Category: Entertainment

  • MIL-OSI: Drone Surveying Market One of The Fastest Growing Segments of the Drone Industry as Revenue Opportunity Climbs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The US Drone Surveying Market has been the Global Market Leader in recent years and is expected to continue for years to come. The US has been the market leader in the drone industry since the start of the drone revolution. Across industries, companies have employed drones for their day-to-day operations. Industries such as pharmaceuticals, mining, real estate, and agriculture are some of the prominent end-use industries for the drone surveying market. According to an industry report, the US drone surveying market is expected to witness double-digit market growth in the forecast period and is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 2540.0 million by the end of 2033. The construction and mining industry is expected to be the market leader in the demand for drone surveying services. Increased spending from governments and rising demand for residential and commercial spaces would add a significantly high pace to the overall drone surveying demand in the US. The report said; “Why Land Survey Commands Largest Market Share? The drone land survey as a service is a common one among all industries. The demand for land surveys arises from sectors such as construction, mining, energy, real estate, public administration, and agriculture among others. That is why land survey services contribute most to the drone survey company’s revenue. The drone land survey holds around 53% of the total market share in the drone survey industry. With the help of drone land surveys, companies/institutions get their desired datasets which ultimately help them in making informed decisions. For example, a land survey for infrastructure development can help companies and planning and development by providing required 3D maps or images. It is expected that the land survey market to remain the top revenue contributor for drone survey service providers.”   Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR), Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: PLTR), EHang (NASDAQ: EH), Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT).

    Fact.MR continued: “Construction Industry to Contribute Most to the Drone Surveying Service Demand. The spending on infrastructural development has been all-time high across the major economies of the world. The market players are taking the help of drone service providers in different stages of planning and development. Drone surveying companies provide services for the use of town planning, land record digitalization, urban city development, and other development-related services. With the help of drones, companies are able to cover increased areas (acres of land/area) within no time, and with precise and accurate data. These collected images and data can be easily converted into meaningful output, which can be useful in the planning and development of urban towns. Drone surveying has been very useful for the construction industry by providing important insights with minimal cost and improved efficiency.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Closes Second Southeast Region Acquisition, Wallace Surveying Corporation, Set to Become the Third Acquisition to Power Its National Drone as a Service (DaaS) Business – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces that it has closed the acquisition of Wallace Surveying Corporation (“Wallace”) of West Palm Beach, Florida, a well-established land survey company with thirty years of experience. Wallace provides construction and land development surveys delivering accurate and reliable data that supports project planning and design for developers, contractors, engineers, and architect customers.

    This is ZenaTech’s second acquisition in the Southeast region as part of a larger national roll-up strategy to disrupt the land survey industry by accelerating the use of drones for speed and accuracy benefits. The acquisition also further powers the Company’s national Drone as a Service, or DaaS, business as the third US acquisition set to provide access to the ZenaDrone 1000 and the IQ series. These multifunction drones are set to provide a variety of services including power line inspections, precision agriculture, law enforcement, and search and rescue for natural disasters such as hurricanes.

    “Wallace Surveying Corporation is well respected in the South Florida business community with longstanding existing customer relationships. Its team brings considerable expertise toward our goal of innovating land surveys at scale leveraging advanced drone data collection, data management, mapping and digital deliverables. This acquisition is another step towards our vision to create a national DaaS business, bringing AI drone efficiencies and precision to a variety of legacy verticals and manual tasks,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

    ZenaTech’s Drones as a Service or DaaS model is similar to Software as a Service (SaaS), but instead of providing software solutions over the Internet, the company will offer ZenaDrone solutions and services on a subscription or pay-per-use basis. Customers can conveniently access drones for eliminating manual or time-consuming tasks achieving more precision, such as for surveying, inspections, security and law enforcement, or farming precision agriculture applications, without having to buy, operate, or maintain the drones themselves.

    The DaaS business model offers customers such as government agencies, real estate developers, construction firms, farmers or energy companies reduced upfront costs as there is no need to purchase expensive drones, as well as convenience, as there is no need to manage maintenance and operation. The model also offers scalability to use more often or less often based on business needs and enables access to advanced drone technology sensors or attachments like spraying, without the need for specialized training.

    Accurate land surveys are essential for the planning, designing, and executing of roads, bridges, and building projects for cities, commercial, and residential projects, and are required for legal purposes. Remotely piloted drones with an array of sensors and cameras, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and GPS systems for capturing high-resolution pictures and data are revolutionizing the land survey industry gathering aerial data across expansive terrains in a matter of hours instead of weeks or months using more traditional photogrammetry methods. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/.

    In Additional ZENA News: ZenaTech’s (NASDAQ:ZENA) 2024 Financial Results Shows Revenue and Assets Increase.

    2024 Financial Results:

    • As of December 31, 2024, and consistent with its recent 6K filing, ZenaTech’s 2024 full-year revenue increased by 7% to $1.96 million as compared to $1.82 million for the full year of 2023 (all figures in $Cdn. dollars)
    • Comprehensive loss for the period was ($4.04 million) versus ($.251 million) last year due to increased one-time costs of listing on Nasdaq Capital Market from lawyers, accountants, auditors, financial advisor (investment banker) and other going public expenses
    • Assets have increased over 110% to $34.6 million at year-end 2024, up from $16.4 million at year-end 2023. This is due to the company’s acquisition of three patents, and a total of four software companies. In addition, the company has signed multiple Letters of Intent (LOIs) as part of an acquisition strategy that will tremendously increase future revenue
    • Liabilities continue to be low, having increased $3.7 million to $12.8 million at year-end 2024 from $9.1 million at year-end 2023
    • The Company’s ratio of debt to total capitalization is 31%, which is well within the accepted standard of less than 50%
    • ZenaTech’s existing cash and funds available through lines of credit will be sufficient to finance the next 12 months of the company’s operations. We anticipate that cash generated internally, and lines of credit will be sufficient to fund our drone development and acquisitions
    • Additional information is available from ZenaTech’s 6K filing on the SEC EDGAR website. The company will be filing its 20F by the due date, which is April 30, 2024, for Private Foreign Issuers. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.zenatech.com/newsroom/.

    Other recent developments in the drone/aviation industries include:

    Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR) and Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: PLTR) recently announced a partnership today to build the AI foundation for the future of next-gen aviation technologies. For decades, the aviation industry has made only incremental improvements, constrained by legacy technology and a dominant duopoly in commercial aviation. With the rapid acceleration of AI, as well as breakthroughs in distributed electric propulsion, the industry is now poised for change.

    The two plan to leverage Palantir Foundry and AIP to accelerate the scaling of Archer’s aircraft manufacturing capabilities at its facilities in Georgia and Silicon Valley, with the intent to advance the development of software solutions to drive innovation across the entire value chain.

    This would include the development of next-gen software utilizing AI to improve a range of aviation systems, including air traffic control, movement control and route planning, with the goal of improving efficiency, safety and affordability across the industry.

    Archer and Palantir will formalize this partnership later today during a signing ceremony between Palantir co-founder and CEO, Alex Karp, and Archer founder and CEO, Adam Goldstein, at Palantir’s AIPCon.

    EHang (NASDAQ: EH), the world’s leading Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technology platform company, recently announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Guangdong EHang General Aviation Co., Ltd. (“EHang General Aviation”), and its joint venture company in Hefei, Hefei HeYi Aviation Co., Ltd. (“HeYi Aviation”), have been granted the first batch of Air Operator Certificates (“OC”) for civil human-carrying pilotless aerial vehicles by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (“CAAC”).

    This milestone officially marks the launch of China’s human-carrying flight era in the low-altitude economy, allowing citizens and consumers to purchase flight tickets for low-altitude tourism, urban sightseeing, and diverse commercial human-carrying flight services at related operation sites in Guangzhou and Hefei. In the future, operators will also gradually expand into more other scenarios such as urban commuting based on operational conditions legally and compliantly. The issuance of the first batch of OCs sets a new benchmark for the low-altitude economy and urban air mobility and further unleashing a more powerful vitality of the new-quality productive forces.

    Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, recently reported its financial results for the 2024 Transition Period (as of December 31, 2024 and the eight months then ended) and provides a corporate update.

    “Red Cat’s partnerships and global expansion strategy is already yielding strong results. Over the past few months, we’ve introduced the Black Widow and Edge 130 drones to key international markets, including the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and soon Latin America,” said Jeff Thompson, Red Cat CEO. “This momentum underscores growing global interest in our Family of Systems. The ongoing development of Black Widow for the U.S. Army’s SRR Program of Record, bolstered by AI partners like Palantir and Palladyne, we’re not only meeting immediate defense needs—we’re ensuring our warfighters and allies are well equipped for rapidly-evolving battlefield.”

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    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Global: Tunisia’s rap revolution: 5 women who are redefining hip-hop

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Jyhene Kebsi, Director of Learning & Teaching (Gender Studies), Macquarie University

    Women rappers were not really a feature of Tunisia’s typically masculine and chauvinist hip-hop scene until the revolution that overthrew Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011.

    Now there are several politically conscious female voices rising in the rap scene. Gender studies scholar Jyhene Kebsi has published a research paper on how their lyrics highlight the multiple inequalities that women in Tunisia – and the world – must overcome.


    How have male Tunisian rappers generally treated women in their songs and videos?

    The gender politics of Tunisian men’s rap is complex, but we can talk about one of its tendencies. Although there are men who’ve supported their female colleagues and collaborated with them on songs, their portrayals tend to lump women into one of two groups: virtuous or promiscuous; madonnas or whores.




    Read more:
    Senegal’s female rappers aren’t letting obstacles get in their way – who the rising voices are


    This is clear in their use of obscene words that aim to degrade the “fallen” women they rap about. Their sexual references can be seen as a way to debase the “easy girls and immoral women” who challenge patriarchal norms.

    This is in sharp contrast to the love and indebtedness they express towards their mothers and sisters. In contrast to western rap, the mother figure is central in Tunisian rap.

    The sacredness of the mother in Tunisian Muslim culture is seen in songs full of gratitude towards those who brought them into the world.

    Their reliance on this male-centred division between “respectable” and “unrespectable” women spreads a toxic masculinity that supports harmful gender stereotypes.

    This strengthens men’s social dominance and their policing of women’s bodies. Having said that, it is very important to highlight that sexism is not limited to the Arab rap scene. As I explain in my paper, many western male rappers objectify, humiliate and degrade women in their songs too.

    Who are the four female rappers you discuss?

    The four Tunisian women rappers I analyse are Sabrina, Medusa, Queen Nesrine and Tuny Girl.

    There’s a common perception that Medusa was Tunisia’s first female rapper. In reality, Sabrina began performing rap in 2007 and Tunisia’s other female artists joined the rap scene after the 2011 revolution.

    Medusa is Tunisia’s most famous female rapper in the west – her migration to France boosted her international profile. Although Tuny Girl and Queen Nesrine have not gained the fame of Medusa or Sabrina, they’ve released powerful feminist songs that criticise the status quo in post-revolutionary Tunisia.

    These artists have mainly relied on digital media to share their songs with the public through social platforms like YouTube and Facebook. Unfortunately, all four of them have faced opposition because they’re women.

    Rap is considered a masculine musical genre. Tunisian women’s initial entry into this male-dominated world was not easily accepted. Attitudes towards female rappers have evolved thanks to women’s gradual success in attracting a larger fan base.

    But these four artists share a strong resistance to sexism. Most importantly, while being aware of patriarchal pressures, they’re conscious of the many different forms of oppression that intersect to keep women less equal than men.

    This is evident in their songs, which reflect a strong awareness of intersectionality.

    What is intersesectionality?

    The black US feminist Kimberle Crenshaw coined the term “intersectionality” in 1989 to describe the double discrimination of sexism and racism faced by black women. So, she used the term to discuss the multiple forms of inequality that compound themselves and create interlocking obstacles that shape black women’s experiences of discrimination.

    Intersectionality highlights the experiences of multiple forms of discrimination when these categories of social identity interact with and shape one another.

    We see an understanding of intersectionality in a song like Hold On, where Medusa raps about illiteracy, political struggle and motherhood:

    I am watching the floating misery / Illiteracy has spread and made us go from one extreme to the other / Where is the freedom for which activists struggled? / I am the free Tunisian who exposed their chest to bullets /
    I am the mother, the mother of the martyr who has not gotten his revenge.

    Or, in her song Arahdli, Sabrina raps about a range of social ills:

    Leave me alone / The police catch you and harm you / Don’t believe the corrupt state / Unemployment and poverty will not make you happy.

    I found that what Medusa, Sabrina, Queen Nesrine and Tuny Girl have in common is their rejection of, as Crenshaw puts it, the “single-axis framework”. The one-sided narrative that reduces women’s problems solely to men and patriarchy.

    Instead, these artists highlight the damaging impact – for women – of the intersection of gender inequality, political corruption, unjust laws, ineffective local policies, the collapse of Tunisia’s economy and the country’s weak position in the global geopolitical landscape.

    Their songs are united in their recognition that Tunisian women’s lives are shaped by all these overlapping power structures, exposing them to marginalisation and discrimination.

    So, their songs identify hidden, interrelated structural barriers to their freedom. Misogyny is just one element that needs to be considered alongside other local and global issues when we discuss gender politics in Tunisia.

    What other new trends are female rappers ushering in?

    Women are at the forefront of innovation in Tunisian rap. Take Lully Snake. She’s a Tunisian-Algerian rapper based in Tunisia. This 24-year-old artist was previously a breakdancer. Her passion for hip-hop culture and her love for US artists like Tupac, Kool G Rap, Queen Latifah and Foxy Brown led her to start rapping.

    Like all Tunisian women rappers, she considers her entry into rap to have been a long and difficult journey. Starting in 2019, her first song was only released in 2024.

    Lully Snake first uploaded her debut song Zabatna Kida on Instagram. Its uniqueness lies in its combination of rap and mahraganat, an Egyptian street music that emerged in Cairo’s ghettos. Its success encouraged her to carry on rapping in both Tunisian and Egyptian, alongside other western languages and Maghrebi dialects.

    Lully Snake’s experimentation proves that female rappers are innovating while spreading messages that empower women. This has ultimately enriched Tunisian rap.

    Jyhene Kebsi does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Tunisia’s rap revolution: 5 women who are redefining hip-hop – https://theconversation.com/tunisias-rap-revolution-5-women-who-are-redefining-hip-hop-253066

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI: Nutanix Announces 2025 .NEXT Event Lineup: Shape the Next Era of AI, Cloud Native, and Hybrid Multicloud Innovation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN JOSE, Calif., April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nutanix (NASDAQ: NTNX), a leader in hybrid multicloud computing, today announced the programming for its .NEXT 2025 event, set to take place in Washington, D.C., from May 7-9, 2025.

    As artificial intelligence and cloud native applications continue to revolutionize IT strategies, .NEXT 2025 will bring together industry leaders, executives, developers, IT professionals, and thought leaders to explore the future of edge, datacenter, and cloud infrastructure. Attendees will gain valuable insights into emerging trends, best practices, and innovative strategies to optimize application and data management to simply, securely, and seamlessly run anything, anywhere.

    The event will feature expert-led sessions and speakers to help attendees discover how to maximize cloud platform innovation to do more for their business. .NEXT will feature keynote speakers who are leaders and visionaries in their fields, including:

    • José Andrés – Chef, Restaurateur, and Author of Change the Recipe
    • Evy Poumpouras – Former Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service, Broadcast TV Host & Commentator, and Author of Becoming Bulletproof

    Attendees will also hear from Nutanix customers, including Micron, Military Sealift Command & the U.S. Navy, and Tractor Supply, who will share real-world success stories and best practices for leveraging Nutanix solutions to:

    • Realize value from enterprise AI anywhere.
    • Simplify VM-container convergence with one platform to run apps and data anywhere.
    • Enhance resilience, security, and operations for the most critical and sensitive apps and data.
    • Efficiently operate at enterprise scale across private, public and hybrid clouds.

    Nutanix partners will hear firsthand from company leadership about how we empower our partners to achieve sustainable growth through shared success. Through the exclusive partner breakout sessions, partners will be equipped with the knowledge, resources, and support to address the evolving needs of customers, learning how to leverage the power of the Nutanix partner ecosystem, activate and accelerate sales cycles, and unlock routes to market.

    President and CEO Rajiv Ramaswami, as well as other Nutanix executives, will take the stage to share the latest innovations in hybrid multicloud, cloud native applications, and generative AI. Attendees will gain a clear vision of how Nutanix is driving transformation for CXOs, infrastructure and operations teams, cloud architects, and platform engineers through the Nutanix Cloud Platform and strategic partnerships.

    Attendees will have the opportunity for hands-on labs, education courses, certification opportunities, and a broad range of expert sessions including:

    • AI and ML in the Enterprise
    • Datacenter, Edge and Hybrid Cloud
    • Cloud Native Applications
    • Databases and Business-Critical Applications
    • Unified Cloud Management
    • Migration to Nutanix
    • Networking Security for the Modern Cloud
    • Hyperscalers and Service Provider Clouds
    • End User Computing

    As part of Nutanix’s growing ecosystem of partners, the company is proud to announce the list of platinum sponsors of .NEXT 2025, including:

    • Lenovo
    • AWS
    • Cisco
    • HPE
    • Microsoft
    • AMD
    • Omnissa
    • Pure Storage
    • TCS

    Register now to explore the full agenda, session details, and speaker lineup: https://next2025.nutanix.com/

    About Nutanix
    Nutanix is a global leader in cloud software, offering organizations a single platform for running applications and managing data, anywhere. With Nutanix, companies can reduce complexity and simplify operations, freeing them to focus on their business outcomes. Building on its legacy as the pioneer of hyperconverged infrastructure, Nutanix is trusted by companies worldwide to power hybrid multicloud environments consistently, simply, and cost-effectively. Learn more at www.nutanix.com or follow us on social media @nutanix.

    © 2025 Nutanix, Inc. All rights reserved. Nutanix, the Nutanix logo, and all Nutanix product and service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks or unregistered trademarks of Nutanix, Inc. (“Nutanix”) in the United States and other countries. Other brand names or marks mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s). This press release is for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes a warranty or other binding commitment by Nutanix. This release contains express and implied forward-looking statements, which are not historical facts and are instead based on Nutanix’s current expectations, estimates and beliefs. The accuracy of such statements involves risks and uncertainties and depends upon future events, including those that may be beyond Nutanix’s control, and actual results may differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied by such statements. Any forward-looking statements included herein speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, Nutanix assumes no obligation to update or otherwise revise any of such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: SoftServe Partners with Google Cloud to Accelerate AI & Data Solution Development Worldwide

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With 73% of large companies globally saying they need to overhaul their data strategies to unlock AI’s value in a recent report by SoftServe, a premier IT consulting and digital services provider, the company today announced a new partnership with Google Cloud to accelerate development of AI-powered solutions and data initiatives.

    What does this mean for enterprise clients and the market?
    Siloed data slows productivity and creates inefficiencies. This multi-year agreement with Google Cloud will include investments in data solution development to accelerate implementations of next-gen products like Google Agentspace that can help clients speed time-to-value for the AI solutions SoftServe builds in collaboration with Google Cloud.

    Additionally, SoftServe will partner with Google Cloud on:

    • Deep-research initiatives: Developing the latest resources and access to technologies for clients to tap into transformational data initiatives and the next stages of AI, such as agentic AI and physical AI
    • Skill development: Fostering collaboration to elevate capabilities enabling clients to benefit from highly skilled delivery experts to drive progress and ingenuity
    • Supercharged industry value: Ensuring alignment between data frameworks, Google Cloud’s trusted platform, and SoftServe’s industry excellence in fields such as financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail

    “SoftServe’s partnership with Google Cloud is the first step toward a streamlined partnership model that puts our clients at the center of data and AI innovations,” said Volodymyr Semenyshyn, Chief Revenue Officer at SoftServe. “AI continues to be the pinnacle of our solution development, which makes this partnership enable better benefits for enterprises seeking AI solutions, reduced implementation costs, and ROI validation. By working with Google Cloud, SoftServe can deliver better outcomes to clients on a global scale.”

    “Agentic AI presents significant opportunities for businesses to optimize data utilization and drive growth,” said Colleen Kapase, VP Channels & Partner Programs at Google Cloud. “By leveraging Google Cloud’s advanced AI and data tools, SoftServe can deliver specialized solutions that help customers address industry-specific challenges and drive tangible business transformation.”

    This agreement comes ahead of SoftServe’s presence at Google NEXT 2025, happening April 9-11 in Las Vegas, NV. SoftServe will showcase three enticing demos – the Gen AI Retail Shopping Assistant, Gen AI Intelligent Video Monitoring, and Gen AI Industrial Assistant – in booth #940 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Learn more at this link.

    Software is a Premier level Partner for Google Cloud in the Service Engagement Model and holds Specializations in Generative AI, Machine Learning, and Cloud Migration. SoftServe is also now listed as a Strategic Services Partner (SSP) under the new strategic partnership agreement with Google Cloud.

    To learn more about SoftServe’s partnership with Google Cloud, please visit this website.

    ABOUT SOFTSERVE
    SoftServe is a premier IT consulting and digital services provider. We expand the horizon of new technologies to solve today’s complex business challenges and achieve meaningful outcomes for our clients. Our boundless curiosity drives us to explore and reimagine the art of the possible. Clients confidently rely on SoftServe to architect and execute mature and innovative capabilities, such as digital engineering, data and analytics, cloud, and AI/ML.

    Our global reputation is gained from more than 30 years of experience delivering superior digital solutions at exceptional speed by top-tier engineering talent to enterprise industries, including high tech, financial services, healthcare, life sciences, retail, energy, and manufacturing. Visit our websiteblogLinkedInFacebook, and X (Twitter) pages for more information.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-Evening Report: Evicted PNG settlement fears collective punishment over gang rape and killing

    By Harlyne Joku and BenarNews staff

    Residents of an informal Port Moresby settlement that was razed following the gang rape and murder of a woman by 20 men say they are being unfairly punished by Papua New Guinea authorities over alleged links to the crime.

    Human rights advocates and the UN have condemned the killing but warned the eviction by police has raised serious concerns about collective punishment, violations of national law, police misconduct and governance failures.

    A community spokesman said more than 500 people living at the settlement at the capital’s Baruni rubbish dump were forcibly evicted by the police in response to the killing of 32-year-old Margaret Gabriel on February 15.

    Port Moresby newspapers reported the gang rape and murder by 20 men of 32-year-old Margaret Gabriel . . . “Barbaric”, said the Post-Courier in a banner headline. Image: BenarNews

    Authorities accuse the settlement residents, who are primarily migrants from the Goilala district in Central Province, of harboring some of the men involved in her murder.

    Prime Minister James Marape condemned Gabriel’s death as “inhuman, barbaric” and a “defining moment for our nation to unite against crime, to take a stand against violence”, the day after the attack.

    He assured every effort would be made to prosecute those responsible and his “unwavering support” for the removal of settlements like Baruni, calling them “breeding grounds for criminal elements who terrorise innocent people.”

    Gabriel was one of three women killed in the capital that week.

    Charged with rape, murder
    Four men from Goilala district and two from Enga province, all aged between 18 and 29, appeared in a Port Moresby court on Monday on charges of her rape and murder.

    The case has again put a spotlight again on gender-based violence in PNG and renewed calls for the government to find a long-term solution to Port Moresby’s impoverished settlements.

    Dozens of families, some of whom have lived in the Baruni settlement for more than 40 years, were forced out of their homes on February 22 and are now sleeping under blue tarpaulins at a school sports oval on the outskirts of the capital.

    Spokesman for the evicted Baruni residents, Peter Laiam . . . “My people are innocent.” Image: Harlyne Joku/Benar News

    “My people are innocent,” Peter Laiam, a community spokesman and school caretaker, told BenarNews, adding that police continued to harass the community at their new location.

    “They told me I had to move these people out in two weeks’ time or they will shoot us.”

    Laiam said a further six men from the settlement were suspected of involvement in Gabriel’s death, but had not been charged, and the community has fully cooperated with police on the matter, including naming the suspects.

    Authorities however were treating the entire population as “trouble makers,” Laiam added.

    “They also took cash and building materials like corrugated iron roofing for themselves” he said.

    No police response
    Senior police in Port Moresby did not respond to ongoing requests from BenarNews for reaction to the allegations.

    Assistant Commissioner Benjamin Turi last week thanked the evicted settlers for information that led to the arrest of six suspects, The National newspaper reported.

    Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili Junior defended the eviction at Baruni last month, telling EMTV News it was lawful and the settlement was on state-owned land.

    Bare land left after homes in the Baruni settlement village were flattened by bulldozers at Port Moresby, PNG. Image: Harlyne Joku/Benar News

    Police used excavators and other heavy machinery to tear down houses at the Baruni settlement, with images showing some buildings on fire.

    Residents say the resettlement site in Laloki lacks adequate water, sanitation and other facilities.

    “They are running out of food,” Laiam said. “Last weekend they were washed out by the rain and their food supplies were finished.”

    Separated from their gardens and unable to sell firewood, the families are surviving on food donations from local authorities, he said.

    Human rights critics
    The evictions have been criticised by human rights advocates, including Peterson Magoola, the UN Women Representative for PNG.

    “We strongly condemn all acts of sexual and gender-based violence and call for justice for the victim,” he said in a statement last month.

    “At the same time, collective punishment, forced evictions, and destruction of homes violate fundamental human rights and disproportionately harm vulnerable members of the community.”

    The evicted families living in tents at Laloki St Paul’s Primary School, on the outskirts of Port Moresby, PNG. Image: Harlyne Joku/Benar News

    Melanesian Solidarity, a local nonprofit, called on the government to ensure justice for both the murder victim and displaced families.

    It said the evictions might have contravened international treaties and domestic laws that protect against unlawful property deprivation and mandate proper legal procedures for relocation.

    The Baruni settlement, which is home primarily to migrants from Goilala district, was established with consent on the customary land of the Baruni people during the colonial era, according to Laiam.

    Central Province Governor Rufina Peter defended the evicted settlers on national broadcaster NBC on February 20, and their contribution to the national capital.

    “The Goilala people were here during pre-independence time. They are the ones who were the bucket carriers,” she said.

    ‘Knee jerk’ response
    She also criticised the eviction by police as “knee jerk” and raised human rights concerns.

    The Goilala community in Central Province, 60 miles (100 kilometers) from the capital, was the center of controversy in January when a trophy video of butchered body parts being displayed by a gang went viral, attracted erroneous ‘cannibalism’ reportage by the local media and sparked national and international condemnation.

    The evictions at Baruni have touched off again a complex debate about crime and housing in PNG, the Pacific’s most populous nation.

    Informal settlements have mushroomed in Port Moresby as thousands of people from the countryside migrate to the city in search of employment.

    Critics say the impoverished settlements are unfit for habitation, contribute to the city’s frequent utility shortages, and harbour criminals.

    Mass evictions have been ordered before, but the government has failed to enact any meaningful policies to address their rapid growth across the city.

    While accurate population data is hard to find in PNG, the United Nations Population Fund estimates that the number of people living in Port Moresby is about 513,000.

    Lack basic infrastructure
    At least half of them are thought to live in informal settlements, which lack basic infrastructure like water, electricity and sewerage, according to 2022 research by the PNG National Research Institute.

    A shortage of affordable housing and high rental prices have caused a mismatch between demand and supply.

    Melanesian Solidarity said the government needed to develop a national housing strategy to prevent the rise of informal settlements.

    “This eviction is a wake-up call for the government to implement sustainable urban planning and housing reforms rather than resorting to forced removals,” it said in a statement.

    “We stand with the affected families and demand justice, accountability, and humane solutions for all Papua New Guineans.”

    Stefan Armbruster, Sue Ahearn and Harry Pearl contributed to this story. Republished from BenarNews with permission. However, it is the last report from BenarNews as the editors have announced a “pause” in publication due to the US administration withholding funds.

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Landmark anti-terror legislation gains Royal Assent

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Landmark anti-terror legislation gains Royal Assent

    Martyn’s Law will deliver increased protection by ensuring public premises and events are better prepared in the event of a terrorist attack.

    Premises and events will be better prepared to respond to attacks as landmark legislation known as Martyn’s Law gained Royal Assent and became law today (Thursday 3 April).

    The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 will require public premises where 200 or more individuals may be present, to be better prepared and have plans in place to keep people safe in the event of an attack.

    Larger premises and events where 800 or more people will be present will be required to take further steps to reduce their vulnerability to acts of terrorism – such as having CCTV, bag search policies or vehicle checks where appropriate.

    ‘Martyn’s Law’ is named in tribute to Martyn Hett who was tragically killed alongside 21 others in the Manchester Arena attack in May 2017.

    It delivers on the Prime Minister’s personal promise to Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, who has been the driving force in campaigning for this legislation in her son’s memory, that he would bring in this law.

    The Prime Minister invited Figen Murray into Downing Street today to mark this landmark moment and to express the debt of gratitude the nation has for her selfless work to turn such unimaginable pain into a lasting legacy for son Martyn.

    The government is securing Britain’s future through the Plan for Change and this Act delivers a manifesto commitment to strengthen the security of public events and venues.

    Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said:

    Today is a landmark moment for our security as my government delivers on its promise to introduce Martyn’s Law and better protect the public from terrorism.

    Figen’s courage and determination in the face of such unimaginable loss is truly humbling and it is thanks to her campaigning that Martyn’s Law means her son’s legacy will live on forever.

    Security is the foundation of our Plan for Change and the first duty of any government. Martyn’s Law will ensure everyone can enjoy public events more safely and ensure venues across the country have clear, practical measures in place to protect people.

    Figen Murray, mother of Martyn Hett said:

    My son Martyn Hett was murdered alongside 21 innocent victims in the Manchester Arena terror attack on 22 May 2017, and whilst nothing will bring Martyn back, I am determined to ensure nobody endures what my family has experienced.

    For the last 6 years I have campaigned to introduce measures that will improve security at public venues and how they respond to a terror attack – Martyn’s Law.

    I am grateful to the Prime Minister, the Security Minister and Lord Hanson for how quickly they’ve progressed Martyn’s Law through parliament. But this would not have happened without the tireless support of my co-campaigners Nick Aldworth, Brendan Cox, Nathan Emmerich, my husband Stuart, and my children.

    Over the implementation period it is vital that the government and Security Industry Authority provide all that is necessary for publicly accessible locations to implement Martyn’s Law.

    Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said:

    Martyn’s Law will significantly strengthen public safety across our country, I’d like to thank Figen Murray for her tireless work to make this law a reality.

    This government is securing Britain’s future through the Plan for Change and, as the eighth anniversary of the attack approaches, this new law delivers upon the lessons from the Manchester Arena Inquiry to keep people safe.

    CTP Senior National Coordinator for Protect and Prepare, Jon Savell, said:

    Martyn’s Law will ensure that the public have additional protection from terrorist attacks while at events and public venues. We will continue to work with businesses and with the government to make sure premises have the support they need to prepare for the implementation of the act.

    Figen Murray has campaigned tirelessly for the introduction of this legislation and it’s thanks to her unwavering determination that it has achieved Royal Assent.

    Mike Kill CEO of the Night Time Industries Association

    The passing of Martyn’s Law into legislation is a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to public safety. This law will ensure that venues and events across the UK take appropriate and proportionate steps to protect the public from the evolving threat of terrorism. The NTIA has long supported measures that enhance security while remaining practical for businesses to implement.

    We appreciate the government’s recognition of the challenges businesses face and the commitment to a 24-month implementation period, allowing time for preparation and adaptation. As an industry we will continue working closely with the Home Office, the SIA, and key stakeholders to provide clear guidance and support. Ensuring the safety of our night-time economy and public spaces remains our priority, and we fully support this crucial legislation.

    Security Minster, Dan Jarvis, said:

    I am proud that we have delivered Martyn’s Law as part of our commitment to strengthen the security at public events and venues.

    I would like to pay tribute to Figen Murray, who has been nothing short of inspirational in her campaign for this legislation and a driving force in making it happen.

    Giles Smith, Chief Executive of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) said:

    The SGSA welcomes the passing of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) 2025 legislation.

    Providing a safe, welcoming environment for fans is the SGSA’s top priority and we support the objectives of Martyn’s Law.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Security: Government contractor to pay $1.95M to settle False Claims Act allegations

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Intelligent Waves, LLC, located in Reston, and its owner agreed to pay $1.95 million to settle False Claims Act allegations involving two Air Force contracts.

    In September 2019, Intelligent Waves entered into a contract, known as the Crowd-Sourced Contract, with the Air Force. Under the Crowd-Sourced Contract, Intelligent Waves provided crowd-sourced flight data collection support and data analytics to the 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base. The United States alleged that Intelligent Waves knowingly sold certain equipment to the Air Force that was not authorized under the Crowd-Sourced Contract and submitted invoices to the Air Force that portrayed the unauthorized equipment as authorized equipment under the Contract. The United States also alleged that Intelligent Waves knowingly invoiced the Air Force for products and/or labor that it did not deliver in the specific quantities stated in its invoices. After it failed to deliver the products and/or labor stated in its invoices, Intelligent Waves failed to provide a credit to the Air Force for undelivered products and/or labor, providing substitute products requested by non-procurement personnel instead.

    In November 2020, Intelligent Waves also entered into a contract, known as the Special Access Program Facilities (SAPF) Contract, with the Air Force to build special access program facilities at Edwards Air Force Base,. The United States alleged that Intelligent Waves knowingly made false statements that induced the award of the SAPF Contract.

    The United States alleged that Intelligent Waves provided meals and entertainment to Air Force employees before the award of and during the period of performance of the Crowd-Sourced and SAPF contracts.  

    This settlement arises in connection with a lawsuit filed by two former Intelligent Waves employees under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, United States ex rel. Taylor et al. v. Intelligent Waves, LLC et al. The lawsuit alleged that Intelligent Waves’ owner was aware of certain of the alleged wrongful conduct. A whistleblower suit, or qui tam action under the False Claims Act, is commenced by an individual filing a complaint under seal in the U.S. District Court and providing a copy of the complaint and evidence to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The United States then has an opportunity to investigate the claims. The False Claims Act provides whistleblowers with a share of the government’s recovery.

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service’s Mid-Atlantic Field Office, and the Defense Contract Audit Agency.

    This matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanya Kapoor and Forensic Auditor Peter Melaragni.

    The civil claims settled by this False Claims Act agreement are allegations only; there has been no determination of civil liability.

    Related court documents and information from the civil lawsuit can be accessed on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:22-cv-1463.

    A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Fan zones, fireworks and flags – plans unveiled for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 extravaganza

    Source: City of Sunderland

    Plans to create a carnival atmosphere around this summer’s opening match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in Sunderland have been unveiled by the City Council.

    Fan zones, fireworks and more than 150 colourful flags and banners will all add to the party atmosphere in the city centre, together with a fan parade to the Stadium of Light across the new Wear Footbridge connecting the city centre to the stadium.

    England’s Red Roses are due to kick off the opening match of the tournament against the USA at the Stadium of Light at 7.30pm on Friday 22 August and tickets are already selling fast.

    The Red Roses are favourites to win the tournament after last winning the World Cup in 2014 when South Shields born Sunderland University graduate Katy Daley McLean captained the team.

    The game was awarded to Sunderland following a competitive bidding process and will provide an estimated economic impact benefit of £20 million for the region.

    Details of plans for the tournament’s opening weekend have been released following approval by Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet last week, setting the stage for a spectacular opening weekend of celebrations for those attending the match at Stadium of Light.

    Fan zones at Keel Edge and Keel Square over the three days from Thursday 21 August to Saturday 23 August will add to the carnival atmosphere, hosting live entertainment, interactive games and a food court offering a range of tempting food and drink.

    On the evening of Thursday 21 there will also be a tie up with Sunderland Music City featuring local talent and musicians.

    Post game on Friday evening, there will a firework display from Riverside Park which can be viewed from across the city centre.

    A programme of community events across the North East involving Northumberland, Durham and Sunderland Rugby Clubs is also being planned, including touch rugby beach festivals planned from Bamburgh to Sunderland to engage local communities and rugby clubs.

    Councillor Beth Jones, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, said: “It’s going to be incredibly exciting weekend. The eyes of the world will be on Sunderland and it’s a brilliant opportunity to showcase the city.

    “We will have visitors from across the globe and I can’t wait to welcome them to Sunderland.

    “There’s something for all the family in the events we’ve laid on across the weekend and I think it will be a real celebration of both the tournament and the city.”

    Further tickets for the tournament are due to go on sale later this spring, with competitive prices from £10 for adults and £5 for children. This means a family of four can enjoy an evening at the Women’s Rugby World Cup Opening Game for £30.

    To be the first to hear the latest ticketing news, fans can register for updates at www.rugbyworldcup.com/2025/newsletter

    To find out more about more about rugby in Sunderland and how to get involved, visit: www.mysunderland.co.uk/rugbyworldcup

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Derby Market Hall unveils latest set of traders – including butcher and bakery

    Source: City of Derby

    Derby City Council is excited to announce the third wave of traders set to move into the revitalised Derby Market Hall.

    Following a £35.1m restoration of the historic Grade II-listed building, the Market Hall will reopen its doors to the public on Saturday 24 May, marking a new era for Derby’s independent shopping, dining, and entertainment scene. 

    A curated mix of traditional and contemporary traders will be in place when the Market Hall reopens its doors, creating a vibrant hub in the heart of the city and blending the Market Hall’s rich history with a modern experience. 

    The newest announcement of traders offers fresh produce from a traditional butcher and a craft bakery, plus an exciting variety of retailers and another occupant of our make and trade stalls, which offer local makers and creators new spaces to reach new audiences, inspire others, and grow their businesses in the heart of the city centre.

    Fresh produce: 

    • Anthony Andrews Butchers will be bringing a traditional trade to Derby Market Hall. A small family-run business in Duffield since 2011, the team sources all their meat as locally as possible, working alongside local farmers. Their popular award-winning sausages – made to a secret recipe! – alongside pork pies, steak pies and much more are all handmade. You’ll be able to pick up prime cuts of quality meat and poultry, including dry cured steak and bacon, black pudding and free-range chicken. The business extends its eco-friendly ethos to its packaging, which has a focus on sustainability.
    • Olivia’s Coffee and Bakery will be bringing freshly-baked breads, pastries, and treats while brewing amazing coffee. From humble beginnings in 2018 as a small craft bakery in Loughborough, the thriving business is now trading from four locations. All their food is handmade, freshly baked every morning and seasonal, while the coffee is crafted with care using amazing Colombian coffee beans roasted by the amazing Monsoon Estates roasters. As well as their delicious bread and pastries, Olivia’s will offer sandwiches, which will be available for pre-order for those needing a quick bite, and celebration cakes to order. Look out for their range of vegan and gluten-free products too!

    Local retailers:

    • Dawkins Pet Supplies is a Derbyshire-based, family-owned business dedicated to providing the best natural treats, raw foods, toys, and accessories for customers’ beloved pets, including vegan treats. They promise to offer only the highest quality products that the team would feel comfortable giving to their own furry companions. With a commitment to customer satisfaction and pet well-being, customers can trust that their pets are receiving the care and attention they deserve.
    • Bringing the beauty and healing power of crystals to Derby Market Hall, Derbyshire-based SpiritCrystals offers a selection of ethically-sourced crystals, minerals, fossils, and spiritual gifts. Combining education and experience to help customers discover the deeper meanings behind each stone, SpiritCrystals aim to create meaningful gifts that people appreciate. More than 6,000 customers have already taken their crystal quiz, which helps people discover the right crystal for them. Products include jewellery, exclusive crystal candles, pet rocks, and giftable crystal cards.
    • Ayup Bikes is a non-profit, volunteer run project dedicated to proving a top-class service to the Derby’s cycling community and saving bikes from the scrap heap! Founded by a group of Derby cyclists, the co-operative sells fully-refurbished bikes that people can trust, while their excellent, industry-qualified mechanics offer low-cost, high-quality servicing and repairs to get cycles working as good as new. Ayup partners with local charities, businesses, and schools, offering maintenance classes and repairs for the community.

    Make and trade:

    • Sportwear specialist Layer is on a mission to create durable, performance-driven training gear that stands up to the demands of the most intense workouts while maintaining a minimal environmental footprint. Owner and founder Dan Bacon has spent many years working at the top level of sport in the UK; working with the biggest sportswear brands in the world along the way. Layer also operates Layer Run Club in Long Eaton and plans to open a second club in Derby this summer.

    Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, said:

    It was important to us to offer a variety of local, independent and traditional traders in the Market Hall, as well as the best of the region’s eating, drinking, and entertainment. There really will be something for everyone.

    I’m getting more excited with every week that goes by and I can’t wait to welcome everyone on Saturday 24 May.

    Located at the heart of the city centre, linking Derbion and St Peter’s Quarter with the Cathedral Quarter and Becketwell, the redeveloped Market Hall will play a key role in widening the diversity of the city centre and is expected to generate £3.64m for the local economy every year. 

    More traders will be announced in the coming weeks.

    Follow Derby Market Hall on Facebook and Instagram or visit the website to find out more.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Aurora Mobile Limited Files Its Annual Report on Form 20-F

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHENZHEN, China, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aurora Mobile Limited (NASDAQ: JG) (“Aurora Mobile” or the “Company”), a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China, today announced it has filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 3, 2025. The annual report is available on the Company’s investor relations website at https://ir.jiguang.cn/.

    The Company will provide a hard copy of its annual report containing the audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders and ADS holders upon request. Requests should be submitted to ir@jiguang.cn.

    About Aurora Mobile Limited

    Founded in 2011, Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG) is a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China. Since its inception, Aurora Mobile has focused on providing stable and efficient messaging services to enterprises and has grown to be a leading mobile messaging service provider with its first-mover advantage. With the increasing demand for customer reach and marketing growth, Aurora Mobile has developed forward-looking solutions such as Cloud Messaging and Cloud Marketing to help enterprises achieve omnichannel customer reach and interaction, as well as artificial intelligence and big data-driven marketing technology solutions to help enterprises’ digital transformation.

    For more information, please visit https://ir.jiguang.cn/.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Among other things, the Business Outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Aurora Mobile’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Aurora Mobile may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Aurora Mobile’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Aurora Mobile’s strategies; Aurora Mobile’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Aurora Mobile’s ability to attract and retain customers; its ability to develop and effectively market data solutions, and penetrate the existing market for developer services; its ability to transition to the new advertising-driven SAAS business model; its ability to maintain or enhance its brand; the competition with current or future competitors; its ability to continue to gain access to mobile data in the future; the laws and regulations relating to data privacy and protection; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and Aurora Mobile undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

    For more information, please contact:

    Aurora Mobile Limited
    E-mail: ir@jiguang.cn

    Christensen

    In China
    Ms. Xiaoyan Su
    Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
    E-mail: Xiaoyan.Su@christensencomms.com

    In US
    Ms. Linda Bergkamp
    Phone: +1-480-614-3004
    Email: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Drone Surveying Industry Witnessing Continuous Technological Advancements Generating Rising Revenue Opportunity

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The drone surveying market is witnessing increased demand for its services across different industries. The survey done by drones has multiple benefits in comparison to the traditional way of surveys such as lower cost, reduced time, and improved end results. According to Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider, the global drone surveying market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19.3% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2033. The report said; “The drone covers a larger area within less amount of time and money for a survey if compared with the traditional or conventional way of surveys. Since the data is captured and generated with actual imagery, it also brings better transparency in the end result. All these benefits have resulted in increased demand from governments and real estate development companies for drone surveying services. The drone surveying service providers are entering into partnerships with companies and the government to carry out surveys on their behalf for the planning and development of urban areas and townships. The image and data collected from the drone surveys are more accurate and can be converted into meaningful output as per the requirements. This helps governments and infrastructure development companies in different stages of planning in township development, urban planning, and land surveys. The continuous advancement of technology in the drone market has led to increased demand for their products and services. The services or task performed by a drone has significantly improved in the last few years which has ultimately resulted in improved demand.” Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ONDS), AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), Unusual Machines, Inc. (NYSE American: UMAC), AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV).

    Fact.MR concluded; “The industries catered to by drones have also increased significantly. Earlier most of the demand for drones was from agriculture and public administration, now it has increased to infrastructure development, mining, energy, education, and transportation among others. Now a mining company can easily calculate/measure the area covered for the mining, or the stockpile volume with the help of drone surveys. It is expected that in the coming years, the drone surveying industry will witness continuous technological advancement, resulting in the expansion of service offerings.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Closes Second Southeast Region Acquisition, Wallace Surveying Corporation, Set to Become the Third Acquisition to Power Its National Drone as a Service (DaaS) Business – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces that it has closed the acquisition of Wallace Surveying Corporation (“Wallace”) of West Palm Beach, Florida, a well-established land survey company with thirty years of experience. Wallace provides construction and land development surveys delivering accurate and reliable data that supports project planning and design for developers, contractors, engineers, and architect customers.

    This is ZenaTech’s second acquisition in the Southeast region as part of a larger national roll-up strategy to disrupt the land survey industry by accelerating the use of drones for speed and accuracy benefits. The acquisition also further powers the Company’s national Drone as a Service, or DaaS, business as the third US acquisition set to provide access to the ZenaDrone 1000 and the IQ series. These multifunction drones are set to provide a variety of services including power line inspections, precision agriculture, law enforcement, and search and rescue for natural disasters such as hurricanes.

    “Wallace Surveying Corporation is well respected in the South Florida business community with longstanding existing customer relationships. Its team brings considerable expertise toward our goal of innovating land surveys at scale leveraging advanced drone data collection, data management, mapping and digital deliverables. This acquisition is another step towards our vision to create a national DaaS business, bringing AI drone efficiencies and precision to a variety of legacy verticals and manual tasks,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

    ZenaTech’s Drones as a Service or DaaS model is similar to Software as a Service (SaaS), but instead of providing software solutions over the Internet, the company will offer ZenaDrone solutions and services on a subscription or pay-per-use basis. Customers can conveniently access drones for eliminating manual or time-consuming tasks achieving more precision, such as for surveying, inspections, security and law enforcement, or farming precision agriculture applications, without having to buy, operate, or maintain the drones themselves.

    The DaaS business model offers customers such as government agencies, real estate developers, construction firms, farmers or energy companies reduced upfront costs as there is no need to purchase expensive drones, as well as convenience, as there is no need to manage maintenance and operation. The model also offers scalability to use more often or less often based on business needs and enables access to advanced drone technology sensors or attachments like spraying, without the need for specialized training.

    Accurate land surveys are essential for the planning, designing, and executing of roads, bridges, and building projects for cities, commercial, and residential projects, and are required for legal purposes. Remotely piloted drones with an array of sensors and cameras, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and GPS systems for capturing high-resolution pictures and data are revolutionizing the land survey industry gathering aerial data across expansive terrains in a matter of hours instead of weeks or months using more traditional photogrammetry methods. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    In Additional ZENA News: ZenaTech’s (NASDAQ:ZENA) 2024 Financial Results Shows Revenue and Assets Increase.

    2024 Financial Results:

    • As of December 31, 2024, and consistent with its recent 6K filing, ZenaTech’s 2024 full-year revenue increased by 7% to $1.96 million as compared to $1.82 million for the full year of 2023 (all figures in $Cdn. dollars)
    • Comprehensive loss for the period was ($4.04 million) versus ($.251 million) last year due to increased one-time costs of listing on Nasdaq Capital Market from lawyers. accountants, auditors, financial advisor (investment banker) and other going public expenses
    • Assets have increased over 110% to $34.6 million at year-end 2024, up from $16.4 million at year-end 2023. This is due to the company’s acquisition of three patents, and a total of four software companies. In addition, the company has signed multiple Letters of Intent (LOIs) as part of an acquisition strategy that will tremendously increase future revenue
    • Liabilities continue to be low, having increased $3.7 million to $12.8 million at year-end 2024 from $9.1 million at year-end 2023
    • The Company’s ratio of debt to total capitalization is 31%, which is well within the accepted standard of less than 50%
    • ZenaTech’s existing cash and funds available through lines of credit will be sufficient to finance the next 12 months of the company’s operations. We anticipate that cash generated internally, and lines of credit will be sufficient to fund our drone development and acquisitions
    • Additional information is available from ZenaTech’s 6K filing on the SEC EDGAR website . The company will be filing its 20F by the due date, which is April 30, 2024, for Private Foreign Issuers. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.zenatech.com/newsroom/

    Other recent developments in the drone industry include:

    Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ONDS), a leading provider of private industrial wireless networks and commercial drone and automated data solutions, recently announced that it has secured a $3.2 million purchase order from a governmental entity in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The new order supports the continued buildout of urban autonomous drone infrastructure in the UAE and expands the existing Optimus drone network, which is operated by the local government as part of its broader Safe and Smart City initiatives.

    “We are witnessing the network effect of the Optimus drone network in UAE,” said Eric Brock, Chairman and CEO of Ondas Holdings. “The effectiveness of the Optimus System and its ability to reduce response times of emergency units have been proven during our operations there, and this order further validates the system’s value. We are proud to support the UAE’s leadership in Drone as First Responder (DFR) technology, which is also developing in the US. We believe that our Optimus system is the most mature and robust platform in the market and certified for such critical security operations. We look forward to replicating this success in other cities around the world.”

    AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), a leading provider of best-in-class unmanned aerial systems (UAS), sensors and software solutions for customers worldwide in the commercial and government verticals, recently provided a corporate update and announces its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024.

    AgEagle CEO Bill Irby commented, “2024 was a defining year for AgEagle. We secured three of the largest orders in our history while implementing significant strategic cost reductions that have strengthened our foundation for long-term sustainable growth. We assembled an exceptional leadership team with deep expertise in scaling technology companies, optimizing operations, and executing aggressive sales strategies. Combined with a leaner expense structure, record demand, and a growing product portfolio, we believe we are well positioned to expand our customer base, secure new partnerships, and leverage our innovative drone technologies to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the burgeoning global UAS market.

    AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) recently announced that its stockholders have approved the issuance of AV common stock in connection with the Company’s pending acquisition of BlueHalo LLC (“BlueHalo”) at a Special Meeting of Stockholders held earlier today.

    “Stockholder approval marks an important milestone as we move forward with the acquisition of BlueHalo and accelerate our transformation into the leading next-generation defense technology company,” said Wahid Nawabi, AV chairman, president, and chief executive officer. “Together, AV and BlueHalo will drive agile innovation and deliver integrated, all-domain solutions designed to redefine the future of defense and address the most important priorities and needs of our nation and allies around the globe. We thank stockholders for their continued support and look forward to closing this transaction and unlocking new opportunities for growth and value creation.”

    Unusual Machines, Inc. (NYSE American: UMAC), a drone and drone components manufacturer, recently announced it filed its Form 10-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and provided the following letter to its shareholders from CEO Allan Evans.

    Dear Shareholders, This shareholder letter follows the completion of our fiscal year 2024. This is our first year being public. It has been an excellent fourth quarter and an incredible year. We continue to see great interest in the company and receive questions from shareholders. We would like to take this opportunity to provide context and deeper insights into our operations and what these represent for Unusual Machines’ future.

    Unusual Machines revenue for the fourth quarter revenue was over $2.0 million which represents a sequentially quarter over quarter increase of approximately 31%. This is our best revenue quarter of all time (again) and was done while improving gross margins slightly to 28%. With the launch of our Blue Framework products, approximately 15% of our Q4 revenue was from enterprise sales. Our total revenue of $5.65M for FY2024 exceeded our target of $5M for 2024 by 13%. This growth was achieved without customer concentration as no single customer represented more than 5% of our total revenue for 2024.

    About FN Media Group:
    At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases

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    DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated fifty one hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by ZenaTech, Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

    Contact Information:
    Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com – +1(561)325-8757

    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Global: COVID modelling reveals new insights into ancient social distancing – podcast

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

    lindasky76/Shutterstock

    Five years since COVID emerged, not only has the pandemic affected the way we live and work, it’s also influencing the way researchers are thinking about the past.

    In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, archaeologist Alex Bentley explains how the pandemic has sparked new research into how disease may have affected ancient civilisations, and the clues this offers about a change in the way humans designed their villages and cities 8,000 years ago.

    As an anthropologist and archaeologist at the University of Tennessee, Alex Bentley usually spend his time studying neolithic farming villages. But in the early days of the pandemic, he decided to team up with an epidemiologist on a research project to model the feedback loops between social behaviour, such as wearing a mask or not and the spread of disease. He says:

     In doing that project, we learned so much about the spread of disease and its interaction with different behaviours. It was a perfect setup for looking at the same kind of question in the distant past when diseases were evolving for the first time in dense settlements.

    Bentley was particularly interested in whether it could shed light on a conundrum: a curious pattern from the archaeological record that showed that early European farmers lived in large dense villages, then dispersed for centuries, then later formed cities again, which they also abandoned.

    All this was happening in the neolithic period, between around 9000BC and 3000BC, a time when humans shifted from a nomadic hunterer-gatherer lifestyle to settling in small tribes in one place, cultivating the land and domesticating animals.

    Bentley decided to apply the same model of how disease and patterns of behaviour spread during COVID, to map out how a contagious disease could have spread in an mega settlement called Nebelivka in modern-day Ukraine. This settlement was designed in an oval layout and divided into neighbourhoods, or clusters. Bentley and his colleagues suggest this layout, whether the inhabitants knew it or not, could have helped prevent the spread of disease.

    Listen to the full episode of The Conversation Weekly to hear the interview with Alex Bentley.


    This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Katie Flood and hosted by Gemma Ware. Sound design was by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

    Newsclips in this episode from ABC News.

    Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here.

    R. Alexander Bentley does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. COVID modelling reveals new insights into ancient social distancing – podcast – https://theconversation.com/covid-modelling-reveals-new-insights-into-ancient-social-distancing-podcast-253649

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI: SINTX Technologies Announces Strategic Changes to Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company positions for long-term growth in medical device markets

    Salt Lake City, UT, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SINTX Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SINT), an advanced ceramics company focused on medical device applications, today announced changes to its Board of Directors. The updates reflect the Company’s ongoing strategic transformation into a focused medical technology business.

    Key changes include the retirement of longtime Chairman Dr. B. Sonny Bal, the appointment of President and CEO Eric Olson as Chairman of the Board, and the addition of five new directors with decades of industry expertise spanning orthopedics, spine, interventional pain, cardiovascular, medical device business development and global commercialization.

    “These changes represent an exciting inflection point for SINTX,” said Eric Olson. “Our new Board brings a strong blend of industry leadership, commercial acumen, and strategic insight, all of which will be essential as we execute on our transformation and create long-term value for shareholders.”

    Retirement of Dr. Sonny Bal

    Dr. Bal has served as a Board Member since 2012, as Executive Chairman since 2014, and as President and CEO from 2015 to 2024. During his tenure, he helped establish SINTX as a biomaterials pioneer in silicon nitride and guided the company through its early evolution in orthopedic and spinal applications.

    Appointment of Eric Olson as Chairman of the Board 

    Mr. Olson has assumed the role of Board Chairman in addition to his ongoing duties as President and CEO. He previously served as CEO of Amedica Corporation, the predecessor to SINTX, and has played a key role in the company’s repositioning into the medical device space.

    Appointment of Jay Moyes as Lead Independent Director 

    Mr. Moyes served as CFO of Amedica from 2013 to 2014 and was a Board Member during the Company’s 2014 initial public offering and initial listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. He also held the position of CFO for Myriad Genetics, CareDx and Sera Prognostics. He brings extensive experience in capital markets, corporate governance, and strategic finance, and has been a board member of multiple private and publicly traded life science companies. Mr. Moyes currently serves on the board of directors of Puma Biotechnology and BioCardia.

    Appointment of New Directors

    Chris Lyons brings more than 35 years of experience in the musculoskeletal and spine markets, with a strong focus on business development, M&A, and strategic growth. He spent 15 years at Smith & Nephew in senior commercial roles before joining Medtronic Spine and Biologics, where he led global business development for over a decade. At Medtronic, he managed acquisitions, investments, and partnerships worldwide. In 2018, he founded Southern Metrics Consulting, advising emerging medtech companies on commercialization and successful exits.

    Robert (Bob) Mitchell has over three decades of executive leadership experience in global medical device organizations. At Cook Medical, he led five business units, including interventional radiology and endovascular therapies. He previously served as Vice President of Worldwide Sales at Align Technology (Invisalign) before becoming CEO of Millimed Holdings in Denmark. He also held leadership roles as COO of AngioDynamics and CEO of Nellix (acquired by Endologix). Currently, he Chairs Convi’s HR and Governance Committee, is Chairman of LifeSeal Vascular and Amecath, and an advisor to TVM Capital Healthcare in Dubai. His expertise spans operational leadership, commercialization, and strategic investments.

    Mark Anderson is a seasoned executive with over 35 years in the medical device industry, primarily with Boston Scientific, a leading medical device company. His experience crossed four divisions Cardiology, Watchman, Endoscopy, and Corporate Contracts. Additionally, he managed the #1 customer for Boston Scientific (HCA Healthcare) for nearly 9 years. Mr. Anderson is recognized for building high-performing teams, expanding global markets, and scaling businesses with a strong commercial and clinical focus.

    Gregg Honigblum has been a long-time supporter of SINTX and its predecessor, Amedica. As a former board member and early financial backer, Mr. Honigblum helped raise over $100 million in private funding for the company across multiple rounds. He currently serves as SINTX’s Chief Strategy Officer and has led recent financing efforts, including a successful ATM and PIPE transaction. His background includes investment banking, founding and scaling of medtech companies and extensive experience in capital formation and business strategy.

    “We are fortunate to welcome such a strong group of individuals to our Board,” said Olson. “Their expertise will be instrumental in executing our strategic vision and delivering results for our patients, partners, and shareholders.”

    For more information, please visit www.sintx.com

    About SINTX Technologies, Inc.

    Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, SINTX Technologies is an advanced ceramics company that develops and commercializes materials, components, and technologies for medical applications. SINTX is a global leader in the research, development, and manufacturing of silicon nitride, and its products have been implanted in humans since 2008. Over the past several years, SINTX has utilized strategic acquisitions and alliances to enter into new markets. For more information on SINTX Technologies or its materials platform, visit www.sintx.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”) that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding our ability to create long-term value for shareholders.

    Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made and reflect management’s current estimates, projections, expectations and beliefs. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, difficulty in commercializing ceramic technologies and development of new product opportunities. A discussion of other risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements can be found in SINTX’s Risk Factors disclosure in its Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 19, 2025, and in SINTX’s other filings with the SEC. SINTX undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this report, except as required by law.

    Business and Media Inquiries for SINTX:
    SINTX Technologies
    801.839.3502
    IR@sintx.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Questrade introduces $0 commission, real-time fractional stock and ETF trading, reminding Canadians there’s no better time to Get Yours

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questrade (www.questrade.com) — Canada’s #1 rated* online brokerage — is pleased to announce the introduction of real-time fractional stock and ETF trading on all of its platforms beginning today. The addition enables Questrade customers to purchase their portion of hundreds of stocks and ETFs, including those listed on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100, as well as those in the top 100 ETFs by assets, commission-free and executed in real-time – a Canadian industry first.

    “Canadians deserve the flexibility to trade on their terms without the sticker shock that comes with some stock and ETF share prices,” said Rob Galaski, Chief Journey Officer, Questrade. “While some competitors offer fractional trading in batch orders or with commission fees, Questrade provides customers a new way to diversify their portfolios with real-time, $0 commission trades in increments as low as a dollar, further underscoring our mission of helping Canadians become much more financially successful and secure.”

    Whether investing $1, $100, or $1,000, Questrade customers can now target the most traded stocks on the market and not have to factor in some of the elevated per share prices associated with them. Below are just a handful of the hundreds of stocks available, with many more on the way:

    • Apple (AAPL)
    • Nvidia (NVDA)        
    • Microsoft (MSFT)
    • Amazon (AMZN)
    • Meta Platforms (META)
    • Alphabet Class A and C (GOOGL/GOOG)
    • Netflix (NFLX)        
    • Broadcom (AVGO)
    • Tesla (TSLA)
    • Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B)
    • JPMorgan & Chase Co. (JPM)

    “We are excited to be the first Canadian brokerage to marry real-time fractional trading with $0 commissions,” said Hwan Kim, Chief Product Officer, Questrade. “Canadians have the right to know the exact price of the stocks and ETFs they are purchasing – fractional or not – and enjoy the benefit of no commission fees to help maximize returns.”

    For additional information on Questrade’s fractional share and ETF offering, please visit the following link: https://www.questrade.com/learning/investment-concepts/fractional-shares/understanding-fractional-shares

    Building upon the introduction of $0 commission trades on all Canadian and U.S. equities in February, Questrade is keeping the pedal to the floor with the addition of fractional trading to its growing product offering. With more on the way, the homegrown, Canadian-born online brokerage promises an accelerated pace of new capabilities delivered to customers in 2025 and beyond.

    About Questrade

    Questrade, Inc. (“Questrade”) is changing the Canadian financial services industry by leveraging technology to lower fees while providing a viable alternative to traditional financial investment options, thereby allowing Canadians to Keep More of their Money. As a leader and innovator in financial services, Questrade is a trusted ally that advocates for consumers, focused on improving value. With 25 years of challenging the status quo as one of Canada’s leading, non-bank online brokerages and over $50 billion in assets under administration, Questrade and its affiliates provide financial products and services, including securities and foreign currency investments. For more information, visit www.questrade.com or on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) @Questrade. Questrade, Inc. is a registered investment dealer, a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), and a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF). Questrade is a wholly owned subsidiary of Questrade Financial Group Inc.

    *MoneySense 2024

    Media Contact

    For more information, contact Susan Willemsen at The Siren Group Inc. Tel: 416-461-1567 or M: 416-402-4880, or email: susan@thesirengroup.com.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Vaillant Live is the new name for Derby’s flagship Becketwell venue

    Source: City of Derby

    In a multi-year deal, Vaillant Live has been unveiled as the new name for Derby’s new flagship Becketwell venue, opening this week.

    A dynamic 3,500 capacity destination for concerts, family events, sports and conferencing, Vaillant Live will bring a world-class, purpose-built entertainment venue back to Derby. The venue is owned by Derby City Council and operated by Legends and ASM Global, the world’s preeminent premium live events company, and sponsored by local heating manufacturer, Vaillant.

    The new name comes as Vaillant becomes the sole sponsor of the brand new venue space. Having been located in Derby’s neighbouring town in Belper since 1964, this year will see the heating provider further expanding its manufacturing facilities, continuing its investment in Derby and the surrounding areas.

    The five-year sponsorship of the Derby venue will support Vaillant in its mission to proudly support the local community, whilst being the leading heating systems manufacturer in the UK. With the UK’s focus on net zero and reducing carbon emissions, Vaillant manufactures boilers and heat pumps, providing highly efficient heating solutions for homes around the UK encouraging homeowners to take a more sustainable route to heating their homes. This new opportunity with Legends and ASM Global will see Vaillant’s Hare as seen on TV, take pride of place throughout the new venue, providing new opportunities for the local community to engage with the manufacturer and learn more about their heating system.

    Vaillant Live is Derby’s new home of entertainment and events, a state-of-the-art multi-use venue that is set to bring artists and performers to the city for the first time. As part of the regeneration of the Becketwell district, the venue will become a cornerstone of Derby’s ambitious plans for the future.

    Marcus Sheehan, General Manager at Vaillant Live said:

    As we prepare to open the new venue, we are delighted to forge this partnership with Vaillant – a local business built on outstanding quality and longevity. This resonates with us as a venue, and we’re very much looking forward to working with the Vaillant team as we bring the very best in live entertainment to the heart of Derby. 

    Henrik Hansen, Managing Director at Vaillant Group UK and Ireland, said:

    We are proud to partner with Legends and ASM Global to bring this incredible venue into the heart of Derby. As a large employer and a manufacturer with a long-standing heritage in the region, supporting the local area and its regeneration is important to us. Further demonstrating our commitment to the area, we have recently opened  a new manufacturing plant  at Indurent Park, Derby. Sponsoring the Vaillant Live venue is a perfect opportunity to reinforce our activities and focus our involvement with the  community. We hope that the Vaillant Live venue will increase awareness of Vaillant, not only for playing a role in the region’s economy but also providing entertainment to the City of Derby and its surrounding areas.

     We look to create heating systems that make people’s homes warm and cosy through our heat pump and boiler technologies  and keep our customers at the forefront of our decisions. This new venue will look to reach our customers in different ways outside of their home through entertainment so that they can create warm memories with their friends and families.

    Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, said:

    We’re thrilled to welcome Vaillant to the Becketwell team! Securing a naming partner is a fantastic addition to Derby’s new city centre venue and we couldn’t be happier that a locally-based company has the honour.

    “With their headquarters in Belper and manufacturing site at Indurent Park Derby just outside of the city centre, Vaillant have already invested heavily into Derbyshire and I’m really pleased to see this continue.  

    “I can’t wait to see Vaillant Live officially opened and for residents and visitors to Derby to begin enjoying live music and events in our fantastic new venue.

    The partnership will be formally unveiled with the installation of Vaillant Live signage with the first events at the newly-named venue to take place from April. The first events to be revealed include In Conversations with Tim Peake, Miriam Margolyes and I’m A Celebrity’s, GK Barry, live music including Wet Wet Wet and Bjorn Again, and comedy from Paul Chowdhry, John Bishop and Jason Manford with many more to be announced in coming weeks.

    Follow Vaillant Live on social media @vaillantlive and visit www.vaillantlive.co.uk for more information.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC to List StakeStone (STO) to Support Omnichain Liquidity Innovation with 130,000 USDT Airdrop+ Rewards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, is excited to announce that it has listed StakeStone (STO) on both the spot and futures markets as of April 3, 2025 (UTC). To mark the occasion, MEXC has launched an exclusive Airdrop + rewards campaign, offering a total of 130,000 USDT.

    StakeStone is a cross-chain liquidity infrastructure offering secure, flexible, and high-yield staking solutions through its liquid assets – STONE and SBTC, which are tokenized versions of ETH and BTC. Its scalable architecture integrates with staking pools and is prepared to support future restaking features, creating a multi-chain liquidity market. With a TVL of approximately 600 million USD, StakeStone enables diverse use cases and enhanced yield opportunities. Additionally, the platform has launched LiquidityPad, which allows users to earn rewards by providing liquidity to cross-chain applications, and is expanding its reach through partnerships with Monad and WLFI.

    STO is the governance token of StakeStone, allowing users to participate in decision-making and influence key protocol parameters. It empowers users to shape the protocol while earning additional rewards through veSTO staking, liquidity incentives, and bribe markets. As StakeStone continues to expand, STO’s role in governance and liquidity allocation will become increasingly valuable.

    MEXC has launched an Airdrop + campaign to celebrate the listing of StakeStone (STO) with a total prize pool of 130,000 USDT. Below are the key details of the event:

    Event Period: April 3, 2025, 06:00 – April 13, 2025, 10:00 (UTC)

    Event 1: Deposit to Share 50,000 USDT (New User Exclusive)
    Newly signed-up users and existing users with cumulative deposits below 100 USDT before the event start date are eligible to participate. By completing the relevant tasks during the event period, users can share in the 50,000 USDT prize pool.

    Event 2: Spot Challenge – Trade to Share 20,000 USDT (Open to All Users)
    During the event, all users can trade STO spot pairs with a minimum valid trading volume of $2,000 to share a 20,000 USDT prize pool, with the reward based on each user’s proportion of the total trading volume, up to a maximum of 2,000 USDT. Only spot trades with non-zero fees will be counted towards the trading volume.

    Event 3: Futures Challenge — Trade to Share 50,000 USDT in Futures Bonuses (Open to All Users)
    During the event, users who trade any Perpetual Futures pair and rank among the top 2,000 by total trading volume of at least 20,000 USDT will share a 50,000 USDT prize pool in Futures bonuses, with each user able to receive up to 5,000 USDT, and a minimum reward of 10 USDT.

    Event 4: Invite New Users & Share 10,000 USDT (Open to All Users)
    Existing users can invite friends to sign up on MEXC using their referral code to share a 10,000 USDT reward pool. Once the new user completes any task from Event 1, the referrer will receive 20 USDT, with each referrer eligible to earn up to 400 USDT on a first-come, first-served basis.

    The listing of StakeStone (STO) underscores MEXC’s ongoing commitment to offering users a diverse range of investment assets, expanding its product offerings, and enhancing the overall trading experience. By consistently providing early access to promising Web3 projects, MEXC has solidified its position as an industry leader. According to the latest TokenInsight report, MEXC leads the industry with the highest number of spot listings (461) and the fastest listing speed. Additionally, the exchange consistently adds new tokens on a bi-weekly basis, showcasing its exceptional ability to capture market trends quickly.

    Looking ahead, MEXC will remain user-centric, driving innovation and expanding its offerings to deliver the best opportunities in the ever-evolving crypto landscape.

    For full event details and participation rules, please visit here.

    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 WebsiteXTelegramHow to Sign Up on MEXC

    Risk Disclaimer:
    The information provided in this article regarding cryptocurrencies does not constitute investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully assess market fluctuations, the fundamentals of projects, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions.

    Source

    Contact:
    Lucia Hu
    lucia.hu@mexc.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the 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. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c4321337-6393-4a6b-8a6b-ff978e3ff59b

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Makes Progress on Advanced Drone Safety Management System

    Source: NASA

    From agriculture and law enforcement to entertainment and disaster response, industries are increasingly turning to drones for help, but the growing volume of these aircraft will require trusted safety management systems to maintain safe operations.
    NASA is testing a new software system to create an improved warning system – one that can predict hazards to drones before they occur. The In-Time Aviation Safety Management System (IASMS) will monitor, assess, and mitigate airborne risks in real time. But making sure that it can do all that requires extensive experimentation to see how its elements work together, including simulations and drone flight tests.
    “If everything is going as planned with your flight, you won’t notice your in-time aviation safety management system working,” said Michael Vincent, NASA acting deputy project manager with the System-Wide Safety project at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. “It’s before you encounter an unusual situation, like loss of navigation or communications, that the IASMS provides an alert to the drone operator.”
    The team completed a simulation in the Human-Autonomy Teaming Laboratory at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley on March 5 aimed at finding out how critical elements of the IASMS could be used in operational hurricane relief and recovery.
    During this simulation, 12 drone pilots completed three 30-minute sessions where they managed up to six drones flying beyond visual line of sight to perform supply drops to residents stranded after a severe hurricane. Additional drones flew scripted search and rescue operations and levee inspections in the background. Researchers collected data on pilot performance, mission success, workload, and perceptions of the experiences, as well as the system’s usability.
    This simulation is part of a longer-term strategy by NASA to advance this technology. The lessons learned from this study will help prepare for the project’s hurricane relief and recovery flight tests, planned for 2027.  
    As an example of this work, in the summer of 2024 NASA tested its IASMS during a series of drone flights in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Transportation in Columbus, Ohio, and in a separate effort, with three university-led teams.
    For the Ohio Department of Transportation tests, a drone flew with the NASA-developed IASMS software aboard, which communicated back to computers at NASA Langley. Those transmissions gave NASA researchers input on the system’s performance.

    NASA also conducted studies with The George Washington University (GWU), the University of Notre Dame, and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). These occurred at the U.S. Army’s Fort Devens in Devens, Massachusetts with GWU; near South Bend, Indiana with Notre Dame; and in Richmond, Virginia with VCU. Each test included a variety of types of drones, flight scenarios, and operators.

    Each drone testing series involved a different mission for the drone to perform and different hazards for the system to avoid. Scenarios included, for example, how the drone would fly during a wildfire or how it would deliver a package in a city. A different version of the NASA IASMS was used to fit the scenario depending on the mission, or depending on the flight area.

    When used in conjunction with other systems such as NASA’s Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management, IASMS may allow for routine drone flights in the U.S. to become a reality. The IASMS adds an additional layer of safety for drones, assuring the reliability and trust if the drone is flying over a town on a routine basis that it remains on course while avoiding hazards along the way.
    “There are multiple entities who contribute to safety assurance when flying a drone,” Vincent said. “There is the person who’s flying the drone, the company who designs and manufactures the drone, the company operating the drone, and the Federal Aviation Administration, who has oversight over the entire National Airspace System. Being able to monitor, assess and mitigate risks in real time would make the risks in these situations much more secure.”
    All of this work is led by NASA’s System-Wide Safety project under the Airspace Operations and Safety program in support of the agency’s Advanced Air Mobility mission, which seeks to deliver data to guide the industry’s development of electric air taxis and drones.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: National Action Network’s Keeper of the Dream Gala

    Source: US State of New York

    arlier today, Governor Hochul delivered remarks at the National Action Network (NAN) Convention Keepers of the Dream Gala.

    VIDEO: The event is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

    AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

    PHOTOS: The Governor’s Flickr page will post photos of the event here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

     Not to be outdone by this nice proclamation, I brought an even bigger one. 50 years means you get a big proclamation from the Governor of New York, and I’m so proud to be here this evening to present this to an individual whose counsel and advice I’ve come to rely on for many, many years, but onward and upward to another. 50 more. Dr. Richardson, congratulations.

    And I know I’m standing between all of you and a really nice dinner, but if you’re hungry, start eating that chocolate cake. Because I did. But also I was thinking about what Anthony said as we honored the record setting Cory Booker. And I thought, “Okay, I’m gonna top that and speak for 26 hours at the NAN conference.” So there we go. Let’s get started.

    Back when I was a little girl, – Reverend Al, we have been shoulder to shoulder in so many fights – thank God on the same side – because when you and our beloved Hazel Dukes and a force of nature, George Gresham, who I honor as well, and Reverend Richardson, all want to do something, I just say, “I surrender. I’m with you because this is where the power lies.”

    I’m gonna be brief, about this organization, there’s one word that really means the most to me, and that is “action.” And you’re talking today is your theme about light in darkness. But you know what? Even the brightest light pales in contrast to the sun by the daylight, but that same light at night when it’s dark and dreary and feels hopeless, that single light can make all the difference in the world.

    My friends, without trying to take you to a dark place on this beautiful night of celebration – you all look really fine. We still have Washington to deal with, right? Am I right about that? But the word action means that we’re gonna act in the honor of those who came before us. And I’m talking way back.

    I’m talking about Harriet Tubman. I’m talking Sojourner Truth. I’m talking Shirley Chisholm. I’m talking Frederick Douglass and I’m talking Hazel Dukes and I’m talking Reverend Al Sharpton and I’m talking about you. You are the leaders of the movement that’s going to save our country. Are you ready to do this?

    Well, have a nice dinner. Because tomorrow we get to work and we’re taking back America. God bless all of you. Let’s do it.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: RXR.Lab Launches World’s First Blockchain Crowdfunding-Lottery Platform to Break the System: Lottery, Crowdfunding, and Real Equity in One

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    singapore, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RXR.Lab Highlights:

    1. The world’s first crowdfunding and lottery platform RXR.Lab will be grand launched on April 3, 2025:https://dapp.rxrlab.com/ !
    2. In the RXR.Lab ecosystem, “1 RXR Token = 1 RXR.Lab equity”. Users who complete platform registration before May 31, 2025 will receive 10 circulated RXR Tokens for free, which is 10 shares of RXR.Lab! This airdrop will only be distributed to the first 10,000 registered users!
    3. Scarce resources, the total supply of RXR.Lab tokens is only 380 million, and only 40 million are currently available for circulation!
    4. RXR.Lab’s “Global Lion King NFT Partner” recruitment is in full swing as well, with only 16,000 seats available. An opportunity to become a permanent partner of RXR.Lab with Privilege of Two-tier profit-sharing, and create a great wealth dream with RXR.Lab!
    5. When registering at https://dapp.rxrlab.com/, Please fill in your wallet address to facilitate the airdrop of tokens after the event ends! Please note: A user can only take one airdrop! RXR.lab platform has an “anti-witch system”, once it is discovered that a user has registered using two or more his own wallets and email addresses, the user’s airdrop claim qualification will be cancelled.

    The global gambling industry’s market size was estimated at US$10 trillion in 2022 and is expected to reach US$14 trillion in 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%. Among them, the largest industry is the lottery industry, with a scale of US$346.26 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$504.2 billion in 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%.

    For lottery draws, if you don’t win, can you still recover some of your investment costs? You basically lose everything you put into the account! RXR.lab innovatively introduces “listed company mechanism and blockchain technology” into the gambling industry: even if you don’t win, you may be able to recover part or even all of your investment. Is it possible?

    1. “One-Dollar Purchase” is a crowdfunding and lottery project which has a wide audience around the world. It allows users to participate with minimal investment for the chance to win high-value items, such as: “$10 win 1BTC”.
    2. RXR.lab rejects “air tokens”. In our business model, “1 RXR Token = 1 RXR.lab equity“.
    3. “50% off token allotment” major interest compensation mechanism: In the regulatory rules for listed companies in various countries, the “share allotment discount rate” of listed companies generally cannot exceed 15% off, that is, it cannot be lower than 85% of the average stock price of the listed company in the past 20 days, otherwise it will harm the interests of old shareholders. RXR.lab has launched a major interest compensation mechanism of “50% off token allotment”, that is, in each “One-Dollar Purchase” activity, all participants of the activity, especially those who did not win the prize, can obtain the “50% off token allotment right” to obtain RXR Token at a low cost, and the missing token allotment funds will be compensated by the platform taxes and fees!
    4. Continuous rise in the price of Token: Because “1 RXR Token = 1 RXR.lab equity”, as RXR.lab’s business continues to develop and profits continue to increase, according to the Nobel-winning CAPM (Capital Asset Pricing Model), RXR.lab’s stock price (RXR Token price) will definitely continue to rise. As long as the non-winning participant is a long-termist and not a short-term speculator who enters and exits quickly, and holds the shares firmly, the price of the RXR Token allotment to him at a low cost will continue to rise and continue to generate dividend for him. It can be a realistic possibility for him to recover part or even all of the cost invested in participating in this “One-Dollar Purchase” event! (For details, please refer to the white paper https://rxr-lab-1.gitbook.io/rxr.lab-docs, RXR token model chapter. Taking customers who participated in the first operating cycle as an example, all costs can be recovered in the 14th operating cycle!).

    This will be a revolution in the “One-Dollar Purchase” business model! The RXR.lab platform has pioneered a rebalance between “efficiency and fairness”, turning the short-lived entertainment consumption method of “One-Dollar Purchase” into a sustainable business model! And through the major interest compensation mechanism of “50% off tokens allotment “, it is possible for non-winning participants to recover part or even all of the costs invested in participating in this “One-Dollar Purchase”event!

    “【0 Dollar】Lottery, Thousand Times of Dream!”, this will be a subversive revolution in the global gambling industry!

    Last 5 days to get RXR tokens at a low price!
    On March 6, 2025, RXR.lab announced IEOs simultaneously in four major exchanges: P2B, Azbit, DEX-trade, and Bitstorage.finance. It will end on April 7.
    https://p2pb2b.com/token-sale/RXR-783
    https://azbit.com/launchpad/rxr
    https://dex-trade.com/ieo/RXR
    https://bitstorage.finance/ieo/RXR

    Early Bird Order, Achieve a hundredfold dream!

    For Further information:
    White paper: https://rxr-lab-1.gitbook.io/rxr.lab-docs
    Web: https://rxrlab.com/
    Dapp: https://dapp.rxrlab.com
    Twitter: https://x.com/RXR1474443 
    Telegram: https://t.me/RXRLab123 
    Our media:https://medium.com/@rxrlab0377 
    Project ppt: https://docsend.com/view/3htrj4iuw436gv58
    IEO Poster:https://x.com/RXR1474443/status/1903029794822033577 
    白皮书:https://rxr-lab.gitbook.io/rxr.lab/

    About RXR.Lab

    RXR.Lab is the world’s first decentralized crowdfunding and lottery platform that integrates blockchain technology with equity-based tokenomics. By transforming the traditional “One-Dollar Purchase” model into a sustainable, value-driven ecosystem, RXR.Lab empowers users not only to participate in high-stakes lotteries with minimal investment, but also to become shareholders through the RXR Token—where 1 token equals 1 share of the platform. Backed by a unique profit-sharing model and a long-term vision for global disruption, RXR.Lab is setting a new standard for fairness, transparency, and user empowerment in the global gambling industry.

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Music Office bands, choirs and orchestras invite applications for membership

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department is recruiting new members for its 18 bands and orchestras as well as two choirs. Training for 2025-26 will be held from this September to May 2026. The deadline for applications is May 6.
     
         The 20 ensembles are respectively the Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra, the Island Youth Chinese Orchestra, the Kowloon Youth Chinese Orchestra, the New Territories Youth Chinese Orchestra, the Music Office Junior Chinese Orchestra, the Music Office Children’s Chinese Orchestra, the Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Music Office Junior Symphony Orchestra, the Hong Kong Youth Strings, the Island Youth Strings, the Kowloon Youth Strings, the New Territories Youth Strings, the Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band, the Music Office Youth Brass Band, the Kowloon Youth Symphonic Band, the New Territories Youth Symphonic Band, the Music Office Junior Symphonic Band, the Hong Kong Children’s Symphonic Band, the Music Office Youth Choir and the Music Office Children’s Choir.
     
         Young musicians aged 25 or below who have attained the required music qualifications can now apply to enrol in different levels of ensemble and choir training. Apart from weekly rehearsals, members can also broaden their horizons by participating in various cultural activities and concerts, or attending exchange sessions with young musicians from the Mainland and overseas.
     
         Training is free, but members are required to bring their own instruments (except for bulky instruments) and pay for their uniforms and music scores.
     
         Interested persons can visit the Music Office website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/mo/training/bandchoirandorchestratraining.html) for more details and application submission. Course pamphlets and application forms are also available at all Music Office’s music centres. Qualified applicants will receive an audition notification by May 31. Applicants will be notified of their application results by August 15.
     
         For enquiries, please call the Music Office’s music centres at 2802 0657 (Wan Chai), 2796 2893 (Kwun Tong), 2399 2200 (Mong Kok), 2158 6462 (Sha Tin) and 2417 6429 (Tsuen Wan).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI: YieldMax™ Launches Semiconductor Portfolio Option Income ETF (CHPY)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO and MILWAUKEE and NEW YORK, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — YieldMax™ announced the launch today of the following ETF:

    YieldMax™ Semiconductor Portfolio Option Income ETF (NYSE Arca: CHPY)

    CHPY Overview

    CHPY is an actively managed ETF that seeks current income and capital appreciation via direct investments in a select portfolio of 15-30 Semiconductor Companies. CHPY aims to generate current income through an options portfolio on Semiconductor Companies and/or Semiconductor ETFs.

    CHPY Equity Portfolio

    CHPY seeks capital appreciation via direct investments in its portfolio of 15-30 Semiconductor Companies. To enable CHPY to effectively implement its options strategies (see below), CHPY’s Adviser evaluates the liquidity of a potential company’s common stock and the liquidity of its options contracts. Any dividend paid by its Semiconductor Companies will contribute to CHPY’s income generation.

    CHPY Options Portfolio

    CHPY seeks to generate current income primarily by writing (selling) options contracts on some or all of its Semiconductor Companies. Depending on the Adviser’s outlook, it will select one or more options strategies that it believes will best provide CHPY with current income while generally also attempting to participate in a portion of the share price increases experienced by its Semiconductor Companies. Further, depending on the Adviser’s assessment of one or more of the Semiconductor Companies options contracts (e.g., they are insufficiently liquid or too costly), CHPY may employ options strategies on a Semiconductor ETF. By strategically entering and exiting options positions, the Adviser seeks to enhance CHPY’s income potential.

    CHPY Distribution Schedule

    CHPY is the newest member of the YieldMax™ ETF family and like all YieldMax™ ETFs, CHPY aims to deliver current income to investors. With respect to distributions, CHPY aims to make distributions on a weekly basis and its first weekly distribution is expected to be announced on April 16, 2025.

    Why Invest in CHPY?

    • CHPY seeks to generate income, which is not dependent on the value of its portfolio of Semiconductor companies.
    • CHPY seeks to participate in some of the potential share price gains experienced by its Semiconductor Companies.

    Please see the table below for distribution information for all outstanding YieldMax™ ETFs.

    ETF
    Ticker
    1
    ETF Name Distribution
    Frequency
    Distribution
    per Share
    Distribution
    Rate
    2,4
    30-Day
    SEC Yield3
    ROC5
    GPTY YieldMax™ AI & Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF Weekly $0.2668 34.48% 0.00% 100.00%
    LFGY YieldMax™ Crypto Industry & Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF Weekly $0.4189 59.51% 0.00% 100.00%
    QDTY YieldMax™ Nasdaq 100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF Weekly $0.2638 30.79% 0.00% 37.26%
    RDTY YieldMax™ R2000 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF Weekly $0.3351 35.84% 0.00% 78.96%
    SDTY YieldMax™ S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF Weekly $0.2723 30.85% 0.00% 65.95%
    ULTY YieldMax™ Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF Weekly $0.0916 76.60% 2.10% 97.00%
    YMAG YieldMax™ Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs Weekly $0.0971 32.97% 69.89% 28.54%
    YMAX YieldMax™ Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs Weekly $0.1781 67.58% 96.57% 0.00%
    BIGY YieldMax™ Target 12™ Big 50 Option Income ETF Monthly $0.4582 12.00% 0.71% 0.00%
    SOXY YieldMax™ Target 12™ Semiconductor Option Income ETF Monthly $0.4266 11.97% 0.26% 0.00%
    ABNY YieldMax™ ABNB Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3665 37.42% 3.62% 0.00%
    AIYY YieldMax™ AI Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3221 84.22% 4.89% 2.09%
    AMDY YieldMax™ AMD Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.2765 45.01% 2.97% 93.13%
    AMZY YieldMax™ AMZN Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.4177 33.06% 4.40% 0.00%
    APLY YieldMax™ AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3440 29.51% 3.44% 87.26%
    BABO YieldMax™ BABA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.7578 50.30% 1.92% 0.00%
    CONY YieldMax™ COIN Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.4381 70.66% 4.42% 94.62%
    CRSH YieldMax™ Short TSLA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.6458 128.93% 1.79% 98.10%
    CVNY YieldMax™ CVNA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $2.9684 96.98% 2.44% 99.08%
    DIPS YieldMax™ Short NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.5851 61.20% 2.36% 96.87%
    DISO YieldMax™ DIS Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.2879 26.29% 4.03% 51.26%
    FBY YieldMax™ META Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.5506 43.57% 4.38% 0.00%
    FEAT YieldMax™ Dorsey Wright Featured 5 Income ETF Every 4 weeks $0.6925 24.82% 108.54% 0.00%
    FIAT YieldMax™ Short COIN Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.9240 131.85% 1.73% 98.90%
    FIVY YieldMax™ Dorsey Wright Hybrid 5 Income ETF Every 4 weeks $0.7092 24.88% 69.37% 0.00%
    GDXY YieldMax™ Gold Miners Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.6394 51.98% 2.77% 0.00%
    GOOY YieldMax™ GOOGL Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3284 35.52% 4.67% 0.00%
    JPMO YieldMax™ JPM Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3717 29.57% 4.01% 42.17%
    MARO YieldMax™ MARA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $1.4783 89.99% 4.90% 95.22%
    MRNY YieldMax™ MRNA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.1827 87.97% 4.65% 94.71%
    MSFO YieldMax™ MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3337 27.08% 3.75% 0.00%
    MSTY YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $1.3775 81.94% 0.50% 97.54%
    NFLY YieldMax™ NFLX Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.6020 46.46% 3.58% 59.10%
    NVDY YieldMax™ NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.7874 65.47% 4.01% 100.00%
    OARK YieldMax™ Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3210 53.55% 3.51% 71.26%
    PLTY YieldMax™ PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $5.3257 117.62% 2.78% 97.91%
    PYPY YieldMax™ PYPL Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3521 33.82% 4.19% 0.00%
    SMCY YieldMax™ SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $1.9742 120.52% 3.01% 0.00%
    SNOY YieldMax™ SNOW Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.8119 66.34% 3.01% 0.00%
    XYZY YieldMax™ XYZ Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.5014 58.85% 6.32% 91.68%
    TSLY YieldMax™ TSLA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.4638 68.19% 3.87% 94.16%
    TSMY YieldMax™ TSM Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.5772 49.86% 3.61% 93.02%
    WNTR* YieldMax™ Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks
    XOMO YieldMax™ XOM Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.2950 25.83% 3.18% 77.73%
    YBIT YieldMax™ Bitcoin Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.4357 55.47% 1.52% 97.70%
    YQQQ YieldMax™ Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.4483 33.43% 3.08% 92.77%


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

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

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

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

    *The inception date for WNTR is March 26, 2025.

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

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

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

    4  Each ETF’s strategy (except those of the Short ETFs) will cap potential gains if its reference asset’s shares increase in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset’s shares decrease in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF. Each Short ETF’s strategy will cap potential gains if its reference asset decreases in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset increases in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF.

    5  ROC refers to Return of Capital. The ROC percentage is the portion of the distribution that represents an investor’s original investment.

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

    Standardized Performance

    For YMAX, click here. For YMAG, click here. For TSLY, click here. For OARK, click here. For APLY, click here. For NVDY, click here. For AMZY, click here. For FBY, click here. For GOOY, click here. For NFLY, click here. For CONY, click here. For MSFO, click here. For DISO, click here. For XOMO, click here. For JPMO, click here. For AMDY, click here. For PYPY, click here. For XYZY, click here. For MRNY, click here. For AIYY, click here. For MSTY, click here. For ULTY, click here. For YBIT, click here. For CRSH, click here. For GDXY, click here. For SNOY, click here. For ABNY, click here. For FIAT, click here. For DIPS, click here. For BABO, click here. For YQQQ, click here. For TSMY, click here. For SMCY, click here. For PLTY, click here. For BIGY, click here. For SOXY, click here. For MARO, click here. For FEAT, click here. For FIVY, click here. For LFGY, click here. For GPTY, click here. For CVNY, click here. For SDTY, click here. For QDTY, click here. For RDTY, click here. For WNTR, click here.

    Important Information

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Distribution Risk. As part of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund seeks to provide current income. There is no assurance that the Fund will make a distribution in any given period. If the Fund does make distributions, the amounts of such distributions will likely vary greatly from one distribution to the next. Additionally, monthly distributions, if any, may consist of returns of capital, which would decrease the Fund’s NAV and trading price over time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GPTY)

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

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

    Risk Disclosure (applicable only to MARO)

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to BABO and TSMY)

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GDXY)

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YBIT)

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to the Short ETFs)

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, for any Fund that focuses on an individual security (e.g., TSLA, COIN, NVDA, MSTR), may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole.

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to CHPY)

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YQQQ)

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

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

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

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

    © 2025 YieldMax™ ETFs

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: TowneBank and Old Point Financial Corporation Announce Agreement to Merge

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SUFFOLK, Va. and HAMPTON, Va., April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hampton Roads based TowneBank (NASDAQ: TOWN) and Old Point Financial Corporation (NASDAQCM: OPOF) (“Old Point”), the parent company of The Old Point National Bank of Phoebus (“OPNB”), today announced the signing of a definitive agreement and plan of merger pursuant to which TowneBank will acquire Old Point and OPNB. The proposed transaction will enhance TowneBank’s position in the Hampton Roads MSA with the addition of a high-quality core deposit franchise.

    Pro forma for TowneBank’s recently closed acquisition of Village Bank and Trust Financial Corp. and the proposed acquisition of Old Point, the combined company would have total assets of $19.5 billion, loans of $13.1 billion and deposits of $16.3 billion as of December 31, 2024. TowneBank expects the acquisition to be approximately 10% accretive to earnings per share with fully phased-in cost savings on a GAAP basis.

    “We are excited to partner with Old Point and welcome its talented team into our TowneBank family,” said G. Robert Aston, Jr., Executive Chairman of TowneBank. “Old Point has legendary status here in our community and most especially, in Hampton, Virginia where it was founded over 100 years ago. I have the deepest respect for the Shuford family that has guided Old Point throughout the years with the highest of character and unwavering integrity. Joining our two banking families together will create a combined franchise with a strong core deposit base, outstanding credit quality, and substantial synergies that will generate top tier financial performance for our shareholders while helping our communities grow and prosper.”

    Robert F. Shuford, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Old Point Financial Corporation added, “Great competition builds better companies and TowneBank has raised the bar high – to the benefit of Old Point. Under Bob Aston’s leadership, they have built an incredible franchise. Together, we will bring expanded relationships and services to our communities, enhanced opportunities for our employees, and significant value for our shareholders. We are excited about this partnership and the opportunity to bring together the Old Point and TowneBank families.”

    Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of Old Point will elect to receive either $41.00 in cash or 1.1400 shares of TowneBank common stock for each share of Old Point outstanding common stock. This corresponds to an aggregate transaction value of approximately $203 million, based on Old Point common stock currently outstanding. Old Point shareholders will have the right to elect cash or stock consideration so long as the total stock consideration issued represents between 50% and 60% of the total consideration paid.

    In consideration of the transaction, extensive due diligence was performed by the management teams of TowneBank and Old Point. The definitive agreement was approved by the boards of directors of Old Point and TowneBank. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2025 and is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approval, as well as the approval of Old Point’s shareholders.

    Piper Sandler & Co. served as the financial advisor and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz served as lead legal counsel with Williams Mullen as local counsel to TowneBank in the transaction. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company, served as the financial advisor and Troutman Pepper Locke LLP served as legal counsel to Old Point in the transaction.

    About TowneBank:
    Founded in 1999, TowneBank is a company built on relationships, offering a full range of banking and other financial services, with a focus of serving others and enriching lives. Dedicated to a culture of caring, Towne values all employees and members by embracing their diverse talents, perspectives, and experiences.

    Today, TowneBank operates over 50 banking offices throughout Hampton Roads and Central Virginia, as well as Northeastern and Central North Carolina – serving as a local leader in promoting the social, cultural, and economic growth in each community. TowneBank offers a competitive array of business and personal banking solutions, delivered with only the highest ethical standards. Experienced local bankers providing a higher level of expertise and personal attention with local decision-making are key to the TowneBank strategy. TowneBank has grown its capabilities beyond banking to provide expertise through its affiliated companies that include Towne Wealth Management, Towne Insurance Agency, Towne Benefits, TowneBank Mortgage, TowneBank Commercial Mortgage, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices RW Towne Realty, Towne 1031 Exchange, LLC, and Towne Vacations. With total assets of $17.25 billion as of December 31, 2024, TowneBank is one of the largest banks headquartered in Virginia.

    About Old Point Financial Corporation:
    Headquartered in Hampton, Virginia, Old Point Financial Corporation is the holding company of The Old Point National Bank of Phoebus and Old Point Trust & Financial Services, N.A. (“Wealth”). OPNB serves individual and commercial customers through their 13 branch offices located in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. OPNB offers a full range of retail and commercial financial services, including mortgage loan products offered through Old Point Mortgage. A full array of insurance products is also offered through Old Point Insurance, LLC in partnership with Morgan Marrow Company. Wealth offers a full range of services for individuals and businesses. Their products and services include retirement planning, estate planning, financial planning, estate and trust administration, retirement plan administration, tax services and investment management services.

    Media contact:
    G. Robert Aston, Jr., Executive Chairman, TowneBank, 757-638-6780
    William I. Foster III, Chief Executive Officer, TowneBank, 757-417-6482
    Robert F. Shuford, Jr., Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, Old Point Financial Corporation, 757-728-1887

    Investor contact:
    William B. Littreal, Chief Financial Officer, TowneBank, 757-638-6813
    Laura Wright, Senior Vice President & Marketing Director, Old Point Financial Corporation, 757-728-1743

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This communication contains certain forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only the beliefs, expectations, or opinions of TowneBank and Old Point and their respective management teams regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond the control of TowneBank and Old Point. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of such words as: “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional terms, such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “likely,” “probably,” or “possibly.” These statements may address issues that involve significant risks, uncertainties, estimates, and assumptions made by management, including statements about (i) the benefits of the transaction, including future financial and operating results, cost savings, enhancement to revenue and accretion to reported earnings that may be realized from the transaction and (ii) TowneBank’s and Old Point’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements contained in this communication that are not historical facts. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change and difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. Although TowneBank’s and Old Point’s respective management teams believe that estimates and assumptions on which forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, such estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain. As a result, actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results discussed in these forward-looking statements because of possible uncertainties.

    The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements: (1) the business of Old Point or OPNB may not be successfully integrated into TowneBank, or such integration may take longer, be more difficult, time-consuming or costly to accomplish than expected; (2) the expected growth opportunities or cost savings from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; (3) deposit attrition, operating costs, customer losses and business disruption following the transaction, including adverse effects on relationships with employees and customers, may be greater than expected; (4) the possibility that the transaction does not close when expected or at all because required regulatory, shareholder or other approvals and other conditions to closing are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the transaction); (5) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against TowneBank or Old Point; (6) the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstance that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the definitive merger agreement between TowneBank and Old Point; (7) reputational risk and potential adverse reactions of TowneBank or Old Point’s customers, employees or other business partners, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the transaction; (8) the dilution caused by TowneBank’s issuance of additional shares of its capital stock in connection with the transaction; (9) the diversion of management’s attention and time from ongoing business operations and opportunities on merger-related matters; (10) economic, legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting standards, may adversely affect the businesses in which TowneBank and Old Point are engaged; (11) competitive pressures in the banking industry that may increase significantly; (12) changes in the interest rate environment that may reduce margins and/or the volumes and values of loans made or held as well as the value of other financial assets held; (13) an unforeseen outflow of cash or deposits or an inability to access the capital markets, which could jeopardize TowneBank’s or Old Point’s overall liquidity or capitalization; (14) changes in the creditworthiness of customers and the possible impairment of the collectability of loans; (15) insufficiency of TowneBank’s or Old Point’s allowance for credit losses due to market conditions, inflation, changing interest rates or other factors; (16) adverse developments in the financial industry generally, responsive measures to mitigate and manage such developments, related supervisory and regulatory actions and costs, and related impacts on customer and client behavior; (17) general economic conditions, either nationally or regionally, that may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality and/or a reduced demand for credit or other services; (18) unusual and infrequently occurring events, such as weather-related or natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, or public health events; (19) cybersecurity threats or attacks, whether directed at TowneBank or Old Point or at vendors or other third parties with which TowneBank or Old Point interact; (20) the implementation of new technologies, and the ability to develop and maintain reliable electronic systems; (21) changes in business conditions; (22) changes in the securities market; and (23) changes in the local economies with regard to TowneBank’s and Old Point’s respective market areas.

    Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are discussed in TowneBank’s reports filed with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or Old Point’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). TowneBank and Old Point undertake no obligation to update or clarify these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Additional Information and Where to Find It

    This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities of Old Point or TowneBank or a solicitation of any vote or approval. In connection with the transaction, Old Point will file with the SEC a preliminary proxy statement, which will include an offering circular with respect to the common stock of TowneBank. Old Point will deliver a definitive proxy statement/offering circular to its shareholders seeking approval of the transaction and related matters. In addition, each of TowneBank and Old Point may file other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction with the FDIC and the SEC, respectively.

    Investors, TowneBank shareholders and Old Point shareholders are strongly urged to read the definitive proxy statement/offering circular regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available and other relevant documents filed with the FDIC and SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information about TowneBank, Old Point and the proposed transaction. Free copies of the definitive proxy statement/offering circular, as well as other filings containing information about Old Point, may be obtained after their filing at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). In addition, free copies of the definitive proxy statement/offering circular, when available, also may be obtained by directing a request by telephone or mail to Old Point Financial Corporation, 101 East Queen Street, Hampton, Virginia 23669, Attention: Investor Relations (telephone: (757) 728-1743), or by accessing Old Point’s website at https://www.oldpoint.com under “Investor Relations.” Free copies of filings containing information about TowneBank may be obtained after their filing at the FDIC’s website (https://www.fdic.gov/). The documents described above also may be obtained by directing a request by telephone or mail to TowneBank, 6001 Harbour View Boulevard, Suffolk, Virginia 23435, Attention: Investor Relations (telephone: (757) 638-6794), or by accessing TowneBank’s website at https://townebank.com under “Investor Relations.” The information on TowneBank’s and Old Point’s websites is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this communication or incorporated into other filings either company makes with the FDIC or SEC.

    Participants in the Solicitation

    TowneBank, Old Point, and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Old Point in connection with the transaction. Information about the interests of the directors and executive officers of TowneBank and Old Point and other persons who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of shareholders of Old Point in connection with the transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the definitive proxy statement/offering circular related to the transaction, which will be filed by Old Point with the SEC.

    Information about the directors and executive officers of TowneBank and their ownership of TowneBank common stock is also set forth in the definitive proxy statement for TowneBank’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, as filed with the FDIC on Schedule 14A on April 2, 2025. Information about the directors and executive officers of TowneBank, their ownership of TowneBank common stock, and TowneBank’s transactions with related persons is set forth in the sections entitled “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance,” “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters,” and “Certain Relationship and Related Transactions, and Director Independence” included in TowneBank’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the FDIC on February 28, 2025, and in the sections entitled “Election of Directors – Proposal One,” “Ownership of Company Common Stock,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Named Executive Officers Compensation,” “Compensation of Directors” and “Related Party Transactions” included in TowneBank’s definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, as filed with the FDIC on April 2, 2025. To the extent holdings of TowneBank common stock by the directors and executive officers of TowneBank have changed from the amounts of TowneBank common stock held by such persons as reflected therein, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the FDIC. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described above.

    Information about the directors and executive officers of Old Point and their ownership of Old Point common stock can also be found in Old Point’s definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, as filed with the SEC on April 17, 2024 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/740971/000114036124020305/ny20023777x1_def14a.htm) and other documents subsequently filed by Old Point with the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of Old Point, their ownership of Old Point common stock, and Old Point’s transactions with related persons is set forth in the sections entitled “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance,” “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters,” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence” included in Old Point’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on March 31, 2025 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000740971/000114036125011206/ef20039021_10k.htm), and in the sections entitled “Proposal One – Election of Directors,” “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management,” “Director Compensation,” “Executive Compensation” and “Interest of Management in Certain Transactions” included in Old Point’s definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, as filed with the SEC on April 17, 2024 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/740971/000114036124020305/ny20023777x1_def14a.htm). To the extent holdings of Old Point common stock by the directors and executive officers of Old Point have changed from the amounts of Old Point common stock held by such persons as reflected therein, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described above.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: OTC Markets Group Welcomes Karbon-X Corp. to OTCQX

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced Karbon-X Corp. (OTCQX: KARX), a sustainability-focused company, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market. Karbon-X Corp. upgraded to OTCQX from the OTCQB® Venture Market.

    Karbon-X Corp. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol “KARX.” U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

    The OTCQX Market is designed for established, investor-focused U.S. and international companies. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Graduating to the OTCQX Market marks an important milestone for companies, enabling them to demonstrate their qualifications and build visibility among U.S. investors. 

    “Graduating to the OTCQX Market is a meaningful step in our mission to make climate action more accessible. The superior information and visibility of the OTCQX marketplace will allow KARX to efficiently build investor confidence and expand our shareholder base. This recognition reflects our team’s commitment to delivering full-scope sustainability solutions and reinforces our vision to grow responsibly and with impact,” said Chad Clovis, CEO of Karbon-X Corp.

    About Karbon-X Corp.
    Karbon-X Corp. is a sustainability-focused company providing full-scope environmental solutions for individuals and businesses. Through accessible tools, strategic partnerships, and data-driven approaches, Karbon-X helps organizations and consumers take meaningful climate action and reduce their environmental impact.

    About OTC Markets Group Inc.
    OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our three public markets: OTCQX® Best Market, OTCQB® Venture Market and Pink® Open Market.

    Our OTC Link® Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets.

    OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN, OTC Link NQB, and MOON ATS™ are each an SEC regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer, member SIPC.

    To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.

    Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

    Media Contact:
    OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, media@otcmarkets.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: CinemaCon 2025: Samsung Unveils the Future of Cinema With New Onyx Cinema LED Display

    Source: Samsung

    ▲ Samsung Onyx was the highlight of the company’s exhibition at CinemaCon 2025.
     
    Samsung Electronics reaffirmed its leadership as a pioneer in cinema LED technology at CinemaCon 2025, the ‘largest and most important gathering of movie theater owners from around the world,’ held in Las Vegas, Nevada from March 31 to April 3. At this event, Samsung unveiled the latest Samsung Onyx cinema LED screen with its unmatched picture quality, industry-leading reliability, and expanded scalability to meet the evolving needs of theaters worldwide.
     
    With nearly 6,000 industry professionals from more than 80 countries coming together to celebrate the moviegoing experience, CinemaCon is essential for companies that serve the cinema industry. Samsung invited industry professionals to its immersive booth to discover the latest in premium theater technology and watch films from leading studios.
     
    ▲ Attendees arriving at CinemaCon 2025 at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas; Inside Out 2 displayed on Samsung’s QMD supersized 105” signage
     
     
    Redefining Luxury Theater Experiences with Samsung Onyx
    At the booth, theater owners and industry leaders had a chance to experience films, including Elio (2025) on the new Samsung Onyx screen, showing attendees a cinematic experience that is unmatched with true black levels, infinite contrast ratio, and exceptional color accuracy.
     
    ▲ Pixar’s Elio screened on Samsung Onyx at CinemaCon 2025
     
    The new Samsung Onyx screen supports frames up to 4K 120Hz1 to deliver ultra-smooth motion and razor-sharp quality that brings out more details on screens. Further, Onyx can reach peak brightness levels of 300 nits (86.7fL), six times brighter than traditional cinema standards, which means the brightest details on the screen remain visible to the audience.2
     
    While traditional projectors often appear dim in larger theaters and struggle with washed-out colors in bright scenes, Samsung Onyx maintains exceptional brightness to reveal rich details in shadows, intense highlights and stunning color accuracy across the spectrum.
     
    “The color and vibrancy are very rich,” said Cynthia Lusk, Director of Creative Film Services and International Production at Pixar Studios. “On the Onyx display, there are details of the characters shown that I haven’t seen on a screen before.”
     
    ▲ A colorful scene from Pixar’s Inside Out 2 during a screening on Samsung Onyx at CinemaCon
     
    This year’s Onyx offers theater owners four standard sizes3 – 5 meters (16 feet), 10 meters (33 feet), 14 meters (46 feet), and 20 meters (66 feet) – with additional flexible scaling options to accommodate a variety of theater dimensions.
     
    Cannon Beach, a mixed use development blending lifestyle and adrenaline in Mesa, Arizona, will be the first location in the United States to introduce the latest generation of Samsung Onyx in its movie theater, LVL 11 Entertainment.
     
    ▲ Opening in Fall 2025, LVL 11 Entertainment at Cannon Beach will be the first cinema in the United States to introduce the latest generation of Samsung Onyx in an auditorium with a balcony, creating a unique viewing experience built around the Cinema LED screen.
     
    “We chose to partner with Samsung because its commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology aligns perfectly with our vision for LVL 11 Entertainment. By premiering the Samsung Onyx Cinema LED Screen in Arizona, we will be offering an entirely new experience, not just a movie,” said Adam Saks, Chief Operating Officer, LVL 11 Entertainment. “Samsung’s ability to push the boundaries of entertainment technology ensures that LVL 11 at Cannon Beach remains at the forefront of the industry.”
     
     
    Digitizing In-Theater Movie Promotion with Color E-Paper
    ▲ Floor maps showcased on Samsung Color E-Paper displayed at the Samsung booth, demonstrating the screen’s paper-like display and slim depth.
     
    Outside the theater, Samsung introduced new digital signage to help theater owners transform the entire moviegoing experience.
     
    Samsung Color E-Paper is an ultra-low power, lightweight and slim display that can replace traditional analog and paper-based promotions while delivering the high visibility and functionality. A dedicated mobile app allows theater owners to seamlessly operate the display remotely, and schedule wake-up and sleep times. With Samsung VXT managing the content of Color E-Paper, updating is simplified as theaters change displays to promote the next upcoming blockbuster.
     
     
    Immersive Theater Lobbies with Cinematically Designed Signage
    ▲ Information about Elio(Pixar, 2025) displayed on Samsung’s QMD supersized 105” signage with a Samsung kiosk
     
    Samsung’s QMD series 105-inch supersized screen delivers a unique viewing experience, immersing moviegoers with a large screen before they step into the auditorium. Featuring a cinematic 21:9 ratio, the QMD is designed to captivate the audience, enhance brand visibility and enhance the overall theater environment.
     
     
    Transforming Menu Boards with Appetizing Visuals

    ▲ Samsung QMC signage displayed at CinemaCon, showcasing its vivid colors and dynamic content to captivate attendees before they enter the Onyx theater
     
    Samsung QMC signage will immediately draw movieogers upon arrival, showcasing one billion shades of color and allowing theaters to display their food and beverage offerings in a more engaging manner. The QMC’s slim profile enables theaters to optimize their space, seamlessly blending the display into any theater environment.
     
    ▲ CinemaCon 2025 official poster contest winners
     
    Samsung’s participation at CinemaCon underscores its pioneering excellence and continued legacy in cinema LED display. Industry experts, theater owners, and studios witnessed how Samsung is ushering in the future of cinematic innovation and leadership to build excitement for the future of films.
     
     
    1 Based on the screen’s internal data bandwidth. Actual frame rates may vary depending on the connected IMB. 4K resolution support applies to Onyx’s four standard sizes.2 Peak brightness supported when using DCI-HDR supported IMB.3All measurements in meters and feet refer to screen width, while all measurements in inches denote diagonal; The 10-meter Onyx screen is now available for order, with other models arriving in a phased rollout.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Video: Beyond the hype, how industries are deploying AI at the heart of their operations

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    There was the hype, then the testing, now companies are deploying artificial intelligence at the heart of their operations. We ask one of the world’s most prominent AI scientists for his advice for companies, and hear how Siemens is creating the ‘brains’ to run the factories of the future.

    Guests: Andrew Ng, managing general partner of AI FUNDS and founder of DeepLearning.AI Cedrik Neike, CEO Digital Industries, Siemens

    Cathy Li, Head, AI, Data and Metaverse, World Economic Forum

    Kiva Allgood, Head, Centre for Advanced Manufacturing & Supply Chains, World Economic Forum

    Links:

    AI in Action: Beyond Experimentation to Transform Industry: https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_AI_in_Action_Beyond_Experimentation_to_Transform_Industry_2025.pdf

    Frontier Technologies in Industrial Operations: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence Agents: https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Frontier_Technologies_in_Industrial_Operations_2025.pdf

    Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution: https://centres.weforum.org/centre-for-the-fourth-industrial-revolution/home

    Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains: https://centres.weforum.org/centre-for-advanced-manufacturing-and-supply-chains/home

    Related podcasts:

    What’s next for generative AI? Three pioneers on their Eureka moments (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/davos-2024-generative-ai-pioneers/)

    AI vs Art: Will AI rip the soul out of music, movies and art, or help express our humanity? (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/ai-vs-art-nile-rodgers-hollywood/)

    Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts (http://wef.ch/podcasts) : 

    YouTube: (https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts) – https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts

    Radio Davos (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos) – subscribe (https://pod.link/1504682164) : https://pod.link/1504682164

    Meet the Leader (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader) – subscribe (https://pod.link/1534915560) : https://pod.link/1534915560

    Agenda Dialogues (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/agenda-dialogues) – subscribe (https://pod.link/1574956552) : https://pod.link/1574956552

    Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club (https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub) : https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyJdekiTdas

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Tees Valley Combined Authority issued with Best Value Notice

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Tees Valley Combined Authority issued with Best Value Notice

    The government has issued Tees Valley Combined Authority with a Best Value Notice for an initial period of 12 months.

    The government has issued Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) with a Best Value Notice (BVN) for an initial period of 12 months. This follows the publication of the Tees Valley Review Report in January 2024, which identified serious governance issues and made 26 formal recommendations to TVCA.   

    After considering the mayor’s response to the review, and the recent assessment of external auditors of significant weaknesses in the authority’s value for money arrangements, the government is issuing the Best Value Notice to ensure further improvement at the authority.   

    Under the notice, TVCA will be required to regularly engage with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and must also provide the department with a clear strategy for improvement across all recommendations set out in the Tees review. 

    The role of an independent assurance panel – set up by TVCA with support from the Local Government Association following the Tees Review – must also be strengthened and embedded into the authority’s day-to-day operations. 

    The government is committed to driving growth, supporting the development of new industries and creating new jobs in the region. This notice will enable government to work with TVCA in the interests of residents across Tees Valley to deliver growth and high-quality jobs, support the region’s freeport and finalise the development of the Investment Zone. 

    The Best Value Notice will also provide investors, and the people of Tees Valley, with confidence and clarity after a long period of uncertainty – helping ensure the future success of the region.  

    Minister for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon said: 

    Having carefully considered the response to the Tees Valley independent review and the external auditor’s assessment finding weaknesses in value for money arrangements, we have concluded that we require further assurances.  

    To provide  assurance and to secure continuous improvement, we are issuing the Tees Valley Combined Authority with a Best Value Notice. 

    The people of Tees Valley must have confidence that every penny of their money is being spent appropriately and know that the government, in partnership with the Combined Authority, are working together in the public interest to make sure that is the case.

    The Tees Valley Review also made two recommendations of government: to publish guidance clarifying the governance, oversight and legislation of Mayoral Development Corporations (MDCs); and to clarify proposals for a landfill tax.  

    Today the government is publishing the guidance for Mayoral Development Corporations to follow. As the government devolves significant powers away from Westminster that will enable mayors to help unlock growth, attract investment and create jobs for their regions, this guidance will help in clarifying how MDCs should be governed, ensuring transparency and accountability to local residents. The department will set out an update on the landfill tax in due course.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Monkeys are world’s best yodellers – new research

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    Black and gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) – photograph by Dr Jacob Dunn, Anglia Ruskin University

    A new study has found that the world’s finest yodellers aren’t from Austria or Switzerland, but the rainforests of Latin America.

    Published in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B and led by experts from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and the University of Vienna, the research provides significant new insights into the diverse vocal sounds of non-human primates, and reveals for the first time how certain calls are produced.

    Apes and monkeys possess special anatomical structures in their throats called vocal membranes, which disappeared from humans through evolution to allow for more stable speech. However, the exact benefit these provide to non-human primates had previously been unclear.

    The new research has discovered that these vocal membranes, which are extremely thin and sit above the vocal folds in the larynx, allow monkeys to introduce “voice breaks” to their calls.

    These voice breaks occur when the monkeys switch sound production from the vocal folds to the vocal membranes. The calls produced possess the same rapid transitions in frequency heard in Alpine yodelling, or in Tarzan’s famous yell, but cover a much wider frequency range.

    The study involved analysis of CT scans, computer simulations and fieldwork at La Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary in Bolivia. There, researchers recorded and studied the calls of various primate species, including the black and gold howler monkey (Alouatta caraya), tufted capuchin (Sapajus apella), black-capped squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis), and Peruvian spider monkey (Ateles chamek).

    New World monkeys, whose range stretches from Mexico to Argentina, were found to have evolved the largest vocal membranes of all the primates, suggesting these thin ribbons of tissue play a particularly important role in their vocal production and repertoire of calls.

    The study also revealed that the “ultra-yodels” produced by these monkeys can involve frequency leaps up to five times larger than the frequency changes that are possible with the human voice, and while human yodels typically span one octave or less, New World monkeys are capable of exceeding three musical octaves.

    “These results show how monkeys take advantage of an evolved feature in their larynx – the vocal membrane – which allows for a wider range of calls to be produced, including these ultra-yodels.

    “This might be particularly important in primates, which have complex social lives and need to communicate in a variety of different ways.

    “It’s highly likely this has evolved to enrich the animals’ call repertoire, and is potentially used for attention-grabbing changes, call diversification, or identifying themselves.”

    Senior author Dr Jacob Dunn, Associate Professor in Evolutionary Biology at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)

    “This is a fascinating example of how nature provides the means of enriching animal vocalisation, despite their lack of language.

    “The production of these intricate vocal patterns is mostly enabled by the way the animals’ larynx is anatomically shaped, and does not require complex neural control generated by the brain.”

    Lead author Dr Christian T Herbst, of the Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology at the University of Vienna

    “Our study shows that vocal membranes extend the monkey’s pitch range, but also destabilise its voice. They may have been lost during human evolution to promote pitch stability in singing and speech.”

    Professor Tecumseh Fitch, an expert in human vocal evolution from the University of Vienna and co-author of the study

    In addition to ARU and the University of Vienna, experts from Osaka University and Ritsumeikan University in Japan, KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, and La Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary in Bolivia also contributed to the research.

    The paper is published by the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, and is available here https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2024.0005

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: BLOG: “What I’m seeing terrifies me” Councillor’s Powerful Plea Spurs Action on Ketamine Crisis

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Liverpool City Council has passed a motion highlighting the growing dangers of ketamine use among young people.

    Brought forward by Councillor Lynnie Hinnigan and seconded by Councillor Harry Doyle, the motion reflects the Council’s commitment to protecting community health and wellbeing. At the meeting, Councillor Lynnie Hinnigan gave a powerful and heartfelt speech, calling for urgent action.

    Liverpool has always been a city of resilience and strength, but we must now face a growing threat to our kids, a threat at pandemic levels.

    Ketamine described as the heroin of the 80’s, I fear it’s much worse, and what I’m seeing terrifies me.

    Ketamine, once considered a niche party drug, has now become dangerously mainstream. Liverpool, like many cities across the UK, has seen a worrying rise in ketamine use, particularly among teenagers and young adults.

    Reports from local health services and youth workers suggest that this drug is more accessible than ever before, and one young person told me, it’s hard you just can’t escape it, it’s everywhere. It is cheap, easy to get hold of, and often mixed with other substances, making it even more unpredictable.

    When I was young, we clubbed together for a bottle of Woodpecker cider, when my daughter was 15 it had moved on to Glen’s vodka, now kids as young as 12 are pooling their pocket money to buy a drug that kills.

    The physical and mental health risks of ketamine are severe. Unlike some other drugs, ketamine doesn’t just cause addiction it causes irreversible damage. Frequent use leads to severe bladder problems, including a condition called ‘ketamine bladder syndrome,’ which can result in lifelong incontinence and, in extreme cases, the need for surgery in the form, quite often, a stoma bag for life.

    Mental health services in our city are also reporting an increase in young people experiencing anxiety, depression, and dissociation due to ketamine use. This is a catch-22 drug, because after a short period, once hooked, it’s not the buzz that makes young people keep taking it, it’s the only thing that can effectively manage the intense pain.

    But this isn’t just about individual health. The rise of ketamine use is affecting our entire community. Schools are struggling with students who are disengaged and suffering from the cognitive effects of the drug.

    Families are being torn apart as parents struggle to cope with children whose personalities are changing due to prolonged use. And our local emergency services, already under immense pressure are dealing with more ketamine-related incidents, from overdoses to violent outbursts caused by intoxication.

    Social media has also played a dangerous role in glamorising ketamine use. Platforms like TikTok and Snapchat are filled with videos of young people ‘k-holing’, a terrifying state of dissociation and paralysis that some now see as entertainment. This online culture is normalising drug use and making it seem like a harmless joke when it’s a direct route to addiction, long-term harm and, in some cases, death.

    Last week I attended, with work colleagues, the first ever ketamine addiction support session facilitated by the Lifeboat Project in North Liverpool, and it broke my heart. The participants, some in recovery, some still using, shared their stories, the pain and fear for their futures. How a 20-year-old beautiful young woman admitted to a room of strangers how she had to wear adult pull-ups, didn’t want to die, and was going to leave the session and reuse as she couldn’t cope with the pain.

    As a Council, we have a duty to act. We need stronger public health education programmes in schools to warn young people about the dangers of ketamine before they even consider trying it. We need to educate parents, so they know the signs to look out for. We need increased funding for youth services to help those already affected.

    And we must work closely with Merseyside Police to crack down on the dealers who are pushing this drug onto our streets.

    The government need urgently to reclassify this drug to Class A, introducing harsher penalties for those dealing to our kids.

    Liverpool is a city that cares for its own. We cannot allow ketamine to steal the futures of our young people. The time for action is now. I urge this council to prioritise this issue, to invest in education and support services, and to send a clear message that ketamine has no place in our city.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Tees Valley Combined Authority: Best Value Notice (April 2025)

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    Tees Valley Combined Authority: Best Value Notice (April 2025)

    Best Value Notice issued to Tees Valley Combined Authority on 3 April 2025.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    Details

    On 3 April 2025, the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE MP, announced in a written ministerial statement the issuing of a non-statutory best value notice to Tees Valley Combined Authority. This best value notice is a formal notification that the department has concerns regarding the authority and requests that the authority engages with the department to provide assurance of improvement.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 April 2025

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Guinean Artist Elie Kamano to Release New Single Exploring Africa’s Colonial Past

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CAJ News Africa will host the official presentation of Guinean musician Elie Kamano’s new single “Africa without Africans” on April 5, 2025, at the Johannesburg Arts Centre, the agency announced today.

    The English-language track will be distributed on major global streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Audiomack, targeting both African and international audiences. According to industry analysts, the release aligns with growing market interest in content addressing historical narratives from an African perspective.

    The single explores the economic and social impacts of colonialism on the continent while highlighting the resilience of African communities. The track features a fusion of traditional Guinean rhythms with contemporary production techniques, establishing a commercial appeal while maintaining cultural authenticity.

    “This song examines our shared history while looking toward economic justice and development,” Kamano said in a statement. “I wanted to create art that not only entertains but stimulates meaningful discussion about Africa’s place in the global economic system.”

    The release coincides with the African Union’s 2025 theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” which has generated significant policy discussions across the continent.

    Kamano, whose previous releases have accumulated over 12 million streams globally, drew inspiration for the single from historical documentation in The New York Times regarding the 1944 Thiaroye massacre in Senegal, where West African soldiers were killed by colonial troops after World War II.

    “Thiaroye can become the foundation of a pan-African consciousness, uniting all African countries that lost citizens in this tragedy,” said Mamadou Diop, Senegalese historian and Director of African Studies at Columbia University, regarding the historical events that influenced the composition.

    On March 21, 2025, pan-African representatives and civil society organizations convened in Dakar to examine potential frameworks for addressing historical economic imbalances. The summit produced a detailed report outlining specific economic metrics and proposed accountability mechanisms.

    CAJ News Africa’s decision to host the single’s presentation reflects the media company’s strategic expansion into cultural content with historical and economic significance, according to industry observers. The agency has recently increased investment in multimedia platforms by 35% compared to fiscal year 2024.

    “We’re facilitating conversations that connect cultural expression with economic discourse,” said Savious Kwinika, Director of Research at CAJ Africa. “This presentation allows us to highlight how creative industries can contextualize complex historical narratives within contemporary market frameworks.”

    Financial analysts note that the global market for content exploring historical African narratives has grown 28% annually since 2023, with particularly strong performance in streaming and digital distribution channels.

    The presentation will include a panel discussion featuring economists and cultural analysts examining how artistic expression intersects with ongoing policy dialogues regarding economic development and international relations. The track will be available for purchase and streaming on all major platforms at 00:01 GMT on April 5, 2025.

    About CAJ News Africa

    CAJ News Africa is a leading pan-African media agency providing business, technology, and cultural news across the continent. Established in 2008, the agency operates bureaus in 18 African countries and maintains strategic partnerships with global media organizations.

    Contact Information

    CAJ News Africa

    Savious Kwinika, Director of Research, CAJ Africa

    E-mail: news@cajnewsafrica.com

    Website: https://www.cajnewsafrica.com

    The MIL Network