Category: Entertainment

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Manchester Culture Awards 2025 – nominations now open!

    Source: City of Manchester

    The Manchester Culture Awards are back for 2025 with nominations opening this week for the prestigious awards that recognise the city’s cultural and creative highlights over the last year, as well as some of the city’s top talent working in the arts.

    The awards were launched in 2018 by the city council to acknowledge Manchester’s rapidly growing reputation for culture and the arts, with the annual awards recognising the very best of culture, creativity, and the arts in the city from the grassroots up.

    More than 350 nominations were received last year recognising individuals, events, and organisations big and small that together help make Manchester the vibrant and exciting place for culture and the arts it is.

    Nominations for this year’s awards open this week on Wednesday 4 June, with nominations accepted across eleven different categories including Young Creative of the Year, Best Event, and Best Performance, alongside other awards that shine a spotlight on some of the important themes of our times such as climate change, equality and social justice, and health and wellbeing.

    This year will also once again see a special award made in partnership with the Manchester Evening News.  The Cultural Welcome Award will be presented to an organisation or venue that provides a great welcome to everyone – whether as audience members, visitors, or participants.

    Nominees for each of the awards must either be based in the city of Manchester or have a strong track record of delivering activity for the benefit of people who live in or visit the city, or that benefits the local economy.  Nominations are welcome from the professional, amateur and community sector, as well as members of the public.

    All nominations must reflect activity that has taken place between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, apart from the Cultural Welcome Award, which recognises achievement over a number of years.

    To be recognised for a Manchester Culture Award, nominees must be involved in one or more of the following: visual art, music, theatre, performance, dance, film and broadcast media, literature, digital art, photography, craft, or heritage arts.

    The award categories are:

    Bright Spark: Young Creative of the Year 

    A young person (aged 13–25) who is inspiring future generations of Mancunians and others through their creativity or is supporting others to be creative. 

    Excellence in Creative Health and Wellbeing

    Fantastic creative activity that helped people feel better in their body and/or mind. 

    Champions of Equality and Social Justice 

    Making change and creating opportunities for equality and diversity to thrive.

    Our Planet: Action on Climate Change 

    Taking action to positively benefit the environment and support climate change, or raising awareness and encouraging others to act.  

    Igniting Creativity: Culture, Education and Talent Development 

    Doing great work supporting others to develop their learning, creativity, skills and talents.

    Making it Happen: Best Business Partnership 

    A partnership that supports culture and helps it flourish in Manchester. 

    The Best Event 

     A brilliant creative or cultural event that deserves recognition. 

    The Best Performance 

    A standout performance, in any art form, that was amazing and captivated the audience. 

    The Best Exhibition

    An arts or heritage exhibition that inspired and left a lasting impact on visitors. 

    Independent Creative Award 

    A person working independently in the creative sector who is inspiring and innovating through their artform and projects

    The Cultural Welcome Award – in association with the Manchester Evening News

    An organisation or venue that provides a great welcome to everyone; whether as audience members, visitors, or participants

    A number of Special Recognition Awards for significant contributions to culture over a number of years will also be made on the night.  Previous recipients of Special Recognition Awards include poet Lemn Sissay, former Halle Music Director Sir Mark Elder, former Director of HOME Dave Moutrey OBE, poet performance artist dramatist and writer SuAndi OBE, and DJ Paulette.

    Councillor Garry Bridges, Deputy Leader, Manchester City Council, said: “Culture and creativity is a massive part of what makes Manchester the vibrant and exciting place that it is and makes a major contribution to the city’s economy – which is one of the fastest growing in Europe.

    “The incredible number of nominations we’ve had every year since the awards first began shows what an appetite for culture and the arts there is in the city. And with such a richly diverse talent pool of artists and creatives living and working here it’s no surprise that we’re a city that embraces culture and the arts.

    “The creative scene in Manchester is amazing and we can’t wait to see what this year’s nominations bring.”

    Nominations open on Wednesday 4 June and close at midnight on Friday 4 July.

    Judging will take place over the summer ahead of this year’s awards ceremony which will be held at the Hilton Hotel Deansgate on Saturday 22 November.

    Find out more information about the awards and make a nomination

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Partners with University of Zurich Blockchain Center, Providing Opportunities and Scholarships for Students

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has announced a partnership with the University of Zurich, the world’s top #3 university (according to Coindesk’s 2021/22 rankings) for blockchain education. The exchange will sponsor the 6th edition of International Summer School—Deep Dive into Blockchain 2025 program at the University of Zurich Blockchain Center (UZH BCC), offering scholarships and career opportunities to blockchain-curious students. This marks a new chapter in Bitget’s commitment to blockchain education and youth empowerment.

    The scholarship initiative, part of Bitget’s broader $10M Blockchain4Youth (B4Y) program, aims to make high-impact blockchain education more accessible to bright, motivated students, presenting them with wider opportunities. Deep Dive into Blockchain (DDiB) is the University of Zurich’s flagship international summer school, hosted by the Faculty of Business, Economics, and Informatics in collaboration with the Global Student Experience and organized by the UZH Blockchain Center under the academic leadership of its chairman, Prof. Dr Claudio J. Tessone. The three-week program offers an immersive, interdisciplinary exploration of blockchain from academic, technological, legal, and economic perspectives.

    “We are delighted to partner with Bitget for Deep Dive into Blockchain. Their support empowers the next generation of blockchain professionals by making education all around the globe more accessible. This collaboration reflects our shared vision of fostering innovation, diversity, and global talent in the Web3 space,” — Dr Claudio J. Tessone, Professor of Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies, University of Zurich, and Director of Deep Dive into Blockchain.

    In an ecosystem often defined by its complexity and speed, education remains the most enduring bridge between innovation and understanding. Built on these beliefs, Bitget is funding scholarships for up to 10 students who meet both the academic and financial criteria set by UZH. More than just a subsidy, the Bitget Blockchain4Youth Scholarship is a belief that the future of blockchain should be built by the most capable minds, not just the most privileged.

    Each scholarship will fully cover tuition, accommodation, transportation within Zurich, access to academic materials and site visits, as well as participation in intercultural programs and events. This comprehensive support structure is designed to empower students to focus not on logistics but on learning, and to walk away not only with a certificate but with a deeper perspective.

    “As someone who entered this industry from outside the traditional mold, I know what access and opportunity can unlock. This scholarship isn’t just about learning blockchain—it’s about equipping future leaders with the tools to question, to build, and to leave the space better than they found it. That’s the kind of legacy we want to help shape,” said Vugar Usi Zade, COO at Bitget.

    “As much as the world needs more developers, lawyers, or economists, it needs more cross-disciplinary thinkers who understand the full societal impact of blockchain,” he added.

    The 2025 program will also feature a masterclass by Bitget COO, Vugar Usi Zade, offering students firsthand insight from one of the industry’s leading operators. This academic-industry dialogue enables the long-term strategic partnership between Bitget and UZH, anchored in mutual goals of innovation, education, and responsible development.

    With this partnership, Bitget isn’t just funding education. It’s shaping the future of the industry.

    For more details and updates, visit the official program page here.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 100 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin priceEthereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more.
    Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    For more information, visit: WebsiteTwitterTelegramLinkedInDiscordBitget Wallet

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

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ad7380ff-4658-40ef-9f49-2d963e254957

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thales Unveils State-of-the-Art Inflight Entertainment & Services Lab at its Engineering Competence Centre in Bengaluru

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Thales Unveils State-of-the-Art Inflight Entertainment & Services Lab at its Engineering Competence Centre in Bengaluru

    • The new lab, dedicated to development of Inflight Entertainment (IFE) solutions and advanced tools for support and services to airlines, reinforces India’s strategic position as an innovation hub for Thales.
    • Our engineers at Thales in India will design, develop, and test innovative solutions to support the needs of Indian airlines and global customers.
    • Aligned with Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, the facility will significantly contribute to localisation of R&D activities along with job creation in India.

    Thales today unveiled a state-of-the-art Inflight Entertainment (IFE) and Services lab at its Engineering Competence Centre (ECC) in Bengaluru. Aligned with the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, this lab will serve as a hub for the design, development, and testing of next-generation IFE systems. The lab is equipped with advanced tools to support and serve airlines in India and around the world.

    The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of Honourable Minister of Industries, Government of Karnataka, Shri MB Patil, Consul General of France in Bengaluru Mr Marc Lamy, executives from Air India, Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry, along with Olivier Flous, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Digital Transformation, and Francois Colonna, Director Engineering Competence Centre, Bengaluru from Thales, among other dignitaries.

    Thales’s Engineering Competence Centre in Bengaluru is a key force driving the development of advanced aerospace and defence solutions. With the addition of the new IFE and Services lab, Thales is further expanding its R&D capabilities in India supporting the country’s journey to become a global innovation hub for civil aviation. This state-of-the-art facility replicates an aircraft equipped with an IFE system, allowing for comprehensive testing and an immersive customer experience review. The lab is a hub for software design, development, and rigorous testing crucial for secured aircraft data deployment, alongside meticulous hardware inspection and testing.

    Commenting on the inauguration, Hon’ble Minister Shri MB Patil said, “Today’s inauguration of Thales’s Inflight Entertainment and Services Lab at its Engineering Competence Centre reinforces Bengaluru’s position as a global innovation hub. It’s a testament to Karnataka’s robust aerospace and defence ecosystem. Thales’s footprint in India, particularly here in Bengaluru, is already substantial and has been contributing significantly towards the growth of aerospace, defence and cybersecurity & digital identity for years. Their Engineering Competence Centre has become an integral part of the local industry. Many congratulations to the Thales team for this significant milestone that will strengthen the aviation sector not just within Karnataka, but across the nation.”

    Mr Marc Lamy, Consul General of France in Bengaluru, said, “Thales is a name synonymous with French excellence, a global leader at the forefront of advanced technologies. The inauguration of this IFE (Inflight Entertainment) and services lab is a moment of immense pride, reflecting the vibrant spirit of innovation and partnership that defines both our nations, France and India. This perfectly embodies the spirit of the upcoming year 2026 designated by President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the ‘Indo-French Year of Innovation’.”

    Olivier Flous, Senior Vice President, Engineering & Digital Transformation, Thales, said, “The inauguration of our new lab dedicated to Inflight Entertainment solutions and support and services for airlines marks a significant step towards enhancing both the passenger experience and operational efficiency of carriers. This new facility at our Engineering Competence Centre in Bengaluru underscores our commitment to the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision, developing future-ready aviation technologies in India, for India, and for the world. We look forward to continue leveraging our global technological expertise and India’s vast talent pool to foster a robust local civil aviation ecosystem.”

    About Thales

    Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

    The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies.

    Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.

    About Thales in India

    Present in India since 1953, Thales is headquartered in Noida and has other operational offices and sites spread across Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru and Mumbai, among others. Over 2200 employees are working with Thales and its joint ventures in India. Since the beginning, Thales has been playing an essential role in India’s growth story by sharing its technologies and expertise in Defence, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital sectors. Thales has two engineering competence centres in India – one in Noida focused on Cyber & Digital business, while the one in Bengaluru focuses on hardware, software and systems engineering capabilities for both the civil and defence sectors, serving global needs. Thales significantly contributes to the growth of India’s aviation sector. Thales provides avionics and IFE systems for many Indian civil aircraft. It also provides solutions to enhance airport security and is working on an advanced UTM system for drone operations. The Group has also established an MRO facility in Gurugram to provide comprehensive avionics maintenance and repair services to Indian airlines.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: GPDRR 2025 highlights: Tuesday 3 June 2025

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    The human cost of disasters includes lost livelihoods, homes, and cultural ties to landscapes. Where livelihoods are already fragile and being eroded, a disaster-induced displacement of even a few days can damage economic opportunities for years to come. So, the human dimension of recovery remains central to discussions as delegates convened for a second day in several preparatory events for the 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR), namely: the World Resilient Recovery Conference, the Third Stakeholder Forum on DRR, and the Global Early Warning for All Multistakeholder Forum (EW4All).

    The GPDRR official programme was launched with a high-level roundtable event at lunchtime and a formal opening ceremony in the afternoon, followed by an official reception.

    Official programme

    Opening

    Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, and head of UNDRR, opened the event highlighting the exceptional urgency and importance of delivering on the Sendai Framework. He underscored how communities were coming together and the need to learn from their initiatives, imagination, and resourcefulness, and called for commitment from all actors.

    Recalling the recent loss of a Swiss village to a glacier landslide, Amina J. Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, commented that “early warning saves lives but cannot save glaciers from disappearing.” She stressed that disasters and their cascading effects annually cost up to USD 3.2 trillion and noted that record-breaking disasters make entire regions uninsurable. She called for risk-informed development across all sectors; scaled-up public and private investments in resilience; and national financial frameworks that align with adaptation needs.

    Ignazio Cassis, Minister, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland, observed that, “Risk today is everywhere. Fires are where wetlands were centuries ago.” Noting that the GPDRR2025 is the last Global Platform before the 2030 deadline, he urged that countries deliver on the Sendai Framework, apply science and artificial intelligence, and adopt risk mitigation metrics to mobilize and foster resources.

    Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General.

    After a musical performance on the Hang Drum and a choreographed presentation by Sendai4Youth, Patricia Danzi, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, opened the Eighth Session of the GPDRR.

    Enhancing national DRR governance by 2030—A dialogue among national platforms for DRR

    In opening remarks to this high-level event, Kishore observed that the risk landscape platform is becoming increasingly complex. He recommended strengthening national DRR platforms and embedding risk reduction into national policies and frameworks; ensuring sustainable and predictable finance with policies matching sustainable long-term plans; and having a common risk assessment framework to support national entities with proper data and analytics.

    Speaking on behalf of the host country, Franziska Schmid, Swiss National Platform for Natural Hazards (PLANAT), described the work of PLANAT and highlighted challenges, including overlapping reporting mechanisms and strategies among national government entities focused on resilience. She stressed the importance of addressing duplication, developing appropriate tools, such as hazard maps and building permits, and ensuring crisis management provisions are actually functional.

    Discussions then followed in a roundtable format, moderated by Paola Albrito, UNDRR. Albrito invited delegates to: describe the demonstrated impact of their National Platforms for DRR, share lessons learned, identify remaining gaps in DRR governance, and highlight ways and opportunities to boost Sendai Framework implementation by 2030.

    View of the room during the Dialogue Among National Platforms for DRR.

    In their interventions, many called for collaboration among regional and country partners. Speakers included the Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tajikistan, as well as many ministers and high-level government representatives. They highlighted lessons and challenges, including: enhancing preparedness through strengthening and modernizing approaches; improving planning and promoting concrete analyses from real-life situations at the grassroots; and mobilizing adequate financing and developing technical expertise to adequately prepare communities.

    All interventions are recorded here.

    Third Stakeholder Forum on DRR

    The Stakeholder Forum continued its deliberations throughout the day, concluding in the afternoon with reflections by supporters and participants of the Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism.

    Spotlight session—Early warning for all

    Moderator Rebecca Murphy, Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR), invited the UNDRR Stakeholder Forum and the Multi-Stakeholder EW4All communities to combine efforts in crafting action points for the 2025 Global Platform on DRR.

    In the keynote, Gavin White, Risk-informed Early Action Partnership (REAP), summarized common themes in Early Warning, noting that: preparing for disasters is about inclusiveness, honest communication and trusting the person who is providing the guidance; and early warning systems (EWS) can act as a bridge overcoming the silo approaches among different DRR stakeholders. Panelists suggested that: while no system can predict with 100% certainty what shape hazards will take, it is crucial to build trust and understand local contexts; response planners should establish appropriate actions to follow early warnings; emergency systems must be tailored to communities’ experiences so that people can distinguish between different disasters and respond uniquely to each threat; both elderly and youth can inform EWS and response planning; and conflict zones require unique solutions that consider the fragility and power dynamics within communities.

    Bridging the gap: Critical media’s role in strengthening alerts and enhancing disaster preparedness

    Giacomo Mazzone, Media Saving Lives, moderated the session. Matthieu Rawolle, EBU Media Intelligence Service, shared examples of how terrestrial radio networks remained uninterrupted and accessible during disasters, and are used to inform the public and facilitate emergency response, especially when mobile phone and internet services are interrupted. He concluded that radio is an essential communication medium in times of crisis and requires investment.

    Raditya Jati, Deputy Minister of System and Strategy, National Disaster Management Authority, Indonesia, emphasized the need for media to go beyond reporting on casualties and housing collapse, and to incorporate education for people to prepare for disasters.

    Event rooms remained full throughout the day.

    Noting that UNDRR is the first UN agency that recognized media’s role in crises, Natalia Ilieva, Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, described the Media Saving Lives collaboration between the World Broadcasting Unions and UNDRR that focuses on shifting media perspectives from reactive to proactive reporting, showing the real causes for disasters and instructing people on how to avoid harm. Grégoire Ndjaka, African Broadcasting Union, highlighted the reach of radio in Africa extending to places without electricity supply. Orengiye Fyneface, African Broadcasting Union, discussed trust challenges with journalism as a disaster information source in Africa, pointing to bureaucratic hurdles that prevent journalists from reaching scientists.

    Shaping a sustainable tomorrow: Aligning the Sendai Midterm Review with the Pact for the Future

    Abraham Bugre, University of Regina, moderated this session. In her opening remarks, Toni-Shae Freckleton, UNDRR, called for transitioning from short-term responses to long-term prevention. She stated that the Pact for the Future embeds DRR and resilience building.

    Juan Carlos Uribe Vega, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) highlighted gaps in understanding localization and the importance of local-level governance. Jekulin Lipi Saikia, GNDR, called for a focus on listening to and working with communities, improving financial access, and increasing citizen science. Amber Fletcher, University of Regina, emphasized the role of community-driven actions, citizen science, and community engagement in reaching the diverse range of local voices. In the ensuing discussion, attendees identified communication disconnection, lack of funding, and localization among the persistent gaps between global networks and local realities.

    Closing session

    Tanjir Hossain, UNDRR Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism (SEM), moderated the closing session. Jamie Cummings, SEM, recalled her own experience of disaster when Hurricane Helene struck her hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. Describing how volunteers had operated a traditional Appalachian mule brigade to transport life-saving medications to mountain communities after roads were destroyed, she reflected that, “communities who know the land most, hold the solutions.” Martin Schuldes, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), stressed that “the substance and spirit” of the conference must translate into concrete action.

    Jilhane El Gaouzi, African Union Commission, urged all concerned to “be realistic and speed up implementation,” given that only five years remain until the Sendai Framework deadline.

    View of the panel during the Closing Session of the Stakeholder Forum.

    World Resilient Recovery Conference

    At the opening of this one-day event, Mutale Nalumongo, Vice-President, Zambia, highlighted Zambia’s promotion of climate-resilient agriculture through promotion of drought-tolerant crop varieties, access to weather-based insurance and investment in EWS, including advisories to farmers. Following further opening remarks by speakers, two plenaries and several thematic sessions took place during the day.

    Plenary 1—Taking stock of current recovery practices

    Carolina Fuentes Castellanos, Director, Santiago Network Secretariat, moderated the session.

    Sujit Mohanty, UNDRR, noted the high costs of reconstruction and the difficulties of countries that are perpetually in a state of recovery from one disaster after another, pointing to the need to address institutional fragmentation.

    Renato Umali Solidum, Jr., Department of Science and Technology, Philippines, advocated for greater cohesion between DRR and climate action as being “two sides of the same coin.” He called for transparent grant-based governance to reach at-risk commuities and address both slow-onset and sudden disasters.

    Leon Lundy, Minister of State Office, The Bahamas, highlighted the launch of The Bahamas’ National Disaster Risk Management Authority. He drew attention to the 2022 Act mandating public body disaster plans, including continuity plans, restoration timelines, and staff redeployment protocols to ensure essential services can be maintained or rapidly restored after a disaster.

    Krishna Swaroop Vatsa, National Disaster Management Authority, India, highlighted allocation of 30% of the Authority’s funds for recovery and reconstruction, which are released through an assessment-based process.

    Fuentes Castellanos offered countries the Secretariat’s support for structuring technical assistance requests.

    Plenary 2—From commitment to action: Leadership for resilient recovery

    Shivangi Chavda, GNDR, moderated the session.

    Guangzhe Chen, World Bank, described the World Bank’s recent transition to supporting infrastructure resilience efforts. He invited countries to access the Bank’s preparedness and response toolkit to strengthen their disaster reduction policies, citing recent examples from Malawi, Albania, and Madagascar.

    On financial instruments, panelists explored ways to distribute more rapid financial support, including through multi-dimensional approaches.

    On displacement following disasters, Rania Sharshr, International Organization for Migration (IOM), emphasized that one of the greatest needs of governments is access to reliable and accurate data on how displaced people have been impacted, and guidance on how to integrate these people into existing communities.

    The session concluded with the presentation of the Resilient Recovery Framework by Abhilash Panda, UNDRR.

    Thematic sessions

    Further sessions took place through the day. Besides the three sessions reported here, delegates took part in other Stakeholder Forum sessions on governance mechanisms, unlocking financial potential, housing reconstruction, and multi-hazard EWS.

    Restoring livelihood: Solutions for disaster-induced displacement and resilient recovery

    Mona Folkesson, UN Development Coordination Office (DCO), moderated the session.

    Emad Adly, Arab Network for Environment and Development, highlighted water scarcity as a key issue for the region and local-level coordination as a key challenge. Alexandra Bilak, Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), cited experience from the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake in Nepal to show how livelihood erosion influences the severity of displacement.

    Ibrahim Osman Farah, Vice President, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia, described livelihood restoration during return and resettlement of internally displaced persons, through ensuring cultural access to land, water, schools, and income-generating opportunities as long-term resilience-based approaches.

    Tasneem Siddiqui, University of Dhaka, recounted how students were a driving force for the university’s Refugee and Migration Research Unit, which now has formed Adaptation Committees in many local areas and supports implementation of national policies on livelihood diversification and skills training. She urged treating displacement not as a humanitarian issue, but as a human rights one.

    Aslam Perwaiz, Executive Director, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, emphasized skill development with local communities and SMEs to create livelihood options for displaced communities.

    Driving resilience: The critical role of private sector’s operational readiness for resilient recovery

    Moderator, Cedrick Moriggi, Corporate Chief Resilience Officer Network, emphasized connecting the corporate world with the UNDRR world. Ommid Saberi, International Finance Corporation, recommended investing in the “economics of families,” or small businesses, saying even small government incentives can mobilize large funds from the private sector. Dorothee Baumann-Pauly, University of Geneva, said human rights are the enablers for resilience. Jonathan Rake, Swiss Re Solutions, highlighted the need for the private sector to engage locally and to develop and combine social programmes with parametric solutions. Chris Ulatt, Octopus, said upfront investment to boost resilience is the right move, but observed that few investors will remain for the duration of an investment. Kerry Hinds, Department of Emergency Management, Barbados, described an audit tool to ascertain risks and priorities for public-private partnerships, noting the tool helps standardize and trigger business continuity protocols for disaster risk management.

    Turning experience into action: learning from large-scale disasters

    Dilanthi Amaratunga, Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System, moderated the session.

    Banak Joshua Dei Wal, South Sudan’s DRR Focal Point, highlighted the need to work together and identify risks for Sendai Framework implementation to be effective.

    Saini Yang, Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR), emphasized that China’s National Flood Prevention System has proven effective, with more than an 80% decrease in flood mortality rates over the last 20 years.

    Trevor Bhupsingh, Public Safety Canada, highlighted Canada’s Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements.

    Guy Gryspeert, Honeywell, defined resilience as the capability of preventing a crisis by having awareness and planning in place.

    Ali Hamza Pehlivan, Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), Türkiye, highlighted the usefulness of their National Disaster Response Plan during the 2023 earthquake. Makiko Ohashi, Cabinet Office of Japan, noted the utility of planning on the assumption that a mega-disaster may occur at any time and of reviewing DDR plans in the aftermath of disasters.

    Participants engage in discussions between sessions throughout the day.

    Global Early Warning for All (EW4All) Multistakeholder Forum

    After thematic sessions during the day, EW4All concluded its discussions. Gavin White, Risk-Informed Early Action Partnership, moderated the closing session. Panelists highlighted the importance of focusing on preparedness and developing trust, the need to shift perspectives toward a systemic approach to EWS, and the need to increase private funding.

    In closing remarks, Andrea Hermenejildo, Deputy Secretary General for Risk Management, Ecuador, stressed EWS is not only a technical issue, but also involves social justice. Paola Albrito, Director, UNDRR, emphasized that EW4All is both needed and achievable. Noting the central role of local communities, she underlined that resilience is built with communities.

    Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union, underlined that scaling-up EWS requires partnerships and breaking silos across economic sectors, UN agencies and industries.

    Jagan Chapagain, Secretary-General, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), stressed that inclusive action and investment in EW4All is essential.

    Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), stated that having EWS in just 108 countries is neither sufficient nor acceptable, and called for closing this “justice gap” by providing EWS worldwide and accelerating the transformation needed to protect every person on Earth.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI: YieldMax® ETFs Announces Distributions on XYZY, WNTR, SMCY, AIYY, MSTY, and Others

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO and MILWAUKEE and NEW YORK, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — YieldMax® today announced distributions for the YieldMax® Weekly Payers and Group D ETFs listed in the table below.

    ETF Ticker1 ETF Name Distribution
    Frequency
    Distribution
    per Share
    Distribution
    Rate
    2,4
    30-Day
    SEC Yield3
    ROC5 Ex-Date &
    Record Date
    Payment
    Date
    CHPY YieldMax® Semiconductor Portfolio Option Income ETF Weekly $0.3455 34.50% 0.38% 100.00% 6/5/25 6/6/25
    GPTY YieldMax® AI & Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF Weekly $0.2977 33.62% 0.00% 100.00% 6/5/25 6/6/25
    LFGY YieldMax® Crypto Industry & Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF Weekly $0.4664 61.02% 0.00% 100.00% 6/5/25 6/6/25
    QDTY YieldMax® Nasdaq 100 0DTE Covered Call ETF Weekly $0.2307 28.16% 0.00% 100.00% 6/5/25 6/6/25
    RDTY YieldMax® R2000 0DTE Covered Call ETF Weekly $0.2108 24.27% 0.89% 95.29% 6/5/25 6/6/25
    SDTY YieldMax® S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call ETF Weekly $0.2175 25.86% 0.00% 100.00% 6/5/25 6/6/25
    ULTY YieldMax® Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF Weekly $0.0945 78.74% 0.00% 100.00% 6/5/25 6/6/25
    YMAG YieldMax® Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs Weekly $0.2089 70.40% 66.50% 97.56% 6/5/25 6/6/25
    YMAX YieldMax® Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs Weekly $0.1721 65.23% 88.53% 92.64% 6/5/25 6/6/25
    AIYY YieldMax® AI Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3209 88.81% 2.97% 96.86% 6/5/25 6/6/25
    AMZY YieldMax® AMZN Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.5955 48.28% 3.09% 94.01% 6/5/25 6/6/25
    APLY YieldMax® AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3119 30.96% 3.42% 89.96% 6/5/25 6/6/25
    DISO YieldMax® DIS Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.5588 50.22% 3.16% 94.89% 6/5/25 6/6/25
    MSTY YieldMax® MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $1.4707 85.27% 1.76% 97.45% 6/5/25 6/6/25
    SMCY YieldMax® SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $1.5795 99.93% 3.05% 97.21% 6/5/25 6/6/25
    WNTR YieldMax® Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $3.0725 104.26% 2.89% 97.57% 6/5/25 6/6/25
    XYZY YieldMax® XYZ Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.8732 109.59% 2.93% 98.01% 6/5/25 6/6/25
    YQQQ YieldMax® Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.2650 23.18% 3.35% 86.54% 6/5/25 6/6/25
    Weekly Payers & Group A ETFs scheduled for next week: CHPY GPTY LFGY QDTY RDTY SDTY UTLY YMAG YMAX CRSH FEAT FIVY GOOY OARK SNOY TSLY TSMY XOMO YBIT

    Standardized Performance and Fund details can be obtained by clicking the ETF Ticker in the table above or by visiting us at www.yieldmaxetfs.com

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

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

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

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

    1All YieldMax® ETFs shown in the table above (except YMAX, YMAG, FEAT, FIVY and ULTY) have a gross expense ratio of 0.99%. YMAX, FEAT have a Management Fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.99% for a gross expense ratio of 1.28%. YMAG has a management fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.83% for a gross expense ratio of 1.12%. FIVY has a Management Fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.59% for a gross expense ratio of 0.88%. “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” are indirect fees and expenses that the Fund incurs from investing in the shares of other investment companies, namely other YieldMax® ETFs. ULTY has a gross expense ratio of 1.40%, and a net expense ratio after the fee waiver of 1.30%. The Advisor has agreed to a fee waiver of 0.10% through at least February 28, 2026.

    2The Distribution Rate shown is as of close on June 3, 2025. The Distribution Rate is the annual distribution rate an investor would receive if the most recent distribution, which includes option income, remained the same going forward. The Distribution Rate is calculated by annualizing an ETF’s Distribution per Share and dividing such annualized amount by the ETF’s most recent NAV. The Distribution Rate represents a single distribution from the ETF and does not represent its total return. Distributions may also include a combination of ordinary dividends, capital gain, and return of investor capital, which may decrease an ETF’s NAV and trading price over time. As a result, an investor may suffer significant losses to their investment. These Distribution Rates may be caused by unusually favorable market conditions and may not be sustainable. Such conditions may not continue to exist and there should be no expectation that this performance may be repeated in the future.

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

    4Each ETF’s strategy (except those of the Short ETFs) will cap potential gains if its reference asset’s shares increase in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset’s shares decrease in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF. Each Short ETF’s strategy will cap potential gains if its reference asset decreases in value yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset increases in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF.
    5ROC refers to Return of Capital. The ROC percentage indicates how much the distribution reflects an investor’s initial investment. The figures shown for each Fund in the table above are estimates and may later be determined to be taxable net investment income, short-term gains, long-term gains (to the extent permitted by law), or return of capital. Actual amounts and sources for tax reporting will depend upon the Fund’s investment activities during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Your broker will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year to tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

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

    Important Information

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

    Contact Vince DiLullo vdilullo@tidalfg.com for more information.

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

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

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

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

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GPTY)

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

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

    Risk Disclosure (applicable only to MARO)

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to BABO and TSMY)

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GDXY)

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YBIT)

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to the Short ETFs)

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, for any Fund that focuses on an individual security (e.g., TSLA, COIN, NVDA, MSTR), may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of the Fund’s assets and distributions, if any, may decline.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to CHPY)

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YQQQ)

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

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

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

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

    © 2025 YieldMax® ETFs

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Education – Open Polytechnic launches new Introduction to Generative AI micro-credential

    Source: Open Polytechnic

    A new micro-credential developed by Open Polytechnic, New Zealand’s specialist online learning provider, in conjunction with Spark, offers businesses and individuals the opportunity to understand and utilise Artificial Intelligence (AI).
    The Introduction to Generative AI micro-credential, now open for enrolment, provides ākonga (learners) with an introductory understanding of how generative artificial intelligence can drive efficiency and innovation in Aotearoa New Zealand.
    Topics covered in the micro-credential include practical guidelines for getting the most out of generative AI, the ethical use of AI, and Māori data sovereignty.
    “Open Polytechnic is a world leader in online and distance education with significant expertise in educational technology,” says Open Polytechnic Executive Director Alan Cadwallader.
    “We are pleased to be able to combine our expertise with a company like Spark NZ to provide opportunities for busy adult learners to upskill in AI and learn more about the latest advancements.”
    “By completing this micro-credential, ākonga will learn how to integrate generative AI tools into their workflows, enhance communication, and leverage these technologies to streamline operations and enhance overall performance. This highly relevant micro-credential will also teach ākonga about the ethical implications and limitations of generative AI uniquely applied in an Aotearoa New Zealand context.”
    Once ākonga (learners) have completed this micro-credential, they will have a basic understanding of Generative Artificial Intelligence to support their productivity, in both personal and work contexts, and know how to assess the generated content for accuracy, quality, and relevance.
    This micro-credential is relevant for people in different industries including media and entertainment, advertising, education, healthcare, and finance.
    Open Polytechnic has been pleased to work with Spark in the development of this NZQA accredited micro-credential.
    Spark is on its own AI journey, with a focus on upskilling its people through Te Awe, a skills acceleration programme within Spark that is building the “hard to access” specialist digital skills needed in today’s world.
    “As the use of AI accelerates, we want to ensure that the skills shift we are experiencing does not further entrench existing inequities within the technology sector and our community. When we created Te Awe, our ambition was to eventually extend offering the digital skills and opportunities to learn them, to those groups who currently have low participation rates in the tech sector, to ensure we are intentionally growing a more inclusive high-tech workforce pipeline for the future,” says Heather Polglase, Spark People and Culture Director.
    “We are excited to build on Spark’s Te Awe foundations and take that next step now with the creation of an NZQA accredited Generative AI micro-credential. We have taken our learnings from Te Awe and collaborated with Open Polytechnic, as a business division of Te Pūkenga, to create a nationally recognised micro-credential, that will equip more New Zealanders with the skills and knowledge to co-create and engage with AI meaningfully.”
    Spark will be sponsoring micro-credentials for 30 digi-coaches (digital teachers) from around the country, who are a part of a Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa programme to support digital literacy in local communities. These digi-coaches will work in public libraries and community venues to help upskill digital literacy skills for local citizens.
    “We’re excited to be one of the first to engage with this new GenAI micro-credential”, said Laurence Zwimpfer, Operations Director for the Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa.
    “We have invited 30 jobseekers on our Digi-Coach programme to complete this course as part of their 13-week training, which includes work placements in libraries and other community organisations. We believe this will give them a real advantage in securing jobs and helping the communities and organisations that they work with to better understand and use GenAI tools.”
    Ākonga who complete the micro-credential receive a digital badge that can then be shared on social media or mentioned on a work-related CV.
    The Level 3 micro-credential can be completed online in 40 learning hours, with two intakes each month, making it ideal for personal or professional development.
    If you are a business or individual that is interested in utilising AI technology, then go to the Open Polytechnic website. Terms and conditions apply. 
    At a glance
    Open Polytechnic
    Introduction to Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) micro-credential
    Level: 3
    Credits: 4
    Total learning hours: 40 – study online at your own pace, up to 16 weeks to complete
    Cost: $99 including GST 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ5: Publicity for National Games and National Special Olympic Games

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is a question by the Hon Chan Yung and a reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (June 4):

    Question:

    This year, the 15th National Games (NG) and the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NGD and NSOG) will be co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) how the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) will collaborate with relevant government departments and organisations to publicise NG, NGD and NSOG;

    (2) of the plans of the CSTB and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to step efforts to attract Mainland and overseas visitors to Hong Kong for watching the tournaments of NG, NGD and NSOG; and

    (3) given that the 2025 Legislative Council General Election will be held immediately after the NG, how the Government will integrate the publicity efforts of the NG and the Legislative Council General Election so that the two mega events can mutually foster with each other; what is the current progress and timetable of the relevant work?

    Reply:

    President,

    The NG, NGD and NSOG, to be co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao for the first time, will be held from November 9 to 21, 2025 and from December 8 to 15, 2025 respectively. The CSTB is committed to enhancing public awareness of and interest in the NG, NGD and NSOG through multi-channel publicity, including the use of traditional media, social media, city dress-up, roving exhibitions, as well as collaborations with community organisations, sports associations and schools.

    Our publicity strategies are rolled out in three stages. The first stage started in end-2024 to enhance public awareness of the NG, NGD and NSOG. The second stage, running from January to July this year, aims to foster a welcoming atmosphere for the Games in Hong Kong, including the launch of those photo-taking spots featuring the mascots Xiyangyang and Lerongrong. The third stage will start from August this year to significantly boost the popularity and participation of the NG, NGD and NSOG, including the organisation of the 100-day countdown, torch relay and the Sport For All Day, as well as other enhanced promotional efforts like city-dress-up initiatives.

    Our reply to Hon Chan Yung’s question is as follows:

    (1) The CSTB is working with various relevant government bureaux/departments and organisations to carry out publicity. Highlights include:

    (i) launching publicity campaign jointly with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department for the athlete selection sessions for the mass participation events of the NG, NGD and NSOG under the theme of “I want to join the National Games” (「我要上全運」), and taking the opportunity to promote the two mass participation events organised by Hong Kong, namely Bowling and Para Dance Sport;

    (ii) launching Announcements in the Public Interest and special programmes through the Information Services Department (ISD) and Radio Television Hong Kong respectively, covering local athletes, Mainland competition events and preparations of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao for the Games. The ISD also assisted in publicity in the Mainland and overseas, including promotion through social media and digital platforms in the Mainland as well as advertisements in overseas media;

    (iii) joining hands with the Home Affairs Department and the Education Bureau to conduct community engagement activities in all 18 districts across the territory and diversified promotional activities in schools, with a view to widely publicising the events both in the community and in schools;

    (iv) beautifying the cityscape in areas around the competition venues in collaboration with the Highways Department to infuse the community with elements of the NG, NGD and NSOG. Besides, we co-organised the Architectural Installation Design Competition for the 2025 National Games in Hong Kong with the Hong Kong Institute of Architects; and

    (v) collaborating with various organisations and groups, including the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, the China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee, the Hong Kong Sports Institute, related national sports associations and the HKTB, to include elements of the NG, NGD and NSOG in their events.

    (2) Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao will deploy the same ticketing platform. The Guangdong Provincial Executive Committees for the NG, NGD and NSOG is actively working on the ticketing policies and the system setup. Upon confirmation of the ticketing arrangements, the CSTB will collaborate with the tourism industry to design various tourism products, with a view to attracting Mainland and overseas spectators and visitors. As for the Mainland market, the HKTB will target at sports enthusiasts by carrying out publicity work on related social media and other forms of media.

    (3) On December 7 this year, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will hold the 8th Legislative Council General Election. Given the relevance of this election to the successful and robust implementation of the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” and good governance and long-term stability of the HKSAR, the Government attaches great importance to the successful organisation of this election, the NG, NGD and NSOG, and is determined to carry out related publicity and promotion works well, striving to achieve extensive publicity effect. Currently, relevant Government bureaux and departments are actively considering the co-ordination arrangements for taking forward the publicity of these two major events, and will announce any specific arrangement at a later stage.

    Thank you, President.

    Ends/Wednesday, June 4, 2025
    Issued at HKT 16:40

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ1: Making good use of shoreline tourism resources

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Benson Luk and a reply by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, in the Legislative Council today (June 4):

    Question:

         In May last year, the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council proposed that Hong Kong should establish the concept of “Tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong”, and in November of the same year, he advised that Hong Kong’s shoreline tourism resources should be put to good use. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) whether, according to the Government’s estimation, the “Round-the-Island Trail” developed on Hong Kong Island can be completed in 2031 as scheduled; how the Government will study with the MTR Corporation Limited the enhancement of the design of the ventilation building of the Airport Railway Extended Overrun Tunnel project, so as to minimise the impact on the waterfront promenade on Hong Kong Island and the Central Harbourfront Event Space, as well as the relevant design proposal and construction schedule;

    (2) given that a number of sections of the waterfront promenade in Kowloon are not connected (including the Yau Ma Tei Public Cargo Working Area, the Green Island Cement Pier, the Fishtail Rock in Hoi Sham Park and the waterfront gas facility off Grand Waterfront, etc), whether the authorities have plans to connect the entire shoreline of Kowloon in different modes; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

    (3) whether it has formulated mega event programmes for the proposed waterfront promenades and those under construction, and of the measures in place to facilitate the industry to set up long-term catering premises at such promenades?

    Reply:

    President,

         Hong Kong possesses abundant coastal resources, and Victoria Harbour and the harbourfront are world-famous. In consultation with the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the reply to various parts of the question is as follows:

    (1) Regarding the construction of a 60-kilometre-long “Round-the-Island Trail” on the Hong Kong Island, 85 per cent has been connected thus far. It is estimated that 90 per cent would be connected by end-2027. The remaining 10 per cent, with a length of about six km and mainly including sections such as Shau Kei Wan to Heng Fa Chuen and Brick Hill to Mills & Chung Path, involves works that require relatively more technical considerations and are more complicated (such as slope improvement), which we will strive to substantially complete by end-2031.

         The Airport Railway Extended Overrun Tunnel project refers to a proposal to construct a tunnel of around 500 metres long beneath Lung Wo Road to the east of the Hong Kong Station in Central for trains to turn back so as to enhance the train carrying capacities and operation efficiency of the existing railway lines. Facilities under the project will mostly be constructed underground, while the ventilation cum emergency access building will be constructed aboveground, with a site area of about 1 200 square metres. The Government and the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) are proactively optimising the project, including the overall design of the concerned facilities, with a view to minimising the footprint and height of the ventilation cum emergency access building, and also minimising the works area needed during construction. The target is to ensure that the permanent and temporary facilities of the concerned project would not need to, as far as practicable, occupy the existing Central Harbourfront Event Space (CHES), site area of which is some 36 000 sqm, or to minimise the overlapping area between the concerned project and the CHES. The Government and the MTRCL will report the latest progress and the construction timetable of the project to the stakeholders in the second half of the year.

    (2) For the Victoria Harbourfront in Kowloon from Cheung Sha Wan to Lei Yue Mun, the developable waterfront has a length of about 21 km, which excludes the about 6km-long waterfront areas currently occupied by existing facilities. After years of efforts by the Government and various sectors, about 65 per cent of the harbourfront has been connected at present, including sections in Tai Kok Tsui, the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), Tsim Sha Tsui, Cha Kwo Ling, etc. By end-2028, with the addition of sections along the harbourfront in Kai Tak as well as at the former freight yard pier site in Hung Hom, nearly 80 per cent will be connected. The remaining 20 per cent of the waterfront, such as Yau Tong Bay Comprehensive Development Area and some other harbourfront sections in Kai Tak, will be developed along with private development projects at the respective locations.

         We will maintain our efforts regarding the aforementioned 6-km waterfront areas in the south of the Kowloon peninsula currently occupied by existing facilities. Subject to technical feasibility, we will improve harbourfront connectivity through other means. For example, we are constructing a pedestrian walkway along the inland boundary of the New Yau Ma Tei Public Cargo Working Area to link up the WKCD and the Tai Kok Tsui harbourfront. Upon completion next year, the pedestrian walkway will be opened to the public. As for the harbourfront connectivity of other locations, we will commence the Study on East Kowloon Harbourfront Trail in the near future, riding on the opportunities brought about by the newly amended Protection of the Harbour Ordinance (Cap. 531), and exploring to further connect harbourfront sections in Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan that are not yet accessible, including those locations mentioned in the question raised by the Member. Besides, the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) has initiated the To Kwa Wan Harbourfront Study, which is a holistic planning covering the hinterland of To Kwa Wan, waterfront spaces and the adjacent water body, in order to explore improving the connectivity between the hinterland and the harbourfront, in addition to utilising harbourfront resources. We will co-ordinate and join forces with the URA on these fronts.

    (3) Many venues within the Victoria Harbourfront are suitable for hosting mega events and activities of various types. For instance, the CHES has been a venue frequently used for hosting a considerable number of signature events over the years; the WKCD has more than 20 indoor and outdoor venues, attracting different types of large-scale events; the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and the Avenue of Stars are also venues where leisure and entertainment activities are frequently held, such as music, film and arts and cultural events. The 15th National Games will be held in November this year, of which a number of competition events will take place in Hong Kong. Amongst them, the Triathlon event will be staged at the Central harbourfront and Victoria Harbour, which would allow spectators to watch the event while experiencing the natural beauty and vibrancy of Victoria Harbour.

         Regarding food and beverages facilities at the harbourfront, we set up smart specialty vending facilities with distinctive exterior designs for photo-taking at the harbourfront in Wan Chai, Kwun Tong and Cha Kwo Ling last year, offering light snacks, drinks and gadgets. We are partnering with WestK Enterprise Limited in recent months to invite interested operators, through expression of interest, to set up refreshment stalls at four harbourfront locations with relatively more frequent flow of visitors in Central, Wan Chai, North Point and Tsim Sha Tsui within this year. Furthermore, we will revitalise the former freight yard pier site in Hung Hom into a special event space and open it for public use in the first quarter of next year. In the longer term, we have already released the preliminary land use proposal on the long-term development of the former pier site in Hung Hom and the sites around Hung Hom Station earlier; and we are also carrying out a study on the use of the topside development of the Exhibition Centre Station in Wan Chai North. Both projects will involve introducing food and beverages, retail and entertainment facilities of sizeable scale at the harbourfront, and continue to make good use of harbourfront resources to create new highlights for Hong Kong.

         Thank you, President.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI: Hyperscale Data Subsidiary Bitnile.com Accepting Nile Coin in its Social Casino

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAS VEGAS, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hyperscale Data, Inc. (NYSE American: GPUS), a diversified holding company (“Hyperscale Data” or the “Company”), today announced indirectly owned subsidiary Bitnile.com, Inc. (“Bitnile.com”) is now accepting the Nile Coin (NILE) (“Nile Coin”) as a form of payment for a package (the “Nile Package”) of Bitnile.com’s virtual in-game currency, Nile tokens (the “Tokens”). Bitnile.com officially launched the Nile Coin on the Solana Blockchain on May 3, 2025.

    The Tokens are used to enter a wide range of casino-style social games on Bitnile.com, including slots, poker and blackjack. The Tokens cannot be redeemed for cash or prizes. In addition to the Tokens, purchases of the Nile Package receive Nile sweeps coins (the “Coins”). The Coins, which cannot be purchased, give the holder sweepstakes entries, the winners of which can receive prizes or cryptocurrency (in the form of currency used to purchase the Nile Package that gifted the Coins).

    Joe Spaziano, Chief Executive Officer of Bitnile.com, stated, “Nile Coin brings real utility to our gaming ecosystem, and we are excited to accept it on the Bitnile.com platform. We are confident that this will expand the opportunities for users to utilize the Nile Coin and to enjoy the product offerings within the Bitnile.com platform. The acceptance of the Nile Coin along with other recently announced cryptocurrency is a major step forward in the development of the Bitnile.com platform.”

    The Nile Coin is part of a broader digital asset initiative driven by Hyperscale Data and its subsidiaries, aiming to merge blockchain innovation with real world applications across gaming, finance, and artificial intelligence (“AI”) infrastructure.

    This press release is for information purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of Nile Coins in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale or such assets or securities would be unlawful under the laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

    For more information on Hyperscale Data and its subsidiaries, Hyperscale Data recommends that stockholders, investors and any other interested parties read Hyperscale Data’s public filings and press releases available under the Investor Relations section at hyperscaledata.com or available at www.sec.gov.

    About Hyperscale Data, Inc.

    Through its wholly owned subsidiary Sentinum, Inc., Hyperscale Data owns and operates a data center at which it mines digital assets and offers colocation and hosting services for the emerging AI ecosystems and other industries. Hyperscale Data’s other wholly owned subsidiary, Ault Capital Group, Inc. (“ACG”), is a diversified holding company pursuing growth by acquiring undervalued businesses and disruptive technologies with a global impact.

    Hyperscale Data expects to divest itself of ACG on or about December 31, 2025 (the “Divestiture”). Upon the occurrence of the Divestiture, the Company would solely be an owner and operator of data centers to support high-performance computing services, though it may at that time continue to mine Bitcoin. Until the Divestiture occurs, the Company will continue to provide, through ACG and its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries and strategic investments, mission-critical products that support a diverse range of industries, including an AI software platform, social gaming platform, equipment rental services, defense/aerospace, industrial, automotive, medical/biopharma and hotel operations. In addition, ACG is actively engaged in private credit and structured finance through a licensed lending subsidiary. Hyperscale Data’s headquarters are located at 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway, Suite 190, Las Vegas, NV 89141.

    On December 23, 2024, the Company issued one million (1,000,000) shares of a newly designated Series F Exchangeable Preferred Stock (the “Series F Preferred Stock”) to all common stockholders and holders of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis. The Divestiture will occur through the voluntary exchange of the Series F Preferred Stock for shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of ACG (collectively, the “ACG Shares”). The Company reminds its stockholders that only those holders of the Series F Preferred Stock who agree to surrender such shares, and do not properly withdraw such surrender, in the exchange offer through which the Divestiture will occur, will be entitled to receive the ACG Shares and consequently be stockholders of ACG upon the occurrence of the Divestiture.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “potential,” or similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties.

    Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. More information, including potential risk factors, that could affect the Company’s business and financial results are included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All filings are available at www.sec.gov and on the Company’s website at hyperscaledata.com.

    Hyperscale Data Investor Contact:
    IR@hyperscaledata.com or 1-888-753-2235

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: High Life Highland progress report to Education Committee

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Today (Wednesday 4 June) at The Highland Council’s meeting of the Education Committee, High Life Highland Chief Executive, Steve Walsh will provide a progress report on performance during the operating period to 31 March 2025, including information on HLH’s contributions to The Highland Council Corporate Plan 2022-27 and other achievements and accolades received throughout 2024/25 with a focus on the delivery of the music tuition service.

    Education Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: “High Life Highland contribute an integral part in ‘making life better’ for the communities it serves, supporting people of all ages across the Highlands through delivery of services including leisure facilities, libraries, archives, community centres, sport, outdoor activities, adult learning, music tuition, visitor attractions and youth work.

    “We always looking forward to bringing performance reports to the Education Committee and are heartened to see from the report that in-person customer visits to HLH services in 2024/25 were almost 5 million, a 9% increase on the previous year and the report on the music tuition service and the wonderful contributions that music brings to both children and adults across Highland.

    “It has never been more important for communities to be part of recreational pursuits and the work of the dedicated High Life Highland team to continue to pivot operating models and positively engage more and more people to get involved in activities that promote self-esteem and improve wellbeing is fantastic, and I thank all the team for the important role that each and everyone plays in keeping Highland a happier, healthier, musically talented and more inviting place for both residents and visitors to enjoy.”

    The full report can be found here (Item13) and be viewed live on Wednesday 4 June by clicking this link.

    4 Jun 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Premiere of the film “Impostors”. Life against the backdrop of historical events and a dialogue with Pushkin

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    A pre-premiere screening of Maria Reizen’s film “Impostors” took place. The action takes place in October 1993: against the backdrop of historical events, two lovers try to understand the circumstances of the death of a famous director and save his last film.

    Producer Georgiy Lordkipanidze said: “We must remember that we live in a history textbook. It does not end, and God willing, it will not end for a long, long time. It is fascinating and pleasant in its own way. This knowledge makes life much easier when you understand that you live in history, and it continues. This is its lesson – what happened once in one form or another will definitely happen again, will happen again.”

    The film “Impostors” is a very transparent statement on this topic. It is about people who find themselves on yet another broken-off ice floe among moving tectonic plates. The relationship of oneself to events, proportion – it seems that this is what the film screams about, if the entry point into it is the story of the main character. And the understanding that everything is repeating itself, and people have not drawn global conclusions, does not save the viewer from his own drama.

    The authors rethink Pushkin’s “Boris Godunov” through the “Time of Troubles” – the autumn of 1993. It seems to be the first artistic attempt to live through that period. 30 years is a sufficient period for a film to become historical. With every detail verified, the film is more of a discourse, a metaphor and a philosophical statement. Godunov runs through the film like a dotted line, but such that the main action is perceived precisely through him – as a foundation on which everything is strung.

    Pushkin the philosopher

    Alexander Sergeyevich wrote Boris Godunov 200 years ago, and it was, as the creators of the film rightly note, the first realistic historical drama filled with psychologism, the author of which violates all the laws that prevailed not only in Russian but also in world dramaturgy – the unity of place, time and action, the unity of genre and style of speech, the subordination of the plot to a love affair.

    At that moment, Pushkin becomes a historian and political thinker, gives a philosophical definition of the fate of Russia. And perhaps such a film seems to give the viewer a new Pushkin, which significantly expands the boundaries of the film itself. This intersection with many worlds at once: literature, philosophy, history, is the beginning of a big conversation, which, of course, goes on continuously, but the film brings it to a wider audience. An interesting phenomenon is how cinema becomes a starting point for a big discourse and how, going beyond itself, it can lay claim to eternity.

    “It seems to me that the form of this film allows us to hope that it will be seen not only by those who watch it in the coming weeks of distribution or later, when it goes on television platforms. This is a film that you can discover for yourself after some time,” explains Georgy Lordkipanidze. As in Pushkin’s “Boris Godunov”, the plot of “The Impostors” centers on ordinary people. The complicated, year-long relationship of the main characters is a real love drama. They find themselves drawn into a detective story, which is intensified by the events that take place. The turmoil of autumn 1993 erases everything that was, becomes stronger for each of them, but gives life new meaning. This is a personal tragedy and a tragedy for the country.

    Multi-layered and precise in every detail

    “The Impostors” is a multi-layered film. The viewer can be on one level, or can try to exist on all of them at once, which is certainly better because it provides a deeper immersion. But still, this is a film for everyone – and it is exactly what the person watching it is: well-read, living his own drama, searching or tired.

    The film contains many metaphors. The theme of the holy fool refers, for example, to the very essence of foolishness in Rus’, and to films, and to parables. The creators of “The Impostors” ask themselves and the viewer precisely calibrated questions, but great art always implies that the answers must be sought independently.

    This carefully assembled picture from the autumn of 1993 is the perfect work of production designer Evgeny Mitta, who accurately recreated the spirit of that time. “In general, this is already considered a historical film by cinematic standards. Quite a lot of time has passed, all this equipment no longer exists in the current media space. And we had to search quite well for some individual parts of the equipment and try to recreate it all,” says Evgeny Mitta.

    But it all started with a script written by Sergei Shumakov, the general director and editor-in-chief of the Kultura channel. That is why the story through the eyes of journalists looks as plausible as possible. Sergei Shumakov, in essence, showed the work of those he understands best, especially since he himself worked in television in 1993 and was in the television center building on the night of October 3-4.

    “I think the experience of documentary filmmaking helps, because the chronicle was the most difficult thing we did. The entire process of finishing the film took three years, but the chronicle took one and a half of that. Plus, during the preparation process, we worked on the chronicle, because there were documentary filmmakers who were separately from me preparing it for the set. In order to watch it before the motor, the group watched the chronicle – everyone remembered what happened. Some did not remember, but saw it for the first time – those who were younger. In general, the chronicle was probably the most difficult,” says Maria Reizen.

    Reincarnations

    The cast of “The Pretenders” is so impressive that it’s worth watching the movie just for them: Linda Lapinsh, Sergey Shakurov, Egor Beroev, Vladimir Guskov, Anna Mikhalkova, Mikhail Filippov, Aleksandr Adabashyan and others. It’s especially nice to see Ildar Gainutdinov, who plays the role of False Dmitry.

    “As for the role, my hero, it was very multi-staged. If we specifically proceed not from the excerpt, if, let’s say, we take on a full-fledged character, then we could take, for example, a story – how a person is changed by his desire for power, how his dream becomes some kind of nightmare. That is, this is a very, very complex work,” notes Ildar Gainutdinov.

    “The Pretenders” is a film that goes beyond itself. It is a serious attempt to understand the autumn of 1993, a large open dialogue with Alexander Pushkin, a history of stories, a film with a very precise inner time and brilliant work of the entire team. A magnificently depicted life of ordinary people who found themselves in the center of a historical breakdown.

    The film will be released on June 5th and can be seen in the Moskino chain of cinemas.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154812073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI: Panasonic TOUGHBOOK Delivers Connected Vehicle Solution For The AA

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    End-to-end management of project has increased vehicle connectivity, efficiency, and ROI for the UK’s leading vehicle breakdown service.

    Bracknell, UK. 4th June 2025 – Panasonic TOUGHBOOK has successfully completed the installation of over 2,500 ruggedised 5G routers across The AA’s roadside vehicle fleet, delivering enhanced connectivity, operational efficiency, and cost savings. The ambitious nationwide deployment of Panasonic’s Connected Vehicle solution was completed in just over nine months, and was conducted in partnership with The AA, Cradlepoint (an Ericsson company), and Gamma Telecom.

    Panasonic TOUGHBOOK managed the entire process, including overall project management, testing, installation, training, reporting, and ongoing field services maintenance for the next five years.

    Optimised Connectivity Across the UK
    Connectivity is provided in a 25-metre radius around the vehicle. By integrating a seamless twin-5G modem solution, using primary and backup SIMs, The AA can take advantage of up to 98% connectivity across the UK.

    With real-time data from multiple hardware solutions and applications – such as vehicle diagnostics, onboard cameras, and call-out information – reliant on strong, reliable connectivity, Panasonic’s solution minimises downtime and maximises efficiency at the roadside.

    It also reduces total cost of ownership for The AA, as individual cellular plans for multiple devices are not required. This helps to prevent any unexpected data usage costs, whilst removing the need to purchase multiple devices with 5G capabilities.

    To further optimise operations, Panasonic also manages Ericsson’s NetCloud Manager platform on behalf of The AA, providing real-time insights into data usage, application efficiency, and network performance. The single-pane-of-glass monitoring system provides full visibility over the entire fleet, providing The AA with real-time insights into the solution’s effectiveness.

    Maximising Efficiency at the Roadside
    For some patrols, The AA also utilises a Screen Mirroring Solution, which enables on-screen data from a TOUGHBOOK rugged device to be displayed on an infotainment screen in the front of patrol vehicles. This increases productivity, flexibility and communication for The AA’s technicians. 

    Wendy Richardson-Brooks, IT Operations Improvement & Innovation Manager at The AA, said: “This is a game-changing solution for our patrols. With our previous solution that could only connect to 3G or 4G connections, connectivity was significantly reduced, stifling productivity on the roadside. Now, with Panasonic and its partners, we have a ruggedised solution that delivers close to 100% connectivity for all of our patrols. This helps our technicians to more quickly and efficiently diagnose and repair vehicles at the roadside – increasing customer satisfaction.”

    Nick Miller, EU Sales Strategy Manager at Panasonic TOUGHBOOK, added: “This project demonstrates Panasonic’s commitment to delivering best-in-class connectivity solutions, in condensed time frame. By combining cutting-edge ruggedised routers, industry-leading network management, and a fully managed service approach, Panasonic is ensuring The AA’s fleet remains at the forefront of technological innovation.”

    For more information on Panasonic’s Connected Vehicle offering, please click here: https://eu.connect.panasonic.com/gb/en/blog/rugged-vehicle-routers-increase-connectivity-uptime-field-services

    For more information on Panasonic’s Vehicle Integration Services, please click here: https://eu.connect.panasonic.com/hu/en/toughbook-vehicle-integration-services

    Panasonic Press Contact
    Daniel Creasey
    UK &I Marketing Manager at Panasonic TOUGHBOOK
    daniel.creasey@eu.panasonic.com

    Panasonic Press Contact
    Jim Pople
    C8 Consulting
    jim@c8consulting.co.uk

    About the Panasonic Group
    Founded in 1918, and today a global leader in developing innovative technologies and solutions for wide-ranging applications in the consumer electronics, housing, devices, B2B solutions and energy sectors worldwide, the Panasonic Group switched to an operating company system on April 1, 2022, with Panasonic Holdings Corporation serving as a holding company. The Group reported consolidated net sales of Euro 51.6 billion (8,458.2 billion yen) for the year ended March 31, 2025. To learn more about the Panasonic Group, please visit: https://holdings.panasonic/global/

    About Panasonic Connect Europe GmbH
    Panasonic Connect Europe began operations on October 1st, 2021, creating a new Business-to-Business focused and agile organisation. With more than 400 employees and led by CEO Shusuke Aoki, the business aims to contribute to the success of its customers with innovative products and integrated systems and services – all designed to deliver its vision to Change Work, Advance Society and Connect to Tomorrow.

    Panasonic Connect Europe is headquartered in Wiesbaden and consist of the following business units: 

    • The Mobile Solutions Business Division helping mobile workers improve productivity with its range of Toughbook rugged notebooks, business tablets and handhelds.
    • The Media Entertainment Business Division incorporating Visual System Solutions offering a range of high brightness and reliable projectors as well as high quality displays; and Broadcast & ProAV offering Smart Live Production solutions from an end-to-end portfolio consisting of PTZ and system cameras, camcorders, the Kairos IT/IP platform, switchers and robotic solutions that are widely used for live event capture, sports production, television, and xR studios.
    • Business and Industry Solutions delivering tailored technology solutions focused on Retail, Logistics and Manufacturing. Designed to increase operational efficiency and enhance customer experience, helping businesses to perform at their best, every day.
    • Panasonic Factory Solutions Europe selling a wide range of smart factory solutions including electronics manufacturing solutions, robot and welding systems and software solutions engineering.

    For more information please visit: https://eu.connect.panasonic.com

    Please visit Panasonic Connect Europe’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/panasonic-connect-europe/

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Winterberry Group Research Unveils How Marketers Can Improve the Effectiveness Of $1.12 Trillion of Global Media Spend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Creative, labeled as “non-working” media, is responsible for driving 40-70% of an advertising campaign’s performance, yet it has been deprioritized and undervalued. Global advertising spend is projected to reach $1.12 trillion by 2026, so investment in creative and content is expected to surpass $140 billion. Winterberry Group, a strategic growth consultancy, today released the findings of a new report that details how to collapse the artificial siloes of “working” and “non-working” media and achieve marketing effectiveness with media, audience and creative intelligence.

    The report defines creative intelligence as the ability to collect, structure and analyze creative decisions against performance data to continuously optimize assets for effectiveness and engagement.

    “It is time to overhaul outdated thinking that the billions spent on creative production is non-working,” said Bruce Biegel, senior managing partner of Winterberry Group. “To truly unlock the full potential of modern marketing effectiveness with greater financial discipline, media, audience and creative data have to converge into a full-funnel, personalized and measurable experience at scale.”

    Brands and agencies can connect every stage of the creative and campaign process to outcomes. Creative intelligence empowers smarter briefings, pre-flight analysis, real-time activation and optimization as well as creative lifetime value (Creative LTV).

    With the pace of AI advancements and budgets under pressure, Winterberry predicts creative intelligence will be widely adopted by leading marketers in the next 24-36 months. Starting in channels with the most accessible creative data – social, email and mobile messaging, and then expand into programmatic digital formats such as display, video, audio, and connected TV (CTV).

    Other key findings from the report include:

    • Nearly half of marketers (49%) still equate “creative intelligence” with ideation alone, rather than recognizing it as a system for measurement and optimization.
    • Nearly all marketers (99%) view measuring creative LTV as important – with 72% calling it very important.
      • However, only 54% say their organization measures creative LTV very effectively.
    • Creative intelligence is most impactful for understanding brand awareness (41%) and performance outcomes (38%).
    • Creative quality is universally valued as the most important metric for understanding creative intelligence followed by brand lift by both brands (49%) and agencies (38%).
      • Brands then are more interested in measuring conversions (33%), while agencies lean into audience relevance (31%) and engagement (28%).
    • Overall, brands and agencies expect creative intelligence to be led by marketing strategy and operations (but agencies favor external advisory roles more than brands).
    • Brands prioritize agencies for executional support in the evolving creative intelligence ecosystem, while agencies see themselves having more of a focus on technology and strategic integration.

    “Intelligent creative isn’t an emerging trend, it’s the new standard,” said Laura Desmond, CEO of Smartly. “With audience data in place, AI accelerating, and content demands at an all-time high, brands that harness creative intelligence are turning what was once marketing guesswork into a performance engine. The shift isn’t coming, it’s already here, and it’s redefining how we drive growth with speed, precision, and impact.”

    “Winterberry Group’s research powerfully validates what we see every day: for too long, creative has been under-leveraged as a driver of marketing effectiveness,” said Wesley ter Haar, Chief AI and Revenue Officer at Monks. “At Monks, we’re focused on building the AI-powered connective tissue that unifies creative, media and audience data, enabling brands to drive measurable and scalable marketing effectiveness everywhere they show up.”

    “Creative Intelligence isn’t a theory—it’s a system,” said Rob Rakowitz, head of marketing at VidMob. “What makes this whitepaper so valuable is its attention to the mechanics: the inputs, outputs and feedback loops that turn creative into a measurable asset across the entire marketing lifecycle.”

    “This valuable research aligns with over two decades of Analytic Partners’ ROI Genome findings: Creative is the #2 driver of marketing effectiveness—right after spend,” said Nancy Smith, President and CEO of Analytic Partners. “Advertisers must incorporate creative within their optimization and measurement programs to maximize commercial impact.”

    For this research report, Winterberry Group surveyed over 200 senior brand marketing and agencies executives, data, analytics and technology thought leaders across the United States and United Kingdom, conducting in-depth interviews with over 50 industry experts and influencers from customers and users of creative intelligence solutions.

    This is the first research report in the Winterberry Group series on creative intelligence – Demystifying Creative Intelligence: Enhancing Marketing Effectiveness at the Intersection of Media, Audience and Creative.

    This report was made possible with the support of IAA North America, Analytic Partners, Smartly.io, VidMob, Monks, APR and ContinuumGlobal.

    The full research report is available for download: https://winterberrygroup.com/demystifying-creative-intelligence-enhancing-marketing-effectiveness-at-the-intersection-of-media-audience-and-creative.  

    About Winterberry Group
    Winterberry Group is a growth consultancy specializing in the intersecting disciplines of marketing, advertising, technology, data and analytics. We collaborate with stakeholders across those ecosystems—agencies, service providers, technology developers, brands, publishers and investor groups—leveraging deep industry expertise to build actionable strategies that spur growth and drive the creation of real and lasting stakeholder value. Learn more at winterberrygroup.com.

    Media Contact
    Lacy Talton
    Evergreen & Oak on behalf of Winterberry Group
    lacy@evergreenandoak.com
    252.467.5220

    Ilisia Shuke
    Winterberry Group
    ishuke@winterberrygroup.com
    917.635.2405

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin: First kindergarten built using modular technology opened in Moscow

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The first kindergarten built using advanced large-module construction technology has opened in Moscow. Sergei Sobyanin reported this on his Telegram channel.

    “Such buildings are assembled like a construction set: super-large modules are delivered to the site and assembled in a short time. A significant part of the production cycle takes place on

    factory. This allows us to guarantee the quality of the facility,” the Mayor of Moscow noted.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

    An important advantage is the durability and high degree of readiness immediately after production of such modules. They have all the necessary embedded parts for engineering systems, so their installation does not take much time – as well as facade and finishing works.

    Thus, thanks to innovative technologies, it was possible to reduce the construction time of the facility while maintaining its quality and ensuring the durability of the building.

    A new kindergarten for 300 children in Izmailovo with an area of 4.5 thousand square meters was built using funds from the Moscow City Targeted Investment Program. The above-ground part of the building required 114 modules, which were installed in just two weeks. For comparison, this stage of construction usually takes six to nine months.

    The three-story kindergarten has everything you need: it has 12 groups, sleeping areas, a gym and music room, a spacious lobby, and changing rooms. In addition, the building has a medical block and a full-cycle food block, administrative offices, and a security room. The interiors are decorated with paintings, and the facade is done in a calm color scheme.

    Sergei Sobyanin: Schools and kindergartens in Moscow are built with a unique designSchools, kindergartens and clinics: investors are building 194 social facilities in the capital

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12902050/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Moscow Model Pavilion at VDNKh will celebrate Russian Language Day

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On June 6, the exhibition pavilion “Moscow Model” will host a large-scale cultural program dedicated to Russian Language Day and the 226th anniversary of the birth of Alexander Pushkin. This was reported by the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Urban Development Policy Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    Interactive tours of Pushkin’s Moscow, lighting shows with poems about the capital, and quizzes with memorable prizes have been prepared for guests. Participation in the festive events is free, no registration is required.

    “Citizens and guests of the capital will be able to immerse themselves in the poet’s era with the help of interactive excursions and lighting shows. This is a great way to learn more about the places associated with Pushkin’s life and work in our city. This Friday, guests will learn where the poet was born and lived, in which house he first read his drama “Boris Godunov”, as well as many other interesting facts about Alexander Sergeevich’s stay in the capital. The excursion program is scheduled for 12:10, 14:10, 16:10 and 18:10,” said Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    Everyone will be able to test their knowledge of Pushkin’s Moscow at quizzes after the tour. They will be held at 12:40, 14:40, 16:40 and 18:40. For poetry lovers, there will be lighting shows with poems about Moscow, musical accompaniment and bright video footage every half hour from 11:00 to 19:30.

    You can visit the Moscow Model pavilion free of charge from 10:00 to 20:00 daily, except Mondays.

    You can find detailed information, view the schedule of light shows, and sign up for excursions at website, via the mobile application “Moscow Model” or by phone: 7 925 237-37-28 and 7 925 237-37-29.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channelthe city of Moscow.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154790073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Tatyana Golikova: The main events of the celebration of the 800th anniversary of the founding of the city of Yuryevets have begun

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova held a meeting of the organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the celebration in 2025 in accordance with the decree of President Vladimir Putin of the 800th anniversary of the founding of the city of Yuryevets in the Ivanovo region. The Governor of the Ivanovo region Stanislav Voskresensky, representatives of the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Rosmolodezh, and Rossotrudnichestvo reported on the program of key events and readiness to celebrate the city’s anniversary.

    “Yuryevets has many attractions that are important for the history of the Russian state and the history of the formation of small towns in Russia. Preparatory work for the celebration of the 800th anniversary of Yuryevets has been completed. The program of the main events of the celebration, which started on June 1 and will last until August 30 of this year, has been published. Some events related to restoration and major repairs will be completed in 2026-2027,” noted Tatyana Golikova.

    The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the plan to prepare for the celebration of the 800th anniversary of Yuryevets included 75 major events and projects financed from the federal and regional budgets. Among them are the repair of buildings, social infrastructure, street and road network, including repair of access roads, modernization of the city’s housing and utilities engineering system, improvement of urban spaces, restoration of cultural heritage sites, educational and cultural events.

    To date, major repairs have been completed at the Yuryevets Secondary School and the Central District Hospital, and all six city kindergartens have been repaired. Gasification of Yuryevets, including its historical part, is underway. The Volga embankment has been completely landscaped. 11 streets in Yuryevets have been repaired, as well as regional roads approaching the city, and street lighting has been updated.

    The Governor of Ivanovo Region Stanislav Voskresensky reported in detail on the program of key events for the celebration of the 800th anniversary of Yuryevets.

    “There is attention to Yuryevets, people come and are interested. I hope that all this will be converted into sustainable development of a wonderful small town. We do not set a main date in the cultural program; significant events will be held all summer. I would like to draw special attention to and invite everyone to a classical music concert as part of the V International Classical Music Festival “Cantata”, which will be held on June 12, Russia Day, on the embankment, from where a beautiful view of the sights of Yuryevets and the endless Volga opens up,” said Governor Stanislav Voskresensky.

    In addition, the governor noted that in accordance with the plan for preparing for the celebration of the 800th anniversary of Yuryevets, it is necessary to complete a major overhaul of the city’s heating networks, a major overhaul of the cultural center and the Vesnin Brothers Museum of Architects, and to implement a new concept for the museum’s exposition.

    The program of key events to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the founding of the city of Yuryevets in the Ivanovo region included the inter-museum exhibition project “Ancient City on the Great River. For the 800th Anniversary of the Founding of Yuryevets”, exhibitions dedicated to the life and work of famous directors who lived in Yuryevets – Andrei Tarkovsky and Alexander Rowe, the forum “Small Towns. New Territories of Creative Industries”, an exhibition of Palekh icon painting and many other projects.

    The Shchusev State Research Museum of Architecture in Moscow will host an exhibition entitled “The Vesnin Brothers Architects. The Beginning,” dedicated to the architectural path of the Vesnin brothers, who were born and began their work in Yuryevets.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai and President Hilda C. Heine of Marshall Islands hold bilateral talks and witness signing of agreements

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Details
    2025-06-03
    President Lai welcomes President Hilda C. Heine of Republic of the Marshall Islands with military honors  
    President Lai Ching-te welcomed President Hilda C. Heine of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and her husband on the morning of June 3 with full military honors. In remarks, President Lai thanked President Heine and the people and government of the Marshall Islands for demonstrating such high regard for our nations’ diplomatic ties. The president said that over our 27 years of diplomatic relations, our cooperation in healthcare, agriculture, fisheries, education and training, and climate change has yielded many positive results. And moving ahead, he said, Taiwan will continue to deepen collaboration across all domains for mutual prosperity and growth. The welcome ceremony began at 10:30 a.m. in the plaza fronting the Presidential Office. President Lai and President Heine each delivered remarks after a 21-gun salute, the playing of the two countries’ national anthems, and a review of the military honor guard. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: On behalf of the people and government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), it is a great pleasure to welcome President Heine, First Gentleman Thomas Kijiner, Jr., and their delegation with full military honors as they make this state visit to Taiwan. When I traveled to the Marshall Islands on a state visit last December, I was received with great warmth and courtesy. I once again thank President Heine and the people and government of the Marshall Islands for demonstrating such high regard for our nations’ diplomatic ties. Taiwan and the Marshall Islands share Austronesian cultural traditions, and we are like-minded friends. Throughout our 27 years of diplomatic relations, we have always engaged with each other in a spirit of reciprocal trust and mutual assistance. Our cooperation in healthcare, agriculture, fisheries, education and training, and climate change has yielded many positive results. This is President Heine’s first state visit to Taiwan since taking office for a second time. We look forward to engaging our esteemed guests in in-depth discussions on issues of common concern. And moving ahead, Taiwan will continue to deepen collaboration with the Marshall Islands across all domains for mutual prosperity and growth. In closing, I thank President Heine, First Gentleman Kijiner, and their entire delegation for visiting Taiwan. I wish you all a pleasant and successful trip.  A transcript of President Heine’s remarks follows: Your Excellency President Lai Ching-te, Vice President [Bi-khim] Hsiao, honorable members of the cabinet, ambassadors, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: It is my pleasure to extend warm greetings of iokwe on behalf of the people and the government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. I wish to also convey my appreciation to Your Excellency President Lai, for the hospitality and very warm welcome – kommol tata. This visit marks my seventh official state visit to this beautiful country. It’s a testament to my strong commitment to further deepening ties between the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of China (Taiwan). During this visit, I look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions with Your Excellency President Lai to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between our two nations and our peoples.  For over a quarter-century, Taiwan has been a strong ally and friend to the Marshall Islands. Our partnership has thrived across many sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development. Through Taiwan’s generous support and collaboration, we have made significant progress in improving the lives of our people, empowering our communities, and fostering sustainable growth. The Marshall Islands deeply values our partnership with Taiwan and appreciates Taiwan’s support over the years. Despite our small size and limited voice on the global stage, the Marshall Islands deeply cherishes our friendship with Taiwan, and to that end, I wish to reaffirm my government’s commitment to Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the United Nations system. Taiwan has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. In light of current constraints in global affairs, it is now more urgent than ever that the international community of nations recognize the fundamental rights of the 23 million Taiwanese people and recognize Taiwan’s aspiration to engage fully in global affairs. It is with this in mind that I wish to reiterate to Your Excellency President Lai, the Taiwanese people, and the world that under my government, Marshall Islands will continue to acknowledge Taiwan’s contribution on the global stage and urge like-minded countries to advocate for Taiwan’s meaningful engagement in the international arena. In closing, may I once again extend our sincere appreciation to Your Excellency President Lai, the people and government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), for your warm welcome.  Also in attendance at the welcome ceremony were Charge d’Affaires a.i. Anjanette Davis-Anjel of the Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador Andrea Clare Bowman, and members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Taiwan.  

    Details
    2025-05-29
    President Lai attends 2025 Europe Day Dinner
    On the evening of May 29, President Lai Ching-te attended the 2025 Europe Day Dinner. In remarks, President Lai stated that Taiwan looks forward to further establishing institutionalized mechanisms with Europe for our trade and investment ties and hopes to take an innovative and diverse approach to sign an economic partnership agreement with the European Union, to provide a more transparent, stable, and predictable business environment for our enterprises. The president said that Taiwan will actively work alongside other democracies, including those in Europe, to jointly build resilient, promising non-red supply chains, and noted that Taiwan and Europe have endless potential for collaboration, whether it is in safeguarding freedom and democracy or advancing our economic and trade relationship. He expressed hope to further strengthen our partnership and work together toward global peace, stability, and prosperity. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: Chairman [Henry] Chang (張瀚書), thank you for the invitation, and congratulations on your second term. I’m confident that under your leadership, the ECCT [European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan] will build even more bridges for cooperation between Taiwan and Europe. I would also like to thank EETO [European Economic and Trade Office] Head [Lutz] Güllner and all the European country representatives stationed in Taiwan. Your hard work over the years has helped deepen Taiwan-Europe relations and brought about such fruitful cooperation. Thank you. This year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration. In 1950, then-French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed to create a European federation dedicated to preserving peace. The declaration symbolized a new flowering in the post-war era of democracy, unity, and cooperation. As we face the geopolitical challenges and drastic economic changes of today’s world, the Schuman Declaration still speaks to us profoundly. This year is also the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to advance cooperation with our democratic partners, and will join hands with Europe to build a partnership of even greater resilience and mutual trust. Europe is Taiwan’s third largest trading partner. It is also Taiwan’s largest source of foreign direct investment. Last year, bilateral trade between Taiwan and Europe totaled US$84.7 billion. This demonstrates our vibrant economic and trade ties and reflects the high levels of confidence our businesses have in each other’s markets and systems. We look forward to Taiwan and Europe further establishing institutionalized mechanisms for our trade and investment ties. And we hope to take an innovative and diverse approach to sign an economic partnership agreement with the EU, to provide a more transparent, stable, and predictable business environment for our enterprises. Today’s Taiwan has an internationally recognized democracy and a semiconductor industry vital to global security and prosperity. This enables us to play a key role in restructuring global democratic supply chains and the economic order. In particular, we see supply chains dominated by a new authoritarian bloc expanding their influence through non-market mechanisms, price subsidies, and monopolies on resources, as they seek global control of critical technologies and manufacturing capabilities. Their actions not only distort principles of market fairness, but also threaten the international community’s basic expectations for democracy, the rule of law, and corporate responsibility. In response, Taiwan will actively work alongside other democracies, including those in Europe, to jointly build resilient, promising non-red supply chains. We will also introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. This is more than a proposal for economic cooperation; it is an alliance of shared values and advanced technology. Security in the Taiwan Strait and regional peace and stability have always been issues of mutual interest for Taiwan and Europe. So here today, on behalf of all the people of Taiwan, I would like to thank the EU and European nations for continuing to take concrete actions in public support of peace and stability across the strait. Such actions are vital to regional security and prosperity. Taiwan will continue to bolster itself to achieve real peace through strength, and will work with democratic partners to safeguard freedom and democracy, thereby showing our determination for regional peace. At this critical time, Taiwan and Europe have endless potential for collaboration, whether it’s in safeguarding freedom and democracy or advancing our economic and trade relationship. I look forward to our joining hands at this strategic juncture to further strengthen our partnership and work together toward global peace, stability, and prosperity. Also in attendance at the event was British Office Taipei Representative Ruth Bradley-Jones.

    Details
    2025-05-28
    President Lai meets US delegation led by Senator Tammy Duckworth
    On the afternoon of May 28, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by United States Senator Tammy Duckworth. In remarks, President Lai thanked the US Congress and government for their longstanding and bipartisan support for Taiwan. The president stated that Taiwan will continue to strengthen cooperation with the US and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. He pointed out that the Taiwan government has already proposed a roadmap for deepening Taiwan-US trade ties and will encourage mutual investment between Taiwanese and US businesses. He then expressed hope of deepening Taiwan-US ties and creating more niches for both sides. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I warmly welcome this delegation led by Senator Duckworth, a dear friend of Taiwan. Senator Duckworth previously visited in May last year to convey congratulations after the inauguration of myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao. Your bipartisan delegation was the first group from the US Senate that I met with as president. Today, you are visiting just after the first anniversary of my taking office, demonstrating the staunch support of the US and our deep friendship. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincere appreciation and greetings. And I invite you to come back and visit next year, the year after that, and every year. Taiwan and the US share the values of democracy and the rule of law and believe in free and open markets. Both sides embrace a common goal of peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. I thank the US Congress and government for their longstanding, bipartisan, and steadfast support for Taiwan. In 2021, to help Taiwan overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Duckworth made a special trip here to announce that the US government would be donating vaccines to Taiwan. In recent years, Senator Duckworth has also promoted the TAIWAN Security Act, STAND with Taiwan Act, and Taiwan and America Space Assistance Act in the US Congress, all of which have further deepened Taiwan-US cooperation and steadily advanced our ties. For this, I express my deepest appreciation. I want to emphasize that the people of Taiwan have an unyielding determination to protect their homeland and free and democratic way of life. Over the past year, the government and private sector have been working together to enhance Taiwan’s whole-of-society defense resilience. The government is committed to reforming national defense, and it has proposed prioritizing special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds three percent of GDP. This will continue to bolster Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to strengthen cooperation with the US. In addition to jointly safeguarding regional peace and stability, we also aspire to deepen bilateral trade and economic ties. At the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, DC, earlier this month, Taiwan’s delegation was once again the biggest delegation attending the event – proof positive of our close economic and trade cooperation. We have already proposed a roadmap for deepening Taiwan-US trade ties. We will narrow the trade imbalance through the procurement of energy and agricultural and other industrial products from the US. We will encourage mutual investment between Taiwanese and US businesses to stimulate industrial development on both sides, especially in such industries as national defense and shipbuilding. We therefore look forward to Congress passing the US-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act as soon as possible, as this would deepen Taiwan-US trade ties and create more niches for business. In closing, I once again thank Senator Duckworth for making the trip to Taiwan. Let us continue to work together to elevate Taiwan-US ties. I wish you a pleasant and successful visit. Senator Duckworth then delivered remarks, saying that she is happy to be back in Taiwan and that she wanted to make sure to come back just after President Lai’s one-year anniversary of taking office to show the dedication and the outstanding friendship that we have. She noted that because no matter who is in the White House, no matter which political party is in power in Washington, DC, she has always believed that if America wants to remain a leader on the global stage, it has to show up for friends like Taiwan.  Senator Duckworth mentioned that in the years that she has been coming to Taiwan since pre-COVID times, she has seen a remarkable increase in participation in its defense and the support of the Taiwanese people for defending the homeland. She then thanked Taiwan for making the commitment to its self-defense, and also for being a partner with other nations around the world.  The STAND with Taiwan Act, the senator noted, is so named because the US wants to stand side by side with Taiwan. Pointing out that Taiwan is an important leader in the Indo-Pacific and on the global stage, she reiterated that there is support on both sides of the aisle in Washington for Taiwanese democracy, and added that the people of Taiwan are showing that they are willing to shore up their own readiness. Senator Duckworth said that whether it is delivering vaccines to Taiwan or making sure that the US National Guard works with Taiwan’s reserve forces or even with its civilian emergency response teams, these are all important components to the ongoing partnership between our nations.  Senator Duckworth indicated that there are many great opportunities moving forward beyond our military cooperation with one another. Whether it is in chip manufacturing, agricultural investments, shipbuilding, or in the healthcare field, those investments in both nations will facilitate stability and development in both our nations. She said that is why she wants to continue the Taiwan-US relationship, underlining that they are in it for the long haul. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene.

    Details
    2025-05-27
    President Lai meets delegation led by US House Natural Resources Committee Chair Bruce Westerman
    On the afternoon of May 27, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Chair of the Natural Resources Committee of the United States House of Representatives Bruce Westerman. In remarks, President Lai stated that Taiwan and the US enjoy close industrial exchanges and continue to explore new opportunities for investment and collaboration. The president said that Taiwan will continue to increase purchases from and together build non-red supply chains with the US, expressing hope that economic and trade relations grow even closer and that both work together to jointly safeguard peace and stability throughout the region. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I am delighted to meet and exchange views with members of the US House Committee on Natural Resources today. Chair Westerman, the leader of this delegation, is an old friend of Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a very warm welcome to the delegation. I also want to thank you all for your long-term close attention to Taiwan-related affairs and your strong support for Taiwan. Taiwan and the US enjoy close ties and share ideals and values. There is an excellent foundation for cooperation between us, particularly in such areas as energy, the economy and trade, agriculture and fisheries, environmental protection, and sustainable development. In recent years, Taiwan-US ties have grown closer and closer. The US has become Taiwan’s largest destination for overseas investment, accounting for over 40 percent of Taiwan’s outbound investment. Taiwan is also the seventh largest trading partner of the US and its seventh largest export market for agricultural products. The SelectUSA Investment Summit held in Washington, DC earlier this month was the largest in its history. Taiwan’s delegation, representing 138 enterprises, was once again the biggest delegation attending the event. This shows that Taiwan and the US enjoy close industrial exchanges and continue to explore new opportunities for investment and collaboration. Looking ahead, with the global landscape changing rapidly, Taiwan will continue to increase purchases from the US, including energy resources such as natural gas and petroleum, as well as agricultural products, industrial products, and even military procurement. This will not only help balance our bilateral trade, but also strengthen development for Taiwan in energy autonomy, resilience, the economy, and trade. Taiwan and the US are also well-matched in such areas as high tech and manufacturing. As the US pursues reindustrialization and aims to become a global hub for AI, Taiwan is willing to take part and play an even more important role. We will strengthen Taiwan-US industrial cooperation and together build non-red supply chains. In addition to bringing our economic and trade relations even closer, this will also allow Taiwanese industries to remain rooted in Taiwan while expanding their global presence, helping bolster the US, and marketing worldwide. As for military exchanges, we are grateful to the US government for continuing its military sales to Taiwan and backing our efforts to upgrade our self-defense capabilities. Taiwan will continue to work with the US to jointly safeguard peace and stability throughout the region. In closing, I thank our guests once again for making the long journey here, not only offering warm friendship, but also demonstrating the staunch bipartisan support for Taiwan in the US Congress. Chair Westerman then delivered remarks, saying that it is an honor for him and his colleagues to be in Taiwan to talk about the strong relationship between the US and Taiwan and how that relationship can continue to grow in the future. The chair pointed out that natural resources are foundational to any kind of economic development, whether it is energy, which is key to manufacturing, or whether it is mining, which provides rare earth elements and all the minerals and metals needed for manufacturing. He said that as for natural resources including fish, wildlife, or timber, all are foundational to any society, but this is especially so for agriculture, noting that the US produces a lot of food and fodder and is always looking for more friends to share that with. Chair Westerman indicated that they are excited about opportunities to work with Taiwan, adding that Taiwan’s investments in the US have been greatly appreciated. He said they also are excited about the talks with the Trump administration and the future going forward on how we can have a stronger trade relationship, a stronger bilateral relationship, and how we can work with each other to help both economies grow and prosper. Chair Westerman concluded his remarks by expressing thanks for the opportunity to visit, saying that they treasure Taiwan’s friendship and our long-term relationship, and are very excited to be able to discuss in more detail how our two countries can work together. The delegation also included US House Natural Resources Committee Representatives Sarah Elfreth, Harriet Hageman, Celeste Maloy, and Nick Begich. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene.  

    Details
    2025-05-27
    President Lai meets and hosts luncheon for delegation led by Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero of Guam
    On the morning of May 27, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero of Guam and her husband, and hosted a luncheon for the delegation at noon. In remarks, President Lai noted that this is the governor’s first trip to Taiwan, fully demonstrating the Guam government’s support and high regard for Taiwan. The president said that Guam, being the closest United States territory to Taiwan, is an important bridge for collaboration between Taiwan and the US. He stated that aside from promoting tourism, we can also explore even more opportunities for collaboration in other areas to further advance industrial development for both sides. He said that, as we begin a new chapter, we look forward to working together to generate even more momentum in bilateral cooperation and exchanges. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a warm welcome to Governor Leon Guerrero and her delegation. Last year, I transited through Guam en route for visits to Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in the Pacific. The enthusiastic reception I received from the government, legislature, people, and members of our overseas community in Guam was very touching and left me with a deep impression. During the morning tea reception hosted by Governor Leon Guerrero, we joined in singing our respective national anthems, as well as the Fanohge CHamoru. I also received at the Guam Legislature a copy of a Taiwan-friendly resolution it passed on behalf of the people of Taiwan. And I still remember to this day the striking scenery of the governor’s house and the warm reception I received there. It is therefore a great pleasure to meet with all of you today here at the Presidential Office. This is Governor Leon Guerrero’s first trip to Taiwan. Your visit fully demonstrates the Guam government’s support and high regard for Taiwan. As we begin a new chapter, we look forward to working with you to generate even more momentum in bilateral cooperation and exchanges. Taiwan and Guam are like family. We share the Austronesian spirit and culture. Our wide-ranging and mutually-beneficial collaboration is very fruitful. And now, we are facing the challenges of climate change, public health and medicine, and regional security together. The world is rapidly changing and tensions in the Indo-Pacific continue to rise. But if we combine our strengths, come together as one, and enhance cooperation, we can maintain regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Last Tuesday, I delivered an address on my first anniversary of taking office. I mentioned that for many years, Taiwan, the US, and our democratic partners have actively engaged in exchange and cooperation. Taking a market-oriented approach, we will promote an economic path of staying firmly rooted in Taiwan and expanding the global presence of our enterprises while strengthening ties with the US. Guam is the closest US territory to Taiwan. It is an important bridge for collaboration between Taiwan and the US. Last month, we were pleased to see United Airlines officially launch direct flights between Taipei and Guam. I believe this will benefit tourism and economic and trade exchanges for both sides. In the area of health care, many hospitals in Taiwan already offer referral services to patients from Guam. Both Governor Leon Guerrero and I have backgrounds in medicine. It is my hope that Taiwan and Guam can continue to work hand in hand to create even more positive outcomes from cooperation in public health and medical services. During the governor’s visit, aside from promoting tourism, we can also explore even more opportunities for collaboration in other areas. There is potential for more exchanges in aquaculture, food processing, hydroculture, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and recycling. This will further advance industrial development in Taiwan and Guam. In closing, I thank Governor Leon Guerrero and all our distinguished guests for backing Taiwan. I wish you all a smooth and successful visit.  Governor Leon Guerrero then delivered remarks, saying that she is very happy to come to Taiwan. She said that after learning during President Lai’s visit to Guam last year that he is a medical doctor, she felt more relaxed because healthcare colleagues are one in their endeavor to help enhance the health and well-being of people. She then expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the invitation to Taiwan.  Governor Leon Guerrero said that as they learn more about opportunities for collaboration with Taiwan, they are humbled by the hospitality they have experienced. In both of our islands, she said, hospitality is more than just a custom – it forms a part of our identities. She noted that despite being nearly 2,000 miles apart, we are connected by the Pacific Ocean and common roots, and our ancestors both value family, community, and tradition. That is why being here today, she said, she feels a strong sense of familiarity, like reconnecting with old friends. The governor remarked that Taiwan has evolved so quickly in all areas of essential life, sustenance, economy, and prosperity, adding that Taiwan’s resources in such areas as health, education, data, AI, advanced technology, aquaculture, agriculture, and commerce enhance our economic stability. She stated her belief that in collaboration and support, and working with each other, we can gain prosperity, maintain freedom and democracy, and live in peace.  Governor Leon Guerrero stated that their delegation is here to see how they can partner with Taiwan to help raise the quality of life for both our peoples, mentioning that one special concern of theirs is tourism. Tourism, she said, is the most influential engine and driver for the economy and quality of life in Guam, but they cannot have a vibrant economy and tourism without air connectivity. She added that they are prepared to help in any way to provide incentives and low-cost fees so that they can get more airlines from Taiwan to establish permanent flight schedules to Guam, so as to drive development in Guam’s tourism industry. Governor Leon Guerrero then proceeded to introduce each of the members of her delegation before remarking that while they have been very busy on this visit they are always reminded of the freedom and democracy that the people must protect. She said she looks forward to a great, strong relationship between Taiwan and Guam in cooperation on social and economic issues, in culture, marketing, tourism, and freedom and democracy. Among those in attendance were First Gentleman Jeffrey A. Cook, Chief of Staff Jon Junior Calvo, Director of the Department of Administration Edward Birn, General Manager of the Guam Visitors Bureau Regine Biscoe Lee, Deputy Executive Manager of the Guam International Airport Authority Artemio “Ricky” Hernandez, Board of Directors Chairman of the Guam International Airport Authority Brian J. Bamba, Deputy General Manager of the Guam Economic Development Authority Carlos Bordallo, Director of Landscape Management Systems Guam Bob Salas, Chairperson of the Guam Chamber of Commerce Tae Oh, President of the University of Guam Anita Borja Enriquez, and Director of the Guam Taiwan Office Felix Yen (嚴樹芬). After the meeting, President Lai, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, hosted a luncheon for Governor Leon Guerrero, her husband, and the delegation.

    Details
    2025-05-20
    President Lai interviewed by Nippon Television and Yomiuri TV
    In a recent interview on Nippon Television’s news zero program, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions from host Mr. Sakurai Sho and Yomiuri TV Shanghai Bureau Chief Watanabe Masayo on topics including reflections on his first year in office, cross-strait relations, China’s military threats, Taiwan-United States relations, and Taiwan-Japan relations. The interview was broadcast on the evening of May 19. During the interview, President Lai stated that China intends to change the world’s rules-based international order, and that if Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted. Therefore, he said, Taiwan will strengthen its national defense, prevent war by preparing for war, and achieve the goal of peace. The president also noted that Taiwan’s purpose for developing drones is based on national security and industrial needs, and that Taiwan hopes to collaborate with Japan. He then reiterated that China’s threats are an international problem, and expressed hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war. Following is the text of the questions and the president’s responses: Q: How do you feel as you are about to round out your first year in office? President Lai: When I was young, I was determined to practice medicine and save lives. When I left medicine to go into politics, I was determined to transform Taiwan. And when I was sworn in as president on May 20 last year, I was determined to strengthen the nation. Time flies, and it has already been a year. Although the process has been very challenging, I am deeply honored to be a part of it. I am also profoundly grateful to our citizens for allowing me the opportunity to give back to our country. The future will certainly be full of more challenges, but I will do everything I can to unite the people and continue strengthening the nation. That is how I am feeling now. Q: We are now coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and over this period, we have often heard that conflict between Taiwan and the mainland is imminent. Do you personally believe that a cross-strait conflict could happen? President Lai: The international community is very much aware that China intends to replace the US and change the world’s rules-based international order, and annexing Taiwan is just the first step. So, as China’s military power grows stronger, some members of the international community are naturally on edge about whether a cross-strait conflict will break out. The international community must certainly do everything in its power to avoid a conflict in the Taiwan Strait; there is too great a cost. Besides causing direct disasters to both Taiwan and China, the impact on the global economy would be even greater, with estimated losses of US$10 trillion from war alone – that is roughly 10 percent of the global GDP. Additionally, 20 percent of global shipping passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, so if a conflict breaks out in the strait, other countries including Japan and Korea would suffer a grave impact. For Japan and Korea, a quarter of external transit passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, and a third of the various energy resources and minerals shipped back from other countries pass through said areas. If Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted, and therefore conflict in the Taiwan Strait must be avoided. Such a conflict is indeed avoidable. I am very thankful to Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide, and Kishida Fumio, as well as US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, and the other G7 leaders, for continuing to emphasize at international venues that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are essential components for global security and prosperity. When everyone in the global democratic community works together, stacking up enough strength to make China’s objectives unattainable or to make the cost of invading Taiwan too high for it to bear, a conflict in the strait can naturally be avoided. Q: As you said, President Lai, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is also very important for other countries. How can war be avoided? What sort of countermeasures is Taiwan prepared to take to prevent war? President Lai: As Mr. Sakurai mentioned earlier, we are coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. There are many lessons we can take from that war. First is that peace is priceless, and war has no winners. From the tragedies of WWII, there are lessons that humanity should learn. We must pursue peace, and not start wars blindly, as that would be a major disaster for humanity. In other words, we must be determined to safeguard peace. The second lesson is that we cannot be complacent toward authoritarian powers. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. They will keep growing, and eventually, not only will peace be unattainable, but war will be inevitable. The third lesson is why WWII ended: It ended because different groups joined together in solidarity. Taiwan, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region are all directly subjected to China’s threats, so we hope to be able to join together in cooperation. This is why we proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, we will strengthen our national defense. Second, we will strengthen economic resilience. Third is standing shoulder to shoulder with the democratic community to demonstrate the strength of deterrence. Fourth is that as long as China treats Taiwan with parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China, and seek peace and mutual prosperity. These four pillars can help us avoid war and achieve peace. That is to say, Taiwan hopes to achieve peace through strength, prevent war by preparing for war, keeping war from happening and pursuing the goal of peace. Q: Regarding drones, everyone knows that recently, Taiwan has been actively researching, developing, and introducing drones. Why do you need to actively research, develop, and introduce new drones at this time? President Lai: This is for two purposes. The first is to meet national security needs. The second is to meet industrial development needs. Because Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines are all part of the first island chain, and we are all democratic nations, we cannot be like an authoritarian country like China, which has an unlimited national defense budget. In this kind of situation, island nations such as Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines should leverage their own technologies to develop national defense methods that are asymmetric and utilize unmanned vehicles. In particular, from the Russo-Ukrainian War, we see that Ukraine has successfully utilized unmanned vehicles to protect itself and prevent Russia from unlimited invasion. In other words, the Russo-Ukrainian War has already proven the importance of drones. Therefore, the first purpose of developing drones is based on national security needs. Second, the world has already entered the era of smart technology. Whether generative, agentic, or physical, AI will continue to develop. In the future, cars and ships will also evolve into unmanned vehicles and unmanned boats, and there will be unmanned factories. Drones will even be able to assist with postal deliveries, or services like Uber, Uber Eats, and foodpanda, or agricultural irrigation and pesticide spraying. Therefore, in the future era of comprehensive smart technology, developing unmanned vehicles is a necessity. Taiwan, based on industrial needs, is actively planning the development of drones and unmanned vehicles. I would like to take this opportunity to express Taiwan’s hope to collaborate with Japan in the unmanned vehicle industry. Just as we do in the semiconductor industry, where Japan has raw materials, equipment, and technology, and Taiwan has wafer manufacturing, our two countries can cooperate. Japan is a technological power, and Taiwan also has significant technological strengths. If Taiwan and Japan work together, we will not only be able to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and security in the Indo-Pacific region, but it will also be very helpful for the industrial development of both countries. Q: The drones you just described probably include examples from the Russo-Ukrainian War. Taiwan and China are separated by the Taiwan Strait. Do our drones need to have cross-sea flight capabilities? President Lai: Taiwan does not intend to counterattack the mainland, and does not intend to invade any country. Taiwan’s drones are meant to protect our own nation and territory. Q: Former President Biden previously stated that US forces would assist Taiwan’s defense in the event of an attack. President Trump, however, has yet to clearly state that the US would help defend Taiwan. Do you think that in such an event, the US would help defend Taiwan? Or is Taiwan now trying to persuade the US? President Lai: Former President Biden and President Trump have answered questions from reporters. Although their responses were different, strong cooperation with Taiwan under the Biden administration has continued under the Trump administration; there has been no change. During President Trump’s first term, cooperation with Taiwan was broader and deeper compared to former President Barack Obama’s terms. After former President Biden took office, cooperation with Taiwan increased compared to President Trump’s first term. Now, during President Trump’s second term, cooperation with Taiwan is even greater than under former President Biden. Taiwan-US cooperation continues to grow stronger, and has not changed just because President Trump and former President Biden gave different responses to reporters. Furthermore, the Trump administration publicly stated that in the future, the US will shift its strategic focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. The US secretary of defense even publicly stated that the primary mission of the US is to prevent China from invading Taiwan, maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific, and thus maintain world peace. There is a saying in Taiwan that goes, “Help comes most to those who help themselves.” Before asking friends and allies for assistance in facing threats from China, Taiwan must first be determined and prepared to defend itself. This is Taiwan’s principle, and we are working in this direction, making all the necessary preparations to safeguard the nation. Q: I would like to ask you a question about Taiwan-Japan relations. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, you made an appeal to give Japan a great deal of assistance and care. In particular, you visited Sendai to offer condolences. Later, you also expressed condolences and concern after the earthquakes in Aomori and Kumamoto. What are your expectations for future Taiwan-Japan exchanges and development? President Lai: I come from Tainan, and my constituency is in Tainan. Tainan has very deep ties with Japan, and of course, Taiwan also has deep ties with Japan. However, among Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities, Tainan has the deepest relationship with Japan. I sincerely hope that both of you and your teams will have an opportunity to visit Tainan. I will introduce Tainan’s scenery, including architecture from the era of Japanese rule, Tainan’s cuisine, and unique aspects of Tainan society, and you can also see lifestyles and culture from the Showa era.  The Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan was completed by engineer Mr. Hatta Yoichi from Kanazawa, Japan and the team he led to Tainan after he graduated from then-Tokyo Imperial University. It has nearly a century of history and is still in use today. This reservoir, along with the 16,000-km-long Chianan Canal, transformed the 150,000-hectare Chianan Plain into Taiwan’s premier rice-growing area. It was that foundation in agriculture that enabled Taiwan to develop industry and the technology sector of today. The reservoir continues to supply water to Tainan Science Park. It is used by residents of Tainan, the agricultural sector, and industry, and even the technology sector in Xinshi Industrial Park, as well as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Because of this, the people of Tainan are deeply grateful for Mr. Hatta and very friendly toward the people of Japan. A major earthquake, the largest in 50 years, struck Tainan on February 6, 2016, resulting in significant casualties. As mayor of Tainan at the time, I was extremely grateful to then-Prime Minister Abe, who sent five Japanese officials to the disaster site in Tainan the day after the earthquake. They were very thoughtful and asked what kind of assistance we needed from the Japanese government. They offered to provide help based on what we needed. I was deeply moved, as former Prime Minister Abe showed such care, going beyond the formality of just sending supplies that we may or may not have actually needed. Instead, the officials asked what we needed and then provided assistance based on those needs, which really moved me. Similarly, when the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 or the later Kumamoto earthquakes struck, the people of Tainan, under my leadership, naturally and dutifully expressed their support. Even earlier, when central Taiwan was hit by a major earthquake in 1999, Japan was the first country to deploy a rescue team to the disaster area. On February 6, 2018, after a major earthquake in Hualien, former Prime Minister Abe appeared in a video holding up a message of encouragement he had written in calligraphy saying “Remain strong, Taiwan.” All of Taiwan was deeply moved. Over the years, Taiwan and Japan have supported each other when earthquakes struck, and have forged bonds that are family-like, not just neighborly. This is truly valuable. In the future, I hope Taiwan and Japan can be like brothers, and that the peoples of Taiwan and Japan can treat one another like family. If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem; if Japan has a problem, then Taiwan has a problem. By caring for and helping each other, we can face various challenges and difficulties, and pursue a brighter future. Q: President Lai, you just used the phrase “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” In the event that China attempts to invade Taiwan by force, what kind of response measures would you hope the US military and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take? President Lai: As I just mentioned, annexing Taiwan is only China’s first step. Its ultimate objective is to change the rules-based international order. That being the case, China’s threats are an international problem. So, I would very much hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war – prevention, after all, is more important than cure.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Fathers and Sons.” How to View the Exhibition at the Museum of Russian Lubok and Naive Art

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The Museum of Russian Lubok and Naïve Art is hosting an exhibition called “Fathers and Sons,” dedicated to professional dynasties among naïve artists.

    “The idea of the exhibition was born in the same way that a TV viewer has a question after watching the last episode of their favorite series: will there be a sequel? And here, too, this cinematic technique was used to answer the question: did the works of famous classics of naive art have a sequel? Did the pictorial language of naive artists influence their own children and what came of it?” Alexander Klenchev, curator of the exhibition, art critic, and head of the cultural and educational activities sector of the Ilya Glazunov Gallery, shared with “Culture of Moscow”.

    Dynasties of masters are an important part of the history of our country, starting from Ancient Rus: jewelers, potters, furniture makers, toy makers and many others passed on their experience and skills to their descendants. The initiative to decorate everyday life “for oneself” — to paint the walls of the house, a spinning wheel, household utensils — also has a long tradition. This is how self-taught people appeared who dared to paint pictures “for the soul”.

    With rare exceptions, they began to engage in creativity only when all the work had been done, the children had grown up, the cattle had been sold, and free time, which had been practically absent before, appeared. For example, this is how Lyubov Mikhailovna Maikova, Aunt Lyuba from the village of Selishchi in the Tver region, explained her desire to start drawing.

    “We chose three life lines for the exhibition,” continues Alexander Klenchev. “The first two are naive artists, famous classics of the late 20th century – Pavel Leonov and Lyubov Maikova, included in the World Encyclopedia of Naive Art. And the third is the artist Valentina Cherepnina from the famous family of naive art collectors Sergei Tarabarov and Evgenia Cherepnina. We gave viewers the opportunity to feel the common and different in their works, to find in them the answer to the question of mutual influence and the presence of “common DNA.”

    The World of Naive Artists

    Aunt Lyuba’s son, tractor driver Anatoly Maikov, once said: “I can draw a hundred times better. A mother paints worse than a child, and these weirdos buy them and even pay money – nothing compared to my salary.” This is how the works of Anatoly Maikov ended up in the collection of the Museum of Russian Folk Art. He was born in 1939, began drawing when he was over fifty, and managed to paint no more than 30 hardboards.

    “The main feature of naive art is the author’s special original view, and this view, of course, is largely influenced by his life. Often, a representative of naive art is a person who has lived for a long time in one city or small town and through his special original prism of the creator tells us stories in paintings,” explains Alexander Klenchev. Thanks to the exhibition, one can understand how life and everyday life are seen in the Tver and Ivanovo regions, as well as in Moscow.

    Life, notes the curator of the exhibition “Fathers and Sons”, of course, is changing – globalization is penetrating the most remote corners of the world, and some experts say that modern naive artists are not as “naive” as the authors of the late 20th century. This is partly true, but nevertheless, naive artists continue to appear, create, surprise with creative energy and unusual plots of their paintings.

    “Naive art is a term that has not yet been fully formulated. But all experts agree that it is not a type, not a genre, not a trend, but a special artistic phenomenon. There are no conditions for the emergence of these creators – no one knows why an original artist suddenly appears. One can definitely say: these paintings convey some kind of original energy that attracts thousands of visitors and leaves no one indifferent,” says Alexander Klenchev.

    “Naive Artists in the 20th Century.” We are looking at the exhibition at the Museum of Russian Lubok and Naive Art

    The exhibition “Fathers and Sons” will last until August 31. Purchase tickets You can find it on mos.ru.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154788073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Active Citizens” will select the most popular topics and events of “Summer in Moscow”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    It has begun in Active Citizen vote, dedicated to a large-scale project “Summer in Moscow”. It will be held from June 1 to September 7 and will unite over 400 sites throughout the city. Residents of the capital will have to choose the most interesting topics and formats of events. This was reported by Natalia Sergunina, Deputy Mayor of Moscow.

    “The survey participants will determine the most popular areas of the event program from 14 options. Among them are history, music, cinema, sports, charity, ecology,” said Natalia Sergunina.

    In each category, city residents will be able to mark the events they plan to attend. For example, literature lovers are invited to listen to lectures on Sretensky Boulevard and art readings at the Vorontsovo estate, Fili Park and other venues, visit book fairs and meetings with famous writers.

    Among the charity events is the campaign “Moscow helps”at district sites and the festival “City of the Caring” in the N.E. Bauman Garden. There, guests will be able to purchase designer toys, dishes, candles and other goods from non-profit organizations to support their wards, as well as adopt a pet from a shelter.

    History buffs will be offered to evaluate excursions of the project “Heritage Around Us”, festivals “Times and Epochs” And “Moscow Estates”.

    Survey participants will also select events in categories such as gastronomy, fashion and beauty, family and children, dance and others.

    Project “Summer in Moscow” — the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports events take place in all areas of the city, most of which are free.

    “Active Citizen” has been operating in the capital since 2014. During this time, more than seven million people have joined it. In total, over seven thousand votes have been held. Every month, 30-40 decisions of residents are implemented in the city.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channelthe city of Moscow.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154793073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Performances based on classics and book presentations: what awaits guests at the Red Square book festival

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The annual book festival will be held in Moscow from June 4 to 7 “Red Square”. This year it is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War and the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland. The event traditionally takes place on Red Square at the beginning of summer and is timed to coincide with the birthday of Alexander Pushkin and the Day of the Russian Language.

    “Moscow libraries under the Department of Culture have prepared more than 100 events for guests of the Red Square book festival. They will be able to attend walking lectures, an interactive performance and other events. In addition, they have prepared fresh new books from publishers,” said the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the Moscow Department of Culture

    Alexey Fursin.

    Guests can expect theatrical performances, poetry readings, concerts, lectures and book presentations. In addition, everyone will be able to apply for a single library card.

    This year, the program for the Small Stage and Library venues is being prepared by the Moscow Directorate for the Development of Cultural Centers (State Budgetary Cultural Institution of the City of Moscow Mosrazvitie), subordinate to the capital’s To the Department of Culture.

    Performances and creative meetings

    On the first day of the festival, June 4, at 12:00, actors from the youth theater “Chekhov’s Attic” will show a play based on Anton Chekhov’s stories “Two Jokes”. In honor of the 165th anniversary of the author’s birth, they will perform two plays based on humorous stories – “The Bear” and “The Proposal”.

    At 13:00, the theatre studio “Theatre named after Menya” will show the stage production “Manifestation”, which tells about the invention of the camera and photographic film.

    The performance based on Alexander Pushkin’s poem “Gypsies” will be shown by the youth project “Open Theater” at 14:00. The director and performer is Ekaterina Buyanova, winner of the festivals “Yursky’s Butterfly – 2024”, “Territory of the Future. Moscow 2030” in Zaryadye Park and “Red Square – 2024”.

    At 15:00, the artists of the Satire Theatre, accompanied by an orchestra, will perform popular songs for the festival guests, including “Good evening, my city”, “In the city of happy people”, “Moscow windows” and “The best city on earth”.

    A lecture dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the publication of Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel “The White Guard” will take place at 16:00. It will discuss the history of the creation of the work, as well as the events that formed the basis of the novel.

    At 6:00 p.m., photographer, local historian and author of books about the capital Elena Krizhevskaya will hold a presentation entitled “Moscow Mansions, Their Owners and Architects in Stories and Photographs.” Visitors to the event will also be treated to a screening of the new book “Behind the Front Doors.”

    The creative interactive meeting “A Neskuchny Gorod — Other Local History” will take place at 19:00. Guests will learn popular names of Russian streets, interesting facts about manhole covers and other attributes of cities. The meeting will be hosted by Helga Pataki — writer, director, local historian, tour guide, traveler and polar explorer, deputy director for development of the publishing house “Nastya and Nikita”.

    Concerts, presentations, lectures and more

    On June 5 at 10:00 a.m. the dance and poetry performance “Images. Dedication” of the creative project will begin

    The artistic and literary program in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory will begin at 11:00. Actors of the “Modern” theater will show an excerpt from Olga Berggolts’s “Leningrad Speaks.” The theme of the program will be the words: “Nobody is forgotten and nothing is forgotten.”

    At 13:00 you can attend a lecture-concert “Female archetypes in literature: Turgenev’s modern girl – who is she?” At the same time, Master of Philology, research fellow of the A.S. Pushkin Library Valentina Molotkova will give a lecture dedicated to the 165th anniversary of Anton Chekhov’s birth “I am forever a Muscovite”.

    At 2:00 pm, poet, playwright, show host, member of the Union of Russian Writers Mikhail Slutsky will hold a presentation of the books “Hurry to Share Kindness!”. Editions for children of different ages will be presented, including “Merry ABC”, “Journey from One to Zero”, “Puzzled Tales”, “In Search of the Seven Hills”, “Flight of the Turtle” and “Antique – Ironic”.

    The concert “Commanders and Muses”, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, will begin at 16:00. The performance will feature soloists of the “Young Opera of Russia” project and Lyubov Kazarnovskaya.

    At 17:00 there will be a lecture “Ivan Vasilyevich: Leonid Gaidai vs. Mikhail Bulgakov”. Listeners will learn about Bulgakov’s comedy and Leonid Gaidai’s film.

    The creative meeting “Russian victories in Antarctica” will take place at 19:00. 205 years ago, the first Russian Antarctic expedition took place. On the sloops “Vostok” and “Mirny” under the leadership of Faddey Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev, the sixth continent was discovered.

    The Pushkin Coats of Arms, Bulgakov’s Moscow and Fantasy for Children

    On June 6 at 11:00 the musical and drama theatre “Prince on the Lighthouse” will show the play “The Nose of Varvara Sidorova”.

    At 13:00 the concert “Different People” will begin. The inclusive studio “Colorit” will perform vocal and dance numbers, including “The World is Not Simple”, “Districts-Quarters”, and “My Dear Muscovites”. At 13:00 there will be a lecture “Coats of Arms of the Noble Family of Pushkin-Gannibals”. Participants of the program will be introduced to the drawings of coats of arms made by the grandson of Alexander Pushkin – Nikolai.

    Illustrator and children’s writer Maria Kolker will present a new fantasy book, The Last Refuge of the Fairies, at 2:00 p.m. The work is intended for children over six years old. At the same time, contemporary Russian authors will hold a round table on teenage literature, Prose for Teens: How to Find Your Book?

    At 15:00, the head of the excursion bureau of the Museum of Moscow, Andrey Klyuev, will hold a lecture entitled “The Architecture of Moscow through the Eyes of Bulgakov.” The participants will discuss the architectural image of the capital in the 1920s and 1930s — the Palace of Soviets, train stations, embankments, and former apartment buildings.

    Poetry, music and storytelling: the festival finale

    On June 7 at 11:00 the creative salon “Zakruzhilas slivtva zolotaya” (Golden Leaves Spun) will start its work. The meeting will be dedicated to the 130th anniversary of Sergei Yesenin’s birth. The hosts will be directors of the Sofit theater studio Tatyana Argunova and Nikolai Zozulin. The speakers will talk about the author’s childhood in the Ryazan outback and his first poetic experiences.

    At the same time, a creative meeting with Andrey Osipov, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, will begin. The event is dedicated to his film “Koktebel Stones”. The author will talk about an important episode of the film – the defense of Koktebel and Voloshin’s house from the Nazi invaders during the Great Patriotic War.

    The performance “The Little Prince” based on the fairy tale by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry will begin at 12:00. Young artists will play flutes, violins, guitar and sing arias.

    At 20:00, the interactive storytelling performance “Notes of a Young Doctor” will begin. Theater and film actor Konstantin Kozhevnikov will tell the story of how the young doctor Mikhail Bulgakov fought for the lives of patients at the Nikolskaya Zemstvo Hospital in 1916-1917.

    At the same time, there will be a lecture entitled “Boris Pasternak – Poet and Translator”. The event is dedicated to the 135th anniversary of the birth of the Russian writer. The speaker is Vitaly Poplavsky, director-teacher, art critic, translator, playwright, member of the Shakespeare Commission of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

    The full program of events can be viewed atofficial websiteEntrance to Red Square during the festival is free.

    Last year, more than 300,000 people visited the Red Square festival. Over 400 publishers from 58 regions of the country presented new fiction, children’s, educational and popular science literature. The event is aimed at achieving the indicators and results of the national project “Family” in the city of Moscow.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154776073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI: Karolinska Development’s portfolio company OssDsign raises approximately SEK 158 million, announces an updated strategy and revises financial targets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, June 4, 2025. Karolinska Development AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: KDEV) announces that its portfolio company OssDsign has carried out a directed share issue through an accelerated bookbuilding procedure that brought the company approximately SEK 158 million. In connection with the directed share issue, the company announced an updated strategy and revised its financial targets for the period 2025–2028.

    Investors in the directed issue include both existing shareholders and new Swedish and international institutional investors such as Adrigo Asset Management, La financiere de L’Echiquier, Lancelot Asset Management AB, Linc AB and Tedde Jeansson through company. The subscription price in the directed issue was determined through an accelerated bookbuilding procedure.

    In connection with the directed share issue, the company announced an updated strategy, ScaleToProfit“, for the period 2025–2028 that will include investments in four main areas:

    • Sales and marketing: Double the U.S. sales force by 2026 and accelerate marketing
    • Research and development: Launch two new products during the Strategy Period and obtain a minimum of one expanded indication clearance in the U.S.
    • Clinical studies: Continue building the PROPEL spinal fusion registry and conduct 2-3 smaller clinical prospective studies
    • Production: Implement a scalable and more cost-efficient production process and move to a predominant U.S. footprint

    Further, the board of directors of OssDsign has resolved on revised financial targets:

    • Deliver sales of more than SEK 400 million by 2028 – equivalent to over 30 percent compounded annual growth rate during 2025–2028
    • Become EBIT profitable and cash flow positive in the second half of 2025–2028

    “Our portfolio company OssDsign’s successful directed share issue attracted many reputable, long-term investors. This gives further strength to the company in its already successful efforts to accelerate sales growth and build a long-term profitable business,” says Viktor Drvota, CEO of Karolinska Development.

    Karolinska Development’s ownership in OssDsign amounts to 3%.

    For further information, please contact:

    Viktor Drvota, CEO, Karolinska Development AB
    Phone: +46 73 982 52 02, e-mail: viktor.drvota@karolinskadevelopment.com 

    Johan Dighed, General Counsel and Deputy CEO, Karolinska Development AB
    Phone: +46 70 207 48 26, e-mail: johan.dighed@karolinskadevelopment.com

    TO THE EDITORS

    About Karolinska Development AB

    Karolinska Development AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: KDEV) is a Nordic life sciences investment company. The company focuses on identifying breakthrough medical innovations in the Nordic region that are developed by entrepreneurs and leadership teams. The Company invests in the creation and growth of companies that advance these assets into commercial products that are designed to make a difference to patients’ lives while providing an attractive return on investment to shareholders.

    Karolinska Development has access to world-class medical innovations at the Karolinska Institutet and other leading universities and research institutes in the Nordic region. The Company aims to build companies around scientists who are leaders in their fields, supported by experienced management teams and advisers, and co-funded by specialist international investors, to provide the greatest chance of success.

    Karolinska Development has a portfolio of eleven companies targeting opportunities in innovative treatment for life-threatening or serious debilitating diseases.

    The Company is led by an entrepreneurial team of investment professionals with a proven track record as company builders and with access to a strong global network.

    For more information, please visit www.karolinskadevelopment.com.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Social entrepreneurs to gather in Moscow for the forum “More than business”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On June 27 and 28, the Digital Business Space will host the social entrepreneurship forum “More than Business”. The event, which is being held for the second time, will bring together entrepreneurs, representatives of city and federal departments, large companies, development institutions and non-profit organizations (NPOs).

    The organizers are Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development of the City of Moscow, Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) And Fund for the support of social projects.

    Over the course of two days, guests of the event will enjoy a rich program: presentations by more than 100 speakers, including international experts, a plenary discussion, a market with socially oriented products, as well as lectures, master classes, design laboratories, case studies and networking.

    “Social entrepreneurship is more than just a business. It is a way to solve important problems of society. That is why our forum with the same name helps future and current entrepreneurs find effective tools, gain knowledge and support. In Moscow, social business is one of the priorities, and a wide range of support measures is available for it: consultations, training, promotion, preferential lending and other measures,” she noted.

    Kristina Kostroma, head of the capital’s Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development.

    The forum program is divided into five key tracks:

    — “More than growth” — is dedicated to the possibilities of scaling your project and assessing the social impact. The track also provides information on whether scaling is always the only way to develop a social business;

    — “More than trends” — focused on new niches available to social business, as well as tools and mechanisms for accelerated development;

    — “More than partnership” is a track about joint work with big business, international experience, collaborations and regional trends in the development of social entrepreneurship;

    — “More than an idea” — about the creation and implementation of ideas that can help and inspire;

    — “More than a Market” is a track about new technologies and products that are used and created by Russian social entrepreneurs today to solve socially important problems.

    “Social entrepreneurs, along with non-profit organizations, are involved in solving key state tasks today. The result of this work is a fundamentally new quality of life for people with disabilities, as well as the formation of a sustainable idea of inclusion in society. Social entrepreneurs create projects that change the living environment of people: from small creative studios where people with disabilities work, to large-scale production of modern technical rehabilitation equipment. The Agency for Strategic Initiatives is working on the formation of a set of measures that contribute to the development of the sector, and therefore, allow a large number of our citizens to live a full and happy life,” emphasized Svetlana Chupsheva, General Director of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives.

    Program of events

    The first day of the forum is devoted to analytics, assessments and forecasts. The main event will take place in the large hall — the plenary discussion “More than business”, where representatives of government bodies, large businesses, as well as active social entrepreneurs will raise issues related to the main directions of development of social entrepreneurship not only in the capital, but also throughout the country.

    Participants will also be able to learn about the experience of developing social entrepreneurship in foreign markets. International experts will share their practices, successful models and innovative approaches to conducting such an important business mission for society.

    On this day, the traditional award ceremony for the winners of the My Good Business award will take place, which is being held as part of the All-Russian competition of projects in the field of social entrepreneurship and socially oriented non-profit organizations.

    Since the competition’s inception in 2015, more than 9.5 thousand projects from 87 regions have competed for the title of the best of the best. This year, there are 12 nominations. 101 participants who have reached the federal stage are vying for victory.

    According to Natalia Kremneva, Director of the Social Projects Support Fund, the Fund creates conditions for scaling up the best Russian initiatives in the field of social entrepreneurship. Thanks to the forum, which united businesses with a social mission, government representatives and support institutions, there is an opportunity to exchange information and experience, which will accelerate the implementation of sustainable solutions in the social sphere and their impact.

    The second day of the forum will feature a discussion on social challenges and a regional block where you can learn about the system of support for social entrepreneurship in the country. Experts will raise the issue of burnout, share secrets of resolving conflict issues and help those who have lost their inspiration.

    The cinema lounge is waiting for those who like to watch rather than listen. There will be training on creating videos on topics important to society, as well as viewing successful stories about social entrepreneurship.

    On both days, you will be able to interact with experts in the field of social entrepreneurship in the framework of an individual mentoring lounge (advance registration required).

    Participants will also be able to see an inclusive fashion show, performances by musical groups, visit an art exhibition and purchase unique goods produced by Russian social enterprises at the fair “More than a Market”. It presents goods from Moscow brands, sold in the “Made in Moscow” program, as well as from other regions.

    Participation in the forum is free. You can register at event website.

    Support for entrepreneurs is provided within the framework of the implementation of the federal projects “Small and medium entrepreneurship and support for individual entrepreneurial initiative” and “Labor productivity”, which are part of the national project “Efficient and competitive economy”.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154794073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI: Virtune announces the listing of Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP, its new flagship product, on Deutsche Börse Xetra

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Frankfurt, June 4, 2025 – Virtune, the Swedish regulated crypto asset manager, today announced the listing of Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP (VCOIN50) on Xetra, one of Europe’s most prominent trading venues.

    Virtune has seen sustained demand for digital assets from institutional and retail investors in the Nordic and European region. Building on this momentum, the VCOIN50 ETP listing on Deutsche Boerse’s Xetra (Xetra ticker: VRTC) segment represents a key milestone in Virtune’s ongoing expansion into the German market. Coinbase will act as the custodian for VCOIN50.

    Virtune has made history as the first company to list a crypto Exchange Traded Product (ETP) tracking the COIN50E index, developed by Coinbase, a trusted and global leader in crypto services and administered by MarketVector IndexesTM (“MarketVector”), a leading global index provider.

    This launch represents several key firsts for Germany’s financial markets:

    • First ever ETP to track the Coinbase 50 Europe Index
    • The widest crypto ETP in Europe containing up to 50 crypto assets 


    About Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP:

    Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP is a physically-backed exchange-traded product (ETP) tracking the Coinbase 50 Europe Index, the premier global benchmark index for digital assets and the crypto market’s equivalent of the S&P 500 index. At launch, VCOIN50 ETP will offer exposure to 21 crypto assets that are compliant with market-specific regulatory and Xetra-specific policies Virtune’s expansion to include all 50 assets in the COIN50 is subject to regulatory and stock exchange approval. The ETP provides exposure to up to 50 leading crypto assets and is rebalanced quarterly. The product features a transparent structure backed by physical holdings and secured with institutional-level solutions.

    Allocation as of 3rd of June 2025: https://www.virtune.com/product/vcoin50

    About Virtune:

    Virtune is a Swedish-regulated crypto asset manager and issuer of 100% physically backed crypto ETPs. The company has experienced rapid growth in the Nordics since listing its first crypto ETP on Nasdaq Stockholm in May 2023. Today, Virtune manages $340 million in assets under management and has earned the trust of over 140,000 institutional and retail investors. Since its inception, Virtune has prioritized investor protection, and its success stems from its transparent, regulated approach and strong commitment to innovation and educating the market about crypto assets and ETPs.

    Christopher Kock, CEO of Virtune:

    “We have worked closely with Coinbase since our inception, relying on their outstanding custody, trading, and staking services across all our ETPs. We are now excited to further strengthen this collaboration by contributing to Coinbase’s global mission through the launch of a COIN50 ETP. COIN50 is an index with the potential to become the crypto market’s equivalent of the S&P 500 and the leading global crypto benchmark. This ETP offers both institutional and retail investors in Europe broad exposure to the crypto market, built by industry experts with deep knowledge and experience.”

    About Coinbase: 

    Crypto creates economic freedom by ensuring that people can participate fairly in the economy, and Coinbase (NASDAQ: COIN) is on a mission to increase economic freedom for more than 1 billion people. We’re updating the century-old financial system by providing a trusted platform that makes it easy for people and institutions to engage with crypto assets, including trading, staking, safekeeping, spending, and fast, free global transfers. We also provide critical infrastructure for onchain activity and support builders who share our vision that onchain is the new online. And together with the crypto community, we advocate for responsible rules to make the benefits of crypto available around the world.

    Brett Tejpaul, Head of Coinbase Institutional: 

    “With the launch of the Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP in Europe, we’re making one of the most comprehensive benchmarks for the crypto market directly accessible to investors across the EU. This marks a major step forward in our mission to expand global access to digital assets and provide institutional-grade tools for navigating this evolving asset class. The introduction of this ETP reinforces our commitment to bridging traditional financial infrastructure with the growing demand for regulated, secure exposure to the digital economy.”

    About MarketVector:

    MarketVector IndexesTM (“MarketVector”) is a regulated Benchmark Administrator in Europe, incorporated in Germany and registered with the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). MarketVector maintains indexes under the MarketVectorTM, MVIS®, and BlueStar® names. With a mission to accelerate index innovation globally, MarketVector is best known for its broad suite of Thematic indexes, a long-running expertise in Hard Asset-linked Equity indexes, and its pioneering Digital Asset index family. MarketVector is proud to be in partnership with more than 25 Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) issuers and index fund managers in markets throughout the world, with more than USD 57 billion in assets under management.

    Martin Leinweber, Director, Digital Asset Research and Strategy, MarketVector: 

    “The Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP marks a significant step forward for crypto investment in Europe, offering broad, institutional-grade exposure to digital assets through a single, efficient product. This milestone combines MarketVector’s index expertise, Coinbase’s market infrastructure, and Virtune’s transparent, regulated approach. We’re proud to deepen our partnership with Virtune by becoming the index provider for their entire range of crypto ETPs across Europe. Together, we’re delivering the tools institutional and retail investors need to navigate the digital asset landscape with greater confidence and clarity.”

    Key Information about the Product:

    • Exposure: Exposure to up to 50 leading crypto assets in one product
    • Backing: 100% physically backed by the underlying crypto assets
    • Custody: Institutional-grade custody by Coinbase
    • Management Fee: 0.95% per annum
    • Trading currency: EUR
    • First day of trading: Monday, 2nd of June 2025
    • BloombergTicker: VCOIN50
    • ISIN: SE0024738389
    • WKN: A4A5D4
    • Exchange ticker: VRTC
    • Exchanges: Deutsche Börse Xetra

    The ETP is available for sale in Germany, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Poland, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Italy.

    For questions, contact:
    Christopher Kock, CEO & Member of the Board of Directors
    Mobile: +46 70 073 45 64
    Email: christopher@virtune.com

    About Virtune AB (Publ):
    Headquartered in Stockholm, Virtune is a regulated Swedish digital asset manager and issuer of crypto ETPs listed on regulated European exchanges. With strong regulatory foundations, partnerships with industry leaders, and a skilled team, Virtune delivers innovative and compliant investment products aligned with the evolving global crypto landscape.

    Crypto investments are associated with high risk. Virtune does not provide investment advice; investments are made at your own risk. Securities may increase or decrease in value, there is no guarantee of getting back invested capital. Read the prospectus, KID, terms at virtune.com.

    The Coinbase 50 Europe Index (“Index”) is the exclusive property of MarketVector Indexes GmbH (“MarketVector”) and its Licensors and has been licensed for use by Virtune AB (Publ) (“Licensee”). MarketVector has contracted with CC Data Limited to maintain and calculate the Index. CC Data Limited uses its best efforts to ensure that the Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards MarketVector, CC Data Limited has no obligation to point out errors in the Index to third parties. In particular, MarketVector is not responsible for the Licensee and/or for Licensee’s legality or suitability and/or for Licensee’s business offerings. Offerings by Licensee, may they be based on the Virtune Coinbase 50 Europe ETP (“Product”) or not, are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by MarketVector and any of its affiliates, and MarketVector and any of its affiliates make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in Licensee and/or in Licensee’s business offerings. MARKETVECTOR AND ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES AND ANY OF ITS LICENSORS MAKE NO WARRANTIES AND BEAR NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO LICENSEE. 

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Virtune announces the launch of Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP, its new flagship product, on Deutsche Börse Xetra

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Frankfurt, June 4, 2025 – Virtune, the Swedish regulated crypto asset manager, today announced the listing of Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP (VCOIN50) on Xetra, one of Europe’s most prominent trading venues. The product is available to Swedish investors through brokers such as Avanza and Montrose.

    Virtune has seen sustained demand for digital assets from institutional and retail investors in the Nordic and European region. Building on this momentum, the VCOIN50 ETP listing on Deutsche Börse’s Xetra (Xetra ticker: VRTC) segment represents a key milestone in Virtune’s ongoing expansion across Europe. Coinbase will act as the custodian for VCOIN50.

    Virtune has made history as the first company to list a crypto Exchange Traded Product (ETP) tracking the COIN50E index, developed by Coinbase, a trusted and global leader in crypto services and administered by MarketVector IndexesTM (“MarketVector”), a leading global index provider.

    This launch represents several key firsts for Europe’s financial markets:

    • First ever ETP to track the Coinbase 50 Europe Index
    • The widest crypto ETP in Europe containing up to 50 crypto assets

    About Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP:

    Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP is a physically-backed exchange-traded product (ETP) tracking the Coinbase 50 Europe Index, the premier global benchmark index for digital assets and the crypto market’s equivalent of the S&P 500 index. At launch, VCOIN50 ETP will offer exposure to 21 crypto assets that are compliant with market-specific regulatory and Xetra-specific policies. Virtune’s expansion to include all 50 assets in the COIN50 is subject to regulatory and stock exchange approval. The ETP provides exposure to up to 50 leading crypto assets and is rebalanced quarterly. The product features a transparent structure backed by physical holdings and secured with institutional-level solutions.

    Allocation as of 3rd of June 2025: https://www.virtune.com/product/vcoin50

    About Virtune:

    Virtune is a Swedish-regulated crypto asset manager and issuer of 100% physically backed crypto ETPs. The company has experienced rapid growth in the Nordics since listing its first crypto ETP on Nasdaq Stockholm in May 2023. Today, Virtune manages $340 million in assets under management and has earned the trust of over 140,000 institutional and retail investors. Since its inception, Virtune has prioritized investor protection, and its success stems from its transparent, regulated approach and strong commitment to innovation and educating the market about crypto assets and ETPs.

    Christopher Kock, CEO of Virtune:

    “We have worked closely with Coinbase since our inception, relying on their outstanding custody, trading, and staking services across all our ETPs. We are now excited to further strengthen this collaboration by contributing to Coinbase’s global mission through the launch of a COIN50 ETP. COIN50 is an index with the potential to become the crypto market’s equivalent of the S&P 500 and the leading global crypto benchmark. This ETP offers both institutional and retail investors in Europe broad exposure to the crypto market, built by industry experts with deep knowledge and experience.”

    About Coinbase: 

    Crypto creates economic freedom by ensuring that people can participate fairly in the economy, and Coinbase (NASDAQ: COIN) is on a mission to increase economic freedom for more than 1 billion people. We’re updating the century-old financial system by providing a trusted platform that makes it easy for people and institutions to engage with crypto assets, including trading, staking, safekeeping, spending, and fast, free global transfers. We also provide critical infrastructure for onchain activity and support builders who share our vision that onchain is the new online. And together with the crypto community, we advocate for responsible rules to make the benefits of crypto available around the world.

    Brett Tejpaul, Head of Coinbase Institutional: 

    “With the launch of the Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP in Europe, we’re making one of the most comprehensive benchmarks for the crypto market directly accessible to investors across the EU. This marks a major step forward in our mission to expand global access to digital assets and provide institutional-grade tools for navigating this evolving asset class. The introduction of this ETP reinforces our commitment to bridging traditional financial infrastructure with the growing demand for regulated, secure exposure to the digital economy.”

    About MarketVector:

    MarketVector IndexesTM (“MarketVector”) is a regulated Benchmark Administrator in Europe, incorporated in Germany and registered with the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). MarketVector maintains indexes under the MarketVectorTM, MVIS®, and BlueStar® names. With a mission to accelerate index innovation globally, MarketVector is best known for its broad suite of Thematic indexes, a long-running expertise in Hard Asset-linked Equity indexes, and its pioneering Digital Asset index family. MarketVector is proud to be in partnership with more than 25 Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) issuers and index fund managers in markets throughout the world, with more than USD 57 billion in assets under management.

    Martin Leinweber, Director, Digital Asset Research and Strategy, MarketVector: 

    “The Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP marks a significant step forward for crypto investment in Europe, offering broad, institutional-grade exposure to digital assets through a single, efficient product. This milestone combines MarketVector’s index expertise, Coinbase’s market infrastructure, and Virtune’s transparent, regulated approach. We’re proud to deepen our partnership with Virtune by becoming the index provider for their entire range of crypto ETPs across Europe. Together, we’re delivering the tools institutional and retail investors need to navigate the digital asset landscape with greater confidence and clarity.”

    Key Information about the Product:

    • Exposure: Exposure to up to 50 leading crypto assets in one product

    • Backing: 100% physically backed by the underlying crypto assets
    • Custody: Institutional-grade custody by Coinbase

    • Management Fee: 0.95% per annum

    • Trading currency: EUR

    • First day of trading: Monday, 2nd of June 2025

    • BloombergTicker: VCOIN50

    • ISIN: SE0024738389

    • WKN: A4A5D4
    • Exchange ticker: VRTC

    • Exchanges: Deutsche Börse Xetra

    For questions, contact:
    Christopher Kock, CEO & Member of the Board of Directors
    Mobile: +46 70 073 45 64
    Email: christopher@virtune.com

    About Virtune AB (Publ):
    Virtune with its headquarters in Stockholm is a regulated Swedish digital asset manager and issuer of crypto exchange traded products on regulated European exchanges. With regulatory compliance, strategic collaborations with industry leaders and our proficient team, we empower investors on a global level to access innovative and sophisticated investment products that are aligned with the evolving landscape of the global crypto market.

    Crypto investments are associated with high risk. Virtune does not provide investment advice; investments are made at your own risk. Securities may increase or decrease in value, there is no guarantee of getting back invested capital. Read the prospectus, KID, terms at virtune.com.

    The Coinbase 50 Europe Index (“Index”) is the exclusive property of MarketVector Indexes GmbH (“MarketVector”) and its Licensors and has been licensed for use by Virtune AB (Publ) (“Licensee”). MarketVector has contracted with CC Data Limited to maintain and calculate the Index. CC Data Limited uses its best efforts to ensure that the Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards MarketVector, CC Data Limited has no obligation to point out errors in the Index to third parties. In particular, MarketVector is not responsible for the Licensee and/or for Licensee’s legality or suitability and/or for Licensee’s business offerings. Offerings by Licensee, may they be based on the Virtune Coinbase 50 Europe ETP (“Product”) or not, are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by MarketVector and any of its affiliates, and MarketVector and any of its affiliates make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in Licensee and/or in Licensee’s business offerings. MARKETVECTOR AND ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES AND ANY OF ITS LICENSORS MAKE NO WARRANTIES AND BEAR NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO LICENSEE.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Recycling and eco-doodle: what awaits guests of the eco-festival at the Southern River Station

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On June 7, the already traditional eco-festival will take place at the Southern River Terminal, subordinate to the State Unitary Enterprise Mosgortrans.

    “On June 7, the Southern River Terminal will host a busy program. This day will be dedicated to caring for nature and active recreation. On the instructions of Sergei Sobyanin, we continue to develop environmentally friendly solutions in urban transport and introduce them to the residents of the capital,” said Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry

    Maxim Liksutov.

    On the first floor of the Southern River Terminal, visitors will be able to take part in the process of recycling plastic and make themselves memorable souvenirs from the Sborka eco-center. There will be a museum of recycling and eco-friendly lifestyle and a game library with board games.

    On the second floor, starting at 12:00, everyone will be able to see how useful resources are mined on the Moon, using the virtual reality simulator of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for the city of Moscow. In addition, guests will be able to take part in creative master classes at the Moscow Transport Museum on ecodoodle And creation of an eco-primer. You must register for the classes. At 15:00, children will be offered to make a mosaic picture from recyclable materials: plastic caps, pieces of fabric, parts of packaging and everything that can be found in pockets. At the master class, children will learn to look at the reasonable use of materials from a creative angle.

    At 12:30 in the conference hall, students from the National Research University Higher School of Economics will help make a collage from magazines in their master class. And at 14:00, an animation program with games, entertainment and gifts from the heroes of the animated series Turbosaurs will be held for young visitors.

    During the day, the library will host an educational quiz with souvenirs and a collection of used batteries for everyone.

    Throughout the day, visitors will be able to enjoy the recreation areas of the Velobike city rental service and the hypermarket chain. In addition, artists from the Music in the Metro project will perform here, and entertaining games such as Balansir and Shuffleboard will be held. Guests will be able to rent a bicycle. Representatives of the All-Russian public and state movement of children and youth, the Movement of the First, will remind about the rules for using personal mobility equipment, conduct interactive classes on road safety, and a master class on bicycle tourism.

    You can bring your own potted plant sprouts to the event and exchange them with visitors. During the day, anyone can take a photo with special guests – Electric Bus and Turbosaurus.

    Moscow is developing river transport. After the renovation, the Northern and Southern river terminals became key objects of the capital’s water transport. During the summer navigation, motor ships depart from their berths to dozens of cities and tourist centers of Russia.

    In addition, the Northern and Southern river terminals have become popular places for Muscovites and tourists to relax. Creative workshops, sports training, lectures, and film screenings for children and adults are held here all year round. City holidays are celebrated at the terminals and large-scale festivals are held.

    The capital has begun testing a new extra-large electric busTelegram bot will help city residents join the waste separation program

    GUP Mosgortrans takes an active part in maintaining the city’s ecology. The company is developing a network of environmentally friendly urban transport. Electric buses already carry passengers on 200 routes. Replacing even one bus with innovative electric transport reduces carbon dioxide emissions by more than 60 tons per year.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154795073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Re-Release – UPDATE #2 – Death in custody – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force is continuing to investigate the death of a 24-year-old man in police custody in Alice Springs.

    This incident is being investigated by the Major Crime Section, which operates under strict protocols.

    The coronial investigation has been paused, while the criminal investigation into the man’s death is undertaken to determine whether any criminality was involved.

    The coroner has been made aware of the decision and will be provided with regular updates as the criminal investigation progresses.

    All evidence collected in relation to the death, including CCTV, cannot be released until the criminal investigation is concluded.

    The timeline for this investigation is unknown at this early stage.

    The cause of the man’s death remains undetermined.

    An independent examination of the initial undetermined findings of the autopsy is also being undertaken.

    The forensic pathologist is in the process of completing further investigation to ascertain the cause of death.

    The NTPF is aware of the public interest in this matter and further updates will be provided through a media release as relevant information becomes available.

    *This release was updated at 3:25pm on 4/06/2025. 

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI: Egypt and Saudi Arabia are the easiest countries for doing business in the Middle East, says GBCI 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Middle East is positioned as a mid-complexity region for doing business in the Global Business Complexity Index (GBCI) recently launched by TMF Group.

    The report ranks 79 jurisdictions, accounting for 94% of the world’s GDP, based on their business complexity, with 1 being the most complex and 79 the least complex. Within the Middle East, Egypt is ranked 37th globally, followed closely by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at 38th, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at 39th and Qatar at 44th.

    Egypt has decreased in complexity from last year’s position of 28th, mainly due to several strategic efforts and developments. For example, the country’s adoption of diverse logistic solutions and strengthening of trade corridors has played a pivotal role in mitigating economic pressures and geopolitical risks. The establishment of integrated logistics corridors and free zones, coupled with incentives like simplified customs procedures, has also enhanced accessibility for foreign businesses.

    Saudi Arabia has also improved its position, ranking 38th this year (one point less complex than last year), with resilience amid geopolitical disruptions and Vision 2030 initiatives being highlighted as key drivers of the ease of complexity. The country’s strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil dependency continues at the forefront, as the Kingdom invests in trade infrastructure and regulatory frameworks, enhancing supply chain resilience. In addition, under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is striving to reduce its vulnerability to geopolitical threats. Parallelly, investments in infrastructure aim to establish the Kingdom as a global logistics hub.

    The UAE, ranking 39th this year, continues to position itself as a resilient hub amid global geopolitical disruptions. Strict regulations in place aim to ensure operations are compliant and secure, and contribute to the UAE being seen as a ‘safe haven’ for a diverse range of sectors. These regulations help mitigate risks and provide stability for businesses, fostering confidence among investors and enterprises. With multiple entry points and robust infrastructure, the UAE offers reliable trade corridors.

    With a slight increase in its complexity, Qatar is ranked 44th (last year, it ranked 48th). The geopolitical landscape remains volatile, with Qatar being involved in multiple peace talks, which underscores regional unpredictability and contributes to the heightened sense of uncertainty in the business environment. Additionally, the labour market faces challenges such as increased staff turnover and wage inflation, impacting cost efficiency.

    Achin Malik, TMF Group’s Middle East, India and Africa Market Head, commented:

    “Complexity is no longer the biggest challenge for business worldwide: uncertainty is. At a time of great instability in global trade and rising geopolitical tensions, the Middle East is increasingly strengthening its trade corridors — and exploring new ones. This positions countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar as resilient hubs for businesses amid geopolitical and natural disruptions, in a context of increased unpredictability.”

    Global top and bottom ten (1= most complex, 79= least complex) 
    1. Greece  79. Cayman Islands 
    2. France  78. Denmark 
    3. Mexico  77. New Zealand 
    4. Turkey  76. Hong Kong, SAR 
    5. Colombia  75. Jersey 
    6. Brazil  74. Netherlands 
    7. Italy  73. Jamaica 
    8. Bolivia  72. British Virgin Islands 
    9. Kazakhstan  71. Curaçao 
    10. China  70. Czech Republic 

    Media Contacts

    TMF Group

    Marina Llibre Martín, Global PR Manager
    marina.llibremartin@tmf-group.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: CSC, SURF and Nokia Achieve 1.2 Tbit/s Data Transfer to prepare long haul network for new LUMI-AI supercomputer and AI Factories

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    CSC, SURF and Nokia Achieve 1.2 Tbit/s Data Transfer to prepare long haul network for new LUMI-AI supercomputer and AI Factories

    • Trial helps researchers prepare network for high performance computing (HPC) clusters and AI Factories handling massive datasets and high-intensity workloads.
    • Results confirm that multi-domain, high-capacity data transfers across European research networks are both feasible and future-ready.

    4 June 2025
    Espoo, Finland – Nokia, CSC – IT Center for Science and SURF have successfully tested a high-capacity, quantum-safe fibre-optic connection exceeding 1.2 terabit per second (Tbit/s) between Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Kajaani, Finland with data traversing over 3500 kilometers. The trial, which was conducted in May 2025, demonstrated the potential of ultra-fast, cross-border connectivity for research.

    Tests were carried out along several routes, including the longest which spanned 4,700 km through Norway at a capacity of 1Tbit/s. To put this in perspective, 1 Tbit/s is enough to stream 200,000 full HD movies (at 5 Mbit/s each) simultaneously. 

    These results are particularly promising as the research community prepares for supercomputers and AI Factories to come online – where reliable, scalable, and secure connections will be critical to supporting some of the world’s largest datasets and most demanding workloads.

    The test used a combination of real research data and synthetic data, transferred directly from disk to disk – from SURF’s facility in Amsterdam to CSC’s data center in Kajaani, across five production research and education networks: SURF (the Netherlands), NORDUnet (Nordic backbone), Sunet (Sweden), SIKT (Norway) and Funet (CSC’s network in Finland).

    The network solution was based on Nokia’s IP/MPLS routing and quantum-safe optical networking gear. Nokia’s IP technology successfully demonstrated Flexible Ethernet (FlexE) to accommodate “elephant flows”, or very large continuous flows of data, and its high-capacity optical transport technology showed the ability to handle massive data sets generated by HPCs over long distances.

    With the exponential growth of research data, especially for training large-scale AI models, the need for resilient, high-throughput and secure connectivity is more critical than ever. This test confirms that multi-domain, high-capacity data transfers across European research networks are both feasible and future-ready. Testing an operational network connection over long distances provides unique insights into data transport and storage of large data volumes. The tests are crucial for improving the infrastructure for data-intensive research. 

    “We design research networks with future needs in mind. CSC’s data center in Kajaani already hosts the pan-European LUMI supercomputer and with the upcoming LUMI-AI supercomputer and AI Factory coming online, reliable and scalable data connections throughout Europe are essential. Even though the geographical distance is significant, it poses no obstacle to data traffic,” said Jani Myyry, Senior Network Specialist, CSC.

    “As SURF we are ready to take the next step in aligning the European supercomputers. These efforts offer future perspectives to train GPT-nl on LUMI or for a researcher to compute on LUMI with very large datasets hosted at SURF, such as the KNMI (The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute) datasets. We are very grateful to our Nordic partners for their help setting up this trial connection. This is again an example of the continued good cooperation between NRENs to create the best possible international infrastructure for research and education,” said Arno Bakker, Senior Network Specialist, SURF.

    “Groundbreaking trials like this highlight how advanced networks are foundational to unlocking the full potential of AI and high-performance computing. This successful collaboration with CSC and SURF is a testament to the innovation and leadership of the scientific community, and to what’s possible when we work together. As the network prepares for the next wave of supercomputers and AI Factories, we are proud to deliver the quantum-safe, high-capacity, and resilient IP/MPLS and optical infrastructure that makes these systems viable. We look forward to continuing our support for global research and education networks, helping them scale with confidence and drive the next generation of discovery and innovation,” said Mikhail Lenko, Customer Solutions Architect, Nokia.

    Resources and additional information
    Product Page: 7750 Service Router
    Product Page: 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS)
    Product Page: 1830 Photonic Service Interconnect – Modular (PSI-M)
    Web Page: Quantum-safe networks

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    About CSC – IT Center for Science
    CSC is a Finnish center of expertise in ICT that provides world-class services for research, education, culture, public administration and enterprises, to help them thrive and benefit society at large. csc.fi

    About SURF 
    SURF is the ICT cooperative of Dutch education and research institutions. The members, the owners of SURF, join forces to develop or procure the best possible digital services, work together on complex innovation issues and develop and share knowledge with each other. 
    SURF actively collaborates with other European NRENs united in GÉANT and participates in global consortia like the Advanced North Atlantic (ANA) and Asia Pacific Europe Ring (AER).
    NetherLight, SURF’s Global Exchange Point (GXP) dedicated to research and education data in Amsterdam connects similar GXPs and advanced high-capacity networks for scientific and educational collaboration. The NetherLight GXP plays a major and vital role in the federation of research and education networks worldwide, also known as the Global Research and Education Network (GREN). www.surf.nl

    Media inquiries
    Nokia Press Office
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

    Nokia Media Relations
    Sarah Miller
    Phone: +1 613-720-9716
    Email: sarah.miller@nokia.com

    CSC Media Relations
    Sanna Kostiainen
    Phone: +358 40 0712072
    Email: viestinta@csc.fi

    SURF Spokesperson
    Tom Hoven
    Phone: +31 641 439 398
    Email: tom.hoven@surf.nl 

    Follow us on social media
    LinkedIn X Instagram Facebook YouTube

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Jerome H Powell: Opening remarks

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Thank you, Beth Anne.

    I want to start by offering my condolences to the family and friends of former Vice Chair Stanley Fischer. Stan was a colleague of ours at the Fed, and a giant in the field of international economics. In addition to reaching the highest levels of the field in his own right, he was a trusted and generous mentor and teacher to a generation of the most important economic thinkers, including many heads of global central banks, advisers to presidents, and countless economists. We will miss him.

    Congratulations to Division of International Finance (IF) on 75 years of outstanding work in service to the Federal Reserve Board and, by extension, to all Americans. Many current staff members are here to celebrate today, as well as a number of IF alumni, including past division directors Ted Truman, Karen Johnson, Nathan Sheets, and Steve Kamin. The division has produced many other notable alums, including Chair and Secretary Janet Yellen; professor, author, chess grandmaster, and our keynote speaker, Ken Rogoff; and humanitarian and economist Albert Hirschman, famous for the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index and more recently as a character in Netflix’s Transatlantic, to name just a few.

    In my time at the Fed, the IF division has provided invaluable insight into global economic activity, international trade and capital flows, and developments in foreign financial markets. Division staff have also played a key role during episodes of global financial stress. And your research and analysis are critical inputs into our monetary policy decisions. Thank you to all that have served in this division over the past 75 years. Today I will kick off this conference by briefly reviewing why the division was created and highlighting a few of its many accomplishments over the years, before turning you over to a robust set of presentations and panels.

    New Era for Global Economy

    The IF division was created on July 1, 1950, but the idea began to germinate a few years earlier. The U.S. emerged from World War II as a global economic superpower. The Bretton Woods Agreement placed the U.S., and the Fed, in a central position in the global economy. Our mission then, as it is now, was to serve the American people. But it was clear at that moment that the Fed needed to have better knowledge of global developments to achieve our dual-mandate goals.

    A 1948 memo proposing to create this division stated, “Problems of international economics and finance have become increasingly large, complex, and significant in recent years, and our foreign economic relations will undoubtedly continue to give rise to issues of the first magnitude.” That is the rare economic forecast that turned out to be spot on!

    Seventy-five years later, it remains critical that the Fed understand the policies and practices of other governments and central banks, and their implications for the U.S. economy and financial markets. Exchange rate policy, of course, is now firmly in the hands of the U.S. Treasury. However, the end of the Bretton Woods era in the 1970s fundamentally changed the conduct of monetary policy, as policymakers had to understand the effects of potentially more volatile movements of the U.S. dollar on American families and businesses.

    Understanding global trade and capital movements has only grown in importance since 1950, as we saw during the pandemic. The IF division helps produce the data on international capital flows, and has spent decades researching the effects of these flows and international trade on U.S. and foreign economies. Understanding this complex and interconnected web is essential for us to anticipate the path of employment and inflation.

    Another important development in the 1970s was the increasing use of macroeconomic modeling, which greatly influenced the division’s work. Under the direction of former Division Director Ralph Bryant, IF developed its first multicountry model. Always on the forefront, over the years, economists in the division-many of whom are in this room today-developed increasingly sophisticated models, with each new generation expanding the capability to tackle the international risks and issues of the day. These models have proven useful for understanding how international shocks transmit through the economy and financial markets, for assessing risks and uncertainties through alternative scenarios, and for better comprehending the implications of various shocks for the U.S. and global economy. The results have informed research papers, Board memos and briefings, as well as the risks and uncertainty assessment that Federal Open Market Committee members receive in advance of every meeting.

    Prepared for Crisis

    The IF division has also played an important role in responding to global economic turbulence. A prime example is the Latin American debt crisis of the 1980s. That episode required analytical thinking about the macroeconomic repercussions of the crisis as it played out around the world. Work by division, and by the International Monetary Fund and other institutions, led to the establishment of emergency facilities to prevent more dire financial outcomes. As global capital flows increased, other episodes of financial distress surfaced across the world, including in Mexico, Asia, and Russia. International capital flows and spillovers became, and remain, a recurrent feature in the division’s analytical and monitoring work.

    The expertise generated through study and response to those global challenges proved invaluable when stress hit closer to home during the Global Financial Crisis and the pandemic. Both of those events required immediate, broad, and, in many cases, unprecedented responses to avoid disrupting the availability of credit to American households and businesses. The nation, and the world, looked to the Federal Reserve to lead in these moments. During the Global Financial Crisis, when global funding markets came under stress, the IF division worked to establish swap line arrangements with several major central banks that helped restore stability in U.S. dollar funding markets. And during the pandemic, the IF division helped lead efforts to expand the provision of dollar liquidity by setting up the FIMA Repo Facility.1

    These periods of acute financial stress and uncertainty prompted the division to develop new tools and analytical products that could be used to understand and respond to the events unfolding on the ground. For instance, the division has devised new methods to measure and assess the effect of various types of uncertainty on economic activity, including new indexes that were built to track geopolitical risk, inflation, trade policy, and economic uncertainty. As we continue to navigate the current period of heightened uncertainty, this work is critical to understanding the quantitative implications of uncertainty shocks.

    Conclusion

    I will conclude by saying that, for 75 years, nine Fed chairs and countless Board members have greatly benefited from the guidance and counsel of IF staff-and not just when responding to crisis. This team helps assure we are well prepared for our international engagements, by providing detailed materials ahead of time and often by traveling with us. IF staff are always welcome and productive companions. In these and other endeavors, we benefit from the robust relationships you establish and maintain with our global counterparts.

    Thank you to Beth Anne and all the staff here that organized this wonderful event. And, finally, thank you again to all the current and former IF staff for what you have done and continue to do to help us be a globally knowledgeable and responsive central bank, so that we can deliver on our dual mandate for all Americans.


    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow Graduation to Be Held at VDNKh for the First Time

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On the night of June 27-28, the main holiday for Moscow schoolchildren will take place — the city graduation. For the first time, one of the most iconic areas of the capital — VDNKh — will become the venue for it. The event will bring together over 45 thousand participants — graduates, parents and teachers, reported Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development.

    “Moscow Graduation is not just a celebration, but an important milestone for tens of thousands of kids who are taking their first step into adulthood. This year it will be a record-breaking one: more than 55 artists chosen by the kids themselves will perform for them, and the number of guests will exceed 45 thousand. The main venue will be one of the important symbols of Moscow — everyone’s favorite VDNKh. The territory will house an entire universe with shows, games, and interactive activities. Graduates will be able to try their hand at music and art, go on excursions in VDNKh pavilions, compete in dance, take part in cycle training, and much more. I am sure that everyone will feel that the celebration was made especially for them, taking into account their interests,” said Anastasia Rakova.

    According to her, this year the theme of the city graduation is “Generation Code”. Each venue of the event reveals the values of modern youth: the desire for self-expression, passion for technology, love of creativity and interest in a conscious choice of profession. Graduates will be able to visit more than 15 venues. In the creative zone, they will be able to create their own track, take part in an immersive show, dance in a battle or play sports to dynamic DJ sets. Young gamers will spend time playing computer games. Classical music lovers will be able to visit the “Musical Oasis” venue with live instrumental performances.

    Traditionally, the main stars of the evening — the graduates — will be greeted on the red carpet. It is expected that the most popular venue will be the music stage, designed for more than nine thousand spectators. Famous artists will perform for the guys throughout the night. These include, for example, Shaman, the groups Dabro, The Hatters and Gayazov$ Brother$, Amirchik, Tatyana Kurtukova, Mona, Yulia Gavrilina and other popular performers. The show will be accompanied by technological special effects, and the concert broadcast can be seen live on the music channel.

    On one of the stages there will be karaoke with hits familiar to everyone. Together with the graduates, the artists will sing covers of popular songs. The guys who are into music will be able to create their own mini-tracks based on the jingle “Moscow Graduation”. All night long, the DJ on the stage will mix tracks non-stop and talk about how to do it.

    Graduates will also be able to attend an immersive show. They will be part of an interactive journey where they will solve riddles related to their own unique experiences and modern culture. Along the way, the guys will meet different characters who will show how their generation is different from others.

    All guests of the graduation will be given night excursions in the VDNKh pavilions. Until 03:00 you can visit several museums for free.

    The entertainment will end at 04:00 and will be replaced by discos on the main and dance stages, which will end at 06:00.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154796073/

    MIL OSI Russia News