NEW YORK, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arax Investment Partners (“Arax”), a premier wealth and asset management platform company backed by RedBird Capital Partners (“RedBird”), today announced that it has acquired Schechter Investment Advisors (“SIA”), the RIA business of Schechter, a boutique wealth advisory and financial services firm based in Birmingham, Michigan, with $4 billion in assets under management (“AUM”) as of May 28, 2025. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
This deal marks the latest expansion of Arax’s platform, which continues to deepen its presence in high growth markets across the United States through strategic partnerships with leading wealth management advisory teams. Expanding the firm’s footprint and ability to meet client needs in the Midwest, SIA will join Arax Advisory Partners, Arax’s coalition of independent firms focused on specialized services, investment advice and planning solutions for high-net-worth families, individuals and institutions. Schechter’s Advanced Design Life Insurance business will remain a separate, independent entity.
Servicing affluent clients across the United States, Schechter’s veteran advisory team has been providing financial advice to ultra-high-net-worth families for over 80 years. Upon close, the SIA team will merge with Arax Advisory Partners, further strengthening the firm’s capabilities and supporting future growth across the platform. Existing clients will benefit from the expanded range of planning and investment solutions offered by the Arax platform, and advisors will receive the strategic business development opportunities and expertise necessary to grow their business and provide an enhanced overall client experience.
“For almost a century, we have found success by reaching across the financial landscape to identify the strategies and opportunities that best serve our clients and their goals,” said Marc Schechter, CEO of Schechter. “By joining the Arax platform, we benefit from the additional expertise, infrastructure and resources, allowing us to focus even more on what matters most: our clients. We’re excited to take this next step while preserving the relationships and values that have defined us for generations.”
“The Schechter team is known for thoughtful, multi-generational financial planning and sophisticated investment solutions – exactly the type of partner we are looking for as the Arax platform scales,” said Haig Ariyan, CEO of Arax. “Schechter Investment Advisors was a natural fit given our complementary values and aligned strategic visions, as well as Arax’s focus on building capabilities in the Midwest. We feel privileged to partner with a team that brings such a strong legacy and wealth of expertise to our platform.”
About Schechter Schechter is a boutique, third-generation wealth advisory and financial services firm. For 80 years, the firm’s multi-disciplined team consisting of JDs, CPAs, LLMs, CLUs, PFSs, CAPs, MBAs, CFA® charterholders, CFP® practitioners and CIMA® consultants have been quietly advising wealthy families on financial matters including: Institutional quality investment advisory services, private capital and alternative investments, advanced life insurance planning, income and estate taxes, business succession and charitable planning.
About Arax Advisory Partners Arax Advisory Partners is a privately owned, independent Registered Investment Advisor specializing in customized investment platforms and highly sophisticated wealth planning solutions for high-net-worth families and individuals, businesses, and foundations. Arax Advisory Partners’ unique integrated and comprehensive approach provides the highest possible level of client service to establish lasting partnerships with all their clients while combining comprehensive asset management with leading edge financial planning services. The firm is headquartered in Denver, CO with offices across the country.
About Arax Investment Partners Arax Investment Partners is a rapidly growing boutique wealth management platform making strategic control investments in leading RIAs and elite advisor teams. Founded and led by CEO Haig Ariyan — a seasoned industry executive with a distinguished track record of building and scaling wealth management businesses — Arax empowers its partners to be entrepreneurial and focus on delivering exceptional client service. Firms benefit from a management team with deep M&A expertise, capital sourcing capabilities, and the backing of RedBird Capital Partners. For more information, visit www.araxpartners.com.
About RedBird Capital Partners RedBird Capital Partners is a private investment firm that builds high-growth companies with strategic capital solutions to founders and entrepreneurs. The firm currently manages $12 billion in assets on behalf of a global group of blue chip institutional and family office investors. Founded in 2014 by Gerry Cardinale, RedBird integrates sophisticated private equity investing with a hands-on business building mandate that focuses on three core industry verticals – Financial Services, Sports and Media & Entertainment. Over his 30-year investment career, Cardinale has partnered with founders and entrepreneurs to build some of the most iconic growth companies in their respective industries. For more information, please go to www.redbirdcap.com.
HOUSTON, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) announced today a monthly distribution of $0.08 per share for June 2025. This distribution is payable to common stockholders on June 30, 2025 (as outlined in the table below).
The Company declares distributions on a monthly basis, with its next distribution expected to be declared in early July. Payment of future distributions is subject to the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, as well as meeting the covenants on the Company’s debt agreements and the terms of its preferred stock.
Record Date / Ex-Date
Payment Date
Distribution Amount
Return of Capital Estimate
6/13/25
6/30/25
$0.08
50%(1)
(1) This estimate is based on the Company’s anticipated earnings and profits. The final determination of the tax character of distributions will not be determinable until after the end of fiscal 2025 and may differ substantially from this preliminary information. Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (NYSE: KYN) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, whose common stock is traded on the NYSE. The Company’s investment objective is to provide a high after-tax total return with an emphasis on making cash distributions to stockholders. KYN intends to achieve this objective by investing at least 80% of its total assets in securities of Energy Infrastructure Companies. See Glossary of Key Terms in the Company’s most recent quarterly report for a description of these investment categories and the meaning of capitalized terms.
The Company pays cash distributions to common stockholders at a rate that may be adjusted from time to time. Distribution amounts are not guaranteed and may vary depending on a number of factors, including changes in portfolio holdings and market conditions.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer or sale is not permitted. Nothing contained in this press release is intended to recommend any investment policy or investment strategy or consider any investor’s specific objectives or circumstances. Before investing, please consult with your investment, tax, or legal adviser regarding your individual circumstances.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This communication contains statements reflecting assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions, or beliefs about future events. These and other statements not relating strictly to historical or current facts constitute forward-looking statements as defined under the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements involve a variety of risks and uncertainties. These risks include but are not limited to changes in economic and political conditions; regulatory and legal changes; energy industry risk; leverage risk; valuation risk; interest rate risk; tax risk; and other risks discussed in detail in the Company’s filings with the SEC, available at www.kaynefunds.com or www.sec.gov. Actual events could differ materially from these statements or our present expectations or projections. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Kayne Anderson undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein. There is no assurance that the Company’s investment objectives will be attained.
SHENZHEN, China, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Xunlei Limited (“Xunlei” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: XNET), a leading technology company providing distributed cloud services in China, today announced that it has closed the acquisition of Shanghai Kuanghui Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“Kuanghui”, also known as Shanghai Kuanghui Internet Technology Co., Ltd.), which operates Hupu, a leading sports media and data platform in China.
Pursuant to the terms of the definitive agreement between Xunlei and Kuanghui, Xunlei has paid a cash consideration of RMB400 million prior to the closing. As announced previously, the total cash consideration for the transaction is RMB500 million. Xunlei will pay the remaining RMB100 million cash consideration in two equal installments after twelve and twenty-four months following the closing of the transaction, respectively, according to the terms of the definitive agreement.
About Xunlei
Founded in 2003, Xunlei Limited (Nasdaq: XNET) is a leading technology company providing distributed cloud services in China. Xunlei provides a wide range of products and services across cloud acceleration, shared cloud computing and digital entertainment to deliver an efficient, smart and safe internet experience.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates” and similar statements. Among other things, the management’s quotes in this press release, as well as the Company’s strategic, operational and acquisition plans, contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the Company and the industry. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: the Company’s ability to continue to innovate and provide attractive products and services to retain and grow its user base; the Company’s ability to keep up with technological developments and users’ changing demands in the internet industry; the Company’s ability to convert its users into subscribers of its premium services; the Company’s ability to deal with existing and potential copyright infringement claims and other related claims; the Company’s ability to react to the governmental actions for its scrutiny of internet content in China and the Company’s ability to compete effectively. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that its expectations will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results. Further information regarding risks and uncertainties faced by the Company is included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of the press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Mikhail Mishustin congratulated the head of the DGAF on his 40th birthday.
The telegram states, in particular:
“Under your leadership, the Donetsk State Academic Philharmonic carefully preserves and enhances national musical traditions and, despite the difficult situation, conducts active concert activities. The group’s performances, which have become an integral part of the cultural life of the Republic, are always a success, delighting the audience with the skill and diversity of the repertoire.
I wish you the realization of all your plans, interesting creative projects, good health and prosperity.”
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.
During a delegation to Los Angeles, Culture Committee MEPs discussed copyright rules, fair pay, and working conditions in a changing digital environment.
A delegation of MEPs from the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) travelled to Los Angeles, from 26 to 29 May, to learn first-hand about the impact of AI and other digital transformative technologies and innovations on the culture and creative industries and the news media sector.
The delegation met with representatives of film and music studios, streaming platforms, labour unions representing writers, directors, actors and other industry professionals, public media representatives and Congresswoman Laura Friedman.
“Our constructive meetings shed light on a broad range of common concerns with our US interlocutors, such as possible incentive systems for the film making industry to produce locally,” MEPs said in a joint statement.
Making the most of disruptive technological advancements or tackling the potential risks brought on by the use of AI – in particular deepfakes, algorithmic bias, and threats to creators’ interests – are common challenges the EU and US culture and creative industries face. MEPs also observed a willingness to put in place solutions allowing the sectors to thrive mutually on both continents.
The interlocutors the MEPs met referred to the fact that the major film studios prefer contractual relationships on copyright, rather than privileging a regulatory approach. In addition, they learned about the new protections for creative workers brought about by the 2023 writers’ strike, the Human Artistry Campaign, and the NO FAKES Act aimed at preventing the unauthorised use of faces and voices.
Concerning the music sector, MEPs discussed how to better support and protect artists against possible AI-generated threats, improve the exposure of their work, investment, and representation of diverse musical works across platforms. The challenges brought on by transformative digital technologies, MEPs said, need to be tackled through fit-for-purpose regulatory provisions, clarifying guidelines, and efficient enforcement tools.
“Our meetings clearly showed that the EU provides best practices in the field and has a leading legislative role in addressing these challenges, notably with the AI Act that has been welcomed by numerous stakeholders,” MEPs said. ”In the current evolving digital landscape, we consider our visit to Los Angeles as a highly useful and enriching way to foster transatlantic collaboration based on open and constructive dialogue in the culture and creative sectors. United, we are stronger in facing the challenges AI poses for culture and the creative sectors.”
MAHWAH, N.J., June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Radware® (NASDAQ: RDWR), a global leader in application security and delivery solutions for multi-cloud environments, today announced it has expanded its Threat Intelligence Services with the launch of its Telegram Claimed Attacks Report and TLS Fingerprint Reputation Feed. The subscription-based cloud services work in real-time to provide global threat intelligence and visibility so security teams can anticipate and neutralize emerging cyber threats before they materialize. In the face of escalating cyberthreats, they offer additional preemptive protection to strengthen cyber defenses and improve security posture with minimal operational effort.
“Our new TLS Fingerprint Reputation Feed and Telegram Claimed Attacks Report are part of our comprehensive, multi-layered approach to cyber security and threat management,” said Gabi Malka, chief operating officer at Radware. “They are like an advanced warning system designed to help already time-strapped security teams stay ahead of cyber threats. The new capabilities deliver real-time, high-value insights into attackers, their motivations and methods so security teams can take proactive, decisive action on threats before they happen and maintain an airtight security posture.”
Telegram Claimed Attacks Report Radware’s Telegram Claimed Attacks Report, the latest addition to the company’s Cloud Threat Intelligence Service, offers real-time visibility into cyber threats targeting specific regions or industry verticals. This new open-source intelligence (OSINT) based report aggregates claims made by hacker groups on Telegram, presenting them with supporting evidence. Key features include:
Timely insights: Offers real-time visibility into emerging threats for swift decision-making.
Proactive threat management: Helps security operation center teams anticipate attacks or address attacks happening in real-time.
Intuitive dashboards: Presents refreshed data every 15 minutes via user friendly interfaces and offers easy filtering of specific data by industry geography and attacking group.
TLS Fingerprint Reputation Feed To prevent malicious actors from entering a system, Radware’s TLS Fingerprint Reputation Feed proactively identifies and blocks malicious TLS fingerprints by leveraging advanced analytics and global threat intelligence correlated across Radware’s cloud network. The feed, which is an enhancement to Radware’s industry leading DDoS Protection, includes:
Global data correlation: Offers access to a globally sourced, continuously updated feed of high-risk TLS fingerprints.
Automated mitigation: Dynamically blocks known malicious TLS fingerprints at the handshake level.
Smart learning and configurability: Customizes scoring models and defines thresholds by severity.
Seamless visibility: Monitors blocked fingerprints and policy impact through a user-friendly dashboard.
Radware has received numerous awards and recognitions for its application and network security solutions from industry analysts, including Aite-Novarica Group, Forrester, GigaOm, Gartner, KuppingerCole, and QKS Group.
About Radware Radware® (NASDAQ: RDWR) is a global leader in application security and delivery solutions for multi-cloud environments. The company’s cloud application, infrastructure, and API security solutions use AI-driven algorithms for precise, hands-free, real-time protection from the most sophisticated web, application, and DDoS attacks, API abuse, and bad bots. Enterprises and carriers worldwide rely on Radware’s solutions to address evolving cybersecurity challenges and protect their brands and business operations while reducing costs. For more information, please visit the Radware website.
Radware believes the information in this document is accurate in all material respects as of its publication date. However, the information is provided without any express, statutory, or implied warranties and is subject to change without notice.
The contents of any website or hyperlinks mentioned in this press release are for informational purposes and the contents thereof are not part of this press release.
Safe Harbor Statement This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements made herein that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about Radware’s plans, outlook, beliefs, or opinions, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “may,” and “could.” For example, when we say in this press release that the new capabilities deliver insights into attackers, their motivations and methods so security teams can take proactive, decisive action on threats before they happen, we are using forward-looking statements. Because such statements deal with future events, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties, and actual results, expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, could differ materially from Radware’s current forecasts and estimates. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: the impact of global economic conditions, including as a result of the state of war declared in Israel in October 2023 and instability in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, tensions between China and Taiwan, financial and credit market fluctuations (including elevated interest rates), impacts from tariffs or other trade restrictions, inflation, and the potential for regional or global recessions; our dependence on independent distributors to sell our products; our ability to manage our anticipated growth effectively; our business may be affected by sanctions, export controls, and similar measures, targeting Russia and other countries and territories, as well as other responses to Russia’s military conflict in Ukraine, including indefinite suspension of operations in Russia and dealings with Russian entities by many multi-national businesses across a variety of industries; the ability of vendors to provide our hardware platforms and components for the manufacture of our products; our ability to attract, train, and retain highly qualified personnel; intense competition in the market for cybersecurity and application delivery solutions and in our industry in general, and changes in the competitive landscape; our ability to develop new solutions and enhance existing solutions; the impact to our reputation and business in the event of real or perceived shortcomings, defects, or vulnerabilities in our solutions, if our end-users experience security breaches, or if our information technology systems and data, or those of our service providers and other contractors, are compromised by cyber-attackers or other malicious actors or by a critical system failure; our use of AI technologies that present regulatory, litigation, and reputational risks; risks related to the fact that our products must interoperate with operating systems, software applications and hardware that are developed by others; outages, interruptions, or delays in hosting services; the risks associated with our global operations, such as difficulties and costs of staffing and managing foreign operations, compliance costs arising from host country laws or regulations, partial or total expropriation, export duties and quotas, local tax exposure, economic or political instability, including as a result of insurrection, war, natural disasters, and major environmental, climate, or public health concerns; our net losses in the past and the possibility that we may incur losses in the future; a slowdown in the growth of the cybersecurity and application delivery solutions market or in the development of the market for our cloud-based solutions; long sales cycles for our solutions; risks and uncertainties relating to acquisitions or other investments; risks associated with doing business in countries with a history of corruption or with foreign governments; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; risks associated with undetected defects or errors in our products; our ability to protect our proprietary technology; intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties; laws, regulations, and industry standards affecting our business; compliance with open source and third-party licenses; complications with the design or implementation of our new enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system; our reliance on information technology systems; our ESG disclosures and initiatives; and other factors and risks over which we may have little or no control. This list is intended to identify only certain of the principal factors that could cause actual results to differ. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting Radware, refer to Radware’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the other risk factors discussed from time to time by Radware in reports filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and, except as required by applicable law, Radware undertakes no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statement in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date any such statement is made. Radware’s public filings are available from the SEC’s website atwww.sec.govor may be obtained on Radware’s website atwww.radware.com.
LOS ANGELES, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Get ready to dig, discover, and roar with excitement. Lingokids and BBC Earth are launching an exclusive Walking with Dinosaurs Lesson in the Lingokids app just in time for Dinosaur Day and the premiere of the latest landmark series from BBC Studios’ Science Unit Walking with Dinosaurs later this month in the US. This playful new learning experience is made for families with young kids who want to keep the dino-discovery going long after the credits roll.
More than just a passive activity, the Lingokids Dinosaur Lesson is a journey through time where kids don’t just learn about dinosaurs—they stomp through their world. This action-packed adventure invites kids to explore the age of dinosaurs through interactive instruction, hands-on games, and exciting challenges. Each unit in the multi-lesson curriculum is packed with play-based learning moments that teach kids about paleontology, dinosaur diets, habitats, and even big-picture concepts like extinction and fossilization. Kids will dig for fossils, match footprints, hatch eggs, and unlock secrets from millions of years ago—all while reinforcing real-life scientific knowledge.
“We all know that kids are entertained by dinosaurs, and, through a Lingokids study in collaboration with University of Central Lancashire, we know that when kids are entertained, they learn more, faster,” said Lingokids Founder & CEO Cristóbal Viedma. “This collaboration with BBC Earth lets us bring that spark to life in a way that’s fun, active, and educational. Together, we’re giving families a way to keep exploring their favorite prehistoric creatures long after the show ends.”
The new Walking with Dinosaurs series is a revival of the iconic and award-winning BBC series that first premiered in 1999. And now Lingokids is bringing the prehistoric era to life in a new way for a new generation. But don’t worry—this isn’t homework disguised as fun. It is fun. The Dinosaur Lesson was built around Lingokids’ core belief that kids learn best through play. It’s not a chore—it’s an epic mission. Each activity is carefully designed to boost curiosity and build confidence, while keeping kids engaged, giggling, and coming back for more.
“Given the huge popularity of dinosaurs among younger audiences, we know families will be coming together to watch Walking With Dinosaurs,” said Monica Hayes, VP Content Marketing, at BBC Studios. “That’s why we’re excited to partner with Lingokids to give families a chance to go beyond the TV screen and continue the adventure through interactive learning. Who knows, we might even inspire the next generation of paleontologists!”
Walking with Dinosaurs is now available in the UK and will be available in the US on June 16, 2025 on PBS. So grab your explorer hats—this is one journey your little learners won’t want to miss.
About Lingokids
Lingokids is an EdTech and media company behind the #1 interactive app for kids aged 2-8.
With more than 165M+ downloads around the world, the Lingokids app is packed with thousands of shows, songs and interactive games kids love—all fun, safe and educational.
Its unique Playlearning™ methodology puts kids at the center of the Lingokids universe. As they explore, they’ll pick up academic knowledge and modern life skills in a safe, age-appropriate, ad-free environment designed for independent exploration. For more information, please visitwww.lingokids.com.
About BBC Studios
The main commercial arm of BBC Commercial Ltd, BBC Studios generated revenues in the last year of £1.8 billion and a third consecutive year of profits of over £200 million. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, the business is built on two operating areas: the Content Studio, which produces, invests and distributes content globally and Media & Streaming, with BBC branded channels, services including bbc.com and BritBox International and joint ventures in the UK and internationally. The business made more than 2,800 hours of award-winning British programmes last year for a wide selection of public service and commercial broadcasters and platforms, both in the UK and across the globe. Its content is internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, and includes world-famous brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, the Planet series, Bluey and Doctor Who.
Manchester’s favourite day of the year is back for 2025 and looks set to hit all the right notes with a mammoth day of music-themed free fun promised for all the family on Saturday 26 July to help celebrate the city’s homegrown musical talent and this year’s big summer of live music in the city.
With 1.3 million music tourists expected in Manchester this summer and a massive line-up of live music legends set to take over venues and parks across the city, this year’s Manchester Day aims to get everyone in the groove.
The city council is working with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank on a programme for the day that promises something for music fans of all ages, and all musical abilities or none – from the virtuoso violinist to the can’t-sing-a-note novice.
From English National Opera teaming up with Manchester’s football fans and community choirs, West End show tunes, juggling drummers, hip-hop wrestling, plus two musical cats and a larger-than-life canary all in a giant birdcage – this year’s Manchester Day has got all musical tastes covered.
With activities taking place in St Ann’s Square, Cathedral Gardens, and everywhere in-between, there will be plenty of chances throughout the day for visitors young and old to get stuck in, or to try their hand at music-making and uncover that hidden musical talent they didn’t know they had.
And with a setlist that includes strum-along ukulele sessions, spontaneous sing-a-longs, dancing to a steel pan band or some surprising Ska, visitors will want to make sure they get down early and not miss a beat.
The day will also see a music takeover of the route from St Peter’s Square to the Cathedral, with families invited to take a musical meander through the city streets as a music-filled mini parade makes its way from the square, along Deansgate, to the Cathedral.
Sure to be one of the highlights of the day, expect toe-tapping sounds and surprises all the way as two huge Griffins lead the parade with fantastical birds and other winged creatures in tow, all swooping their way along the parade route.
Accompanied by the sounds of Brazilian-inspired brass from Jubacana, drumming from Manchester Dhol Players and a giant Dhol drum, along with the percussive rhythms of Manchester Batala, and performers from community groups across the city including the Anglo Filipino Club, the Hong Kong Cultural Community, Greater Manchester’s Youth network, Manchester’s Lithuanian Society and more – the mini parade looks set to get everyone moving and in the music groove.
Councillor Pat Karney, Chair of Manchester Day, said: “We’ve got a mammoth summer of live music coming up in the city this year which means it’s only right that we max out on the music for Manchester Day.
“Everyone in Manchester loves music. Mancs have music in their bones, there’s so much talent here – we’re either making it or playing it. And that’s why everyone’s on the guestlist for this year’s Manchester Day to help us celebrate the music that Mancunians make best.
“We’ve got a fantastic day lined up so loosen up those vocal chords, grab a guitar, grab your granny, all the family, and don’t miss it!”
Proceedings on the day get underway at 12 noon with final encores at 5 pm.
At The Conversation, we are big believers in the health benefits of being near the sea. In fact, we have a whole series dedicated to how our health is intrinsically linked with that of the ocean, called Vitamin Sea. The idea of how the coast can heal is explored in the bestselling memoir The Saltpath, which has been adapted for the screen, and stars Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs.
Anderson plays Raynor Winn who documented the whirlwind period that began with her husband Moth being given a terminal diagnosis. In the same week, they also lost their home. In the face of this, the couple made a wild decision: to take a 630-mile year-long coastal walk from Somerset to Dorset, through Devon and Cornwall.
The South West Coast Path has over 115,000 feet of ascent and descent, which is equivalent to scaling Mount Everest four times. In this piece, lecturer in the history of science and the environment, Lena Ferriday explores how this decision might not have been as mad as it might seem.
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The Winns’ decision to walk the path is part of a long history of people seeking wellness and recovery on England’s south-west coast. From taking in the clean air on long gentle walks to bathing in cold waters, it was common for the sickly to be prescribed a trip to the sea. And, as the Winns discover in this beautiful film, they find respite and connection in that history.
Reply to this email to let us know if you have any thoughts on the healing qualities of the coast. We would also love you to answer our poll letting us what you think is the best nature memoir of our of favourite five. If your favourite isn’t there, email us its name.
The first season of The Handmaid’s Tale aired in 2017 in the early months of the first Trump presidency. Now in its sixth season, the drama is ending in the early months of the second Trump presidency. In that time, the show and its iconography have become synonymous with feminist resistance.
When the Canadian writer Margaret Atwood first wrote The Handmaid’s Tale in 1985, Donald Trump was a mere real estate mogul. Some say it is eerie how she foresaw rising authoritarianism in the United States as well as the erosion of women’s rights. However, Atwood didn’t see the tale as science fiction, everything she wrote, she stressed, had already happened or was happening somewhere.
In this piece, Canadian literature expert Sharon Engbrecht writes about Atwood has made many similar educated predictions about where the roots laid in history will come up in the future. While the last series does deviate somewhat from Atwood’s follow-up The Testaments, it is very much in-line with her view of the world. Hopefully, this last season ends in a much more hopeful place.
If you’re looking for something a bit more low stakes and whimsical then can we recommend checking out the film The Phoenician Scheme. Wes Anderson is a director with a very distinct vision, you can spot a work by him a mile away. This is what makes a director an auteur.
Fans of his work have come to expect a few things from his films. The first is a star-studded ensemble. The second, a distinct colour palette. The third, boundless whimsy. The Phoenician Scheme has all of this, which as our expert in film Daniel O’Brien notes, will make some of you love it and others hate it.
I like Wes Anderson films. They are incredibly charming and visually delicious. The Phoenician Scheme has more solid narrative than some of his recent films, which I, for one, welcome. It follows wealthy businessman, Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro) after he makes his only daughter (Mia Threapleton), a nun, the sole heir to his estate before embarking on a new money-making scheme. Andersonian hijinks and shenanigans ensue as the pair dodge danger in the form of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists and determined assassins.
The Phoenician Scheme is in cinemas now
The Coin by Yasmin Zaher is a bold debut novel about a young Palestinian woman who is struggling to keep it together. On the surface of things she has it all: she is a teacher at a New York city middle school, she is rich, stylish and meticulously clean. However, buried within her sits history that won’t leave her alone. To be precise, inside her sits an Israeli shekel that she accidentally swallowed on a family road trip during which her parents were killed.
The knowledge of the coin and all it represents tears at the narrator, not letting her know peace. She is pushed to desperate acts in order to gain some sort of control over mind and body. But the coin does not relent. It won’t let her be. She is neither here nor there, in the US or Palestine. In this piece, literature expert Daniel G. Williams explains why he and his fellow judges awarded this debut the 2025 Dylan Thomas Prize.
I love Pulp. One of my formative festival memories is watching a lanky Jarvis Cocker hump a giant neon Pulp sign while singing Disco 2000 at Reading festival. I was at a liberal arts uni at the time and the lyrics of Common People had never made more sense to me.
As expert in popular music Mark Higgins writes, it’s a common misconception that Pulp were Brit Pop. In fact, they were founded in 1978 and their sound and whole shtick were quite a part from the 60’s mania of Britpop boy bands. Listening to the first single of this album Higgins notes, however, that the nostalgia for a better time seems to have hit Pulp belatedly as they wax lyrical about 90s.
Next week, the band release their first album since 2001’s We Love Life. In the lead up to the release of their album More, I have been rediscovering their back catalogue and I would highly recommend you all do the same this sunny weekend.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
International Arts Carnival opens in July with martial arts theatre performance “Soul of Shaolin” “Soul of Shaolin”, featuring more than 30 kung fu masters, will showcase breathtaking martial arts scenes consisting of boxing, weaponry and qigong to demonstrate the harmony between the spiritual wisdom and physical strength of Chinese kung fu. The theatre production has earned both Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations since its Broadway debut in 2009. After more than two decades of world touring, it is finally coming to Hong Kong and is not to be missed.
The story revolves around young Huiguang, who has mastered kung fu skills at the famous Shaolin Temple. He has been working hard on his martial arts training and practicing kindness, but has always missed his long-lost mother. Unexpectedly, a woman he saves from danger is his mother, who he has been searching for all along.
The Henan Provincial Shaolin Wushu Center was established in 1988 and is affiliated with the Culture and Tourism Department of Henan Province. Its performing troupe consists of over 200 kung fu masters, has performed in more than 80 countries and regions, and is gaining popularity among audiences both domestically and internationally.
Convening of extraordinary general meeting of Nykredit Realkredit A/S
Nykredit Realkredit A/S will hold its extraordinary general meeting on Tuesday 24 June 2025 at 15:30 at the Company’s offices at Sundkrogsgade 25, DK-2150 Nordhavn.
-o0o-
Agenda:
Election of member of the Board of Directors.
Any other business.
The agenda of the Company’s general meeting and the complete proposals have been submitted to Nykredit A/S, which owns all the shares of the Company.
Item 1 on the agenda proposes election of Lasse Nyby to the Board of Directors. Information about Lasse Nyby’s education, professional experience, independence and other directorships and executive positions is provided in Appendix 1.
Admittance to the general meeting is subject to collection of an admission card at least three days prior to the general meeting.
Copenhagen, 2 June 2025
Nykredit Realkredit A/S Board of Directors
Contact: Questions may be addressed to Press Relations, tel +4531 21 06 39.
Appendix 1 – CV of Lasse Nyby
Lasse Nyby Year of birth: 1960 Non-independent
Professional experience
2000-
Chief Executive Officer, Spar Nord Bank A/S
1995
Joined the Executive Board of Spar Nord Bank A/S
1986 – 1995
Various positions at Spar Nord Bank A/S
Education
Financial services background
B. Com. (Management Accounting)
Executive education from Insead
Directorships and other positions (current)
Aktieselskabet Skelagervej 15 (Chair)
AP Pension Livsforsikringsaktieselskab (Deputy Chair)
Join the crew for Godiva Festival and apply to be a volunteer for 2025.
This week is national Volunteers Week and Godiva Festival, one of the UK’s most anticipated music festivals which is held annually in Coventry, is thrilled to announce a range of exciting opportunities to volunteer at the event.
Godiva Festival is back in the stunning War Memorial Park, Coventry, from 4-6 July.
Be among the team of local volunteers supporting the event crew across a wide range of roles and experiences that could include:
Front of House: welcoming and supporting spectators.
Street Theatre Escorts: accompanying roaming street performers.
Family Field Team: guiding families, supporting performances, arts and crafts activities.
Across the weekend, War Memorial Park will play host to Coventry’s flagship event with a line-up packed with genres that music lovers and families can enjoy from pop to rock and 2-tone to hip hop.
Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Cabinet Member for Events, said: “This is a great opportunity for residents to get involved in the flagship summer festival in Coventry. There are lots of exciting volunteering roles from “meeting and greeting” festival goers as they arrive to supporting performers, all the while promoting Coventry as the welcoming city it is.
“It has been shown that volunteering is great for health and social wellbeing and with the incentives including free access to the festival, this is a lovely opportunity to be part of something really special.”
David Boughey MBE, EnV said: “The annual Godiva Festival certainly ranks high amongst the highlight moments over the years that the volunteers and I come away from thinking “Wow! What a weekend!” We are really looking forward to welcoming new and existing team members again this year who will be providing their time, energy and support to help make Godiva Festival 2025 great for everyone who visits!”
In addition to the range of health and social benefits volunteering brings, some incentives on offer for Godiva Festival Volunteers can include access to the festival, complimentary lunch pack and festival site parking and a truly unique experience at a large-scale event working with EnV, a Queen’s Award-winning social enterprise for volunteering.
Pete, Godiva Festival Volunteer Team Leader in 2024, said: “Being a Godiva Festival Volunteer is a fantastic opportunity to be part of an exciting event for Coventry. It is great to welcome all the visitors as well as help and support across lots of activities for all the family. I enjoy being able to make a difference! Taking part in events with EnV is like joining a big, supportive family but with the extra plus knowing you are supporting the city.”
The Godiva Festival volunteer programme is being managed and coordinated by EnV (Coventry) CIC.
Godiva Festival is proudly delivered by Coventry City Council. BBC CWR is the official media partner. Music Smart sponsors the Godiva Calling competition, and Coventry College sponsors the Family Field.
For Godiva Festival Volunteer enquiries and questions, you can contact the EnV Volunteer team at env.volunteers@env.uk.com
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Forgotten assets to help families and young people thrive
First ever Dormant Assets Scheme Strategy unlocks £440 million funding
First ever Dormant Assets Scheme Strategy unlocks £440 million funding for people and communities who need it most – redirecting money from long-unused accounts to important social causes
Money will get young people involved in music, drama and sport, plus give thousands of vulnerable households access to affordable loans, delivering opportunity through Plan for Change
Financial institutions including JP Morgan and AON welcomed to No11 today, as Chancellor and Culture Secretary encourage them to participate in the Scheme and support local communities
Families struggling with sudden costs and young people in deprived areas will get vital help, as £440 million from forgotten assets is put to work in communities across England through the first-ever Dormant Assets Scheme Strategy.
This includes £132.5 million to give young people in disadvantaged neighbourhoods new chances to take part in music, sport and drama to build skills for the future, improve their employment opportunities and ensure access is no longer the preserve of a privileged few.
A further £132.5 million will benefit those in financially vulnerable circumstances, providing them with the affordable credit and support they need to manage their money well. This will mean that people facing money worries will have a safety net for when things go wrong – from a broken fridge to an unexpected car repair – instead of leaving them at the mercy of loan sharks.
Local charities and community groups will also get extra funding, so they can run projects like food banks, youth clubs, and community events. This support will help bring people together, tackle loneliness, and make neighbourhoods safer and friendlier for everyone.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy welcomed major financial institutions including JP Morgan, Schroders, AON, Jupiter Asset Management, Aberdeen Group and other industry champions into No11 Downing Street today, highlighting the tangible difference this money can make to local communities and encouraging future participation to support these important causes.
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy said:
“From supporting young people and enhancing financial inclusion to driving social investment, this transformational funding will reach some of the most disadvantaged areas across the country and have a real impact on people’s lives as we deliver our Plan for Change.
“Made possible thanks to the ongoing support of our industry partners, I’ve been delighted to speak to financial institutions today as we look to bring in new sectors to support growth and drive opportunity across England.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:
“We’re turning forgotten assets into fresh opportunities by unlocking £440 million that would otherwise be sitting idle to help young people realise their potential, and ensure vulnerable families aren’t excluded from the financial products they need. Through our Plan for Change, we’re backing communities and boosting opportunities to deliver growth and put more money in people’s pockets.”
Chris Cummings, CEO of the Investment Association said:
“We look forward to the further expansion of the Dormant Assets Scheme to the investment and wealth management sector. The Scheme has the potential to deliver real positive change to communities across the UK and our industry both warmly supports the initiative and is committed to exploring participating at the earliest opportunity.
“The Dormant Assets Scheme is an important opportunity for our industry to come together with government and deliver a positive, measurable social and environmental impact.”
The Dormant Assets Scheme has successfully released £1 billion to date to support thousands of frontline organisations and individuals in some of the most disadvantaged communities across the country. Funding has been channelled into a range of initiatives including tackling youth homelessness, supporting charities with the cost of living and breaking down barriers to financial inclusion to help vulnerable groups.
The £440 million package announced today represents a significant uplift with an estimated £90 million over previously announced figures set to become available through the Scheme in England by 2028.
Allocations set out in the Strategy will drive forward the growth and opportunity missions in the government’s Plan for Change, with full distributions to include:
£132.5 million for young people with funding going to services, facilities and opportunities to provide them with the skills and resources needed to succeed
£132.5 million for financial inclusion and education, equipping individuals with the tools and knowledge to build financial security
£87.5 million for social investment to strengthen the financial resilience of the voluntary sector, including £12.5 million reaching organisations that support youth outcomes
£87.5 million for community wealth funds, which will empower local people to make decisions about their communities, creating stronger neighbourhoods.
Notes to editors:
The Dormant Assets scheme redirects money from long-unused financial accounts to social causes, while preserving the original owners’ right to reclaim their funds.
The Dormant Assets Strategy sets out this government’s bold vision for the pioneering Dormant Assets Scheme, unlocking funds to support the communities who need it most and is available to view here.
The Strategy for the Scheme is centered around three long-term objectives:
Achieving long-term systems change through innovative programmes.
Protecting the integrity of the Scheme and its funding.
Becoming the best practice standard mechanism to deal with dormancy.
The Strategy reaffirms the importance of the collaboration between government and the financial services sector to make a success of the Dormant Assets Scheme
Last year, the government committed between the four named causes of the Scheme – financial inclusion, youth, social investment and community wealth funds – to break down barriers and drive growth as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.
Participants in today’s roundtable included representatives from JP Morgan, Schroders, AON, Jupiter Asset Management, Aberdeen Group, alongside industry champions from across banking, investment, wealth management, insurance and pensions sectors.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (June 2).
The value of total retail sales in April 2025, provisionally estimated at $28.9 billion, decreased by 2.3% compared with the same month in 2024. The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in March 2025 decreased by 3.5% compared with a year earlier. For the first 4 months of 2025 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total retail sales decreased by 5.6% compared with the same period in 2024.
Of the total retail sales value in April 2025, online sales accounted for 8.1%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at $2.3 billion, decreased by 3.5% compared with the same month in 2024. The revised estimate of online retail sales in March 2025 decreased by 0.5% compared with a year earlier. For the first 4 months of 2025 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of online retail sales decreased by 2.2% compared with the same period in 2024.
After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales in April 2025 decreased by 3.3% compared with a year earlier. The revised estimate of the volume of total retail sales in March 2025 decreased by 4.7% compared with a year earlier. For the first 4 months of 2025 taken together, the provisional estimate of the total retail sales decreased by 7.2% in volume compared with the same period in 2024.
Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the provisional estimate of the value of sales and comparing April 2025 with April 2024, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased by 2.4%. This was followed by sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (-1.7% in value); wearing apparel (-5.6%); motor vehicles and parts (-53.4%); fuels (-12.5%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-5.1%); furniture and fixtures (-16.7%); and optical shops (-0.2%).
On the other hand, the value of sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified increased by 13.4% in April 2025 over a year earlier. This was followed by sales of medicines and cosmetics (+7.2% in value); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+3.0%); electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (+1.6%); commodities in department stores (+2.1%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (+11.7%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (+3.8%).
Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of the value of total retail sales increased by 4.2% in the three months ending April 2025 compared with the preceding three-month period, while the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales increased by 7.1%.
Commentary
A government spokesman said that retail sales performance showed signs of stabilisation in recent months. The value of total retail sales recorded a modest year-on-year decline of 2.3% in April 2025. The decline narrowed further in April compared with the previous months despite the effect of the late arrival of the Easter holidays this year (in mid-April this year but in the junction of March and April last year) when more residents made outbound trips during the month.
Looking ahead, the spokesman said that the Government’s proactive promotion of tourism and mega events will help stimulate the consumption market. Increase in employment earnings and sustained steady growth of the Mainland economy will also bolster consumption sentiment. These factors will be supportive to the retail sector, though ongoing changes in consumption patterns and competition among businesses amid the uncertain macroeconomic environment will still pose challenges.
Further information
Table 1 presents the revised figures on value index and value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for March 2025 as well as the provisional figures for April 2025. The provisional figures on the value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet as well as the corresponding year-on-year changes for the first 4 months of 2025 taken together are also shown.
Table 2 presents the revised figures on value of online retail sales for March 2025 as well as the provisional figures for April 2025. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the first 4 months of 2025 taken together are also shown.
Table 3 presents the revised figures on volume index of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for March 2025 as well as the provisional figures for April 2025. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the first 4 months of 2025 taken together are also shown.
Table 4 shows the movements of the value and volume of total retail sales in terms of the year-on-year rate of change for a month compared with the same month in the preceding year based on the original series, and in terms of the rate of change for a three-month period compared with the preceding three-month period based on the seasonally adjusted series.
The classification of retail establishments follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.
These retail sales statistics measure the sales receipts in respect of goods sold by local retail establishments and are primarily intended for gauging the short-term business performance of the local retail sector. Data on retail sales are collected from local retail establishments through the Monthly Survey of Retail Sales (MRS). Local retail establishments with and without physical shops are covered in MRS and their sales, both through conventional shops and online channels, are included in the retail sales statistics.
The retail sales statistics cover consumer spending on goods but not on services (such as those on housing, catering, medical care and health services, transport and communication, financial services, education and entertainment) which account for over 50% of the overall consumer spending. Moreover, they include spending on goods in Hong Kong by visitors but exclude spending outside Hong Kong by Hong Kong residents. Hence they should not be regarded as indicators for measuring overall consumer spending.
Users interested in the trend of overall consumer spending should refer to the data series of private consumption expenditure (PCE), which is a major component of the Gross Domestic Product published at quarterly intervals. Compiled from a wide range of data sources, PCE covers consumer spending on both goods (including goods purchased from all channels) and services by Hong Kong residents whether locally or abroad. Please refer to the C&SD publication “Gross Domestic Product by Expenditure Component” for more details.
Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7400; email : mrs@censtatd.gov.hk).
2 June 2025 | SAINT HELIER, Jersey | CoinShares International Limited (“CoinShares” or the “Company“) (Nasdaq Stockholm Market: CS; US OTCQX: CNSRF), a global investment firm specializing in digital assets, is pleased to announce that all of the resolutions proposed at the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) of the Company, held as of 30 May 2025, were duly passed via poll.
The Company’s Board of Directors wished to highlight the following:
Resolution 13 – Resolution regarding authorising the Board of Directors to decide on repurchase and transfer of own shares
The AGM resolved that the Board of Directors shall decide on purchases of the Company’s own shares in accordance with the following terms.
Share repurchases may be made on Nasdaq Stockholm or any other regulated market.
The authorisation may be exercised on one or more occasions before the 2026 Annual General Meeting.
The Company’s holding of shares at any given time shall not exceed 15% of the total number of shares in the Company.
Repurchases of the Company’s own shares may shall be made at a price of no more than 5% above the average trading price of the shares for the 5 business days prior to the repurchase date.
Payment for the shares shall be made in cash.
In addition, the AGM resolved to authorise the Board of Directors to decide on transfer of own shares, with or without deviation from the shareholders’ preferential rights, in accordance with the following, terms.
Transfers may be made on (i) Nasdaq Stockholm or (ii) outside of Nasdaq Stockholm in connection with the acquisition of companies, operations, or assets.
The authorisation may be exercised on one or more occasions before the 2026 Annual General Meeting.
The maximum number of shares that may be transferred corresponds to the number of shares held by the Company at the point in time of the Board of Directors’ decision on transfer.
Transfers of shares on Nasdaq Stockholm (or any other regulated market) shall be made at a price of no more than 5% above the average trading price of the shares for the 5 business days prior to the transfer date. For transfers outside of Nasdaq Stockholm, the price shall be set so that the transfer is made at market terms, except for delivery of shares in connection with employee stock option programs.
Payment for transferred shares may be made in cash, through in-kind payment, or through set-off against claims with the Company.
The purpose of the authorisations is to give the Board of Directors greater scope to act and the opportunity to adapt and improve the company’s capital structure and thereby create further shareholder value and take advantage of any attractive acquisition opportunities. The authorisation may also be used in order to enable delivery of shares in connection with employee stock option programs.
The Board of Directors shall have the right to decide on other terms for repurchases and transfers of own shares in accordance with its authorisation. The Board of Directors also has the right to authorise the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the person designated by the Board to make such minor adjustments that may be necessary in connection with the execution of the Board’s decision to repurchase or transfer shares.
Resolution 14 – Resolution regarding amendments to the Company’s Articles of Association
The AGM resolved that Company’s Articles of Association be amended by deletion of the existing articles 3.6.2, 17.2.7 and 24.12 and the insertion of new articles 3.6.2, 17.2.7 and 24.12 as follows: “3.6.2 the Directors may, by unanimous consent only, during any period of two consecutive calendar years, resolve to allot and issue in one or more tranches such number of ordinary shares (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any shares issued pursuant to, in connection with or upon conversion of any subsequently issued convertible bonds) as does not in the aggregate exceed twenty five percent (25%) of the total number of ordinary shares in issue (excluding any ordinary shares held in treasury) at 9am on 1st January of such year (rounded down to the nearest whole share), without the offer, issue or allotment of such shares or the issue or conversion of any subsequently issued convertible bonds being subject to the provisions of Article 3.2 provided always that any such allotment, issue, or conversion is effected solely in connection with bona fide transactions for business purposes only (and for the avoidance of doubt the terms of this Article 3.6.2 shall not include the issuance of shares or convertible securities as consideration or compensation for services rendered by employees, consultants, directors, or any other individuals in a personal capacity) and provided further that any issuance or allotment to any natural person pursuant to this Article 3.6.2 shall be subject to the unanimous approval of the remuneration committee as required by and in accordance with the terms of reference for such remuneration committee and shall not in aggregate in any calendar year exceed five percent (5%) of the total number of ordinary shares in issue at the time of such offer;”
“17.2.7 the creation of any charge or other security over any assets or property of a Group Company to secure borrowings, or indebtedness in the nature of borrowings, of that Group Company which, when aggregated with all other such borrowings or indebtedness, would exceed £200,000,000 (OTHER THAN in the ordinary course of its Business, and, DISREGARDING any amounts borrowed from other Group Companies) provided always that, subject to applicable law, nothing in these Articles (including without limitation this provision) shall restrict or prevent or be deemed to restrict or prevent the issuance by the Company of any corporate or convertible bonds or other debt instruments on an unsecured basis.”
“24.12 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary within these Articles, meetings of the Board shall be held at such locations and in such manner, and resolutions of Directors passed in writing shall be signed, so as to cause the Company to: 24.12.1 be resident for taxation purposes in Jersey; and 24.12.2 comply with the Taxation (Companies – Economic Substance) (Jersey) Law 2019.”
36,267,305 shares and votes were registered for the AGM, representing 54.39% of the issued share capital as at 16 May 2025.
The number of shares in issue (and total voting rights) as at close of business on 16 May 2025 was 66,678,210 ordinary shares carrying one vote each. Therefore, the total voting rights in the Company as at close of business on 16 May 2025 was 66,678,210.
The full text of the resolutions passed at the AGM can be found in the Notice of the Annual General Meeting (included within the Annual Report) which is available on the Company’s website at https://investor.coinshares.com/c-governance/general-meetings.
In response to a shareholder question and as previous advised during the 1Q25 earnings call, the CEO reaffirmed his commitment to the Company’s long-standing objective of enhancing shareholder value by securing a listing on a major U.S. exchange such as Nasdaq or the NYSE.
Several potential paths to listing were outlined, including a secondary listing and reverse takeover structures. The CEO noted that the reverse takeover market in the U.S. is currently active, offering a range of options—from legacy listed entities seeking a strategic reset to clean shells, with or without available cash.
CoinShares’ strong earnings and robust margins provide meaningful strategic flexibility. At this stage, the Company remains focused on completing its PCAOB historical audit, which is the primary gating item for any U.S. listing initiative.
About CoinShares
CoinShares is a leading global investment company specialising in digital assets, that delivers a broad range of financial services across investment management, trading and securities to a wide array of clients that includes corporations, financial institutions and individuals. Focusing on crypto since 2013, the firm is headquartered in Jersey, with offices in France, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the US. CoinShares is regulated in Jersey by the Jersey Financial Services Commission, in France by the Autorité des marchés financiers, and in the US by the Securities and Exchange Commission, National Futures Association and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. CoinShares is publicly listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker CS and the OTCQX under the ticker CNSRF.
This information is information that CoinShares International Limited is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014). The information in this press release has been published through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 08:30 BST on Monday, 2 June 2025.
LONDON, U.K. – June 02, 2025: Samsung is today encouraging smartphone users across the UK to enable and update the latest anti-theft features available on Samsung Galaxy devices. This activity supports the UK Home Office’s ongoing work to drive new nationwide action to tackle mobile phone thefts.
Samsung issued a public safety security message alert today, which will reach all over 40m Samsung Account holders in the UK this week, through customer communication channels and the Samsung Members platform.
This outreach will be reinforced through UK social channels and Samsung has also committed significant marketing spend this week, launching an awareness campaign around the privacy features available on the Samsung Knox Security Platform. The privacy campaign will feature at Samsung’s Piccadilly Lights space, through OOH adverts in tube stations and train stations in central London and content across OLV, CTV and BVOD channels.
Samsung recently started rolling out One UI 7 with security updates to existing features, including additional theft-protection and security delay anti-robbery features. These features will now also be available to even more devices, having starting with the launch of the Galaxy S25 series in February, and now rolling out to further Galaxy series smartphones throughout this year.
Annika Bizon, Mobile Experience (MX) VP of Product and Marketing, UK&I at Samsung, spoke on the issue of phone theft: “Samsung is deeply committed to working closely with the Home Office on the issue of mobile phone theft and related crimes and we’re in constant collaboration with our partners across the industry, to look at new and existing solutions to help combat this complex issue and ultimately help improve the safety of mobile phone users.
“Our recent One UI 7 update built further on existing protections with new anti-theft features such as identity check, biometric authentication and security delay, all featured in our latest Galaxy S25 series. These features have now also been rolled out into a range of models across our devices and further updates will follow. We must do everything we can to ensure the safety and security of our customers when they are using their mobile devices and we will continue to work hard to ensure our customers are aware of the wide range of security features available to them.”
Samsung is introducing new security updates to better protect users in the event of phone theft. One critical update is Theft Protection – a multi-layered suite of features developed to safeguard personal data, even in high-risk situations such as robbery.
Theft Protection builds on standard Android safeguards, which are effective in typical theft scenarios where the thief doesn’t know the PIN. With One UI 7, Samsung goes further by introducing additional protections that anticipate more serious threats, including cases where access credentials may have been exposed.
Galaxy users can now enable a range of new security measures, including Identity Check, designed to offer stronger protection in complex theft scenarios. These features respond automatically and intelligently to suspicious activity, helping ensure that personal data remains secure and under the user’s control in these critical moments.
Existing and updated features in Theft Protection include:
Theft Detection Lock: Uses machine learning to detect motions associated with theft such as snatching, and instantly locks the screen to stop unauthorised access.
Offline Device Lock: Automatically locks the screen if the device is disconnected from the network for an extended period, ensuring protection even when the device is offline.
Remote Lock: If the device has already been stolen, users can lock it remotely using their phone number and a quick verification step. Remote Lock also allows users to regain control of their account and explore additional recovery options.
New Anti-Robbery Features released on One UI 7 include:
Identity Check: In unfamiliar locations, the ‘Safe Places’ feature requires biometric authentication for any changes to sensitive security settings, adding an additional layer of protection when a PIN may have been compromised.
Security Delay: If a robber attempts to reset biometric data, a one-hour delay immediately gets activated before any changes take effect. This crucial buffer gives Samsung customers time to lock the stolen phone from a connected device, such as a PC or tablet, before unauthorised access can occur.
These updated theft features are now becoming available on previous flagship devices, starting with the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Z Fold5, Z Flip 5, S23 and S22 series currently, with future updates planned for even more Galaxy smartphones.
To set up the latest anti-theft features, users in the UK can contact Samsung here:
Visit: samsung.com/uk/support/contact
Call us: 0333 000 0333
Live Chat: samsung.com/uk/support/chat-members
For guidance on setting up a Galaxy device with the latest anti-theft features, please visit:
How to use security settings on your phone | Samsung UK
Further steps to take if your Samsung Galaxy device is lost or stolen
How to remotely lock your Samsung Galaxy device:
Sign into Samsung Find using your Samsung account
Select your phone on the left-hand side of the page, then choose Lost Mode in the device details section
Create a PIN to unlock your phone if recovered, and enter it twice to confirm
You will have the option to add an emergency contact and a custom message that will display on the locked screen (It’s recommended to skip this step to avoid sharing personal contact details)
When you are ready, select the Lock button and verify your Samsung account to activate Lost mode
If your device is recovered, you can unlock it using the PIN that was created when setting lost mode on your device
How to remotely delete data on your Samsung Galaxy device:
Visit the Samsung Find website
Select the phone you want to erase and choose Erase Data
Verify your Samsung account credentials
Review the information provided and tap Erase to confirm
All the data on your mobile, including Samsung Pay information, will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered
This will also reset your phone, meaning you won’t be able to locate and control it via Samsung Find
Make sure to regularly back up your data to the cloud so you can restore it to a new device if needed
How to remotely change your Samsung and/or Google account passwords:
It is recommended to change the passwords for your Samsung and Google accounts (or whichever accounts are linked to your device) by signing in through their respective websites
Once changed, you will be signed out of all connected devices, except the one you’re using
This prevents unauthorised access to account-linked features and protects your personal information
How to track your Galaxy device:
If your device is turned on and connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data, its last known location will appear on a map
Visit the Samsung Find website
Sign in with the Samsung account associated with your device (or a guardian’s account)
If multiple devices are linked to your account, they will all appear – select the one you want to locate
You’ll see its current or last known location
Other remote features available:
Ring: Make your device ring even if it’s set to silent or vibrate
Extend battery life: Activate power-saving settings to keep your device on longer and improve the chances of recovery
Track location: Enable real-time location tracking and your phone’s location will update every 15 minutes until tracking is stopped
Other ways to locate Galaxy devices
Find your phone using your Galaxy watch (WearOS 5 or higher):
Swipe down from the top of your Galaxy Watch to open Quick settings
Tap the Find My Phone icon
Tap Start to begin the search – your phone’s ringtone will sound
Once found, tap Stop on your watch or the X icon on your phone
Find your Galaxy Watch:
Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone
Tap Find My Watch (or Find My Band / Find My Gear, depending on your device)
If connected via Bluetooth, tap Start
Your watch will vibrate and play a sound (depending on model)
Once found, tap the X icon on your watch or Stop on your phone
Find your Galaxy Buds:
Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone or tablet
Tap Find My Earbuds
Tap Start – your earbuds will begin beeping and gradually increase in volume for three minutes
Once found, tap Stop
Using Google’s Find My Device:
Google’s Find My Device is built into Android via Google Play Services
You will need a Google account to use it
With this tool, you can set a new password, make your device ring, display a message, lock and wipe your device, and more
Contact the authorities and your mobile network provider:
Once taken the steps above, report your lost or stolen device to the police and record a crime incident report
Contact your mobile network provider to freeze your contract and prevent unauthorized usage
For additional device protection, it is recommended to have insurance that covers accidental damage, loss, or theft. Samsung offers a variety of protection plans – visit Samsung.com to explore coverage options that best suit your needs.
The event is expected to attract thousands of spectators along the route through the city centre.
Final preparations are underway for the People’s Parade, one of the flagship events of Stoke-on-Trent’s Centenary year, set to take place this Saturday (7 June).
Working in partnership with Stoke Creates, the parade is set to bring all communities together to showcase the city’s rich cultural heritage and creative spirit.
The event is expected to attract thousands of spectators along the route through the city centre.
Access to some roads will be affected by short road closures to allow the People’s Parade to safely follow their route. Some parking bays along the route may also be briefly suspended:
12.30pm – 1.30pm: College Road from Avenue Road to A5006 Broad Street. Access to adjoining roads will be affected.
The Parade has been planned so only small areas will be closed for a short period of time and immediately reopened as soon as it is safe to do so.
Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Steve Watkins, said: “Stokie’s unite! The icing on the Centenary cake will be taking place this weekend, with the People’s Parade. It is a monumental time for the city, and we hope you can all come out in force and share that passion and pride for our great city.
“The streets will be lined with people, all coming together to celebrate Stoke-on-Trent and the salt of the earth folk who make it what it is.”
Following the parade, a free public event – Party in the Park – will take place at Hanley Park from 1pm to 6pm. The event will feature live music, food vendors, community and charity stalls, and a bar. The celebration is expected to draw large crowds to one of the city’s most historic green spaces.
Regular updates will be available on Stoke-on-Trent City Council official social media channels, and supported by @StokeCreates.
Police have door knocked homes and businesses in the Bellerive area this afternoon looking for information that might help their investigations into the discovery of a man’s body in an industrial-sized garbage bin. The body of a 45-year-old man was discovered about 9am on Monday (June 2) by a garbage contractor, with the bin located at the rear of a business in Percy Street. Uniform officers from Bellerive Station, members of the South East Criminal Investigation Branch and Forensics have been gathering evidence at the scene and surrounds. Police are also reviewing CCTV footage. Police have confirmed the man was last seen alive about 7pm on Saturday, by members of his family. “Investigations are at an early stage, but right now the scene suggests this could be a case of death by misadventure or alternatively, foul play, or possibly a combination of both,” Detective Inspector David Gill said. “At this time there is no evidence of any injuries to the man and an autopsy has been scheduled for tomorrow morning.” Police have appealed for anyone with information about movements in the Percy Street area from Saturday night to Monday morning to contact them on 131 444 or report it to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to crimestopperstas.com.au
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) was honored Wednesday night with the prestigious Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s annual AcceptAbility Gala in Washington, D.C. The award celebrates national leaders who have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to improving the lives of individuals with Down syndrome.
During the ceremony, Congressman Aderholt invited a special guest to join him on stage—Julia Greene, a current intern in his Washington office who has Down syndrome. Julia, accompanied by her father Bill Greene, has been an integral part of the Aderholt team this spring. In his remarks, the Congressman described Julia as “a shining example of what Global AcceptAbility embodies: perseverance, possibility, and promise.”
“I am deeply humbled to receive the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award,” said Aderholt. “To stand alongside my colleague, Congresswoman Diana DeGette, and be recognized by an organization that has done so much to uplift and empower people with Down syndrome is an honor I will treasure.”
Aderholt added, “Every person is fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. People with Down syndrome are living reminders of that truth. Their joy, strength, and contributions enrich our communities and remind us of the dignity and worth of every human life.”
About the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award
The Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award is named in honor of the legendary music producer Quincy Jones, who became a passionate advocate for individuals with Down syndrome following the birth of his daughter with the condition. Presented by the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, the award recognizes leaders in public service, media, and philanthropy who have shown extraordinary dedication to advocating for people with Down syndrome and their families. Past recipients include members of Congress, national media figures, and internationally renowned activists.
The Global Down Syndrome Foundation continues to lead efforts in research, medical care, and advocacy, promoting inclusion and equity for individuals with Down syndrome across the nation.
Congressman Aderholt concluded his remarks with a reaffirmed commitment to advocating for policies that empower the Down syndrome community: “From the halls of Congress to the heart of this community, we must act on the belief that every life has value.”
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 2, 2025.
Your smartphone is a parasite, according to evolution Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachael L. Brown, Director of the Centre for Philosophy of the Sciences and Associate Professor of Philosophy, Australian National University vchal/shutterstock, The Conversation Head lice, fleas and tapeworms have been humanity’s companions throughout our evolutionary history. Yet, the greatest parasite of the modern age is no blood-sucking
As the NRL edges into Darwin, does the AFL need to be more proactive in the NT? Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, University of Technology Sydney The Northern Territory government recently announced the Dolphins, the NRL’s newest team that entered the league in 2023, would play a home game at TIO Stadium in Darwin every year from 2026 to 2028. The Dolphins
What is populism? Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Moffitt, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, Monash University In 2017, in the wake of Brexit and Donald Trump’s first election win, populism was named the “word of the year” by Cambridge University Press. Almost a decade later, we might have thought the term’s popularity
Bougainville wants independence. China’s support for a controversial mine could pave the way Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna-Karina Hermkens, Senior Lecturer and Researcher, Anthropology, Macquarie University Bougainville, an autonomous archipelago currently part of Papua New Guinea, is determined to become the world’s newest country. To support this process, it’s offering foreign investors access to a long-shuttered copper and gold mine. Formerly owned by the
Australia’s plan to protect its trade in war is flawed. We can’t do it with nuclear submarines Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Albert Palazzo, Adjunct Professor in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at UNSW Canberra, UNSW Sydney If war breaks out someday between the United States and China, one of the major concerns for Australia is the impact on its trade. Our trade routes are long and
Three years after the Jenkins report, there is still work to be done on improving parliament culture Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maria Maley, Senior Lecturer in Politics, School of Politics and International Relations, Australian National University Three and a half years ago, then-sex discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins’ Set the Standard report was handed to federal parliament, commissioned after Brittany Higgins’ allegations of sexual assault in Parliament House, which
Police aren’t properly trained for mental health crises – but they’re often the first responders. Here’s what works better Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panos Karanikolas, Research officer, Melbourne Social Equity Institute, The University of Melbourne Rosie Marinelli/Shutterstock In an emergency, police are often the first called to the scene. But they are rarely equipped to deal with complex mental health crises. Following recent parliamentary inquiries and royal commissions there has
These 5 roadblocks are standing in the way of energy-efficient homes Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jaime Comber, Senior Research Consultant in Energy Futures, University of Technology Sydney Westend61, GettyImages We all want homes that keep us warm in winter and cool in summer, without breaking the bank. However, Australian homes built before 2003 have a low average energy rating of 1.8 stars
With interest rates on the way down, could house prices boom? Here’s what research suggests Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Graham, Senior Lecturer in Economics, University of Sydney Jenny Evans/Stringer/Getty With the Reserve Bank of Australia easing monetary policy, interest rates are on the way down. Already this year, mortgage pre-approvals had begun to rise, suggesting many aspiring home buyers are excited by the prospect of
Scandalous mormons, dystopian Buenos Aires and Nicolas Cage down under: what to watch in June Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Claudia Sandberg, Senior Lecturer, Technology in Culture and Society, The University of Melbourne As we head into a new month of streaming, here’s a fresh wave of TV ready to challenge, transport and entertain you. This month’s picks span genre and geography, from an eerie dystopian Buenos
How Israel manufactured a looting crisis to cover up its Gaza famine By Muhammad Shehada Since the onset of its genocide, Israel has persistently pushed a narrative that the famine devastating Gaza is not of its own making, but the result of “Hamas looting aid”. This claim, repeated across mainstream media and parroted by officials, has been used to deflect responsibility for what many human rights experts
PNG faces deadline for fixing issues with money laundering and terrorist financing ANALYSIS: By Scott Waide, RNZ Pacific PNG correspondent Papua New Guinea has five months remaining to fix its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) systems or face the severe repercussions of being placed on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) “grey list”. The FATF has imposed an October 2025 deadline, and the government is scrambling
Phil Goff: Israel doesn’t care how many innocent people, children it’s killing COMMENTARY: By Phil Goff “What we are doing in Gaza now is a war of devastation: indiscriminate, limitless, cruel and criminal killing of civilians. It’s the result of government policy — knowingly, evilly, maliciously, irresponsibly dictated.” This statement was made not by a foreign or liberal critic of Israel but by the former Prime Minister
As we head into a new month of streaming, here’s a fresh wave of TV ready to challenge, transport and entertain you.
This month’s picks span genre and geography, from an eerie dystopian Buenos Aires, to a witty, awkward cyborg hero. Reality TV also gets a scandalous twist with the return of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. And Deaf President Now! delivers a powerful documentary on a historical milestone for Deaf rights.
There’s something for every kind of viewer — and every kind of mood.
The Eternaut
Netflix
Argentine sci-fi The Eternaut opens with a group of old friends in Buenos Aires meeting to play the card game truco on a hot summer night – when things suddenly get eerie.
The power goes out and a poisonous snowfall starts to blanket the city, killing thousands of people instantly. The survivors must get answers, quickly, as they start to grasp the true strength of their invisible enemy.
Based on Héctor Germán Oesterheld’s 1950s comic of the same name, The Eternaut portrays apocalypse through a deeply local and political lens – and in doing so has struck a chord in Argentina.
Directed by Bruno Stagnaro and led by Argentine film icon Ricardo Darín, as protagonist Juan Salvo, the series emphasises the power of collective heroism, and subtly critiques the current government’s uncompromising neoliberal approach.
It also pulses with national pride. Buenos Aires is not glamorized; real neighbourhoods are shown as classic Argentine tango, rock and folk plays in the background. Most importantly, Argentine identity is celebrated through themes of community spirit, grassroots resistance, and ingenuity in times of crisis.
The Eternaut feels both timely and timeless. Its slogan, “no one survives alone,” resonates for a country that has been long marked by both trauma and resistance efforts.
Its emotional weight is further deepened by Oesterheld’s legacy, including the tragic disappearance of him and his family members under the military rule of the 1970s.
With a second season on the way, this series is a powerful ode to Argentina.
Murderbot, Apple’s adaptation of Martha Wells’ science-fiction novella, All Systems Red (2017) is a satisfying combination of action, sci-fi and comedy. The show centres on a security unit (SecUnit) – an indentured private security cyborg – who secretly cracks the programming of its governing chip, granting itself autonomy.
Murderbot (Alexander Skarsgård), as it dubs itself, is both horrified and fascinated by humans. It’s far more afraid of eye contact, emotions and direct conversation than any physical danger. It’s also obsessed with mainlining media, particularly the ridiculous soap opera The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon.
Murderbot is hired, reluctantly, by some hippy scientists from a group of “freehold” planets – ones that exist outside the Corporation Rim – to act as protection on a scientific expedition. It goes quickly awry.
Wells’ award-winning novella, the first in an equally good series, limits us to the first-person perspective of the sarcastic cyborg. The series expands this frame beautifully, building on the source material’s dry humour to create a world that is both goofy and grounded.
And while there are serious themes at play, such as the way SecUnits are effectively enslaved, and the violent capitalist dominance of the Corporation Rim, the show is not heavy. Skarsgård offers a pitch-perfect performance of the awkward, anxious robot – its eyes flickering in horror as the scientists try to befriend it.
The opening minutes of the first episode are clumsy and on-the-nose, but ignore them. This otherwise well-designed and well-directed show cracks along with brisk, highly-entertaining 22-minute episodes.
– Erin Harrington
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, season two
Disney+
Season one of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives had us hooked at the end of 2024. Now, the women have returned for an explosive 10-episode second season.
The reality series follows a group of Mormon women living in Utah. While the title may have you anticipating stories of faith and motherhood, the show is more focused on the personal lives of Mormon mothers who rose to TikTok fame due to scandal and infamy.
Season one saw the women grapple with balancing traditional Mormon values with their online lives and subsequent businesses (along with the fallout from a “soft-swinging scandal”). Season two further highlights infidelity, jealously and money.
Old characters are brought back, with finger-pointing ex-husbands and former alienated friends adding to the fray. Police are called, insults are thrown and many of the women delve deeper into their pasts.
The show flips flops between difficult moments such as processing the death of loved ones and difficult pregnancies, with parties and poorly executed party games. At one point the women play pregnancy roulette (a game no one should recommend), and take pregnancy tests which are anonymously read out to the group. Chaos ensues.
And after watching, you can search for the TikTok accounts of the stars and watch new drama unfold in real-time – or watch them “correct” and expand on past situations based on their own perspectives – far removed from show’s editors.
– Edith Jennifer Hill
Deaf President Now!
Apple TV+
Deaf President Now! is a stirring documentary about an iconic student uprising at Gallaudet University, the world’s only Deaf university, in 1988. The film chronicles how Deaf students – tired of being led by hearing leadership – decided to take things in their own hands come the 1988 Gallaudet presidential election.
With two of the three candidates being Deaf, the appointment of Elisabeth Zinser, a hearing candidate unfamiliar with Deaf culture, sparked outrage. Fuelled by decades of marginalisation, the students barricaded campus gates, burned effigies of Zinser and marched to the Capitol, calling for Deaf leadership in Deaf spaces.
It worked. The protest forced Zinser’s resignation and ushered in Irving King Jordan, Gallaudet’s first Deaf president.
The film juxtaposes historic footage with present-day interviews with key leaders of the movement, allowing them to tell their stories their own way. These reflections, delivered in American Sign Language (ASL), underscore how storytelling itself can become an act of resistance for Deaf people.
At the same time, the documentary wrestles with a paradox. Co-directed by Deaf activist Nyle DiMarco and hearing filmmaker Davis Guggenheim, the film exemplifies how Deaf storytelling still often has hearing involvement, especially when the story is packaged for a mainstream audience.
Nevertheless, the release of Deaf President Now! couldn’t have been more timely. With disability rights in the United States threatened under Trump, the film is a call to action. It reminds us Deaf culture isn’t just about language: it’s about Pride, self-determination and visibility.
In Lorcan Finnegan’s The Surfer, our unnamed protagonist (Nicolas Cage) is returning to his former Australian home from the United States. He is newly divorced, and trying to buy a beachside property to win back his family.
He takes his teenage son (Finn Little) for a surf near the property, but they are run off by an unfriendly pack of locals.
Returning alone to the beachside car park to make some calls, he is besieged there by the same gang, and this continues over the next several days. The gang is led by a terrifying middle-aged Andrew Tate-esque influencer, Scally (Julian McMahon), who runs the beach like a combination of a frat bro party and wellness retreat.
It is impossible to think of an actor other than Cage who could make a character like this so enjoyable to watch. Cage’s distinctively American confidence has no resistance to the terrifying switches of Australian masculinity from friendly to teasing to violent.
The Surfer is an absolute blast. A lot of the fun is in anticipating each dreadful humiliation – and it somehow turning out worse than you could have expected.
The Surfer beautifully captures the natural surroundings, stunning views and shimmering heat of Australian coastal summer. At the same time, a confined, semi-urban feature like a beachside car park feels bleak and uninviting.
As a film setting, it is both a spectacular wide-open vista and stiflingly claustrophobic – a perfect mechanism for The Surfer’s psychological horror.
The story of serial killers, Fred and Rose West, has been highly narrativised since their shocking crimes were discovered in Gloucester in 1994. The horror of the Wests lies in the juxtaposition of their seemingly ordinary suburban family and what was hidden beneath the foundations of their home.
Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story takes us back to the moment of that revelation via previously unheard interview tapes and recordings of the property search – and of Rose while she was kept in a safe house. Family home videos add to the disturbing sense of the couple’s duplicity.
Interviews with the family of some of the victims emphasise the ongoing pain caused by the Wests, who preyed on vulnerable young women. Meanwhile, Fred’s interviews reinforce his determination to protect his wife: “I trained Rose to do what I wanted. That is why our marriage worked out so well.”
Many details of the Wests’ true horror, however, are absent: the incredible torture suffered by the victims; Fred and Rose’s own childhoods of abuse and Fred’s earlier assault of young girls, including his own sister; and any reference to the couple’s surviving children and the extraordinary abuse they suffered.
The horror of this new documentary is present in the couple’s habitual lies, their casual attitude to violence and murder, and their refusal to take responsibility for their many crimes. Yet it only scratches the surface of the Wests’ true horror story.
– Jessica Gildersleeve
The Four Seasons
Netflix
The Four Seasons follows three 50-something affluent couples as they holiday together over the course of a year.
Friends since college, the group’s easy camaraderie is upended by Nick’s (Steve Carroll) bombshell decision to leave his seemingly unsuspecting wife, Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver), after 25 years of marriage. The announcement sends shockwaves through the other couples, testing their own relationships.
Adapted from Alan Alda’s bittersweet 1981 comedy of the same name, the series preserves the film’s narrative conceit, unfolding over four seasonal mini trips. Episode one opens in full spring at Nick and Anne’s bucolic lake house.
Given the luxury on display, you’d be forgiven for mistaking The Four Seasons as another entry in the “rich-people-behaving-badly” genre. But while there’s plenty of quips and snarky humour, what unfolds is ultimately much kinder – less a scathing indictment of wealth and more a gentle exploration of the banalities of love and middle age.
The show’s creators make the most of the expanded running time to humanise the sextet. The open marriage between gregarious Italian Claude (Marco Calvini) and husband Danny (a marvellous Colman Domingo) updates the source material without sliding into tokenism or homonormativity.
The prickly Type-A Kate (Tina Fey) and peacekeeper Jack (Will Forte) provide the series’ beating heart, in a relationship that feels lived-in and familiar.
Despite its focus on ageing, loss, mortality and grief, The Four Seasons offers comfort viewing at its finest, best enjoyed with a cup of tea and a loved one who’s known you for decades.
– Rachel Williamson
Gemma King receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
Claudia Sandberg, Edith Jennifer Hill, Erin Harrington, Grace Russell, Jessica Gildersleeve, Rachel Williamson, Samuel Martin, and Sofya Gollan do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
“Bodyscape was inspired by a line my child left on the wall as she fell.”
— Kun-Yong Lee, contemporary artist
Should art make you think or feel? Is beauty created or discovered? These questions do not have easy answers. But for decades, artist Kun-Yong Lee has explored them head-on — quite literally with his body — in pursuit of an art that anyone can experience.
Starting today, June 2, a curated selection of 15 pieces from Lee’s works will be available on Samsung Art Store.1 Samsung Art Store is an art subscription service available on Samsung Art TVs including The Frame and QLEDs. Currently available in 117 countries around the world, Samsung Art Store offers over 3,500 pieces of art in 4K resolution from over 70 partners. To mark the occasion, Samsung Newsroom spoke with Lee about his artistic philosophy and what inspired this collaboration with Samsung.
Widely regarded as a major figure in contemporary Korean art, Lee has been at the forefront of the Korean avant-garde movement. He began gaining international recognition in the 1970s with notable appearances at the 8th Paris Biennale in 1973 and the 15th São Paulo Biennale in 1979. Over the years, he has been honored with numerous accolades such as the Grand Prize at the Lisbon International Show in 1979, the 8th Lee In-Sung Art Award in 2007 and the Order of Cultural Merit (Silver Crown) in 2022. Spanning drawing, painting, photography, installation and performance, Lee’s expansive practice explores the dynamic relationships between the body, the medium and the audience.
▲ “Bodyscape 76-3” (2022, Kun-Yong Lee)
The Sensory Nature of Art
Q: You are well known for your “Bodyscape” series. What roles do the body and movement play in your art?
The “Bodyscape” series was inspired by a moment when my young daughter, just learning to walk, stumbled while holding a crayon and ended up drawing a line on the wall as she fell. That moment sparked the idea that a work of art could be created without any intention to express a specific concept — simply by allowing the body to move naturally, without even looking at the canvas.
French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty argued that knowledge comes from sensory experience, not abstract reasoning. Similarly, Austrian linguistic philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein once said, “Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent”— critiquing the limits of philosophy grounded in conceptual language. I resonate with the idea that meaning arises not from language or rational thought but from the movement and sensation of the body. Artistic expression, then, is not merely a product of conscious intent — it is a way for the body to directly construct and respond to the world.
▲ Lee often positions himself behind the canvas or turns his back to it during his creative process.
That’s where my work diverges from traditional painting techniques. I dip my body or brush into paint and stretch my arms as far as they reach, adding line over line. Sometimes, I intentionally turn my back to the canvas. While traditional painting reflects what the artist consciously envisions, my work is shaped by the natural lines that emerge through repeated motion — lines defined by the structure and limited range of movement of my body.
Q: Your work often involves interacting with the audience. How does this interaction influence your art?
I’ve been involved in performance art since I was young. Audience interaction is essential, as performance is a medium that cannot exist without a live audience. When viewers watch the artist’s actions, they begin to wonder what the artist is doing or what will happen next. Every word spoken by the artist and every reaction from the audience become integral parts of the work itself.
“Art encourages us to see the world with greater curiosity — ultimately helping us lead more fulfilling lives.”
Q: What are your favorite pieces?
Among the “Bodyscape” series, I’m most partial to “Bodyscape 76-1,” “Bodyscape 76-2” and “Bodyscape 76-3.”
▲ (From left) “Bodyscape 76-1” (2022) and “Bodyscape 76-2” (2022)
“Bodyscape 76-1” and “Bodyscape 76-2” were created using methods entirely different from traditional painting. For “Bodyscape 76-1,” I stood behind a canvas roughly the height of my body and painted from behind and above — extending only my hands to draw lines. For “Bodyscape 76-2,” I painted with my back turned to the canvas. A new world emerged from a context where I couldn’t see what I was painting.
“Artistic expression is not merely a product of conscious intent — it is a way for the body to directly construct and respond to the world.”
“Bodyscape 76-3” represents an artistic world created solely through the movement of my left and right arms. Like “Bodyscape 76-2,” I stood in front of the canvas but did not face it directly. I positioned myself sideways and extended my right arm as far as it could reach to paint a line, then repeated the motion with my left. There was no fixed reference point — I simply painted within the limits of my reach. The curves drawn by each hand met at the bottom and crossed at the top, forming a heart-like shape. But I wasn’t intentionally drawing a heart — rather, I let the lines created by my body’s movement emerge naturally and accepted them as a central part of the artwork.
▲ Lee poses in front of “Bodyscape 76-2+3-2022” shown on a 114-inch Samsung MICRO LED at Art Basel Hong Kong 2025.
Corporeality is the most essential aspect of my work. This aligns with Merleau-Ponty’s idea that the body is a living subject of perception. Because this sense of corporeality is more apparent in the process than in the final result, I encourage first-time viewers to observe how the work is created.
Engaging the Public Through the Language of Art
Q: How do you define art?
Art shouldn’t belong exclusively to artists — anyone can enjoy, imitate and experience it.
“Audience interaction is essential, as performance cannot exist without an audience.”
In 2022, I experimented with digital interaction through a project titled “Digital Bodyscape 76-3.” Visitors could choose their preferred colors and styles, and an avatar of myself would create a digital version of “Bodyscape 76-3.”
At the 14th Gwangju Biennale in 2023, I invited visitors to experience “Bodyscape 76-3” by drawing lines with their own two arms in the exhibition hall. From young children to grandparents, anyone with a crayon could create a piece of art. There’s a deep sense of fulfillment when people see work they’ve made themselves. I would love to have more opportunities like this in the future —where technology not only deepens communication between artists and audiences, but also invites art lovers to take part in the process.
Q: What is the role of art in society?
In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, art offers us a chance to appreciate what we often take for granted, to find meaning in the process rather than just the outcome and to slow down and reflect. Art encourages us to see the world with greater curiosity — ultimately helping us lead more fulfilling lives.
▲ Unfazed by passing trends, Lee shared that “had to wait until his 80s to be acquire worldwide recognition” and is “grateful to his fan number one — his spouse — for bearing the times with him.”.
Samsung Art Store: Pushing the Boundaries of Art Experience
Q: Do you think experiential works can be effectively conveyed through a digital platform like Samsung Art Store?
Being able to conveniently view artworks through a Samsung Art TV is a wonderful opportunity for connection. Sitting comfortably in your living room with a cup of coffee, quietly engaging with an artist’s work — that is a deeply meaningful form of art appreciation. When I saw my work displayed on The Frame at Art Basel Hong Kong, I was truly amazed. In some ways, the emotion and energy of the pieces came through even more vividly than when viewing them in person. That’s the innovation of cutting-edge technology.
“Quietly engaging with an artist’s work over a cup of coffee, at the comfort of your living room sofa — that is a deeply meaningful form of art appreciation.”
What’s more, I believe Samsung Art TVs can overcome the limitations of purely visual artwork. Performance pieces can be experienced with sound and video, while conceptual works can be paired with artist commentary to support deeper understanding. It’s an incredible opportunity for artists. I hope more people will be able to access and enjoy art through Samsung Art Store — an invitation to see the world through an artist’s perspective.
▲ Lee believes that art is for everyone, not just the artists.
Beyond Art: Next Steps
Q: Do you have any advice you’d like to share with younger artists?
Since I was young, I’ve steadily followed my own path — without hesitation or compromise — and time has brought me to where I am today. Although I often felt skeptical about following trends, which are ever-changing. In the end, what matters most is the passion to pursue your own art.
As artists, I believe it is enough to respond sincerely to the spirit of our time, remain true to the present and not be swayed by passing fads.
Samsung Art Store is an art subscription service available on Samsung Art TVs including The Frame and QLEDs. Currently available in 117 countries around the world, Samsung Art Store offers over 70 partners and 3,500 artworks in 4K quality. Through Samsung Art Store, subscribers can enjoy artworks from world-class galleries and masters at home and use it to create new interiors every day.
1 Art Store subscription and Samsung Account required to access full selection of artwork.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in the awarding of the winners of the 1st All-Russian Prize “Conversations about the Important”
June 1, 2025
Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in the awarding of the winners of the 1st All-Russian Prize “Conversations about the Important”
June 1, 2025
Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in the awarding of the winners of the 1st All-Russian Prize “Conversations about the Important”
June 1, 2025
Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in the awarding of the winners of the 1st All-Russian Prize “Conversations about the Important”
June 1, 2025
Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov took part in the awarding of the winners of the 1st All-Russian Prize “Conversations about the Important”
June 1, 2025
First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration Sergei Kiriyenko took part in the awarding of the winners of the 1st All-Russian Prize “Conversations about the Important”
June 1, 2025
Award ceremony for the winners of the 1st All-Russian Prize “Conversations about the Important” within the framework of the festival “Movement of the First”
June 1, 2025
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Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in the awarding of the winners of the 1st All-Russian Prize “Conversations about the Important”
On Children’s Day, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration Sergei Kiriyenko and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko awarded the winners of the 1st All-Russian Prize “Conversations about the Important”.
The event became the central event of Children’s Day at the “Movement of the First” festival, which was held at VDNKh. The award is held based on the results of the 2024/2025 academic year and emphasizes the significance and effectiveness of the “Conversations about the Important” project as an effective tool for educating the younger generation.
Sergei Kirienko welcomed the guests and noted the project’s influence on the formation of the educational space in Russia.
“The sense of pride with which the children relate to the Russian flag, to the Russian anthem, is the result of the enormous work of educators, teachers, mentors, educational advisers, mentors of the “Movement of the First”, thanks to the “Conversations about the Important” team and those people who, despite their busy schedules, get involved in the project. The “Conversations about the Important” are attended by the heads of the Government, the Federal Assembly, ministers, heads of the largest corporations, outstanding scientists who drop everything and truly believe that there is nothing more important than to pass on their conviction, their faith to the younger generation,” noted Sergei Kiriyenko.
The First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration also presented an award to one of the winners in the nomination “Best Interview of the Year” – Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation, President of the Research Institute of Emergency Children’s Surgery and Traumatology, surgeon Leonid Roshal. He was chosen by teachers in a public vote.
Dmitry Chernyshenko thanked Sergey Kiriyenko for the educational platform – the Atom pavilion and presented awards to the winners in the nomination “Best Interview of the Year”. They were chosen by parents during a public vote. The awards were received by the author of a documentary film about the Kursk region Maxim Anufriev, primary school teacher Kristina Chokheli, agricultural inventor Nikita Tolstov and Honored Doctor of Russia Viktor Belinsky.
“Thank you to our President Vladimir Putin, who gives such incredible people the opportunity to realize their talents. In this difficult genre of interview, the interviewer’s skill determines how much the interlocutor will open up. People participating in “Conversations about the Important” certainly tell our children very important things. And the one who won today, according to the parents, did it better than anyone else this year,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
The ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov, the Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut, the head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) Grigory Gurov, Hero of Russia, Chairman of the Board of the “Movement of the First” Artur Orlov.
“The “Conversations about the Important” classes are held first and foremost for our children. Today we see on stage the heroes who made this project so successful. Thanks to you and teachers all over Russia, our children are proud of their country. This is very important. Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank the teachers, directors’ advisors on education, who conduct “Conversations about the Important”, recognizing their enormous value and passing it on to the students. I propose making the “Conversations about the Important” award an annual one and celebrating it every June 1,” said Sergey Kravtsov.
The “Movement of the First” festival is held in all 89 regions from May 31 to June 1 and is dedicated to International Children’s Day. The central venue was VDNKh in Moscow. Over the course of two days, the event became the main space for childhood and youth for the entire country. Here, children and adults see real opportunities for young people in Russia, get acquainted with the values of the “Movement of the First”, and communicate with experts and famous speakers.
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.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Telecare users and their loved ones across the UK urged to speak to telecoms providers ahead of switch to digital landlines
The 2 million vulnerable people who rely on lifesaving telecare alarms to call for help have today been urged to get in touch with their landline providers so companies can provide additional support for them during the switch to digital landlines.
Telecare users and their loved ones urged to speak to telecoms providers ahead of switch to digital landlines.
Users of lifesaving alarms encouraged to call their providers to access additional free support with the switchover from copper to digital landlines
During the switchover, telecoms companies will send engineers to help customers and test connections of telecare alarms used by 2 million nationwide
Comes as BT and Virgin Media launch national awareness campaign, supported by the UK government, to ensure no one gets overlooked during vital digital migration
The switch from analogue to digital landlines is being rolled out across the country as copper networks become increasingly unreliable and spare parts are no longer available.
Putting safety at the centre of the switchover, landline companies will send an engineer to carry out the switchover and personally test the telecare alarm, ensuring it continues to work once a household has moved onto the digital network.
Landline providers will also offer vulnerable customers a free battery back-up device so their landline can continue working in an outage.
It comes as a major new campaign funded by BT and Virgin Media and backed by the UK government launches today (Monday 2 June), urging the millions of telecare users in the UK– typically elderly and disabled people – as well as their support network to identify themselves so nobody gets overlooked.
Many local authorities and private telecare operators have already signed data sharing agreements with landline providers to ensure that as many telecare users have been identified as possible. With over two thirds of landlines already migrated, the campaign is the final layer of protection to identify any additional users.
Following a fall last year, Ann, who is in her 90s and from Stockport, became reliant on her telecare device. She is backing the campaign after her provider successfully migrated her landline last year.
Ann said:
The visit with the engineer was most enjoyable and very smooth, they handled everything for me. It’s left me feeling more reassured and confident. It’s also given my daughter Vickey peace of mind, knowing that if I need support, my pendant will work as it should. I’d encourage other people like me who rely on a personal alarm to get in touch with their landline provider for support.
Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:
We cannot afford to leave anyone behind during the vital transition to digital landlines.
I have personally set a strict checklist of safeguards for industry to comply with before they migrate any telecare user.
This industry-led campaign marks a further step towards keeping people safe as we boost the resilience of our networks for the digital age.
I urge anyone with a telecare alarm – or anyone close to a user of a telecare alarm – to pick up the phone and contact their provider to access the help that’s available.
Since 2017, UK operators have been carrying out work to retire the decades old copper home phone network and move customers to digital landline services ahead of the analogue switch-off. Analogue landlines are reaching end of service life, becoming increasingly unreliable and spare parts are no longer available. Recent Ofcom data reveals faults rates substantially increased by 45% in 2024.
The campaign launched today and builds on the voluntary industry charter signed by BT, Virgin Media and other providers and the checklist agreed in November 2024. The checklist commits providers to complete a strict checklist of safeguards before transferring customers from old analogue phone lines onto a digital network, reducing the risk of them being disconnected during the migration. This includes engineer visits and issuing battery backups.
Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, said:
Patient safety is our priority and by supporting this campaign we are making sure that no-one will be put at risk by having to use unreliable devices.
We are working with communication providers who are delivering the digital phone switchover to make sure no-one falls through the cracks. BT and VMO2 are offering free advice as well as supported installations for vulnerable people.
Modernising our telecoms infrastructure will make a world of difference for millions of people and help guarantee their safety.
Claire Gillies, BT Group’s Consumer CEO, said:
Moving customers onto newer digital services is a necessary step as the reliability of the 40-year-old analogue landline technology is increasingly fragile – therefore the time to act is now.
The Digital Switchover project requires team collaboration, so we’ve been working hard with industry partners and are really pleased to have the support of government in helping us raise awareness and drive action. It’s incredibly important that nobody gets left behind, and we encourage telecare users and their carers to contact their provider to ensure a smooth switch.
Rob Orr, Chief Operations Officer at Virgin Media O2, said:
This major new campaign marks a significant moment where 2 industry leaders have come together to raise awareness of the digital landline switchover.
With traditional analogue landlines becoming less and less reliable, the programme is essential step to safeguard services for the future. Inaction would mean putting services at risk.
Our message is clear: if you or someone you know use a telecare alarm, pick up the phone and talk to your provider. Let us know, and we’ll support you every step of the way.
Amy Low, CEO at AbilityNet, said:
As a charity our core aim is empowering older and disabled people to use technology, so we’re fully behind this campaign which will raise further awareness to the most vulnerable, as well as their carers, with an urgent message to act.
With the digital switchover happening it has never been more important that they contact their provider who can offer tailored support and in-home assistance to ensure everything goes to plan.
Matthew Evans, Director for Markets and Chief Operating Officer at techUK, said:
As the current PSTN system becomes increasingly unreliable – with faults rising 45% in 2024 – we need to ensure a swift transition to a digital network fit for the future.
With many other countries and many millions of UK households having already completed the migration, it is essential to raise awareness and complete this move. We are proud to support VMO2 and BT as well as the UK government as they establish this important campaign and we look forward to continuing to work with the telecoms sector and other parties to ensure the delivery of a safe and sustainable switch.
Alyson Scurfield, chief executive of telecare advisory body, TSA said:
Landline phone lines are switching to digital, which could stop telecare alarms working. However, many people, families and carers just aren’t aware of the impact this could have on life-saving telecare. That’s why TSA is supporting this incredibly important national campaign. If you or someone you know uses a telecare alarm, then please call your landline provider. They will make sure your alarm keeps working through the switchover. Please help us spread this message far and wide.
From today, adverts will appear across TV, newspapers, social media and select radio stations around the country running over the next few months to ensure widespread reach. This is coupled with newly created posters which will be on display in GP surgeries, hospitals, pharmacies and post offices.
The campaign has been created following extensive research with telecare users and their carers, as well as charities, to ensure the messaging is suitable for healthcare alarm users. The advertising campaign is expected to be seen by 95% of all adults in the UK, including 98% of those over 65.
In 2023, BT and Virgin Media (and other major communication providers) voluntarily signed up to the government’s Public Switched Telephone Network charter to protect vulnerable people when they are moved onto digital services. In November 2024 the major communication providers agreed a checklist of specific safeguards to protect people during the migration.
Since then, both companies, which together make up the vast majority of landline users in the UK, have worked with Ofcom, government and charities to improve their policies and processes. They have developed comprehensive support measures to support vulnerable customers including providing free of charge battery backup solutions to provide connectivity during power outages.
To find out more about the support available, customers of all major providers can easily find contact information on the newly created digital landline website: www.digitalphoneswitchover.com.
BT and Virgin Media landline customers can call on 150 from their home phone.
As we head into a new month of streaming, here’s a fresh wave of TV ready to challenge, transport and entertain you.
This month’s picks span genre and geography, from an eerie dystopian Buenos Aires, to a witty, awkward cyborg hero. Reality TV also gets a scandalous twist with the return of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. And Deaf President Now! delivers a powerful documentary on a historical milestone for Deaf rights.
There’s something for every kind of viewer — and every kind of mood.
The Eternaut
Netflix
Argentine sci-fi The Eternaut opens with a group of old friends in Buenos Aires meeting to play the card game truco on a hot summer night – when things suddenly get eerie.
The power goes out and a poisonous snowfall starts to blanket the city, killing thousands of people instantly. The survivors must get answers, quickly, as they start to grasp the true strength of their invisible enemy.
Based on Héctor Germán Oesterheld’s 1950s comic of the same name, The Eternaut portrays apocalypse through a deeply local and political lens – and in doing so has struck a chord in Argentina.
Directed by Bruno Stagnaro and led by Argentine film icon Ricardo Darín, as protagonist Juan Salvo, the series emphasises the power of collective heroism, and subtly critiques the current government’s uncompromising neoliberal approach.
It also pulses with national pride. Buenos Aires is not glamorized; real neighbourhoods are shown as classic Argentine tango, rock and folk plays in the background. Most importantly, Argentine identity is celebrated through themes of community spirit, grassroots resistance, and ingenuity in times of crisis.
The Eternaut feels both timely and timeless. Its slogan, “no one survives alone,” resonates for a country that has been long marked by both trauma and resistance efforts.
Its emotional weight is further deepened by Oesterheld’s legacy, including the tragic disappearance of him and his family members under the military rule of the 1970s.
With a second season on the way, this series is a powerful ode to Argentina.
Murderbot, Apple’s adaptation of Martha Wells’ science-fiction novella, All Systems Red (2017) is a satisfying combination of action, sci-fi and comedy. The show centres on a security unit (SecUnit) – an indentured private security cyborg – who secretly cracks the programming of its governing chip, granting itself autonomy.
Murderbot (Alexander Skarsgård), as it dubs itself, is both horrified and fascinated by humans. It’s far more afraid of eye contact, emotions and direct conversation than any physical danger. It’s also obsessed with mainlining media, particularly the ridiculous soap opera The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon.
Murderbot is hired, reluctantly, by some hippy scientists from a group of “freehold” planets – ones that exist outside the Corporation Rim – to act as protection on a scientific expedition. It goes quickly awry.
Wells’ award-winning novella, the first in an equally good series, limits us to the first-person perspective of the sarcastic cyborg. The series expands this frame beautifully, building on the source material’s dry humour to create a world that is both goofy and grounded.
And while there are serious themes at play, such as the way SecUnits are effectively enslaved, and the violent capitalist dominance of the Corporation Rim, the show is not heavy. Skarsgård offers a pitch-perfect performance of the awkward, anxious robot – its eyes flickering in horror as the scientists try to befriend it.
The opening minutes of the first episode are clumsy and on-the-nose, but ignore them. This otherwise well-designed and well-directed show cracks along with brisk, highly-entertaining 22-minute episodes.
– Erin Harrington
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, season two
Disney+
Season one of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives had us hooked at the end of 2024. Now, the women have returned for an explosive 10-episode second season.
The reality series follows a group of Mormon women living in Utah. While the title may have you anticipating stories of faith and motherhood, the show is more focused on the personal lives of Mormon mothers who rose to TikTok fame due to scandal and infamy.
Season one saw the women grapple with balancing traditional Mormon values with their online lives and subsequent businesses (along with the fallout from a “soft-swinging scandal”). Season two further highlights infidelity, jealously and money.
Old characters are brought back, with finger-pointing ex-husbands and former alienated friends adding to the fray. Police are called, insults are thrown and many of the women delve deeper into their pasts.
The show flips flops between difficult moments such as processing the death of loved ones and difficult pregnancies, with parties and poorly executed party games. At one point the women play pregnancy roulette (a game no one should recommend), and take pregnancy tests which are anonymously read out to the group. Chaos ensues.
And after watching, you can search for the TikTok accounts of the stars and watch new drama unfold in real-time – or watch them “correct” and expand on past situations based on their own perspectives – far removed from show’s editors.
– Edith Jennifer Hill
Deaf President Now!
Apple TV+
Deaf President Now! is a stirring documentary about an iconic student uprising at Gallaudet University, the world’s only Deaf university, in 1988. The film chronicles how Deaf students – tired of being led by hearing leadership – decided to take things in their own hands come the 1988 Gallaudet presidential election.
With two of the three candidates being Deaf, the appointment of Elisabeth Zinser, a hearing candidate unfamiliar with Deaf culture, sparked outrage. Fuelled by decades of marginalisation, the students barricaded campus gates, burned effigies of Zinser and marched to the Capitol, calling for Deaf leadership in Deaf spaces.
It worked. The protest forced Zinser’s resignation and ushered in Irving King Jordan, Gallaudet’s first Deaf president.
The film juxtaposes historic footage with present-day interviews with key leaders of the movement, allowing them to tell their stories their own way. These reflections, delivered in American Sign Language (ASL), underscore how storytelling itself can become an act of resistance for Deaf people.
At the same time, the documentary wrestles with a paradox. Co-directed by Deaf activist Nyle DiMarco and hearing filmmaker Davis Guggenheim, the film exemplifies how Deaf storytelling still often has hearing involvement, especially when the story is packaged for a mainstream audience.
Nevertheless, the release of Deaf President Now! couldn’t have been more timely. With disability rights in the United States threatened under Trump, the film is a call to action. It reminds us Deaf culture isn’t just about language: it’s about Pride, self-determination and visibility.
In Lorcan Finnegan’s The Surfer, our unnamed protagonist (Nicolas Cage) is returning to his former Australian home from the United States. He is newly divorced, and trying to buy a beachside property to win back his family.
He takes his teenage son (Finn Little) for a surf near the property, but they are run off by an unfriendly pack of locals.
Returning alone to the beachside car park to make some calls, he is besieged there by the same gang, and this continues over the next several days. The gang is led by a terrifying middle-aged Andrew Tate-esque influencer, Scally (Julian McMahon), who runs the beach like a combination of a frat bro party and wellness retreat.
It is impossible to think of an actor other than Cage who could make a character like this so enjoyable to watch. Cage’s distinctively American confidence has no resistance to the terrifying switches of Australian masculinity from friendly to teasing to violent.
The Surfer is an absolute blast. A lot of the fun is in anticipating each dreadful humiliation – and it somehow turning out worse than you could have expected.
The Surfer beautifully captures the natural surroundings, stunning views and shimmering heat of Australian coastal summer. At the same time, a confined, semi-urban feature like a beachside car park feels bleak and uninviting.
As a film setting, it is both a spectacular wide-open vista and stiflingly claustrophobic – a perfect mechanism for The Surfer’s psychological horror.
The story of serial killers, Fred and Rose West, has been highly narrativised since their shocking crimes were discovered in Gloucester in 1994. The horror of the Wests lies in the juxtaposition of their seemingly ordinary suburban family and what was hidden beneath the foundations of their home.
Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story takes us back to the moment of that revelation via previously unheard interview tapes and recordings of the property search – and of Rose while she was kept in a safe house. Family home videos add to the disturbing sense of the couple’s duplicity.
Interviews with the family of some of the victims emphasise the ongoing pain caused by the Wests, who preyed on vulnerable young women. Meanwhile, Fred’s interviews reinforce his determination to protect his wife: “I trained Rose to do what I wanted. That is why our marriage worked out so well.”
Many details of the Wests’ true horror, however, are absent: the incredible torture suffered by the victims; Fred and Rose’s own childhoods of abuse and Fred’s earlier assault of young girls, including his own sister; and any reference to the couple’s surviving children and the extraordinary abuse they suffered.
The horror of this new documentary is present in the couple’s habitual lies, their casual attitude to violence and murder, and their refusal to take responsibility for their many crimes. Yet it only scratches the surface of the Wests’ true horror story.
– Jessica Gildersleeve
The Four Seasons
Netflix
The Four Seasons follows three 50-something affluent couples as they holiday together over the course of a year.
Friends since college, the group’s easy camaraderie is upended by Nick’s (Steve Carroll) bombshell decision to leave his seemingly unsuspecting wife, Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver), after 25 years of marriage. The announcement sends shockwaves through the other couples, testing their own relationships.
Adapted from Alan Alda’s bittersweet 1981 comedy of the same name, the series preserves the film’s narrative conceit, unfolding over four seasonal mini trips. Episode one opens in full spring at Nick and Anne’s bucolic lake house.
Given the luxury on display, you’d be forgiven for mistaking The Four Seasons as another entry in the “rich-people-behaving-badly” genre. But while there’s plenty of quips and snarky humour, what unfolds is ultimately much kinder – less a scathing indictment of wealth and more a gentle exploration of the banalities of love and middle age.
The show’s creators make the most of the expanded running time to humanise the sextet. The open marriage between gregarious Italian Claude (Marco Calvini) and husband Danny (a marvellous Colman Domingo) updates the source material without sliding into tokenism or homonormativity.
The prickly Type-A Kate (Tina Fey) and peacekeeper Jack (Will Forte) provide the series’ beating heart, in a relationship that feels lived-in and familiar.
Despite its focus on ageing, loss, mortality and grief, The Four Seasons offers comfort viewing at its finest, best enjoyed with a cup of tea and a loved one who’s known you for decades.
– Rachel Williamson
Gemma King receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
Claudia Sandberg, Edith Jennifer Hill, Erin Harrington, Grace Russell, Jessica Gildersleeve, Rachel Williamson, Samuel Martin, and Sofya Gollan do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
In June, we celebrate Italian Heritage Month. People of Italian descent have been in Canada since the 1880s and are an integral part of our society, making it more dynamic.
Our country’s first Italian community numbered around 2,000 people at the end of the 19th century. In the 2021 census, more than 1.5 million people claimed Italian origins. Home to one of the largest Italian diasporas in the world, Canada is proud of this community’s vibrant, shared culture. For generations, people of Italian descent have enriched Canadian society, thanks in part to the Little Italy neighbourhoods in many major Canadian cities that have helped make our country more diverse and more open to the world.
The contributions made by people of Italian descent don’t stop at the gates of these neighbourhoods. They have also made notable impacts in finance, politics, cuisine, music, entrepreneurship, education, science and many other fields.
Italian Heritage Month is a time to recognize the rich culture and traditions of Italian Canadians and to celebrate the spirit of community that brings us together. Let’s take this opportunity to come together and learn about the heritage of our neighbours of Italian ancestry!
NEW YORK CITY, June 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Software Experts has recognized Moz as the Best SEO Tool of June 2025, highlighting the platform’s continued leadership in delivering accessible, data-driven tools for modern SEO strategy. The recognition comes amid growing demand from businesses and agencies for solutions that can navigate the increasingly complex landscape of search engine optimization.
Best SEO Tool
Moz – provides SEO software that helps marketers, agencies, and brands improve their visibility in search engines through tools grounded in data, research, and usability.
Moz’s flagship product, Moz Pro, stood out in the rankings for its breadth of features and clarity in execution. In a space crowded with overcomplicated platforms and fragmented toolkits, Moz Pro offers a consolidated experience that brings together keyword research, rank tracking, technical audits, and competitive insights in one centralized platform.
Built specifically for marketers aiming to generate leads and increase conversions, Moz Pro focuses on delivering actionable insights rather than vanity metrics. The software helps users understand their audiences, prioritize keyword opportunities, and optimize website performance in a way that aligns with long-term business goals.
As SEO continues to evolve, digital marketers are under increasing pressure to make smarter decisions in shorter time frames. Search engine algorithms are more dynamic than ever, with regular updates that shift how pages are ranked and how visibility is earned. In response, companies are seeking SEO platforms that not only provide data, but also translate that data into strategic direction. Moz Pro addresses this need with a suite of AI-powered tools that streamline core tasks while offering nuanced insights.
Among the platform’s standout features is the Keyword Explorer, which enables users to discover new keyword opportunities, filter by difficulty and relevance, and plan content that aligns with search intent. The Keyword Suggestions tool helps teams save time by surfacing relevant alternatives based on search behavior patterns and industry trends. Search Intent data allows marketers to align content more effectively with what users are looking for, improving relevance and conversion potential.
Another valuable set of metrics includes Moz’s proprietary Domain Authority, Page Authority, and Brand Authority scores, which offer a comprehensive view of how a site is performing across key SEO dimensions. This helps pinpoint areas of strength and weakness, making it easier to allocate resources where they will have the most impact. Meanwhile, the Competitive Research and SERP Analysis tools provide deeper context into how a brand stacks up against key rivals in real time.
For agencies managing multiple clients or campaigns, Moz Pro offers the scalability and structure needed to deliver high-quality service at scale. The software’s reporting tools and dashboard design allow for clear communication of performance metrics and progress, supporting client transparency and long-term engagement.
While Moz Pro leads the platform’s commercial offerings, Moz also provides a range of free SEO tools that have become widely used among small businesses, freelancers, and educators. These include the Domain Authority Checker, Keyword Explorer (limited version), and Link Explorer. The platform’s Chrome extension, MozBar, brings key metrics directly into the browser, enabling quick, on-the-fly analysis of any page.
Moz’s value also lies in its commitment to education. Beyond its resource library and blog, Moz offers structured training through Moz Academy, which provides certifications and expert-led courses to help users master SEO concepts and stay current with industry shifts. For many, Moz serves not only as a software provider but also as a trusted educational partner in navigating the ever-evolving world of organic search.
The recognition from Software Experts comes at a time when SEO is a priority investment area for businesses across sectors. As competition in digital marketing intensifies, platforms like Moz that emphasize clarity, usability, and reliable data are increasingly favored by professionals looking for long-term, sustainable growth.
For teams seeking to consolidate their SEO efforts into one comprehensive platform, Moz offers a well-established alternative that balances simplicity with depth. The combination of AI-powered insights, intuitive user experience, and continuous product development positions Moz Pro as a practical tool for marketers and agencies looking to scale their digital presence.
Moz offers subscription plans that cater to a wide range of needs. Moz Pro starts at $49 per month, while Moz Local, tailored for businesses with physical locations, starts at $16 per month. For high-volume tracking and enterprise-grade needs, STAT offers daily rank tracking and segmentation tools, beginning at $720 per month. Developers and data teams can also leverage the Moz API, which starts at $5 and enables scalable custom applications powered by Moz’s SEO dataset.
Moz is an authority in online search with powerful SEO and Local Search platforms to help marketers improve the position of their brands, business locations, and competitive rank in search results. Moz’s platforms are powered by world-class quality data, both robust and fresh enough to serve as the foundation upon which critical business decisions are made. For both large enterprises looking to gain an edge in the increasingly complex and ever-changing world of search or agencies seeking an SEO platform to accelerate client growth, Moz has a solution. To learn more, visit moz.com.
About Software Experts: Software Experts provides news and reviews of consumer products and services. As an affiliate, Software Experts may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Attention TV/radio announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 1) that Sheung Shui Swimming Pool in the North District has been temporarily closed for cleaning and superchlorination following the discovery of a small amount of vomit in the pool.
It will be reopened at 8.30pm today.
The department appeals to swimmers to be considerate and to keep the swimming pools clean. They are advised not to swim after a full meal and should use the toilet facilities if necessary before swimming.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Moscow, June 1 /Xinhua/ – Bryansk Region Governor Alexander Bogomaz announced on the Rossiya 24 TV channel that a bridge was blown up while a train was moving.
“There was an explosion on the bridge on the highway while the train was moving, which had 388 passengers,” A. Bogomaz said on air.
On Sunday night, a bridge collapsed in the Vygonichsky District of the Bryansk Region. Due to the collapse of the span structure of the automobile bridge as a result of illegal interference in transport activities, the locomotive and carriages of passenger train number 86 on the Klimov-Moscow route derailed.
The regional governor had previously reported seven deaths and 66 injuries. A reserve train has been assigned to transport passengers of train number 86 Klimov-Moscow. –0–
Winter is a great time to stay at home on the couch, but we all need to get out and about sometimes! Save money when dining out and find some local meal deals.
Cuddling up on the lounge with a good book and a cup of tea is one of the best things about winter.
If you have a long list of books to get through, why not become a Libraries ACT member and borrow them for free? You can even borrow eBooks and audiobooks.