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Category: Entertainment

  • MIL-OSI: Carronade Capital Files Preliminary Proxy Statement for Cannae Holdings 2025 Annual Meeting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Underscores Critical Need to Establish Accountability and Independence on the Board

    Outlines Attributes of Carronade’s Four Independent and Highly Qualified Director Nominees and Why They Are Best-Suited to Create Value

    DARIEN, Conn., April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Carronade Capital Master, LP (together with its affiliates, “Carronade Capital”, “our” or “we”), which beneficially owns approximately 3.1 million shares of Common Stock of Cannae Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNNE) (“Cannae” or the “Company”) and is one of the Company’s top five shareholders, today filed a preliminary proxy statement in connection with its nomination of four independent and highly qualified candidates for election to the Cannae Board of Directors (the “Board”) at the upcoming 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”).

    Carronade also commented on Cannae’s recent announcements:

    “Cannae’s recent actions following our engagement are too little, too late, and do not go nearly far enough to rectify chronic underperformance, egregious corporate governance, and in our view, unfair benefits and severance payouts granted to Bill Foley with the blessing of his handpicked and intertwined Board. Promising to return a portion of shareholder funds to their rightful owners over an undetermined period of time and transitioning to annual director elections over a multi-year period are woefully insufficient to rectify the serious issues that we believe are plaguing Cannae under the oversight (or lack thereof) of such an entrenched, crony Board. Notably, the Board outrageously bettered Foley’s already offensive exit package amidst settlement discussions, guaranteeing him a cash buyout for half his shares at a premium to market if he resigns for “good reason”, including if any director not supported by Foley is elected to the Board. Cannae shareholders deserve better.

    “We believe Cannae’s recent statements about its future plans are insufficient to unlock the value of the portfolio and eliminate the ongoing, significant discount to NAV. Cannae’s previous attempts to close the discount to NAV have failed because we believe the market lacks confidence that this beholden Board will safeguard shareholder assets instead of further enriching management and themselves. The Board’s continuing conduct is clear evidence that new, truly independent directors such as Carronade’s nominees are needed to address the many deficiencies on display and re-direct Cannae toward meaningful change, enabling value creation for all shareholders.”

    Carronade has nominated four highly qualified candidates – Mona Aboelnaga, Benjamin Duster, Dennis Prieto and Cherie Schaible – each of whom possess the specific expertise and knowhow to pursue achievable value creative initiatives, which we believe will facilitate Cannae’s strategic transformation, turn around Cannae’s chronic underperformance, and drive shareholder value. Importantly, all of Carronade’s nominees are truly independent and will bring a renewed sense of shareholder accountability to Cannae’s board, working not for Mr. Foley, but instead for the true owners of Cannae – the shareholders.

    If elected, we believe Carronade’s nominees will be instrumental in unlocking substantial value for shareholders and restoring shareholder confidence through several value creation initiatives, including:

    • Committing to a certain and timely return of meaningfully more capital to shareholders through spin outs or substantial buybacks and providing a clear investment narrative to shareholders;
    • Refreshing the leadership of the Affiliate Transaction Committee and the Nomination and Governance Committee with the four new nominees, and creating a Value Maximization committee tasked with the formulation and oversight of successful execution of a plan designed to improve shareholder returns; and
    • Implementing a corporate overhead cost reduction program and converting the Trasimene Capital Management termination fee into performance-based, vesting stock compensation.

    Carronade looks forward to engaging with shareholders and expects the 2025 Annual Meeting to occur around mid-June 2025 consistent with prior meetings. Shareholders do not need to take any action at this time.

    About Carronade Capital
    Carronade Capital is a multi-strategy investment firm based in Connecticut with over $2.2 billion in assets under management that focuses on process driven investments in catalyst-rich situations. Carronade Capital was founded in 2019 by industry veteran Dan Gropper and is based in Darien, Connecticut. The Funds managed by Carronade Capital were launched on July 1, 2020, and the firm employs 15 team members. Dan Gropper brings with him nearly three decades of special situations credit experience serving in senior roles at distinguished investment firms, including Elliott Management Corporation, Fortress Investment Group and Aurelius Capital Management, LP.

    Media Contact:
    Paul Caminiti / Jacqueline Zuhse
    Reevemark
    (212) 433-4600
    Carronade@reevemark.com

    Investor Contact:
    Andy Taylor / Win Rollins
    Carronade Capital Management, LP
    (203) 485-0880
    ir@carronade.com

    Pat McHugh
    Okapi Partners LLC
    (212) 297-0720
    info@okapipartners.com

    Disclaimers

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein in any state to any person. This press release does not recommend the purchase or sale of a security. There is no assurance or guarantee with respect to the prices at which any securities of Cannae Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) will trade, and such securities may not trade at prices that may be implied herein. In addition, this press release and the discussions and opinions herein are for general information only, and are not intended to provide financial, legal or investment advice. Each shareholder of the Company should independently evaluate the proxy materials and make a decision that aligns with their own financial interests, consulting with their own advisers, as necessary.

    This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and may include projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product development and potential, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “plans”, “will be” and similar expressions. Although Carronade Capital and its affiliates believe that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties—many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of Carronade or the Company—that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. In addition, the foregoing considerations and any other publicly stated risks and uncertainties should be read in conjunction with the risks and cautionary statements discussed or identified in the Company’s public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including those listed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q . The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and, other than as required by applicable law, Carronade does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements. Certain information included in this press release is based on data obtained from sources considered to be reliable. Any analyses provided herein is intended to assist the reader in evaluating the matters described herein and may be based on subjective assessments and assumptions and may use one among alternative methodologies that produce different results. Accordingly, any analyses should not be viewed as factual and should not be relied upon as an accurate prediction of future results. All figures are estimates and, unless required by law, are subject to revision without notice.

    Certain of the funds(s) and/or account(s) (“Accounts”) managed by Carronade Capital Management, LP (“Carronade Capital Management”) currently beneficially own shares of the Company. Carronade Capital Management in the business of trading (i.e., buying and selling) securities and intends to continue trading in the securities of the Company. You should assume the Accounts will from time to time sell all or a portion of its holdings of the Company in open market transactions or otherwise, buy additional shares (in open market or privately negotiated transactions or otherwise), or trade in options, puts, calls, swaps or other derivative instruments relating to such shares. Consequently, Carronade Capital Management’s beneficial ownership of shares of, and/or economic interest in, the Company may vary over time depending on various factors, with or without regard to Carronade Capital Management’s views of the Company’s business, prospects, or valuation (including the market price of the Company’s shares), including, without limitation, other investment opportunities available to Carronade Capital Management, concentration of positions in the portfolios managed by Carronade Capital Management, conditions in the securities markets, and general economic and industry conditions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event of a change in the Company’s share price on or following the date hereof, Carronade Capital Management may buy additional shares or sell all or a portion of its Account’s holdings of the Company (including, in each case, by trading in options, puts, calls, swaps, or other derivative instruments relating to the Company’s shares). Carronade Capital Management also reserves the right to change the opinions expressed herein and its intentions with respect to its investment in the Company, and to take any actions with respect to its investment in the Company as it may deem appropriate, and disclaims any obligation to notify the market or any other party of any such changes or actions, except as required by law.

    Certain Information Concerning the Participants

    Carronade Capital Master, LP, together with the other participants named herein (collectively, “Carronade Capital”), has filed a preliminary proxy statement and accompanying GOLD proxy card with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to be used to solicit votes for the election of Carronade Capital’s highly-qualified director nominees at the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company.

    CARRONADE CAPITAL STRONGLY ADVISES ALL STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER PROXY MATERIALS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. SUCH PROXY MATERIALS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ON THE SEC’S WEB SITE AT HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. IN ADDITION, THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROXY SOLICITATION WILL PROVIDE COPIES OF THE PROXY STATEMENT WITHOUT CHARGE, WHEN AVAILABLE, UPON REQUEST. REQUESTS FOR COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE PARTICIPANTS’ PROXY SOLICITOR.

    The participants in the proxy solicitation are anticipated to be Carronade Capital Master, LP (“Carronade”), Carronade Capital GP, LLC (“Carronade GP”), Carronade Capital Management, Carronade Capital Management GP, LLC (“Carronade Management GP”), Dan Gropper, Mona Aboelnaga, Benjamin C. Duster, IV, Dennis A. Prieto and Chérie L. Schaible.

    As of the date hereof, Carronade beneficially owns directly 2,874,116 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”). Carronade GP, as the general partner of Carronade, may be deemed the beneficial owner of the 2,874,116 shares of Common Stock owned by Carronade. As of the date hereof, 176,809 shares of Common Stock were held in a certain account managed by Carronade Capital Management (the “Managed Account”). Carronade Capital Management, as the investment manager of Carronade, may be deemed the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 3,050,925 shares of Common Stock directly owned by Carronade and held in the Managed Account. Carronade Management GP, as the general partner of Carronade Capital Management, may be deemed the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 3,050,925 shares of Common Stock directly owned by Carronade and held in the Managed Account. As the Managing Member of Carronade Management GP, Mr. Gropper may be deemed the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 3,050,925 shares of Common Stock directly owned by Carronade and held in the Managed Account. As of the date hereof, Ms. Aboelnaga directly beneficially owns 1,400 shares of Common Stock. As of the date hereof, Mr. Duster directly beneficially owns 1,338.329 shares of Common Stock. As of the date hereof, Mr. Prieto directly beneficially owns 820 shares of Common Stock. As of the date hereof, Ms. Schaible directly beneficially owns 1,360 shares of Common Stock.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pine Grove — RCMP investigators release video in continuing effort to solve homicide of Donny Lohnes

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit (SWN MCU) is continuing its investigation into the homicide of Donny Lohnes and is appealing for anyone with information to come forward by releasing a video featuring his family.

    On October 25, 2020, 57-year-old Donald (Donny) Derrick Lohnes was attacked outside his home on Jippie Ave. in Pine Grove. Lohnes later died from injuries sustained during the attack. His death was ruled a homicide.

    “We believe Donny was targeted by his attackers and that those responsible for his death thought he was involved in a dispute he wasn’t connected to,” says Cpl. Chris Marshall, SWN MCU. “Someone knows something; we hope that someone will come forward after seeing the pain Donny’s mom and brother are living with; we want to help bring them answers.”

    To date, more than 125 people have been interviewed, four crime scenes and several electronic devices have been forensically examined, and other exhibits have been sent to the RCMP National Forensic Laboratory.

    “In December 2024, we installed a sign outside the Cookville RCMP detachment appealing for information from the public,” says Cpl. Marshall. “The sign generated new tips that brought us closer to finding out who’s responsible for Donny’s death. This video is another tool we’re using in an effort to solve his homicide.”

    The case has been added to the Nova Scotia Reward for Major Unsolved Crimes Program, which offers up to $150,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in certain cases. The provincial reward line is 1-888-710-9090.

    Anyone with information about Lohnes’s death is asked to call the Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit at 902-365-3120. To remain anonymous, contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    Video

    Transcript – RCMP investigators release video in continuing effort to solve homicide of Donny Lohnes

    [somber piano music]

    [photo of Donny Lohnes]

    [text on screen: Help us find answers for the family of Donny Lohnes, Nova Scotia RCMP, RCMP Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit]

    [Cookville RCMP detachment with a sign asking for information on Donny Lohnes.]

    [Corporal Chris Marshall stands on the side of a snowy road.]

    Corporal Chris Marshall: I’m Corporal Chris Marshall with the Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit, and I’m the Team Commander on the Donny Lohnes homicide investigation.

    [A sign post for Jippie Avenue and a stop sign.]

    Donny Lohnes was a 57-year-old man, a father, and lived with his dog here on Jippie Avenue, which is just down the road behind me.

    [The Elmer Lohnes Lumber Mill business sign.]

    Donny also worked at the Elmer Lohnes Lumber Mill in Wileville.

    [An aerial shot of the Elmer Lohnes Lumber Mill.]

    On October 25th, 2020, Donny was taking an acquaintance into Bridgewater and dropped him off.

    When Donny returned home at approximately 3 pm, he was immediately assaulted by what he believed to be three men, and Donny lost consciousness.

    When he regained consciousness, he found himself in the front yard of his home, and his dog was outside.

    Donny suffered serious injuries during the assault and ultimately elected not to report the assault to police, nor did he seek any medical treatment.

    [Jeanne Rhodenizer sits in an interview room with tears in her eyes]

    [text on screen: Jeanne Rhodenizer, mother of Donny Lohnes]

    Jeanne Rhodenizer: Donny was a wonderful son.

    He was so loving and everybody loved him.

    A couple of days before, one of his friends called and said, “Did you know that Donny was beat up?”

    And I said to her, I said, “What do you mean? Is he in the hospital or where is he?”

    And she said, “No, he’s at work.”

    So I didn’t call him because he was at work, you know, like and so I didn’t bother him.

    But then the day it happened, she called and she said, “You better get to the hospital.” She said, “We just took Donny.”

    Somebody called me from the hospital and said, “Are you Donny’s mother?”

    And I said, “Yes.”

    She said, “I suggest you get here as soon as you can.”

    [Danny Lohnes sits in an interview room]

    [text on screen: Danny Lohnes, brother of Donny Lohnes]

    Danny Lohnes: I had gotten a call from Mom that he was in the hospital, and he wasn’t well.

    He wasn’t gonna make it, I guess, is what she had told me, so I just got home from work — so off I went.

    Jeanne: When they took us in to see him, I was just, I almost fainted.

    Danny: Walking into the hospital and seeing the shape that he was in, like, that’s the memory.

    And it’s reminded when I see friends of his.

    He was a kind and giving person. And of all his friends and family know that, you know.

    Unfortunately, that was taken away.

    But just remember that, you know, Donny thought the world of everyone.

    Jeanne: Please, please come forward because we need answers and we’re hoping and praying that somebody out there smartens up and says, “Maybe we can help solve this case.”

    [photo of Donny Lohnes]

    [text on screen: A reward of up to $150,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction for Donny’s murder by calling 1-888-710-9090. NS Major Unsolved Crimes Program]

    Chris: Donny’s case has been added to the Nova Scotia Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes program, which offers a reward of up to $150,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction for Donny’s murder.

    Please come forward.

    It’s important.

    Do what’s right.

    [music stops]

    [Royal Canadian Mounted Police signature]

    [© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2025]

    [Canada wordmark]

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: 3D Systems Transforming Manufacturing with Application-specific Solutions at RAPID+TCT 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Reduce cost of high mix, low volume manufacturing by multiple orders of magnitude with high-throughput, precision Figure® 4 135 solution
    • Achieve up to 60% improved process efficiency for applications such as jigs and fixtures, tooling, & patterns using a new module for large-format EXT Titan Pellet Extrusion printers
    • Deliver easier to cast, complex master patterns more efficiently employing QuickCast® Diamond™ & PSLA 270

    ROCK HILL, S.C., April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD) is unveiling several new solutions designed to change the way industries innovate. At RAPID+TCT 2025, the Company will showcase its Figure 4® 135 3D printer and Figure 4 Tough 75C FR Black material that form the foundation of its cost-effective additive manufacturing solution for precision, high mix, low volume applications such as motorsports components, furniture hardware, and electrical connectors. Additionally, 3D Systems will debut its first-to-market new module for its EXT Titan Pellet printers which delivers greatly improved process efficiency for a breadth of applications that require machining during post-processing. Furthermore, bolstering its pioneering work in investment casting, 3D Systems is announcing availability of the QuickCast® Diamond build style, available in 3D Systems’ 3D Sprint® software, to be used with its PSLA 270 projector-based technology, accelerating time to part-in-hand. The Company’s continued investment in R&D enables this diverse suite of new technologies and reinforces its dedication to empowering its customers to achieve transformative results.

    High Throughput, Precision Manufacturing Solution for Plastics Parts
    The increasing need for specialized industrial components and the adoption of flexible manufacturing technologies are driving the growth of high mix, low volume (HMLV) production. Traditional manufacturing methods, while effective for high volume production, face significant challenges when applied to HMLV manufacturing such as high costs and long lead times.

    To address HMLV manufacturing needs, 3D Systems is introducing the Figure 4 135. Blending advanced material development with the power of its projector-based technology, this 3D printer provides the necessary agility and flexibility to efficiently meet the diverse and fluctuating demands of such manufacturing environments. By applying this solution, manufacturers can eliminate tooling and inventory management and reduce costs by multiple orders of magnitude. With extremely high out-of-the-box precision and very high stability, the Figure 4 135 solution is ideal for manufacturing industries where a process capability index (CpK) of at least 1.33 or above (depending on part geometry and feature size) is required for critical processes. The Figure 4 135 significantly exceeds these standards making it highly reliable for precision applications where a manufacturer is replacing or supplementing injection mold tooling including furniture components such as custom assemblies that require special design considerations for low volume furniture production, medical components requiring biocompatible material and precision, and low volume consumer electronics requiring accuracy and repeatability.

    Electrical connectors are another great example of traditionally manufactured plastic parts using injection molding which requires tooling and long lead times. Conversely, additive manufacturing enables direct 3D-printed production-grade precision connectors with high fidelity, high thermal stress resistance, and cost-efficiency at high volumes. When applying the Figure 4 135 solution to this application, manufacturers can potentially save millions of dollars when designing and manufacturing hundreds to thousands of connector SKUs per year.

    As part of this particular solution, 3D Systems is introducing Figure 4 Tough 75C FR Black. This tough, flame-retardant material is recognized by UL with a UL94 V0 rating at thin wall thickness (i.e., 0.4mm) and a Relative Thermal Index (RTI) for long-term electrical of 150°C and mechanical use of 130°C. This makes it ideally suited for applications such as appliances, consumer electronics and automotive that require accuracy, heat resistance, durability, flexibility, and electrical safety.

    The Figure 4 135 solution — both the printer and material — is available for immediate ordering.

    Novel Solution Drives Significant Improvements in Process Efficiency
    3D Systems’ EXT Titan Pellet systems are proven for production applications including patterns, molds, tooling, jigs, fixtures, end-use parts, and full-scale prototypes for industries such as foundry, automotive, aerospace and defense, and consumer products. Today, the Company announces a new module that is patent-pending scanning technology available for 3D Systems’ EXT 1070 Titan Pellet and EXT 1270 Titan Pellet printers which delivers greatly improved process efficiency for users.

    • Part Solidity Optimization: This new module optimizes the extrusion flow rate in real time, reducing the opportunity for voids to form. The improved solidity reduces post-processing time in machined printed parts by up to 50%.
    • Print Bed Mapping: Print bed leveling can be a critical step to avoid print failure when printing large format parts. This module scans the print bed in under 60 seconds and provides a numeric height map from which operators can determine if leveling is necessary and make precise adjustments where needed. This can reduce time spent on a single leveling operation by up to 60% as compared to the previous method of mapping and leveling. For manufacturers who run their printers in production environments, this capability can greatly reduce the amount of manual intervention required, thus mitigating potential risk of error.

    This new module will be standard on new EXT Titan Pellet systems equipped with the optional milling spindle toolhead and the hardware can be field installed on existing machines, integrating seamlessly with EXT Titan control software. The module is planned to be available in the third quarter of 2025.

    Produce Investment Casting Patterns Faster, with Higher Yield and Lower Cost
    Investment casting, a technique integral to the manufacturing of complex, high-reliability components such as aircraft turbine blades, involves pouring molten metal into ceramic molds formed from sacrificial patterns. However, traditional pattern creation is a lengthy and expensive process, often taking weeks and costing tens of thousands of dollars. In the mid-1990s, 3D Systems revolutionized casting pattern production with QuickCast®, a 3D printing innovation that set the industry standard for high-precision patterns, driving efficiency and cost reduction for manufacturers.

    Today, the Company is enhancing the performance of QuickCast, making the QuickCast Diamond build style available with 3D Systems’ PSLA 270. This projector-based Stereolithography (SLA) printer combines high-speed production with exceptional part quality and mechanical stability, rapidly delivering accurate mid-size components. It merges the precision of traditional SLA with the speed and material versatility of Figure 4 technology. When using the QuickCast Diamond build style in 3D Systems’ 3D Sprint® additive manufacturing software, manufacturers can rapidly design and create structured copies of parts to produce a tree. Employing the QuickCast Diamond build style on the PSLA 270 enables foundries to reliably deliver large, high precision investment casting at a fraction of the time and cost of traditional tooling and with no limitation on geometric complexity.

    The QuickCast Diamond build style is immediately available for 3D Systems’ PSLA 270.

    “Innovation is in our DNA,” said Dr. Jeffrey Graves, president & CEO, 3D Systems. “Our historic R&D surge in 2024 yielded dozens of polymer and metal products, all driven by a rising demand to address an increasing number of applications using additive manufacturing. Now, we’re commercializing these advancements, such as the Figure 4 135, which dramatically reduces costs and boosts throughput for many high-mix, low-volume applications. These new product introductions underscore our unwavering commitment to delivering application-specific solutions that address our customers’ rapidly evolving needs. I’m looking forward to seeing the positive impact that these newest additions to our portfolio will have on our customers’ businesses.”

    Transforming Manufacturing for a Better Future at RAPID+TCT 2025
    3D Systems will showcase these innovations alongside its full application-centric solution portfolio in its booth (#3201) at RAPID+TCT 2025 to be held April 8-10 in Detroit, Michigan. Conference participants are also invited to hear from 3D Systems’ executives, application experts, and customers in the following sessions:

    • Dr. Jeffrey Graves, president & CEO, 3D Systems will be joined by Patrick Treacy, founder & CEO, Onkos Surgical – Executive Perspectives Keynote Series, April 9, 8:30 a.m. EDT, Main Stage
    • Dr. Michael Shepard, vice president, aerospace & defense, 3D Systems & Kevin Finn, engineering manager, Newport News Shipbuilding – Investigating Feasibility of Producing a Nickel Copper Alloy Using Laser Powder Bed Fusion, April 9, 10:30 a.m. EDT

    For more information or to schedule a meeting with one of the Company’s application experts, please visit the Company’s website.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from historical results or from any future results or projections expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In many cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “believes,” “belief,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “estimates,” “intends,” “anticipates” or “plans” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based upon management’s beliefs, assumptions, and current expectations and may include comments as to the company’s beliefs and expectations as to future events and trends affecting its business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the company. The factors described under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other factors, could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected or predicted in forward-looking statements. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not, and should not be relied upon as a guarantee of future performance or results, nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times at which such performance or results will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included are made only as of the date of the statement. 3D Systems undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements made by management or on its behalf, whether as a result of future developments, subsequent events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law.

    About 3D Systems
    More than 35 years ago, Chuck Hull’s curiosity and desire to improve the way products were designed and manufactured gave birth to 3D printing, 3D Systems, and the additive manufacturing industry. Since then, that same spark continues to ignite the 3D Systems team as we work side-by-side with our customers to change the way industries innovate. As a full-service solutions partner, we deliver industry-leading 3D printing technologies, materials and software to high-value markets such as medical and dental; aerospace, space and defense; transportation and motorsports; AI infrastructure; and durable goods. Each application-specific solution is powered by the expertise and passion of our employees who endeavor to achieve our shared goal of Transforming Manufacturing for a Better Future. More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/058693f3-5d94-4b1b-a3c9-1f1ccc02ae03

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6887b0a2-9b19-434e-8bcb-4c3f5c1e8936

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/df0d5521-98ac-48b3-a227-1693c87bd9f0

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/685b6703-2b6b-47b9-bbb9-257da680097a

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: American Rebel Holdings Issues Corporate Update Highlighting Recent Key Milestones and Strategic Growth Initiatives

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Forged in Freedom, Fueled by Growth, Focused on the Future

    NASHVILLE, TN, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) (“American Rebel” or the “Company”), the creator of American Rebel Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) and a leading provider of safes, personal security, and patriotic lifestyle apparel, today issued a corporate update summarizing several recent developments that have strengthened the Company’s foundation and accelerated its national growth strategy.

    CEO Andy Ross commented:

    “We’ve accomplished several key goals in the past 10 days alone, and we’re just getting started. From launching our national media marketing campaign to completing an equity-based capital raise, announcing $11.4M in 2024 revenue and engaging new investors, the American Rebel brand is gaining momentum on every front. I believe we are America’s next great success story, and we are committed to doing the right type of financings that fuel our growth over the next several years.

    “American Rebel Light Beer, a premium domestic light lager, is seizing a tremendous opportunity in the $110 billion annual beer market. Our rapid growth has exceeded all initial strategic forecasts, driven by patriotic Americans who love the unbeatable combination of great taste and low calories in our beer. With every sip, American beer drinkers enjoy a brew that not only satisfies their palate but also resonates with their core values – values proudly displayed on every can: America’s Patriotic, God Fearing, Constitution Loving, National Anthem Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.”

    • 1. Successful Private Placement by H.C. Wainwright & Co.

    American Rebel completed a strategic private placement led by H.C. Wainwright & Co. H.C. Wainwright is a full-service investment bank dedicated to providing corporate finance, strategic advisory and related services to public and private companies across multiple sectors and regions. H.C. Wainwright & Co. is acting as the exclusive placement agent for the offering. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/04/3056146/0/en/AMERICAN-REBEL-ANNOUNCES-UP-TO-11-MILLION-PRIVATE-PLACEMENT-PRICED-AT-THE-MARKET-UNDER-NASDAQ-RULES.html

    • 2. Strategic Media and Investor Relations Push in South Florida

    The Company engaged in a series of high-profile investor meetings and media appearances on NBC-TV Channel 5/West Palm Beach and 39 WSFL – Home of the Florida Panthers in South Florida, culminating with a meeting with strategic partners and potential investors at the prestigious Mar-a-Lago Club. These types of media engagements help generate valuable investor interest and media exposure.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/02/3054517/0/en/American-Rebel-CEO-Andy-Ross-to-Appear-on-South-Florida-Television-Morning-Shows-on-NBC-TV-Channel-5-West-Palm-Beach-and-39-WSFL-Home-of-the-Florida-Panthers.html

    • 3. FY2024 Revenue Disclosure – $11.4M

    In a recently filed Form 12b-25, American Rebel disclosed it expects to report $11.4 million in revenue for fiscal year 2024, to be detailed in its forthcoming Form 10-K.

    Read the full filing here: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1648087/000164117225001980/formnt10-k.htm

    • 4. Release of “The American Rebel Story” Video Featuring CEO Andy Ross

    American Rebel premiered “The American Rebel Story,” a compelling video featuring CEO Andy Ross narrating the Company’s vision, values, and journey to becoming America’s next great success story.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/03/3055126/0/en/American-Rebel-Holdings-Inc-NASDAQ-AREB-Invites-Patriotic-Investors-Fans-and-Beer-Enthusiasts-to-Celebrate-Freedom-with-a-New-Video-Release-Highlighting-the-American-Rebel-Story.html

    • 5. Expansion of Successful Sponsorship with Tony Stewart Racing

    American Rebel continues to benefit from its existing sponsorship with Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) as the racing connection has opened many doors and helped establish relationships with new distributors and key accounts. The expansion of the TSR sponsorship will continue to provide immeasurable value to American Rebel as it accelerates its growth initiatives throughout 2025.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/03/27/3050822/0/en/American-Rebel-Expands-its-Successful-Sponsorship-for-2025-with-Tony-Stewart-Racing-TSR-in-NHRA-Mission-Foods-Drag-Racing-Series.html

    • 6. Launch of National Media Marketing Campaign – TV and Digital

    American Rebel launched a full-scale national media campaign, including a 30-second commercial airing on major television networks and a coordinated digital campaign to strengthen consumer awareness and drive sales.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/03/28/3051571/0/en/American-Rebel-Launches-Nationwide-Ad-Campaign-on-March-31-with-30-Second-TV-Spot-Complemented-by-Digital-Media-Across-Leading-Websites-to-Increase-Exposure-of-the-Company-and-its-.html

    About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Light Beer. Known for its premium quality and bold patriotic spirit, American Rebel Beer exemplifies what it means to celebrate freedom in every sip. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit www.americanrebel.com and www.americanrebelbeer.com. For investor information, visit www.americanrebelbeer.com/investor-relations.

    About American Rebel Light Beer

    Produced in partnership with AlcSource, American Rebel Light Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) is a premium domestic light lager celebrated for its exceptional quality and patriotic values. It stands out as America’s Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.

    American Rebel Light is a Premium Domestic Light Lager Beer – All Natural, Crisp, Clean and Bold Taste with a Lighter Feel. With approximately 100 calories, 3.2 carbohydrates, and 4.3% alcoholic content per 12 oz serving, American Rebel Light Beer delivers a lighter option for those who love great beer but prefer a more balanced lifestyle. It’s all natural with no added supplements and importantly does not use corn, rice, or other sweeteners typically found in mass produced beers.

    About Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Nitro

    As tenacious as Stewart is in the cockpit of a racecar, he’s proven equally adept at providing cars and equipment for racing’s elite. The three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion can also list 31 owners’ titles to his resume, from NASCAR to USAC to the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series. In 2023 Stewart earned his 31st owner title when Matt Hagan and the TSR Funny Car team earned the championship on November 11. His team, Tony Stewart Racing, fields a powerhouse lineup in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series with Tony in Top Fuel and Matt Hagan in Funny Car. After more than four decades of racing around in circles, Stewart has embarked on a straight and narrow path, albeit at more than 300 mph. For more information on TSR Nitro go to tsrnitro.com.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc.
    info@americanrebel.com

    American Rebel Beverages, LLC
    Todd Porter, President
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. American Rebel Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: AREB; AREBW) (the “Company,” “American Rebel,” “we,” “our” or “us”) desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “forecasts” “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include benefits of marketing outreach efforts, actual placement timing and availability of American Rebel Beer, success and availability of the promotional activities, our ability to effectively execute our business plan, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and our recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Company Contact:
    info@americanrebel.com

    Investor Relations:
    ir@americanrebel.com

    Media Contact:
    Matt Sheldon
    Matt@PrecisionPR.co

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: CareCloud to Present at the LD Micro Invitational XV

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SOMERSET, N.J., April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CareCloud, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CCLD, CCLDO), a leading provider of practice management, healthcare technology and AI-driven solutions to medical practices across the country, is pleased to announce its participation in the 15th Annual LD Micro Invitational at the Westin Grand Central Hotel in New York on April 9-10, 2025. The Company is scheduled to present on April 10, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

    CareCloud’s management team will deliver a corporate presentation highlighting the Company’s recent developments, innovative solutions, and strategic growth initiatives. Additionally, the team will participate in one-on-one meetings with institutional and individual investors to explore opportunities and discuss CareCloud’s roadmap for continued growth and value creation.

    “We are excited to highlight CareCloud’s recent milestones, including two recent acquisitions, the conversion of our Series A preferred stock, and our significant profitability growth throughout 2024,” said Stephen Snyder, Co-CEO of CareCloud.

    About LD Micro 

    LD Micro, a wholly owned subsidiary of Freedom US Markets, was founded in 2006 with the sole purpose of being an independent resource in the micro-cap space. Through the LD Micro Index and annual investor conferences, LD has served as an invaluable asset to all those interested in discovering the next generation of great companies. For more information on LD Micro, visit www.ldmicro.com.

    About CareCloud 

    CareCloud brings disciplined innovation and generative AI to the business of healthcare. Our suite of technology-enabled solutions helps clients increase financial and operational performance, streamline clinical workflows and improve the patient experience. More than 40,000 providers count on CareCloud to help them improve patient care while reducing administrative burdens and operating costs. Learn more about our products and services including revenue cycle management (RCM), practice management (PM), electronic health records (EHR), business intelligence, patient experience management (PXM) and digital health at www.carecloud.com. 

    Follow CareCloud on LinkedIn, X and Facebook.

    Disclaimer 

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

    Forward-Looking Statements 

    This press release contains various forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to anticipated future events, future results of operations or future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “could”, “intends,” “expects,” “plans,” “goals,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “possible,” “potential,” “target,” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. 

    Our operations involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, and any one of which, or a combination of which, could materially affect our results of operations and whether the forward-looking statements ultimately prove to be correct.

    Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements reflecting management’s expectations for future financial performance and operating expenditures, expected growth, profitability and business outlook, the impact of pandemics on our financial performance and business activities, and the expected results from the integration of our acquisitions. 

    These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our (or our industry’s) actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of the risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements, including without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company’s ability to manage growth, migrate newly acquired customers and retain new and existing customers, maintain cost-effective global operations, increase operational efficiency and reduce operating costs, predict and properly adjust to changes in reimbursement and other industry regulations and trends, retain the services of key personnel, develop new technologies, upgrade and adapt legacy and acquired technologies to work with evolving industry standards, compete with other companies’ products and services competitive with ours, and other important risks and uncertainties referenced and discussed under the heading titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

    The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Company on its website or otherwise. The Company does not assume any obligations to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. 

    SOURCE CareCloud 

    Company Contact: 
    Norman Roth 
    Interim Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller 
    CareCloud, Inc.
    nroth@carecloud.com 

    Investor Contact:
    Stephen Snyder 
    Co-Chief Executive Officer 
    CareCloud, Inc. 
    ir@carecloud.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Top 10 New Tokens on MEXC Average 4,770% Growth in March

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has released the latest information on the performance of trading operations on the platform, highlighting new milestones and delivering invaluable insights into overall market trends. The dynamics of the BSC ecosystem and specific actions taken by MEXC have allowed average prices on top tokens to excel by thousands of percent, and user numbers to swell, underscoring the importance of new instruments and sectors on general market traction.

    Key Takeaways:

    • MEXC listed 129 new tokens in March, 42 of them hosted by the BSC ecosystem;
    • Average price of the top 5 trending tokens on BSC overstepped by 3,760%;
    • Top 10 new tokens achieved an average pricing of 4,770% in March, up fourfold from January and February;
    • MEXC introduced the 0% trading fees for SOL, HYPE, AAVE, and AIXBT, boosting user numbers by 17.8% month-over-month, and trading volume by 170%.
    • Among the top 10 new tokens in March, meme tokens made up half of March’s top 10 spots defying the recent downturn in the sector.

    MEXC started March with news of listing 129 new tokens, 42 of which were hosted on the BSC ecosystem. The given number accounts for 32.6% of overall trading, highlighting the importance of the BSC for MEXC and the degree of the exchange’s penetration and integration with the ecosystem. Total spot trading for new tokens accounted for 50.8%, rising by 30.1% month-over-month. Overall trading volume spiked by 56.6%, up by 63.5% compared to February. These dynamics indicate that users are resorting to MEXC as a preferred venue for trading BSC-hosted tokens.

    The BSC ecosystem took a leading role in the surge, with top 5 trending tokens reaching an average price increase of 3,760%. The uptrend was driven by MUBARAK, BUBB, and TUT, with 10,900%, 4,168%, and 2,000%, respectively. At the same time, the top 10 new tokens showcased an average price increase of 4,770%, up from 1,174% for the same token category in January and February. MEME tokens took up half of the leaders’ pedestal, with assets from the Infra, AI, and DePIN sectors taking up the remaining spots.

    MEXC confirmed its position as a leader across multiple sectors of crypto asset trading, further solidifying its commitment to trading excellence by introducing the 0% Trading Fees Campaign. The action encompassed such pairs as SOL/USDT, HYPE/USDT, AAVE/USDT, and AIXBT/USDT. The campaign has already proven its effectiveness, with the number of traders of zero-fee pairs growing by 17.8% month-over-month, contributing to an overall 170.2% increase in trading volume. SOL/USDT trading pair led with an 186% increase in daily average trading volume and a 209% rise in market share (from 9.8% to 30.3%). RAY/USDT followed with a 27.8% share, while HBAR/USDT and HYPE/USDT rose by 115% and 165%, reaching 18.8% and 13.3% market share, respectively.

    The general downturn in the crypto market throughout March of 2025 did not hinder MEXC from continuing to solidify its position as a leader in terms of trading volume growth. The exchange is taking a significant role in the ongoing expansion of the BSC ecosystem, which contributes new tokens to traders. MEXC is committed to remaining a market leader and delivering world-class service to traders at low trading costs with a broad array of innovations and lucrative trading opportunities.

    About MEXC

    Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Serving over 34 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.

    MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC

    For media inquiries, please contact MEXC PR Manager Lucia Hu: lucia.hu@mexc.com

    Source

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by MEXC. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6ed0e8d8-7261-4bb6-b5cf-240c564d5ba5

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: An Orchestra of Voices Performs at Jorgensen Center

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts will present an evening with the GRAMMY winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer on Wednesday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m.

    Chanticleer is known around the world as “an orchestra of voices” for its wide-ranging repertoire and dazzling virtuosity. Founded in San Francisco in 1978, it is one of the most prolific recording and touring ensembles in the world, selling over one million recordings and performing thousands of live concerts to audiences around the world.

    The ensemble’s repertoire is rooted in the renaissance and has continued to expand to include a wide range of classical, gospel, jazz, popular music, and a deep commitment to the commissioning of new compositions and arrangements. Named for the “clear-singing” rooster in Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales,” Chanticleer continues to maintain ambitious programming in its hometown, including a large education and outreach program, and an annual concert series that includes its legendary holiday tradition “A Chanticleer Christmas.”

    UConn alum Jared Gravely ’17 (SFA) is in his second season singing bass-baritone as a member of Chanticleer. While touring and singing with the award-winning ensemble, he also writes choral, jazz, and a cappella arrangements for such esteemed groups as Voces8, Kings Return, Midtown, Choral Chameleon, Hyannis Sound, and Chanticleer. He founded and directs the quintet Highline Vocal Jazz.

    “I’m really passionate about creating new music that blends the highest level of musicianship with audience accessibility,” Gravely said. “Music, to me, is about people and their stories, and deserves to be for people, too.”

    Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts is located at 2132 Hillside Road on the UConn campus in Storrs. The Box Office is open Mon – Fri, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For questions and assistance, email jorgensen.tickets@uconn.edu or call 860-486-4226.

    Gravely spoke with WHUS on the Good Music show, (Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.) about his work with Chanticleer, Highline Vocal Jazz and his time in Storrs.

    For more information go to Jorgensen.uconn.edu

    Listen to the interview here:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City of Derry Jazz Festival announces EY sponsorship

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    City of Derry Jazz Festival announces EY sponsorship

    7 April 2025

    St Columb’s Hall will play host to an international medley of talent next month, with the announcement today of the fabulous EY Jazz Lounge on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th May.

    The evenings are being supported by leading professional services company EY as part of an exciting sponsorship arrangement with Derry City and Strabane District Council, following the announcement of the company’s selection of Ebrington Plaza as the location for its new North West office.

    The late-night EY Jazz Lounge will bring together some of the most renowned musicians in the world of jazz, led by local jazz legend Paul McIntyre. The line-up features Curtis Efoua Ela (France) drums, Brian Questa (USA) drums and Phil Robson (UK) guitar as well as special guest vocalist Winne Ama.

    The intimate gigs are a highlight of a packed programme of events taking place throughout the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival, which this year runs from Thursday May 01 – Monday May 05.

    Council’s Head of Culture, Aeidin McCarter said she was delighted to welcome EY on board for the festival. “The Jazz Festival is one of the city’s flagship events which is vitally important for the local business community and of course the local economy. So I’m delighted that EY are showing their support with this fantastic music showcase event – the perfect way to end an evening on the Jazz Trail.

    “As a Council we can take the lead in delivering festivals and events that will enhance the visitor experience here, but we rely very much on the support and good will of our local businesses to really deliver something exceptional. I look forward to working with EY as event partners and I think it’s fantastic that the company is showing its support for the city, and helping to build our profile as a vibrant and exciting visitor destination.”

    Aoife Warren, EY UKI Consulting Partner, said: “EY Northern Ireland is delighted to support the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival. Following the announcement of our newest office location in Northern Ireland in Ebrington Plaza, we are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with Derry City and Strabane District Council to support the vibrant cultural opportunities that the fantastic City of Derry Jazz Festival brings to the region. At EY, we are proud to support the arts community and we look forward to a weekend of great live music and entertainment.”

    This year’s City of Derry Jazz Festival marks 24 years of Ireland’s biggest Jazz extravaganza, and final preparations are now well underway to deliver an unsurpassable programme brimming with the very best home grown and international talent. Over 400 performances will take place over five days, with live music on every stage and street corner.

    The City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival is organised and funded by Derry City and Strabane District Council with support from Diageo and EY. 

    Tickets for the EY Jazz Lounge, taking place on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th May at 11pm, are priced £10 and are available to buy online at www.cityofderryjazzfestival.com/tickets. For regular updates follow the City of Derry Jazz Festival on Facebook Instagram and X @derryjazzfest.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Vintage music, bunting and bell-ringing will mark VE Day and VJ Day in Leicester

    Source: City of Leicester

    LEICESTER people marked the end of the Second World War with a conga round the Clock Tower – and now plans are taking shape to commemorate the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day in style.

    Vintage music, bunting and bell-ringing will mark both anniversaries, which take place on Thursday 8 May for VE Day and Friday 15 August for VJ Day.  The city council will also support community celebrations by enabling free road closures and providing traffic signs for anyone who wants to close a road for a street party.

    Town Hall Square will be a focal point on both days, with bunting, flags, floral tributes and a commemorative book available where people can record their personal thanks to the men and women who served in the war. Vera Lynn’s wartime classic ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and other well-known tunes from the 1940s will fill the square.

    Leicester Cathedral will mark both anniversaries with commemorative evening services, which will be open to the public and attended by the Lord Mayor, the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, and other civic dignitaries. Bell-ringing will follow the services.

    Leicester’s libraries and museums will also be getting involved by showcasing resources, memories and objects relating to the 1940s wartime era and celebrations of peace. In May, Leicester Museum & Art Gallery will feature works by Charles Ginner, an official war artist who specialised in painting harbour scenes and bombed buildings in London. And in August, the hugely popular Popping to the Shops exhibition will feature as its ‘object of the month’ an extremely rare poster for a VJ concert in November 1945, delayed on purpose so that servicemen returning from the Far East could attend.

    Assistant city mayor for leisure and culture, Cllr Vi Dempster, said: “The last significant anniversaries for VE Day and VJ Day – 75 years, in 2020 – occurred when the country was in the grip of the covid pandemic. As a result, commemorations had to take place virtually and online.

    “That’s why it’s even more special that this year, we are able to commemorate these important milestones by bringing the spirit of VE Day and VJ Day into the city centre.

    “We owe a debt of gratitude to those who served in the Second World War and took part in the war effort. Our commemorations will encompass services to pay our respects, fascinating insights into wartime social history and the chance to say thank you in a commemorative book. We’ll also help anyone who wants to close a road for a street party, and we’d encourage anyone who wants to do this to apply soon, through the council website.”

    To arrange a street party, fill in a simple online form as soon as possible to tell the city council where and when you plan to hold the event. Organising small, private street parties and fetes is very simple and generally there is no charge to pay. Selling alcohol or providing certain types of entertainment will require a temporary event notice, but this costs just £21. The council can support with road closures and providing signs.

    Lots more information and advice can be found on the gov.uk website.

    The Story of Leicester website will also soon be launching a new webpage for the 80th anniversaries, and a new digital walking tour will be available soon to showcase Leicester’s heritage panels and memorials relating to the Second World War. 

    To find out more about Leicester’s plans for VE Day and VJ Day, visit https://www.visitleicester.info/whats-on/ve-day-and-vj-day-in-leicester-p1018771

    Information about street parties and an application form are available at: www.leicester.gov.uk/highway 

    ENDS

    Image: Leicester Mercury 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrests – Burglary – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested six male youths in relation to a burglary and property damage incident that occurred in Alice Springs today.

    Around 9:45am, police received a report that an office building on Todd Street had been unlawfully entered. An employee had attended the building, which houses multiple businesses and organisations, and witnessed up to six male youths inside. The group subsequently fled out the rear of the property.

    Upon police arrival it was confirmed all offices and rooms within the building had been ransacked and extensive damaged had allegedly been caused by the offenders.

    A coordinated police response involving CCTV operators and Strike Force Viper identified the alleged offenders. Multiple foot chases throughout the Alice Springs CBD and into the Todd River involving Territory Safety Division (TSD) members, general duties officers, and Strike Force Viper members resulted in the arrest of six male youths.

    The offenders, aged 10, 12, 13, 13, 13 and 14, remain in police custody and investigations are ongoing.

    Police urge anyone who witnesses crime or antisocial behaviour to contact police on 131 444. In an emergency dial 000. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Chinese Culture Festival 2025 to be held June to September to unveil millennia-old Chinese culture through fusion of art and literature (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Chinese Culture Festival 2025 to be held June to September to unveil millennia-old Chinese culture through fusion of art and literature  
    The CCF is now in its second edition. The opening programme, “Dongpo: Life in Poems” by the China Oriental Performing Arts Group, is directed by internationally acclaimed choreographer and visual artist Shen Wei. The production is an innovative work that integrates traditional Chinese poetic culture with contemporary artistic language and arts appreciation concepts. It blends modern dance with various traditional Chinese culture elements, such as poetry writing, traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, seal engraving and guqin, which delicately deconstructs the thoughts and emotions in the poetic works by Su Dongpo, a literary master in the Song dynasty, thereby initiating an artistic dialogue spanning thousands of years. The programme is sponsored by the Agricultural Bank of China Limited Hong Kong Branch.
     
    As a core part of the CCF, this year’s Chinese Opera Festival (COF) features six quality programmes covering Peking opera, Yuediao opera, Qinqiang opera, Yue opera, Cantonese opera and Kunqu opera. The COF will start off with the China National Peking Opera Company’s new historical Peking opera, “Cession for Consolidation of the Song Regime”. Set during the late Five Dynasties and Ten-Kingdoms period, it tells the story of Qian Chu, the King of Wuyue, honouring the rightful rule of the Song reign by voluntarily submitting his territory. The production conveys the profound themes of valuing people, pursuing peace and stability, and strengthening the communal spirit of Chinese national identity. Furthermore, there will be fantastic shows from a number of renowned art groups and artists, including the Henan Provincial Yue Diao Art Protection and Inheritance Center, the Xi’an Performing Arts Group’s Youth Experimental Troupe of Qinqiang Opera, the Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe of Shaoxing and the Zhejiang Jingkun Art Center (Kun Opera Troupe). The performances will feature winners of the China Theatre Plum Blossom Award such as renowned Peking opera artists Yu Kuizhi and Li Shengsu, Yuediao opera inheritor Shen Xiaomei, Qinqiang artists Dou Fengqin, Tan Jianxun, Qu Qiaozhe, Wang Xincang, Qi Aiyun and Zhang Tao, as well as acclaimed Yue opera performers Wu Fenghua, Wu Suying and Chen Fei.
     
    The COF this year also features classic plays inspired by the “Romance of Three Kingdoms”, one of the four great classic novels of Chinese literature. With virtuoso Yuen Siu-fai as artistic director, the Cantonese opera plays “Zhou Yu Thrice Humiliated” and “The Battle at Changbanpo” bring together some of the finest local Cantonese opera talent across three generations to perform. The Peking opera classic “A Meeting of Heroes, Invoking the East Wind and The Huarong Pass”, the Yuediao epic historical drama “Jiang Wei Surrenders” and Qinqiang classic piece “Returning to Jingzhou” will also be staged, bringing opera fans back to the Three Kingdoms era of fierce rivalry. The COF will also present an array of free extension activities such as meet-the-artists sessions, masterclasses, talks, a backstage tour, a demonstration performance and an exhibition so that interested parties can gain a deeper understanding of Chinese opera culture.
     
    More on literary and art, “the City under the Moon – Dance Drama ‘Azure After the Rain’” by the Shanghai Dance Theatre highlights the resilient spirit and sentiments of the famous Song dynasty poetess, Li Qingzhao, and her contributions to the inheritance of Chinese literary classics from a contemporary perspective. By blending music, dance and stage art, the dance drama creates the aesthetics of the Song dynasty and its life of the literati, and resonates with today’s audiences through traditional Chinese culture. The original Chinese dance drama, “A Dream of Red Mansions”, by the Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts is another production that upholds principles and innovation. Its plot centres around the love triangle between Jia Baoyu, Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai, and restructures the storylines from the perspective of the 12 Beauties of Jinling, paying homage to fine traditional Chinese culture while rekindling the national classic with views from the young generation. The programme is jointly presented by the LCSD and the Bauhinia Culture Group. These two programmes are also programmes of the “Chinese Performing Arts Hong Kong Season” Series.
     
    China was the first country in the world to grow and produce tea. In 2022, “traditional Chinese tea-making techniques and related customs” was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This year’s CCF features a “Tea Culture” series, with the “Tan Dun WE-Festival”, curated by Hong Kong’s Ambassador for Cultural Promotion, internationally renowned composer and conductor, Tan Dun, as one of the pre-festival programmes. In addition to the Tan Dun | “Tea: A Mirror of Soul” by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, there are also performances of dialogues between traditional and modern percussion, as well as ancient Dunhuang music and dances, which include “Xiangxi Tujia Women’s Daliuzi & Hong Kong Women’s Percussion Ensemble” (the world premiere of “TEA-liuzi”) and “Lost Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Manuscripts: ‘The Vanishing Mogao Caves’”. These performances enable music lovers to appreciate the charm of tea, while telling the good story of China’s intangible cultural heritage in the new era. The “Tea Culture” series also includes other stage performance, exhibitions, talks and demonstrations.
     
    The City in Focus of this year’s CCF is Xi’an, a capital of 13 ancient dynasties with profound cultural heritage. It has preserved a large number of precious historical and cultural relics from the Qin, Han, Tang and other dynasties. The CCF brings to Hong Kong a representative opera genre of the region, Qinqiang, with the Xi’an Performing Arts Group’s Youth Experimental Troupe of Qinqiang Opera presenting the classic piece “Zhou Ren on the Way Home”, which conveys the spirit of loyalty and righteousness with its wide vocal range and resounding tones. Other programmes include “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Great Unity – Civilisation of the Qin and Han Dynasties in Shaanxi Province” exhibition jointly organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center, showcasing invaluable archaeological relics; the Acrobatic Ballet “Swan Lake” by the Xi’an Acrobatic Troupe jointly presented by the LCSD and the Bauhinia Culture Group; and “Xi’an Guyue” music exhibitions by the Music Office of the LCSD, which all reveal Xi’an’s culture to the audience and foster cultural exchange.
     
    This year’s CCF continues to collaborate with the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Hong Kong Member Association to organise a number of stage performances, including the stage play in Cantonese “Tea-horse Road‧Ballad of the Fallen Dragon” under the “Tea Culture” series; “Ancient Styles‧Modern Chants Classical Literature x Contemporary Dance”; “Melodies of Chinese Poetry” concert; “Taisheng and Huayin Lao Qiang: Big Uncle, Second Uncle are All His Uncles” concert, and “Classics Revisited – Highlights of Peking Opera and Kunqu”. All these demonstrate the power of unity of the local cultural sector, as well as their solid competence and boundless creativity in promoting Chinese culture. The “Legacy and Vision: Conversations with Chinese Cultural Masters” lecture series also returns, featuring top experts from various culture and artistic fields to share their insights. Meanwhile, outstanding local works recognised by the China National Arts Fund will be staged in the CCF, such as the Cantonese Music Assembly’s “Cantonese Rhyme, Poetic Homeland – Sentiment of Chinese Music in the Greater Bay Area by Ricky Yeung Wai-kit & Sha Jingshan” recital, Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble’s Museum Series: “The Sounds from Cultural Relics” and Miranda Chin Dance Company’s “Hé The Rite of Spring”.
     
    The CCF promotes high-quality provincial and local stage productions. Among them is the “Ancient Chinese Puppetry with Timeless Charm” by the Quanzhou Marionette Show Inheritance and Protection Center from Fujian Province, in which performers move delicate puppets around by controlling strings in their skilful hands to perform classic short plays. In the “Concert by Shanghai Xuhui Chiangqiao Jiangnan Silk and Bamboo Ensemble”, the representative inheritors of Jiangnan silk and bamboo music from Shanghai, along with talented young Shanghainese musicians, will perform classical string and wind pieces. Other programmes include the opening programme of the International Arts Carnival 2025 – Kungfu Drama “Soul of Shaolin” by the Henan Provincial Shaolin Wushu Center; the “Innovative Music-making Journey to China: MO x e-Orch” concert by the Music Office; the “Silk Road Resonance” by the Hong Kong Music Lover Chinese Orchestra and Xinjiang Art Theater Traditional Orchestra Ensemble; the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra’s 49th Orchestral Season Opening Concert “Silken Notes of the Pipa”; the Hong Kong Dance Company’s 2025/26 Dance Season Opening Programme Grand Dance Poem “A Dance of Celestial Rhythms”, and more.
     
    Apart from stage performances, the CCF will also present a number of film programmes. “Tracing Qin and Han Through Cinema” features eight representative local works set in the Qin and Han dynasties, including “The Great Conqueror’s Concubine” (1994) (4K Digitised Version), which was directed by Stephen Shin, as the opening film, while “Cantonese Opera Films: The Legend of Guan Gong” features five selected Cantonese opera films, including the rarely screened colour film “General Kwan Escorts His Sisters-in-Law on a Thousand Mile Journey” (1957). The “Chinese Opera Film Shows” of the COF will present a series of “Three Kingdoms” themed Chinese opera films from the 1950s to 1980s. The Hong Kong premiere of director Yonfan’s latest documentary, “Crossing Years” (2024) will be held, capturing renowned Chinese artist Huang Yongyu’s conversation with Yon about his life before Chinese New Year’s Eve in 2012.
     
    For the dates and venues of the above-mentioned programmes, please see the Annex. Tickets will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk 
         To offer the public with more opportunities to enjoy distinctive Chinese cultural programmes, in addition to the above-mentioned performing arts events, this year’s CCF will continue to launch various free exhibitions and activities. They include the “Mystery of Chinese Writing” Roving Exhibition, “Genesis and Spirit – Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition on Jiangxi’s Ganzhou “Hakka” Culture” (tentative title), “Amazing Oracle Bone Script” Exhibition, “The Power of Chinese Characters” Exhibition, “Tea Culture” series’ “The History and Art of Tea” Exhibition, and more. The LCSD will hold the “Encountering Chinese Culture” Carnival presenting stage performances at the Sha Tin Town Hall and the New Town Plaza on June 22 (Sunday), as well as the library-on-wheels, intangible cultural heritage booths and performances, etc. In addition to the spectacular lantern displays of different themes, the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival 2025 to be held in September and October will also arrange a wide range of activities. Details of the above activities will be announced later.
     
    To enhance participation of students in the CCF, this year’s “Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series” will include activities tailor-made for students in different art forms, such as dance, Chinese opera, stage plays, music, multi-arts and film screenings, etc, together with the “Chinese Opera En Route to Campus” to encourage students’ participation and enhance their interest in Chinese culture.
     
    Renowned Hong Kong composer Chris Babida is commissioned to compose original theme music for the CCF. The composition features dizi and erhu as the main instruments accompanying Chinese percussion, and is infused with a mix of Western and pop music styles, giving a contemporary flavour to the traditional Chinese music. The work exemplifies the diversity of Hong Kong, a melting pot where East meets West. The theme music will be featured as the background music for the trailer of the CCF, which can be viewed on the CCF website.
     
    The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the LCSD, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public’s national identity and cultural confidence. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from both the Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2025, please visit the above-mentioned CCF website.
    Issued at HKT 18:45

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Red flags hoisted at Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Attention TV/radio announcers:

    Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

         Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

         The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 7) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: iBio Announces IBIO-600 Non-Human Primate Data Showing Extended Half-Life and Muscle Growth, and Interim In Vivo Results for First-in-Class Activin E Antibody, Advancing Cardiometabolic and Obesity Pipeline

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Non-human primate pharmacokinetics data suggests IBIO-600, a potentially best-in-class long-acting anti-myostatin antibody, could have a human half-life as long as 130 days

    Additional interim in vivo data for a first-in-class Activin E antibody shows muscle sparing weight loss alone and in combination with a GLP-1 receptor agonist

    iBio remains on track to submit a regulatory submission for IBIO-600 in Q1 2026

    SAN DIEGO, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — iBio, Inc. (Nasdaq: IBIO), an AI-driven innovator of precision antibody therapies, today announced data from a non-GLP non-human primate (NHP) pharmacokinetics (PK) study suggesting IBIO-600, the company’s novel lead asset and a potentially best-in-class long-acting anti-myostatin antibody designed for subcutaneous administration, could provide a significantly extended half-life in humans and a weight loss treatment option while preserving and promoting muscle growth.

    The results were observed in a recently completed exploratory study in obese and elderly NHPs designed to analyze the potential of IBIO-600 in NHPs in order to closely mimic the human obese patient population by determining the antibody’s half-life in serum and evaluating changes in lean and fat mass. The study consisted of two dose levels, a low dose of 5 mg/kg and a high dose of 50 mg/kg, with a single administration in each case. In addition to monitoring PK in serum, the study analyzed body composition changes over time by employing DEXA scans, measuring lean and fat mass.

    Despite the study not being powered to demonstrate statistical significance, and only having a single administration of the antibody, the results indicate IBIO-600 promoted a dose-dependent increase in lean mass and a reduction in fat mass from baseline values. The effect peaked after 8 weeks, when the NHPs receiving the low-dose had a 3.1% (163g) increase in lean mass and a 5.1% (270g) increase in the NHPs receiving the high-dose.

    Standard PK calculations indicated the half-life of IBIO-600 in NHPs was 40 to 52 days. By using multiple allometric scaling approaches1,2, the half-life in humans of IBIO-600 has an estimated range of 57-130 days. This extended half-life could potentially enable a once every 3 to 6-month dosing schedule and positions IBIO-600 as a best-in-class therapeutic for muscle preservation and high-quality weight loss.

    “The promising data suggest IBIO-600 could possibly exhibit the longest half-life among any other anti-myostatin candidates — potentially leading to best-in-class muscle preservation and growth with a significantly reduced dosing burden for patients with a few doses a year,” said Martin Brenner, Ph.D., DVM, iBio’s CEO and Chief Scientific Officer. “IBIO-600’s extended half-life and muscle-building potential make it a transformative candidate for high-quality weight loss, further strengthening our expanding cardiometabolic and obesity pipeline. It is truly remarkable we’ve been able to advance this potentially best-in-class long-acting anti-myostatin antibody to clinical candidate selection in under a year and remain fully on track for a regulatory submission in Q1 2026. This incredibly rapid progress highlights our commitment to accelerating innovation and redefining obesity treatment with cutting-edge therapeutics.”

    iBio is also pleased to announce preclinical data for a first-in-class Activin E antibody disclosed in January, highlighting its potential as a novel treatment for obesity. The antibody effectively blocks Activin E signaling in human adipocytes and is currently being evaluated in an exploratory study with obese mice, both as a monotherapy with bi-weekly dosing and in combination with semaglutide dosed daily. After only two weeks of dosing, monotherapy resulted in fat-selective weight loss of approximately 4%, with a significant 18% reduction in total body fat compared to placebo. Notably, when combined with semaglutide, the Activin E antibody demonstrated a strong synergistic effect, enhancing total weight loss by an additional 9% beyond GLP-1 therapy alone, leading to an overall weight reduction of 34%. This combination also resulted in a remarkable 72% reduction in body fat over the treatment period, as measured by DEXA scans. These compelling findings underscore the potential of Activin E inhibition as a transformative approach to obesity treatment, supporting further development and clinical advancement.

    1 Genki Nakamura, Kazuhisa Ozeki, Miho Nagayasu, Takeru Nambu, Takayuki Nemoto, Ken-ichi Hosoya, Predicting Method for the Human Plasma Concentration–Time Profile of a Monoclonal Antibody from the Half-life of Non-human Primates, Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2020, Volume 43, Issue 5, Pages 823-830, Released on J-STAGE May 01, 2020, Online ISSN 1347-5215, Print ISSN 0918-6158, https://doi.org/10.1248/bpb.b19-01042, https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bpb/43/5/43_b19-01042/_article/-char/en

    2Haraya K, Tachibana T. Translational Approach for Predicting Human Pharmacokinetics of Engineered Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies with Increased FcRn-Binding Mutations. BioDrugs. 2023 Jan;37(1):99-108. doi: 10.1007/s40259-022-00566-2. Epub 2022 Nov 30. PMID: 36449140; PMCID: PMC9709760.

    About iBio, Inc.

    iBio (Nasdaq: IBIO) is a cutting-edge biotech company leveraging AI and advanced computational biology to develop next-generation biopharmaceuticals for cardiometabolic diseases, obesity, cancer and other hard-to-treat diseases. By combining proprietary 3D modeling with innovative drug discovery platforms, iBio is creating a pipeline of breakthrough antibody treatments to address significant unmet medical needs. Our mission is to transform drug discovery, accelerate development timelines, and unlock new possibilities in precision medicine.  For more information, visit www.ibioinc.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and include statements regarding non-human primate pharmacokinetics data suggesting IBIO-600, a potentially best-in-class long-acting anti-myostatin antibody, could have a human half-life as long as 130 days; remaining on track to submit a regulatory submission for IBIO-600 in Q1 2026; IBIO-600 providing a significantly extended half-life in humans and a weight loss treatment option while preserving and promoting muscle growth; the extended half-life potentially enabling a once every 3 to 6-month dosing schedule and positioning IBIO-600 as a best-in-class therapeutic for muscle preservation and high-quality weight loss; IBIO-600 possibly exhibiting the longest half-life among any other anti-myostatin candidates — potentially leading to best-in-class muscle preservation and growth with a significantly reduced dosing burden for patients with a few doses a year; IBIO-600’s extended half-life and muscle-building potential making it a transformative candidate for high-quality weight loss, further strengthening our expanding cardiometabolic and obesity pipeline; and the potential of Activin E inhibition as a transformative approach to obesity treatment, supporting further development and clinical advancement. While iBio believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the ability of IBIO-600 to have a half-life as long as 130 days; the ability of iBio’s innovative pipeline of therapeutics in cardiometabolic disease and obesity to promote healthy weight loss and muscle-building; and iBio’s ability to create a pipeline of breakthrough antibody treatments to address significant unmet medical needs; iBio’s ability to obtain regulatory approvals for commercialization of its product candidates, or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements; regulatory limitations relating to iBio’s ability to promote or commercialize its product candidates for specific indications; acceptance of iBio’s product candidates in the marketplace and the successful development, marketing or sale of products; and whether iBio will incur unforeseen expenses or liabilities or other market factors; and the other factors discussed in iBio’s filings with the SEC including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2024 and its subsequent filings with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and iBio undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

    Corporate Contact:

    iBio, Inc.
    Investor Relations
    ir@ibioinc.com

    Media Contacts:

    Ignacio Guerrero-Ros, Ph.D., or David Schull
    Russo Partners, LLC
    Ignacio.guerrero-ros@russopartnersllc.com
    David.schull@russopartnersllc.com
    (858) 717-2310 or (646) 942-5604

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Verizon Business debuts industry-defining broadcast private 5G and AI solution at NAB 2025

    Source: Verizon

    Headline: Verizon Business debuts industry-defining broadcast private 5G and AI solution at NAB 2025

    What you need to know:

    • Verizon Business is helping broadcasters solve many of their challenges and will showcase a first-of-its-kind mobile Private 5G Network framework featuring a portable, environmentally controlled setup built on NVIDIA and brought to life with key partners including FanDuel TV, Haivision, and Ericsson
    • Verizon Business experts will be featured on various panels throughout the show, discussing the future of live content and remote production

    LAS VEGAS, NV – Broadcasters face the challenge of managing dozens of camera feeds during a live event, they’re constantly struggling with location-based connectivity, all while having the pressure of capturing every critical moment flawlessly. Until now. At the 2025 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show, Verizon Business (Booth W#2530) is showcasing a range of innovative solutions including a first-of-its-kind portable Private 5G Network framework designed to reduce many of these live-broadcasting pain points for broadcasters. 

    This mobile environmentally controlled setup is built on NVIDIA accelerated computing, including NVIDIA AI Enterprise and NVIDIA Holoscan for Media, which demonstrate intelligent video prioritization for live production by using AI to manage numerous camera feeds and highlight key moments. This allows directors to focus on the most compelling content and create a more dynamic and engaging live production. The combined mobile framework can be deployed to leverage different types of spectrum, including C-band, CBRS, and millimeter wave. The Verizon mobile framework comes to life with key partners including FanDuel TV, Haivision, and Ericsson.

    “Live content production and experiential events are evolving rapidly, demanding innovative approaches to content creation, distribution, and fan engagement,” said Daniel Lawson, SVP, Global Solutions, Verizon Business. “We are demonstrating at NAB 2025 how our Private 5G Network, coupled with Enterprise AI solutions, enables more efficient, cost-effective broadcast workflows. Our first-of-its-kind mobile framework is a testament to our commitment to innovation and our dedication to providing cutting-edge solutions to meet the evolving demands of the industry.”

    Visit Verizon Business at Booth #W2530 – thought leadership sessions

    Verizon Business (Booth #W2530) experts will have a strong presence at the NAB show, leading and participating in several sessions, including:

    Saturday, April 5, 12 p.m. PT, at the NAB Main Stage, Verizon’s Daniel Lawson, SVP, Global Solutions will deliver the Opening Remarks for the 2025 Devoncroft Executive Summit

    Monday, April 7, 12 p.m. PT, at W222-W223, ErinRose Widner, Global Head of Business Strategy, Media & Entertainment, Verizon Business will lead a panel: AI on Location: Deploying Private Networks and Edge Compute for Next Gen Production Workflows’

    Monday, April 7, 2 p.m. PT, at W1768 Theater 1, Tim Stevens, Global Leader of Strategic Innovation, Verizon Business will discuss ‘Unplugging Sports: The Private Wireless Revolution’

    These sessions, along with many others, will delve into the latest trends in live media, AI and automation, and how technology is being leveraged to enhance engagement and interactivity. For more information, visit Verizon Media & Entertainment to learn more.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Polytechnic campus has become a regional historical and cultural monument

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The Committee for State Control, Use and Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments of St. Petersburg included the complex of buildings of the Polytechnic University Student Campus in the unified state register of cultural heritage sites of regional significance. Four residential complexes built in 1929–1930, located on Lesnoy Prospekt, Pargolovskaya and Kharchenko Streets, a club, a factory kitchen and a mechanical workshop on Kapitana Voronina Street have been recognized as monuments.

    In the 1920s and 1930s, special attention was paid to the training of engineering personnel in the USSR, and workers’ faculties were organized in universities. The number of students at the Polytechnic University then reached six thousand people, and the dormitories that had existed since pre-revolutionary times were no longer sufficient. A site on Lesnoy Prospekt was chosen for the construction of new ones. The project for the complex was approved in February 1930. Its authors were architects S. E. Brovtsev, M. D. Felger, A. V. Petrov and engineer K. V. Sakhnovsky.

    “Probably the most interesting building in the town is the factory kitchen,” says Valery Klimov, director of the SPbPU History Museum. “Its main purpose was to free women from housework. Not only was food prepared for the student canteen here, but semi-finished products were also made to make cooking at home easier. This was an innovative invention of the 1930s.”

    In Leningrad, four factory kitchens opened in 1930 alone. They were all standard: three or four floors, a basement and a semi-basement. The first floor was allocated for production facilities and a cloakroom for visitors, a convenience store, and a snack bar. The second floor was for simple dining rooms, the third for banquets.

    In total, eight factory kitchens were built in Leningrad — the most in the USSR. Four of them are recognized as architectural monuments. These are the Vyborg (Stalin) factory kitchen on Bolshoy Sampsonievsky Prospect 45/2, the Vasileostrovskaya factory kitchen on Bolshoy Prospect of Vasilievsky Island, 68, the Moscow factory kitchen (Leningrad Food Plant) on Moskovsky Prospect, 114, and the factory kitchen of the Polytechnic Institute dormitories on Kapitana Voronina Street, 13a, b, v.

    In 1932, a mechanical laundry building appeared on the territory, which also housed showers and a sanitary checkpoint.

    When the Great Patriotic War began, the student town became the place where the people’s militia was formed. On June 22, 1941, after Vyacheslav Molotov’s speech on the radio, students from all the surrounding dormitories gathered on the third floor of the factory kitchen and began to compile lists of volunteers. Here is how a participant in the storming of Berlin, later associate professor of the hydraulic machinery department, Ivan Nikolaevich Filatov, recalled it: “On June 22, Sunday, we were working in our room, and at 12:00 we were supposed to listen to the scheduled broadcast of Leningrad radio “Let’s not!..” – a satirical music program based on local material, and at the same time relax. But instead, the head of the Soviet government, V. M. Molotov, spoke, reporting on the treacherous attack of Nazi Germany and the beginning of military operations from the Black Sea to the Barents Sea. He ended his speech with a phrase that later became a catchphrase: “Our cause is just, the enemy will be defeated, victory will be ours!” Despite such an ending, everyone in the room was speechless – everything was unexpected. Then came the time of the highest excitement: I threw my notebooks in the corner, everyone quickly began to run out into the street. And there, near our factory-kitchen, students from all the buildings of our town gathered, a spontaneous rally began: everyone wanted to say their main word, to do something useful for the homeland, to stand up for its defense.”

    Here, in the dormitories of the student campus, in 1941 the 3rd rifle regiment of the Frunze division of the people’s militia and the 5th division of the people’s militia of the Vyborg district were formed.

    Nowadays, the People’s University Theatre “Glagol” is located on the fourth floor of the former factory kitchen.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Simple way that U2 can support Music Service fundraiser

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    U2 vs Simple Minds will pay homage to the massively popular Irish and Scottish bands in the guise of tribute acts u2+1 and Alive & Kicking UK.

    The concert will take place at Wolverhampton Music School, Graiseley Hill, on Saturday 10 May, 2025, from 7.30pm and tickets, priced £20, are available now at eventbrite.

    All proceeds will go to Wolverhampton Music Service, which provides high quality tuition and musical opportunities for children and young people from schools across the city.

    Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “We are incredibly thankful for everything the Friends do to support our Music Service, and this is just one of the many fundraising activities it holds throughout the year.

    “U2 vs Simple Minds promises to be a great night and all proceeds will support vital new Music Service projects and equipment, so please grab your tickets before it’s too late!”

    Head of Wolverhampton Music Service, Ciaran O’Donnell, added: “We are grateful to the Friends of the Music Service for their support for our young musicians, and are looking forward to an evening of great live entertainment.”

    Wolverhampton Music Service delivers around 500 hours of tuition to nearly 7,000 children in 82 schools each week. It also runs 15 free ensembles enjoyed by over 500 children and young people each week, including the chance to perform with its flagship groups, Wolverhampton Youth Orchestra and Wolverhampton Youth Wind Orchestra.

    To find out more visit Wolverhampton Music Service. 

    To make a one off donation to the Friends and help support the invaluable work of the Music Service, please visit Friends of Wolverhampton Music Service. £5 will support a child to attend a free ensemble group for a week, £50 will help them attend for a term, while £100 will buy music for one of the groups and £500 will cover the cost of hiring a concert venue.

    People can also support the Friends in other ways, for instance serving refreshments or selling raffle tickets at concerts, which helps to ensure there is no ticket charge for any Music Service events. Find out more at Wolverhampton Music Service.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government firmly committed to holistic development of minority communities: Shri Kiren Rijiju

    Source: Government of India

    Government firmly committed to holistic development of minority communities: Shri Kiren Rijiju

    Lok Samvardhan Parv to be inaugurated by Minority Affairs  Minister  at Srinagar tomorrow

    Parv being  organized by the Ministry of Minority Affairs  will run up to April 13, 2025

    Posted On: 05 APR 2025 5:13PM by PIB Delhi

    The Government of India is firmly committed to the holistic development of minority communities, with a special focus on artisans who represent the rich cultural and traditional legacy of our nation, stated Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, ahead of the grand inauguration of Lok Samvardhan Parv in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir.

    Reflecting the vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, the Lok Samvardhan Parv will be inaugurated by the Minister at 3:00 PM tomorrow, at the Convention Centre Ground, Kashmir University, Srinagar. The event is being organized by the Ministry of Minority Affairs and will run up to April 13, 2025.

    Shri Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest, and Shri George Kurian, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, will attend as the Guest of Honour. Several other dignitaries, senior government officials, and stakeholders from across the country are also expected to attend.

    The Lok Samvardhan Parv aims to provide a vibrant national platform for artisans and culinary experts from minority communities to showcase their crafts and traditional cuisines. Coinciding with the Tulip Season—a major tourist attraction—the event is expected to draw significant footfall, enhancing market exposure and livelihood opportunities for the participants.

    The exhibition will feature over 100 artisans from 25 States and Union Territories, presenting a diverse array of handicrafts including:

    • Kashmiri arts such as Carpet weaving, Paper Mâché, Sozni embroidery, Crewel, and Ari work
    • Shawls from Punjab
    • Handloom products from Uttarakhand
    • Traditional jewellery from Nagaland
    • Crochet work from Goa
    • Cane and bamboo products from Assam
    • Leather goods from Maharashtra
    • Matka Silk and Baswara Sarees from Bihar

    Additionally, 16 culinary experts from 12 States will offer a rich gastronomic journey through regional delicacies, including:

    • Kashmiri Wazwan
    • Gujarati cuisine
    • Bihar ka Swad
    • UP ki Chaat
    • Flavour & Fire Paan

    To further enrich the experience, daily evening cultural performances will celebrate the music, dance, and storytelling traditions of India’s minority communities.

    As a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Lok Samvardhan Parv aligns with the ‘Vocal for Local’ mission, dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional arts, crafts, and cuisines. The event underscores the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to empowering artisans through market linkages, skill development, and financial inclusion, in collaboration with various partner organizations.

    The Ministry of Minority Affairs warmly invites citizens, tourists, art lovers, and cultural enthusiasts to visit the Lok Samvardhan Parv and be part of this extraordinary celebration of India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.

    ***

    SS/ISA

    (Release ID: 2119269) Visitor Counter : 107

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah addresses the Bastar Pandum Program in Bastar, Chhattisgarh

    Source: Government of India

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah addresses the Bastar Pandum Program in Bastar, Chhattisgarh

    The Modi government is working to give international recognition to Bastar Pandum by bringing its traditions, culture, and art to the world

    Bastar Pandum Program will be celebrated in 12 categories next year and tribals from all over the country will participate in it

    Naxalites cannot stop the development of entire Bastar; Bastar has now become a symbol of the future, not fear

    Where the sound of bullets used to echo, now school bells are ringing, where building roads was a dream, highways are being constructed

    Everyone should strive with dedication and fearlessness to make the dreams of development a reality, because under Modi Ji’s governance, no one needs to be afraid

    Bastar is developing because now instead of Naxalism, Bastar is moving ahead with the flame of development, trust and victory

    The Chhattisgarh government will declare any village that successfully gets all Naxalites to surrender as Naxal-free and will provide a development fund of one crore rupees to that village

    When someone from Sukma becomes a sub-inspector, a barrister from Bastar, a doctor from Dantewada and a collector from Kanker, then development will happen and we have to develop and build Bastar in this way

    Modi government is committed to make the entire country free from Naxalism by March 2026

    Posted On: 05 APR 2025 6:31PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addressed the Bastar Pandum program in Dantewada Chhattisgarh today. Many dignitaries including Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma were present on the occasion.

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that Maharaja Praveer Chandra Bhajdev gave his life for the water, forest, land, and culture of the tribal people. He noted that Maharaja Praveer Chandra’s popularity as a people’s king was unbearable for the then government, leading to his murder through a conspiracy. Shri Shah further emphasized that today, as Bastar stands on the brink of freedom from red terror and has embarked on the path of development, the soul of Praveer Chandra Ji, wherever it may be, is undoubtedly blessing the people of Bastar.

    Shri Amit Shah stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, starting next year, artists from every tribal district of the country will be included in the Bastar Pandum. He mentioned that to give international recognition to Bastar Pandum, the Modi government is working to showcase the traditions, culture, and art of Bastar by taking ambassadors from all countries on a tour of Bastar, and spreading it worldwide. Shri Shah also mentioned that 47,000 artists from 188 Gram Panchayats, 12 Nagar Panchayats, 8 Nagar Parishads, one Municipality, and 32 Janpads have participated in this festival. The district administration and the culture department have allocated 5 crore rupees for Bastar Pandum. He emphasized that this Pandum will work to preserve and promote local and traditional art, culture, craftsmanship, festivals, food, languages, customs, attire, jewelry, traditional songs, music, and cuisines in their original form.

    Union Home Minister said that we want the youth of Bastar to receive the most modern education, compete on every platform with the youth of the world, and attain global prosperity, but they should never forget their culture, language, and traditions. He further noted that the culture, dialects, musical instruments and food of Bastar are the jewels of the culture of not just Chhattisgarh but the entire India and we have to preserve it. Shri Shah mentioned that the Bastar Pandum festival, which is being celebrated in seven categories this year, will be celebrated in twelve categories next year, and tribal people from across the country will participate. Union Home Minister also said that India’s strength lies in its unity in diversity, the fusion of various cultures, arts, traditions, languages, dialects, and cuisines. He emphasized that we will stand strong in every competition with the world, but we will also preserve our culture and other heritage, and Bastar Pandum is the beginning of this effort.

    Union Home Minister said that the time has passed when bullets were fired and bomb blasts occurred here. He appealed to all Naxalites, urging them to lay down their weapons and join the mainstream because Bastar wants development. He stated that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi wants to give everything to Bastar, but this is only possible when there is peace in Bastar. He emphasized that children should go to school, mothers’ health should be taken care of, tribals and youth should not suffer from malnutrition, arrangements should be made for children’s education, every village should have a dispensary, and there should be a hospital in every tehsil—only then can development happen. He further mentioned that this can only be achieved if the people of Bastar decide to make every village Naxal-free. Shri Shah also mentioned that the Chhattisgarh government has announced that any village that gets all Naxalites to surrender will be declared Naxal-free and will be given a development fund of one crore rupees. He added that no one wants to harm anyone, and therefore Naxalites should abandon violence and come into the mainstream, as both the Government of India and the Government of Chhattisgarh will provide protection. Union Home Minister said that Naxalites, with their weapons, cannot stop the development of entire Bastar.

    Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given the slogan “Vocal for Local” and has facilitated the marketing of a unique product from each district by associating it with the GI tag, promoting it in markets across the country. He mentioned that Prime Minister Modi has emphasized that history is not limited to books; our tribal freedom fighters should receive respect and recognition across the country. Prime Minister Modi has taken steps to honor tribal heroes like Veer Gundadhur of Bastar, who fought for independence. He also highlighted that Prime Minister Modi has dedicated the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda as “Janjatiya GauravDiwas” and has declared the 150thanniversary year as “Janjatiya Gaurav Varsha”.

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation stated that previous governments gave the slogan of “Garibi Hatao”, but for 75 years did nothing for the development of the poor. Prime Minister Modi, over the past 10 years, has built over 4 crore houses for the country’s millions of poor, provided 11 crore gas connections, constructed 12 crore toilets, delivered tap water to 15 crore homes, distributed free rations to 80 crore people, and provided free medical treatment up to 5 lakh rupees for 70 crore people.

    Shri Amit Shah said that those who have understood that for development, one needs a computer, not a gun in hand, and a pen, not IEDs and grenades, have all surrendered. He mentioned that in the direction of ending Naxalism, 521 Naxalites have surrendered so far this year, while 881 Naxalites surrendered in 2024. Shri Shah expressed confidence that those Naxalites who lay down their arms will be able to join the mainstream and progress, but those who choose the path of violence by picking up weapons will be dealt with strictly by the security forces. He added that the Modi government is committed to making the entire country free from Naxalism by March 2026.

    Union Home Minister said that Bastar has now become a symbol of the future, not fear. Earlier, due to the terror of Naxalites, politicians were stopped from holding rallies and gatherings, but times have changed. Today, they are celebrating Ram Navami, Ashtami, and the Bastar Pandum Festival in front of 50,000 tribal brothers and sisters. He mentioned that where once the sound of bullets echoed, now the sound of machines is heard; where villages were once desolate, now school bells ring; where roads were once a dream, highways are being built; and where children once feared going to school, today they are connecting with the world through computers. He added that Bastar’s development is happening because no one is associating with Naxalism anymore.

    Shri Amit Shah said that Bastar is now moving forward with the light of development, trust, and victory. He emphasized that village assemblies should be convened to encourage Naxalites to surrender and help open the path to development. Shri Shah further stated that when someone from Sukma becomes a Sub-Inspector, from Bastar becomes a Barrister, from Dantewada becomes a Doctor, and from Kanker becomes a Collector, then development will take place. This is the kind of development and progress we need to create in Bastar. He urged everyone to work with dedication and fearlessness to make the dreams of development a reality, as under PM Modi’s leadership, no one needs to be afraid.

    *****

    RK/VV/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2119294) Visitor Counter : 19

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival’s outdoor music carnival “ImagineLand 2025” to be held today and tomorrow

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Outdoor music carnival “ImagineLand 2025”, the highlight programme of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2025 (PCF), is being held today and tomorrow (April 5 and 6) from noon to 10pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC) Piazza, the Central Lawn & Event Trellis of Salisbury Garden, and the Avenue of Stars free of charge. Today’s (April 5) carnival has attracted many citizens and tourists to watch and participate in its performances and activities.
     
         The PCF is organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), and one of the programmes, “ImagineLand 2025”, is supported and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency. The Carnival features both daytime and evening programmes. “Go Beyond Concert”, “Comics Fun Experience Gallery” and “Funarts Corner” are available during the day, whereas film programme “Movie Under the Stars” will be held at night.
     
         “Go Beyond Concert”, curated by veteran music professionals Dr Wong Chi-chung, Chiu Tseng-hei and Vicky Fung, together with young jazz musician Alan Kwan as guest curator, showcases three stages at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, namely the Forest Stage, Grove Stage and Seed Stage, featuring over 35 musicians and artists from Hong Kong and eight countries and regions to perform mesmerising popular songs and original works. Today’s performances at the Forest Stage featured local pop singers such as Ivana Wong, Joey Tang, Cloud, Ashley Lin, and overseas artists including Didirri from Australia, Sunwoojunga from Korea and more. The Grove Stage showcased performances of different musical styles including electronic, jazz, and rap, while the Seed Stage featured energetic performances by young musicians, filling the Piazza with a multicultural atmosphere.
     
         Tomorrow’s (April 6) performances are also unmissable. The line-up includes erhuist and film composer Wan Pin Chu, the winner of Best Original Music of the 18th Asian Film Awards Ceremony, who will share the stage with renowned local singer-songwriter Yatfung and a cappella group Boonfaysau. Local band Pandora and visiting music groups or musicians, including Naked Feel (the Mainland and Ukraine) , Mathis Picard Trio (France, the United States and the United Kingdom), Invisible Architecture (the United States) and Tomoaki Baba (Japan), will also perform on stage, which should not be missed.
     
         “Comics Fun Experience Gallery” is now on display featuring Hong Kong comics and animation from different eras and popular characters including Old Master Q, Sau Nga Chun, Ngau Chai and Father from Myboy, Din Dong, Tai Ma Shing, and more to highlight the creativity of local artists. There are themed photo spots where iconic props and fiberglass comic characters are set up for visitors to take pictures with their favourite characters. The exhibition will continue at the HKCC until May 7, and then move to Event Space 1.1, VESSEL, Kwun Tong, for display from May 10 to 29.
     
         There is a “Funarts Corner” with yarn spinning, paper fan imprinting, a joyful caricature studio, sound healing and music instrument workshops. Visitors can explore and experience Hong Kong’s pop culture in many different ways through the workshops that blend art, music, and crafts.
     
         “Movie Under the Stars” will be staged at 8pm on both evenings. “Table For Six” (2022) will be screened tonight and “Forbidden City Cop” (1996) on April 6. Audiences can enjoy local comedies while relaxing on the outdoor lawn.
     
         This year, the LCSD presents the third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival, themed “More Than Joy”. Humour has been a trendsetter in Hong Kong’s pop culture scene. The Festival features a diverse range of formats including stage performances, film screenings, thematic exhibitions, and library and outreach activities. Offering insight into the multifaceted development of Hong Kong’s pop culture along the line of “happiness”, the Festival brings audiences not only joy and laughter but also an opportunity to appreciate how pop culture can be transmitted and transformed, and how integration and breakthroughs are possible. For more information, please visit www.pcf.gov.hk/en.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Red flag lowered at Stanley Main Beach

    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:

    The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said today (April 5) that the red flag at Stanley Main Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island has been lowered.

    The red flag was hoisted earlier due to big waves.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Bloomberg News: “California keeps making the U.S. great — again.”

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 5, 2025

    California Just a Nevada-Sized Economy Away from Overtaking Germany and Japan as World’s No. 3 Economy

    — Bloomberg News

    SACRAMENTO — As President Trump threatens the U.S. economy with reckless tariffs and rising uncertainty, Governor Gavin Newsom announced new efforts yesterday to strengthen and build international partnerships and seek protections for California-made goods from retaliatory tariffs, building on the state’s unmatched economic strength and global leadership.

    As Bloomberg recently put it: “California keeps making the U.S. great — again.” California is outpacing every other state in major industries, driving the nation’s GDP, and according to Bloomberg News, is a “Nevada-sized economy” away from becoming the world’s third-largest economy.

    “California Keeps Making the US Great — Again”

    Matthew A. Winkler, Columnist & Editor-in-Chief Emeritus

    Read the Full Column Here →

    “. . . [California] is only a Nevada-sized economy away from supplanting Germany and Japan as soon as this year as No.3 in the world behind the US and China.

    It should go without saying California is critical to US economic dominance globally, accounting for more than 14% of US’s $28 trillion of GDP as measured by the World Bank and more than 50% greater than the next largest state by the size of its economy – Texas. Among the many superlatives that can be assigned to the Golden State, consider that there isn’t a major industry in any of the other 49 states that comes close to overtaking its California counterpart. . .

    California, as measured by the balance of payments, sends much more to Trump’s America than it gets back, about $83.1 billion more as the biggest “donor state,” according to the Rockefeller Institute. That’s almost three times more than the No. 2 state, New Jersey, at $28.9 billion. (The top four states are all considered “blue,” sending a combined $156.9 billion to DC. Texas, a champion of Republican ideals, takes $71.1 billion more than it gives.)

    Here’s the scorecard, based on data compiled by Bloomberg:

    • California’s $539 billion of GDP in 2023 from real estate, rental and leasing beats No.2 Texas by 61%.
    • The $414 billion from information dwarfs No.2 New York by 128%.
    • The $412 billion from manufacturing is 41% greater than No.2 Texas
    • The $257 billion from health care and social assistance exceeds No.2 New York by 59%.
    • The $151 billion from construction beats No.2 Texas by 19%.
    • The $121 billion from accommodation and food services is 63% greater than No. 2 Florida.
    • The $125 billion from transportation and warehousing exceeds No.2 Texas by 30.
    • The $55 billion from arts, entertainment and recreation beats No. 2 New York by 68%.
    • The $48 billion from agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting is 150% larger than No. 2 Texas.

    California is “an economic and technological powerhouse” that “is literally subsidizing the rest of the United States, red states in particular, through the federal budget,” Paul Krugman, the 2008 Nobel laureate in economics, wrote in his Jan. 13 Substack post. Without California, “America would be a lot poorer and weaker than it is.” . . .

    The California juggernaut shows no sign of slowing, based on the estimated growth of the 2,400 companies in the Bloomberg World Large & Mid Cap Index. The 101 companies based in California that are members of the index are poised to see revenue increasing 27% on average in 2024, while the 42 German companies will see 4.6% growth and the 156 Japanese firms 7%. . . 

    The stellar performance becomes no mystery once you understand California is the home of more corporate research and development headquarters than any other state, and its 18% share of R&D locations globally is exceeded only by China (22%) and Germany (21%). 

    Make California Great Again? If anyone in Washington cared to look, they’d find it’s never been greater.”

    Read the Full Column Here → 

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: WAM!: India’s Manga & Anime Boom

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 APR 2025 9:54AM by PIB Delhi

    Resham Talwar had always believed in the power of voice. As a visually challenged artist, she knew that her voice carried more than just words, it carried emotion, expression, and the ability to bring characters to life. She didn’t let her disability define her. Instead, she carved a space for herself in the highly competitive world of voice acting. Winning the Voice Acting category at WAVES Anime & Manga Contest (WAM!) in Delhi elevated her journey, proving her artistry could break through any barrier. Resham’s expertise in radio jockeying, voice-overs, and audio editing had already proven her capabilities, but WAM!! put her on a bigger stage. Her talent resonated with industry leaders, opening doors that had remained closed for far too long. It’s stories like hers that highlight why WAM!! isn’t just a competition, it’s a movement that’s shaking up the creative industry.

    This dynamic initiative, organised by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in collaboration with the Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), aims to harness India’s growing enthusiasm for anime and manga by providing a platform for creators to showcase their talent. WAM!! encourages artists to develop localised adaptations of popular Japanese styles, catering to both Indian and global audiences, with opportunities for publishing, distribution, and industry exposure that foster artistic expression and nurture emerging talent. The competition will feature state-level contests across 11 cities, culminating in a grand national finale at World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Mumbai.

    WAM! is a cornerstone of the broader WAVES 2025, an ambitious event set to unfold at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai from 1st to 4th May. WAVES aims to position India as a global powerhouse in media and entertainment, drawing inspiration from iconic gatherings like Davos and Cannes. It’s a first-of-its-kind summit, uniting films, OTT platforms, gaming, comics, digital media, AI, and the burgeoning AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) sector under one roof. With India’s media and entertainment industry poised for massive growth, targeting a $50 billion market by 2029, WAVES is set to be the catalyst that propels the nation to the forefront of global storytelling.

    At the heart of WAVES lies the Create in India Challenges (CIC), a series of competitions designed to unearth and nurture talent across diverse creative fields. Season 1 of CIC has already sparked a frenzy, attracting over 77,000 entries, including more than 500 participants from 35 countries. From this vast pool, over 725 top creators will converge at the grand finale during WAVES 2025, showcasing their work and vying for global recognition. The challenges celebrate India’s rich tapestry of regional storytelling, reflecting the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity. WAM!!, as one of the standout initiatives under CIC, zeroes in on the anime and manga domains, offering a stage for both amateurs and professionals to shine. It’s a movement that not only discovers hidden gems but also bridges the gap between raw talent and industry opportunity, transforming dreams into tangible careers.

    To appreciate why WAM!! matters, it’s helpful to explore what manga and anime are, especially for people in India. Manga is simply a type of comic book or graphic novel that started in Japan. It’s like the comics you might read, but it covers all sorts of stories, think exciting adventures, sweet love tales, spooky horrors, or magical fantasies. What makes manga special is its look: the characters often have big, lively eyes and the drawings can be super simple or packed with detail, depending on the story. Unlike most books, you read manga from right to left, and it usually starts as short pieces in magazines before being put together into books called “tankōbon.” Anime, on the other hand, is like manga brought to life—it’s the cartoon version you watch on a screen, with movement and voices added to the same kinds of stories. There’s something for everyone: ‘shonen’ is for young boys and full of action and friendship, ‘shojo’ is for young girls and focuses on romance, ‘seinen’ is for grown-up men with deeper or darker ideas, and ‘josei’ is for adult women with everyday life or love stories that feel real.

    In India, manga and anime have become incredibly popular over the last ten years, thanks to how easy they are to find and the excited fans who love them. There are around 180 million anime fans in the country, making India the second-biggest anime market in the world, just behind China. These fans are expected to play a huge part in making anime even more popular globally, driving 60% of its growth. Shows like “Naruto,” “Dragon Ball,” “One Piece,” “Attack on Titan,” and “My Hero Academia” have become huge hits, winning over massive followings across India and showing just how much people here love these stories.

    The anime market in India was worth $1,642.5 million in 2023, and it’s set to grow to $5,036.0 million by 2032. Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Crunchyroll, and Disney+ Hotstar have made it simple for people to watch anime, adding subtitles so Indian viewers can enjoy them. Manga is also getting easier to find, with e-commerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart selling these comic books, and some special shops popping up too. Yet, despite this boom, India faces a critical shortage of skilled talent in the anime and manga industry, a gap that WAM is determined to bridge by fostering homegrown creators.

    Resham’s win is just one of many amazing stories coming out of WAM!. Take Angel Yadav, a high school student from Sunbeam Varuna in Varanasi, who stunned judges in the Manga (Student Category) at WAM Varanasi. Her artwork impressed Vaibhavi Studio in Kolkata so much that they offered her a job, showing that even young people can make a big impact in this field. Another success is Randeep Singh, a professional manga artist who entered WAM! Bhubaneswar. The judges loved his work, calling it good enough to be printed, and while he keeps working on his own manga, he’s already getting paid projects from Vaibhavi Studio. These examples show how WAM! changes lives, helping people turn their love for creating into real careers, with big names in the industry supporting them along the way.

    The support for WAM! extends far beyond individual triumphs, drawing in some of the biggest names in the business. Srikkanth Konatham, Director of BOB Pictures, has pledged to attend every future WAM! event, eager to scout talent ready to hit the ground running. Navin Miranda of ToonSutra is offering distribution deals in the webtoon space to winners, while Rajeswari Roy from eTV Bal Bharat is providing pitching opportunities in anime. Nilesh Patel, founder of central India’s largest animation studio, has gone further, promising placements for winners and internships for finalists. This industry backing isn’t just lip service, it’s a lifeline, ensuring that WAM! participants don’t just compete but thrive in a competitive global market.

    What sets WAM! apart is its ability to democratise creativity. It’s a platform where a visually challenged voice actor like Resham can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with a teenage manga artist like Angel or a seasoned professional like Randeep. As part of WAVES 2025, WAM! is more than a contest, it’s a revolution, reshaping how India’s creative talents are discovered, nurtured, and celebrated. With the summit on the horizon, the world will watch as India’s storytellers, rooted in a legacy of folklore and now embracing modern mediums like anime and manga, take centre stage. For Resham and countless others, WAM! isn’t just a win, it’s the beginning of a legacy, one that promises to burn brighter with every passing year.

    Source: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

    WAM!: India’s Manga & Anime Boom

    ****

    Santosh Kumar/ Ritu Kataria/ Saurabh Kalia

    (Release ID: 2119648) Visitor Counter : 64

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: With the support of Rosneft, the main spring festival of indigenous peoples was held in Yugra and Tyumen

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    With the support of Rosneft enterprises in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Yugra and in the Tyumen Region, the indigenous people of the Khanty and Mansi celebrated the most revered national holiday of the arrival of spring – Raven Day (“Vorna Khatl”).

    Samotlorneftegaz, one of Rosneft’s largest production assets, organized a celebration in the “capital of Samotlor” – Nizhnevartovsk. About three thousand people from different regions of Yugra came to the Ecoethnopark tourist center for a symbolic meeting of spring. Five thematic areas were open for guests.

    A camp with a tent, a storage shed, a sledge stand, fishing equipment and rowboats – oblas – was set up in the ethnopark. In an authentic setting, folk craftsmen held master classes for everyone interested in making amulet dolls and souvenirs dedicated to the holiday.

    Experienced mushers took guests for a ride on reindeer sleds along specially laid tracks. Fans of active recreation competed in games of the peoples of the North – jumping over sleds, archery, pulling a stick on reindeer skins. The festive atmosphere was supported by performances by folk groups. Guests were treated to northern delicacies, an exhibition-fair of wild plants, exclusive fur products and handmade souvenirs was held.

    In Tyumen, the traditional venue for the celebration was the ethnocultural center “House of Northern People” (“Uvas Mir Hot”), which was created and is being developed with the support of Rosneft’s enterprise – “RN-Uvatneftegaz”. The celebration began with the performance of traditional rituals of welcoming spring – tying multi-colored ribbons on birch branches and fumigating guests with smoke. The rich concert program consisted of vocal and choreographic numbers, playing national musical instruments – flute, tambourines. In the year of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, most of the concert was dedicated to patriotic works.

    Competitions in national sports were organized for adult guests. Craftswomen of traditional crafts presented decorative and applied arts products made of beads and fur at the exhibition-fair. The culmination of the “Raven Day” was the tasting of national cuisine dishes – fish soup from northern fish, porridge, tea on taiga herbs, berries and nuts.

    Preservation of the national culture of the indigenous peoples of the North and their traditional way of life is one of the significant areas of Rosneft’s social policy. The Company’s enterprises implement many projects in the regions of their operations, develop the infrastructure of northern villages, improve the material and technical base of educational institutions and social facilities in the areas of original residence of indigenous peoples.

    Samotlorneftegaz, within the framework of the agreement between Rosneft and the regional government, is implementing projects aimed at improving the quality of life of the indigenous peoples of the North. Since 2020, the company has been supporting a unique program to equip national camps with modern information and communication technologies. Currently, the project covers more than 3.6 thousand people – more than 70% of the indigenous people of Yugra leading a traditional way of life. With the support of the company, a reindeer herding skills competition is organized annually in Yugra. This year, more than 1.5 thousand people attended the large-scale event in the district capital.

    RN-Uvatneftegaz supports representatives of the Khanty, Mansi and Evenki of the Tyumen Region, provides comprehensive assistance in preserving their unique culture and way of life. In recent years, RN-Uvatneftegaz has transferred more than 160 units of equipment to Khanty families – snowmobiles, boat motors, gasoline generators.

    To preserve the culture and traditions of the northern peoples, the festival “Wealth of the Uvat Taiga” is held with the support of the enterprise. The winter festival originated as a fair of folk crafts, but thanks to the support of oil workers, it acquired the format of an ethnocultural festival. This year it became the most numerous – about 1.5 thousand guests from all taiga settlements of the Uvatsky district visited it.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft April 7, 2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Climate Choices Business Award winners announced

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Businesses from across the Canberra region have been recognised for their sustainability achievements.

    Today, businesses from across the Canberra region were recognised for their sustainability achievements at the annual Climate Choices Business Awards.

    The awards recognise some of Canberra’s most innovative businesses as the city works towards net-zero emissions.

    The awards received high-quality nominations from a diverse range of organisations.

    This demonstrates a strong commitment to climate action and emissions reduction from the Canberra business community.

    Sustainable choices can sometimes come with an upfront cost, such as those associated with appliance upgrades or installation of EV chargers. The success of businesses such as the award recipients shows that such investments will pay off – for businesses and the community.

    Many of the award-winning businesses benefitted from financial assistance and expert advice from the ACT Government’s Sustainable Business Program.

    Through the program, businesses can receive support to improve sustainability and demonstrate climate leadership in their operations.

    2024 Climate Choices Business Award winners

    Category Business/event
    Zero Emissions Early Movers Goodwin Aged Care Services
    Energy Star Canberra Services Club
    Waste Minimisation Les Bistronomes
    Sustainable Event National Folk Festival
    Sustainable Small Business of the Year Embassy of Belgium
    Corporate Climate Leader Waves Carwash
    Innovation Excellence GREN
    Minister’s Award for Leadership Steven Blakemore
    The Canberra Tradesmen’s Union Club (Dickson Tradies)

    Find out more about the Sustainable Business Program.

    For more information visit the Everyday Climate Choices website.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Canberra in focus on Gardening Australia

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Volunteer Carol can spot a caterpillar at ten paces, even if it is hidden under the husk of a corn cob.

    The popular Gardening Australia program will have a distinctly Canberra flavour on Friday 17 May.

    ABC TV’s gardening flagship will air a story featuring two ACT schools, several students and much-loved volunteer Carol Quashie-Williams, scientist in residence at both Farrer Primary and Namadgi School.

    As a CSIRO STEM Professional in Schools, Carol has enriched the lives of thousands of young people during two decades of volunteering.

    She teaches life skills in gardening, nutrition, cooking and teamwork, with lessons in biology, chemistry, earth and environmental science, physics, maths, literacy and art sprouting here and there.

    An agricultural and environmental scientist and entomologist, Carol can spot a caterpillar at ten paces, even if it is hidden under the husk of a corn cob.

    Namadgi School Principal Gareth Richards says Carol’s way of engaging the kids means her presence is felt whether she is on site or not.

    “Even when she’s not at school, the kids are still carrying on with activities she’s taught them,” he said.

    “We’ll see them walking around the garden with magnifying glasses in hand, inspecting bugs they find along the way. She has a lasting impact on our students’ lives.”

    Another legacy of Carol’s involvement is professional growth and development.

    “She builds the capacity of our staff. Working shoulder to shoulder with Carol they have picked up expertise they’ve been able to go on to share with our students,” Gareth said.

    Named Volunteer of the Year at the 2019 ACT Public Education Awards, Carol started volunteering when her own children were at school and found it so rewarding she continued after they had left.

    With a day job in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, she says her involvement in the schools program enables her to maintain her pest surveillance and diagnostic and science communication skills.

    “I enjoy inspiring the next generation of scientists and gardeners and love the enthusiasm of the students when working outside and in the environment centres,” she said.

    ‘My Garden Path – Carol STEM’ airs on Gardening Australia this Friday 17 May at 7:30pm (repeated Sunday 1:30pm, or catch up via iView or the Gardening Australia website).

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Mumu’ brings compassion to hard of hearing community

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    New movie drama “Mumu” celebrates the hard of hearing community through a tearjerking and intimate portrayal of father-daughter love, shared struggles and resilience.

    Cast and crew of “Mumu” pose for a photo at the movie’s premiere in Beijing, April 2, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

    Directed by Sha Mo and starring pop icon-actor Lay Zhang alongside child actor Li Luoan, “Mumu” portrays the unbreakable bond between deaf father Xiao Ma (played by Zhang) and his hearing daughter Mumu (Li). The film follows the devoted father’s quest to improve his daughter’s life — a journey that tragically entangles him in a criminal scam.

    The feature film, which debuted on April 3, expands on director Sha Mo’s hit short film of the same name. During production, over 30 individuals with hearing impairments were invited to participate as cast members, many of them without prior acting experience, yet their authentic performances create profound emotional impact.

    “I first engaged with this community after seeing news about deaf individuals and conducting field research,” Sha said. “Then the opportunity to make a short film came along.”

    The director later believed those with hearing impairments deserved larger-scale representation to increase their visibility. During pre-production, Sha and screenwriter Fu Dandi interviewed numerous deaf individuals to document their experiences. “Because this community often live with informational barriers and beautiful simplicity,” he noted, “they’re particularly vulnerable to scams — a crucial element we incorporated into the story.”

    Behind this fictional narrative lies the harsh reality faced by China’s 30 million individuals with hearing impairments. The director revealed how well-packaged schemes can easily mislead deaf people: “They might think they’re just helping a friend, only to realize too late that they’ve been scammed.”

    Screenwriter Fu added insights from a law firm specializing in deaf clients: “Without interpreters, communication barriers often lead them to rush resolutions, unaware of the severe consequences. This creates wrongful cases that could have been prevented.”

    Director Sha credited his friend and fellow filmmaker Shen Ao for recommending Lay Zhang as the lead. Zhang had starred in Shen’s scam-themed crime blockbuster “No More Bets,” which earned 3.85 billion yuan in summer 2023. “I saw Zhang’s films and was impressed,” Sha said. “But when we met, he understood the role more profoundly than I did — that’s when I knew he was the one I was looking for.”

    To authentically portray deaf character Xiao Ma, Lay Zhang immersed himself in silence — wearing earplugs during rehearsals to experience his character’s soundless world. “The hardest part was hearing everything while acting like I couldn’t,” Zhang revealed. 

    He dedicated two months to studying sign language, learning about deaf lived experiences and collaborating with sign language advisor Chi Yaoming. Their preparation included visiting deaf communities to interact directly with people there. On set, Zhang relied on cast members with hearing impairments as his sign language coaches, carefully studying their natural expressions.

    At the premiere, Lay Zhang and his onscreen daughter shared a heartwarming exchange — the young actor rated Zhang’s performance 100/100, while he gave her 120/100. “The extra 20 points represent my love for you,” the pop icon explained.

    “My love for Xiao Ma is like a kite’s string,” Li responded. “He holds one end tightly, and I clutch the other. If I let our kite fly away, my heart would break. But if we both keep holding on, nothing can separate us.”

    A poster for “Mumu.” [Image courtesy of iQiyi Pictures]

    Behind the scenes, the crew matched the dedication of cast with hearing impairments with thoughtful accommodations, such as using red and green light signals to mark filming sequences. They also created detailed accessibility guides featuring essential sign language phrases and communication strategies, ensuring seamless collaboration between hearing cast, cast with hearing impairments, and crew while nurturing an inclusive production environment.

    After filming wrapped, Lay Zhang invited several of his friends with hearing impairments to his concerts and pledged to feature a sign language interpreter at every future show — marking a first among major Chinese artists.

    At the end of the premiere, Zhang silently addressed the audience in sign language through an interpreter: “I hope more people will learn sign language, respect people with hearing impairments. We should come together to have fun and accomplish more and more things, together.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China Film Administration unveils holiday lineup

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Officials and filmmakers promote the film lineup for the Qingming Festival and the Labor Day holiday at a promotional event held in Beijing, April 2, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Movie Channel]

    The China Film Administration joined forces with filmmakers to hold a press conference on April 2 at the China National Film Museum in Beijing to promote the film lineup for the Qingming Festival and the Labor Day holiday.

    The event showcased films slated for release during the Qingming Festival (April 4-6) and the Labor Day holiday (May 1-5).

    Among 15 films for the Qingming holiday, highlights include Sha Mo’s “Mumu,” a drama about the deaf community starring pop icon Lay Zhang, and “We Girls,” a gritty drama by renowned director Feng Xiaogang depicting the harsh realities faced by female ex-prisoners as they confront societal challenges and criminal exploitation.

    International offerings include Jared Hess’ live-action video game adaptation “A Minecraft Movie” and Kazuya Tsurumaki’s anime film “Mobile Suit Gundam G-QuuuuuuX: Beginning.”

    The Hollywood movie “Minecraft” is presented at a promotional event in Beijing, April 2, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Movie Channel]

    The Labor Day film season will see eight new releases, including Andrew Lau’s “The Dumpling Queen,” a biopic starring Ma Li about Wan Chai Pier dumpling brand founder Zang Jianhe, and Zhang Qi’s crime film “Trapped,” which has been shortlisted for this year’s Tiantan Award at the Beijing International Film Festival later this month. 

    Herman Yau’s star-studded financial crime thriller “A Gilded Game” and Wang Mu’s family drama “The One,” a Chinese adaptation of the French film “The Bélier Family” (2014), are also highly anticipated. “Octonauts: The Crisis of the Tsunami” will lead the children’s entertainment slate, continuing the popular animated series.

    Andrew Lau introduces “The Dumpling Queen” on stage at a promotional event held in Beijing, April 2, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Movie Channel]

    Filmmakers and distributors of several films also took the stage at the event to introduce their projects and highlight each film’s unique appeal.

    Additional films releasing in April during the gap between the two holidays were also promoted, including James Hawes’ spy thriller “The Amateur” and Robert Zemeckis’ “Here” — a multigenerational family drama reuniting the “Forrest Gump” creative team.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Himax Technologies, Inc. Schedules First Quarter 2025 Financial Results Conference Call on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 8:00 AM EDT

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TAINAN, Taiwan, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Himax Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: HIMX) (“Himax” or “Company”), a leading supplier and fabless manufacturer of display drivers and other semiconductor products, today announced that it will hold a conference call with investors and analysts on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. US Eastern Daylight Time and 8:00 p.m. Taiwan Time to discuss the Company’s first quarter 2025 financial results.

    HIMAX TECHNOLOGIES, INC. FIRST QUARTER 2025 EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

    DATE:     Thursday, May 8, 2025
    TIME:     U.S.         8:00 a.m. EDT
          Taiwan    8:00 p.m.

    Toll Free Dial-in Number (Audio Only):                                              

    Hong Kong 2112-1444
    Taiwan 0080-119-6666
    Australia 1-800-015-763
    Canada 1-877-252-8508
    China (1) 4008-423-888
    China (2) 4006-786-286
    Singapore 800-492-2072
    UK 0800-068-8186
    United States (1) 1-800-811-0860
    United States (2) 1-866-212-5567

    Dial-in Number (Audio Only):  

    Taiwan Domestic Access 02-3396-1191
    International Access +886-2-3396-1191
    Participant PIN Code:   3300508 #

      

    If you choose to attend the call by dialing in via phone, please enter the Participant PIN Code 3300508 # after the call is connected. A replay of the webcast will be available beginning two hours after the call on www.himax.com.tw. This webcast can be accessed by clicking on this link or visiting Himax’s website, where it will remain available until May 8, 2026. 

    About Himax Technologies, Inc.

    Himax Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: HIMX) is a leading global fabless semiconductor solution provider dedicated to display imaging processing technologies. The Company’s display driver ICs and timing controllers have been adopted at scale across multiple industries worldwide including TVs, PC monitors, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, automotive, ePaper devices, industrial displays, among others. As the global market share leader in automotive display technology, the Company offers innovative and comprehensive automotive IC solutions, including traditional driver ICs, advanced in-cell Touch and Display Driver Integration (TDDI), local dimming timing controllers (Local Dimming Tcon), Large Touch and Display Driver Integration (LTDI) and OLED display technologies. Himax is also a pioneer in tinyML visual-AI and optical technology related fields. The Company’s industry-leading WiseEyeTM Ultralow Power AI Sensing technology which incorporates Himax proprietary ultralow power AI processor, always-on CMOS image sensor, and CNN-based AI algorithm has been widely deployed in consumer electronics and AIoT related applications. Himax optics technologies, such as diffractive wafer level optics, LCoS microdisplays and 3D sensing solutions, are critical for facilitating emerging AR/VR/metaverse technologies. Additionally, Himax designs and provides touch controllers, OLED ICs, LED ICs, EPD ICs, power management ICs, and CMOS image sensors for diverse display application coverage. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Tainan, Taiwan, Himax currently employs around 2,200 people from three Taiwan-based offices in Tainan, Hsinchu and Taipei and country offices in China, Korea, Japan, Germany, and the US. Himax has 2,603 patents granted and 389 patents pending approval worldwide as of March 31, 2025.

    http://www.himax.com.tw

    Forward Looking Statements

    Factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in this conference call include, but are not limited to, the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Company’s business; general business and economic conditions and the state of the semiconductor industry; market acceptance and competitiveness of the driver and non-driver products developed by the Company; demand for end-use applications products; reliance on a small group of principal customers; the uncertainty of continued success in technological innovations; our ability to develop and protect our intellectual property; pricing pressures including declines in average selling prices; changes in customer order patterns; changes in estimated full-year effective tax rate; shortage in supply of key components; changes in environmental laws and regulations; changes in export license regulated by Export Administration Regulations (EAR); exchange rate fluctuations; regulatory approvals for further investments in our subsidiaries; our ability to collect accounts receivable and manage inventory and other risks described from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings, including those risks identified in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in its Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC, as may be amended.

    Company Contacts:

    Eric Li, Chief IR/PR Officer
    Himax Technologies, Inc.
    Tel: +886-6-505-0880
    Fax: +886-2-2314-0877
    Email: hx_ir@himax.com.tw
    www.himax.com.tw

    Karen Tiao, Investor Relations
    Himax Technologies, Inc.
    Tel: +886-2-2370-3999
    Fax: +886-2-2314-0877
    Email: hx_ir@himax.com.tw
    www.himax.com.tw

    Mark Schwalenberg, Director
    Investor Relations – US Representative
    MZ North America
    Tel: +1-312-261-6430
    Email:  HIMX@mzgroup.us
    www.mzgroup.us

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia earns GigaOm Leader and Outperformer ranks for Data Center Switching solution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    Nokia earns GigaOm Leader and Outperformer ranks for Data Center Switching solution

    • Nokia’s Data Center solution was recognized for its extensive hardware portfolio, operations and management, strong NetOps suitability and focus on AI capabilities
    • The Nokia Event-Driven Automation (EDA) platform earned high marks for its highly automated design, deployment and operations processes.
    • GigaOm evaluated nine leading Data Center switching vendors based on a comprehensive set of criteria

    7 April 2025
    Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced that GigaOm has for the fourth straight year recognized the company as a Leader and Outperformer in the GigaOm Radar Report for Data Center Switching. Nokia’s Data Center Fabric solution, designed to deliver reliable, efficient, and scalable performance in data center and cloud environments, earned high marks for its extensive hardware portfolio, advanced operations and management capabilities, strong NetOps suitability, and dedicated focus on AI-driven features.

    GigaOm’s industry experts evaluated nine leading data center switching vendors across a comprehensive set of criteria. providing technology teams and executive leadership with a detailed decision-making framework for assessing data center switching solutions. Key metrics include hardware switch performance, software advancements for network operating systems (NOSs), and automation tools for designing, deploying and operating large-scale data center networks. GigaOm notes that data center switches are evolving to enhance these capabilities as enterprises transition to an ’application-first’ orientation and evolve to embrace AI-driven applications and use cases.

    Nokia’s comprehensive hardware portfolio supports port speeds ranging from 1 GbE up to 800 GbE and includes the 7250 IXR series of high-performance, high-density, modular and fixed-configuration platforms designed for data center spine deployments , the 7220 IXR series of high-performance, high-density, fixed-configuration platforms for data center leaf and spine deployments and the 7215 IXS platform for reliable out-of-band management.

    Designed to enhance and scale operations across the entire data center fabric lifecycle, the Nokia Event-Driven Automation (EDA) platform serves as a powerful operational toolkit and management system. Its highly automated approach to day0 design, day1 deployment, and day2 ongoing operations contributed to Nokia’s strong ranking.

    Nokia’s solution also earned high marks for SR Linux, its microservices-based NOS. GigaOm evaluated network operating systems based on their use of containerized microservices that handle network functions, as well as Large Language Model (LLM) integration, which enables natural language insights into the state of the network without relying on CLI commands or complex UI navigation.

    Nokia’s NetOps Development Kit (NDK) is cited as a differentiating feature, enabling networking teams to take advantage of the underlying model-driven architecture of SR Linux. Using the NDK, data center teams can develop new apps and operational tools in their chosen programming language and get deep programmatic access to, and control over, the entire IXR switching system.

    Nokia’s solution earned exceptional reliability scores, highlighting its strengths in failover handling, traffic rerouting, troubleshooting, repairs as well as disaster recovery in case of hardware failures or other incidents.

    “Nokia was classified as an Outperformer given its strong feature delivery in the last year, which resulted in strong score results across the report’s key and emerging features. The Nokia solution can be easily integrated into existing heterogeneous deployments, making it easy for organizations to ramp up their Nokia-based data center network deployments,” said Andrew Green, Analyst at GigaOm.

    “For the fourth year in a row, Nokia has been named a Leader and Outperformer in the GigaOm Radar Report for Data Center Switching—confirming that our Data Center Fabric solution delivers the reliability, ease of use, automation and energy efficiency our customers need. As businesses face massive growth, market shifts, and new opportunities like AI, we’re proud to help them stay ahead with technology they can trust,” said Rudy Hoebeke, Vice President of Product Management, IP Networks at Nokia.

    Multimedia, technical information and related news 
    Product Page: Nokia Data Center Networks
    Product Page: Nokia Event Driven Automation

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

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

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

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

    Follow us on social media
    LinkedIn X Instagram Facebook YouTube

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Driving the solar revolution in Africa together: EWIA Green Investments acquires SunErgy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press release

    Driving the solar revolution in Africa together: EWIA Green Investments acquires SunErgy

    • Expansion into Cameroon
    • Diversification into the mini-grid and off-grid market
    • SunErgy shareholders join EWIA

    Munich, 7th April 2025. Two years after launching their collaboration on solar projects in sub-Saharan Africa, EWIA Green Investments GmbH (EWIA), SunErgy GmbH, and KGAL have decided to convert their partnership into a merger. Under the terms of a new agreement, EWIA will acquire all shares in SunErgy. In turn, SunErgy’s existing shareholders will take stakes in EWIA Green Investments GmbH.    The merger aims to establish a leading solar provider for Africa, overseeing projects from planning and financing to implementation.

    “Investments in solar and infrastructure drive growth and prosperity in Africa while countering the climate crisis,” said Ralph Schneider, Managing Director of EWIA. “Simultaneously, this market offers unparalleled potential for investors globally.”

    “With an average age of 19, Africa is not only the continent with the youngest population but also the one with the greatest growth opportunities,” emphasizes Dr. Alexander Ergenzinger, Investment Manager at SunErgy’s main shareholder KGAL, and Managing Director of SunErgy GmbH.

    600 million people on the continent still have to manage completely without electricity supply. In many African countries, high and steadily rising electricity prices, combined with frequent, prolonged power outages, pose a severe challenge to the economy and social stability. These outages must be compensated for with expensive diesel generators (costing approximately €0.50–0.80/kWh) – an unsatisfactory situation both economically and ecologically.

    Africa, the solar continent

    Due to its proximity to the equator and an annual sunshine duration ranging from 1,800 to 3,000 hours, sub-Saharan Africa boasts enormous potential for solar energy generation.

    SunErgy (https://sunergy-power.org/) was founded in Norway in 2010 and aims to provide communities in emerging markets with off-grid solar energy through small turnkey solar power plants that are connected directly to customers’ buildings via their own power grid, so-called mini-grids.

    Synergy thanks to SunErgy

    SunErgy complements EWIA’s business. To date, the company has focused on selling solar systems to commercial and industrial customers under a solar-as-a-service model tailored for medium-sized enterprises. EWIA manages the planning, financing, construction, and operation of these systems, which are designed to largely self-finance through cumulative savings on diesel and grid electricity costs for customers. Geographically, operations have centred on Ghana and Nigeria. Following the acquisition, EWIA now employs 76 people.

    Mini Grids for villages in Cameroon

    SunErgy’s activities have so far been organized through SunErgy GmbH in Germany and its two subsidiaries in Cameroon, SunErgy Ltd. and 2 Mites Ltd. SunErgy Cameroon is responsible for the construction and operation of solar power plants in Cameroon, as well as for building solar power plants in other African countries. In September 2014, the company signed an agreement with the Republic of Cameroon to supply solar power to 92 villages in the southwest region, encompassing approximately 115,000 families (600,000 people), as well as schools, health centres, and private and public enterprises. Twelve municipalities have now been electrified through the construction of mini-grids.

    “The merger of EWIA and SunErgy is a meaningful step toward realising our strategy of becoming one of the leading providers of solar solutions for sub-Saharan Africa,” affirms Ralph Schneider. “In addition to geographical expansion and diversification into the stand-alone solutions market, another crucial factor is that, with shareholders like KGAL, we gain established and experienced investors and investment professionals with proven expertise in the infrastructure sector, which constitutes a substantial enhancement.”

    “KGAL has been providing investors with investment strategies in the renewable energy sector for over 20 years,” adds Michael Ebner, Managing Director of Asset and Portfolio Management at KGAL. “We are pleased to entrust SunErgy to EWIA and support the company’s continued growth. The African renewable energy market offers impact investors a wide array of opportunities.”

    About EWIA Green Investments

    EWIA provides small and medium-sized businesses in Africa with access to clean solar energy and serves as a bridge builder to investors in Europe as well as for the transfer of technology know-how. Based in Munich, Germany, with operating entities in Ghana and Nigeria, EWIA offers private and institutional investors access to attractive impact investments in the fight against climate change and for sustainable economic growth in Africa. With EWIA’s flexible full-service financing solution, companies in Africa have the opportunity to obtain solar power, financing, security and service from a single source. In the infrastructure sector, EWIA funds and constructs mobile phone communication masts and traffic monitoring systems and equips them with PV systems.

    www.ewiainvestments.com + + + https://ewiafinance.de/

    Contact for queries:

    EWIA Green Investments GmbH
    Ralph Schneider, CEO
    ralph.schneider@EWIAinvestments.com
    +49 162 1366 984

    Schwarz Financial Communication
    Frank Schwarz
    schwarz@schwarzfinancial.com
    +49 611 58029290

    About KGAL

    KGAL is a leading independent investment and asset manager with over €15 billion in assets under management. The company specialises in long-term real asset investments for institutional and private investors across real estate, sustainable infrastructure, and aviation. Founded 56 years ago, the Europe-wide group is headquartered in Grünwald near Munich. Its 396 employees contribute to achieving sustainably stable returns by accounting for risk and return (as of December 31, 2024).

    www.kgal.de

    Contact for queries:

    KGAL GMBH & Co. KG
    Markus Lang, Head of Marketing & Communications
    markus.lang@kgal.de
    +49 89 64143-307

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    The MIL Network –