Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner as Portugal fought back to beat Germany 2-1 on Wednesday, with the 40-year-old bagging his 137th international goal to send them into the Nations League final.
It was Portugal’s first win over Germany since 2000 with Ronaldo’s goal earning them a spot in their second Nations League final, after winning the inaugural edition in 2019.
Spain and France will clash in the other semi-final on Thursday to decide who will face Portugal in the decider on Sunday.
Germany dominated the first half, but it remained goalless thanks to the heroics of Portugal keeper Diogo Costa.
The shotstopper made an excellent start to the first half, keeping out a low shot from Germany’s Leon Goretzka after four minutes with a strong save.
Costa came to Portugal’s rescue again with an incredible save from Nick Woltemade’s close-range effort and two minutes later, he produced another quick reaction stop, diving low to tip away another attempt from Goretzka.
Germany took the lead in the 48th minute, as Florian Wirtz headed in unmarked in the box, following a pinpoint lobbed pass from Joshua Kimmich.
However, Portugal turned the match around, first equalising through substitute Francisco Conceicao in the 63rd minute, before Ronaldo tapped in five minutes later after Nuno Mendes teed him up.
For Conceicao, the win carried extra significance, as his father Sergio scored a hat-trick the last time Portugal beat Germany – at the European Championship in 2000.
“We need to enjoy the victory – we won for the first time in a while against Germany. Tactically we were exceptional and our commitment helped… it was a team victory,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said.
“Now we can recover and evaluate,” he added. “We want another performance with personality in this shirt.”
Germany looked to shift the momentum when substitute Karim Adeyemi unleashed a powerful rising strike with his left foot, only to see it crash against the outside of Costa’s right-hand post.
Portugal could have grabbed a third goal very late in the match but Germany keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen stretched impressively to perform a double save.
It was a disappointing 100th appearance for Germany captain Kimmich.
“The defeat is absolutely deserved. We weren’t playing well enough in the first half. After going 1-0 up, nothing came of it in the second half,” he told reporters.
“We have to learn from this. If we’re not at 100%, we can’t beat a top European team. Today was one of our worst games, purely based on our performance.”
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Philemon Yang (L), president of the UN General Assembly, presides over a meeting to elect members of the UN Economic and Social Council at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 4, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Eighteen states, including China, were elected on Wednesday into the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the coordinating body for the economic and social work of UN agencies and funds, for a three-year term.
Philemon Yang, president of the General Assembly, announced the results after voting by secret ballot in the assembly.
Elected were Burundi, Chad, Mozambique, Sierra Leone from African states; China, India, Lebanon, Turkmenistan from Asia-Pacific states; Croatia, Russia, Ukraine from Eastern European states; Ecuador, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis from Latin America and Caribbean states; Australia, Finland, Norway, Türkiye from Western European and other states.
They were elected for a three-year term beginning on Jan. 1, 2026.
Russia failed to obtain the two-thirds majority needed for election in the first round of the voting. It won in a restrictive round against Belarus.
In a by-election for rotation within the Western European and other states group, Germany was elected for a one-year term beginning on Jan. 1, 2026. It will replace Liechtenstein. The United States was elected for a two-year term beginning on Jan. 1, 2026. It will replace Italy.
ECOSOC has 54 members, which are elected each year by the General Assembly for overlapping three-year terms. Seats on the council are allocated on the basis of geographical representation with 14 seats to African states, 11 to Asia-Pacific states, six to Eastern European states, 10 to Latin American and Caribbean states, and 13 to Western Europe and other states.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Cristiano Ronaldo scored the decisive goal as Portugal came from behind to defeat Germany 2-1 in the UEFA Nations League semifinal in Munich on Wednesday, ending the hosts’ hopes of reaching the tournament final for the first time.
After a 10-minute delay caused by a hailstorm, Germany settled more quickly. Leon Goretzka tested Diogo Costa early, while debutant Nick Woltemade linked well with Aleksandar Pavlovic to create another opportunity.
However, Portugal soon found its rhythm. Pedro Neto’s blistering pace repeatedly exposed the German defense, and Ronaldo tested goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen twice. It was Ter Stegen’s first appearance since returning from a lengthy injury layoff.
Florian Wirtz (L) of Germany vies with Bruno Fernandes of Portugal during the UEFA Nations League A semifinal match between Germany and Portugal in Munich, Germany, June 4, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Florian Wirtz broke the deadlock just after the restart. The Bayer Leverkusen playmaker timed his run perfectly to meet Joshua Kimmich’s lofted pass, guiding a header into the bottom corner.
But instead of calming Germany’s nerves, the goal only galvanized Portugal. Francisco Conceicao, introduced just minutes earlier, turned the match with a stunning solo strike, cutting inside and curling the ball into the far corner.
Germany barely had time to regroup before falling behind. A slick one-two between Bruno Fernandes and Nuno Mendes split the German backline, and Mendes’ low cross was converted by Ronaldo. At 40 years and 119 days old, he became the oldest player ever to score against Germany.
Germany brought on attacking reinforcements, including Karim Adeyemi and Niclas Fullkrug, but struggled to regain momentum. Adeyemi came closest to equalizing, hitting the post in the 82nd minute. At the other end, Ter Stegen denied both Conceicao and Diogo Jota to keep the scoreline close.
Germany will now play in Sunday’s third-place playoff, while Portugal advances to the final.
“It was certainly one of our weakest performances in recent times. We didn’t always attack with enough conviction. We started well and took a deserved lead but then did far too little. Against a team like Portugal, if you’re too slow in transition, you get punished. We need to be at 100% if we want to belong to the best in Europe. This defeat hurts, but we must learn from it,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said.
“I’m very happy. This was an important game against a top-quality Germany side, and we played away from home. To beat Germany for the first time in 25 years means a lot. Turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win shows what this team is capable of,” said Portugal coach Roberto Martinez.
Pinochet and Rauff? They were alike. Each had two faces. One gentle, the other hard. They were joined.
And they both got away with it … Sort of.
Philippe Sands loves to tell stories. A master of historical non-fiction, he has become known for his unique blend of deeply personal, legal and historical narratives, which weave together incredible coincidences with moving stories of human courage in the face of mass atrocities and horror.
Sands is a leading practitioner of international law, a professor at University College London, an author, a playwright, and the recipient of numerous literary awards. He is also someone whose family was murdered in the vortex of the Holocaust in Ukraine.
If it weren’t based on facts, one might think it was a brilliantly crafted thriller.
Review: 38 Londres Street: On Impunity, Pinochet in England and a Nazi in Patagonia – Philippe Sands (Weidenfeld & Nicolson)
38 Londres Street weaves together several narratives, but at its heart is the story of the legal attempts to end impunity for two accused criminals. One is Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. The other is Walther Rauff, a former SS officer who fled to South America and allegedly worked with Pinochet’s Secret Intelligence Service.
Sands brings these two men into a single narrative to highlight the legal struggle against impunity for mass atrocities, though he never loses sight of the victims and their human stories of suffering, courage and persistence.
These were people whose lives were abruptly and violently taken. Sands includes many of their names and tragic fates in his book. He informs his readers that the Cementerio Sara Braun in Punta Arenas, Chile, has a memorial bearing the names of Pinochet’s many victims. He clearly wants these individuals never to be forgotten.
Universal jurisdiction and the Pinochet precedent
The building at 38 Londres Street in Santiago was once a site of pain. At this secret interrogation centre, one of many across Santiago and the rest of Chile, Pinochet’s agents imprisoned, tortured, executed and disappeared tens of thousands of people deemed leftists, socialists, communists or “other undesirables”.
Pinochet came to power on September 11, 1973, overthrowing the democratically elected socialist government of President Salvador Allende in a military coup. He would rule Chile with an iron fist until 1990.
Chile’s youth became the targets of his murderous regime. Sands notes that most victims were between 21 and 30 years old. The majority of them were workers; the rest mainly comprised academics, professionals and students. The atrocities were committed with impunity.
Like all dictators, Pinochet believed himself untouchable. But in October 1998, while visiting the UK, he was arrested in London. Spanish judge Baltasar Garzón was seeking Pinochet’s extradition to Spain in order to try him for human rights abuses.
Garzón was acting under the then-controversial legal principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows courts in one country to prosecute grave human rights violations committed outside its borders, regardless of the nationality of the accused.
Never before had a former head of state of one country been arrested by, and in another, for committing international crimes.
Sands would become involved in one of the most famous cases in international law since the Nuremberg trials more than 50 years earlier. Pinochet’s lawyers offered him an opportunity to participate in the case, arguing for the former dictator’s immunity as a former head of state. His wife threatened to divorce him if he accepted.
He declined the offer. Instead, Sands represented Human Rights Watch when the Pinochet case was considered by the Law Lords.
Pinochet had been indicted for crimes against humanity and genocide. At issue was the question of whether Pinochet, as a former head of state, had immunity before the English courts for acts committed in another country while he was in office. Should there be a legal protection for former dictators?
The proceedings in London were novel and remarkable, writes Sands, because this was an open legal question when Pinochet was arrested. His arrest raised an unprecedented issue: was there an exception to the rule of immunity for a former head of state when a crime in international law was involved? And did the exception apply before a national court, rather than an international one?
Many believed Pinochet’s immunity should be lifted and extradition proceedings should go ahead, so that he could answer for the deaths of Spanish nationals and others. If that did not happen, it was argued, the travesty of justice would signal that any dictator could get away with genocide. As Sands writes, immunity and impunity often go hand in hand.
In this landmark case, Pinochet was stripped of the immunity from prosecution he had enjoyed as a former president. He was ordered to stand trial on charges of human rights abuses.
For the next 16 months, he remained in the UK, awaiting extradition to Spain. But it never happened. The initial judgement on immunity was quashed, due to concerns about possible bias of one of the judges. The case returned to square one. New hearings took place.
In January 2000, the UK eventually decided not to proceed with extradition, claiming that Pinochet was too ill to stand trial and that “it would not be fair”. He was allowed to return to Chile as a free man, thanks to medical doctors rather than lawyers.
Political leaders in Europe generally welcomed the ruling. Margaret Thatcher, former British prime minister and Pinochet’s longstanding ally, was adamant that the lengthy legal wrangle had been a waste of public money. Seemingly agitated, she said in front of the cameras:
Senator Pinochet was a staunch friend of Britain throughout the Falklands War. His reward from this government was to be held prisoner for 16 months. In the meantime, his health has been broken, his reputation tarnished, and vast funds of public money have been squandered on a political vendetta.
Subsequent attempts to prosecute Pinochet in Chile were unsuccessful. He died in 2006 at the age of 91, without ever being tried for the human rights abuses that occurred while he was in power. Retributive justice, in the end, was not served. But Pinochet’s case opened the gates for efforts to bring other former and serving heads of state to justice.
Today, the 38 Londres Street serves as a place of national memory where visitors can walk through its halls and learn about its dark past.
The Nazi who invented the gas chambers
Running parallel with Pinochet’s story is that of Nazi fugitive Walther Rauff.
Rauff invented the mobile gas chambers that were precursors to the gas chambers in Nazi concentration camps. At the end of the second world war, he escaped to South America, settling in Chile. Germany made numerous attempts to have Rauff extradited to face charges, but the Chilean government refused these demands. He spent his days in the backwaters of Patagonia, running a king-crab cannery business.
Sands travels to Patagonia and meets people who remember Rauff, whose identity seems to have been common knowledge among his neighbours and co-workers: “everyone knew rumours and stories of his past”; they knew about “the gas vans” and that he “once killed many people”. But no one seemed to be bothered. They describe Rauff as “cultivated and kind”. To many of Sands’ interlocutors, the stories about Rauff “were long ago and far away”.
While dealing with the failed attempts for his extradition, Rauff put his energies into “harvesting crabs, making sure the tins were packed tight, [and] managing the workers”. He continued to do so, enjoying the company of his dog Bobby, when Pinochet became Chile’s new leader.
Pinochet was an old friend. Sands records that the two men met in the 1950s in Quito, Ecuador, where Rauff was staying, having fled an Italian prison camp at the end of the war. The men shared a contempt for communism and an affinity for German culture. Pinochet encouraged Rauff to move to Chile.
Rauff delighted in Pinochet’s murderous regime. Sands tell us that Pinochet used Rauff’s “expertise” to help with the murder and disappearance of thousands of people. But the controversy over whether Rauff worked for the Chilean military, becoming “chief advisor” to its intelligence services, or perhaps even its “head”, remains unresolved. Definitive and provable evidence about the assistance Rauff may have given to Pinochet was never obtained.
Holding dictators to account
One of the many coincidences Sands stumbles upon is that Rauff lived in Punta Arenas in southern Chile on a street called “Jugoslavija”, named after the country where I was born, which disintegrated in the 1990s in a brutal civil war marked by mass atrocities and genocide.
Milošević was extradited to The Hague in 2001 after he was indicted for war crimes committed in Kosovo and Croatia, and for genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina following an order from the Serbian government. His trial is widely hailed as a landmark moment in the development of international criminal law, though he died in his cell before his trial ended, dying “innocent” like his counterparts Pinochet and Rauff.
In 38 Londres Street, Sands brings to light the behind-the-scenes struggles to hold Pinochet and Rauff accountable. The book explores the intricacies and politics of international law. Despite its bitter ending, Pinochet’s case remains one of the most far reaching and important in the field of human rights. It caused other countries to reflect on their own legal immunities.
As a researcher and academic, I found the book significant because it also offers insight into what it takes to conduct such expansive archival and qualitative research. Over several years, “in between work and life”, Sands travels to different corners of the globe and speaks to informants from all walks of life, including descendants of the perpetrators. He visits the sites of the events he recounts, most of them places marked by pain. He seeks to see and feel a past that still lingers.
His method requires stamina, passion and unwavering diligence. His strong commitment to neutrality, decency and impartiality makes him stand out not only as a highly skilled writer, but a survivor who continues to unpack and share the legacy of the Holocaust. There is much to respect and learn from in Sands’ account, not least about the intricacies of writing a compelling story.
Holding dictators to account is hard. Pinochet and Rauff deprived victims of the retributive justice they needed and deserved. Yet justice and reparations have many different meanings. They can be symbolic too, and still profoundly meaningful to victims. As one of the survivors of Pinochet’s regime replied to Sands when asked whether he believed his case was one of total impunity: “Not quite total […] Dawson [an island detention camp] has been recognised as a site of national memory, a protected monument, and that means something.”
Pinochet and Rauff were never convicted, but they were not free. Pinochet spent years under house arrest, bitter and devastated, unable to walk the streets. Rauff lived in constant fear of being arrested and extradited. They were both haunted. This, after all, may have brought some satisfaction to the victims.
Sands was once asked: “Do you believe in justice?” He replied: “Sort of.” Sands comes to understand that justice is “uneven in its delivery”. He has learned “to tamper expectations”. Maybe we all need to learn that skill from him too. Ultimately, justice remains a work-in-progress, just like the process of learning from a dark past.
Olivera Simic 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.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Europe Subcommittee Chairman Keith Self delivered opening remarks at a subcommittee hearing titled, “Assessing the Challenges Facing NATO.”
Watch Here
-Remarks-
The purpose of this hearing is to provide members with an informed perspective of the U.S. policy toward NATO and an opportunity to discuss NATO’s trajectory in advance of the June summit in The Hague. I now recognize myself for an opening statement.
The Hague will be focused on funding for NATO, This first chart […] shows the NATO nations. They, they are listed top to bottom by GDP. They are listed on the right side by the percentage that they provide.
Of course, the U.S. is at the top with Almost $29 trillion in GDP then you go down to Germany, UK, France, Italy, Canada, and Spain. Down here you’ve got the frontline countries you’ve got Lithuania, you’ve got Latvia, you’ve got Estonia. Uh, some of the Balkan countries are down below. The ones that I want to point out. The summit tells us that they are going to be going above 3% somewhere.
I want to point out right here we have got some the major economies in NATO — specifically France, Italy, Canada [and Spain] — that are well below […] their current 2% commitment. These are major economies. This is a major change that needs to happen at the summit.
Now just a couple of comparisons. This compares Poland to everyone else on the Eastern Flank, the eastern flank being defined as Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary. Poland has a GDP of about 840 billion dollars, eastern flank is 890, so they’re not dissimilar. The defense budgets are quite a bit disimilar.
Their percentage though Poland is at over 4% currently and going higher. The Eastern Flank is a 2.36 and going higher and has already committed to go higher.
And one more just to give you an idea of where the funding in NATO. stands, this is Germany versus the Eastern Flank, so we’ve added Poland to the East of Germany. So Germany has the 4.6, the Eastern Flank has 1.7. Here are the defense budgets. The Eastern Flank is providing a higher percentage than Germany is.
So, my point in all of these three slides is [that] there is work to do in the summit later this month. Now I know that people have made commitments, but what you just saw were 2024, the last year we had a full year’s funding toward NATO. That is, that is a major problem that I wanted to highlight. We’ve got other issues in this, in this briefing, but that’s the one that I wanted to start with. The first thing we have to start with is everyone pulling their weight in NATO.
ALBANY, NY – The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into a settlement agreement with Adidas America Inc. that requires the company to pay $235,000 in fines and implement enhanced safety measures at multiple facilities.
The agreement comes after the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted a 2024 follow-up inspection at an Adidas warehouse in upstate New York. OSHA initially cited for hazards in 2021 during an inspection that found missing guardrails and an unsafe ladder.
Inspectors returned in 2024 to find that Adidas had not corrected the hazards cited in 2021 and found an additional unsafe ladder violation.
The May 30, 2025, settlement requires Adidas to implement enhanced abatement measures at its facilities in New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico, including adopting a comprehensive Safety and Health Management program, retraining employees on fall hazards, assessing and auditing potential fall hazards at each facility, and discontinuing use of overhead storage in the facilities.
Adidas also agreed to pay $235,000 in penalties.
Adidas America Inc. is a subsidiary of Adidas AG, an athletic apparel and footwear corporation headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany.
OSHA’s Warehousing page provides solutions to prevent injuries from hazards including forklifts, slips, trips and falls and materials handling. The agency’s stop falls website offers safety information and video presentations in English and Spanish to teach workers about fall hazards and proper safety procedures.
Question for written answer E-002108/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Christine Anderson (ESN)
The revised[1] Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive[2] (UWWTD) may significantly increase production costs for essential, low-cost medicines such as Metformin, a key treatment for type two diabetes used by nearly three million patients in Germany[3].
Estimates suggest that pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies are required to cover at least 80 % of the costs (Article 9) of additional treatment to remove micropollutants in order to comply with the directive. This could lead to a cost increase of up to 445 % for Metformin production. Manufacturers warn that this would make the continued EU-based production of such medicines unviable, risking market withdrawals, medicine shortages and greater dependence on non-EU imports.
1.Can the Commission confirm whether the estimate of up to a 445 % cost increase for Metformin is accurate, and whether it anticipates similar effects across other Member States and medicines, particularly for low-margin generics?
2.How does the Commission reconcile the provisions of the UWWTD, specifically the mandatory cost allocation under Article 9(4), with the objectives of the proposed Critical Medicines Act, which aims to strengthen EU production and supply security for essential pharmaceuticals?
3.Given the risk to medicine affordability and availability, does the Commission consider a targeted revision or exemption within the UWWTD necessary in order to safeguard public health and pharmaceutical resilience?
[2] Directive (EU) 2024/3019 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2024 concerning urban wastewater treatment, OJ L, 2024/3019, 12.12.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/3019/oj.
[3] Der Spiegel, https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/diabetes-medikament-metformin-droht-das-aus-hohe-kosten-durch-eu-abwasserrichtlinie-a-25ab387e-8ef2-43c7-a9e0-7714d850aeb3.
Question for written answer E-002111/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Tom Berendsen (PPE), Jeroen Lenaers (PPE)
Nowhere in Europe are there as many attacks with powerful fireworks and explosives as in the Netherlands. In 2024, there were as many as 1543. In addition, we see this trend spreading further in Europe to Germany, Belgium, France and Sweden. At issue, in particular, are flash bangers (as sold under the brand name Cobra) – fireworks belonging to category F4, intended for professional use only. Flash bangers indeed fall under this category but are rarely, if ever, used professionally and mainly end up in the hands of criminals.
Legal production and storage take place largely outside the Netherlands. Flash bangers from abroad then enter the black market through criminal networks and are then resold cheaply and easily, for example on online platforms.
To counter the worrying developments, European action is necessary. Both trade in and production of powerful fireworks such as flash bangers need to be more strictly regulated and controlled.
In view of the above:
1.Is the Commission prepared to introduce a ban on the production of powerful, loud-bang fireworks such as flash bangers, as they are not being used for professional purposes?
2.In the meantime, what action will the Commission take to prevent this type of explosive from entering the black market?
The definition and application of rules governing the holding of demonstrations and any related sanctions pertain to the Member States.
Article 4(2) of the Treaty on European Union underlines that the maintenance of law and order and the safeguarding of internal security in the Member States, including policing laws and the regulation of demonstrations, fall within national competence and consequently outside the scope of EU law.
As provided for in its Article 51(1), the Charter of Fundamental Rights likewise applies to Member States only when they are implementing EU law.
Therefore, it is for Member States to ensure that fundamental rights are effectively respected and protected in the context of demonstrations, in accordance with their national legislation and international human rights obligations.
Member States may restrict the freedom of movement of EU citizens on grounds of public policy or public security[1]. This includes the possibility to expel a beneficiary of the right of free movement, while complying with the requirements and procedural safeguards set out under EU law[2].
Restrictive measures may be taken where the personal conduct of an individual represents a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat to one of the fundamental interests of the society of the host Member State. Decisions must be proportionate.
The persons concerned must be informed of the reasons for the decision and must have access to redress procedures at national level[3]. National courts are competent for assessing whether a specific measure is justified and proportionate and whether the relevant procedural safeguards have been complied with.
[1] See Chapter VI of Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States amending Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 and repealing Directives 64/221/EEC, 68/360/EEC, 72/194/EEC, 73/148/EEC, 75/34/EEC, 75/35/EEC, 90/364/EEC, 90/365/EEC and 93/96/EEC, OJ L 158, 30.4.2004, p. 77-123.
G7 Foreign Ministers Declaration on Maritime Security and Prosperity
Media Note
March 14, 2025
The text of the following statement was released by the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union.
Begin Text:
We, the Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, reaffirm the G7’s steadfast commitment to contribute towards a free, open, and secure maritime domain based on the rule of law that strengthens international security, fosters economic prosperity, and ensures the sustainable use of marine resources.
Maritime security and prosperity are fundamental to global stability, economic resilience, and the well-being of all nations, and the conservation and sustainable use of ocean ecosystems is essential to all life on Earth. Over 80% of global trade is transported by sea, and 97% of global data flows through submarine cables. Disruptions to maritime routes pose a direct threat to international food security, critical minerals, energy security, global supply chains, and economic stability. We express deep concern over the growing risks to maritime security, including strategic contestation, threats to freedom of navigation and overflight, and illicit shipping activities. State behaviour in these areas has increased the risk of conflict and environmental damage, and imperils all nations’ prosperity and living standards, especially for the world’s poorest.
We recognize the role of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the legal framework for governing all activities in the oceans and the seas.
We recall the G7 Statements on Maritime Security adopted in Lübeck (2015) and Hiroshima (2016). We welcome related work presently underway through other G7 ministerial tracks and working groups, on a range of issues including securing undersea cable networks and combating abandoned fishing gear. We welcome, as well, G7 work relating to transnational organized crime and terrorism that touches on the maritime domain, including in relation to piracy and armed robbery at sea, trafficking in persons, and strengthening the maritime law enforcement capabilities of coastal states. We acknowledge the importance of regional maritime security frameworks, to support coastal states to address collectively threats to their maritime security. We welcome existing initiatives, such as the G7++ Friends of the Gulf of Guinea (G7++ FoGG, that Canada chairs this year), which has been, the primary forum for dialogue among G7 members and partners on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Emerging Threat on Safe Seas and Freedom of Navigation and Overflight
Enhancing Stability: We underscore the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight and other internationally lawful uses of the high seas and the exclusive economic zones as well as to the related rights and freedoms in other maritime zones, including the rights of innocent passage, transit passage and archipelagic sea lanes passage, as provided for under international law. We share a growing concern at recent, unjustifiable efforts to restrict such freedom and to expand jurisdiction through use of force and other forms of coercion, including across the Taiwan Strait, and in the South China Sea, the Red Sea, and the Black Sea. We condemn China’s illicit, provocative, coercive and dangerous actions that seek unilaterally to alter the status quo in such a way as to risk undermining the stability of regions, including through land reclamations, and building of outposts, as well as their use for military purpose. In areas pending final delimitation, we underline the importance of coastal states refraining from unilateral actions that cause permanent physical change to the marine environment insofar as such actions jeopardize or hamper the reaching of the final agreement, as well as the importance of making every effort to enter into provisional arrangements of a practical nature, in those areas. We condemn, as well, dangerous vessel maneuvers, the indiscriminate attacks against commercial vessels and other maritime actions that undermine maritime order based on the rule of law and international law. We reiterate that the award rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal on 12 July 2016 is a significant milestone, which is legally binding upon the parties to those proceedings and a useful basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties. We reaffirm that our basic policies on Taiwan remain unchanged and emphasize the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as indispensable to international security and prosperity. We welcome the resumption of exports from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports. Freedom of navigation for commercial shipping in the Black Sea must be upheld.
Attempts to Change the Status Quo by Force: We oppose unilateral attempts to change the status quo, in particular by force or coercion including in the East and South China Seas. We undertake to implement means through which to track systematically and report on attempts to change the status quo by force and by the establishment of new geographical facts, including through coercive and dangerous actions on the oceans and seas that might threaten regional and international peace and security.
Protecting Critical Maritime and Undersea Infrastructure: We are seized of the fact that vital energy and telecommunications infrastructure under the oceans and seas connects our economies and is vital to our prosperity. We recall the G7 Joint Statement on Cable Connectivity for Secure and Resilient Digital Communications Networks (2024) and the New York Joint Statement on the Security and Resilience of Undersea Cables in a Globally Digitalized World (2024). We share a growing concern that undersea communications cables, subsea interconnectors and other critical undersea infrastructure have been subject to critical damage through sabotage, poor seamanship or irresponsible behaviour which have resulted in potential internet or energy disruption in affected regions, delays in global data transmission, or compromised sensitive communications. We will enhance our cooperation with industry mitigate risks, reduce bottlenecks to operational tasks while strengthening repair capacities in order to improve the overall resilience of critical undersea and maritime infrastructure. In this respect, we welcome the EU Action Plan on Cable Security adopted in February 2025 by the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Maritime Crime: Maritime crime, including piracy, armed robbery at sea, maritime arms trafficking and sanctions evasion, human trafficking, illegal drug trafficking and Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, continues to impede maritime security, freedom of navigation, and our economy and prosperity. We have been working together to tackle these maritime crimes, but maritime illegal activities have extended into new areas, to become an urgent issue to be addressed. We welcome the G7 Action Plan to combat migrant smuggling adopted under Italy’s 2024 G7 Presidency.
Protecting Freedom of Trade: In the past year, indiscriminate Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have endangered maritime security of vessels and their crews, disturbed international trade, and exposed neighboring countries to environmental hazards. Enabled by Iran’s military, financial, and intelligence support, these illegal attacks have also contributed to increased tension in the Middle East and Yemen, with severe repercussions on the intra-Yemeni peace process. The vessel “Galaxy Leader” seized by the Houthis must be released immediately. We appreciate the efforts of all those countries that have engaged to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, protecting crucial shipping lanes and helping to restore regular flows of trade through the Suez Canal connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In this regard, we commend the efforts of EU’s maritime operation “Aspides” and U.S.-led operation “Prosperity Guardian”.
Safe Shipping and Supply Chain Security
Curtailing Unsafe and Illicit Shipping Practices: The rise of unsafe and illicit shipping practices, including fraudulent registration and registries, poses a significant threat to global trade and environmental sustainability. We are concerned that unsafe and illicit shipping imposes heavy costs on industry, governments and citizens. Russia’s ability to earn revenue has been sustained through its extensive effort to circumvent the G7+ oil price cap policy through its shadow fleet of often older, underinsured, and poorly maintained ships that routinely disable their automatic identification systems or engage in “spoofing” to avoid detection and circumvent international safety, environmental, and liability rules and standards. North Korea continues to pursue its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and evade sanctions, particularly through its illicit maritime activities, including prohibited ship to-ship transfers of petroleum and other UN-banned commodities. Through G7 coordination, we have exposed North Korea uses of “dark” vessels – those that engage in illicit activity – to circumvent United Nations Security Council mandated sanctions. Russia and North Korea are strengthening their economic relations including through maritime routes, such as the reported transfer of petroleum products from Russia to North Korea Unregulated, “dark” vessels undertake IUU fishing, destroying marine habitats and depleting fish stocks, with negative impacts for biodiversity and food security. Unregulated, inadequately insured “dark” vessels also pose a high risk of maritime accidents, including in fragile ecosystems such as the Arctic and Antarctic. We commit to strengthen our coordination, amongst the G7 and with other partners, to prevent the use of unregistered or fraudulently registered, uninsured and substandard vessels engaged in sanctions evasion, arms transfers, illegal fishing and illicit trade. We encourage relevant International Organizations to improve maritime domain awareness by expanding satellite-based vessel tracking and establishing comprehensive data records of the movement of individual ships and of ship-to-ship transfers, as a means of identifying and tracking illicit maritime activities. We are also committed to capacity building of the countries in the region in law enforcement and Maritime Domain Awareness.
Shadow Fleet Task Force: We invite members of the Nordic-Baltic 8 (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden), and possibly others, to join participating G7 members in a Shadow Fleet Task Force to enhance monitoring and detection and to otherwise constrain the use of shadow fleets engaged in illegal, unsafe or environmentally perilous activities, building on the work of others active in this area. The Task Force will constitute a response by the participating States to the call by the International Maritime Organization in its Resolution A.1192(33) of 6 December 2023 for Members States and all relevant stakeholders to promote actions to prevent illegal operations in the maritime sector by shadow fleets and their flag states, including illegal operations for the purposes of circumventing sanctions, evading compliance with safety or environmental regulations, avoiding insurance costs, or engaging in other illegal activities.
Enhancing Maritime Supply Chain Resilience and Energy and Food Security: Maritime supply chains will continue to underpin the global economy, but these face a variety of threats, both present and future, stemming from both geopolitical tensions and environmental factors. Maritime disruptions raise consumer costs, increase transit times, and can reduce demand in importing countries, which in turn means lower revenues and diminished competitiveness for producers in exporting countries. Such vulnerabilities in maritime transport can undermine energy and food security, particularly for developing nations reliant on stable shipping routes, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs). We welcome maritime initiatives involving and supported by G7 partners intended to promote energy and food security, such as the Grain from Ukraine scheme, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. We invite cooperation with the African Union (pursuant to Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050) and other relevant International Organizations to identify best practices for enhancing maritime supply chain resilience and for safeguarding energy and food security, including in times of geopolitical crisis.
Promoting Safe and Resilient Ports and Strategic Waterways: Port ownership and operational control matter to national security, as foreign control or influence over critical port infrastructure can create vulnerabilities in trade, in defense and security, and in economic stability. Port resilience is also crucial to economic stability and global trade and yet ports face growing risks from environmental degradation, extreme weather events and geopolitical conflicts. Strengthening port security and modernizing infrastructure are essential to maintaining safe and efficient maritime trade. Ensuring that the ownership and management of strategic waterways and key maritime choke points are not vulnerable to undue influence by potential adversaries is also essential to national security. We underscore the importance of scrutiny of ownership structures and port management and resilience within our own national jurisdictions, including with regard to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) systems, to ensure that adversaries do not gain leverage over supply chains, military operations, or the flow of strategic resources. We will work with partners and with relevant International Organizations to encourage robust cybersecurity standards for port ICT infrastructure, to increase resilience against malicious cyber incidents on maritime logistical networks, to reduce monopolistic power over key supply chain nodes, to promote secure and transparent port ownership, to limit unsolicited or undue foreign influence over critical infrastructures and strategic waterways, and to otherwise encourage greater focus on such potential vulnerabilities.
Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) at sea poses a significant hazard to the marine environment, to the safety of fishermen and other users of the maritime space, and to various marine economic activities. We commit to enhancing diplomatic efforts and to exchanging best practices among national authorities, relevant international and regional organizations, and relevant industry sectors to accelerate the clean-up of UXO from the seas and ocean.
Sustainable Stewardship of Maritime Resources
Strengthen Enforcement Against IUU Fishing: IUU fishing is a major contributor to declining fish stocks and to marine habitat destruction. It may account for a third of all fishing activity worldwide, at a cost to the global economy of more than US$23 billion per year and with negative consequences for fisheries as an enduring economic asset, including for developing countries. We welcome the Canadian-led Dark Vessel Detection System in Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, the Philippines, and members of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and would see value in replicating the model to support other partners whose fisheries are under threat from IUU fishing. We recognize that data sharing and transparency play a key role in this fight by exposing bad actors and that technological advances can support a robust Monitoring, Control and Surveillance and enforcement landscape. We encourage further progress in addressing IUU fishing, working with and through relevant International Organizations to establish and strengthen rules to sustainably manage fish stocks on the high seas and to improve the enforcement of these measures, including through the further development of detection technologies, aircraft patrols and high seas boarding and inspection of vessels, building upon the 2022 G7 Ocean Deal.
We welcome the Third UN Ocean Conference, in Nice, France, from 9 to 13 June 2025.
PARTNERSHIPS
This G7 Maritime Security and Prosperity Declaration provides a framework for cooperation with non-G7 Partners, including countries hosting major ports, large merchant fleets, or extensive flag registries as well as relevant regional and International Organizations, such as the International Maritime Organization and ASEAN. We would welcome robust cooperation with Partners to take forward the goals set out in this Declaration, consistent with the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, under the efforts of the G7 countries, including a free, open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific region, to build a free and open maritime order based on the rule of law, and of commitment to the sustainable development of the world’s maritime spaces.
We welcome the cooperation on Coast Guard Functions, including the Global Coast Guard Forum hosted by Italy in 2025, as well as the Arctic Coast Guard Forum, which could also support the objectives of this Declaration.
The diagnosed prevalent cases of endometriosis among women ages 12–54 years in the seven major markets (7MM*) are set to register an annual growth rate (AGR) of 0.09% from 2.77 million in 2024 to 2.8 million in 2034, forecasts GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s latest report, “Endometriosis – Epidemiology Forecast to 2034,” reveals that the US will have the highest number of diagnosed prevalent cases of endometriosis among the 7MM at 1.51 million cases, whereas Japan will have the lowest number at 0.09 million cases in 2034.
Antara Bhattacharya, Associate Project Manager, Epidemiology team at GlobalData, comments: “In 2024, women in ages 30–54 years accounted for almost 92% of the diagnosed prevalent cases of endometriosis in the 7MM, while younger women in ages 12–29 years accounted for approximately 8% of the cases.”
GlobalData estimates that in 2024, approximately 64% of diagnosed prevalent cases of endometriosis in the 7MM were laparoscopy confirmed, whereas 36% of diagnosed prevalent cases of endometriosis suspected cases. In 2024, approximately 28% of diagnosed prevalent cases of endometriosis were in stage IV, whereas 22% of diagnosed prevalent cases of endometriosis were in stage I.
In the 7MM, approximately 44% of diagnosed prevalent cases of endometriosis were superficial peritoneal endometriosis, whereas 19% of diagnosed prevalent cases were deep infiltrating endometriosis in 2024. Approximately 44% of diagnosed prevalent cases of endometriosis were with dysmenorrhea.
Bhattacharya concludes: “Endometriosis significantly impacts quality of life among women of reproductive age due to pain, fatigue, and other symptoms that can affect daily activities, work productivity, and relationships. This may further lead to psychological consequences. Diagnostic delay, limited capacity of health systems, and sub-optimal access to specialized surgery such as laparoscopy further exacerbate the condition, since prompt access to available treatment methods, including non-steroidal analgesics, progestin-based contraceptives, is often not achieved.
“Addressing endometriosis through various treatments and supportive care can help improve the quality of life for those affected. Additionally, capacity development of primary healthcare providers is essential to initiate treatment for patients who could benefit from medical symptomatic management.”
*7MM: The US, 5EU (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK), and Japan.
Thousands of people were evacuated from central Cologne in western Germany on Wednesday following the discovery of three wartime bombs, in what the city authority called the largest such operation since the end of World War Two.
An evacuation zone with a radius of 1,000 metres (1,100 yards) was cleared from 8 a.m. (0600 GMT), impacting around 20,500 residents along with many workers and hotel guests in the city’s old town and Deutz district.
Three American bombs, each with impact fuses, were found during construction work on Monday in Deutz, a bustling area on the bank of the River Rhine.
Bomb disposal experts plan to disarm the ordnance later on Wednesday.
Unexploded bombs are often found in Germany, where many major cities sustained heavy damage during the war.
The evacuation area includes one hospital, two retirement homes, nine schools, and many hotels and museums.
“Everyone involved hopes that the defusing can be completed in the course of Wednesday. This is only possible if all those affected leave their homes or workplaces early and stay outside the evacuation area from the outset on that day,” the city authority said in a statement.
The measures caused major transport disruptions in the city of over a million people, with Germany’s national rail operator warning that many trains would be diverted or cancelled.
A stretch of the Rhine will be blocked off before the bomb disposal operation begins.
The Rhine, which runs from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea via Cologne, is one of Europe’s key waterways for the transportation of commodities such as grain and coal.
Private television station RTL, whose main office is located in the evacuation zone, interrupted its morning news programme.
“We have to leave,” the news anchor said, grabbing his bag as the lights were turned off
Source: Republic of France in English The Republic of France has issued the following statement:
France congratulates Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, on her June 2nd election as President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which will begin on September 9.
France will be delighted to work closely with Ms. Baerbock on all of the issues followed by the UN General Assembly and to promote an open, strengthened multilateral system. This year, as we mark the UN’s 80th anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment to the goals and principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
SARAJEVO, June 4 (Xinhua) — The U.S. proposal to impose tariffs on EU goods signals a broader shift in its policies and could cause significant damage to transatlantic economic ties, Adnan Huskic, an analyst and associate professor at the Sarajevo School of Science and Technology, told Xinhua in a recent interview.
“This move reflects a simplistic approach to global trade and deep-rooted mistrust of Europe,” he said. “Such measures go beyond economics and demonstrate the continued abdication of the United States’ role in ensuring security on the European continent.”
Although Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a member of the European Union, Huskic noted, it remains closely linked to EU countries, especially Germany, its main export market. “Any economic downturn in Germany or the EU will have serious side effects for Bosnia and the entire Western Balkans,” he said.
A. Huskic also expressed concern about the fragmented response of the region to global changes. “The countries of the Western Balkans often act independently of each other and do not maintain strategic cooperation. Such fragmentation makes them vulnerable to global shocks, and ultimately they have to adapt to the dynamics created by the main players in this arena.”
The change in the US approach to global interaction has created uncertainty among its partners, said A. Huskic, adding that the new reality is the United States, characterized by an inconsistent and unpredictable policy.
“The rest of the world must stand firm in defense of free trade,” he added.
The expert also pointed to Europe’s lag in emerging technologies and the need for reform. According to him, the EU is currently lagging behind in artificial intelligence and other innovative areas, and its economic model is in dire need of change.
The EU must quickly reform and seek global partners with similar goals to become more autonomous and innovative, added A. Huskic. –0–
The Landeskommando Hessen of the Bundeswehr and the Lufthansa Group have agreed on a partnership for reserve duty. The Lufthansa Group supports employees who decide to volunteer for the Heimatschutz – including by granting them time off for training and further education, as well as for possible deployments. With this partnership, the Lufthansa Group draws attention to the integral role of volunteers in the Heimatschutz and enables its employees to actively contribute to the security and protection of society.
On June 4, Michael Niggemann, member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG and responsible for Human Resources & Legal Affairs, accepted the partnership certificate from Brigadier General Holger Radmann. In his role as Labor Director, he says:
“We are looking forward to actively contributing to Germany’s security architecture as a new partner for Heimatschutz. In view of the current security policy situation and the often cited ‘Zeitenwende’, it is particularly important to us to sensitize our employees to the importance of the Heimatschutz.”
The Lufthansa Group informs its employees specifically about the new offer and works closely with the Landeskommando Hessen to ensure the best possible preparation and integration into the reserve service. The offer is open to all Lufthansa Group employees with a German passport. Whether leave of absence can be granted will be examined on a case-by-case basis. Due to the large number of Lufthansa Group employees in the Rhine-Main region, the Heimatschutzregiment 5 in Hesse in particular will be supported. This means that the Lufthansa Group joins around 250 employers in Hesse who are already partners for the Heimatschutz. 2,400 volunteers from Hesse have already signed up for the Heimatschutzregiment 5 in Hesse. Their tasks include protecting critical infrastructure, securing transport routes and providing regional assistance in disaster situations.
PALM BEACH, Fla., June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media GroupNews Commentary – The Retinal and Fundis Camera market has shown growth in the recent years and is expected to continue for years to come. Fundus cameras are sophisticated instruments utilized in ophthalmology for capturing detailed images of the retina. They employ a specialized optical design akin to an indirect ophthalmoscope, with the angle of view being a key parameter defining their functionality… Fundus photography enables physicians to meticulously examine retinal changes over time, facilitating collaboration among colleagues and enhancing patient care. A recent report from Precedence Research said: “The fundus cameras market experiences growth driven by the evolving landscape of imaging technologies, particularly in diagnosing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Traditionally, fundus photography with film-based cameras, preferably through pharmacologically dilated pupils, has been pivotal in documenting AMD severity. The emergence of high-resolution digital cameras presents new opportunities in the market. Comparisons among different imaging systems, including nonstereoscopic color retinal images taken with digital cameras through dark-adapted and dilated pupils, as well as stereoscopic images captured with standard film cameras, highlight the expanding applications of fundus cameras. Such comparisons underscore the need for versatile imaging solutions to accommodate diverse clinical scenarios, thus fueling the growth in the fundus cameras market.” Active healthcare/tech companies active in the markets include: Avant Technologies Inc. (OTCQB: AVAI), Outlook Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OTLK), Eyenovia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EYEN), Bausch + Lomb Corporation (NYSE: BLCO), Biomea Fusion, Inc. (NASDAQ: BMEA).
Precedence Research continued: “The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into fundus cameras presents a significant opportunity for market growth. AI algorithms demonstrate high accuracy in detecting diseases like diabetic retinopathy (DR), offering improved diagnostic capabilities. Furthermore, machine learning algorithms utilizing preoperative fundus photography alongside other data parameters have shown promise in identifying at-risk eyes for postoperative complications after refractive surgery. Deep learning algorithms applied to fundus photographs have been successful in predicting cerebral white matter hyperintensity in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and detecting DR with remarkable precision. Studies exploring AI’s role in correlating fundus photos, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and external eye photography with systemic diseases exhibit promising results. Particularly, AI-driven screening for DR holds significant potential. These advancements highlight the prospective role of AI-integrated fundus imaging in screening, diagnosing, and managing various retinal diseases, thus creating substantial opportunities for growth in the fundus cameras market.” The report added: “The global fundus cameras market size accounted for USD $676.46 Million in 2025 and is forecasted to hit around USD $943.12 Million by 2034, representing a CAGR of 3.80% from 2025 to 2034.”
Avant Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: AVAI)and Partner, Ainnova, Finalizing Automated Retinal Camera Prototype Ahead of Full-Scale Development– Avant Technologies, Inc. (“Avant” or the “Company”) and its JV partner, Ainnova Tech, Inc., (Ainnova), a leading healthcare technology company focused on revolutionizing early disease detection using artificial intelligence (AI), today announced the Company is in the final stages of prototyping its proprietary automated retinal camera. Ainnova’s new device will offer users a low cost, easier to use camera that captures images automatically and then uploads those images to the Company’s Vision AI software platform, which then produces a “risk report” in mere seconds.
Vinicio Vargas, Chief Executive Officer at Ainnova and member of the Board of Directors of the joint venture company, Ai-nova Acquisition Corp., said, “The cost of a fundus camera has always been a barrier to entry into in this market, so our low-cost camera, which is a fraction of the cost of currently available cameras on the market, should allow us to not only enter the market, but to capture a large share of the market.
“Another significant advantage will be that our camera will be seamlessly packaged together with our Vision AI platform, allowing us to refer more patients in less time and accurately to medical specialists. Also, one of our objectives is to integrate other technologies to this preventive screening, expanding the scope from only diabetic patients to patients who have other risk factors and want to prevent other diseases from a more complete approach.”
Vision AI is a powerful cutting-edge, AI-driven platform that can quickly and accurately detect the early markers of a host of diseases by applying AI models to examine imaging data from the eye to expedite earlier detection and allow patients to better manage their disease. The diseases that Vision AI can detect, include diabetic retinopathy, other retinopathies, such as glaucoma, macular edema, age-related macular degeneration, and other anomalies, as well as other diseases that do not require retinal images, and instead, use other datapoints that Ainnova has integrated into the software like the detection of cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes, liver fibrosis, and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Currently, Ainnova’s Vision AI software works well with any fundus camera on the market; however, Ainnova and Avant are aiming for exclusivity by developing a lower-cost, easier to use camera.
Ai-nova Acquisition Corp. (AAC), the company formed by the partnership between Avant and Ainnova, will develop the retinal cameras as part of the joint venture and licensing deal to facilitate the development of Ainnova’s technology portfolio. AAC owns the global licensing rights to develop, maintain, and market Ainnova’s technology portfolio. CONTINUED… Read this and more news for Avant Technologies at:https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-avai/
In other developments and happenings in the biotech market recently include:
Outlook Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OTLK), a biopharmaceutical company focused on enhancing the standard of care for bevacizumab for the treatment of retina diseases, recently announced that LYTENAVA™ (bevacizumab gamma) is now commercially available in Germany and the UK for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). LYTENAVA™ (bevacizumab gamma) is the first and only authorized ophthalmic formulation of bevacizumab for use in treating wet AMD in adults in the European Union and UK.
“We are excited to have launched LYTENAVA™ (bevacizumab gamma) for patients with wet AMD in Germany and the UK. I would like to extend sincere gratitude to the Outlook team and our partners for their commitment and dedication that helped to get us to this major milestone. Going forward, we remain laser focused on ensuring success in Germany and the UK as well as preparing for additional launches across the region later this year and throughout 2026,” commented Jedd Comiskey, Senior Vice President, Head of Europe at Outlook Therapeutics.
Eyenovia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EYEN), an ophthalmic technology company developing the proprietary Optejet® topical ophthalmic medication dispensing platform, recently provided updates on its potential merger with Betaliq and the ongoing development of its novel Optejet user filled device (UFD), and reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.
Negotiations continue towards a binding merger agreement with Betaliq, a clinical-stage private pharmaceutical company focused on glaucoma with access to Eyesol®, a non-aqueous technology that may address many of the needs of these patients. We have agreed to extend the binding exclusivity period set forth in the Letter of Intent until June 7, 2025, to allow more time to complete and execute the anticipated merger agreement.
Progress in the development of the Optejet user-filled device (UFD) continues and remains on track to file for U.S. regulatory approval in September of this year. An approval would provide for potential multiple commercial opportunities either directly with consumers or through eye care practitioner offices as well as potential and existing license partners, including Arctic Vision in China and Korea.
Bausch + Lomb Corporation (NYSE: BLCO), a leading global eye health company dedicated to helping people see better to live better, recently announced the U.S. launch of LUMIFY Preservative Free redness reliever eye drops, the first and only preservative-free over-the-counter eye drops with low-dose brimonidine tartrate 0.025% that relieve redness of the eye due to minor eye irritations.
“Consumers often say how amazed they are at the difference our original LUMIFY makes to their eyes, with over 50,000 five-star reviews as proof,” said John Ferris, president, Consumer, Bausch + Lomb. “LUMIFY Preservative Free brings that same fast-acting formula to those with sensitive eyes — delivering a visibly brighter, whiter look in just 60 seconds.”
Biomea Fusion, Inc. (NASDAQ: BMEA), recently announced that preliminary clinical data from the Phase I COVALENT-103 trial of BMF-500 in adults with acute leukemia (AL) were selected for a poster presentation at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2025 Congress, taking place June 12–15 in Milan, Italy.
The presentation will highlight emerging safety, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), and clinical activity of BMF-500, a covalent FLT3 inhibitor, in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) AL, including those with FLT3 mutations (FLT3m) who have previously received FLT3 inhibitors such as gilteritinib (gilt).
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
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 expects to be compensated forty nine hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by Avant Technologies, Inc. by a non-affiliated third party. 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
Stuttgart, Germany, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Stuttgart, Germany – May 2025 – RIB Software, a global leader in engineering and construction software technology, today announced the launch of its latest global brand campaign: “You See It. Together, We’ll See It Through.” The campaign celebrates the diverse community of industry professionals shaping the built environment – and RIB’s role in empowering them with digital solutions that enable smarter, faster, and more sustainable project outcomes.
“Whether our customers are creating entire cities, infrastructure, or spaces where people live or work, RIB stands beside them from planning to breaking ground and beyond – with tools that reduce costs, save time, and minimize environmental impact,” explains Mads Bording, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer at RIB Software.
The campaign reflects RIB’s belief that the future of the industry depends on more connected, empowered project teams. Its suite of connected solutions helps architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals simplify operations, improve profitability, and deliver sustainable results – whether they’re managing a small-scale development or a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project.
“At RIB, we believe every project starts with a vision,” said René Wolf, CEO of RIB Software. “Our new brand campaign is about showing that we don’t just provide the technology – we commit to the journey. Our customers see the vision, and together, we’re committed to helping them see it through.”
Trusted by leading AEC professionals worldwide, RIB’s tools provide a digital thread across the entire project lifecycle, ensuring more effective collaboration and better outcomes at every stage. No matter the size or complexity of a project, RIB delivers the insights, automation, and support needed to get it over the line, on time and on budget.
Every structure begins with an idea. But it takes more than vision to bring complex builds to life. From architects and estimators to project managers and executives, the engineering and construction industry depends on close collaboration, timely insight, and trusted support. RIB’s technology is built with this in mind – tailored to meet the real-world needs of the people who plan, build, and deliver.
As part of RIB’s Hard Hats & Hi Tech podcast series, customers from around the world have shared their firsthand experience with RIB tools, and how these solutions are helping them meet real challenges on real projects.
“RIB Candy has made my life easier. Everything is integrated, which means I can manage cost reports, payment certificates, and valuations without switching between tools,” said Luscha Matsane, Quantity Surveyor at Tri-Star Construction. “It’s a platform that understands how we actually work on-site, and it’s changed how I collaborate and justify decisions with clients.”
“RIB SpecLink helps me work faster, smarter, and with more confidence,” said Eric Letbetter, specification consultant and founder of Letbetter Ink. “The linking engine automates decisions across the spec set, reduces errors, and lets me focus on quality and context. It’s completely changed the way I approach spec writing—and how I teach others to do it.”
“At RIB, we don’t just build software – we build it the way people in the built environment actually work,” said René. “We understand the pressure of deadlines, the need for precision, and the challenge of coordination across multiple stakeholders. Our role is to help our customers deliver with confidence.”
RIB invites AEC leaders, innovators, and visionaries to explore the campaign and discover how a partnership with RIB can help them realize their boldest ideas.
Driven by transformative digital technologies and trends, RIB is committed to propelling the industry forward and making engineering and construction more efficient and sustainable.
Throughout its 60-year history, the business has expanded its global footprint to incorporate more than 550,000 users and 2,500 talents, with the vision of transforming the operation into a worldwide powerhouse and providing innovative software solutions to its core markets – while placing its people at the heart of everything it does.
Managing the entire project lifecycle, from planning and construction, to operation and maintenance, the development of RIB’s portfolio of software solutions is driven by industry expertise, best practice and a passion to remain at the cutting edge of technology.
Ultimately, it aims to connect people, processes and data in innovative ways to ensure its customers always complete projects within budget, on time and to high quality, while reducing their carbon footprints.
RIB Software is a proud Schneider Electric company.
Allied Defence Ministers will gather in Brussels on Thursday 5 June 2025 to finalise preparations for the Summit in The Hague.
“At this Ministerial, we are going to take a huge leap forward” Mr Rutte stated, “We will strengthen our deterrence and defence by agreeing ambitious new capability targets.” He went on to identify air and missile defence, long-range weapons, logistics, and large land manoeuvre formations as among the Alliance’s top priorities.
“We need more resources, forces and capabilities so that we are prepared to face any threat, and to implement our collective defence plans in full” the Secretary General emphasised, adding that, in order to deliver on our new targets, “we will need significantly higher defence spending. That underpins everything.”
The Meeting of NATO Defence Ministers will be preceded by a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) – the international coalition of Allies and partners chaired by the UK and Germany, providing practical support to Ukraine as it resists Russian aggression.
India won the Presidency of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) on Tuesday, 3 June 2025. The International Institute of Administrative Sciences, a notable global institution, is a federation of 31 member countries, 20 national sections, and 15 academic research centres jointly collaborating on scientific research in public administration.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had nominated the Indian candidate, Secretary DARPG (Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances), Shri V. Srinivas, for the 2025-2028 Presidency of IIAS in November 2024. Following Presidency hearings in February 2025, the candidacies of India, South Africa, and Austria were forwarded to the IIAS General Body. Subsequently, South Africa withdrew its candidacy in favour of India in May 2025.
The election between India and Austria was held on 3 June 2025, in which 141 votes were polled. India secured 87 votes (61.7 per cent of the vote), while Austria received 54 votes (38.3 per cent of the vote). India’s candidacy received widespread support from across the membership.
This election marks two significant firsts in the 100-year history of IIAS: it was the first time the President was elected by a ballot process, and it is the first time India has secured this historic mandate.
The Indian Presidency of the institution will seek to bridge the North-South Divide with a focus on unity and inclusivity. It will also take forward Prime Minister Modi’s vision for “Maximum Governance – Minimum Government,” documenting next-generation administrative reforms with a focus on the digital empowerment of citizens and the digital transformation of institutions.
India has been a member of IIAS since 1998. Other key members of IIAS include Japan, China, Germany, Italy, Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Mexico, Spain, Qatar, Morocco, and Indonesia.
While the IIAS is not a formally affiliated body of the United Nations, it actively engages with the UN’s work in public administration through the UN’s Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) and the UN Public Administration Network (UNPAN).
Bitwise Accelerates European Expansion with Addition of Melissa De Sanctis and Fabio Massellani
De Sanctis joins the marketing team as Product Marketing Manager, while Massellani joins the sales team as Senior Regional Consultant – Southern Europe
June 4, 2025, Bitwise, a leading global digital asset management firm, announces the addition of two new professionals to its team: Melissa De Sanctis as Product Marketing Manager and Fabio Massellani as Senior Regional Consultant – Southern Europe.
Melissa De Sanctis brings over 20 years of experience in the financial sector, including 17 years at Borsa Italiana. She has held roles such as Business Development Manager for retail investors and later served as Senior Marketing Manager, leading commercial and marketing activities for the group’s secondary markets. She oversaw the development and launch of new instruments for IDEM, the derivatives segment of Borsa Italiana. Most recently, she was Head of Marketing and Communication at Spectrum Markets, a pan-European regulated venue for trading securitized derivatives.
In her new role at Bitwise, Melissa — based in Milan — joins the marketing team led by Maximilian Monteleone, Head of Marketing for Europe at Bitwise. While based in Italy, her strategic focus will also support the Spanish market.
Fabio Massellani developed his career at BPER Banca Group, where he held various roles with increasing responsibility. He worked as a fund selector and equity strategist at Optima SIM, with a specific focus on passive and indexed strategies. In recent years, he served as Sales Associate at HANetf, contributing to business development and product positioning — including in Spain.
At Bitwise, Fabio joins the sales team and reports directly to Bradley Duke, Managing Director and Head of Europe at Bitwise. He will support the company’s growth across Southern Europe, with a particular focus on Spain, Italy, and Portugal.
These additions strengthen Bitwise’s presence in the region, following the recent appointment of Flavio Rossetti as Regional Consultant for Southern Europe, and are part of a broader European expansion plan initiated in August 2024 with the acquisition of ETC Group.
Bradley Duke, Managing Director and Head of Europe at Bitwise, commented:“We’re excited to welcome Melissa and Fabio to Bitwise. As institutional and professional investors increasingly recognize the potential of digital assets to enhance portfolio performance, our role is to be a trusted partner in that journey. Southern Europe — including Spain — is a key market for us, and the addition of Melissa and Fabio, with their deep expertise and local insight, will help us serve investors even better.”
Melissa De Sanctis said:“I’m thrilled to join an innovative and forward-thinking firm like Bitwise. The crypto sector is evolving rapidly, and I strongly believe that providing secure, regulated instruments like ETPs is essential to making this space more accessible. It’s a real opportunity to engage more institutional and retail participants in the world of digital assets and blockchain technology.”
Fabio Massellani added:“I’m delighted to join a dynamic and fast-growing company like Bitwise. I look forward to applying my experience in the Southern European market to support our company’s mission. I’m confident my contribution will help strengthen Bitwise’s footprint and support its commitment to innovation in the fast-moving world of crypto investing.”
About Bitwise
Bitwise is one of the world’s leading crypto specialist asset managers. Thousands of financial advisors, family offices, and institutional investors across the globe have partnered with us to understand and access the opportunities in crypto. Since 2017, Bitwise has established a track record of excellence, managing a broad suite of index and active solutions across ETPs, separately managed accounts, private funds, and hedge fund strategies – spanning both the U.S. and Europe.
In Europe, for the past five years Bitwise (formerly ETC Group) has developed an extensive and innovative suite of crypto ETPs, including Europe’s most traded bitcoin ETP, or the first diversified Crypto Basket ETP replicating an MSCI digital assets index.
This family of crypto ETPs is domiciled in Germany and issued under a base prospectus approved by BaFin. We exclusively partner with reputable entities from the traditional financial industry, ensuring that 100% of the assets are securely stored offline (cold storage) through regulated custodians.
Our European products comprise a collection of carefully designed financial instruments that seamlessly integrate into any professional portfolio, providing comprehensive exposure to crypto as an asset class. Access is straightforward via major European stock exchanges, with primary listings on Xetra, the most liquid exchange for ETF trading in Europe. Retail investors benefit from easy access through numerous DIY/online brokers, coupled with our robust and secure physical ETP structure, which includes a redemption feature. For more information, visit www.bitwiseinvestments.com/eu
Media contacts:
JEA Associates John McLeod 00 44 7886 920436 john@jeaassociates.com
Important information This press release does not constitute investment advice, nor does it constitute an offer or solicitation to buy financial products. This press release is issued by Bitwise Europe GmbH (“BEU”), a limited company domiciled in Germany, for information only and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. BEU gives no explicit or implicit assurance or guarantee regarding the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of this article or the opinions contained therein. It is advised not to rely on the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of this article or the opinions contained therein. Please note that this article is neither investment advice nor an offer or solicitation to acquire financial products or cryptocurrencies.
Before investing in crypto Exchange Traded Products (“ETPs”), potential investors should consider the following: Potential investors should seek independent advice and consider relevant information contained in the base prospectus and the final terms for the ETPs, especially the risk factors. ETPs issued by BEU are suitable only for persons experienced in investing in cryptocurrencies and risks of investing can be found in the prospectus and final terms available on www.bitwiseinvestments.com./eu. The invested capital is at risk, and losses up to the amount invested are possible. ETPs backed by cryptocurrencies are highly volatile assets and performance is unpredictable. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The market price of ETPs will vary and they do not offer a fixed income or match precisely the performance of the underlying cryptocurrency. Investing in ETPs involves numerous risks including general market risks relating to underlying, adverse price movements, currency, liquidity, operational, legal and regulatory risks.
Alarm over China’s stranglehold on critical minerals grew on Tuesday as global automakers joined their U.S. counterparts to complain that restrictions by China on exports of rare earth alloys, mixtures and magnets could cause production delays and outages without a quick solution.
German automakers became the latest to warn that China’s export restrictions threaten to shut down production and rattle their local economies, following a similar complaint from an Indian EV maker last week.
China’s decision in April to suspend exports of a wide range of rare earths and related magnets has upended the supply chains central to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors around the world.
The move underscores China’s dominance of the critical mineral industry and is seen as leverage by China in its ongoing trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump has sought to redefine the trading relationship with the U.S.’ top economic rival China by imposing steep tariffs on billions of dollars of imported goods in hopes of narrowing a wide trade deficit and bringing back lost manufacturing.
Trump imposed tariffs as high as 145% against China only to scale them back after stock, bond and currency markets revolted over the sweeping nature of the levies. China has responded with its own tariffs and is leveraging its dominance in key supply chains to persuade Trump to back down.
Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to talk this week, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday, and the export curbsare expected to be high on the agenda.
“I can assure you that the administration is actively monitoring China’s compliance with the Geneva trade agreement,” she said. “Our administration officials continue to be engaged in correspondence with their Chinese counterparts.”
Trump has previously signaled that China’s slow pace of easing the critical mineral export controls represents a violation of the agreementreached last month in Geneva.
MAGNETS HELD UP AT CHINESE PORTS
Shipments of the magnets, essential for assembling everything from cars and drones to robots and missiles, have been halted at many Chinese ports while license applications make their way through the Chinese regulatory system.
The restrictions have triggered anxiety in corporate boardrooms and nations’ capitals – from Tokyo to Washington – as officials scrambled to identify limited alternative options amid fears that production of new automobiles and other items could grind to a halt by summer’s end.
“If the situation is not changed quickly, production delays and even production outages can no longer be ruled out,” Hildegard Mueller, head of Germany’s auto lobby, told Reuters on Tuesday.
Chinese state media reported last week that China was considering relaxing the curbs for European semiconductor firms while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said it would strengthen cooperation with other countries over its controls.
However, rare-earth magnet exports from China halved in April as exporters grappled with the opaque licensing scheme.
Frank Fannon, a minerals industry consultant and former U.S. assistant secretary of state for energy resources during Trump’s first term, said the global disruptions are not shocking to those paying attention.
“I don’t think anyone should be surprised how this is playing out. We have a production challenge (in the U.S.) and we need to leverage our whole of government approach to secure resources and ramp up domestic capability as soon as possible. The time horizon to do this was yesterday,” Fannon said.
Diplomats, automakers and other executives from India, Japan and Europe were urgently seeking meetings with Beijing officials to push for faster approval of rare earth magnet exports, sources told Reuters, as shortages threatened to halt global supply chains.
A business delegation from Japan will visit Beijing in early June to meet the Ministry of Commerce over the curbs, and European diplomats from countries with big auto industries have also sought “emergency” meetings with Chinese officials in recent weeks, Reuters reported.
India, where Bajaj Auto BAJA.NS warned that any further delays in securing the supply of rare earth magnets from China could “seriously impact” electric vehicle production, is organizing a trip for auto executives in the next two to three weeks.
In May, the head of the trade group representing General Motors GM.N, Toyota 7203.T, Volkswagen VOWG.DE, Hyundai and other major automakers raised similar concerns in a letter to the Trump administration.
“Without reliable access to these elements and magnets, automotive suppliers will be unable to produce critical automotive components, including automatic transmissions, throttle bodies, alternators, various motors, sensors, seat belts, speakers, lights, motors, power steering, and cameras,” the Alliance for Automotive Innovation wrote in the letter.
Press Release Nokia to lead PROACTIF, a multimillion Europe robotics and unmanned technology project
The venture is projected to generate around €90 million in revenue by 2035.
The consortium brings together 42 leading European technology companies from 13 countries to redefine how emergency situations and critical infrastructure are managed.
4 June 2025 Espoo, Finland – Nokia has been selected to lead PROACTIF, a project funded by the European Union’s Chips Joint Undertaking. The project aims to strengthen Europe’s technology resilience and leadership in ECS technologies and support the autonomy of the European Drone and Robotics industry.
The consortium anticipates generating around €90 million in revenue, 50 products, and more than 15 new industry patents by 2035, enabling increased market share and leadership. The project’s additional impact includes dozens of new collaborations, hundreds of new jobs, and over €40 million of additional investments.
“Nokia’s extensive expertise has helped establish drone technology best practices and transform drones into daily helpers for public safety and mission-critical operations. We are honored to lead this project. It demonstrates Nokia’s commitment to fostering innovation and resilience across Europe. By collaborating with leading organizations, this initiative will address critical challenges in security and sustainability, delivering real-world benefits for society,” said Thomas Eder, Head of Embedded Wireless Solutions, Nokia.
The PROACTIF consortium brings together 42 partners and four affiliates from 13 countries with a focus on critical infrastructure surveillance and emergency management in Europe. Under Nokia’s leadership, the groundbreaking venture will redefine how emergency situations and critical infrastructure are managed in Europe. It will unite academic institutions, SMEs, and industry leaders to develop cutting-edge, cost-efficient, eco-efficient, safe, and cybersecure unmanned vehicle (UxV) systems to address European civil security needs.
The project will develop nine advanced technology building blocks and five state-of-the-art UxV platforms, emphasizing interoperability, autonomy and rapid deployment to meet Europe’s societal and market needs. The use of UxV technologies enables a more holistic understanding of an incident’s location and severity, as well as comprehensive situational awareness, through frequent and efficient sensor data gathering.
Multimedia, technical information and related news Web Page: Nokia Drone Networks
About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.
As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.
Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.
PROACTIF PARTNERS PROACTIF brings together notable partners across Europe including : Acorde Technologies, S.A. (Spain), AITEK SPA (Italy), Ascento AG (Switzerland), Asya SIA (Latvia), Avular Innovations B.V. (Netherlands), Captain AI B.V. (Netherlands), CSEM Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique SA (Switzerland), Citymesh N.V. (Belgium), CISC Semiconductor GmbH (Austria), DEMCON Unmanned Systems BV (Netherlands), Dimetor GmbH (Austria), Fixposition AG (Switzerland), Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V (Germany), Gdansk University of Technology (Poland), Heimann Sensor GmbH (Germany), HUN-REN Számítástechnikai és Automatizálási Kutatóintézet (Hungary), InnoSenT GmbH (Germany), Innovation River S.R.L (IT), League Geophysics Services B.V. (Netherlands), Leonardo S.p.A. (Italy), Luna Geber Engineering SRL (Italy), NVIDIA (Israel), Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy (Finland), Research Studios Austria Forschungsgesellschaft mbH (Austria), Riga Technical University (Latvia), Saab Finland Oy (Finland), Safran Electronics & Defense / SED SPAIN S.L. (Spain), Sieć Badawcza Łukasiewicz – Instytut Mikroelektroniki i Fotoniki (Poland), Silicon Austria Labs GmbH (Austria), Skyability (Austria), SSH Communications Security Oyj (Finland), Stichting IMEC Nederland (Netherlands), Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (Netherlands), TST-Sistemas (Spain), Universidad de Granada (Spain), Universitá Degli Studi Di Perugia (Italy), Van Oord Ship Management B.V. (Netherlands), VIA electronic GmbH (Germany), ViNotion B.V. (Netherlands), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. (Finland), Würth Elektronik (Germany) YellowScan (France).
Frankfurt, June 4, 2025 – Virtune, the Swedish regulated crypto asset manager, today announced the listing of Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP (VCOIN50) on Xetra, one of Europe’s most prominent trading venues.
Virtune has seen sustained demand for digital assets from institutional and retail investors in the Nordic and European region. Building on this momentum, the VCOIN50 ETP listing on Deutsche Boerse’s Xetra (Xetra ticker: VRTC) segment represents a key milestone in Virtune’s ongoing expansion into the German market. Coinbase will act as the custodian for VCOIN50.
Virtune has made history as the first company to list a crypto Exchange Traded Product (ETP) tracking the COIN50E index, developed by Coinbase, a trusted and global leader in crypto services and administered by MarketVector IndexesTM (“MarketVector”), a leading global index provider.
This launch represents several key firsts for Germany’s financial markets:
First ever ETP to track the Coinbase 50 Europe Index
The widest crypto ETP in Europe containing up to 50 crypto assets
About Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP:
Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP is a physically-backed exchange-traded product (ETP) tracking the Coinbase 50 Europe Index, the premier global benchmark index for digital assets and the crypto market’s equivalent of the S&P 500 index. At launch, VCOIN50 ETP will offer exposure to 21 crypto assets that are compliant with market-specific regulatory and Xetra-specific policies Virtune’s expansion to include all 50 assets in the COIN50 is subject to regulatory and stock exchange approval. The ETP provides exposure to up to 50 leading crypto assets and is rebalanced quarterly. The product features a transparent structure backed by physical holdings and secured with institutional-level solutions.
Virtune is a Swedish-regulated crypto asset manager and issuer of 100% physically backed crypto ETPs. The company has experienced rapid growth in the Nordics since listing its first crypto ETP on Nasdaq Stockholm in May 2023. Today, Virtune manages $340 million in assets under management and has earned the trust of over 140,000 institutional and retail investors. Since its inception, Virtune has prioritized investor protection, and its success stems from its transparent, regulated approach and strong commitment to innovation and educating the market about crypto assets and ETPs.
Christopher Kock, CEO of Virtune:
“We have worked closely with Coinbase since our inception, relying on their outstanding custody, trading, and staking services across all our ETPs. We are now excited to further strengthen this collaboration by contributing to Coinbase’s global mission through the launch of a COIN50 ETP. COIN50 is an index with the potential to become the crypto market’s equivalent of the S&P 500 and the leading global crypto benchmark. This ETP offers both institutional and retail investors in Europe broad exposure to the crypto market, built by industry experts with deep knowledge and experience.”
About Coinbase:
Crypto creates economic freedom by ensuring that people can participate fairly in the economy, and Coinbase (NASDAQ: COIN) is on a mission to increase economic freedom for more than 1 billion people. We’re updating the century-old financial system by providing a trusted platform that makes it easy for people and institutions to engage with crypto assets, including trading, staking, safekeeping, spending, and fast, free global transfers. We also provide critical infrastructure for onchain activity and support builders who share our vision that onchain is the new online. And together with the crypto community, we advocate for responsible rules to make the benefits of crypto available around the world.
Brett Tejpaul, Head of Coinbase Institutional:
“With the launch of the Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP in Europe, we’re making one of the most comprehensive benchmarks for the crypto market directly accessible to investors across the EU. This marks a major step forward in our mission to expand global access to digital assets and provide institutional-grade tools for navigating this evolving asset class. The introduction of this ETP reinforces our commitment to bridging traditional financial infrastructure with the growing demand for regulated, secure exposure to the digital economy.”
About MarketVector:
MarketVector IndexesTM (“MarketVector”) is a regulated Benchmark Administrator in Europe, incorporated in Germany and registered with the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). MarketVector maintains indexes under the MarketVectorTM, MVIS®, and BlueStar® names. With a mission to accelerate index innovation globally, MarketVector is best known for its broad suite of Thematic indexes, a long-running expertise in Hard Asset-linked Equity indexes, and its pioneering Digital Asset index family. MarketVector is proud to be in partnership with more than 25 Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) issuers and index fund managers in markets throughout the world, with more than USD 57 billion in assets under management.
Martin Leinweber, Director, Digital Asset Research and Strategy, MarketVector:
“The Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP marks a significant step forward for crypto investment in Europe, offering broad, institutional-grade exposure to digital assets through a single, efficient product. This milestone combines MarketVector’s index expertise, Coinbase’s market infrastructure, and Virtune’s transparent, regulated approach. We’re proud to deepen our partnership with Virtune by becoming the index provider for their entire range of crypto ETPs across Europe. Together, we’re delivering the tools institutional and retail investors need to navigate the digital asset landscape with greater confidence and clarity.”
Key Information about the Product:
Exposure: Exposure to up to 50 leading crypto assets in one product
Backing: 100% physically backed by the underlying crypto assets
Custody: Institutional-grade custody by Coinbase
Management Fee: 0.95% per annum
Trading currency: EUR
First day of trading: Monday, 2nd of June 2025
BloombergTicker: VCOIN50
ISIN: SE0024738389
WKN: A4A5D4
Exchange ticker: VRTC
Exchanges: Deutsche Börse Xetra
The ETP is available for sale in Germany, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Poland, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Italy.
For questions, contact: Christopher Kock, CEO & Member of the Board of Directors Mobile: +46 70 073 45 64 Email: christopher@virtune.com
About Virtune AB (Publ): Headquartered in Stockholm, Virtune is a regulated Swedish digital asset manager and issuer of crypto ETPs listed on regulated European exchanges. With strong regulatory foundations, partnerships with industry leaders, and a skilled team, Virtune delivers innovative and compliant investment products aligned with the evolving global crypto landscape.
Crypto investments are associated with high risk. Virtune does not provide investment advice; investments are made at your own risk. Securities may increase or decrease in value, there is no guarantee of getting back invested capital. Read the prospectus, KID, terms at virtune.com.
The Coinbase 50 Europe Index (“Index”) is the exclusive property of MarketVector Indexes GmbH (“MarketVector”) and its Licensors and has been licensed for use by Virtune AB (Publ) (“Licensee”). MarketVector has contracted with CC Data Limited to maintain and calculate the Index. CC Data Limited uses its best efforts to ensure that the Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards MarketVector, CC Data Limited has no obligation to point out errors in the Index to third parties. In particular, MarketVector is not responsible for the Licensee and/or for Licensee’s legality or suitability and/or for Licensee’s business offerings. Offerings by Licensee, may they be based on the Virtune Coinbase 50 Europe ETP (“Product”) or not, are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by MarketVector and any of its affiliates, and MarketVector and any of its affiliates make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in Licensee and/or in Licensee’s business offerings. MARKETVECTOR AND ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES AND ANY OF ITS LICENSORS MAKE NO WARRANTIES AND BEAR NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO LICENSEE.
Frankfurt, June 4, 2025 – Virtune, the Swedish regulated crypto asset manager, today announced the listing of Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP (VCOIN50) on Xetra, one of Europe’s most prominent trading venues. The product is available to Swedish investors through brokers such as Avanza and Montrose.
Virtune has seen sustained demand for digital assets from institutional and retail investors in the Nordic and European region. Building on this momentum, the VCOIN50 ETP listing on Deutsche Börse’s Xetra (Xetra ticker: VRTC) segment represents a key milestone in Virtune’s ongoing expansion across Europe. Coinbase will act as the custodian for VCOIN50.
Virtune has made history as the first company to list a crypto Exchange Traded Product (ETP) tracking the COIN50E index, developed by Coinbase, a trusted and global leader in crypto services and administered by MarketVector IndexesTM (“MarketVector”), a leading global index provider.
This launch represents several key firsts for Europe’s financial markets:
First ever ETP to track the Coinbase 50 Europe Index
The widest crypto ETP in Europe containing up to 50 crypto assets
About Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP:
Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP is a physically-backed exchange-traded product (ETP) tracking the Coinbase 50 Europe Index, the premier global benchmark index for digital assets and the crypto market’s equivalent of the S&P 500 index. At launch, VCOIN50 ETP will offer exposure to 21 crypto assets that are compliant with market-specific regulatory and Xetra-specific policies. Virtune’s expansion to include all 50 assets in the COIN50 is subject to regulatory and stock exchange approval. The ETP provides exposure to up to 50 leading crypto assets and is rebalanced quarterly. The product features a transparent structure backed by physical holdings and secured with institutional-level solutions.
Virtune is a Swedish-regulated crypto asset manager and issuer of 100% physically backed crypto ETPs. The company has experienced rapid growth in the Nordics since listing its first crypto ETP on Nasdaq Stockholm in May 2023. Today, Virtune manages $340 million in assets under management and has earned the trust of over 140,000 institutional and retail investors. Since its inception, Virtune has prioritized investor protection, and its success stems from its transparent, regulated approach and strong commitment to innovation and educating the market about crypto assets and ETPs.
Christopher Kock, CEO of Virtune:
“We have worked closely with Coinbase since our inception, relying on their outstanding custody, trading, and staking services across all our ETPs. We are now excited to further strengthen this collaboration by contributing to Coinbase’s global mission through the launch of a COIN50 ETP. COIN50 is an index with the potential to become the crypto market’s equivalent of the S&P 500 and the leading global crypto benchmark. This ETP offers both institutional and retail investors in Europe broad exposure to the crypto market, built by industry experts with deep knowledge and experience.”
About Coinbase:
Crypto creates economic freedom by ensuring that people can participate fairly in the economy, and Coinbase (NASDAQ: COIN) is on a mission to increase economic freedom for more than 1 billion people. We’re updating the century-old financial system by providing a trusted platform that makes it easy for people and institutions to engage with crypto assets, including trading, staking, safekeeping, spending, and fast, free global transfers. We also provide critical infrastructure for onchain activity and support builders who share our vision that onchain is the new online. And together with the crypto community, we advocate for responsible rules to make the benefits of crypto available around the world.
Brett Tejpaul, Head of Coinbase Institutional:
“With the launch of the Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP in Europe, we’re making one of the most comprehensive benchmarks for the crypto market directly accessible to investors across the EU. This marks a major step forward in our mission to expand global access to digital assets and provide institutional-grade tools for navigating this evolving asset class. The introduction of this ETP reinforces our commitment to bridging traditional financial infrastructure with the growing demand for regulated, secure exposure to the digital economy.”
About MarketVector:
MarketVector IndexesTM (“MarketVector”) is a regulated Benchmark Administrator in Europe, incorporated in Germany and registered with the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). MarketVector maintains indexes under the MarketVectorTM, MVIS®, and BlueStar® names. With a mission to accelerate index innovation globally, MarketVector is best known for its broad suite of Thematic indexes, a long-running expertise in Hard Asset-linked Equity indexes, and its pioneering Digital Asset index family. MarketVector is proud to be in partnership with more than 25 Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) issuers and index fund managers in markets throughout the world, with more than USD 57 billion in assets under management.
Martin Leinweber, Director, Digital Asset Research and Strategy, MarketVector:
“The Virtune Coinbase 50 Index ETP marks a significant step forward for crypto investment in Europe, offering broad, institutional-grade exposure to digital assets through a single, efficient product. This milestone combines MarketVector’s index expertise, Coinbase’s market infrastructure, and Virtune’s transparent, regulated approach. We’re proud to deepen our partnership with Virtune by becoming the index provider for their entire range of crypto ETPs across Europe. Together, we’re delivering the tools institutional and retail investors need to navigate the digital asset landscape with greater confidence and clarity.”
Key Information about the Product:
Exposure: Exposure to up to 50 leading crypto assets in one product
Backing: 100% physically backed by the underlying crypto assets
Custody: Institutional-grade custody by Coinbase
Management Fee: 0.95% per annum
Trading currency: EUR
First day of trading: Monday, 2nd of June 2025
BloombergTicker: VCOIN50
ISIN: SE0024738389
WKN: A4A5D4
Exchangeticker: VRTC
Exchanges: Deutsche Börse Xetra
For questions, contact: Christopher Kock, CEO & Member of the Board of Directors Mobile: +46 70 073 45 64 Email: christopher@virtune.com
About Virtune AB (Publ): Virtune with its headquarters in Stockholm is a regulated Swedish digital asset manager and issuer of crypto exchange traded products on regulated European exchanges. With regulatory compliance, strategic collaborations with industry leaders and our proficient team, we empower investors on a global level to access innovative and sophisticated investment products that are aligned with the evolving landscape of the global crypto market.
Crypto investments are associated with high risk. Virtune does not provide investment advice; investments are made at your own risk. Securities may increase or decrease in value, there is no guarantee of getting back invested capital. Read the prospectus, KID, terms at virtune.com.
The Coinbase 50 Europe Index (“Index”) is the exclusive property of MarketVector Indexes GmbH (“MarketVector”) and its Licensors and has been licensed for use by Virtune AB (Publ) (“Licensee”). MarketVector has contracted with CC Data Limited to maintain and calculate the Index. CC Data Limited uses its best efforts to ensure that the Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards MarketVector, CC Data Limited has no obligation to point out errors in the Index to third parties. In particular, MarketVector is not responsible for the Licensee and/or for Licensee’s legality or suitability and/or for Licensee’s business offerings. Offerings by Licensee, may they be based on the Virtune Coinbase 50 Europe ETP (“Product”) or not, are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by MarketVector and any of its affiliates, and MarketVector and any of its affiliates make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in Licensee and/or in Licensee’s business offerings. MARKETVECTOR AND ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES AND ANY OF ITS LICENSORS MAKE NO WARRANTIES AND BEAR NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO LICENSEE.
North America high-net-worth individual population surges, while Europe and Middle East shrink
U.S. led the world in growth in its millionaire population, adding 562,000 to reach 7.9 million
Ultra-high net worth individual population rises by 6.2% worldwide
High-net-worth individuals now allocate 15% of their portfolios to alternative investments, including cryptocurrencies
Paris, June 4, 2025 – TheCapgeminiResearch Institute’sWorld Wealth Report 2025, published today, reveals the global high-net-worth individuals1(HNWIs)population rose by 2.6% in 2024. Now in its 29thedition, the report finds this increase was driven by the growth in the population ofultra-high-net-worth individuals(UHNWIs), which grew by 6.2%, as strong stock markets and AI optimism boosted portfolio returns. The data indicates that alternative investments2, such as private equity and cryptocurrencies, are now an established presence in HNWI holdings, representing 15% of their portfolios.
Bullish stock market performance in the U.S. fuels wealth increase A favorable interest rate environment and strong U.S. equity market returns helped boost wealth creation in 2024. North America saw the biggest gains, with the HNWI population rising by 7.3%. In contrast, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East saw declines in their HNWI populations, as macroeconomic challenges weighed.
At the end of 2024, according to Capgemini’s research:
Europe’s HNWI population declined 2.1% due to economic stagnation in major countries, with United Kingdom, France and Germany losing 14,000, 21,000 and 41,000 millionaires, respectively. In contrast, Europe’s UHNWI population rose 3.5%, reflecting increased wealth concentration.
Asia-Pacific’s HNWI population increased 2.7%, with notable variability across the region.
Latin America’s HNWI population declined 8.5%, due to currency depreciation and fiscal instability. Brazil (-13.3%) and Mexico (-13.5%) witnessed the biggest population declines.
The Middle East’s HNWI population declined 2.1%, driven by lower oil prices.
Within the largest individual markets, the U.S. was the clear leader, adding 562,000 millionaires as the country’s HNWI population grew by 7.6% to 7.9 million. India and Japan were standouts in the Asia-Pacific region, with both countries registering 5.6% growth, adding 20,000 and 210,000 millionaires, respectively. In contrast, growth in China was negative, with HNWI population declining by 1.0%.
Next-gen HNWIs seek wealth management firms that align with investment priorities Wealth management firms are actively preparing for a new era of wealth transfer in which 83.5 trillion USD3 will change hands over the next two decades, creating the next generation of HNWIs4. According to the report, this handover will unfold in three phases: 30% of HNWIs will receive an inheritance by the end of 2030, 63% will inherit wealth by the end of 2035, and 84% by 2040.
“The great wealth transfer will be a defining moment for the industry. Despite global wealth on the rise, 81% of inheritors plan to switch firms within one to two years of inheritance. Potentially losing these unsatisfied clients is going to create significant risk for the global wealth management sector,” said Kartik Ramakrishnan, CEO of Capgemini’s Financial Services Strategic Business Unit and Group Executive Board Member. “The next-generation of high-net-worth individuals arrive with vastly different expectations to their parents. This necessitates an urgent shift away from traditional strategies to effectively cater to their evolving needs on this wealth journey. Firms must also prepare to equip advisors with the digital capabilities, potentially augmented with agentic or generative AI, to mitigate the risk of losing both clients and key employees.”
As of January 2025, HNWI investors parked 15% of their portfolios in alternative investments, including private equity and cryptocurrencies. They are willing to take more risks to expand their wealth – allocating capital to higher growth asset classes and niche product offerings, notably by 61% of millennial and Gen Z HNWIs.
To attract next-gen HNWIs, wealth management firms must rethink The report highlights that wealth management firms need to refresh and revamp their services and offerings to resonate with the next-gen HNWI customer base. Including:
Private equity and cryptocurrencies: 88% of advisors observe a greater interest in alternative assets amongst this group of investors over baby boomers
New offshore booking centers: 50% of advisors indicate their lack of capabilities in emerging wealth hubs – Singapore, Hong Kong, UAE and Saudi Arabia – will drive these clients to alternate firms, as they seek diversification, better returns and a favorable regulatory environment
Tailored services: concierge services such as luxury travel, medical care, and safeguarding against cyber threats, rank as the top non-financial value-added service most sought after
Digital interactions: advisors rank a digital platform providing a holistic client view and actionable insights as the most important capability to effectively serve next-gen HNWIs, followed by intelligent automation of operational tasks like meeting summaries and emails
Insufficient support from wealth management firms makes advisors a flight risk According to the report, one-in-three advisors express dissatisfaction with their firms’ lack of digital capabilities, negatively impacting their productivity, and creating a technological divide. In addition, 62% of next-gen HNWIs say they would follow their advisor if they moved to a different firm. Altogether, this directly impacts retention, as advisors struggle to engage these digital-native clients.
Beyond digital resources, the industry is on the cusp of a talent shortage amid an unprecedented transfer of wealth to Gen X, millennial, and Gen Z inheritors. In the next 12 months, one in four advisors plan to be on the move, with a majority transitioning to a competitor firm and a few starting their own ventures. Additionally, 20% of advisors say they will retire by 2035, with 48% planning to retire by 2040.
As the great wealth transfer unfolds, the wealth management industry will need to reimagine product offerings through tailored investment options for next-gen HNWIs. Firms must empower and engage advisors with an intuitive digital experience across all channels to secure their loyalty, the report concludes.
Report Methodology The World Wealth Report 2025 market-sizing model covers 71 countries, accounting for more than 98% of global gross national income and 99% of world stock market capitalization. The Capgemini 2025 Global HNW Insights Survey questioned 6,472 HNWIs including 5,473 Next-gen HNWIs across four regions: Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific and Middle East. The 2025 Wealth Management Executive Survey includes 141 responses across 10 markets, with representation from pure WM firms, universal banks, independent broker/dealer firms, and family offices. The 2025 Relationship Manager Survey, executed by Phronesis Partners, includes 1,306 responses across twelve markets.
About Capgemini Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2024 global revenues of €22.1 billion.
About the Capgemini Research Institute The Capgemini Research Institute is Capgemini’s in-house think-tank on all things digital. The Institute publishes research on the impact of digital technologies on large traditional businesses. The team draws on the worldwide network of Capgemini experts and works closely with academic and technology partners. The Institute has dedicated research centers in India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It was ranked #1 in the world for the quality of its research by independent analysts for six consecutive times – an industry first. Visit us at www.capgemini.com/researchinstitute
1 HNWIs are high-net-worth individuals with investable assets of USD1 million or more, excluding their primary residence, collectibles, consumables, and consumer durables. HNWIs are segmented into three categories based on wealth bands: Ultra-HNWIs (USD30 million or more), Mid-Tier Millionaires (USD5-30M) and Millionaires Next Door (USD1-5M). 2 Alternative investments include commodities, currencies, private equity, hedge funds, structured products, and digital assets 3 UBS, “Global Wealth Report 2024” 4 Gen X (aged 44 to 59 years as of 2025), millennial (aged 28-43 years as of 2025), and Gen Z (12 to 27 years as of 2025) inheritors are referenced as “next-gen HNWIs” to signify the generational shift in HNWI wealth
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Preparing for his 100th appearance with the German national team this Wednesday against Portugal, Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich is reflecting on his journey in football.
Ahead of the UEFA Nations League semifinal, the 30-year-old is set to face one of the sport’s all-time greats, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Joshua Kimmich (L) of Bayern Munich controls the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart in Munich, Germany, May 8, 2022. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Kimmich was just eight years old when the Portuguese legend made his international debut in August 2003, and nine when Ronaldo competed in his first major tournament, the 2004 UEFA European Championship.
“Going into my 100th game is special, but it feels like I’m still far away from what he’s accomplished over the past 20 years,” said Kimmich, a 2020 treble winner with Bayern.
The German international praised Ronaldo as “someone I watched as a boy, and he’s still competing at a very high level.”
Ronaldo, 40, has amassed 220 caps and 136 goals for Portugal-figures Kimmich described as “incredible” as he reflected on his own career and the so-called “title-less generation” of German players.
“We have the chance to win a smaller title with the Nations League,” said Kimmich, with one year remaining before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His only international title so far is Germany’s 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup victory. He emphasized his desire to add a major trophy soon.
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann will be without several key players in the semifinal, including Jamal Musiala, Antonio Rüdiger and Kai Havertz. But Kimmich said the Nations League title is meaningful for “us, because we can prove we can beat big nations.”
He stressed that the tournament has implications beyond 2025. “The World Cup preparation doesn’t start in a few months-it starts now,” Kimmich said, noting that winning a major title remains a constant goal.
Kimmich, who has played at a world-class level as both a fullback and midfielder-according to German legend Lothar Matthaus-has endured highs and lows in the national team shirt, including early World Cup exits in 2018 and 2022.
Now, with Nagelsmann’s generational overhaul, Germany is reemerging as a contender. The team is revitalized by young talent, but still light on experience. “There aren’t 15 players who have already won a lot,” Kimmich said.
For him, facing Ronaldo marks more than just a personal milestone-it’s a symbol of a new chapter. “Everyone’s determination to win some silverware is tangible. Everyone is joining the team trying to prove their class.”
Kimmich also spoke of a new atmosphere and a stronger winning mentality-qualities Ronaldo has embodied for two decades. The Portuguese forward’s record continues to inspire Kimmich and his teammates to pursue long-overdue international success.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrive at the Elysee Palace in Paris in 2019.Ian Langsdon/Pool Photo via AP
Delegations from Ukraine and Russia met for a second time in Istanbul in a month on June 2, 2025. Missing, again, were the country’s two leaders.
For a fleeting moment ahead of the first meeting in mid-May 2025, there existed the faintest prospect that Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine would join, sitting down in the same room for face-to-face talks.
But it didn’t happen; few expected it would. On that occasion, Putin refused Zelenskyy’s offer of face-to-face talks in Istanbul.
Even though neither leader met in the Istanbul summits, they have met before.
The talks continued periodically until 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Until that point, most of the discussion was framed by two deals, the Minsk accords of 2014 and 2015, which set out the terms for a ceasefire between Kyiv and the Moscow-armed rebel groups and the conditions for elections in Donetsk and Luhansk.
By the time of the sixth meeting in December 2019, the only time Zelenkyy and Putin have met in person, some still hoped that the Minsk accords could form a framework for peace.
His electoral campaign had centered on the promise of putting an end to the unrest in Donbas, which had been rumbling on for years. The increasing role of Russia in the conflict, through supporting rebels financially and with volunteer Russian soldiers, had complicated and escalated fighting, and many Ukrainians were weary of the impact of internally displaced people that it caused.
By all accounts, Zelenskyy went into Paris believing that he could make a deal with Putin.
“I want to return with concrete results,” Zelenskyy said just days before meeting Putin. By then, the Ukrainian president’s only contact with Putin had been over the phone. “I want to see the person and I want to bring from Normandy understanding and feeling that everybody really wants gradually to finish this tragic war,” Zelenskyy said, adding, “I can feel it for sure only at the table.”
But the Russian president also wanted to keep Russia’s smaller neighbor under its influence. Ukraine gained independence after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. But in the early years of the new century, Russia began to exert increasing influence over the politics of its neighbor. This ended in 2014, when a popular revolution ousted pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and ushered in a pro-Western government.
Those desires – Ukraine’s to end the war in Donbas, and Russia’s to curb the West’s involvement in Ukraine – formed the parameters for the Normandy talks.
And for some time, there appeared to be momentum to find compromise. French President Emmanuel Macron said that the 2019 Paris talks had broken years of stalemate and relaunched the peace process. Putin’s assessment was that the peace process was “developing in the right direction.” Zelenskyy’s view was a little less enthusisastic: “Let’s say for now it’s a draw.”
Talking past each other
Yet the Putin-Zelenskyy meeting in 2019 ultimately ended in failure. In retrospect, both sides were talking past each other and could not reach agreement on the sequencing of key parts of the peace plan.
Zelenskyy wanted the security provisions of the Minsk accords, including a lasting ceasefire and the securing of Ukraine’s border with Russia, in place before proceeding with regional elections on devolving autonomy to the regions. Putin was adamant that the elections come first.
The success of the Normandy talks were also hindered by Putin’s refusal to acknowledge that Russia was a party to the conflict. Rather, he framed the Donbas conflict as a civil war between the Ukrainian government and the rebels. Russia’s role was simply to push the rebels to the negotiating table in this take – a view that was greeted with skepticism by Ukraine and the West.
As a result, the Normandy talks stalled. And then in February 2022, Russian launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Way forward today?
The nascent negotiations between Ukraine and Russia that began in Istanbul in May 2025 represent the first real attempt to bring high-level delegations of both sides together since 2019.
Many of the same challenges remain. The talks still revolve around the issues of security, the status of Donetsk and Luhansk, and prisoner exchanges – that last point being the only one in which common ground appears to be found, both in 2019and now.
But there are major differences – not least, three years of actual direct war. Russia can no longer deny that it is a party of the conflict, even if Moscow frames the war as a special military operation to “denazify” and demilitarize Ukraine.
And three years of war have changed how the questions of Crimea and the Donbas are framed.
In the Normandy talks, there was no talk of recognizing Russian control over any Ukrainian territory. But recent U.S. efforts to negotiate peace have included a “de-jure” U.S. recognition of Russian control in Crimea, plus “de-facto recognition” of Russia’s occupation of nearly all of Luhansk oblast and the occupied portions of Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
Another major difference between the negotiation process then and now is who is mediating.
The Normandy negotiations were led by European leaders – German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Macron of France. Throughout the whole Normandy talks process, only Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia were involved as active participants.
Today, it is the United States taking the lead.
And this suits Putin. A constant issue for Putin of the Normandy talks was that Germany and France were never neutral mediators.
In President Donald Trump, Putin has found a U.S. leader who, at least at first, appeared eager to take on the mantle from Europe.
But like the Europeans involved in the Normandy talks, Trump too is encountering similar barriers to any meaningful progress.
The Istanbul negotiations on May 16, 2025, were less productive than many people hoped. A proposed 30-day ceasefire agreement didn’t come to fruition; instead the parties agreed on a prisoner-exchange deal. Follow-up talks on June 2 ended after barely an hour, according to Turkish officials. Again, one point agreed on was a prisoner swap.
The Paris peace talks, too, led to a prisoner exchange – but little more. It appears that getting the leaders of Ukraine and Russia to agree on anything more ambitious is as elusive now as it was when Putin and Zelenskyy met in 2019.
The views expressed in this article represent the personal views of the author and are not necessarily the views of the Department of Defense or of the Department of the Air Force.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Draper, Professor, and Executive Director: Institute for International Trade, and Director of the Jean Monnet Centre of Trade and Environment, University of Adelaide
While the Trump administration’s on-again, off-again trade wars wreak havoc on the business plans of the world’s exporters, the risks to the global economy continue to grow.
The self-inflicted scale of disruption to global trade patterns is enormous. Yet there are echoes with the United Kingdom’s experience of Brexit, both for the United States economy now and its trading partners worried about their trading futures.
Fortunately, while it is painful, Trump’s push toward economic isolationism brings opportunities for other trading nations to strengthen their ties.
This is especially the case in our Indo-Pacific region, where Australia is looking to new trade partners and deepening existing ties.
The economic consequences of Brexit
The UK economy is relatively diminished since 2016, when David Cameron, as Prime Minister, called the Brexit referendum on whether to leave the European Union.
A study of UK businesses found three key impacts in the three years before formal Brexit took place in 2020:
the UK’s decision to leave the European Union generated major, sustained, uncertainty for the business community. Since business invests and trades, that was highly consequential
anticipation of Brexit gradually reduced investment by about 11% between 2016 and 2019
Brexit reduced UK productivity by between 2% and 5%.
A new report establishes that since 2020, when formal Brexit took place, the UK is experiencing its worst trade slump in a generation. This decline contrasts with growing trade in other industrial nations, indicating the COVID pandemic was not to blame.
Harsh lessons in bargaining power
The EU did not change to suit the UK. Rather, because of the EU’s influential role in regulation known as the “Brussels effect”, the UK must realign with EU standards to win back market access.
For decades, the UK had ceded its trade bargaining capacity to Brussels. It was always on the back foot as its inexperienced negotiators locked horns with seasoned EU trade diplomats.
The British also learned that outside the EU, their relative trade bargaining power, as well as foreign policy prestige, was much diminished. Many countries focused on dealing with the EU without the UK’s involvement.
Overall, it is difficult to escape the conclusion that Brexit hastened the UK’s inexorable transformation from “Great” to “Little” Britain.
MAGA echoes
The Brexiteers were motivated by free trade and the belief EU trade policies prevented the UK from more liberalisation.
Trump’s decision to disentangle the US from world trade is motivated by protectionist desires, in the mistaken belief blocking imports will “Make America Great Again”.
Like the Brexiteers, Trump will find business confidence will diminish and the US economy will be worse off. Data this week showed US manufacturing contracted for the third straight month in May amid tariff-induced supply chain delays.
Just like the UK, US economic decline relative to its trading partners will accelerate.
Obviously, a huge difference between British folly and US hubris is that the US has market and geopolitical power in most of its bilateral negotiations, whereas the UK did not.
Yet, whereas the Trump administration assumes the US is the more powerful party in all reciprocal tariff negotiations, it is now learning that some major trading powers (China, the EU, India), and even some middle powers (Canada, Mexico, Australia), will not simply roll over when faced with overt coercion.
Moreover, as Great Britain learned to its cost, the US will find its soft power rapidly diminishing, and foreign policy objectives more difficult to attain. US allies, while in some cases in need of weaning themselves from over-dependence on the US military umbrella, are now actively hedging their security bets.
What should trading partners do?
There is an opening for Australia to seize the moment with new trade partnerships, and by deepening existing relationships.
This high-standards, deeply liberalising, trade agreement is a gold standard template to anchor our global trading partnerships. Members include Canada, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and the UK and representatives will be meeting in Brisbane next week.
Specifically, Australia, our trans-Pacific partners and the EU need to agree to work collaboratively to converge on modern trade rules and support for free trade. Then take those accords into the World Trade Organization to strengthen and revitalise the institution, with or without the US.
In addition, we need to quickly conclude both the stalled bilateral free-trade agreement with the EU, and the second phase of our trade agreement with India. This would cement two huge new markets of sufficient existing (EU) and potential (India) scale to rival both the US and Chinese markets.
Finally, we need to double down on our existing trade partnerships with Southeast Asian countries, anchoring on the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This will bolster ASEAN-centrality in regional trade arrangements and balance both US withdrawal and China’s advance into the region.
While this will not be easy, the effort has to be made and needs to start now.
Peter Draper 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.
As Israel’s devastating war in Gaza has ground on, the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was thought to be “dead”. Now, it is showing signs of life again.
French President Emmanuel Macron is reportedly pressing other European nations to jointly recognise a Palestinian state at a UN conference in mid-June, focused on achieving a two-state solution. Macron called such recognition a “political necessity”.
Countries outside Europe are feeling the pressure, too. Australia has reaffirmed its view that recognition of Palestine should be a “way of building momentum towards a two-state solution”.
During Macron’s visit to Indonesia in late May, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto made a surprising pledge to recognise Israel if it allowed for a Palestinian state.
Indonesia is one of about 28 nations that don’t currently recognise Israel. France, Australia, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and South Korea are among the approximately 46 nations that don’t recognise a Palestinian state.
The UN conference on June 17–20, co-sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia, wants to go “beyond reaffirming principles” and “achieve concrete results” towards a two-state solution.
Most countries, including the US, have supported the two-state solution in principle for decades. However, the political will from all parties has faded in recent years.
So, why is the policy gaining traction again now? And does it have a greater chance of success?
What is the two-state solution?
Put simply, the two-state solution is a proposed peace plan that would create a sovereign Palestinian state alongside the Israeli state. There have been several failed attempts to enact the policy over recent decades, the most famous of which was the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s.
In recent years, the two-state solution was looking less likely by the day.
The Trump administration’s decision in 2017 to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the US embassy there signalled the US was moving away from its role as mediator. Then, several Arab states agreed to normalise relations with Israel in the the Abraham Accords, without Israeli promises to move towards a two-state solution.
The Hamas attacks on Israel – and subsequent Israeli war on Gaza – have had a somewhat contradictory effect on the overarching debate.
On the one hand, the brutality of Hamas’ actions substantially set back the legitimacy of the Palestinian self-determination movement in some quarters on the world stage.
On the other, it’s also become clear the status quo – the continued Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank following the end of a brutal war – is not tenable for either Israeli security or Palestinian human rights.
Once-steadfast supporters of Israel’s actions have become increasingly frustrated by a lack of clear strategic goals in Gaza. And many now seem prepared to ignore Israeli wishes and pursue Palestinian recognition.
For these governments, the hope is recognition of a Palestinian state would rebuild political will – both globally and in the Middle East – towards a two-state solution.
Huge obstacles remain
But how likely is this in reality? There is certainly more political will than there was before, but also several important roadblocks.
First and foremost is the war in Gaza. It’s obvious this will need to end, with both sides agreeing to an enduring ceasefire.
Beyond that, the political authority in both Gaza and Israel remains an issue.
The countries now considering Palestinian recognition, such France and Australia, have expressly said Hamas cannot play any role in governing a future Palestinian state.
Though anti-Hamas sentiment is becoming more vocal among residents in Gaza, Hamas has been violently cracking down on this dissent and is attempting to consolidate its power.
However, polling shows the popularity of Fatah – the party leading the Palestinian National Authority – is even lower than Hamas at an average of 21%. Less than half of Gazans support the enclave returning to Palestinian Authority control. This means a future Palestinian state would likely require new leadership.
There is almost no political will in Israel for a two-state solution, either. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not been shy about his opposition to a Palestinian state. His cabinet members have mostly been on the same page.
This has also been reflected in policy action. In early May, the Israeli Security Cabinet approved a plan for Israel to indefinitely occupy parts of Gaza. The government also just approved its largest expansion of settlements in the West Bank in decades.
These settlements remain a major problem for a two-state solution. The total population of Israeli settlers is more than 700,000 in both East Jerusalem and the West Bank. And it’s been increasing at a faster rate since the election of the right-wing, pro-settler Netanyahu government in 2022.
Settlement is enshrined in Israeli Basic Law, with the state defining it as “national value” and actively encouraging its “establishment and consolidation”.
The more settlement that occurs, the more complicated the boundaries of a future Palestinian state become.
Then there’s the problem of public support. Recent polling shows neither Israelis nor Palestinians view the two-state solution favourably. Just 40% of Palestinians support it, while only 26% of Israelis believe a Palestinian state can “coexist peacefully” alongside Israel.
However, none of these challenges makes the policy impossible. The unpopularity of the two-state solution locally is more a reflection of previous failures than it is of future negotiations.
A power-sharing agreement in Northern Ireland was similarly unpopular in the 1990s, but peace was achieved through bold political leadership involving the US and European Union.
In other words, we won’t know what’s possible until negotiations begin. Red lines will need to be drawn and compromises made.
It’s not clear what effect growing external pressure will have, but the international community does appear to be reaching a political tipping point on the two-state solution. Momentum could start building again.
Andrew Thomas 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.
Headline: Apple unveils winners and finalists of the 2025 Apple Design Awards
June 3, 2025
UPDATE
Apple unveils winners and finalists of the 2025 Apple Design Awards
Winners and finalists will be recognized for their innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement at WWDC25
Today, Apple announced the winners and finalists of this year’s Apple Design Awards, celebrating 12 standout apps and games that set a high bar in design. This year’s winners include development teams spanning the world whose work was selected for excellence in innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement.
“Developers continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, creating apps and games that are not only beautifully designed but also deeply impactful,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. “We’re excited to celebrate this incredible group of winners and finalists at WWDC and spotlight the innovation and craftsmanship they bring to each experience.”
The awards recognize one app and one game across six categories: Delight and Fun, Innovation, Interaction, Inclusivity, Social Impact, and Visuals and Graphics. The winners were chosen from 36 finalists from around the world who have all demonstrated outstanding design experiences across apps and games.
Delight and Fun
Winners and finalists in this category provide memorable, engaging, and satisfying experiences enhanced by Apple technologies.
CapWords is a dynamic language learning tool that transforms images of everyday objects into interactive stickers — helping learners explore new words in a more intuitive and visual way. Supporting nine languages, the app is a delightful way to learn independently while immersing users in their surroundings.
Balatro is a satisfying fusion of poker, solitaire, and deck-building with roguelike elements. Players combine poker hands with joker cards — each with their own unique abilities — to create varied synergies. Hallmarked by clever details, gripping gameplay challenges players to advance their scores by crafting original decks to beat devious blinds and secure victory.
Winners and finalists in this category provide a state-of-the-art experience through novel use of Apple technologies that set them apart in their genre.
Play is a sophisticated yet accessible tool that lets users build interactive prototypes with SwiftUI frameworks. Its thoughtfully crafted user interface is both powerful and easy to navigate, helping designers create interactive prototypes and collaborate across Mac and iPhone, all synced in real time for seamless creativity.
PBJ — The Musical is snack-based Shakespeare, a charming game that tells the story of Romeo and Juliet with condiments. PBJ creatively mixes rhythm-based gameplay with narrative storytelling and a wonderful soundtrack. And with haptic feedback, clever camera work, and fun dialogue, it’s joyful from the start.
Finalists for this category include Moises by Music.AI; Capybara by Digital Workroom Ltd; Pawz by Bootloader Studio Holdings Private Limited; and Gears & Goo by Resolution Games AB.
Interaction
Winners and finalists in this category deliver intuitive interfaces and effortless controls that are perfectly tailored to their platform.
Taobao offers a convenient and engaging shopping experience on Apple Vision Pro, providing incredible 3D models comparable to their real-life counterparts. The immersive experience enhances shopping for users, taking into consideration placement, position, controls, size, and function, and giving people the ability to compare items side by side from an extensive selection of products.
DREDGE blends slow-burn horror with exploration and adventure. Players take the helm of a fishing boat to navigate eerie islands, uncover strange wildlife, and piece together a haunting mystery. The game offers seamless interactions and a fun world of hidden treasures across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
With support for hundreds of voices in over 50 languages, Speechify is a powerful tool that transforms written text into audio with ease. Designed with accessibility at its core, and by offering features like Dynamic Type and VoiceOver, the app serves as a vital resource for people with dyslexia, ADHD, and low vision, as well as anyone who learns best by listening.
Beautifully illustrated and mindfully designed, Art of Fauna is a puzzle game that blends vintage-inspired wildlife imagery with a deep commitment to inclusivity and conservation. Players can solve puzzles by rearranging visual elements or reordering descriptive text, making gameplay uniquely interactive. With features like full VoiceOver support and haptic feedback, accessibility is woven throughout the experience.
Developer: Sherwood Forestry Service (United States)
During devastating wildfires in Southern California, Watch Duty once again served as a lifeline, delivering up-to-the-minute updates, evacuation information, and critical resources with clarity and reliability. The app reports information like active fire perimeters and progress, wind speed and direction, and evacuation orders.
Visually stunning and emotionally resonant, Neva is an action-adventure tale that follows a girl and her wolf companion through a beautiful world in decline. As the seasons shift, so does their relationship — offering a quiet meditation on care, connection, and the cost of environmental loss. With themes of friendship and leadership, players guide the pair through breathtaking landscapes, and a story that is as moving as it is timely.
Finalists for this category include Ground News by Snapwise; Opal by Opal OS; Ahoy! From Picardy by Daniel Jones; and Art of Fauna by Klemens Strasser.
Visuals and Graphics
Winners and finalists in this category feature stunning imagery, skillfully drawn interfaces, and high-quality animations with a distinctive and cohesive theme.
This drawing tool allows users to transform 2D designs into 3D masterpieces. Developed with a focus on creativity and user experience, Feather makes it easy for people of all skill levels to build advanced 3D modeling designs on iPad, drawing on touch and Apple Pencil interactions to help users bring their imaginations to life.
With its enchanted realm of color, detail, and rendering, Infinity Nikki is a true visual achievement. This cozy open-world adventure challenges players to collect wonderful things, and is packed with magical outfits, whimsical creatures, and unexpected moments.
