Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) — More than 90 percent of Central Asians have positive impressions of China, according to a survey conducted by researchers from Lanzhou University from April 1 to May 15 this year in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
As the joint construction of the Belt and Road continues to advance, the importance of Central Asia is becoming more obvious amid the rapid changes in the international structure, according to a press conference held recently at Lanzhou University on the report on China’s image in Central Asia.
According to the report, China’s overall image in Central Asia shows a positive development trend. Residents of the region have high hopes for promising cooperation with China in the field of scientific and technological innovation and the development of new quality productive forces.
The purpose of the survey, as reported on the official website of Lanzhou University, is to analyze and evaluate the results of friendly cooperation between China and the five Central Asian states.
“It is of particular value that Central Asians deeply agree with the concept of a community with a shared future for China and Central Asia, which brings positive energy to the stable joint construction of the Belt and Road,” said Sha Yongzhong, vice-president of Lanzhou University, at a press conference.
The China Central Asia Image Research Report was developed by the China Central Asia Big Data Institute of Lanzhou University. The survey participants were residents of five Central Asian countries aged 18 to 65. More than a thousand valid questionnaires were received in Chinese, English and Russian.
According to the report, more than 90 percent of respondents view China as “a country that has contributed to global development” and “a responsible country that actively participates in world affairs.”
A similar number of respondents believe that China has had a “very large” or “quite large” positive influence on the development of their countries’ economies. More than 96.2 percent of Central Asians positively assess China’s role in the development of their countries in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
“I hope that the publication of this report will provide new opportunities to stimulate friendly interaction between China and Central Asian countries, especially in the fields of education, culture and tourism,” said Chen Yiyi, deputy director of the institute, in an interview with the Zhongxinshe news agency. -0-
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, held a luncheon meeting with members of the Norwegian Parliament, led by Hon. H.E. Åslaug Sem-Jacobsen, in Oslo, Norway, on 10 June 2025. During the meeting, Dr. Kao commended the active participation of Norwegian parliamentary members as AIPA Observers and for their contributions to advance green and blue economic cooperation. Dr. Kao also expressed his appreciation for Hon. Sem-Jacobsen’s participation in the Women Parliamentarians of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (WAIPA) Women’s Political Leaders Forum, at the 45th AIPA General Assembly in October 2024, which reaffirmed ASEAN and Norway’s shared commitment in gender equality, sustainability, and inclusive growth. Dr. Kao further underscored the importance of ASEAN–Norway collaboration in aligning legislative and executive priorities and reaffirmed ASEAN’s support for deeper engagement with the Norwegian Parliament through AIPA.
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Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, met with H.E. Erna Solberg, Deputy Leader of AIPA-Delegation from the Norwegian Parliament, in Oslo, Norway, on 10 June 2025. Dr. Kao welcomed Norway’s strong commitment in ASEAN as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner and AIPA Observer, highlighting its active role in promoting sustainability, peace, and inclusive development. He acknowledged Norway’s support for green shipping development in ASEAN and encouraged stronger cooperation in other areas such as political-security and economic spheres. Dr. Kao also reaffirmed ASEAN’s support for enhanced collaboration with the Norwegian Parliament through AIPA, particularly in aligning executive and legislative priorities for regional peace and prosperity, among others.
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Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has praised the adoption of the Pandemic Agreement during the 4th Health Working Group meeting of the Group of 20 (G20) held in Johannesburg.
This significant international treaty, supported by 124 member states on 20 May 2025, is only the second international health treaty approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) since its establishment in 1948.
The agreement’s adoption follows three years of intensive negotiation launched due to gaps and inequities identified in the national and global COVID-19 response.
It aims to boost global collaboration to ensure a stronger, more equitable response to future pandemics.
Delivering the welcome address on Tuesday morning, Motsoaledi celebrated the momentous achievement and emphasised the importance of collective action in ensuring global health security.
“Your presence here today is a testament to our collective commitment to global health security,” he said.
Motsoaledi stated that the agreement results from the diligent efforts of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), which was established to develop a legally binding framework for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
“The stark lessons of the COVID-19 crisis fuelled our collective resolve to forge a more robust and equitable framework, one that ensures international cooperation and protects all nations from the devastating impact of future pandemics,” the Minister told the attendees.
South Africa, playing a pivotal leadership role as a co-chair of the INB, worked alongside partners from France and the Netherlands, while acknowledging contributions from vice-chairs representing Brazil, Thailand, Egypt, and New Zealand.
The Minister stated that the four key pillars of the agreement are designed to fundamentally transform the global response to health emergencies.
The agreement emphasises the importance of equitable access to pandemic-related health products, the establishment of a global supply chain and logistics network, and the creation of a coordinating financial mechanism to strengthen pandemic response capabilities.
In addition, the agreement highlights a holistic “One Health” approach, which stresses the connections between human, animal, and environmental health, which is now a central focus of global pandemic strategies.
The Minister said the agreement incorporates a Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system, requiring pharmaceutical companies to contribute 20% of production during pandemics in exchange for access to critical pathogen data.
This mechanism aims to ensure that all nations benefit from scientific advancements, especially in times of crisis.
“As an active participant and representative member for the African region, I can say with certainty that we see this agreement as a crucial step towards rectifying the deep-seated imbalances in access to life-saving pandemic products that were so painfully exposed during the recent crisis.”
Although Motsoaledi has acknowledged the agreement’s adoption as a significant success, there is still much work ahead.
“While we celebrate the adoption of the Pandemic Agreement, our work is far from over. We are now entering a critical new phase.”
He urged immediate engagement in further discussions regarding the PABS system, to convene the Intergovernmental Working Group before 15 July 2025.
“Finalising a robust and equitable PABS annex is the ultimate litmus test of our collective commitment. It is the essential next step to transform the Pandemic Agreement from a document of principles into a functional, life-saving tool for justice and our shared global health security.”
He has since called for continued collaboration and commitment to safeguarding global health for everyone.
This important week-long meeting began this morning and will conclude on Friday, 13 June 2025.
The event brings together health leaders, experts, and policymakers from the world’s largest economies, invited nations, and international organisations. – SAnews.gov.za
South Africa is closely monitoring the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, known as Nimbus or NB.1.8.1, associated with a rise in cases in certain regions of Asia.
This is according to Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, who addressed the 4th Health Working Group meeting of the Group of 20 (G20), which is underway in Johannesburg.
Motsoaledi said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated this “a variant under monitoring” due to its growing presence.
India is the latest country to experience a surge in new COVID-19 cases due to the emergence of the new variant, NB.1.8.1.
According to the Independent, infections have been confirmed in several Asian countries, including Thailand, Indonesia and China.
In addition, the United Kingdom Health Security Agency reported the first 13 cases of this variant in England last week.
“I wish to reassure this esteemed gathering that South Africa has robust surveillance systems in place.
“Our National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) manages a comprehensive sentinel surveillance programme that systematically tests for key respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV. Currently, our data show very low SARS-CoV-2 activity,” Motsoaledi explained.
South Africa is currently experiencing a seasonal rise in influenza, but the country is well-prepared to manage the situation, he said.
“Crucially, the new variant remains a descendant of the Omicron lineage. This means that current recommendations for updated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are still effective. Therefore, at this stage, no specific new public health actions are required from the public.”
Motsoaledi said government continues to promote good hygiene practices, including handwashing, covering coughs, and staying home when feeling unwell.
“These simple measures are effective in reducing the spread of all respiratory illnesses. We will continue to monitor the situation closely through our established networks and will report any significant changes.”
Meanwhile, he called on the attendees of the meeting to work together with “renewed urgency and unwavering resolve”.
“Let us build a future where solidarity, equity, and cooperation are the cornerstones of our global health architecture.”
The week-long Health Working Group meeting began on Tuesday and will conclude on Friday.
It brings together health leaders, experts, and policymakers from the world’s largest economies, invited nations, and international organisations.
The plenary sessions will build on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and address ongoing barriers to accessing countermeasures, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
There will be a focus on prioritising the expansion of local and regional manufacturing capacity, especially in regions like Africa.
Delegates will also explore opportunities for technology transfer, sustainable financing, and regulatory alignment to ensure timely and equitable access to life-saving tools during health emergencies. – SAnews.gov.za
The video of a Los Angeles police officer shooting a rubber bullet at Channel Nine reporter Lauren Tomasi is as shocking as it is revealing.
In her live broadcast, Tomasi is standing to the side of a rank of police in riot gear. She describes the way they have begun firing rubber bullets to disperse protesters angry with US President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigrants.
As Tomasi finishes her sentence, the camera pans to the left, just in time to catch the officer raising his gun and firing a non-lethal round into her leg. She said a day later she is sore, but otherwise OK.
Although a more thorough investigation might find mitigating circumstances, from the video evidence, it is hard to dismiss the shot as “crossfire”. The reporter and cameraman were off to one side of the police, clearly identified and working legitimately.
The shooting is also not a one-off. Since the protests against Trump’s mass deportations policy began three days ago, a reporter with the LA Daily News and a freelance journalist have been hit with pepper balls and tear gas.
British freelance photojournalist Nick Stern also had emergency surgery to remove a three-inch plastic bullet from his leg.
In all, the Los Angeles Press Club has documented more than 30 incidents of obstruction and attacks on journalists during the protests.
Trump’s assault on the media
It now seems assaults on the media are no longer confined to warzones or despotic regimes. They are happening in American cities, in broad daylight, often at the hands of those tasked with upholding the law.
But violence is only one piece of the picture. In the nearly five months since taking office, the Trump administration has moved to defund public broadcasters, curtail access to information and undermine the credibility of independent media.
International services once used to project democratic values and American soft power around the world, such as Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, have all had their funding cut and been threatened with closure. (The Voice of America website is still operational but hasn’t been updated since mid-March, with one headline on the front page reading “Vatican: Francis stable, out of ‘imminent danger’ of death”).
The Associated Press, one of the most respected and important news agencies in the world, has been restricted from its access to the White House and covering Trump. The reason? It decided to defy Trump’s directive to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America.
Even broadcast licenses for major US networks, such as ABC, NBC and CBS, have been publicly threatened — a signal to editors and executives that political loyalty might soon outweigh journalistic integrity.
The Committee to Protect Journalists is more used to condemning attacks on the media in places like Russia. However, in April, it issued a report headlined: “Alarm bells: Trump’s first 100 days ramp up fear for the press, democracy”.
A requirement for peace
Why does this matter? The success of American democracy has never depended on unity or even civility. It has depended on scrutiny. A system where power is challenged, not flattered.
The First Amendment to the US Constitution – which protects freedom of speech – has long been considered the gold standard for building the institutions of free press and free expression. That only works when journalism is protected — not in theory but in practice.
Now, strikingly, the language once reserved for autocracies and failed states has begun to appear in assessments of the US. Civicus, which tracks declining democracies around the world, recently put the US on its watchlist, alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Italy, Serbia and Pakistan.
The attacks on the journalists in LA are troubling not only for their sake, but for ours. This is about civic architecture. The kind of framework that makes space for disagreement without descending into disorder.
Press freedom is not a luxury for peacetime. It is a requirement for peace.
Peter Greste is Professor of Journalism at Macquarie University and the Executive Director for the advocacy group, the Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) will launch the exhibition “The Pride of Hong Kong: Three Preeminent Collections of Ancient Paintings and Calligraphies” from June 11 to October 7, converging for the first time treasures from three world-class collections – Xubaizhai, established by the late renowned local collector Low Chuck-tiew; Chih Lo Lou, by Ho Iu-kwong; and Bei Shan Tang, by Lee Jung-sen, which are highly revered locally and internationally. Ninety-three sets of masterpieces from the Tang to the Qing dynasties will be exhibited, showcasing Hong Kong’s golden age of collecting.
The exhibition, presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, is jointly organised by the HKMoA and the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Addressing the opening ceremony held today (June 10), the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan, said that in the mid-20th century, Chinese national treasures were featured in a large quantity in Hong Kong. Foreign art dealers and collectors were highly enthusiastic to acquire these treasures. With the resolve to retain these embodiments of Chinese heritage on home soil, the three collectors were determined to collect ancient Chinese masterpieces. The three world-class private treasured collections, namely Xubaizhai, Chih Lo Lou and Bei Shan Tang, were thus built up. Moreover, the three collectors and their families donated their invaluable collections to the HKMoA and the Art Museum of the CUHK for exhibition and educational purposes, providing the public with the opportunity to appreciate Chinese painting and calligraphy. The three collectors and their families, committed to preserving and promoting Chinese culture, have demonstrated their honourable generosity.
In almost the same way the rope aboard the Pequod “folds the whole boat in its complicated coils,” so too have the details of the 14th International Melville Society Conference around UConn’s Mary K. Bercaw Edwards.
Who knew planning a weeklong event at UConn Avery Point for 150 Herman Melville scholars from lands as far away as those along the route in the hunt for Moby Dick would imitate passages from the English professor’s favorite chapter in the novel by the same name?
The whaling line, Melville writes of the rope, is both “magical, sometimes horrible.”
But once the scholars arrive and the opening plenary address begins on Monday, June 16, Bercaw Edwards says she’ll settle in and enjoy what the week has to offer as the UConn campus and southeastern Connecticut show off their maritime heritage.
“It’s going to be an amazing conference. The talks look outstanding, and everyone is so excited to be in this location,” Bercaw Edwards says.
Titled “Oceanic Melville,” the conference follows a 2022 gathering in Paris and other global destinations through the years including Poland in 2007, Israel in 2009, Italy in 2011, and Japan in 2015. The first was held in Greece in 1997, with gatherings planned generally biennially.
The latest exhibition, “Oceanic Melville,” at the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art features artwork inspired by Herman Melville’s novel “Moby-Dick,” including artist Robert Del Tredici’s mixed media print, “Torn Body, Gnashed Soul.” The exhibition at UConn Avery Point is open through June 19. (Kimberly Phillips/UConn Today)
Bercaw Edwards says The Melville Society, an international organization dedicated to the study of the author, asked her to arrange a conference at Avery Point in part because of its proximity to Mystic Seaport Museum just 15 minutes down the road where the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world, is on display.
The Morgan was launched in 1841 from New Bedford, Massachusetts, built seven months after and 7 miles away from the Acushnet, the whale ship on which Melville served as a crewmember in the Pacific Ocean before writing “Moby-Dick,” making the Morgan as identical as possible to the Acushnet.
While several days of panel discussions and other academic talks (some are open to the public) on topics ranging from Melville in popular culture to Melville and his animals are the centerpiece of the conference, Bercaw Edwards says a daylong trip to the Museum, where she works in the summer, and the chance to get up close with the Morgan is a highlight.
“They’ll see us raise sails, lower and raise the whale boat. They’ll get to pull on the halyards, which will give them a visceral feeling of what it’s like to set sail,” she says of conference attendees. “We’re also going to give them an opportunity to actually row in whale boats.”
Participants’ day at the Museum also will include the daily activities available to the public, including a concert by staff musicians playing and singing the songs mentioned in “Moby-Dick” and a 35-minute play with three actors using Melville’s words to tell the story of Ahab and the whale.
“Monstrous: Whaling and its Colossal Impact,” the Museum’s newest exhibition that opened in late May and runs through Feb. 16, 2026, by happenstance coincides with the conference.
The exhibition has been built around Mexican American artist Jos Sances’ scratchboard mural, “Or, The Whale,” a 51-foot-long artwork the same size as a juvenile sperm whale. Bercaw Edwards says Sances created the piece after reading and finding inspiration in “Moby-Dick.”
“Sances is a screen printer and a scratchboard artist who’s from Mexico and lives in California – and then he read ‘Moby-Dick’ and was driven to make this mural,” she says. “With his background, there was nothing that would have drawn him naturally to reading a book by a white New England author, but he did just like so many others do.”
‘Deep and Important Questions’
From the perspective of Pequod crewmember Ishmael, “Moby-Dick” tells the story of Captain Ahab’s trek across the globe for vengeance against the albino sperm whale Moby Dick, which took off his leg during a previous encounter.
Some chapters are incredibly dense with precise details about whaling and sailing, while others are so action-packed the story moves quickly. It’s considered among the greatest American novels and for many English majors might be considered their very own white whale.
“Quenchless Feud (Ahab)” from artist Jos Sances is on display as part of “Oceanic Melville” at the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art at UConn Avery Point. (Kimberly Phillips/UConn Today)
Bercaw Edwards says she’s oftentimes amazed that today’s audiences are so interested in something written in 1851 – that’s nearly 175 years ago – especially given that it’s authored by a dead, white male and features the killing of whales.
“It seems as politically incorrect as it can possibly be, and yet it feels as if it’s still on the ascendancy,” she says. “It’s a long, dense, tough book, and yet it’s immensely popular. There are graphic novels, movies, plays, concerts, memes, and T-shirts about it.”
She says she once witnessed a colleague who writes about Melville in popular culture mention the word “tattoo” during a talk, and afterward a throng of people gathered around to show him the Melville-inspired artwork on their biceps, forearms, and calves.
“It’s just amazing to me that Melville is so popular. I think it’s because he asks all kinds of deep and important questions: Is there truth? Is there justice? Is there anything beyond our human existence? How do we go about life? And he doesn’t give us any answers. Every time you think ‘OK, that’s the answer,’ he undercuts it. He wants you to realize there are no answers, but he’s asking these great questions. I think that’s part of why it’s still eternal,” she says.
Never mind the beauty of Melville’s writing.
“At the end of Chapter 1, Melville writes, ‘It is but well to be on friendly terms with all the inmates of the place one lodges in.’ I’ve always loved that. We should all get along,” Bercaw Edwards says. “I also love, ‘Ignorance is the parent of fear.’ People are afraid of things they don’t know. It’s so true.”
Pequod third mate Flask fears butter – yes, a stick of butter – Bercaw Edwards continues, noting the humor in the book. He feels as if he’s not entitled to the spread: “So when they’re all eating with Ahab – Starbuck, Stubb, and Flask – they’re always really quiet because they’re kind of nervous around Ahab, and Flask, of course, never dares to take butter. Then Melville writes, ‘For Flask is a butterless man.’”
Reading ‘Moby-Dick’
Every time “Moby-Dick” appears on a syllabus in one of Bercaw Edwards’ classes, she says she gives it a fresh read, no specific routine around it, no tableside requisite cup of black tea to share with Ahab.
She’s delighted in its humor during her at least 35 times rereading it through the years – so many instances that she finds herself quoting it as she goes along. And when she gets to her favorite chapter – number 60, “The Line” – she knows she’ll get the best Melville has to offer.
“He’s describing the whale line, which is attached to the harpoon and thrown into the whale. He has really basic information about the line, about rope, and then it’s infused with all kinds of humor,” she says, quoting his description of hemp: “Hemp is a dusky, dark fellow, a sort of Indian; but Manilla is as a golden-haired Circassian to behold.”
Melville then builds to what Bercaw Edwards calls a “metaphysical lift,” explaining that the whale-line surrounds the boat, crisscrossing it and traveling by each of the crewmembers. He then notes that we’re all surrounded by ropes, and no one knows when it will take you to eternity.
“It’s set up like a sermon,” she says of the chapter. “Sermons pick apart a line from biblical text. This does the same thing. It just does it with real line rather than a line of text.”
Then again, Bercaw Edwards can relate to Melville and journeys around the world better than most.
As her friends shifted into high school upperclassman status at 16 years old, she and her family went to sea, she says. The family of five – Mom and Dad, sister and brother, and her – sailed around the globe on a journey that took 3½ years.
“When I went to college, I knew I wanted to be an English major, but I was thinking I would study Henry James,” she says of the American British author. “Then my professor suggested that with my sailing background I should be a Melville scholar – and now I can’t imagine anything else. All my scholarship has been on Melville, with a little on Joseph Conrad and Jack London, but always centered on Melville.”
She acknowledges, though, that for some, reading “Moby-Dick” might be daunting, to which she offers four words of advice: Visit Mystic Seaport Museum.
Seeing the whale boat demonstrations and getting onboard the Morgan to imagine sleeping in its belly every night for between two and five years oftentimes help people get through those challenging whaling chapters.
She further recommends listening to the story as an audio book.
“When people hear it read aloud, they’ll often see how funny it is. I mean, it’s full of humor, and that’s often lost when people get stuck on the fact that this is The. Great. American. Novel,” she says.
From July 31 to Aug. 1, Mystic Seaport Museum will host its 40th annual “Moby-Dick” Marathon reading of the book to coincide with Melville’s Aug. 1 birthday. Readers gather onboard the Morgan and take about 24 consecutive hours to get through the 135 chapters.
“One of the things I always notice is people listening and then they start to laugh and feel embarrassed, like they’re not supposed to. This is The Great American Novel, but of course we’re supposed to laugh,” she adds.
Public Events and AVS Exhibition
With grant funding from Connecticut Humanities and the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, several events during The Melville Society conference will be open to the public, Bercaw Edwards says.
The opening plenary talk at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, June 16, “Other Seas: Sailing Without Ahab,” will come from St. John’s University English professor Steve Mentz, who’s figured prominently in the field of blue humanities. He will discuss how humans engage with water, along with the history and theory of water-centric thinking.
“The Pod” from artist George Klauba is on display as part of “Oceanic Melville” at the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art at UConn Avery Point. (Kimberly Phillips/UConn Today)
Then, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, “Does the Whale Diminish? – Will He Perish? Cross-Disciplinary Currents in Conversation” will offer a panel discussion with Anne Cohen from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, conservation biologist and author Joe Roman, and Portuguese marine researcher Rui Prieto.
The closing plenary address at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, also is open to the public. It features Lenora Warren from Cornell University, one of the leading scholars about Melville and race. Her talk, “Melville’s Ghosts,” dovetails with the day also being Juneteenth.
At the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art at Avery Point, the exhibition “Oceanic Melville” comes together thanks to curator and gallery director Jeanne Ciravolo, along with Bercaw Edwards and Robert K. Wallace from Northern Kentucky University.
Ciravolo says she mentioned during a campus faculty meeting more than a year ago that she enjoys making the gallery’s exhibitions interdisciplinary experiences and afterward Bercaw Edwards asked if she was interested in working together on a show to dovetail with the conference.
“I absolutely was,” Ciravolo says. “I’m a reader. I once thought I’d be an English teacher, but I became an artist, so to have the opportunity to marry literature plus art is very unusual for me and special.”
About two dozen framed artworks on loan from The Melville Society, which houses its collection at the New Bedford Whaling Museum in Massachusetts, are part of the show, along with several artists’ books, Ciravolo says, noting that most of the pieces relate to “Moby-Dick.”
This includes three full-color pieces from artist George Klauba, prints from sculptor and graphic artist Leonard Baskin, and an abstract piece, “Skin’s Path/Moby Dick,” from artist Aileen Callahan, a charcoal on paper that depicts the damaged skin of a whale that’s been beaten with time.
“The idea is to always get a mix of things, a variety of style and media, into the gallery,” Ciravolo says, explaining she and Bercaw Edwards visited the New Bedford Museum to pour through The Melville Society’s full collection, as well as the Museum’s Elizabeth Schultz Collection, and select the most powerful artworks from watercolor to printmaking.
“The scholars who are coming are going to appreciate seeing these artworks,” Ciravolo says. “I love that it will be a generative experience for them and that the public will have the chance to see this very interesting show. We’re here on Long Island Sound, near the whaling center of New England, so it’s a perfect place for this.”
The AVS Gallery is open Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. in the Branford House at UConn Avery Point. It will have extended hours from noon to 4 p.m. on Monday, June 16, and Tuesday, June 17, during the Melville conference for both participants and the public. The “Oceanic Melville” exhibition is open now through Thursday, June 19.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-01)
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) and Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20) introduced the Specialist Fourth Class Keith Smith Glioblastoma Parity Act, which amends the PACT Act to ensure Vietnam War veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange can access critical benefits for glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.
The bill, named in honor of Specialist Fourth Class (SP4) Keith Smith, was inspired by a letter Congresswomen Hinson and Cherfilus-McCormick received from his widow, Linda Smith, an Iowa resident. SP4 Smith, a Vietnam veteran exposed to Agent Orange, died from glioblastoma—a condition not currently recognized under the PACT Act for Agent Orange exposure. As a result, he was denied critical benefits. Linda Smith now advocates to ensure no other veteran or family faces the same injustice.
“This was Keith’s wish─to help other Vietnam veterans affected by Agent Orange. Adding glioblastoma to the list of presumptive conditions as part of the PACT Act would help fulfill that wish.” – Linda Smith.
“Ensuring our veterans receive the benefits they have earned remains a top priority for me. I was proud to support the PACT Act to expand access to care for those exposed to toxic substances, but more work remains. Glioblastoma is not recognized as a presumptive condition under the PACT Act for Agent Orange exposure, despite mounting evidence. I had the honor of speaking with Linda Smith of Independence, Iowa—the widow of Specialist Fourth Class Keith Smith, who tragically passed away from Glioblastoma. SP4 Smith served our country with pride and honor, but under the current PACT Act, he was still unable to receive the health care he deserved. I’m humbled to co-lead this bipartisan effort to update the law and ensure all veterans have access to the highest quality care. Naming this bill in SP4 Smith’s honor is a deserving tribute to his life and service, and an opportunity for Iowans and all Americans to help save lives while honoring one of our own.” –Congresswoman Ashley Hinson
“When our veterans serve, we make a promise to stand by them—not just in war, but long after they return home. Specialist Fourth Class Keith Smith answered that call with courage in Vietnam, risking everything in service to our nation. This bipartisan bill is more than legislation—it’s a solemn commitment to honor his legacy, uplift his memory, and ensure that no veteran is forgotten. By recognizing his sacrifice, we reaffirm our duty to all those who have served and continue to serve, and we take a meaningful step toward keeping the promises we’ve made.” – Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick
“The Military Aviator Coalition for Health (MACH) is proud to endorse this critical piece of legislation. Glioblastoma claims far too many veteran lives annually. This bill is a huge step in rectifying past disparities and honoring the tremendous legacy of SP4 Smith.” – COL. Vincent Alcazar, USAF (ret.), Founder and Director of MACH
“The Invisible Enemy proudly supports the Specialist Fourth Class Keith Smith Glioblastoma Parity Act introduced by Congresswomen Cherfilus-McCormick and Hinson. Glioblastoma has affected many servicemembers, whether due to Agent Orange on the battlefield or radiation at the Nevada Test and Training Range (HB 1400). We are deeply grateful to the Members of Congress who continue to support veterans by recognizing glioblastoma as a presumptive condition related to their service. These efforts bring hope and long-overdue recognition to those who have sacrificed in silence.” – David Tilem, Executive Director of the Invisible Enemy
SINGAPORE, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Primech AI Pte. Ltd. (“Primech AI” or the “Company”), a subsidiary of Primech Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: PMEC), today announced that it has been named Winner in the Robotics category at the prestigious Singapore Business Review (SBR) Technology Excellence Awards 2025. This recognition underscores Primech AI’s commitment to innovation and leadership in the robotics industry and its ongoing efforts to drive technological advancements that enhance productivity and transform industries.
The SBR Technology Excellence Awards celebrate the achievements of Singapore’s top technology companies and innovators, highlighting organizations that have made significant contributions to the nation’s digital transformation journey. As detailed in the official SBR announcement, this year’s ceremony recognized outstanding projects and solutions shaping the future of technology in Singapore and beyond.
Primech AI’s award-winning robotics solutions have set new benchmarks for efficiency, reliability, and intelligent automation. HYTRON model incorporates the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Super, a state-of-the-art System-on-Module (SoM) designed for robust edge AI and robotics applications. Known for its compact size and powerful AI capabilities, the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Super facilitates high-energy efficiency and superior AI processing at the edge, empowering HYTRON to deliver enhanced performance in autonomous toilet cleaning. By leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence, Primech AI continues to develop advanced robotic systems that address the evolving needs of businesses across multiple sectors.
“We are honored to be recognized by the Singapore Business Review for our contributions to robotics and technology innovation,” said Charles Ng, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Primech AI. “This award is a testament to the dedication and ingenuity of our team, and it motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of what robotics can achieve for our clients and the community.”
For more information about the SBR Technology Excellence Awards 2025 and the full list of winners, please refer to the official announcement by Singapore Business Review.
About Primech AI Primech AI is a leading robotics company dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation in technology. With a team of passionate individuals and a commitment to collaboration, Primech AI is poised to revolutionize the robotics industry with groundbreaking solutions that make a meaningful impact on society. For more information, visitwww.primech.ai.
About Primech Holdings Limited Headquartered in Singapore, Primech Holdings Limited is a leading provider of comprehensive technology-driven facilities services, predominantly serving both public and private sectors throughout Singapore. Primech Holdings offers an extensive range of services tailored to meet the complex demands of its diverse clientele. Services include advanced general facility maintenance services, specialized cleaning solutions such as marble polishing and facade cleaning, meticulous stewarding services, and targeted cleaning services for offices and homes. Known for its commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technology, Primech Holdings integrates eco-friendly practices and smart technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency and client satisfaction. This strategic approach positions Primech Holdings as a leader in the industry and a proactive contributor to advancing industry standards and practices in Singapore and beyond. For more information, visit www.primechholdings.com.
Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including, for example, statements about completing the acquisition, anticipated revenues, growth, and expansion. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are also based on assumptions regarding the Company’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure that such expectations will be correct. The Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.
India is poised to make history as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force prepares to become the first Indian astronaut in over four decades to travel to space. Selected under the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Human Spaceflight Programme, Shukla will serve as Mission Pilot for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS), launching aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 on June 11, 2025. This mission, reviving the legacy of Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 spaceflight, underscores India’s bold ambition to lead in global space exploration.
Managed by Axiom Space and led by Commander Peggy Whitson of the USA, Ax-4 is a landmark collaboration involving India, Poland, and Hungary, each sending government-sponsored astronauts to the ISS for the first time. Shukla’s role highlights India’s growing prominence in the global space community, focusing on operational readiness, microgravity adaptation, and advanced scientific experiments in space biology and life support systems. His work will include pioneering studies on edible microalgae to explore their growth under microgravity and space radiation, alongside research on cyanobacteria like Spirulina and Synechococcus for self-sustaining life support systems. An ISRO-led project, Voyager Tardigrades, will investigate the resilience of tardigrades in space, aiming to uncover molecular mechanisms for surviving extreme environments. Additional experiments on crop seeds, myogenesis, STEM demonstrations, and sprouts will further bolster India’s space science expertise. These efforts, developed in partnership with ISRO, NASA, and the Department of Biotechnology, are vital for long-duration missions and align with India’s Gaganyaan Programme, targeting a crewed mission to Low Earth Orbit by 2027.
The Gaganyaan Programme, backed by a ₹20,193 crore budget, is India’s flagship initiative for indigenous human spaceflight. It aims to develop and validate technologies for safe crewed missions, with a vision to establish the Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and achieve a crewed lunar landing by 2040. Four Indian Air Force test pilots—Group Captains PB Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Pratap, and Shukla—have completed rigorous training. As of May 2025, the programme is in its final phase, with the Human-rated LVM3 vehicle, Crew Escape System, and Crew Module undergoing final testing for a planned 2027 launch. Gaganyaan is expected to drive technological innovation, industrial growth, and high-tech job creation, while inspiring future generations in STEM fields.
India’s space programme has already achieved remarkable milestones. Between January 2015 and December 2024, ISRO launched 393 foreign satellites and three Indian customer satellites, serving 34 countries, including the USA, UK, and Singapore. In 2017, ISRO set a world record by launching 104 satellites in a single mission. The Chandrayaan-3 mission made India the first nation to land on the Moon’s southern pole, with the Pragyan rover confirming sulphur presence. The Aditya L-1 solar mission, launched in 2017, captured unprecedented solar flare data in February 2025. Upcoming initiatives like the SpaDeX mission in December 2024 will demonstrate indigenous docking technology, while ISRO’s Orbital Re-entry Vehicle will enable autonomous re-entry and landing capabilities.
International collaborations are central to India’s space strategy. Partnerships with NASA on the NISAR mission, ESA on astronaut training and microgravity research, CNES on the TRISHNA satellite, and JAXA on lunar exploration studies highlight India’s global role. The India Space Policy 2023 and liberalized FDI norms, allowing up to 100% investment in certain space activities, have fueled private sector growth, with over 328 space startups emerging in recent years. Central Public Sector Enterprises like Antrix Corporation Limited and NewSpace India Limited, alongside IN-SPACe, are driving innovation and commercialization. The space budget has nearly tripled over the past decade, from ₹5,615 crore in 2013-14 to ₹13,416 crore in 2025-26, reflecting strong government commitment.
India’s Space Vision 2047 outlines ambitious goals, including the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, lunar landings, and missions to Venus.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Housing Authority recognises outstanding estate management services contractors and frontline staff The HA introduced a new award this year to recognise the significant contributions of outstanding frontline staff on combating tenancy abuse, in appreciation of their efforts in safeguarding this valuable housing resource.
Officiating at the presentation ceremony, the Deputy Director of Housing (Estate Management), Mr Ricky Yeung, said, “Public housing resources are precious and should be allocated appropriately and rationally to those in genuine need of housing. The HA has been committed to combating tenancy abuse in public housing. We are encouraging services contractors to collaborate with us in safeguarding these housing resources.
“We have implemented a reward mechanism in the service contractor evaluation system, whereby services contractors who perform well in combating tenancy abuse will receive additional points, enhancing their bidding and contracting opportunities. Indeed, the effectiveness of the assistance provided by frontline staff of services contractors to our colleagues in detecting cases has been significant, helping our work in combating tenancy abuse achieve the desired results.”
The EMSC Awards in 2024 went to 17 services contractors providing property management, cleaning, security and car park operating services. Eight property services managers and 56 frontline staff members were also commended. The full list of awardees is in the Annex. Currently, the management of more than half of the HA’s public rental housing estates is outsourced to property services contractors, and many major maintenance tasks in the HA estates are being supervised by them. By leveraging the private sector’s resources and experience in managing private properties, the HA seeks to continuously raise the quality of its estate management services and provide a pleasant living environment for its tenants. Issued at HKT 19:56
SINGAPORE, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HTX, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has announced the launch of the sixth phase of its Crypto Gem Hunt program. Amidst a crypto market characterized by persistent volatility, with Bitcoin fluctuating between $100,000 and $110,000, market sentiment remains largely influenced by macroeconomic policies, regulatory developments, and speculative behavior. Against this backdrop, HTX’s Crypto Gem Hunt leverages rigorous data analysis and a meticulous selection process to spotlight seven standout projects. These projects are strategically positioned for growth and demonstrate strong community engagement. The selected assets span some of today’s most dynamic sectors—including RWA/DeFi, AI, Meme, LSD, and SocialFi—and feature both promising new entrants and well-established projects that have recently outperformed broader market trends.
New Listings Shine Across a Well-Balanced Sector Mix
In May, HTX listed 23 new assets, including six stablecoins, an approach that underscores its commitment to staying at the forefront of the stablecoin trend and expanding its asset offerings. Notably, USD1 made its global debut on HTX. The token, issued by World Liberty Financial (a company backed by the Trump family), focuses on building a DeFi lending ecosystem in the United States. USD1 quickly gained traction as one of May’s most discussed projects on social media and received an S rating.
Besides USD1, two other new assets in Crypto Gem Hunt #6 have stood out:
SYRUP (Maple Finance), a key player in the RWA/DeFi sector, experienced an impressive 117.7% surge following its listing on May 8, earning an A rating. SYRUP is the native token of Maple, a decentralized lending protocol that allows users to deposit USDC, receive syrupUSDC, and earn yield. All loans are collateralized by digital assets, ensuring both strong security and sustainable returns.
KAITO, an innovator in the InfoFi/AI sector, recorded a remarkable 263.6% increase since its listing on HTX on February 23, securing an A rating. KAITO is building an AI-driven crypto information network that streamlines content distribution among creators, users, and capital. By empowering the content ecosystem, KAITO is positioning itself at the forefront of the convergence between crypto and AI.
Despite continuous shifts in market dynamics, a select group of earlier-launched projects are demonstrating remarkable resilience. Backed by strong product fundamentals and vibrant community support, they’ve recently returned to the spotlight with evolving narratives and renewed momentum, capturing the attention of both investors and users.
Two Meme projects from last September, MOODENG and NEIROCTO, serve as notable examples:
MOODENG, built on the Solana (SOL) chain, surged an incredible 961.5% and received an A rating. Inspired by the famous pygmy hippopotamus from Thailand, MOODENG’s unique design, strong community, and viral momentum propelled it to a nearly tenfold increase post-launch.
NEIROCTO (First Neiro On Ethereum) is community-driven and carries on the spirit of Doge. Since its launch on September 7, 2024, it has seen a peak increase of 235%. Through consistent operational efforts and content-driven initiatives, NEIROCTO has cultivated a highly engaged Meme community.
ETHFI (ether.fi), launched in March 2024, emerged during the boom of the LSD sector and has since recorded a 258.7% increase. With rising interest in LSD solutions within the Ethereum ecosystem, ETHFI shows strong growth potential and a solid track record.
MASK (Mask Network), launched in 2021, is a SocialFi project that recently gained 187.3%. Acting as a bridge between Web2 (traditional internet) and Web3 (decentralized internet), MASK integrates decentralized applications into mainstream social media via a browser plugin. Recent feature updates and community efforts have significantly contributed to its price recovery.
HTX Crypto Gem Hunt Empowers Users Across Market Cycles
To date, HTX has launched six rounds of its Crypto Gem Hunt program. The latest selection features not only high-growth new assets from emerging sectors but also established projects that have recently delivered strong performance. Together, these assets offer users a well-balanced portfolio—combining defensive stability with high-upside potential.
Looking ahead, HTX Crypto Gem Hunt will continue to empower users through professional, intuitive asset discovery supported by robust data and forward-looking analysis.
About HTX
Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.
As a world-leading gateway to Web3, HTX harbors global capabilities that enable it to provide users with safe and reliable services. Adhering to the growth strategy of “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance,” HTX is dedicated to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.
Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by HTX. 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.
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WAKEFIELD, Mass., June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Agilitas Energy, a leading developer and operator of renewable energy and energy storage systems, today announced the commissioning of a 9.96 megawatt (MW) / 22.4 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) in Houston, Texas. This project marks the first distributed generation BESS interconnected to CenterPoint Energy’s distribution system and participating in Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)’s wholesale delivery market.
A leading independent power producer (IPP), Agilitas Energy, will leverage its expertise in energy storage to operate the BESS to provide essential services to ERCOT. The newly operational BESS will strengthen grid resiliency during peak events and will lower electric system costs by participating in the ERCOT energy and ancillary services markets.
By providing diverse and reliable energy reserves, the BESS supports ERCOT’s efforts to maintain a stable and resilient power grid and provide options to the peaker and fossil-fuel-based plants that grid operators traditionally call upon during peak demand periods.
“This project underscores our confidence that ERCOT—long recognized as one of the premier energy markets in the U.S.—will increasingly value the unique benefits that only energy storage can provide,” said Barrett Bilotta, President, CEO and Co-founder of Agilitas Energy. “This project not only underscores our commitment to improving grid reliability with cost-effective energy but is also a significant step in our continued national expansion.”
“CenterPoint Energy is happy to serve Agilitas Energy as a customer, helping to support a diverse and reliable portfolio of generation available to our customers,” said Tony Gardner, SVP and Chief Customer Officer at CenterPoint Energy.
Looking ahead, Agilitas Energy is on track to commission a similar project, scheduled for commercial operation later this year. This project will add another 9.96 MW and 22.4 MWh of energy storage capacity to the grid, further expanding the Agilitas Energy footprint in Texas and fulfilling its commitment to delivering distributed energy solutions to the region.
Agilitas Energy is a leading independent power producer (IPP) in renewables and energy storage with a mission to propagate clean energy on a national scale. As the largest integrated developer, builder, owner and operator of energy storage and solar PV systems in the northeastern U.S., Agilitas Energy specializes in distributed energy solutions, and manages the entire end-to-end lifecycle of the projects that deliver predictable, cost-efficient, clean energy for off-takers, utilities and municipalities. The company has more than one gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy and energy storage projects in its pipeline across the U.S. To learn more, please visit: https://agilitasenergy.com/.
About CenterPoint Energy, Inc. CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is a multi-state electric and natural gas delivery company serving approximately 7 million metered customers across Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. The company is headquartered in Houston and is the only Texas-domiciled investor-owned utility. As of March 31, 2025, the company had approximately $44 billion in assets. With approximately 8,300 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been serving customers for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.
Bangkok (Agenzia Fides) – “At Easter, there were 200 adult baptisms in the city of Bangkok, 15 of which were from my parish in Bangkok. This is good news and a sign of hope: it shows us that the Lord is acting and that Christ is attracting people, even in our particular context, a nation that is 90% Buddhist, where, out of 70 million inhabitants, there are about 300 thousand are Catholics,” Fr. Peter Piyachart Makornkhanp, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Thailand, told Fides. “As a Church, we are a small minority, fragile, but we are strong in our faith. We are respected in society, we have good schools. We have good relationships with everyone,” the National Director emphasized, referring to the social and cultural context in which the Catholic community lives.”In Thailand,” he explains, “the current mentality is characterized by generosity and respect for everyone, which is also reflected in the field of religion. The main idea is that all religions are perceived positively and help people; spirituality is a strong component of life, an important part, whatever it may be, so there is no problem in professing a faith community. The positive side is that we can make friends with everyone, that there is mutual respect, solidarity, and goodwill, and that fruitful cooperation with other people is possible. The other side of the coin is that for the ordinary person, one faith is as good as another, and it is completely irrelevant which religion one professes.”The Catholic Church brings “the specific face and the distinctive contribution of Christianity, of the Catholic faith. We have no problem preaching; we are free to show ourselves and reveal the face of Christ,” but often people think “that they already have a religion, so they don’t need anything else and do not seek anything new,” he notes.”In the freedom to express themselves, to open themselves to grace, and to share the Gospel, the Church has its own vitality,” the priest added in this context. “Vocations to the priesthood are present and increasing: We have 80 seminarians in the interdiocesan seminary, which welcomes candidates for the priesthood from the 11 Thai dioceses who, God willing, will later become priests. This is a good perspective for the life of our Church, allowing us to live and carry out pastoral activities.”The National Director recalls that “a birth control policy is in place in the country and that Thai women do not have many children, so the overall assessment of the number of vocations is positive,” and the same applies to vocations to religious life.In general, he says, “the Church enjoys good relations with everyone in society, where it is recognized as a moral authority; it is valued by both institutions and ordinary people. The population understands our values and considers works such as education and welfare to be very important. We do not suffer from being a minority; there is no hostility or discrimination, and this brings great serenity to the normal life of Christian communities,” which is also reflected in the work of evangelization.”Our mission areas,” says Fr. Peter Piyachart Makornkhanp, “are the various areas of Church life, including education, social work, and charity: everything serves the proclamation of the Gospel. I would like to note that the Church’s social communications are very well developed: we have radio and television channels and social media channels that appeal primarily to young people and are widely used.” “But even in a country with our culture, we sense secularization, that is, the tendency to live without God. But then that deep need in the heart returns; there is something in the heart of the people that resurfaces,” notes the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies. “People are searching for truth, they are searching for something that goes beyond material life,” he continues. “Often, the young people who study in our schools, when they become adults, reconsider the meaning and significance of their lives. Then they return to the Church and want to know more about Jesus Christ and our faith. Among them are also baptized adults. We see this especially in 2025, the year in which we celebrate the Jubilee of Hope.” “Hope is something that fascinates and arouses interest,” says the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies. “People find hope in the Catholic Church; we present a different hope for life, which is Christ himself. This is different from the hope one finds on the streets of the world. It is a different hope. Those who embrace it experience and witness new joy and new peace. And this gives us hope too.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 9/6/2025)
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Phnom Penh (Agenzia Fides) – “We, bishops, priests, men and women religious, and the faithful in Cambodia, ask the United Nations to intervene urgently to end the violence and bloodshed in the Gaza Strip, so that peace can prevail and people can live in dignity, with respect for human rights, in mutual love, and in tranquility,” reads an appeal released by the Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, on behalf of the Catholic community in Cambodia. The appeal is also joined by the Apostolic Prefects of Battambang and Kompong Cham, Bishop Enrique Figaredo and Bishop Pierre Hangly, who issue an “urgent appeal” for an end to the violence in the Strip. The appeal of the bishops, which Fides has received, was preceded by an interreligious event in which representatives of the Catholic community in Cambodia participated together with delegates from the Buddhist communities: the international symposium on the theme “Buddhists and Christians working together for peace through reconciliation and resilience” (see Fides, 27/5/2025).”This dialogue,” the bishops stated, “has demonstrated religious harmony in Cambodia as an exemplary model that we can proudly present to the world.” Referring to the International Day for the Rights of the Child, the bishops expressed concern about the ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip: “We cannot remain silent. How can we join together in the search for peace while the war continues, claiming the lives of tens of thousands of innocent people, especially children and infants?” they asked. The message recalls the “Massacre of the Innocents,” which Herod ordered according to the account in the Gospel of Matthew, and states: “Tragically and painfully, in 2025, we see history repeating itself in Gaza. Since 2023, approximately 18,000 children and infants have lost their lives in this war. Many families have lost fathers, mothers, and children; their homes have been destroyed by shelling.” Furthermore, “there is no access to education; people suffer from a lack of medical care, disabilities, and food shortages. Images of children, grandparents, and thousands of dying parents are shared daily on social media, causing great pain and sorrow for all of us,” the document states. In the face of so much violence, “the Catholic community in Cambodia thanks God for granting Cambodia religious harmony and guiding us to live in peace. But we cannot remain indifferent when we see how children and thousands of people suffer, how the injured and disabled die every day.” It continues: “We remember the year 1975, when the Khmer Rouge seized control of Phnom Penh and sealed Cambodia off from the world for three years, eight months, and 20 days. During this time, the international community remained silent and allowed more than 20% of the Cambodian population—approximately 2 million people—to die of starvation and mass murder. Under this regime, people were physically and psychologically tortured, separated from their families, and lived without family ties, in mutual distrust, and in extreme fear.” Back then, the bishops note, “there were no social media platforms like today. But today we have this social media, which allows us to witness the tragedy in Gaza every day. We must pray to God that peace will prevail.” “The Catholic community in Cambodia launches an urgent appeal, asking the United Nations to use all means to immediately end the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip” so that “more children and innocent people do not die, suffer pain, live in fear, become homeless, or suffer hunger because of this ongoing and bloody war.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 10/6/2025)
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday highlighted government’s commitment in advancing India’s digital connectivity over the past 11 years.
Responding to an article by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia, PM Modi said, “Our government has been constantly striving to provide world-class facilities in digital connectivity to the country. In his article, Union Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia has explained in detail how the success achieved in this in the last 11 years is inspiring us to move forward even faster in this direction.”
In his article, Scindia elaborated on how villages have started telling the story of digital revolution.
Scindia said on X, “In the last 11 years, the historic decisions taken in the telecom sector and the Postal Department, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modiji, have given rise to a digital revolution, connecting not only cities, but also villages, forests and borders.”
Israeli gunfire killed at least 17 Palestinians and wounded dozens as thousands of displaced people approached an aid distribution site of a U.S.-backed humanitarian group in central Gaza on Tuesday, local health authorities said.
Medics said the casualties were rushed at two hospitals, the Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, and the Al-Quds in Gaza City, in the north.
The Israeli military said its forces fired warning shots at “suspects who were advancing in the area of Wadi Gaza and posed a threat to the troops.” It added that it was aware of reports that several were injured, but argued numbers released by local health authorities did not align with the information they collected.
“The warning shots were fired hundreds of meters from the aid distribution site, prior to its opening hours and toward the suspects who posed a threat to the troops,” the military added.
Last week it warned Palestinians not to approach routes leading to sites of the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time, describing these roads as closed military zones.
There was no immediate GHF comment on Tuesday’s incident.
The GHF began distributing food packages in Gaza at the end of May, overseeing a new model of aid distribution which the United Nations says is neither impartial nor neutral.
Many Gazans say they have to walk for hours to reach the sites, meaning they have to start travelling well before dawn if they are to stand any chance of receiving food.
While the GHF has said there have been no incidents at its so-called secure distribution sites, Palestinians seeking aid have described disorder, and access routes to the sites have been beset by chaos and deadly violence.
“I went there at 2 a.m. hoping to get some food, on my way there, I saw people returning empty-handed, they said aid packages have run out in five minutes, this is insane and isn’t enough,” said Mohammad Abu Amr, 40, a father of two.
“Dozens of thousands arrive from the central areas and from the northern areas too, some of them walked for over 20 km (12 miles), only to come back home with disappointment,” he told Reuters via a chat app. He said he heard the firing but did not see what happened.
Later on Tuesday, local health authorities said an Israeli strike on a house in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza Strip killed eight people, taking Tuesday’s death toll to at least 25.
The Israeli military said separately, it intercepted one rocket fired from northern Gaza towards Israeli territories, which signalled Hamas and other militant group remained able to fire the weapons despite Israeli devastation of their arsenal.
Israel allowed limited U.N.-led operations to resume on May 19 after an 11-week blockade in the enclave of 2.3 million people, where experts have warned a famine looms. The U.N. has described the aid allowed into Gaza as “drop in the ocean.”
Witnesses said at least 40 trucks carrying flour for U.N. warehouses were looted by desperate displaced Palestinians as well as thieves near Nabulsi roundabout along the coastal road in Gaza City.
The war erupted after Hamas-led militants took 251 hostages and killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack, Israel’s single deadliest day.
Israel’s military campaign has since killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to health authorities in Gaza, and flattened much of the coastal enclave.
A shooter killed at least nine people and wounded many others in an attack at a secondary school in the southern Austrian city of Graz on Tuesday, the city’s mayor said.
Graz Mayor Elke Kahr was quoted by Austrian news agency APA as saying the attacker was also dead, and that many of the injured had been taken to hospital following the shooting, which she called a “terrible tragedy”.
Police gave no initial toll but said “several” people were dead and they were working in the assumption there was only one attacker. APA video showed emergency workers loading a stretcher into an ambulance.
The reports did not specify how many of the dead were pupils. Ambulances were on the scene outside the school.
A local police spokesman said the area had been secured, the school had been evacuated and relatives of the victims and pupils were being cared for.
“There is no further danger for the population, but there are several dead,” he told Austrian television.
Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper cited unconfirmed reports as saying the suspect was a 22-year-old former student who carried two weapons – a pistol and a shotgun. Kronen Zeitung tabloid said a suspect had been found dead in a bathroom. Reuters could not immediately confirm this.
UNBEARABLE
“It’s incomprehensible and unbearable. My sympathy and grief go out to the victims and their families. No one can imagine the suffering; as a mother of three children, it breaks my heart,” Austria’s Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger wrote on X.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on X: “Every child should feel safe at school and be able to learn free from fear and violence. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and the Austrian people in this dark moment.”
Austria has one of the most heavily armed civilian populations in Europe, with an estimated 30 firearms per 100 persons, according to the Small Arms Survey, an independent research project.
Machine guns and pump action guns are banned, while revolvers, pistols and semi-automatic weapons are allowed only with official authorization. Rifles and shotguns are permitted with a firearms license or a valid hunting licence, or for members of traditional shooting clubs.
Four people were killed and 22 injured when a convicted jihadist went on a shooting spree in the centre of Vienna in 2020. In November 1997, a 36-year-old mechanic shot dead six people in the town of Mauterndorf before killing himself.
NEW YORK, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — eToro Group Ltd. (“eToro”, or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ETOR), the trading and investing platform, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.
“I am incredibly proud of the eToro team for producing strong first quarter results and the successful completion of our initial public listing. As a business that champions access to capital markets, we are excited to now be part of those markets.The retail investor of 2025 is informed and connected and we’re encouraged to see their trading behavior enabling them to benefit from market opportunities.We believe that AI is turbo-charging the reshaping of the investing landscape and we’re excited to be at the forefront of this transformation.As a global community that empowers retail investors, we are well positioned to drive sustainable growth and profitability over time, creating further value for our shareholders,” commented Yoni Assia, CEO and Co-founder of eToro.
First Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights
Net contribution increased by 8% year on year to $217 million, compared to $201 million in the first quarter of 2024, driven primarily by increased trading activity.
Net income (GAAP) was $60 million, compared to $64 million in the first quarter of 2024 due to increased investment in marketing and growth in response to favorable market conditions.
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was $80 million compared to $87 million in the first quarter of the prior year reflecting the investments referenced above. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 37%, compared to 43% in the prior year period.1
Funded accounts increased 14% year on year to 3.58 million compared to 3.13 million in the first quarter of 2024. This was driven primarily by ongoing user acquisition and retention efforts, as well as the acquisition of Australian investing app Spaceship in 2024.
Assets under Administration grew by 21% year on year to $14.8 billion compared to $12.2 billion.
Cash, cash equivalents and short term investments were $736 million as of March 31, 2025.
1 See “Non-GAAP Financial Metrics and Key Performance Indicators” below for additional information and a reconciliation to GAAP for all Non-GAAP financial metrics. Adjusted EBITDA margin is based on net contribution.
“Our results show strong business performance for Q1 with an increase in net contribution driven by increased trading activity and our continued focus on sustainable, profitable growth. In the first quarter, in response to the market environment, we increased investment in marketing and growth,” said Meron Shani, eToro CFO.
Business Highlights eToro continued to focus on sustainable, profitable growth in Q1, launching products and services to support users at every stage of their investing journey.
Trading: eToro continues to expand and develop the range of assets and tools users need to trade the global markets. In the first quarter, eToro launched futures in Europe and options in the UK. With the addition of 40 more tokens, eToro now offers trading in over 130 cryptoassets. The Company also extended trading hours by offering a number of stocks and ETFs for 24/5 trading.
Investing: eToro added stocks from the Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong stock exchanges and now offers users the ability to invest in companies listed on more than 20 of the world’s leading exchanges. It continued to grow its range of Smart Portfolios with the launch of a commodities portfolio in partnership with WisdomTree, and a portfolio offering 100% capital protection. As part of the Company’s commitment to offer its users access to interest earning assets, eToro launched securities lending to users in Europe, and expanded crypto staking to include DOT and ATOM.
Wealth management: As part of its long-term investment strategy, in the first quarter, eToro introduced a new self-directed offering as part of its UK ISA and introduced recurring investments for stocks, ETFs and crypto allowing users to make regularly scheduled investments. The Company also initiated the integration of Spaceship and the expansion of its Australian offering to include superannuation solutions.
Neo-banking: In the first quarter, eToro began the roll out of crypto to fiat enabling users to transfer their crypto to eToro and diversify into other asset classes. As part of the expansion of the eToro Money offering, eToro partnered with local financial institutions to offer local virtual bank accounts in multiple countries. The Company also continued to expand the ability for users to trade local stocks using local currencies.
Financial education and AI: eToro is committed to empowering its users to grow their financial knowledge with accessible and engaging content. The Company is leveraging AI to accelerate the production and translation of education materials and now offers more than 3,000 articles, videos, podcasts and webinars in 11 languages.
Regulatory developments: In Q1, eToro was granted a MiCA permit by CySec which enables the provision of crypto services across the EU. As long-term supporters of crypto, this is a key milestone and eToro welcomes the regulatory clarity and uniform rules provided by MiCA which it believes will foster greater crypto adoption across Europe. The Company also achieved a SOC 2 Type II compliance certification which demonstrates its strong commitment to operational excellence throughout its crypto custody operations.
Second Quarter 2025 Update
The performance of the business through May 31, 2025 reflects continued progress and interest in trading and investing from retail investors in response to market events.
As of May 31, 2025 eToro had 3.61 million funded accounts and $16.9 billion in Assets under Administration.
About eToro eToro is the trading and investing platform that empowers you to invest, share and learn. We were founded in 2007 with the vision of a world where everyone can trade and invest in a simple and transparent way. Today we have 40 million registered users from 75 countries. We believe there is power in shared knowledge and that we can become more successful by investing together. So we’ve created a collaborative investment community designed to provide you with the tools you need to grow your knowledge and wealth. On eToro, you can hold a range of traditional and innovative assets and choose how you invest: trade directly, invest in a portfolio, or copy other investors. You can visit our media center here for our latest news.
ETORO GROUP LTD. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS U.S. dollars in thousands
March 31,
December 31,
2025
2024
Unaudited
Audited
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
660,060
575,395
Restricted cash
319
314
Short-term investment
76,000
65,000
Counterparties
240,842
224,867
Cryptoassets
99,761
113,279
Receivable from omnibus accounts
10,905
50,466
Other receivables and prepaid expenses
49,795
46,005
1,137,682
1,075,326
Non-current assets:
Restricted cash
11,751
11,630
Right of use assets
43,054
44,406
Property and equipment, net
4,965
5,007
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
45,564
46,346
Deferred taxes
12,708
8,647
118,042
116,036
Total Assets
1,255,724
1,191,362
Liabilities and equities
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
5,768
4,201
Current maturities of long-term lease liabilities
4,940
4,758
Payable to users
115,290
103,493
Accrued expenses and other payables
176,718
193,115
302,716
305,567
Non-current liabilities:
Employee benefit liabilities, net
1,202
1,253
Long-term lease liabilities
42,447
43,546
Deferred taxes liabilities
7,210
2,968
Other long-term liabilities
7,484
5,653
58,343
53,420
Equity attributable to equity holders of the company:
Common share premium
479,036
474,469
Preferred share premium
397,019
397,019
Treasury shares
(2,625
)
(2,625
)
Advanced Investment Agreement
9,091
9,091
Other capital reserve
(361
)
1,868
Retained Earnings (Accumulated deficit)
12,505
(47,447
)
894,665
832,375
Total liabilities and equity
1,255,724
1,191,362
ETORO GROUP LTD. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) U.S. dollars in thousands
Three months ended
March 31,
2025
2024
Unaudited
Unaudited
Revenue and income:
Net trading income from equities, commodities and currencies
96,837
73,098
Revenue from cryptoassets
3,500,800
3,293,120
Net trading income (loss) from cryptoassets derivatives
77,051
(56,767
)
Net interest income from users
52,618
49,318
Currency conversion and other income
23,911
21,403
Other interest income
4,164
3,348
Total revenue and income
3,755,381
3,383,520
Costs:
Cost of revenue from cryptoassets
3,528,853
3,173,766
Margin interest expense
9,159
8,650
Research and development
36,621
33,166
Selling and marketing
61,222
37,342
General, administrative and operating costs
49,502
56,042
Finance and other expenses, net
(517
)
928
Total costs
3,684,840
3,309,894
Income before taxes on income
70,541
73,626
Taxes on income
10,589
9,516
Net income
59,952
64,110
Other comprehensive income, net:
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Cash flow hedges, net of tax
(2,229
)
–
Other comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax
(2,229
)
–
Total comprehensive income
57,723
64,110
Basic net income per share
0.79
0.85
Diluted net income per share
0.69
0.76
Weighted-average shares of common shares used to compute net income per share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic
75,712,289
75,040,326
Diluted
86,576,130
84,239,189
ETORO GROUP LTD. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS U.S. dollars in thousands
Three months ended
March 31,
2025
2024
Unaudited
Unaudited
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
59,952
64,110
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Adjustments to profit or loss items:
Depreciation, amortization and impairment
3,011
2,590
Share-based payment
4,287
8,891
Evaluation of contingent liability
1,831
–
Revaluation of fair value of cryptoassets and counterparties
51,830
(2,004
)
Non-cash revenue from staking and blockchain rewards
(8,723
)
(3,877
)
Non-cash costs from staking and blockchain rewards
5,847
2,441
Finance and other expenses, net
(517
)
928
Taxes on income, net
10,589
9,516
68,155
18,485
Changes in asset and liability items:
Increase of counterparties
(68,235
)
(67,300
)
Decrease (increase) of cryptoassets
13,154
(8,196
)
Increase of other receivables and prepaid expenses
(7,029
)
(15,427
)
Increase of restricted cash
(124
)
(77
)
Increase (decrease) of accounts payable
(670
)
13,043
Increase of user and omnibus accounts, net
48,901
38,842
Increase (decrease) of accrued expenses and other payables
(19,753
)
11,677
Decrease of employee benefit liabilities, net
(29
)
(439
)
(33,785
)
(27,877
)
Interest received (paid), net during the year
967
(1,235
)
Taxes paid, net during the year
(5,557
)
(2,600
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
89,732
50,883
Cash flows from investing activities:
Increase of short-term investments
(11,000
)
–
Purchase of property and equipment
(522
)
(1,712
)
Purchase of intangible assets
(57
)
–
Net cash used in investing activities
(11,579
)
(1,712
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Exercise of options
280
211
Repayment of lease liability
(1,147
)
(909
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(867
)
(698
)
Exchange differences on balances of cash and cash equivalents
7,379
(3,579
)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
84,665
44,894
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
575,395
388,334
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
660,060
433,228
Non-GAAP Financial Metrics and Key Performance Indicators
This press release and the accompanying tables contain certain non-GAAP financial metrics which differ from results prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial metrics include: Adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude finance and other expenses, net, taxes on income, share-based payment expense, depreciation and amortization, employee non-cash expense, one-time transaction costs and other expense (income).
eToro believes that these non-GAAP financial metrics may be helpful to investors because they provide consistency and comparability with past financial performance. Additionally, eToro management regularly review certain key performance metrics and non-GAAP financial metrics to evaluate its business, measure its performance, identify trends, prepare financial projections and make business decisions. However, non-GAAP financial metrics are presented for supplemental informational purposes only, have limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with GAAP. Other companies, including companies in eToro’s industry, may calculate similarly titled non-GAAP financial metrics differently or may use other measures to evaluate their performance, all of which could reduce the usefulness of these non-GAAP financial metrics as tools for comparison. A reconciliation is provided below for the non-GAAP financial metrics to the most directly comparable financial metric stated in accordance with GAAP.
ETORO GROUP LTD. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP METRICS U.S. dollars in thousands
Three months ended
March 31,
2025
2024
Unaudited
Unaudited
Net income
59,952
64,110
Finance expense, net
(517
)
928
Taxes on income
10,589
9,516
Share-base payment expense
4,287
8,891
Depreciation, amortization, and impairment
3,010
2,590
Employee non-cash expense2
(1,049
)
595
Transaction related costs3
2,091
247
Evaluation of contingent liability4
1,831
–
Adjusted EBITDA
80,194
86,877
2Employee non-cash expense is related to payroll expenses recorded in respect of the non-withdrawable amount (“NWA”) over the employee’s vesting period. 3Transaction related costs include transaction costs associated with the initial public offering. 4 Evaluation of contingent liability is related to the commitment to issue shares as part of the Spaceship acquisition. Due to an increase in the share price, an evaluation was performed.
Definitions of Certain Key Performance Indicators
Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial metric that we define as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude finance and other expenses, net, taxes on income, share-based payment expense, depreciation and amortization, employee non-cash expense, one-time transaction costs and other expense (income).
Assets under administration: Assets under administration (‘AUA’) are defined as the aggregate of the following: (i) the total fair value of all equities, cryptoassets, commodities, currencies and options held by users in their accounts, (ii) cash held by users in their accounts, (iii) eToro Money balances, (iv) users’ cryptoassets held in the eToro digital wallet, (v) users’ assets held by 3rd parties partners for execution or custody services.
Funded Accounts: Funded Accounts are users who have completed KYC, AML and other onboarding processes, activated their account, deposited funds, executed at least one trade at any time and have a positive account balance (invested or uninvested). Funded Accounts represent the deepest level of our user acquisition funnel and are the users from whom we generate Total Commission.
Interest Earning Assets: Interest Earning Assets are the average monthly balances of users’ cash balances, corporate cash, users’ total leveraged positions and stakeable cryptoassets.
Net Contribution: Net Contribution reflects Total revenue and income, less the Cost of revenue from cryptoassets and Margin interest expense. We use Net Contribution to evaluate the net contributions of our users’ activity on our platform before considering the overhead costs associated with our operations.
Net Contribution consists of the following five components, each representing revenue or income divided across our products based on the distinct patterns upon which we monetize users’ activity on the platform. We evaluate the performance of our business and our success in both diversification and risk management across these five components:
Net Trading Contribution (Equities, Commodities and Currencies) is equal to our Net trading income from equities, commodities and currencies.
Net Trading Contribution (Cryptoassets) is equal to Revenue from cryptoassets plus Net trading income (loss) from cryptoasset derivatives less Cost of revenue from cryptoassets, excluding the net contributions from blockchain rewards and staking activity.
Net Interest Contribution represents Net interest contribution from users plus Other interest income plus the net contributions of staking activity, less Margin interest expense.
eToro Money comprises the vast majority of our Currency conversion and other income. It represents the income earned from our money management services, including currency conversions, withdrawals, interchange on our debit card, transfers of cryptoassets, and fees relating to our cryptoasset wallet services.
Subscriptions and Other is the remainder of Currency conversion and other income not attributable to eToro Money plus the net contributions of blockchain rewards.
Net Income Net income represents the company’s total earnings or profit for a given period, calculated as total revenue minus all expenses, including operating costs, depreciation, interest, taxes, and other income or expenses. It reflects the company’s overall profitability according to GAAP standards.
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to, statements regarding our financial outlook and market positioning. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date they were first issued and were based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Words such as “outlook,” “guidance,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “believe,” “hope,” “target,” “project,” “plan,” “goals,” “estimate,” “potential,” “predict,” “may,” “will,” “might,” “could,” “intend,” “shall” and variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond eToro’s control. eToro’s actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to market volatility and erratic market movements; failure to retain existing users or adding new users; extreme competition; changes in regulatory and legal framework under which we operate; regulatory inquiries and investigations; our estimates of our financial performance; interest rate fluctuations; the evolving cryptoasset market, including the regulations thereof; conditions related to our operations in Israel, including the ongoing war; risks related to data security and privacy and use of OSS; risks related to AI; changes in general economic or political conditions; changes to accounting principles and guidelines; the ability to maintain the listing of our securities on Nasdaq; unexpected costs or expenses; and other factors described in “Risk Factors” in our Registration Statement on Form F-1, filed with the SEC on March 24, 2025, as amended, and declared effective by the SEC on May 13, 2025. Further information on potential risks that could affect actual results will be included in the subsequent filings that eToro makes with SEC from time to time.
Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent eToro’s views as of the date of this press release. eToro anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. eToro undertakes no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing eToro’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — eTRNX Network, the next-generation blockchain ecosystem built for emerging markets, has officially concluded Phase 1 of its Initial Exchange Offering (IEO) with resounding success. With listings across major IEO platforms-P2PB2B, Dex-Trade, and BitStorage—the project has captured global investor attention by delivering on its promise: real-world blockchain utility, not just market speculation.
As Phase 2 of the IEO approaches completion, early participants still have a chance to secure positions before the next wave of utility rollouts, token unlocks, and exchange listings.
Finance Without Borders, Barriers, or Banks
While most DeFi projects chase hype, eTRNX focuses on substance-building an ecosystem that democratizes access to income-generating assets and powerful financial tools. Designed to serve populations in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, the project delivers:
Tokenized REITs: Own fractions of global real estate and earn automated monthly rental yields via smart contracts.
AI-Powered Portfolio Management: From automated asset rebalancing to risk detection, eTRNX puts institutional-grade AI in the hands of everyday users.
Multi-Chain Utility: Operating across Tron, Stellar, and Solana for ultra-fast, low-cost, and borderless transactions.
Staking with up to 30% APY: A deflationary model that rewards long-term holders while helping to stabilize token velocity.
Decentralized Governance: 1 token = 1 vote. Token holders shape the future of the protocol via treasury proposals and upgrades.
Phase 1 Success, Phase 2 Closing Fast
With the completion of Phase 1 IEO of eTRNX tokens thousands of early backers onboarded, the project’s Phase 1 IEO marked a significant milestone in its roadmap. Strategic partnerships are in development for token utility, staking platforms, and REIT infrastructure deployment.
Now, with Phase 2 nearly 50% filled, investors can still access the project at an early valuation before the next pricing stage activates.
Join the IEO Before It Ends
Participate across the following launchpads:
What’s Coming Next?
Deployment of the eTRNX Tokenized REIT marketplace Launch of smart investment dashboards with AI integration Multichain wallet support and cross-border payment gateway Community governance framework + first treasury proposals
eTRNX is committed to solving real-world financial access problems using blockchain technology, AI, and an inclusive, compliance-aware ecosystem architecture.
About eTRNX Network
eTRNX Network is a blockchain-based financial infrastructure platform offering fractional real estate ownership, tokenized money market funds, and AI-automated investing tools. Built to empower underserved global communities, the project merges transparency, scalability, and long-term value in a multichain architecture.
Stay Connected for Official Updates
For the latest news and release schedules, join the official channels:
Disclaimer: This press release is provided by Eternex Network. 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.
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VICTORIA, Seychelles, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has released its 2025 Anti-Scam Research Report in partnership with blockchain security firms SlowMist and Elliptic. The report reveals that global crypto scam losses surged to $4.6 billion in 2024, with deepfake technology and social engineering emerging as the dominant tactics behind high-value thefts. The publication marks the official launch of Bitget’s Anti-Scam Month, a month-long initiative dedicated to security education and ecosystem-wide awareness.
The report highlights how AI-powered scams have moved beyond phishing emails to include fake Zoom calls, synthetic videos of public figures, and Trojan-laced job offers. Among its key findings, the report identifies three primary scam categories—deepfake impersonation, social engineering schemes, and Ponzi-style projects cloaked in DeFi or NFT branding—as the leading causes of user loss. It also outlines how stolen funds are funneled through cross-chain bridges and obfuscation tools before reaching mixers or exchanges, complicating enforcement and recovery efforts.
Additional insights include case studies from major scam incidents in Hong Kong, the rising use of Telegram and X (Twitter) comment sections as phishing entry points, and the continued growth of professionally run fraud rings operating across borders.
“The biggest threat to crypto today isn’t volatility—it’s deception. That’s why Bitget has designated the entire month of June as Anti-Scam Month—an initiative to elevate industry standards and user awareness. This report is the flagship release within that effort. AI has made scams faster, cheaper, and harder to detect. At Bitget, we believe fighting back requires both technological rigor and ecosystem-wide collaboration. Our goal is to help users trade smarter, not just faster,” said Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget.
The report also details how Bitget’s Anti-Scam Hub, innovative detection systems, and a $500M+ Protection Fund are being actively deployed to mitigate user risks. SlowMist provided detailed forensic insights into scam tactics, ranging from address poisoning to job offer Trojans, while Elliptic examined the laundering patterns of stolen cryptocurrency through cross-chain bridges and mixer platforms.
“Criminals are constantly evolving their methods of attack, using AI and finding new ways to scale their activities. This means that reciprocally, we are also working to scale our technology and blockchain capabilities to track and identify the new methods criminals are using. Our work with Bitget reflects a shared urgency to expose these evolving threats and give users the tools to protect themselves,” said Arda Akartuna, Lead Crypto Threat Researcher, Elliptic, APAC.
“This report reflects the real-world patterns we’re seeing on-chain every day. From phishing rings to fake staking dApps, the tactics may change—but the psychology is always the same. Users must be informed, skeptical, and security-minded at all times,” said Lisa, Security Operations Lead, SlowMist.
The report closes with actionable recommendations for both users and institutions, including scam red flag indicators and best practices for avoiding common traps in DeFi, NFT, and Web3 environments.
Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a leading non-custodial crypto wallet supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens. It offers multi-chain trading, staking, payments, and direct access to 20,000+ DApps, with advanced swaps and market insights built into a single platform. Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.
Risk Warning:Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.
Amnesty International secretary-general Agnès Callamard has condemned Israel’s interception and detention of the 12 crew members aboard the Gaza Freedom Flotilla’s humanitarian aid yacht Madleen.
The crew detained include Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who has been designated by Amnesty International as an “Ambassador of Conscience”, reports Amnesty International in a statement.
She has since been reported to have been deported back to her country via France.
Madleen’s crew were trying to break Israel’s illegal blockade on the occupied Gaza Strip and take in desperately needed humanitarian supplies.
They were illegally detained by Israeli forces in international waters while en route.
In response, Secretary General Agnès Callamard said:
“By forcibly intercepting and blocking the Madleen which was carrying humanitarian aid and a crew of solidarity activists, Israel has once again flouted its legal obligations towards civilians in the occupied Gaza Strip and demonstrated its chilling contempt for legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice,” secretary-general Callamard said.
Operation ‘violates international law’ “The operation carried out in the middle of the night and in international waters violates international law and put the safety of those on the boat at risk.
“The crew were unarmed activists and human rights defenders on a humanitarian mission, they must be released immediately and unconditionally.
“They must also be protected from torture and other ill-treatment pending their release.
Callamard said that during its voyage over the past few days the Madleen’s mission emerged as a powerful symbol of solidarity with besieged, starved and suffering Palestinians amid persistent international inaction.
“However, this very mission is also an indictment of the international community’s failure to put an end to Israel’s inhumane blockade.
“Activists would not have needed to risk their lives had Israel’s allies translated their rhetoric into forceful action to allow aid into Gaza.”
Global calls for safe passage Israel’s interception of the Madleen despite global calls for it to be granted safe passage underscored the longstanding impunity Israel enjoyed which has emboldened it to continue to commit genocide in Gaza and to maintain a suffocating, illegal blockade on Gaza for 18 years, Callamard said.
“Until we see real concrete steps by states worldwide signalling an end to their blanket support for Israel, it will have carte blanche to continue inflicting relentless death and suffering on Palestinians.”
Amnesty International in New Zealand also called on Foreign Minister Winston Peters to stand up and call out the enforced starvation and genocide that Israel was imposing on Palestinians.
#Madleen, launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was seeking to bring humanitarian aid in an attempt to breach Israel’s illegal blockade of the occupied Gaza Strip. It was carrying unarmed civilians on a humanitarian mission.
Aotearoa New Zealand’s Te Pāti Māori has condemned the Israeli navy’s armed interception of the Madleen, a civilian aid vessel attempting to carry food, medical supplies, and international activists to Gaza, including Sweden’s climate activist Greta Thunberg.
In a statement after the Madleen’s communications were cut, the indigenous political party said it was not known if the crew were safe and unharmed.
However, Israel has begun deportations of the activists and has confiscated the yacht and its aid supplies for Gaza.
“This is the latest act in a horrific string of violence against civilians trying to access meagre aid,” said Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.
“Since May 27, more than 130 civilians have murdered been while lining up for food at aid sites.
“This is not an arrest [of the Madleen crew], it as an abduction. We have grave concerns for the safety of the crew.
“Israel [has] proven time again they aren’t above committing violence against civilians.
“Blocking baby formula and prosthetics while a people are deliberately starved is not border patrol, it is genocide.”
Te Pāti Māori said it called on the New Zealand government to:
Demand safe release of all crew;
Demand safe passage of Aid to Gaza;
Name this blockade and starvation campaign for what it is — genocide; and
The Narendra Modi App (NaMo App) has launched the ‘Jan Man Survey’ to commemorate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 11 years in office.
The survey has garnered significant traction, receiving over 500,000 responses from citizens across India within 26 hours of its launch.
Announced by PM Modi via X, the Jan Man Survey allows individuals to directly share feedback and opinions with the government.
Hosted on the NaMo App, the survey covers various topics, including national security, governance, cultural pride, and youth development.
A significant 77% of respondents have completed the full survey, indicating high engagement and interest in contributing to the national dialogue.
State-wise, Uttar Pradesh leads with 1,41,150 responses, followed by Maharashtra (65,775 responses), Tamil Nadu (62,580 responses), Gujarat (43,590 responses), and Haryana (29,985 responses).
Earlier on Monday, PM Modi urged citizens to participate in the survey. In a post on X, PM Modi shared a link to the portal and said, “Your views matter the most! Take part in this survey on the NaMo App and let us know how you view India’s growth journey over the last 11 years. #11YearsOfSeva.”
The Police Force’s National Security Department (NSD) said today that the public should not download a mobile app named “Reversed Front: Bonfire” or provide funding to its developer as the app promotes acts and activities endangering national security.
It added that those who have downloaded the app should uninstall it immediately.
In a press statement, the NSD said “Reversed Front: Bonfire” was released under the guise of a game promoting secessionist agendas such as “Taiwan independence” and “Hong Kong independence”, and which advocates armed revolution and the overthrow of the fundamental system of the People’s Republic of China.
It is also designed to provoke hatred towards the central authorities and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the NSD added.
The department stressed that persons or organisations who knowingly publish the app or content relating to it, which includes sharing or recommending the app to others online, may commit offences of “incitement to secession” and “incitement to subversion” under the Hong Kong National Security Law, or “offences in connection with seditious intention” under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
Moreover, those who have downloaded the app may be regarded as being in possession of a publication that has a seditious intention.
Under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, a person who, without reasonable excuse, possesses a publication that has a seditious intention, commits an offence.
A person who provides pecuniary assistance, or property, to the developer, which includes making payment through in-app purchases, with an intent to fund the commission of secession or subversion, also commits an offence.
With approval from the Secretary for Security, the NSD has implemented a disabling action on electronic messages relating to “Reversed Front: Bonfire” in accordance with the Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the Hong Kong National Security Law.
The NSD emphasised that acts or activities endangering national security are extremely serious offences. It added that the force will ensure that the law is observed and strictly enforced, and will take resolute actions to bring offenders to account.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday highlighted expansion of India’s sports infrastructure in the last 11 years.
Responding to an article written by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, PM Modi shared on X, “Union Minister Shri @mansukhmandviya highlights how India’s sports infrastructure has expanded at an unprecedented scale in the last 11 years. With youth at its core, this transformation is propelling India towards becoming a global sporting powerhouse.”
In his article, Mandaviya elaborated on how India is heading towards becoming a global sporting powerhouse.
Mandaviya said on X, “Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi Ji, the last 11 years have witnessed a historic transformation in India’s sporting landscape, from world-class infrastructure development to athlete-centric decision making.”
India’s sporting landscape has witnessed transformation over the past 11 years, driven by a series of flagship initiatives introduced under the Modi government. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has been central to this progress, from developing grassroots infrastructure to nurturing Olympic medal hopefuls — ushering in a new era for Indian sports.
Recognising sports as a powerful vehicle for empowerment and nation-building — especially in a country where nearly 65% of the population is youth — the government has raised sports ministry’s budget by 130.9%, from ₹1,643 crore in 2014–15 to ₹3,794 crore for 2025–26.
Central to this transformation is the Khelo India programme, launched in 2016–17. With ₹1,000 crore allocated in the latest budget, it has supported the creation of over 1,000 training centres, approved 326 infrastructure projects, and nurtured nearly 2,845 athletes through coaching and financial assistance.
India has also witnessed a remarkable surge in sporting achievements over the past 11 years, with Indian athletes delivering historic performances across major international competitions.
At the Olympics, India went from winning just 2 medals at Rio 2016 to a record 7 medals at Tokyo 2020 and 6 at Paris 2024.
The Paralympics marked an even more dramatic transformation. From just 4 medals in Rio 2016, India bagged 19 in Tokyo 2020 and a record-breaking 29 medals in Paris 2024, including 7 golds.
India’s rise continued at the Asian Games, where the Hangzhou 2023 edition became historic with 107 medals from a record 655-member contingent. Similarly, at the Commonwealth Games, India consistently maintained strong performances, securing over 60 medals in each edition from 2014 to 2022.
Indian athletes also made global headlines elsewhere—winning double gold at the 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad, a gold in javelin at the World Athletics Championships 2023, and a historic Thomas Cup win in badminton in 2022. Shooters and para-table tennis players also delivered standout performances in global competitions.
From village-level talent to international podiums, India’s sports ecosystem has become more inclusive, robust, and focused on performance. As the nation sets its sights on the 2036 Olympics and beyond, these efforts reflect a clear and ambitious vision: to establish India among the world’s top 10 sporting nations.
The Indian stock market closed largely unchanged on Tuesday, reflecting a continuation of the ongoing consolidation phase. The BSE Sensex slipped 53.49 points to settle at 82,391.72, while the NSE Nifty inched up by a single point to end at 25,104.25.
IT stocks led the gains, with the Nifty IT index rising 1.67%. Other sectoral indices that closed in the green included pharma, FMCG, metals, media, energy, and commodities. On the other hand, auto, PSU banks, financial services, realty, and infra indices registered losses.
Among the top gainers on the Sensex were Tech Mahindra, Tata Motors, Infosys, HCL Tech, UltraTech Cement, TCS, ITC, Axis Bank, Nestle, and Adani Ports. Meanwhile, Maruti Suzuki, Asian Paints, Bajaj Finance, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finserv, ICICI Bank, and Reliance Industries ended the day in the red.
According to analysts, the Nifty has managed to sustain levels above its previous consolidation zone on the daily chart, suggesting the uptrend remains intact.
“This positive sentiment is likely to persist and favours long trades as long as the index stays above the key support level of 24,850. If the Nifty breaks decisively above 25,350, we may see an extended rally in the short term,” said Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities.
Vikram Kasat, Head of Advisory at PL Capital, added that despite the current consolidation, factors such as improving liquidity, resilient corporate earnings, and continued interest from foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) are supporting market optimism.
On the currency front, the rupee traded flat to slightly positive at around 85.67 to the dollar. Analysts said last week’s 0.50% rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India—bringing the total rate reduction to 100 basis points—has added liquidity, helping offset pressure from rising crude oil prices. The rupee is expected to remain range-bound between 85.25 and 86.00 in the near term.
Meanwhile, gold prices hovered in a tight range between $3,315 and $3,320 per ounce and around ₹97,000 per 10 grams in the domestic market. Market participants are awaiting cues from upcoming US-China trade talks and the release of US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data later this week.
“Any positive outcome in US-China trade discussions could push gold down towards ₹95,000, while negative commentary might drive prices higher towards ₹98,500 and $3,360 levels,” said Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst at LKP Securities.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Tuesday trade talks with China were going well as the two sides met for a second day in London, seeking a breakthrough on export controls that have threatened a fresh rupture between the superpowers.
U.S. and Chinese officials are trying to get back on track after Washington accused Beijing of blocking exports of rare earth minerals that are critical to its economy, straining ties after they struck a preliminary deal in Geneva last month to step back from a full-blown trade embargo.
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on Monday that the U.S. was ready to agree to lift export controls on some semiconductors in return for China speeding up the delivery of rare earths and magnets.
“(Talks went on) all day yesterday, and I expect (them) all day today,” Lutnick told reporters. “They’re going well, and we’re spending lots of time together.”
Trump’s shifting tariff policies have roiled global markets, sparked congestion and confusion in major ports, and cost companies tens of billions of dollars in lost sales and higher costs.
But markets have made up much of the losses they endured after Trump unveiled his sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs in April, aided by the reset in Geneva between the world’s two biggest economies.
The second round of U.S.-China talks, which followed a rare phone call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping last week, comes at a crucial time for both economies.
Customs data published on Monday showed that China’s exports to the U.S. plunged 34.5% in May, the sharpest drop since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic.
While the impact on U.S. inflation and its jobs market has so far been muted, tariffs have hammered U.S. business and household confidence and the dollar remains under pressure.
DISCUSSING DISAGREEMENTS
The talks have been led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, with the Chinese contingent helmed by Vice Premier He Lifeng.
The talks ran for almost seven hours on Monday and resumed just before 1000 GMT on Tuesday, with both sides expected to issue updates later in the day.
The inclusion of Lutnick, whose agency oversees export controls for the U.S., is one indication of how central rare earths have become. He did not attend the Geneva talks, when the countries struck a 90-day deal to roll back some of the triple-digit tariffs they had placed on each other.
China holds a near-monopoly on rare earth magnets, a crucial component in electric vehicle motors, and its decision in April to suspend exports of a wide range of critical minerals and magnets upended global supply chains and sparked alarm in boardrooms and factory floors around the world.
Kelly Ann Shaw, a former White House trade adviser during Trump’s first term and now a trade partner at the Akin Gump law firm in Washington, said she expected China to reaffirm its commitment to lift retaliatory measures, including export restrictions, “plus some concessions on the U.S. side, with respect to export control measures over the past week or two”.
But Shaw said she expected the U.S. to only agree to lift some new export curbs, not longstanding ones such as for advanced artificial intelligence chips.
In May, the U.S. ordered a halt to shipments of semiconductor design software and chemicals and aviation equipment, revoking export licences that had been previously issued.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (June 10) hosted the Hong Kong Wealth Management and Professional Services Policy Briefing, targeting legal and professional services firms from the Mainland. The event provided deep insights into Hong Kong’s latest policy developments including family office policies and tax incentives. The session was well received, drawing participation from over 60 representatives of legal and professional firms serving high-net-worth clients. The event sparked active discussions, with participants expressing keen interest and strong confidence in the evolving role of Hong Kong’s professional services sector and the future of Hong Kong’s family office ecosystem.
Key topics covered included interpretation of Hong Kong’s latest family office policies, comparisons with regional regimes and tax incentives, case studies and a question-and-answer session. The session aimed to enhance understanding among legal and advisory firms of Hong Kong’s policy landscape, strengthen participant’s positioning as cross-border advisors to ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), and facilitate the development of business networks in Hong Kong.
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK Mr Charles Ng said, “Hong Kong is the leading hub for asset and wealth management in Asia with over US$4 trillion in assets under management. Our city is recognised as a trusted gateway for global capital seeking access to opportunities across Asia and beyond. Our leadership is further evidenced by our standing as Asia’s largest hedge fund hub and Asia’s largest cross-border wealth management centre. The professional services sector plays a strategic and indispensable role in enabling this ecosystem to flourish. InvestHK is committed to working closely with legal, accounting, trust, and advisory professionals to promote policy understanding and strengthen Hong Kong’s competitiveness in cross-border wealth management and succession planning.”
Legal professionals attending the event provided perspectives on Hong Kong’s family office policies and the growing opportunities arising from them. The Chair of the Family Office Committee at the Law Society of Hong Kong, Mr Chan Chak-ming, said, “With increasing interest from UHNWIs in Asia, Hong Kong’s forward-looking initiatives, including tax incentives and efficient market processes, solidify its position as the region’s leading destination for family offices. Together with InvestHK, we aim to strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a nexus for global wealth, ensuring it remains responsive to the sophisticated needs of UHNWIs while reinforcing trust and long-term confidence.”
InvestHK will continue to collaborate with industry stakeholders to support legal and advisory firms in expanding their high-end wealth services in Hong Kong, and to promote the city as a premier hub for family offices and a cross-border wealth management centre in Asia, helping Mainland and international families of UHNWIs achieve long-term goals in asset growth and succession.