are underpinned by ThoughtSpot posting significant fiscal growth in Fiscal Year 2024, closing with 40% year-over-year SaaS growth and more than doubling its monthly active users.
Magic Quadrant reports are a culmination of rigorous, fact-based research in specific markets, providing a wide-angle view of the relative positions of providers in markets where growth is high and provider differentiation is distinct. Providers are positioned into four quadrants: Leaders, Challengers, Visionaries and Niche Players. The research enables companies to get the most from market analysis in alignment with their unique business and technology needs.
Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Analytics and Business Intelligence Platforms, Anirudh Ganeshan, Edgar Macari, Jamie O’Brien, Kurt Schlegel, Christopher Long, June 16, 2025.
GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and MAGIC QUADRANT is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.
Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
About ThoughtSpot ThoughtSpot is the Agentic Analytics Platform that empowers every enterprise to transform insights into action. Our mission is to create a more fact-driven world by delivering a platform where anyone can effortlessly explore any data, ask any question, and uncover actionable insights faster—leading to growth, better business outcomes, and efficiency in their organizations. Agentic AI combined with ThoughtSpot’s intuitive natural language search, every user can confidently discover proactive insights from their business data creating real-time decisioning with impact. The platform’s unified capabilities, along with our agentic AI analyst, Spotter, ensures insights are connected and pervasive, enabling users to create precise, transparent, personalized, and actionable insights with enterprise grade trust, security, and scale. Accessible via the web and mobile app, ThoughtSpot ensures intelligent decision-making happens seamlessly, wherever and whenever needed. For organizations looking to drive value, ThoughtSpot Embedded provides a low-code solution to integrate AI-powered analytics directly into products and services that make every application an intelligent experience, driving data monetization and boosting user engagement for customers. Industry leaders like NVIDIA, Toyota, Hilton Worldwide, Capital One and Matillion rely on ThoughtSpot to transform how their employees and customers take advantage of data to create better business outcomes. Try ThoughtSpot today and experience the new era of analytics.
PR Contact: Lindsay Noonan Director of Communications, ThoughtSpot press@thoughtspot.com
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
NANJING, June 18 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang has urged efforts to promote innovation and expand effective demand to propel sustained improvement in the economy.
Li made the remarks during an inspection tour from Monday to Wednesday in east China’s Jiangsu Province. During the tour, he underlined efforts to foster a strong atmosphere for starting businesses and making achievements, and to stimulate vitality for high-quality development in the process of deepening reform and opening up.
While inspecting a local machinery company, Li called for actively applying technologies such as artificial intelligence and clean energy to promote the upgrade of the construction machinery industry in line with the global trend.
Efforts should focus on aligning innovation with industry needs, advancing major original breakthroughs and technological innovations, and accelerating both industrialization and market applications, Li said.
He also stressed the need to carry out in-depth basic research, promote cross-disciplinary integration and innovation, and strengthen cooperation to secure the leading position in future sci-tech and industrial development.
At a local home appliance company, Li learned about the effects of the country’s consumer goods trade-in program, and urged the company to make good use of relevant policies to unleash consumption potential.
Noting that the country’s market is vast and continuously growing, Li said that China welcomes enterprises from all countries to invest and start businesses here.
“We will further increase policy support and service guarantees to create a favorable environment for foreign-funded enterprises to develop and thrive in China,” he said.
During the tour, Li also underlined efforts to better leverage the role of the China-Europe Railway Express and cross-border e-commerce to enhance economic and trade exchanges between China and Central Asia, expand their cooperation areas, and promote mutual benefit in the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road.
Jiangsu has a solid economic foundation, and also has higher development requirements, Li said, urging the province to better leverage its economic strength to make more contributions to the overall development of the country.
Earlier this year, in March 2025, public protests broke out in several cities in Indonesia. The focus of the protests was changes to the law that governs the country’s military. Last year, in August, the were mass protests over proposals to amend the local election laws, which were subsequently scrapped. Other government actions have also seen people take to the streets over the past few months. Civil society groups have been involved in supporting and organizing different protests, with the bulk of protesters being university students. Academics have also raised concerns about government transparency and approaches to dissent.
Indonesia is a country that has experienced significant upheavals in the form and structures of its government over the past century, including colonial governance under Dutch rule, Japanese occupation during World War II, a successful fight for independence following the war, a failed coup and subsequent mass killings in the mid-1960s, a military dictatorship that lasted from 1967 to 1998, a period of major reforms starting in the late 1990s and early 2000s as part of a shift to democracy (reformasi period), and concerns in more recent years about changes to laws and structures that some feel impinge on democratic values.
A recently published report on the Law Library’s website, Indonesia: Civil Space Legal Framework, provides information on the rights and freedoms protected in the 1945 Constitution of Indonesia following its amendment during the reformasi period and on protections in several other laws enacted during that period, including laws on human rights, the press and broadcasting, expressing opinions in public, and trade or labor unions. It also provides information on the 1946 Criminal Code and the new 2023 Criminal Code, as well as provisions in the 2008 Law on Electronic Information and Transactions, that can be used to restrict certain rights, such as the freedom of expression. Various court challenges to these and other laws are also noted in the report. In addition, the report provides an overview of the laws that regulate civil society organizations.
Read the report here.
The report on the civic space legal framework in Indonesia is part of a series of Law Library reports covering the frameworks in several other countries, including Peru, Finland, Romania, Thailand, Spain, and Morocco. These reports are contained in the Law Library’s Legal Reports (Publications of the Law Library of Congress) collection, which includes over 4,000 historical and contemporary legal reports covering a variety of jurisdictions, researched and written by foreign law specialists with expertise in each area. To receive alerts when new reports are published, you can subscribe to email updates and the RSS feed for Law Library Reports (click the “subscribe” button on the Law Library’s website). The Law Library also publishes articles related to Indonesia[add link to search results] in the Global Legal Monitor.
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Announcement of over US$1 billion new financing: OPEC Fund signs US$362 million new loan agreements during the Forum and announces approval of US$720 million in new financing in the second Quarter
A Country Partnership Framework agreement with Rwanda earmarks US$300 million financing in the next three years
At the high-level Mauritania roundtable hosted by the OPEC Fund, the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) announced a pledge of US$2 billion financing over the next 5 years to support Mauritania’s development priorities.
The fourth OPEC Fund Development Forum (https://OPECFund.org) concluded today with a strong slate of new commitments, loan agreements and strategic partnerships to advance inclusive transition and sustainable development. The Forum brought together more than 700 global leaders, including government representatives, development institutions and private sector stakeholders, under the theme “A Transition That Empowers Our Tomorrow”.
The OPEC Fund announced some US$720 million in new financing to support development efforts across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and saw the signing of US$362 million in new loan agreements. A new Trade Finance Initiative is set to secure vital supplies and help close trade-related liquidity gaps in partner countries.
OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: “The OPEC Fund Development Forum reflects our conviction that partnerships must deliver results. Today we achieved tangible progress – with new signings, new partnerships and new approaches to help our partner countries turn ambition into action. Whether in energy, infrastructure, agriculture or finance, we are responding with solutions that make a difference.”
As part of its Small Island Developing States (SIDS) initiative, the OPEC Fund signed cooperation agreements with Grenada, and the Solomon Islands, expanding support for climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure.
Deepening Country Partnerships for Long-term Impact
New country-level agreements and cooperation frameworks include:
A US$212 million loan agreement with Oman to finance the Khasab-Daba-Lima Road Project (Sultan Faisal bin Turki Road), improving local and regional connectivity, as well as a Country Partnership Framework (CPF) to strengthen cooperation over the next five years.
A US$25 million loan agreement with Cameroon to strengthen the Rice Value Chain Development Project, supporting smallholder farmers and strengthening food security in vulnerable regions, in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and the Kuwait Fund.
A CPF with Rwanda to allocate up to US$300 million in financing for 2025 – 2028, supporting the country’s development priorities, including quality infrastructure, improved essential basic services and the promotion of entrepreneurship and the private sector.
Other country partnership agreements included: Azerbaijan to support infrastructure, energy transition and sustainable development; Botswana to support infrastructure, renewable energy, innovation and digital transformation, as well as private sector export-led growth over the next three years; Grenada to build resilience through sustainable development initiatives; Kyrgyz Republic to increase cooperation in transport, water supply and sanitation, energy, agriculture and banking sectors; and Solomon Islands to expand engagement and increase cooperation including in the private sector.
Scaling up Private Sector Support
The OPEC Fund continues to prioritize private sector-led growth with targeted financing to financial institutions across Africa:
In Côte d’Ivoire, a €30 million loan agreement with Coris Bank International Côte d’Ivoire and a €35 million loan agreement with NSIA Banque will facilitate access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
A US$40 million loan agreement with the East African Development Bank (EADB) will boost economic investments across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, strengthening regional integration and inclusive growth.
New Trade Finance Initiative
At the Forum the OPEC Fund also announced a new Trade Finance Initiative to boost trade resilience in partner countries by facilitating access to essential imports, closing liquidity gaps and strengthening resilience to external shocks in vulnerable economies.
Advancing global cooperation
The Forum also featured new agreements to deepen multilateral cooperation:
A new cooperation agreement with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) will strengthen collaboration in infrastructure, energy and human development projects across the Latin America and Caribbean region.
The OPEC Fund and the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) formalized a cooperation agreement to coordinate efforts on climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable food systems.
A cooperation agreement with the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) will support training programs to promote institutional transparency and anti-corruption capacity building in partner countries.
Ahead of the Forum, the OPEC Fund hosted the Annual Meeting of the Heads of Institutions of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG). Delegates participated in a high-level roundtable with the President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani to strengthen development collaboration and mobilize investment flows to Mauritania. The roundtable resulted in an ACG joint pledge of US$2 billion financing over the next five years. This will be directed to vital sectors, including energy, water, transportation and digital infrastructure to stimulate economic growth. A dedicated Arab Donors Roundtable on the Sahel addressed strategies to mobilize greater support for the region’s urgent challenges. It was organized by the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CLISS) and sponsored by the OPEC Fund’s partner institution, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of OPEC Fund.
Media Contact: Basak Pamir OPEC Fund for International Development Head of Outreach & Multimedia B.Pamir@opecfund.org +431511564174 Telephone: +43-1-515 64-0 Fax: +43-1-513 92 38 www.OPECFund.org
About the OPEC Fund: The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that provides financing from member countries to non-member countries exclusively. The organization works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international development community to stimulate economic growth and social progress in low- and middle-income countries around the world. The OPEC Fund was established in 1976 with a distinct purpose: to drive development, strengthen communities and empower people. Our work is people-centered, focusing on financing projects that meet essential needs, such as food, energy, infrastructure, employment (particularly relating to MSMEs), clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education. To date, the OPEC Fund has committed more than US$29 billion to development projects in over 125 countries with an estimated total project cost of more than US$200 billion. The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Stable by Fitch and S&P Global Ratings. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all.
This is puzzling. Canadians didn’t opt for Conservative Pierre Poilievre, considered by some to be an oil and gas industry mouthpiece, in the last federal election. Instead, voters gave Carney’s Liberals a minority government.
But it’s unclear how a country grappling with abysmal air quality due to wildfires fuelled by global warming will benefit from further global fossil fuel development and its related emissions.
Canada is warming faster than most of the globe. Its leaders should be laser-focused on mitigating climate change by reducing fossil fuel use to the greatest extent possible, as soon as possible.
Vacant urban land could be revitalized and existing industrial parks could boost their economic output and circular trade by building stronger partnerships to share resources, reduce waste and cut emissions.
Canada would benefit economically and environmentally by building on existing expertise and expanding successful sustainability strategies to achieve economic, environmental and social goals.
But by continuing to invest in fossil fuels, Canada misses out on opportunities to diversify trade and boost economic competitiveness.
The secret to China’s success
Real diversification makes Canada less vulnerable to economic shocks, like the ones caused by the tariffs imposed by United States President Donald Trump.
That’s seemingly why Trump is so fixated on China. China today is a serious competitor to the U.S. after making smart trade and economic decisions and forging its own path, disregarding American pressure to remain a mere follower.
Investing in its huge Belt and Road Initiative, China also aligned itself with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It’s building diplomatic bridges with many Belt and Road countries in southeast Asia as Trump’s America alienates its partners, pulling out of the Paris Agreement and cutting foreign aid.
As another one of the America’s mistreated partners, Canada was poised to forge its own path under Carney. Instead, Carney is supporting American oil and gas by encouraging Canadian pipeline projects.
Clean innovation is the path forward
Canadian oil and gas is a concentrated industry controlled by a wealthy few, primarily Americans. More pipelines would therefore mean more sales of fossil fuels to other countries, with the beneficiaries mostly American.
Fossil fuel investments reduce Canada’s diversification because the resources used to further these projects could go elsewhere — toward clean diversification. With almost unlimited clean economy options across many sectors, clean diversification would broaden Canada’s economic and trade portfolios and reduce American control.
This is International Business 101, and would make the Canadian economy more competitive through innovation, while reducing the country’s climate risk.
My recent research shows that clear, decisive choices like those made in California will be key to Canada’s future success. Canada must make choicesaligned with goals — a core principle of strategic management.
My research also suggests Canada must restructure its energy industry to focus on renewable energy innovation while reducing fossil fuel reliance. Increased renewable energy innovation, as seen in patent numbers, leads to higher GDP.
Do Canadian taxpayers truly want to keep funding an outdated, polluting industry that benefits a wealthy few, or invest in clean industries that boost Canada’s economy, create better jobs and protect the environment? To differentiate Canada from the United States, it would make sense to choose the latter.
Carney’s support for pipelines may have stemmed from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s implicit support for Alberta sovereignty. She made veiled threats to Canada at a critical juncture, when Trump was making repeated assertions about annexing Canada.
Banks that felt pressure to at least recognize sustainable finance during the Joe Biden administration joined Carney’s Net-Zero Banking Alliance.
But as soon as Trump came to power a second time and walked away from the Paris Agreement, many American banks abandoned the alliance. Canadian banks followed suit, and Carney remarkably missed another moment to show Canadian leadership by stopping their exit.
In fact, Carney seems to have abandoned his own organization to appease Trump as the president made multiple 51st state threats. The prime minister had the chance to differentiate Canada and demonstrate his own leadership. Instead, he seems to have easily turned his back on his principles under pressure from Trump.
Deborah de Lange receives funding from SSHRC and ESRC. She is affiliated with The Liberal Party of Canada and The Writers’ Union of Canada.
Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined U.S. Senator Jeanee Shaheen, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and eight Democratic colleagues in urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to preserve the staff and programs administered by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) amid the Department’s proposed reorganization.
“The proposed reorganization of DRL raises serious concerns about the Department’s prioritization of democracy and human rights and the role of DRL in advancing U.S. national security priorities—concerns that were the basis for Congress’s bipartisan codification in statute an Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor and the directive ‘to promote the increased observance of internationally recognized human rights by all countries’ as a principal goal of U.S. foreign policy,” wrote the Senators. “The proposed reorganization would result in a structural and substantive demotion of human rights promotion that runs counter to the spirit of the law and your personal legacy working on these issues.”
“Over 80% of DRL’s programs support human rights defenders working in closed, anti-democratic societies, including Cuba, China, Nicaragua, North Korea, Iran, Russia, Venezuela, and others which the Trump Administration has identified as adversaries of the U.S.,” continued the Senators.
The Senators concluded: “As you stated in the subcommittee hearing previously mentioned, ‘millions of people around the world who live in societies dominated by fear and oppression look to the United States of America to champion their cause to fully exercise their God-given rights. There are no greater champions more capable of advancing this noble cause than the dedicated staff in DRL. We need these champions in the Department.”
In addition to Senators Welch and Shaheen, the letter is cosigned by Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).
Read and download the full text of the letter.
In a significant setback to the Left Wing Extremist (LWE) movement, two senior Maoist leaders, including the commander of the Mobile Political School (MOPOS), surrendered to security forces on Monday. The surrender, which took place before senior police and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) officials, marks a crucial breakthrough in anti-Naxal operations in the region.
Jeevan Tulavi (45), also known as Ram Tulavi, and his wife Agasha (35), alias Aarti Korram, gave up arms before Inspector General of Rajnandgaon Range Abhishek Shandilya, Superintendent of Police Y.P. Singh, and Commandant of the 27th Battalion ITBP Vivek Kumar Pandey. Officers from the 44th Battalion ITBP were also present.
Jeevan, a resident of Parvidih village under Mohla police station in Mohla Manpur Ambagarh Chowki (MMAC) district, has been active in Maoist operations for over 25 years. Currently serving as a Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) and Education Unit Commander of the Maad Division, he carried a bounty of ₹8 lakh. He joined the LWE movement in 2008 and initially served in the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) in the South Rajnandgaon-based division.
Since 2012-13, Jeevan transitioned into an ideological role, teaching Maoist philosophy through the Mobile Political School (MOPOS) in the Maad Division. He is known to have travelled extensively across Abujhmad, spreading LWE ideology through the Mobile Academic School (MAS) and heading the education wing until his surrender.
Agasha, his wife and a resident of Telitola village in the same district, was serving as an Area Committee Member (ACM). She played a key role in the Press Team of the Maad Division and was also the commander of the Maoist cultural wing, Chetna Natya Mandali (CNM). Active since the early 2000s, Agasha contributed as a singer, dancer, poet, orator, and composer for the LWE propaganda machinery. She was also responsible for handling digital communication, including drafting press releases and managing computers.
The surrender is seen as part of the growing impact of sustained operations led by police and ITBP in the MMAC district and the former Rajnandgaon region. In the past three months alone, five senior Maoist cadres from the district have surrendered, weakening the organizational structure of the LWE in this strategically critical area bordering the heavily affected regions of Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) and Kanker (Chhattisgarh).
The Buildings Department, in its capacity as the Building Authority, will study the written judgment to be handed down by the Court of First Instance together with its legal team, and prepare for the appeal hearing with full effort concerning the granting of an interim stay of execution of the authority’s decision to remove Aggressive Construction Co. Ltd (ACCL) from the register of general building contractors.
The Development Bureau said the authority refused the registration renewal application of ACCL on May 22 and decided to remove its name from the register of general building contractors on June 20.
The company appealed against the decision and applied for a stay of execution of the decision, and the Court of First Instance of the High Court today granted a temporary stay of execution of the decision. The hearing of the appeal and application for stay of execution is tentatively scheduled for August 26 and 27.
The bureau noted that if there are still construction activities on the project sites undertaken by ACCL during the period pending further hearings, the project owners concerned will act in accordance with the contracts and continue to monitor the construction sites and the performance of the contractor.
If the contractor’s performance fails to meet the contractual requirements, the project owners will handle the matter in accordance with the contract and reserve the right to take follow-up actions, the bureau said, adding that the Buildings Department and project owners will step up monitoring and surprise inspections to safeguard site safety.
Since the performance of ACCL in respect of the public works project of the Chai Wan Government Complex was far below the contractual requirements, the Government as the project owner has terminated the contract in accordance with the contractual mechanism and taken over the construction site on June 15.
The Government will endeavour to arrange in the near term for a new contractor to take over and finish the remaining works, the bureau added.
A delegation of 10 overseas government officials today completed their three-day visit to Hong Kong, having met senior officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and toured the city’s major cultural and innovation and technology facilities to deepen their understanding of the city’s advantages and development opportunities.
The visit was arranged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which invited officials from 10 countries across Africa and Asia. These countries comprise Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Mauritania, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, Sri Lanka and Tunisia.
During the trip, the delegation met Acting Financial Secretary Michael Wong, Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing and Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan to obtain a better understanding of Hong Kong’s distinctive advantage of enjoying the strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle.
The delegation learnt of Hong Kong’s important roles as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”, serving as a bridge between the Mainland and the rest of the world.
They also met Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan and Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Lillian Cheong as well as representatives of a number of relevant institutions.
Additionally, they toured the Science Park and West Kowloon Cultural District to find out about the city’s latest developments and opportunities in finance, trade, innovation and technology, and arts and culture.
SINGAPORE, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With Bitcoin holding steady at the $100,000 mark for a long time, the cryptocurrency market has once again attracted global attention. Many analysts now agree that a full-blown bull run has returned. But unlike in the past, this bull run favors flexible, high-leverage strategies over traditional HODLing. To help traders seize the moment, BexBack offers an unparalleled trading experience with up to 100x leverage, 100% deposit bonus, and a $50 welcome bonus – all without KYC certification.
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React Fast: Open and close trades quickly to capture short-term price movements.
Profit in Any Market: Go long or short and profit whether prices rise or fall.
Boost ROI: With leverage and BexBack’s deposit bonuses, even modest price changes can produce exponential returns.
Example: With BTC at $100,000, a trader opens a 1 BTC long contract using 100x leverage (position size = 100 BTC). If BTC rises just 5% to $105,00, the trader earns 5 BTC in profit — a 500% return. With BexBack’s 100% deposit bonus, that ROI could double to 1000%.
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When you deposit to BexBack, you can receive 100% of your deposit as trading bonus.
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The bonus can’t be withdrawn directly, but it can:
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Help absorb market volatility by reducing liquidation risk.
Generate profits that can be fully withdrawn once earned.
Demo Account — Practice risk-free with 10 BTC virtual balance
Powerful Platform — Available via Web and Mobile, with no spread or slippage
Global Support — 24/7 customer service available worldwide
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About BexBack
BexBack is a global cryptocurrency derivatives exchange offering futures trading with up to 100x leverage on over 50 major crypto assets, including BTC, ETH, XRP, ADA, and SOL. Headquartered in Singapore, BexBack also has offices in Hong Kong, Japan, the U.S., the U.K., and Argentina. The platform is fully licensed under the U.S. FinCEN MSB (Money Services Business) registration and currently serves more than 500,000 users worldwide, including traders in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
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Disclaimer: This content is provided by BexBack.The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.
Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
SINGAPORE, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With Bitcoin holding steady at the $100,000 mark for a long time, the cryptocurrency market has once again attracted global attention. Many analysts now agree that a full-blown bull run has returned. But unlike in the past, this bull run favors flexible, high-leverage strategies over traditional HODLing. To help traders seize the moment, BexBack offers an unparalleled trading experience with up to 100x leverage, 100% deposit bonus, and a $50 welcome bonus – all without KYC certification.
Why Use 100x Leverage to Trade Crypto?
While Bitcoin’s bullish momentum is clear, price swings remain sharp and fast. High-leverage futures trading is an essential tool for traders aiming to:
Multiply Profits: Control 100x larger positions with the same capital — turn 1 BTC into a 100 BTC trading power.
React Fast: Open and close trades quickly to capture short-term price movements.
Profit in Any Market: Go long or short and profit whether prices rise or fall.
Boost ROI: With leverage and BexBack’s deposit bonuses, even modest price changes can produce exponential returns.
Example: With BTC at $100,000, a trader opens a 1 BTC long contract using 100x leverage (position size = 100 BTC). If BTC rises just 5% to $105,00, the trader earns 5 BTC in profit — a 500% return. With BexBack’s 100% deposit bonus, that ROI could double to 1000%.
What Is the Double Deposit Bonus?
When you deposit to BexBack, you can receive 100% of your deposit as trading bonus.
Example: Deposit 1 BTC → Get 1 BTC in bonus funds.
The bonus can’t be withdrawn directly, but it can:
Be used as margin to open larger positions.
Help absorb market volatility by reducing liquidation risk.
Generate profits that can be fully withdrawn once earned.
Demo Account — Practice risk-free with 10 BTC virtual balance
Powerful Platform — Available via Web and Mobile, with no spread or slippage
Global Support — 24/7 customer service available worldwide
Affiliate Program — Earn up to 50% commission sharing
About BexBack
BexBack is a global cryptocurrency derivatives exchange offering futures trading with up to 100x leverage on over 50 major crypto assets, including BTC, ETH, XRP, ADA, and SOL. Headquartered in Singapore, BexBack also has offices in Hong Kong, Japan, the U.S., the U.K., and Argentina. The platform is fully licensed under the U.S. FinCEN MSB (Money Services Business) registration and currently serves more than 500,000 users worldwide, including traders in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
Start Today— Unlock Your Path to Wealth on BexBack
If you missed the last crypto bull run, now is your chance. With Bitcoin holding strong above $105,000, traders are flocking to high-leverage platforms to capture fast gains. BexBack is giving you everything you need — $50 bonus, 100% deposit match, 100x leverage, and no KYC.
Sign Up Now on BexBack — Start your journey to rapidly accumulate wealth and enjoy a better life.
Disclaimer: This content is provided by BexBack.The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.
Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome by the vibrant Indian community in Zagreb as he began his landmark visit to Croatia – the first-ever by an Indian Prime Minister to the country – on Wednesday.
Zagreb is the last stop on PM Modi’s three-nation tour, which also included visits to Cyprus en route to Canada for Tuesday’s G7 Summit in Kananaskis.
As a special gesture, the PM was warmly received by his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenkovic at the Franjo Tudman Airport with a ceremonial welcome.
“This is a special visit, the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister to a valued European partner. I am grateful to Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic for the special gesture of welcoming me at the airport,” PM Modi posted on X.
Plenkovic said that PM Modi’s significant visit comes at a pivotal moment.
“We welcomed the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Zagreb! This is the first visit by the Prime Minister of India – the most populous country in the world, and it comes at an important geopolitical moment. We are starting a new chapter in Croatia-India relations and creating the conditions for strengthening bilateral cooperation in a number of areas,” the Croatian Prime Minister commented.
Members of the Indian diaspora, waiting to catch a glimpse of PM Modi, were seen gathered in huge numbers as the PM’s motorcade drove through the city.
Hundreds of people, including locals, also gave a grand welcome to PM Modi as he arrived at his hotel.
Amid chants of “Modi-Modi”, “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”, PM Modi witnessed vibrant and energy-filled cultural performances from people present at the venue.
PM Modi joined a group of locals chanting Vedic shlokas and also interacted with a few in the gathering while getting inside the building.
Citing the centuries-old close cultural links, PM Modi had said before arriving in the country that he is looking forward to his visit and meetings with President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic.
Prime Minister Modi had asserted that the three-nation tour is also an opportunity to thank partner countries for their steadfast support to India in India’s fight against cross-border terrorism, and to galvanise global understanding on tackling terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Analysts reckon that the first-ever visit by an Indian PM to Croatia will help in fostering stronger political and economic collaboration with Croatia. It will also provide a crucial opportunity to expand bilateral cooperation in various sectors including trade, innovation, defence, ports, shipping, science and tech, cultural exchange, and workforce mobility.
India and Croatia have close cooperation in trade, investment, defence, agriculture sectors amongst others, and also cooperate in international fora, vibrant cultural exchanges and close people-to-people ties.
The bilateral trade between both nations stands at about USD 300 million with the Indian investments in Croatia being roughly around USD 48 million.
Prime Minister Modi briefly interacted with Croatian PM Plenkovic at COP-26 in 2021 and the virtual India-EU Leaders Meeting the same year.
Former President Ramnath Kovind undertook State Visit to Croatia in March 2019, during which he was conferred with Croatia’s highest civilian honor (‘the Grand Order of the King of Tomislav’).
India has been well known in Croatia for centuries, and the earliest Croatian visitors to India were missionaries. Links have been found between the Principality of Dubrovnik and Goa, and the Church of Sao Braz was reportedly built by Croatians around 1563 in Goa.
The Indian community in Croatia has changed over the last three years rapidly due to the demographic situation in Croatia where a lot of foreign workers are being employed for carrying out work in different sectors of the economy.
There were approximately 17000 Indians residing in Croatia in December 2024. Many of the Indian workers are working on short to medium term contracts and therefore at least 90 per cent of the people currently residing are those who form a part of the mobile population staying in Croatia for a specific contractual period.
When you think about ticks, you might picture nightmarish little parasites, stalking you on weekend hikes or afternoons in the park.
Your fear is well-founded. Tick-borne diseases are the most prevalent vector-borne diseases – those transmitted by living organisms – in the United States. Each tick feeds on multiple animals throughout its life, absorbing viruses and bacteria along the way and passing them on with its next bite. Some of those viruses and bacteria are harmful to humans, causing diseases that can be debilitating and sometimes lethal without treatment, such as Lyme, babesiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
In many cases, human actions long ago are the reason ticks carry these diseases so widely today. And that’s what makes ticks fascinating for environmental historians like me.
Ticks can be tiny and hard to spot. This is an adult and nymph Ixodes scapularis on an adult’s index finger. CDC
Changing forests fueled tick risks
During the 18th and 19th centuries, settlers cleared more than half the forested land across the northeastern U.S., cutting down forests for timber and to make way for farms, towns and mining operations. With large-scale land clearing came a sharp decline in wildlife of all kinds. Predators such as bears and wolves were driven out, as were deer.
As farming moved westward, Northeasterners began to recognize the ecological and economic value of trees, and they returned millions of acres to forest.
The woods regrew. Plant-eaters such as deer returned, but the apex predators that once kept their populations in check did not.
As a result, deer populations carrying borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, grew rapidly. And with the deer came deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis). When a tick feeds on an infected deer, it can take up the bacteria. The tick isn’t harmed, but it can pass the bacteria to its next victim. In humans, Lyme disease can cause fever and fatigue, and if left untreated it can affect the nervous system.
For centuries, changing patterns of human settlements and the politics of land use have shaped the role of ticks and tick-borne illnesses within their environments.
In short, humans have made it easier for ticks to thrive and spread disease in our midst.
In California, the Northern Inner Coast and Santa Cruz mountain ranges that converge on San Francisco from the north and south were never clear-cut, and predators such as mountain lions and coyotes still exist there. But competition for housing has pushed human settlement deeper into wildland areas to the north, south and east of the city, reshaping tick ecology there.
While western black-legged ticks (Ixodes pacificus) tend to swarm in large forest preserves, the Lyme-causing bacterium is actually more prevalent in small, isolated patches of greenery. In these isolated patches, rodents and other tick hosts can thrive, safe from large predators, which need more habitat to move freely. But isolation and lower diversity also means infections are spread more easily within the tick’s host populations.
People tend to build isolated houses in the hills, rather than large, connected developments. As the Silicon Valley area south of San Francisco sprawls outward, this checkerboard pattern of settlement has fragmented the natural landscape, creating a hard-to-manage public health threat.
Fewer hosts, more tightly packed, often means more infected hosts, proportionally, and thus more dangerous ticks.
Domesticated livestock have also shaped the disease threat posed by ticks.
In 1892, at a meeting of cattle ranchers at the Stock Raiser’s Convention in Austin, Texas, Dr. B.A. Rogers introduced a novel theory that ticks were behind recent devastating plagues of Texas cattle fever. The disease had arrived with cattle imported from the West Indies and Mexico in the 1600s, and it was taking huge tolls on cattle herds. But how the disease spread to new victims had been a mystery.
Editors of Daniel’s Texas Medical Journal found the idea of ticks spreading disease laughable and lampooned the hypothesis, publishing a satire of what they described as an “early copy” of a forthcoming report on the subject.
The tick’s “fluid secretion, it is believed, is the poison which causes the fever … [and the tick] having been known to chew tobacco, as all other Texans do, the secretion is most probably tobacco juice,” they wrote.
Fortunately for the ranchers, not to mention the cows, the U.S. Department of Agriculture sided with Rogers. Its cattle fever tick program, started in 1906, curbed cattle fever outbreaks by limiting where and when cattle should cross tick-dense areas.
This innovative use of natural space as a public health tool helped to functionally eradicate cattle fever from 14 Southern states by 1943.
Ticks are products of their environment
When it comes to tick-borne diseases the world over, location matters.
Take the hunter tick (Hyalomma spp.) of the Mediterranean and Asia. As a juvenile, or nymph, these ticks feed on small forest animals such as mice, hares and voles, but as an adult they prefer domesticated livestock.
It’s probably too much to ask for sympathy for any ticks you meet this summer. They are bloodsucking parasites, after all.
Still, it’s worth remembering that the tick’s malevolence isn’t its own fault. Ticks are products of their environment, and humans have played many roles in turning them into the harmful parasites that seek us out today.
Snow leopards are known as the “ghosts of the mountains” for a reason. Imagine waiting for months in the harsh, rugged mountains of Asia, hoping to catch even a glimpse of one. These elusive big cats move silently across rocky slopes, their pale coats blending so seamlessly with snow and stone that even the most seasoned biologists seldom spot them in the wild.
Travel writer Peter Matthiessen spent two months in 1973 searching the Tibetan plateau for them and wrote a 300-page book about the effort. He never saw one. Forty years later, Peter’s son Alex retraced his father’s steps – and didn’t see one either.
Researchers have struggled to come up with a figure for the global population. In 2017, the International Union for Conservation of Nature reclassified the snow leopard from endangered to vulnerable, citing estimates of between 2,500 and 10,000 adults in the wild. However, the group also warned that numbers continue to decline in many areas due to habitat loss, poaching and human-wildlife conflict. Those who study these animals want to help protect the species and their habitat – if only we can determine exactly where they live and how many there are.
Traditional tracking methods – searching for footprints, droppings and other signs – have their limits. Instead of waiting for a lucky face-to-face encounter, conservationists from the Wildlife Conservation Society, led by experts including Stéphane Ostrowski and Sorosh Poya Faryabi, began deploying automated camera traps in Afghanistan. These devices snap photos whenever movement is detected, capturing thousands of images over months, all in hopes of obtaining a rare glimpse of a snow leopard.
But capturing images is only half the battle. The next, even harder task is telling one snow leopard apart from another.
Are these the same animal or different ones? It’s really hard to tell. Eve Bohnett, CC BY-ND
At first glance, it might sound simple: Each snow leopard has a unique pattern of black rosettes on its coat, like a fingerprint or a face in a crowd. Yet in practice, identifying individuals by these patterns is slow, subjective and prone to error. Photos may be taken at odd angles, under poor lighting, or with parts of the animal obscured – making matches tricky.
A common mistake happens when photos from different cameras are marked as depicting different animals when they actually show the same individual, inflating population estimates. Worse, camera trap images can get mixed up or misfiled, splitting encounters of one cat across multiple batches and identities.
I am a data analyst working with Wildlife Conservation Society and other partners at Wild Me. My work and others’ has found that even trained experts can misidentify animals, failing to recognize repeat visitors at locations monitored by motion-sensing cameras and counting the same animal more than once. One study found that the snow leopard population was overestimated by more than 30% because of these human errors.
To avoid these pitfalls, researchers follow camera sorting guidelines: At least three clear pattern differences or similarities must be confirmed between two images to declare them the same or different cats. Images too blurry, too dark or taken from difficult angles may have to be discarded. Identification efforts range from easy cases with clear, full-body shots to ambiguous ones needing collaboration and debate. Despite these efforts, variability remains, and more experienced observers tend to be more accurate.
Now people trying to count snow leopards are getting help from artificial intelligence systems, in two ways.
Spotting the spots
Modern AI tools are revolutionizing how we process these large photo libraries. First, AI can rapidly sort through thousands of images, flagging those that contain snow leopards and ignoring irrelevant ones such as those that depict blue sheep, gray-and-white mountain terrain, or shadows.
Unique spots and spot patterns are key to telling snow leopards apart. Eve Bohnett, CC BY-NC-ND
AI can identify individual snow leopards by analyzing their unique rosette patterns, even when poses or lighting vary. Each snow leopard encounter is compared with a catalog of previously identified photos and assigned a known ID if there is a match, or entered as a new individual if not.
The first algorithm, called HotSpotter, identifies individual snow leopards by comparing key visual features such as coat patterns, highlighting distinctive “hot spots” with a yellow marker.
The second is a newer method called pose invariant embeddings, which operates similar to facial recognition technology: It recognizes layers of abstract features in the data, identifying the same animal regardless of how it is positioned in the photo or what kind of lighting there may be.
We trained these systems using a curated dataset of photos of snow leopards from zoos in the U.S., Europe and Tajikistan, and with images from the wild, including in Afghanistan.
Alone, each model worked about 74% of the time, correctly identifying the cat from a large photo library. But when combined, the two systems together were correct 85% of the time.
These algorithms were integrated into Wildbook, an open-source, web-based software platform developed by the nonprofit organization Wild Me and now adopted by ConservationX. We deployed the combined system on a free website, Whiskerbook.org, where researchers can upload images, seek matches using the algorithms, and confirm those matches with side-by-side comparisons. This site is among a growing family of AI-powered wildlife platforms that are helping conservation biologists work more efficiently and more effectively at protecting species and their habitats.
A view from an online wildlife-tracking system suggests a possible match for a snow leopard caught by a remote camera. Wildbook/Eve Bohnett, CC BY-ND
Humans still needed
These AI systems aren’t error-proof. AI quickly narrows down candidates and flags likely matches, but expert validation ensures accuracy, especially with tricky or ambiguous photos.
Another study we conducted pitted AI-assisted groups of experts and novices against each other. Each was given a set of three to 10 images of 34 known captive snow leopards and asked to use the Whiskerbook platform to identify them. They were also asked to estimate how many individual animals were in the set of photos.
The experts accurately matched about 90% of the images and delivered population estimates within about 3% of the true number. In contrast, the novices identified only 73% of the cats and underestimated the total number, sometimes by 25% or more, incorrectly merging two individuals into one.
The takeaway is clear: Human expertise remains important, and combining it with AI support leads to the most accurate results. My colleagues and I hope that by using tools like Whiskerbook and the AI systems embedded in them, researchers will be able to more quickly and more confidently study these elusive animals.
With AI tools like Whiskerbook illuminating the mysteries of these mountain ghosts, we have another way to safeguard snow leopards – but success depends on continued commitment to protecting their fragile mountain homes.
Eve Bohnett receives funding from San Diego State Research Foundation and Wildlife Conservation Society. She is affiliated with University of Florida.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ (IA-02)
Muscatine, IA – Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a former small business owner, visited Muscatine County to meet with small business owners and community leaders to hear directly from Iowans about how the One Big Beautiful Bill is delivering for them.
“Iowa’s Main Streets are the heartbeat of our communities,”said Miller-Meeks. “From the family-owned diner to the corner pharmacy, these businesses aren’t asking for favors. They work hard, serve their neighbors, and do everything right. They deserve a government that fights for them. That’s why I proudly voted for President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill. It cuts taxes, eliminates red tape, and gives working families and small businesses the freedom to grow and thrive. I’ll never stop fighting to protect Iowa’s values and way of life.”
Stops on the tour included:
Wester Drug
Relion Insurance
Carpet One
Bobby’s Asian Restaurant
Sal Vitale’s Italian Restaurant
Throughout the tour, Miller-Meeks heard directly from business owners about the impact of tax relief, pro-growth reforms, and expanded support for rural communities. The One Big Beautiful Bill delivers the largest tax cut for working families and small businesses in American history, relief that Iowa needs and deserves.
Miller-Meeks remains committed to defending Iowa values, restoring prosperity, and ensuring the voices of rural America are heard loud and clear in Washington.
