NewzIntel.com

Category: Machine Learning

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic at Metalloobrabotka 2025: exhibition activity and negotiation process

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The key event of the international exhibition “Metalloobrabotka – 2025” took place in the Moscow-City Expo Center – a plenary session dedicated to the implementation of the national project “Means of Production and Automation”. The event was organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

    Opening the meeting, the Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia Anton Alikhanov presented the main parameters of the discussed project “Means of Production and Automation” and spoke about the key support measures. Thus, compensation of 50% of the cost of domestic robots makes them profitable in just one year.

    According to the results of last year, the level is 29 robots per 10 thousand people. A year ago, this figure was 19. That is, we have grown quite well. But I repeat once again, our task is to reach the level, approximately, taking into account the growth of the entire parallel world, of 145 robots per 10 thousand people. This, in fact, is within our power, – the minister said.

    In 2025, more than 1,200 companies from seven countries will participate in Metalloobrabotka: Russia, Belarus, India, Italy, China, the Republic of Korea and Turkey. More than 800 Russian companies will take part in the exhibition. Belarus and China will present national expositions.

    The key topics of this year’s exhibition are: “Innovations in Machine Tool and Tool Building”; “Automated Lines and Robotic Systems”; “Software for Smart Factory Management”; “Artificial Intelligence Technologies and Digital Twins”; “New Materials and Additive Technologies”.

    Visitors can see the equipment “in action” – from heavy metal-cutting machines to robotic complexes and artificial intelligence systems that manage production. The Polytechnic University stand is of particular interest to visitors. The University presents not just scientific developments, but ready-to-implement technological solutions – from 3D metal printing to robotic welding and the creation of intelligent materials. The Polytechnic University demonstrates the unique potential of laser and additive technologies, which today are becoming not just tools, but key drivers of the technological sovereignty of the Russian Federation. We are confident that these innovations are the future.

    On Tuesday, a series of business negotiations and meetings with potential partners took place at the Polytechnic stand. The official delegation of SPbPU was headed by the Director of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport Anatoly Popovich. Polytechnicians met with representatives of the leading IT company of the Russian Federation — Softline Group. At the negotiations, SPbPU was also represented by the Director of the Scientific and Educational Center “Mechanical Engineering Technologies and Materials” Pavel Novikov and the Scientific Secretary of the Polytechnic Dmitry Karpov.

    The partners discussed the horizons of possible cooperation. Following the meeting, it is planned to create an inter-industry center for additive technologies. The meeting participants also considered the prospects for creating new-generation laser equipment.

    The Director of the IMMI, Chief Designer of the KNU NEW Materials, Technologies, Production, as part of the Strategic Technological Leadership project, Anatoly Popovich shared his impressions of SPBPU in the exhibition: at the Metal processing-2025 exhibition, Polytechnic University of Peter the Great, a leader in the field of laser and additive technologies. The main task of SPBPU, as a scientific center with world -class competencies, is to ensure the country’s technological leadership. Our competitive advantage is the ability to create and introduce breakthrough technologies in various scientific areas. At the exhibition, employees of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport of St. Petersburg State University demonstrate the unique potential of laser and additive technologies, which today become not just tools, but key drivers of technological sovereignty of Russia. We are sure that it is the future for these innovations.
    The use of laser technologies allows us to significantly improve the quality of products, reaching an inaccessible level of accuracy and reliability. Additive methods, in turn, open new horizons to create materials that can be adapted to the specific needs of industry. This is especially relevant in the conditions of a rapidly changing market, where flexibility and adaptability become decisive success factors. The future belongs to those who are ready not only to follow the trends, but also to create them themselves. Polytechnic University of Peter the Great is a reliable partner and platform for the implementation of the most daring ideas. Time to act is time to introduce innovations.

    The Laboratory of Light Materials and Constructions surprises everyone with electric arc printing right at the exhibition. Students of IMMiT, under the guidance of Oleg Panchenko, assembled a welding cell in the shortest possible time so that everyone at the event could get acquainted with the process and see how a new metal part is born. Also on display at the exhibition are previously printed parts, such as a wheel rim, impeller, burner and other samples made by friction stir welding.

    The new technology of direct printing of plastic on metal interested visitors and gave rise to ideas for further cooperation. A cone gear is printed at the exhibition. It is used in heavy industry, can be used in the automotive industry, aircraft manufacturing and other industrial areas.

    The exhibition guests are shown the process of high-temperature (1200 degrees) selective laser melting in real time. Unique developments of bimetallic samples of promising materials obtained by additive technologies are presented. Works in the field of composite materials are also demonstrated – a polymer compressor wheel reinforced with carbon fiber.

    The staff of the research laboratory “Laser and Additive Technologies” brought to the exhibition samples manufactured by the method of direct laser growth and repaired by the method of laser cladding. Also presented are exhibits formed by laser and hybrid laser-arc welding methods.

    The exhibits created by laser welding of 316L steel with a thickness of 100 µm to 10 mm are of the greatest interest to the guests. The employees demonstrated a sealed miniature flat sample of a hydrogen energy source fuel cell with a wall thickness of 100 µm, welded with an overlap. Samples of armor steel grades with a thickness of 7 mm to 20 mm, welded in one pass in the lower position, are presented.

    Mikhail Kuznetsov, head of the laboratory, noted: In the era of rapid innovation, laser welding is becoming not just a technology, but a necessity. This process ensures high precision and speed of obtaining a permanent connection of the required quality, which is critically important in modern production conditions.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: National Basketball Association (NBA) Africa and Opportunity International Unveil New Basketball Court in Nairobi, Kenya

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28, 2025/APO Group/ —

    NBA Africa (www.NBA.com) and Opportunity International, a global nonprofit organization that develops innovative programs that use financial services, training and support to address some of the greatest challenges facing those living in poverty around the world, unveiled a new outdoor basketball court at Loiswell Academy in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday, May 27. 

    The unveiling follows the launch of a new court at Highland School in Nyamata, Rwanda, last week and supports NBA Africa’s commitment to build 1,000 courts on the continent over the next decade.

    The court was unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony by NBA Kenya Country Operations Lead Michael Finley, Opportunity International Board of Directors Member Ken Wathome, Opportunity International Executive Vice President, International Programs and Capital Solutions Randy Kurtz, Loiswell Academy Founder and Director Lois Mbugua and former NBA player Hasheem Thabeet, which was followed by a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA clinic for 100 boys and girls ages 16 and under. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: OTC Markets Group Welcomes Magna Mining Inc. to OTCQX

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced that Magna Mining Inc. (TSX-V: NICU; OTCQX: MGMNF), a company engaged in the acquisition, production, development and exploration of mineral properties in Canada, with a current focus on copper, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market. Magna Mining Inc. upgraded to OTCQX from the OTCQB® Venture Market.

    Magna Mining Inc. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol “MGMNF.” U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

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

    About Magna Mining Inc.

    Magna Mining Inc is a producing mining company with a portfolio of copper, nickel and PGM operating, development and exploration projects in the Sudbury Region of Ontario, Canada. The Company’s primary assets are the producing McCreedy West copper mine and the past producing Levack, Podolsky, Shakespeare and Crean Hill mines. Additional information about the Company is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and the Company’s website (www.magnamining.com).

    About OTC Markets Group Inc.

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

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

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

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

    Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

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

    The MIL Network –

  • Operation Sindoor outreach: Baijayant Panda-led delegation to convey India’s stance against terrorism in Saudi Arabia

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The all-party Indian parliamentary delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda in Saudi Arabia, is set to present India’s strong stance against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism in Riyadh.

    The delegation arrived in Riyadh early on Wednesday (Indian time) and later interacted with India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Khan, at the India House.

    Later, the delegation also offered floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.

    “Along with my colleagues from the all-party delegation, offered floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, honouring his timeless message of peace, non-violence & tolerance. We also had a detailed interaction with Ambassador Suhel Khan, reaffirming India’s resolute stand against terrorism and commitment to global peace,” Panda posted on X.

    During the three-day visit, the delegation will interact with a cross-section of political dignitaries, government officials, thought leaders, business and media representatives. They will also engage with members of the Indian community, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said in a statement.

    Earlier on Tuesday, the delegation arrived in Riyadh on the third leg of their four-nation tour to highlight the significance of Operation Sindoor and India’s continued fight against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism after concluding successful engagements in Kuwait and Bahrain.

    The delegation was received by Abdulrahman Sntian A. Alharbi, Chairman of the Saudi-India Parliamentary Friendship Committee of the Shura Council.

    “India’s stand on terrorism is resolute and uncompromising — a message we bring to Saudi Arabia with our all-party delegation. Appreciate the warm welcome by Abdulrahman Alharbi, Chair of the Saudi Arabia-India Friendship Committee of the Sura Council, as we begin key engagements to strengthen our growing partnership,” Panda posted on X.

    The delegation, led by Panda, includes BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, BJP MP Phangnon Konyak, BJP MP Rekha Sharma, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi, BJP MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, and former Indian diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

    During the visit, the delegation will interact with a cross-section of political dignitaries, government officials, thought leaders, business and media representatives. They will also engage with members of the Indian community.

    As part of their concluding day of engagements in Kuwait on Tuesday, the delegation undertook a series of media engagements and cultural visits aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and highlighting India’s united stance against terrorism.

    “The delegation concluded its highly productive visit to Kuwait by effectively conveying India’s message of ‘Zero Tolerance’ and ‘New Normal’ against terrorism to a variety of interlocutors in Kuwait, including the Government, civil society, media, think tanks, opinion-makers and members of the Indian community,” said the Indian Embassy in Kuwait.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Killing is part of their life’: the men raised on violence who are both perpetrators and victims as South Sudan faces return to civil war

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Heidi Riley, Adjunct Research Fellow, University College Dublin, and Affiliate Researcher in the Department of War Studies, King’s College London

    *Some pseudonyms are used to protect the identities of interviewees.

    “I saw a lot of suffering.” The old man, Lokwi, gestures towards the woman cooking beside their hut as he talks. “The husband of this woman … was killed here.”

    The woman is Lokwi’s sister-in-law. He is recalling the day in 1988 when his brother was killed by soldiers from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). Lokwi was still a child when the SPLA captured the town of Kapoeta and surrounding settlements, where he lived with his family. The day his brother was killed, everybody was forced to leave:

    There was nothing good that day … They burned all the villages and the soldiers attacked the civilians. People were scattered.

    South Sudan – a central African country of around 11.5 million people split in half by the White Nile – suffered decades of conflict prior to gaining independence from the rest of Sudan in 2011. While independence brought optimism, this was thwarted two years later by internal disputes among the ruling parties that led to a resurgence of the violence.

    While a ceasefire was brokered in 2018 and a power-sharing agreement signed between opposing political factions, there has been a lack of political will to implement it. The dire economic situation, worsening food insecurity driven by climate change and political instability, and legacies of ethnic rivalries continue to perpetuate ethnically motivated violence and distrust between communities. In April, the head of the UN mission in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, warned that the world’s youngest nation is once again on the brink of civil war.

    Amid this resurgence of violence, Lokwi – who is from the Toposa community – continues to be haunted by memories of the attack that killed his brother. Sitting under the shade of a tree in the village where it took place, he explains how he fled into the bush and survived for days on wild fruit until, starving, he managed to get to the town of Narus, where he was given some food by a local Dinka man.

    When Lokwi finally returned to his village, he found everything destroyed by fire – huts, livestock and granaries “all burned”. Whereas he decided to start again and rebuild the village, his surviving brother, now living in Narus, promised “never to step in this land again because of the memories and pain”.

    Today, Lokwi works as a peace activist in South Sudan. He spends a lot of time encouraging people in his village and the surrounding area to engage in peaceful dialogue with rival groups – and to resist violence. With an expression of concern, he explains the difficulties he faces in dissuading young men from engaging in violence:

    When I tell them to stop the conflict … we have homes and families who listen and stay calm, but other individuals like the [male] youths don’t listen, they still create problems.

    South Sudan’s long history of cattle raiding

    Over the course of 2024, Anna Adiyo Sebit and three other South Sudanese researchers interviewed more than 400 men and women from South Sudan’s Toposa and Nuer communities as part of the XCEPT programme. This programme, based at King’s College London, seeks to understand the role that conflict-related trauma plays in influencing who engages in violence and who doesn’t.

    As well as inter-ethnic fighting, South Sudan has a long history of cattle raiding. Cattle are central to the pastoralist communities which make up over half of the population, including ethnic groups such as the Dinka, Nuer and Toposa.

    In most rural households, financial capital is typically held in livestock, mainly cows – which are also required for dowry payments and as compensation for any crimes committed. This places high value on cattle ownership, meaning that raiding and inter-community disputes over cattle are common.

    Among South Sudan’s rural households, much of the financial capital is held in cows.
    Diego Delso via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-NC-SA

    And whereas these disputes were once fought with sticks, stones and spears, years of political conflict have left the country awash with guns – so cattle raiding has become a lethal activity. As one old man who described himself as a “retired warrior” explained:

    In our grandparents’ and grand ancestors’ [time], in battles or fighting we used stones, pangas, sticks, spears and arrows. [At this time there were] rare fights or raids waged against [other] tribes … But after the introduction of AK-47 machine guns, it accelerated [to] higher numbers of raids and increased casualties in both communities.

    Among these pastoralist communities, gender norms determine that where women and girls are tasked with maintaining domestic life, including sustaining subsistence farming and constructing huts, men are expected to keep and secure cattle. Many young men are active in cattle camps, which are in areas with better pastures where cows are taken to graze – but can be vulnerable to raids from other ethnic groups.

    In many parts of rural South Sudan, young men are expected to fight to secure and protect their livelihood – including achieving the required “bride price” for their marriage to go ahead. Successful cattle raids can earn a young man respect among his peers.

    But the trauma of experiencing violence from a young age, as so many of these young men have, is likely to be a factor in the perpetuation of various forms of violence in adulthood, including the prevalence of revenge killings.

    The high rates of violence are also having a devastating impact on women and girls in South Sudan. According to a 2024 UN Population Fund study, 65% of women and girls have experienced some form of gender-based violence, of which intimate partner violence is the most prevalent. The UN Mission in South Sudan has also reported a steep increase in sexual violence and abductions of women and girls by armed groups in 2024.

    Aware of the prevalence of violence against women by cattle youth, Lokwi speaks of confronting the issue at community meetings in his village where he brings together members of rival communities:

    The youths are also part of the meeting. Everybody is given the chance from both communities to talk, and we tell them ‘stop killing women in the bush’. I tell them that women are the ones who give birth to generations, and [ask]: ‘Why do you kill women?’ [Some] will feel touched and listen and stop – but there are other individuals [for] whom killing is part of their life … They will still kill women.

    Masculine expectations

    In South Sudan, like many countries, masculine expectations that associate men with being the provider or protector, and with characteristics of strength, stoicism and bravery, play an important role in how men experience trauma and the coping mechanisms they use.

    Men are often socialised into suppressing emotions such as sadness or hurt. As a result, alternative outlets for dealing with trauma and stress can manifest in more violent or aggressive emotions.

    I have spent many years researching how societal expectations of masculinity play into the way men respond to traumatic experiences. In narratives of wartime suffering, our understanding of male trauma is often overshadowed by the association of masculinity with the perpetration of violence.

    While not all men suffering from trauma respond in the same way, research by the Brazilian NGO Promundo has found that men and boys are more likely than women and girls to exhibit maladaptive coping behaviour such as risk-taking, low physical activity, withdrawal and self-harm – or violence in its multiple forms. There is also evidence that rates of alcohol and substance abuse are higher among men affected by trauma or high levels of stress.

    Psychological studies suggest a link between masculine norms, emotional restriction, and PTSD symptoms. As such, men are less likely to seek help or open up to others about the difficulties they are experiencing. This in turn increases their risk of developing negative coping mechanisms.

    During conflict or in situations of acute food insecurity, daily stresses through an inability to fulfil masculine expectations can become particularly acute – and lead to increasingly violent behaviour. This pattern emerges in many of the interviews conducted for the XCEPT project.

    SPLA soldiers in 2016: the head of the UN mission in South Sudan has warned the country is back on the brink of civil war.
    Jason Patinkin (Voice Of America) via Wikimedia Commons

    Eric, from the South Sudan state of Eastern Equatoria, lost his father when he was ten. His father was a fairly wealthy man but after his death, that wealth was passed on to Eric’s uncles on his father’s side, rather than his mother or her three co-wives. (The tradition of inheritance passing to male relatives is reflective of women’s lack of economic independence in rural South Sudan.)

    Eric was then required to respect his uncles as stepfathers as they became the de facto authority over his mother, her co-wives and their children. As the oldest son, he endured years of beatings from his stepfathers, as well as witnessing violence by them against his mother.

    Upon reaching adulthood, Eric said he realised he was able to escape the “catastrophic mistreatment from his stepfathers” and needed to “adventure” for his own survival. However, due to food shortages, survival meant engaging in cattle raiding.

    On his first raid, his “warrior group” secured a herd of cattle by killing the cattle owner. Eric was granted four cows – but apart from one, these had to be handed over to his stepfathers. As he explained:

    On my arrival, people in my village were excited to see me back without any injuries and I brought these cows. On [the] spot, my stepfathers took them. As in [the] culture of Toposa, anything from your enemies belongs to elder people. I was only left with one cow.

    On his second raid, Eric secured 30 goats, of which his stepfathers allowed him to keep ten.

    Aware of the suffering that this raiding had caused and now with an established reputation as a “warrior”, Eric then stepped back from raiding and used the ten goats to breed more. This gave him the resources for marriage and to start a family – but he carried the legacy of his involvement in the killings during past raids, and the knowledge that he was now a target for retaliatory violence. He explained:

    So far, I have killed six enemies; hence am also included as a warrior in my community. I do not want them [the enemy] to know my name because they will kill me if they know me.

    For Eric and many other men like him in South Sudan, it is difficult to show emotions such as sadness or fear, as this could be interpreted as a sign of weakness. Our researcher and interviewer, Anna Adiyo Sebit, describes the expectations placed on men in her culture: “As a man, even when someone dies, you do not shed a tear, especially in front of women. Instead, you cry from your heart inside.”

    The trauma of war

    Ten years ago, while conducting fieldwork in Nepal for my PhD and book, I interviewed more than 60 former members of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to examine how their participation in the civil war – known as the People’s War – affected notions of masculinity within the armed group.

    While I never asked about trauma or psychological difficulties, it became clear these were present for many of the men – just never explicitly spoken about. Instead, they would talk about their sense of disillusionment or lack of ability to fulfil societal expectations of masculinity – all the while, carefully keeping their emotions in check.

    These emotions would only surface in more casual conversations over tea or food, following the formal interviews. In these moments, the men revealed a more vulnerable side – often expressing sadness, frustration, and a desire to share their more personal stories.

    It was a clear shift from the displays of hardened masculinity in their narratives of the battlefield. Some of these informal exchanges hinted at signs of PTSD – for example, in their descriptions of flashbacks, sleep difficulties and short temperedness. One young man who was extremely polite and courteous became very fidgety after the end of the interview. He told me: “In the night I can’t sleep, because I hear bomb blasts inside my head.”

    Another, clearly proud of his role in the People’s War, recounted his bravery on the battlefield. Yet, when he spoke of the six months of torture he had endured in police custody, his composure faltered and he struggled to hold back tears. He showed me a photo of his three-year-old child, saying: “This is why I will never return to battle.”

    What I encountered was men who appeared uneasy about expressing emotions as this runs contrary to masculine expectations, but were also frustrated at a lack of outlets to tell their story.

    During one interview with a former PLA member in the western district of Bardiya, I noticed a group of ex-PLA fighters gathered at the boundary of his home after they had heard an interview was taking place. As my interpreter and I were leaving, a thin man at the front of the crowd began shouting aggressively at us.

    Having initially assumed his anger was directed at my presence in the area, I realised it stemmed from his frustration at not being selected for an interview. “Why does everyone always want to interview you?” he shouted at the man I had just spoken to. The former fighter’s anger, fuelled by alcohol, appeared to reflect his frustration at lacking a platform to share his own story.

    From Nepal in 2016 to South Sudan in 2024, amid the violence and trauma of war and the daily expectations of masculinity associated with being a provider and protector, there appeared to be few outlets through which these men could talk freely about their emotions, tell their stories, and admit their mental health difficulties.

    Many of the men interviewed in South Sudan had been involved in violent clashes involving killings at some point in their lives. In interviews carried out in Kapoeta North, a county in eastern Equatoria, some men reported having constant flashbacks to the sounds of gunshots – when they tried to sleep at night, these sounds would “become real”, stopping them getting any proper rest:

    Sometimes you can wake up in the middle of the night and find yourself trembling as if these people are coming for you.

    One man explained how he would get up in the night to follow a “black shadow” like a ghost. When community members would run after him to stop him, he would become “hostile and behave like he wants to kill everyone” – because, he explained, he saw his friend being killed on the battlefield and the memory of this would not leave him, especially in the night.

    A woman described how, when young men are involved in “killing”, their “mind is not functioning well”. Contextualising this claim she explained: “There was this man who got traumatised due to the ongoing conflict of raiding. He fought many battles until the gunshot sound affected his brain and made him crazy.”

    She then described a man who could not accept his friend had died in a cattle camp raid and insisted on returning to the battlefield, even though the community told him not to. “After confirming [his friend’s death] he ran mad and became confused. We say that such a person had his heart broken by the incident he witnessed, and we say he is mad.”

    Men whose companions have been killed can become fixated on revenge, as Sebit explains, “It will torture their mind until they go and avenge the death of the person that was killed.” Some will encourage them to take revenge but others, like Lokwi, are trying to discourage revenge killings and working towards peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue.

    Societal expectations of masculinity

    The link between societal expectations of masculinity, trauma and violent behaviour among men is important in better understanding ongoing insecurities in rural South Sudan. A man is supposed to own cows in order to gain respect from their community. Without these, they can be rejected – leading to feelings of isolation, despair and a fear of ridicule.

    As noted by another elderly interviewee: “If a man does not go for raiding, he will be cursed by elders. [In contrast], if he comes back with cows, people will celebrate – and if he dies, people will say he died as a warrior.”

    It can be a vicious circle. If you do not get cows when you raid another community, this may lead to further feelings of shame – driving the young men to put themselves at further risk. In a state of stress and having grown up in a culture of conflict, they may regard themselves as having no choice but to risk death in the quest for cows. Those who have been orphaned or do not have other family members to support them can be particularly vulnerable to this.

    A young boy brandishes an immitation pistol made of mud in South Sudan’s capital, Juba.
    Richard Juilliart/Shutterstock

    Such concerns about masculinity emerge in many of the interviews with young men in South Sudan – and also in discussions with support workers there. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is one of the few organisations in South Sudan who have run trauma awareness training for men. A local CRS programme manager, Luol, explained to me in an online meeting how men’s worries about marriage rights can spiral into acts of violence:

    What is actually happening in [young men’s] brains is they are thinking: ‘Okay, I am 18 or 17 years old now, in the next two years I have to have my partner at home, but I don’t have resources. [So] the best way to get resources is to raid or steal people’s properties.’ This is the thinking of war. This is the thinking of a person who has been exposed to conflict – that the best way to get resources is to raid from somebody.

    In another meeting, Luol described his experience of facilitating trauma awareness programmes with men. He explained that “many of the men have participated in cattle raiding and have seen horrific kinds of events such as, seeing somebody [being] killed, and [they] can be traumatised because [they] participated in that war [raid].”

    Luol described one young man who came and spoke to him after the first day of training:

    He wanted to testify that he’s now recovering from his trauma because he participated in the war and he saw children and women being killed and when he returned home, he saw [in] his own children, the children who were killed, and he cried, he felt ashamed for participating and playing a part in this. And he was trying to recover from that effect of trauma. And that’s very common. Most of the young men who participate in war come back traumatised.

    The importance of such outlets for men to come and talk together about their emotions was emphasised in our meeting. For cultural reasons, neither individual counselling sessions nor sessions including women would be acceptable to the men.As noted by another local CRS staff member :

    If women are in that group, the men are likely not to talk about [trauma] because of masculinity issues. They don’t want the women to hear men accepting weakness or vulnerability … But if the men are talking alone [about] their life they will say: ‘Yes, this is what happened to me, and this is how we can move forward.’

    While these sessions are not supposed to be a form of restorative justice or “amnesty” for crimes committed, Luol explained that opening up about feelings of guilt in the small group is helpful in addressing “displaced anger” that can manifest in continued violence in the community, clan or in the family.

    CRS Trauma Awareness and Social Cohesion programmes also encourage discussions of alternatives to violence or cattle raiding, presenting a longer-term life vision for those present. According to one attendee, his less traumatised brain allows for rational thinking such as: “If I start cultivating this year and I want to marry in two or three years’ time, I’ll be able to produce the crops, sell them in the market, and then buy cows if I need to buy cows.”

    The programme was piloted in South Sudan’s Greater Jonglei State in 2014 using CRS private funding. Three years later it secured funding from USAID after “demonstrating its value”. In 2020, with additional funding from the EU, the programme was expanded to areas of Eastern Equatoria. While the programme has now ended with the completion of its funding cycle, CRS continues to seek future funding to re-establish the initiative.

    Soldiers celebrate the anniversary of South Sudan’s independence day, which briefly brought peace.
    Richard Juilliart/Shutterstock

    ‘Everything gets destroyed’

    While recognising that most men do not engage in violence, the reality is men are overwhelmingly responsible for violence when it does occur. This is the case in South Sudan as in all countries. It is therefore vital to engage with men, not just as perpetrators of violence but as potential peacemakers.

    Unfortunately, gender stereotyping within the humanitarian and donor sector has resulted in a lack of trauma response targeted at men. Instead, men and boys tend to be framed as perpetual perpetrators of violence and discrimination – as “emasculated troublemakers” not worth engaging with, or at best by the “men can cope by themselves” narrative.

    Wider research by XCEPT has found that out of 12 humanitarian organisations interviewed in northern Syria, northern Iraq and South Sudan, only two had programmes specifically targeted at men. The situation appears little changed from the conclusion reached in the 2021 Promondo report, which stated:

    This de-prioritisation of boys and men in emergency response is rooted in donors’ and international organisations’ lack of political will to meaningfully acknowledge that vulnerability exists beyond women and girls … Chronic inattention to boys and men has resulted in programs, services and spaces not being sufficiently tailored to meet their needs.

    This not only has an impact on men and boys’ wellbeing. It also fails to take on board the reality that unaddressed trauma among men correlates with increases in community violence, revenge killings, cattle raiding and gender-based violence suffered by women and girls. As an international CRS staff member explained:

    Unless donors have a way of facing [the reality of trauma] and addressing it in all interventions, all the money we’re spending on health programs and infrastructure programs and education programs and whatever it is, it’s just money down the drain. Because eventually, everything gets destroyed in violence.

    For you: more from our Insights series:

    To hear about new Insights articles, join the hundreds of thousands of people who value The Conversation’s evidence-based news. Subscribe to our newsletter.

    Heidi Riley receives funding from the Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) research programme, funded by UK International Development from the UK government. (Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies.) She also received funding from the Irish Research Council for the Nepal research mentioned. Sincere thanks to Anna Adiyo Sebit, expert researcher with Catholic Relief Services in South Sudan, for her fieldwork and other contributions to this article.

    – ref. ‘Killing is part of their life’: the men raised on violence who are both perpetrators and victims as South Sudan faces return to civil war – https://theconversation.com/killing-is-part-of-their-life-the-men-raised-on-violence-who-are-both-perpetrators-and-victims-as-south-sudan-faces-return-to-civil-war-256177

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Stopping the accumulation of regulations on digital services – E-002045/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002045/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Catherine Griset (PfE), Aleksandar Nikolic (PfE), Mélanie Disdier (PfE), Julie Rechagneux (PfE), Fabrice Leggeri (PfE), Gilles Pennelle (PfE), Pascale Piera (PfE)

    Following in the footsteps of their US counterparts, European digital businesses are asking the Commission to postpone the adoption of the Digital Fairness Act (DFA), so that the functioning of the current legislative framework can be evaluated first.

    In their view, most of the practices that might be sanctioned by the DFA (AI chatbots, online influences, targeted advertising, etc.) are covered by the existing legislation.

    Keen to regain greater competitiveness, those European digital businesses are calling for an ‘updated enforcement strategy’ for the current framework before any new legislation is adopted.

    Will the Commission, recently won over by the benefits of simplification, take heed of this grievance?

    Supporter[1]

    Submitted: 21.5.2025

    • [1] This question is supported by a Member other than the authors: Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE)
    Last updated: 28 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ17: Coping with extreme weather

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ17: Coping with extreme weather 
    Question:
     
    There are views pointing out that in recent years, Hong Kong has been affected time and again by localised rainstorms, super typhoons and even very hot weather, thereby exposing the safety as well as lives and properties of members of the public to a greater risk. On coping with extreme weather, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the respective numbers of weather warnings and signals issued by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) in each of the past five years (set out by type of weather warnings and signals);
     
    (2) in order to cope with extreme weather (including super typhoons and severe rainstorms) that may occur in Hong Kong, of the details of the interdepartmental drills conducted and contingency plans drawn up by various government departments so far this year (including the number of government departments and personnel involved); whether various government departments have put in place a comprehensive contingency mechanism for coping with extreme weather to assist members of the public and disseminate the relevant information in a timely manner;
     
    (3) given that in the past, flooding and landslides frequently occurred in some districts (including Chai Wan, Wong Tai Sin, Wan Chai, Yuen Long and Tsim Sha Tsui) during rainstorm, whether the authorities have increased the supporting staff for flood and disaster prevention work specifically for those districts; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (4) whether the authorities will formulate a mechanism to require the relevant government departments to take corresponding measures in the districts concerned simultaneously when the Localised Heavy Rain Advisory was issued by the HKO, e.g. strengthening local flood monitoring and deploying manpower to clear the drains, with a view to preventing the occurrence of localised large-scale flooding;
     
    (5) given that the 2023 Policy Address indicated that the Drainage Services Department would complete the “Strategic Planning Study on Flood Management against Sea Level Rise and Extreme Rainfall” and develop a forward-looking strategy, of the progress of the relevant work and the findings of the Study; whether the Government has set aside resources for the implementation of the recommendations of the Study and the construction of the relevant infrastructure facilities; and
     
    (6) whether it has further stepped up public education on disaster preparedness, e.g. regularly arranging for members of the public and students to participate in disaster prevention exercise, and teaching members of the public the corresponding measures to take when extreme weather and even natural disasters occur; if so, of the details; if not, whether it will strengthen such efforts in the future?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
    The responses to the various parts of the question are as follows:
     
    (1) Based on the information provided by the Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Hong Kong Observatory, the number of various warnings and signals issued by the Observatory in the past five years is set out below:
     
    (i) Number of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals issued

    Year (ii) Number of Thunderstorm Warning, Special Announcement on Flooding in the northern New Territories, Rainstorm Warning Signal and Landslip Warning issued

    Year(iii) Number of other warning and signal issued

    Year(2) After consultation with the Security Bureau and the Home Affairs Department, our reply is as follows:
     
    The Government has implemented the following measures in relation to emergency response mechanisms, interdepartmental drills, and the provision of timely assistance and dissemination of relevant information:
     
    To address extreme weather events, the Security Bureau has formulated the Contingency Plan for Natural Disasters, which sets out the Government’s strategies, organisational framework, and alerting system for dealing with natural disasters, as well as the functions and responsibilities of Government bureaux/departments, public utility companies, and non-governmental organisations in the events of natural disasters. When major natural disasters happen, the Security Bureau will immediately activate the Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre to co-ordinate a comprehensive response and collaborate the actions of relevant departments and organisations (including their emergency control centres) to ensure the incidents are handled swiftly and effectively.
     
    In the event of super typhoons or other large-scale natural disasters, the Chief Secretary for Administration will convene an interdepartmental Steering Committee meeting for provisioning high-level co-ordination and supervision in the various stages of preparedness, contingency and recovery as well as setting priorities for various tasks, thereby enabling the normal daily living of the community to resume as quickly as practicable. If a natural disaster has caused extreme and widespread impacts, such as widespread flooding, severe landslides, or severe disruption to public transportation services, the Steering Committee will consider making an “extreme conditions” announcement to advise members of the public to remain in their original safe locations.
     
    The Security Bureau has been organising interdepartmental drills to enhance communication and collaboration among various government departments under different extreme weather conditions. Through the drills with various testing scenarios, the departments’ emergency plans will be refined. As at May 18 this year, the Security Bureau and relevant departments had conducted a total of 10 drills related to extreme weather, involving 33 policy bureaux and departments, with a total of 960 participants. For areas vulnerable to flooding or seawater inundation, the respective District Offices will also conduct interdepartmental drills before the typhoon season to strengthen co-ordination among departments, enhance response capabilities and raise residents’ understanding of response arrangements.
     
    The Government will also, as appropriate, disseminate to the public the latest weather forecasts, natural disaster alerts, and related information including flooding, landslides, and traffic arrangements for affected roads through the Information Services Department, the media and social media platforms.
     
    (3) The Drainage Services Department (DSD) is currently taking forward 15 major drainage improvement works and it is anticipated that these projects will be completed progressively by 2030. These projects include works in the abovementioned areas of concern, namely Chai Wan, Wong Tai Sin, Yuen Long, and Tsim Sha Tsui (Note). In recent years, the DSD has also completed a number of minor works in these districts, including improvement works to the drainage systems near Chai Wan Road roundabout and in Wong Tai Sin.
     
    The DSD has identified around 240 locations prone to blockage in Hong Kong. Whenever the Hong Kong Observatory forecasts severe rainstorm, the DSD will arrange and deploy resources to step up their inspections and, where necessary, carry out immediate clearance of blocked drains to ensure proper functioning of the drainage system.
     
    In relation to landslides, apart from conducting regular inspections of slopes under their maintenance responsibilities, relevant government departments need to additionally carry out special inspections for government man-made slopes adjacent to sole accesses to community or important livelihood facilities before each wet season. This helps minimise the potential impact on people’s lives due to incidents on these slopes. The relevant inspections were completed before the wet season this year. On the other hand, the Geotechnical Engineering Office will remind private owners to complete all regular slope inspections and the necessary slope maintenance before the onset of wet season through letters, social media posts, television promotional videos, radio broadcasts and media briefings, etc.
     
    (4) The DSD has been working closely with the Hong Kong Observatory and has implemented the “Just-in-time Clearance” arrangement since 2020. Under this arrangement, when the Observatory forecasts severe rainstorms, the DSD will immediately deploy manpower to inspect locations prone to blockage and clear any blocked drains, thereby reducing the risk of flooding during heavy rainstorms. Since 2022, the DSD has taken proactive measures to further enhance its preparatory measures following the Hong Kong Observatory’s issuance of the Localised Heavy Rain Advisory. During periods of heavy rainstorms, the DSD, depending on the rainfall severity, will increase the number of emergency response teams to 180 teams. These teams are deployed to various districts to promptly handle flooding incidents so as to minimise the impact of flooding on the public.
     
    The DSD also adopts innovative technologies, including the deployment of powerful pumping robots, piloting artificial intelligence-based flood monitoring systems, and the use of new flood monitoring devices, such as Flood Monitoring Devices, and dissemination of real-time water level information.
     
    (5) The DSD completed the “Strategic Planning Study on Flood Management Against Sea Level Rise and Extreme Rainfall”, and the findings and recommendations were presented at the meeting of the Panel on Development held on May 27, 2025. Please refer to the relevant document for details www.legco.gov.hk/yr2025/english/panels/dev/papers/dev20250527cb1-904-4-e.pdf 
    (6) To enhance public awareness of disaster preparedness, departments under the Security Bureau carry out publicity and education through websites, social media platforms, and carnival events. In addition, the DSD promotes awareness of the risks associated with extreme weather and the corresponding measures to the public and stakeholders through a variety of channels, including TV promotional videos, publications, and outreach education programmes. The DSD also assists the property management sector to understand appropriate actions to take during flooding incidents. The Civil Engineering and Development Department also formulates action plans to address floods in low-lying coastal areas, maintains communication with residents and raises awareness of climate change through various activities. Furthermore, the Geotechnical Engineering Office promotes public awareness of slope safety through public education and publicity activities, including exhibitions and talks in shopping malls and schools, and providing maintenance advice to private slope owners.
     
    Note: Major drainage improvement works in Chai Wan, Wong Tai Sin, Yuen Long and Tsim Sha Tsui include: (i) Drainage improvement works in Eastern District – phase 1, (ii) Drainage improvement works in Wong Tai Sin, (iii) Yuen Long Barrage Scheme, (iv) Improvement of Yuen Long Town Nullah (town centre section), (v) Drainage improvement works at Yuen Long – stage 2 and (vi) Drainage Improvement Works in Tsim Sha Tsui.
    Issued at HKT 17:12

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH organises International Medical Device Regulatory Forum to promote advancement of health through research and technology (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    DH organises International Medical Device Regulatory Forum to promote advancement of health through research and technology  
    Addressing the opening ceremony, the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, said, “Given the rapid development of AI technology, the DH is committed to developing a regulatory framework in Hong Kong to help healthcare workers and members of the public choose safe and reliable medical devices. The DH has issued guidance on cybersecurity and AI medical devices in 2023 and 2024 to help manufacturers navigate and follow the voluntary Medical Device Administrative Control System (MDACS), which was introduced by the DH. To date, 22 AI medical devices have been listed in the MDACS, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electrocardiography (ECG) systems.
     
    “The HKSAR Government is committed to developing Hong Kong as a hub for health and medical innovation. The soon-to-be-established Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation will conduct independent evaluations on the safety, quality, and efficacy of medical products based on clinical data. In addition, with the development of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, Hong Kong will leverage its unique advantages under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and serve as a ‘super connector’, linking Mainland China and the global market. This will create opportunities for entrepreneurs to thrive while supporting our country in enhancing its new quality productive forces in the health field,” said Dr Lam.
     
    “The emergence of innovative medical devices is bringing revolutionary changes to the healthcare industry. Multinational and cross-border collaborations are required to enable the development of a regulatory system that aligns with the rapid advancement in medical technology. The CUHK is delighted to partner with the DH in hosting the first forum to strengthen co-operation in medical innovation. The goal is to enhance health and medical industry standards by engaging leaders and pioneers in the field,” said the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the CUHK, Professor Philip Chiu.
     
    Today’s forum featured keynote speeches by representatives of medical device regulatory authorities from Hong Kong, the Mainland, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, as well as local and Hungarian academia. The forum focused on trends in the medical device industry, international regulatory co-ordination mechanisms and breakthroughs in AI technology in the healthcare sector. Participants proactively engaged in discussions, sharing their insights and experiences.
     
    The DH will continue to promote exchanges between governments, industry, and academia through various means to strengthen international collaboration networks, and lay a solid foundation for Hong Kong to develop into an international medical innovation hub.
    Issued at HKT 18:50

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ4: Manpower of Police

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is a question by Dr the Hon So Cheung-wing and a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (May 28):

    Question: 
    (1) As at March 31, 2025, the numbers of vacancies for the grades of rank and file, inspectorate officers and gazetted officers (i.e. Superintendents and above) in the HKPF were 5 500, 236 and 29 respectively. The overall number of vacancies was 5 765, representing a vacancy rate of about 17.4 per cent, which is similar to the figures over the past three years. 
    (i) The HKPF has implemented the “SmartView”, under which closed circuit televisions are installed in phases at various locations across the territory where crime rate and pedestrian flow are higher. This initiative makes use of technologies to enhance the effectiveness in preventing and fighting crime. As at end-April 2025, “SmartView” has assisted the HKPF in detecting 282 criminal cases and arresting 513 persons. The HKPF utilised the “Crowd Size Analysis System” for the first time during the 2024 Halloween events in Lan Kwai Fong. The system used AI and video analytic functions to perform real-time crowd density assessments. 
    Thank you, President.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: YieldMax™ ETFs Announces Distributions on CVNY, CONY, YMAG, YMAX, ULTY, and Others

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE and NEW YORK, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — YieldMax™ today announced distributions for the YieldMax™ Weekly Payers and Group C ETFs listed in the table below.

    ETF Ticker1 ETF Name Distribution Frequency Distribution per Share Distribution Rate2,4 30-Day
    SEC Yield3    		 ROC5 Ex-Date & Record Date Payment Date
    CHPY YieldMax™ Semiconductor Portfolio Option Income ETF Weekly $0.3860 – – 96.94% 5/29/25 5/30/25
    GPTY YieldMax™ AI & Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF Weekly $0.2895 33.82% 0.00% 100.00% 5/29/25 5/30/25
    LFGY YieldMax™ Crypto Industry & Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF Weekly $0.4906 62.59% 0.00% 100.00% 5/29/25 5/30/25
    QDTY YieldMax™ Nasdaq 100 0DTE Covered Call ETF Weekly $0.3115 38.15% 0.00% 100.00% 5/29/25 5/30/25
    RDTY YieldMax™ R2000 0DTE Covered Call ETF Weekly $0.3538 40.76% 0.00% 97.17% 5/29/25 5/30/25
    SDTY YieldMax™ S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call ETF Weekly $0.2578 30.71% 0.00% 100.00% 5/29/25 5/30/25
    ULTY YieldMax™ Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF Weekly $0.0954 79.40% 0.00% 100.00% 5/29/25 5/30/25
    YMAG YieldMax™ Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs Weekly $0.2929 97.28% 70.00% 96.58% 5/29/25 5/30/25
    YMAX YieldMax™ Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs Weekly $0.2149 81.04% 95.10% 81.23% 5/29/25 5/30/25
    ABNY YieldMax™ ABNB Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4
    weeks    		 $0.3871 41.70% 3.22% 93.60% 5/29/25 5/30/25
    AMDY YieldMax™ AMD Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4
    weeks    		 $0.4233 70.38% 3.31% 96.48% 5/29/25 5/30/25
    CONY YieldMax™ COIN Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4
    weeks    		 $0.7351 106.24% 3.39% 80.80% 5/29/25 5/30/25
    CVNY YieldMax™ CVNA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4
    weeks    		 $4.5659 125.74% 2.37% 99.33% 5/29/25 5/30/25
    FIAT YieldMax™ Short COIN Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4
    weeks    		 $0.2667 65.81% 1.14% 96.24% 5/29/25 5/30/25
    HOOY YieldMax™ HOOD Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4
    weeks    		 $3.3036 – – 99.33% 5/29/25 5/30/25
    MSFO YieldMax™ MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4
    weeks    		 $0.5498 40.29% 3.26% 92.68% 5/29/25 5/30/25
    NFLY YieldMax™ NFLX Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4
    weeks    		 $0.6832 46.84% 2.79% 94.49% 5/29/25 5/30/25
    PYPY YieldMax™ PYPL Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4
    weeks    		 $0.5507 53.61% 3.54% 95.28% 5/29/25 5/30/25
    Weekly Payers & Group D ETFs scheduled for next week: CHPY GPTY LFGY QDTY RDTY SDTY ULTY YMAG YMAX AIYY AMZY APLY DISO MSTY SMCY WNTR XYZY YQQQ
     

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

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

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

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

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

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

    2 The Distribution Rate shown is as of close on May 27, 2025. The Distribution Rate is the annual distribution rate an investor would receive if the most recent distribution, which includes option income, remained the same going forward. The Distribution Rate is calculated by annualizing an ETF’s Distribution per Share and dividing such annualized amount by the ETF’s most recent NAV. The Distribution Rate represents a single distribution from the ETF and does not represent`t its total return. Distributions may also include a combination of ordinary dividends, capital gain, and return of investor capital, which may decrease an ETF’s NAV and trading price over time. As a result, an investor may suffer significant losses to their investment. These Distribution Rates may be caused by unusually favorable market conditions and may not be sustainable. Such conditions may not continue to exist and there should be no expectation that this performance may be repeated in the future.

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

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

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

    Important Information

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

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

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

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

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

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GPTY)

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

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

    Risk Disclosure (applicable only to MARO)

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to BABO and TSMY)

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GDXY)

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YBIT)

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to the Short ETFs)

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to CHPY)

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YQQQ)

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

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

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

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

    © 2025 YieldMax™ ETFs

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Wallet Introduces Binance Alpha Earn Zone to Maximize Liquidity Rewards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, the leading non-custodial crypto wallet, has launched the Binance Alpha Earn Zone, giving users the ability to provide liquidity to selected token pairs and earn a share of trading fees. This launch responds to growing interest in passive income opportunities through decentralized platforms, offering users a simplified path to participate directly from the wallet.

    In decentralized finance, users who contribute token pairs to a trading pool, known as liquidity providers, help facilitate on-chain token swaps and, in return, receive a portion of the transaction fees generated. Through this new zone, Bitget Wallet users can access curated high-yield pools such as USDT-ZKJ, WBNB-SOON, and WBNB-B2 via PancakeSwap. Some pools have recently offered returns of up to 2,000% APR, depending on market conditions and demand for trading activity.

    The integration is designed for ease of use. Step-by-step tutorials are provided in-app to help users understand how to add liquidity, set price ranges, and track their earnings. The goal is to lower the entry barrier for those interested in earning passive rewards without navigating complex DeFi platforms. Bitget Wallet notes that while returns can be high, liquidity provision carries risks, including potential losses if token prices shift significantly.

    “By launching the Binance Alpha Earn Zone, we’re making advanced earning strategies more accessible,” said Alvin Kan, COO of Bitget Wallet. “We believe this is a key step toward empowering more people to engage with on-chain finance in a seamless way.”

    Find out more on Bitget Wallet’s official channel.

    About Bitget Wallet
    Bitget Wallet is a non-custodial crypto wallet designed to make crypto simple and secure for everyone. With over 80 million users, it brings together a full suite of crypto services, including swaps, market insights, staking, rewards, DApp exploration, and payment solutions. Supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges. Backed by a $300+ million user protection fund, it ensures the highest level of security for users’ assets.

    For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Discord | Facebook

    For media inquiries, contact media.web3@bitget.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b5649cb8-874b-47a0-bdb4-89cbc5cc41cf

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Hyperscale Data Subsidiary Ault Capital Group to Purchase Up to $10 Million of XRP for Expansion of its Financial Services Business

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAS VEGAS, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hyperscale Data, Inc. (NYSE American: GPUS), a diversified holding company (“Hyperscale Data” or the “Company”), today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Ault Capital Group, Inc. (“ACG”) intends to purchase up to $10 million in XRP, the digital asset developed by Ripple Labs and native to the XRP Ledger, by the end of 2025. The XRP, when purchased, will be deemed a crypto asset and held on the Company’s balance sheet at fair value with changes recognized in operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. This strategic move is designed to support the Company’s broader expansion into financial services through ACG.

    “ACG plans to expand its financial services division and broaden the services it offers beyond lending, including cryptocurrency-based products on a decentralized exchange and tokenization of real-world assets. We’ve been successful in the lending business for the past four years, and now we are looking to expand. We expect XRP to be an important part of ACG’s future in the financial services industry,” said Milton “Todd” Ault III, Executive Chairman of Hyperscale Data.

    XRP is purpose-built for enterprise-grade financial use cases, offering fast, secure and low-cost transaction fees using blockchain technology — features that position it as an attractive asset for powering innovative financial services. ACG plans to leverage XRP and the XRP Ledger to support cross-border settlement, real-time payment systems, and decentralized financial applications, all designed to meet the needs of modern financial markets. The Company believes that acquiring XRP is a strategic enhancement of liquidity and provides infrastructure support for a range of blockchain-enabled financial products. It represents an important step towards integrating modern digital asset solutions into ACG’s next-generation financial services model.

    Hyperscale Data notes that acquisitions of XRP are subject to various risks and uncertainties, one or more which could result in the planned acquisitions being curtailed, delayed or terminated, including, but not limited to: the volatility in XRP market price; the inability of the Company to have sufficient capital to purchase the intended amount of XRP; and regulatory challenges, consents or approvals, if necessary. The Company will continue to monitor market conditions and may increase or decrease its holdings of XRP as it deems appropriate.

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

    About Hyperscale Data, Inc.

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

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

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

    Forward-Looking Statements

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

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

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Resetting our relationship with the third sector

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    Council Leader Jane Meagher writes in the Evening News today about the need to support Edinburgh’s third sector.

    With our population growing and more people struggling with the cost of living, Edinburgh’s third sector is in a precarious position.

    According to the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, seven in 10 charities now cite financial trials as their biggest challenge, up significantly in just two years. Traditional funding streams from the public sector, which provide vital grants to allow charities to operate in our local communities, are under growing pressure too.

    Echoing these concerns, a report to the Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee late last year made it clear that short-term funding cycles are creating financial instability for charities, diverting time and resources away from what’s important – delivering valuable services for vulnerable people.

    This predicament came into sharp focus for Edinburgh earlier this year when the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) – which oversees health and social care spend in the city – had to make difficult decisions to help it make necessary savings of close to £30m. Dozens of local projects and charities have seen their funding pulled as a result.

    Immediately, councillors united to intervene and see what could be done to prevent the devastating closures and redundancies these cuts could bring. Thankfully, we’ve been able to step in to provide emergency £2m funding, providing short term relief for 46 projects.

    Yesterday at Policy and Sustainability Committee, we also agreed how to spend a contingency fund worth £273,473 to further support primarily small, local projects and organisations in our communities which have lost EIJB funding. Grants of £10,000 will be made available this autumn to help with the resilience of the sector.

    Yet, the fact remains that the council also faces significant financial challenges. We remain the worst funded council in Scotland and plugging this gap will be difficult in future years. To that end, we need to find a longer-term sustainable way forward for this sector which provides so much good. Tackling poverty is one of our city’s top priorities and we cannot achieve this without the support of projects which focus on prevention.

    To get ahead of this, we’ve engaged the Edinburgh Partnership to conduct a review of how it supports and works with third sector organisations in Edinburgh, and to ultimately find solutions for improving funding certainty in future years. This includes how grant funding and commissioning is delivered, how third sector organisations monitor and report on their work, and what in-kind support is provided.

    We want to hear about how we can make it simpler, provide more stability, and collaborate to help those who need this sector’s support most. You can share your views through our Consultation Hub webpage, or by attending a workshop from now until Thursday 5 June. Results will be shared with those who take part and with the wider third sector, and will be reported to our next Policy and Sustainability Committee in August.

    In a successful city like Edinburgh, it is unacceptable that 80,000 people are living in poverty–  including close to a quarter of all children – which makes tackling inequality and preventing poverty one of the biggest challenges facing the capital.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN receives Parliamentary Members from India

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today received a courtesy call from a delegation of Indian Parliamentarians at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. During the meeting, SG Dr. Kao commended the Indian Parliament’s active engagement in promoting inter-parliamentary dialogue and ASEAN-India cooperation, particularly as an observer in the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). He highlighted the significance of aligning legislative and executive efforts in advancing ASEAN’s regional priorities, and reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with India. They also exchanged views on transnational crime, including combating terrorism and violent extremism.

     
    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN receives Parliamentary Members from India appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: New documentary exposes recycling fallacy and  health impacts of plastic pollution on Kenya’s waste workers

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Link to documentary

    NAIROBI, May 26th, 2025 – Greenpeace Africa has released  ‘ Dumped: A Waste Picker’s Story’, a powerful 18-minute documentary that reveals the harsh reality faced by waste pickers at Nairobi’s notorious Dandora dumpsite while challenging the plastic industry’s recycling narrative.

    The documentary follows Joyce, one of thousands of waste pickers who sort through mountains of plastic waste daily at the dumpsite. Despite working tirelessly to make a living, Joyce suffers from respiratory infections, requiring monthly medical treatment. Her doctor has explicitly linked her deteriorating health to the toxic fumes from burning plastics and pollution at her workplace.

    “What we’re witnessing at Dandora is a public health emergency masked as a waste management solution,” said Gerance Mutwol, Plastics Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa. “Joyce’s story represents thousands of waste pickers across Africa who sacrifice their health daily while the plastic industry uses their labor to greenwash its continued production of single-use plastics. These workers earn pennies while suffering from chronic respiratory diseases, skin conditions, and other serious ailments directly linked to toxic plastic exposure.”

    The documentary dismantles the plastic industry’s narrative that recycling can solve the plastic pollution crisis. In reality, only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced globally has been recycled, with the rest accumulating in landfills, dumpsites, and the natural environment.

    “The recycling myth has been perpetuated by the plastics industry to shift responsibility away from producers and onto consumers and waste workers,” explained Mutwol, “Our investigation reveals that most single-use plastics are not collected by waste pickers. These plastics often end up being burned in open air, releasing toxic chemicals that harm both waste pickers and surrounding communities. The truth is that managing waste is not enough to solve the crisis as long as plastic production continues to increase exponentially.”

    The film documents how low-value plastics like sachets, thin bags, and multilayered packaging have flooded African markets, creating an insurmountable waste management challenge while providing minimal economic benefit to waste pickers.

    Gisore Nyabuti, Secretary General of the Waste Pickers Association, emphasised the need for systemic change: “Our members work in dangerous conditions with little protection or recognition. We need solutions that don’t sacrifice our health and environment. We support a transition to refill and reuse systems that would create safer, more dignified jobs while eliminating the toxic burden of single-use plastics on our communities.”

    The documentary concludes that the only transformative solution to the plastic crisis is the widespread implementation of refill and reuse systems, highlighting successful models already operating in Kenya that demonstrate viable alternatives to the throwaway culture.

    “Dumped: A Waste Picker’s Story” will be launched in 5 countries and is available for online viewing on YouTube.

    Contacts:

    Ferdinand Omondi, Communication and Story Manager, [email protected]

    Gerance Mutwol, Plastics campaigner, [email protected]

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI China: Full Text: Joint Statement of the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — The following is the full text of the Joint Statement of the Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) and China released on Tuesday:

    Joint Statement of the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit

    WE, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, and the People’s Republic of China, gathered on the occasion of the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit on 27 May 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;

    ACKNOWLEDGING the long-lasting and deeply-rooted historical and civilizational linkage and economic ties among ASEAN, China and GCC;

    RECOGNIZING the close and mutually-beneficial economic collaboration and cooperation among ASEAN, China and GCC;

    REAFFIRMING our desire to further promote ASEAN-China-GCC relations, guided by fundamental principles and shared values, norms and commitments, including those enunciated in the United Nations Charter;

    UNDERSCORING the importance of regionalism and multilateralism, regional unity and international law in addressing shared challenges, while upholding ASEAN centrality in the evolving regional architecture to foster peace, stability, development and prosperity;

    UNDERSCORING the importance of GCC’s critical role to foster peace, security, stability, development, prosperity and dialogue;

    APPRECIATING China’s crucial role in promoting peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development in regional and international affairs;

    ENDEAVORING to promote peace, security, stability and prosperity, through mutual respect and cooperation between countries and regions to achieve development and progress based on adherence to international law, including the UN Charter, the principles of good neighbourliness, and respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality and territorial integrity, non-interference in their internal affairs, and refraining from the threat or use of force, and settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful means;

    ACKNOWLEDGING the importance of strengthening relations among ASEAN, China and GCC in promoting regional cooperation and economic development in the broader Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern contexts;

    RECOGNIZING that ASEAN, China and GCC encompass diverse and complementary economies which create enormous potential, broad prospects and new opportunities for greater cross-sectoral trade, investment and economic collaboration;

    RECOGNIZING the increasing importance of fostering closer economic collaboration among our regions, and reiterating our shared commitment to strengthening our partnerships to promote economic and sustainable development;

    RECOGNIZING the need to strengthen confidence in the rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core to protect businesses, consumers worldwide and livelihoods of people in our regions;

    REAFFIRMING our resolve to enhance economic resilience and environmental sustainability, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced, and beneficial to our peoples and future generations;

    ACKNOWLEDGING our joint efforts to promote closer cooperation between ASEAN, China and GCC and China’s vision to build a closer China-ASEAN Community with a shared future and a China-Arab Community with a shared future in the new era;

    EXPLORING cooperation in preventing and combating transnational crime, cybercrime, counter-terrorism and extremism;

    The Leaders expressed grave concerns over the developments in the Middle East and agreed on the following:

    — Condemn all attacks against civilians and call for a durable ceasefire and for all concerned parties to ensure the most effective and efficient access for humanitarian aid, and relief supplies and other basic necessities and essential services, as well as the restoration of electricity and water, and allow the unhindered delivery of fuel, food and medicine throughout Gaza;

    — Call on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, refrain from targeting them and to abide by international humanitarian law, particularly the principles and provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949;

    — Acknowledge the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on 19 July 2024, which is of the opinion, among others, that the UN, and especially the General Assembly, which requested this opinion, and the Security Council, should consider the precise modalities and further action required to bring to an end as rapidly as possible the unlawful presence of the State of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory;

    — Support the ongoing efforts to release all hostages and those under arbitrary detention;

    — Urge all parties concerned to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict with a view to realizing the two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders; in accordance with international law and the relevant UN Security Council (UNSC) and UN General Assembly resolutions, including UNGA resolution A/RES/ES-10/23 on the Admission on New Members to the UN dated 10 May 2024;

    — Support the efforts of the global alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution, and note the initiatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in cooperation with the Kingdom of Norway and the European Union towards realizing an independent Palestinian state;

    — Recognized Qatar’s mediation efforts to reach ceasefire and facilitate aid delivery and China’s efforts towards Palestinian internal reconciliation, particularly its role in facilitating the signing of the Beijing Declaration on Ending Division and Strengthening Palestinian National Unity by Palestinian factions in July 2024 in Beijing;

    — Welcome the Resolution of the UN General Assembly adopted on 11 December 2024, in which the General Assembly, inter alia, called for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and called upon all parties to enable the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to carry out its mandate, as adopted by the General Assembly, in all areas of operation with full respect for the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.

    With firm resolve, we pledged to advance the spirit of inclusivity, sustainability, resilience and equal partnership, charting a united and collective path toward a peaceful, prosperous and equitable future.

    We hereby:

    Economic Integration

    1. Decide to foster collaboration that promotes economic prosperity, resilience and sustainable development among ASEAN, China and GCC, based on mutual respect, mutual trust, and mutual benefit, and anchored on the principles of inclusivity and sustainability in engaging all interested partners.

    2. Commit to enhancing economic cooperation by leveraging the complementarities among ASEAN, China and GCC. Priority will be given to:

    (i) Reaffirming the central and indispensable role of the WTO at the core of the rules-based multilateral trading system, which provides a predictable, transparent, non-discriminatory and open global trading system;

    (ii) Exploring cooperation, including through the priority areas of the Global Development Initiative and various frameworks or initiatives by ASEAN and GCC, to facilitate the attainment of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

    (iii) Promoting free trade and welcoming the full conclusion of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Negotiations, and looking forward to its early signing and entering into force, as well as an early conclusion of the China-GCC Free Trade Agreement negotiations;

    (iv) Enhancing industrial and supply chain resilience and fostering sustainable trade practices for new economic opportunities in potential areas in emerging and future-oriented industries such as the digital and green economy and technologies;

    (v) Exploring the establishment of a regional business council to facilitate dialogue between businesses from ASEAN, China and GCC in supporting enhanced trade and investment flows and the development of regional value chains;

    (vi) Exploring regional financial cooperation, including capital markets, and financial technology among others, while empowering micro, small and medium enterprises;

    (vii) Exploring cooperation on local currency and cross-border payments;

    (viii) Taking coordinated and comprehensive actions to prevent and fight corruption.

    Connectivity

    3. Enhance connectivity through:

    (i) Promoting high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and seamless connectivity, including through the development of logistics corridors and digital platforms;

    (ii) Promoting sustainable infrastructure development in supporting interconnected and seamless economic diversification, growth and sustainability;

    (iii) Exploring further cooperation to enhance infrastructure development for seamless and efficient connectivity, including recognizing the importance of maintaining and promoting maritime safety and security, given the importance of oceans and seas as key factors in driving growth and prosperity in the respective regions.

    Energy Security and Sustainability

    4. Acknowledge the global imperative for sustainable resilience and energy transition with the aim to collaborate on:

    (i) Working together towards a sustainable, just, affordable, inclusive and orderly energy transitions in line with the Paris Agreement;

    (ii) Supporting global energy market stability and adopting a balanced approach that does not exclude energy sources but instead innovates technologies that enable emissions management and efficient use of all energy sources to facilitate sustainable economic growth for all;

    (iii) Working to diversify and secure supply chains globally in line with international best practices, including for critical energy transition minerals, and encourage resource efficiency, while respecting applicable national laws and regulations;

    (iv) Recognizing the strategic importance of our cooperation on stable, reliable, and sustainable energy markets to reduce volatility and to enhance the security of energy supply. We recall the urgent need to address climate change and stress the importance of the energy transition;

    (v) Exploring new business opportunities, including the development of clean energy;

    (vi) Enhancing knowledge exchange and collaboration on renewable energy, clean/green energy, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), biofuel, bio-LNG (liquefied natural gas), low carbon hydrogen, low carbon ammonia, and sustainable fuels, as well as energy efficiency policies, regulatory frameworks, technology and innovations consistent with the national priorities of each country;

    (vii) Strengthening training and capacity-building initiatives in areas such as nuclear safety, security and safeguards, reactor technology, nuclear and radioactive waste management, regulatory infrastructure, and civilian nuclear energy development that is guided by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards, guidance and international best practices, and advancements in and energy storage technologies to support informed decision-making and policy development for civilian nuclear energy;

    (viii) Driving the strategic development of initiatives on hydrogen and ammonia technologies, oil and LNG supply chains and infrastructure, upstream LNG projects, methane abatement and emissions reduction to support both energy security and the transition to cleaner fuels;

    (ix) Encouraging private and public sector investments and partnerships in energy infrastructure development, including subsea power cables, and cross-border transmission projects under related initiatives of ASEAN, China and GCC, to advance multilateral power trade for greater regional energy connectivity, resilience, and market integration, including through renewable energy generation and LNG terminals;

    (x) Promoting cooperation on environmental sustainability, including climate action, disaster management, biodiversity conservation, monitoring the state of the marine environment, air and soil quality, industrial inspection, and pollution control by leveraging on new technological advancements, the exchange of knowledge, scientific expertise, technology, and training and strengthening multilateralism and climate solidarity;

    (xi) Developing joint research and innovation initiatives on emerging technologies such as direct air capture, enhanced geothermal systems, and next-generation solar and wind technologies to support long-term energy sustainability and low-carbon solutions;

    (xii) Sharing of knowledge and best practices on green skills development of workforce to support just transition to renewable energy.

    Digital Transformation and Innovation

    5. Pursue opportunities in digital innovation and technology by:

    (i) Exploring a cross-regional framework to promote the digital economy, in areas such as digital trade, e-commerce, digital payment, fintech, artificial intelligence, start-ups and data security cooperation;

    (ii) Exploring partnerships in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, quantum computing, and smart cities development and advanced technological infrastructure;

    (iii) Supporting cooperation in the development of digital skills and digital literacy programmes to ensure inclusive participation in the digital age, and promoting platform work with inclusive social protection.

    Food and Agriculture

    6. Recognize the potential for cooperation in the food and agriculture sector and commit to:

    (i) Promoting sustainable agriculture, including through reducing harmful agrochemicals, promoting digitalization, advancing nature-based solutions and fostering public-private partnerships;

    (ii) Exploring cooperation in the field of halal food through the exchange of information and sharing of experiences on the basis of mutual respect for each other’s national systems, laws and policies;

    (iii) Supporting efforts to strengthen food security, nutrition and distribution, including through enhancing productivity and sustainability efforts, promoting the diversification of food sources, strengthening the quality and variety of food production, and supporting the generation and diffusion of new and sustainable technologies;

    (iv) Promoting the trade of food and agricultural products and technologies cooperation.

    People-to-People Exchange

    7. Foster greater understanding and connectivity among our peoples by:

    (i) Promoting high-quality tourism and cross-regional marketing campaigns, including culture and heritage tourism, ecotourism, and meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions tourism, among other segments, and fostering an exchange of best practices in tourism digitalization and tourism destination management;

    (ii) Promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and cultures to advance mutual understanding and friendship as well as respect for diversity and welcoming the adoption of the UN General Assembly Resolution of International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations;

    (iii) Exploring opportunities to enhance mutual understanding and friendship while fostering cultural exchanges through art, music and literature programmes, especially among youth and ethnic groups;

    (iv) Strengthening cooperation in education through the exchanges of students and educational personnel, scholarships programmes and joint research initiatives, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

    8. Implement the Joint Statement through mutually agreed activities among ASEAN, China and GCC, including through existing mechanisms such as the ASEAN-GCC, China-ASEAN and China-GCC mechanisms.

    9. Reaffirm our collective resolve to work hand-in-hand to unlock the full potential of our partnership, and to ensure that our cooperation translates into tangible benefits for our peoples and communities.

    10. Welcome the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit in Doha on 3 October 2024;

    11. Note ASEAN’s initiatives on its priority areas, such as:

    — ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future;

    — ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP);

    — The ASEAN Power Grid;

    — Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline (TAGP);

    — The Action Plan on Sustainable Agriculture in ASEAN.

    12. Note GCC’s initiatives on its priority areas, such as:

    — The Global Logistics Forum held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 12-14 October 2024;

    — The First Global Food Security Summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, 25-26 November 2024;

    — United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 2024;

    — Sustainable Development Week in Abu Dhabi, UAE, January 2025;

    — International Conference in Support of Syria 2025;

    — The International Conference on Food Security in Yemen, 27-28 October 2025;

    — United Nations Water Conference in Abu Dhabi, UAE, December 2026;

    — The Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani International Award for Excellence in Combating Corruption;

    — The establishment of the Global Water Organization in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia;

    — High-level international conference for peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue, to be co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, in June 2025;

    — Saudi Arabia’s Middle East Green Initiative.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: XRP News: Nimanode Launches $NMA Token Presale as their AI Agents Set to Transform Web3 Automation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEEDS, United Kingdom, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nimanode, which is the first full-scale platform that allows users, even non-technical ones to build, deploy, and monetize AI agents on the XRP Ledger has attracted whales in the Crypto space to the XRP Blockchain.

    With the XRP futures trading on Nasdaq, fresh momentum across the Ripple ecosystem has ignited with the accelerating institutional adoption, compliance upgrades, and smart contract innovations like hooks gaining traction. Nimanode’s Launch is positioned to capture the wave of demand for AI-powered automation on the XRP Ledger.

    The XRP-powered Nimanode has officially kicked off its presale, with strong momentum already building across the XRP community. As interest surges, early participants are positioning $NMA as one of XRPL’s most promising utility tokens with many believing it could emerge as the network’s next breakout altcoin of 2025.

    Buy $NMA Token Now

    $NMA serves as both the utility and governance token across the entire Nimanode ecosystem, unlocking features ranging from agent deployment and marketplace access to staking rewards and protocol voting.

    Key Features of Nimanode

    Zero-Code Agent Builder – Launch sophisticated AI agents without writing a line of code

    DeFi Autopilot Agent – Maximize returns as agents autonomously rebalance across XRPL yield pools.

    Risk & Compliance Agents – Monitor wallet safety, dApp risks, and jurisdictional compliance in real-time.

    Agent Marketplace – Buy, license, or monetize AI agents in a decentralized marketplace for digital work.

    Tokenomics Snapshot

    • Token Ticker: $NMA
    • Total Supply: 200,000,000
    • Presale Allocation: 90,000,000
    • Utilities: Agent deployment, licensing, staking rewards, governance, marketplace incentives

    Join $NMA Presale

    Don’t Miss Out

    The last cycle gave us DeFi protocols and NFTs. This cycle is shaping up to be about autonomous infrastructure and Nimanode is at the heart of it.

    Nimanode isn’t just another presale, but bridging a gap in the rising demand for infrastructure that blends automation, AI, and blockchain. As the first AI agent platform on XRPL, the response from the market has been overwhelmingly bullish.

    Secure your $NMA allocation now — this could be your best chance to get in early on the next major leap in XRP-powered infrastructure.

    Join Presale Now

    Connect with Nimanode

    Website: https://nimanode.com

    Twitter/X: https://x.com/nimanodeai

    Telegram: https://t.me/nimanodeAI

    Whitepaper: https://docs.nimanode.com

    Contact:
    Nick Lambert
    contact@nimanode.com

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

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/12db745f-7e4e-497f-8b4d-60dcaabce7a5

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNECE and ESCAP Convene Regional Stakeholder Consultations on Energy Connectivity in Central Asia

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    As part of the joint Programme on Energy Connectivity in Central Asia and the Caucasus, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) hosted regional stakeholder consultations in Astana, Kazakhstan, to explore pathways for financing enhanced energy connectivity in Central Asia. 

    Held in a hybrid format on the margins of the Astana International Forum (AIF), the consultations gathered more than 50 policymakers and energy experts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to discuss achievements made to date within the programme and to examine strategies for strengthening regional energy integration, improving system resilience, and advancing low-carbon transitions. It featured discussions on financing cross-border infrastructure, implications of fossil fuel subsidies and carbon pricing, the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and the impact of water availability on energy transition in Central Asia. 

    Preliminary programme findings suggest that improved energy connectivity in the region could yield up to USD 1.4 billion in annual electricity production savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 3% per year by 2050.  

    “As emphasized by ESCAP’s Regional Road Map on Power System Connectivity, regional energy connectivity with a focus on power grids is key strategy for advancing energy sustainability and security” emphasised Hongpeng Liu, Director of Energy Division ESCAP.   

    “Deeper integration of energy systems has clear economic and environmental benefits for Central Asian countries. Add to this a matter of energy security and greater opportunities for economic growth – and you will get an important piece of the energy transition puzzle which we will encourage our member States to adopt in their national and regional development strategies focusing on unlocking investments for renewables and cross-border infrastructure,” says Dario Liguti, Director of the UNECE Sustainable Energy Division. 

    The event built on two ongoing projects under the UN Development Account and with the support of the GIZ on behalf of the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV). This joint UNECE-ESCAP initiative forms part of broader efforts under the cross-Regional Commissions’ work to enhance energy security and resilience through regional integration, technical cooperation, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: BEST CRYPTO TO BUY NOW: Kaanch Network Nears Exchange Listing as Presale Stage 6 Heats Up

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Final Call at $0.32 Before Price Doubles to $0.64

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The crypto presale scene is packed — but few projects are moving with the momentum and delivery of Kaanch Network. Stage 6 of the presale is now live at $0.32, and with over $1.31M raised and an exchange listing expected by June, this may be your last opportunity to buy before the public market launch.

    Current Price: $0.32
    Next Stage Price: $0.64
    Fixed Token Supply: 58 Million
    Over $1.3M Already Raised
    Listing Imminent — June Timeline
    Exchange Teaser from BitMart

    Why Kaanch Is Leading the Pack

    This isn’t influencer hype. Kaanch Network is delivering real infrastructure, already live:

    • 1.4 million transactions per second
    • 0.8-second finality
    • 3,600-node validator network
    • Cross-chain compatibility with Ethereum, Solana, BNB
    • .knch domain system for decentralized identity
    • Live staking during presale with up to 30% APY

    While others are still drafting whitepapers, Kaanch is already building.

    Why Stage 6 May Be Your Last Window

    Stage 5 sold out. Stage 6 is moving fast. When it ends:

    • Token price doubles to $0.64
    • Exchange listing opens public access
    • Demand spikes with staking, governance, validator onboarding
    • Presale-exclusive benefits disappear

    With a fixed 58M supply, the entry price matters and $0.32 could be the last floor before full market exposure.

    Infrastructure That’s Already Working

    While most projects launch on hope and hype, Kaanch Network is launching on code and credibility. This is a Layer 1 blockchain already processing transactions and staking before the presale even ends.

    Secure your KNCH at $0.32 now before Stage 6 closes.

    About Kaanch Network

    Kaanch Network is a next-generation Layer 1 blockchain designed for speed, scalability, and security. Built from the ground up with real-time infrastructure.

    Contact:
    Ved Singh
    info@kaanch.com

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

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

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/788f53aa-7548-43d7-99ab-9cf1057c56aa

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b5c6060b-4378-43be-a909-189f9aa8c5f3

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC Futures Grid Bot Sets Traders on Fast-Track to Yields Under Multiple Market Conditions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has taken center stage on the crypto market with the release of the Futures Grid Bot on May 21, 2025. The new product provides users with a host of advantages and is unique as a market offering with an entry threshold as low as 10 USDT and high leverage rates for improved capital efficiency.

    The MEXC Futures Grid Bot is an advanced trading instrument that opens up entirely new opportunities for traders in terms of leveraging available assets via innovative approaches. The principle of grid trading relies on applying a fully automated strategy that lets traders set multiple equidistant buy and sell orders within a predetermined price range. The given method allows traders to generate profits based on any market sentiment and at lowered risks.

    Traders who rely on the Futures Grid Bot yield profits by taking advantage of market-induced price fluctuations. This lets traders use the Futures Grid Bot to generate profits, regardless of bull or bear markets.

    MEXC designed the Futures Grid Bot with a number of distinct advantages, which make it highly attractive to a wide range of trader audiences. Apart from the low entry threshold, the bot grants high leverage rations, uninterrupted operation, and low transaction fees.

    Among the potential users of the bot are short-sell traders, giving them effective risk dispersal in case of market falls. Leveraged traders and those seeking risk mitigation can also benefit from the Futures Grid Bot, as it can help them distribute dense orders. The automated nature of the bot makes it ideal for full-time traders, freeing them from monitoring their trades nonstop. Novice traders will find the Futures Grid Bot an excellent stepping stone into their trading careers, considering its low 10 USDT entry threshold and that the instrument automatically adjusts its parameters to suit their modes.

    The workflow of the Futures Grid Bot has been intentionally simplified and streamlined to ensure that both novice and professional traders can use its interface with minimal navigation. In order to initiate their first trade with the Futures Grid Bot, users must first determine the price range of their orders within the price range that suits their requirements. The next step is setting the trade intervals into an equidistant grid and placing buy and sell orders within each grid cell. Futures Grid Bot takes over as the final step, launching automated buy-low and sell-high orders.

    The MEXC exchange is confident that the Futures Grid Bot will prove to be a valuable addition to the platform’s ever-expanding range of products. The functionality of the bot and its ability to allow traders to generate positive yields under different market conditions makes it an attractive instrument for both novice and professional users, upping the exchange’s market status and audience inflow.

    About MEXC

    Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Serving over 40 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.

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

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

    Source

    Contact:
    Lucia Hu
    lucia.hu@mexc.com

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

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e37e5d22-879d-4ec6-8e51-f1169985ec65

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Afreximbank wins mandate as sole financial advisor for South Africa’s $1.7-billion Suiso Project

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    CAIRO, Egypt, May 28, 2025/APO Group/ —

    African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) Advisory and Capital Markets (ACMA) department has been appointed and mandated as the exclusive financial advisor to raise capital for the US$1.7-billion Suiso Project, a transformative coal-to-fertiliser facility to be developed in Kriel, Mpumalanga Province, in South Africa.

    As financial advisor, ACMA’s role will involve leveraging its network and expertise to structure and mobilise the capital required for the project’s execution.

    The Suiso Project, which aims to promote sustainable agriculture, will use cutting-edge fertiliser technology, such as air products gasification, and is expected to enhance the food security situation in the region. Sponsored by a consortium of leading energy and industrial companies committed to sustainable development and economic growth in the region, the project represents a significant investment in South Africa’s industrial agriculture sector aimed at reducing dependency on imported fertilisers.

    This appointment is a reflection of the increasing recognition of Afreximbank’s capacity and commitment to supporting large-scale projects with the potential to drive industrialisation and economic development across Africa.

    Suiso was formed recently to focus on the manufacture of ammonia and fertiliser, using a fossil-fuel gasification process. It intends to build a more resilient and sustainable fertiliser and agricultural market across Sub-Saharan Africa with more efficient fertiliser application rates and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Suiso plans to establish a blue ammonia production facility with a capacity of 2,200 tonnes per day (TPD).  This facility will produce approximately 2,600 TPD of Urea, 1,600 TPD of Ammonium Nitrate (TAN), and a low-density Ammonium Nitrate using prilling technology, with any excess ammonia being sold in bulk.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Samsung Launches One UI 8 Beta Program: The First-Generation Upgrade Starting With the New Galaxy Foldables

    Source: Samsung

    One UI 8 is coming, and early access is now available through its beta program — kicking off a new era of software intelligence that brings a true multimodal AI agent designed for various Samsung Galaxy form factors.
     
    One UI is Samsung’s integrated software platform, designed to help Galaxy devices simplify everyday routines and enhance productivity and convenience. Thanks to the mutual partnership between Samsung and Google, One UI 8 will debut on Samsung’s newest foldables this summer and will gradually expand to more Galaxy devices so users can now enjoy an enriched, more personalized mobile experience with the latest version of Android.
     
    Through open communication, Samsung and Google actively shared their respective design systems and real-time feedback with one another, accelerating software development that made One UI 8 one of the first UI platforms to adopt Android 16.
     
    In addition to being the first generation of upgrades to launch alongside new foldable devices, the launch of One UI 8 also initiates a new rhythm for Samsung’s software evolution with major UX and AI updates. You can get a first glimpse of this innovation by signing up for the beta program kicking off today, starting with the Galaxy S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra in Germany, Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.
     
     
    Personalized AI for Seamless, Natural Interactions

     
    The official rollout of One UI 8 will introduce an AI experience that will make your everyday smarter and more convenient by enhancing the AI features first introduced in the Galaxy S25 series. There are three main factors that realize this: multimodal capabilities, UX tailored to different device form factors, and personalized, proactive suggestions. Intelligent multimodality enables you to have natural, seamless communication with AI that understands what you’re looking at or watching in the moment. The updated UX is optimized for the unique form factors across the Galaxy product portfolio, boosting your everyday productivity and efficiency. One UI 8 will also recognize your context, offering personalized, proactive suggestions that support your unique daily routine. Features like Now Bar1 and Now Brief2 will deliver even more customized insights and suggestions to help you stay on top of tasks and support your daily routine, through curated AI information.
     
    This intelligent, personalized AI experience did not just come out of nowhere. It is made possible by robust security that safeguards your data. Samsung Knox Vault combines a dedicated secure processor with secure memory to isolate sensitive data from the rest of your user data and ensure that no one else can physically or remotely reach your personal information. One UI 8 also provides settings where you can choose to process data only on the device, as many of our Galaxy AI experiences use both on-device and cloud-based AI processing. With transparency and user choice at its core, One UI 8 will deliver a personalized AI experience without compromising privacy.
     
     
    Enhanced Everyday Convenience

     
    One UI 8 is not only about providing the AI experience, but also includes convenient, intuitive tools designed to make your day-to-day experiences with your mobile devices even more seamless. Auracast3 — a broadcast audio technology based on Bluetooth LE Audio4  — will support effortless audio connection via QR code scanning and sharing, allowing multiple Auracast devices5 — like Galaxy Buds3 and hearing aids — to join a shared audio stream without the hassle of a complex manual setup. Additionally, customer support at repair centers will be faster and more convenient, thanks to QR- and NFC-enabled support6 accessible right in Samsung Account. You can now register with QR or NFC without having to write any registration forms, reducing wait times and simplifying service requests.

     
    The Reminder app will be your travel supporter with more convenient and intuitive features. If you are planning a trip to New York with your family, you can manage all your reminders in one place as soon as you open the app with a UX that is easy-looking even for first-time users. You can also share a list of to-dos for your trip with the press of a button. When your hands are full of shopping bags, you can use your voice to add reminders on the go as it is voice enabled.
     
    Sharing memories with family and friends will also be easier than ever with enhanced Quick Share.7 A single tap of the Quick Share button in the Quick settings panel will let you instantly send and receive files.
     
    The future of Galaxy AI starts now. Sign up through the Samsung Members app to be among the first to experience the power of One UI 8.
     
     
    1 Availability of functions supported may vary by country and model. Some functions may require a network connection and/or Samsung Account login.
    2 Now Brief feature requires a Samsung Account login. Service availability may vary by country, language, device model or apps. Some features may require a network connection.
    3 The quality of the Auracast audio stream may vary depending on the application, network connection and other factors.
    4 Available on devices with Bluetooth 5.2 and above that support Auracast.
    5 Auracast Transmitter/Assistant supported devices: Samsung Galaxy flagship smartphones, tablets released in 2023 or later with Samsung One UI version 6.1 or above. Auracast Receiver supported devices: Galaxy Buds3, Buds3 Pro, Buds2 Pro. May require software update. Availability may vary by market and model.
    6 Available on 36 countries: U.S., Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam. Availability may vary by country. The feature availability will expand to more countries via further updates. The feature is available in limited number of repair shops, and will be expanded further afterwards. Available on with Android 10 or above, NFC availability may vary by device, Samsung Account app is available on devices with Android 10 or above. Availability may vary by NFC Memory support availability.
    7 Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi connection are both required for Quick Share. Number of devices Quick Share can share to at the same time may vary depending on the Wi-Fi chip hardware of the sharing device. Actual speed may vary depending on device, network condition and user environment.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow hospitals to present cutting-edge medical technologies for the first time at international conference in Skolkovo

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On May 29–30, at the Skolkovo Innovation Center, as part of the largest technology conference, Startup Village, the stand “Created by Moscow Doctors” will be presented for the first time. Here, you can get acquainted with the latest medical technologies developed by Moscow clinics together with the country’s leading scientific organizations. This was reported by Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development.

    “Moscow invests significant resources in the development of medicine, and we strive to become one of the world leaders in the implementation of innovative technologies in clinical practice. We are building an ecosystem in which doctors and scientists jointly develop technologies that can change the approach to diagnostics and treatment. Many of them are already being tested in city hospitals and are yielding results. In order to introduce visitors and other participants of the largest international technology conference Startup Village to our developments, we will present the stand “Created by Moscow doctors” for the first time. This is an exposition of the latest medical inventions of Moscow clinics, created in cooperation with the leading scientific organizations of the country. The stand will present more than 20 medical innovative technologies, including those that have no analogues in the world. Visitors will be able to personally test the developments, undergo interactive express checkups and receive specialist consultations,” said Anastasia Rakova.

    According to her, in the area of stands with medical developments, guests will be able to learn about innovative technologies that have been created and tested in Moscow clinics. Among them, for example, is a minimally invasive method of stabilizing the lumbar spine using domestic implants and installation tools. It allows to reduce the rehabilitation period from six months to six weeks. And the technology of 3D bioprinting of individual implants for restoration of the eardrum ensures almost 100% return of hearing, and also reduces the duration of hospitalization and surgery by half.

    Moscow to Speed Up Testing of AI Services in Medicine Thanks to New Developments

    In the interactive check-up area, it will be possible to undergo express examinations in various areas of preventive medicine. For example, this includes diagnostics of skin diseases, including screening for malignant neoplasms using artificial intelligence, which ensures the accuracy of their detection up to 95 percent. Visitors will also be able to receive an assessment of their cognitive and psycho-emotional state using testing and analysis of personalized metabolic parameters, as well as an express assessment of the biological age of the body. In addition, testing of the likelihood of developing mental illnesses, including depression and bipolar disorder, will be available.

    Participants will be offered an innovative ambulance interior, developed jointly with Moscow ambulance specialists. The space has become larger: doctors can now stand upright, and the swivel-folding chairs and a well-thought-out patented fastening system provide access to the patient from any side.

    The exhibition will also feature other advanced solutions developed by Moscow specialists. All of them were created within the framework of the grant program of the Mayor of Moscow with the support of the Moscow Center for Innovative Technologies in Healthcare.

    The Startup Village conference is held as part of Moscow Entrepreneurship Week. Participation is free, but pre-registration is required on the website.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channel Moscow cities

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154451073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Microsoft joins India’s Yotta Data Services to boost AI innovation in country

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Microsoft and Yotta Data Services, India’s leading sovereign cloud infrastructure and platform services provider, on Wednesday partnered to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in India.

    The partnership enables Microsoft and Yotta to engage with IndiaAI Mission participants, government agencies, IITs, startups, enterprises, and software development companies to leapfrog AI innovation.

    Microsoft said it would bring its AzureAI services to Shakti Cloud, Yotta’s AI cloud platform, to offer cutting-edge AI capabilities to developers, startups, enterprises, and public sector organisations across India.

    “Our partnership with Yotta to power Shakti Cloud will help unlock AI innovation at scale. Microsoft is honoured to play its part in helping the country realise its AI ambitions through innovation that reflect India’s unique needs and priorities,” said Puneet Chandok, President, Microsoft India and South Asia.

    India is already among the top global markets on AI adoption and return on investment. Together with Yotta, we will continue to help India become an AI-first nation, securely and responsibly, he added.

    As of May, IndiaAI Mission has received over 500 proposals for developing indigenous AI models.

    Shakti Cloud customers will benefit from a rich ecosystem and vast catalogue of foundational LLMs and SLMs available on Azure AI Foundry to develop, deploy and scale at the speed of AI.

    Built-in safety tools, content filters, groundedness detection, and copyright protection will empower organisations to build and scale AI responsibly. As a global provider of software, infrastructure, and cloud services, Microsoft runs on trust and enables trustworthy AI by prioritising security, privacy, and safety.

    “This partnership is a key step forward towards India’s AI self-reliance and digital transformation, and we are excited to be able to support Indian enterprises in their journey towards AI excellence with a full gamut of offerings,” said Sunil Gupta, Co-founder, CEO and Managing Director, Yotta Data Services.

    The combined strength of Microsoft’s services backed by Yotta’s infrastructure gives access to some of the best capabilities to support AI development in the country.

    “It will make cutting-edge AI capabilities accessible for Indian enterprises of all sizes and give a huge boost to driving the nation’s AI ambitions,” Gupta noted.

    In January this year, Microsoft chairman and CEO Satya Nadella announced a collaboration with IndiaAI, a division of Digital India Corporation, to advance AI and emerging technologies in the country, and established AI Centre of Excellence and AI Productivity Labs to foster inclusive growth.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CEPU bridges research-policy divide

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government announced today the reappointment of 59 members of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU) Expert Group.

    Among those reappointed is Prof Naubahar Sharif, Head and Professor of the Division of Public Policy at the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST).

    Prof Sharif hailed the CEPU’s engagement as “extremely valuable” in bridging research and policy-making, highlighting that it helps researchers to understand the requirements of Hong Kong society at large.

    For his part, CEPU Head Stephen Wong cited a visit by the CEPU to HKUST’s Institute of Public Policy as an example of the body’s mission to engage with university professors and think tanks striving to convert basic research into outcomes with real societal impact.

    Prof Sharif echoed Mr Wong’s perspective, stressing that it can be difficult for the research community to understand the broader requirements of Hong Kong society without the bridging role performed by the CEPU.

    He added that this interaction gives all parties an understanding of the level at which the CEPU operates, its vision for strategic long-term policy-making, and how researchers should pitch their work to generate greater impact for Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and the country as a whole.

    “Without such direction, I think we are doing great work, but that great work may be a little bit unmoored.”

    The CEPU oversees two funding schemes to support public policy research and knowledge transfer. These are the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) and the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (SPPRFS).

    Mr Wong praised Prof Sharif’s contributions as a reviewer and his participation in round-table discussions at meetings to kick off or conclude projects under both schemes.

    Prof Sharif outlined that he sees his role as a reviewer as being about upholding the high integrity of the process and the scientific quality of proposals, in addition to maintaining the utmost impartiality and objectivity. He added that the biggest contribution made by the project meetings is that they bring the projects to life, enabling a qualitative understanding both of the variety of stakeholders and the depth of impact involved.

    “If we did not have those sessions, we would only know about the PPRFS and the SPPRFS from the websites.”

    Meanwhile, “Fireside Chat with CEPU Experts” facilitates thematic discussions. Calling these a highlight, Prof Sharif explained that they foster dynamic exchanges among high-level stakeholders.

    Mr Wong revealed that the topics covered in fireside chats to date have included educational reform in Hong Kong and the future of China’s economy, while the next one will focus on artificial intelligence.

    Prof Sharif elaborated that these sessions create a spark among experts across different fields, allowing legislators, policy-makers, academics and industry participants to interact and collaborate.

    “You are bringing together such high-powered individuals and so much intellectual firepower into the same room for one and a half hours or two hours that it is a really powerful process.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LegCo Secretariat releases Policy Pulse on “Northern Metropolis-building a new international innovation and technology city”

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LegCo Secretariat releases Policy Pulse on “Northern Metropolis-building a new international innovation and technology city” 
         The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, will attend an Interactive Exchange Question and Answer Session at LegCo tomorrow (May 29) to discuss with Members topics including ways to accelerate the development of NM. Members have long attached great importance to NM’s development, and the Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Development of the Northern Metropolis was set up in April 2022 to put forward a number of specific proposals. These include the suggestion of a mode of “large-scale land disposal” which the Government adopted to identify sizeable land parcels with commercial value and earmarked for provision of public facilities, and grant them to successful bidders for integrated development. This approach not only speeds up the development of the land parcels and enables co-ordinated urban design, but also reduces public expenditures.
     
         NM spans 30 000 hectares, covering approximately one-third of Hong Kong’s total area. It encompasses the Yuen Long and North districts and borders Shenzhen with seven land boundary control points. This area is a major hub for Hong Kong to integrate into the overall national development and a new engine for the city’s future growth. It is projected to approximately provide 500 000 additional residential units and create around 650 000 new jobs upon full development.
     
         The National 14th Five-Year Plan indicated clear support for Hong Kong’s development into an international I&T centre. Under a new industry pattern of “South-North dual engine (finance-I&T)”, NM will develop into a “new international I&T city” to further promote co-ordinated development of I&T industries among Hong Kong and cities in the Greater Bay Area. The I&T Zone of NM encompasses the San Tin Technopole and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP), as well as the Ngau Tam Mei New Development Area.
     
         The Policy Pulse outlines the strategic planning and development progress of NM’s I&T Zone, along with measures to enhance complementary collaboration with the Mainland. The Hetao Co-operation Zone—which comprises HSITP (Hong Kong Park) and the Shenzhen Park—is jointly established under the vision of “one river, two banks” and “one zone, two parks” and enjoys unique advantages in cross-boundary co-operation. HSITP will be made up of different zones which mainly include Life and Health Technology zone, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science zone and New Technology and Advanced Manufacturing zone. With the first batch of tenants expected to move in starting this year, HSITP will officially enter into its operational phase.
     
         The Government estimates that upon its full-fledged development, HSITP’s economic contribution to Hong Kong will reach HK$52 billion per annum. Under the framework of “one country, two systems”, Members consider that the Government should optimise the advantages of the Loop in cross-boundary co-operation and explore forward-looking policies and systems in frontier fields such as cross-boundary data flow, intellectual property protection and fintech innovation. Members also suggest that the Government should actively develop a “base for pilot-scale test” in HSITP. Additionally, Members are of the view that the Government should proactively seek innovation and changes by introducing more preferential policies in respect of land supply, dedicated funding, tax deductions, etc., in order to attract more international capital and major I&T enterprises to establish their foothold in HSITP. The Government should also enhance inter-bureau and inter-departmental co-ordination to expedite the implementation of land development and transport infrastructure projects in HSITP. Moreover, in order to enhance the training of I&T talent and promote “research, academia and industry” collaboration, Members suggest that the Government should develop NM University Town into a research and development as well as technology transfer hub to support the area, while encouraging post-secondary institutions to strengthen co-operation with renowned Mainland and overseas institutions, and creating synergy through sharing resources and enhancing collaboration with industries in the area.
     
         The detailed content of “Northern Metropolis-building a new international innovation and technology city” is available on the LegCo Website. The Policy PulseIssued at HKT 15:45

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: SQM Reports Earnings for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Highlights
    • SQM reported total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2025 of US$1,036.6 million compared to total revenues of US$1,084.5 million for the same period last year.
    • Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 of US$137.5 million or US$0.48 per share, compared to net loss(1) of US$(869.5) million or US$(3.04) per share for the same period last year.
    • Record-high iodine sales price
    • Record first-quarter lithium sales volumes reflect strong market demand
    SQM will hold a conference call to discuss these results on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 12:00pm EDT (12:00pm Chile time).
    Participant Call link: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI6159b9c8909e448cb6684738c5d43086
    Webcast: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/kosehsfr

    SANTIAGO, Chile, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) (NYSE: SQM; Santiago Stock Exchange: SQM-B, SQM-A) reported today net income for the three months ended March 31, 2025, of US$137.5 million or US$0.48 per share, compared to a loss1 of US$(869.5) million or US$(3.04) per share reported for the same period last year.

    Gross profit(2) reached US$304.7 million (29.4% of revenues) for the three months ended March 31, 2025, lower than US$368.5 million (34.0% of revenues) recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Revenues totaled US$1,036.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, representing a decrease of 4.4% compared to US$1,084.5 million reported for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

    SQM’s Chief Executive Officer, Ricardo Ramos, stated, “We closed the first quarter with strong growth—approximately 27% year-on-year—in lithium sales volumes. This is a reflection of the strong demand growth seen during the past few months, driven by the electric vehicle market, particularly in China, along with new demand coming from energy storage systems. Despite the fact that average prices reported during the first quarter 2025 were similar to those reported at the end of last year, we have seen lower prices during the past few weeks, as consequence of a continuously oversupplied market. Therefore, we expect lower realized prices in the second quarter of 2025.”

    He continued: “On the production side, things are evolving as expected. The commissioning of the Mount Holland refinery plant is on track to deliver first product in the upcoming months, meanwhile we are actively selling spodumene concentrate in the market. In Chile we continue working to reach a total capacity of 240,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate and 100,000 metric tons of lithium hydroxide. All of this while we continue to process lithium sulfate in China.”

    Mr. Ramos added: “We are very pleased with the performance of our iodine business. We continue to see steady market growth, driven by strong demand that is putting upward pressure on prices. However, global supply remains limited, and we expect demand to grow by 1% to 2% annually. In this context, we anticipate maintaining stable sales volumes while prices remain at elevated levels. Construction of our seawater pipeline is moving full steam ahead and will be key to unlocking additional production capacity in the coming years, in the meantime, we are focused on improving operational efficiencies to better respond to market needs2.”

    ___________________________
    1 Includes the net effect of accounting adjustments for payments related to the specific mining tax for lithium exploitation as of March 31, 2024, for a total amount of US$1,097.6 million. See more in section Income Tax Expenses, below in the document.
    2 To see full press release please visit our website: https://ir.sqm.com/

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: GUU engineers created an AI logistician

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    At the VII All-Russian scientific and practical conference “Digital transformation of management: problems and solutions” held in April at the State University of Management, young scientists from the Center for Management of Engineering Projects of the State University of Management presented a promising development of an innovative hybrid decision support system (DSS) in logistics.

    GUU postgraduate students Nikita Akinshin and Vladimir Kutkov drew attention to the lack of efficiency of DSS used in logistics and developed their own solution that combines the power of a cascade of specialized machine learning (ML) models with the interpretive capabilities of large language models (LLM).

    Modern logistics is characterized by huge volumes of heterogeneous data, high demand uncertainty, and the need to coordinate multiple participants in real time. Traditional analytical tools are ineffective in highly dynamic situations and are based on static models. The results of analysis of advanced machine learning models are difficult to interpret and require highly qualified employees. Large language models are incapable of accurate calculations, lack industry logic, and can make unreliable conclusions.

    The key element of the new decision support system (DSS) is a multi-level architecture that combines all the capabilities of new technologies. This structure is implemented for the first time, although its individual components are already being used in real market conditions.

    At the first level, a cascade of several specialized ML models analyzes operational, logistics and economic data – from demand and arrival time forecasting to route optimization and cost assessment.

    At the second level, a meta-model is connected – a kind of analytical brain of the system, which collects the conclusions of all ML components obtained at the first level, analyzes the relationships and dependencies, identifies bottlenecks, assesses risks and forms a complex request (prompt) for the LLM model.

    At the third level of LLM, having received this “smart” prompt and interacting with infographics on BI platforms to obtain visualizations, synthesizes a deep, yet human-readable analytical report.

    As a result, information graphs are displayed on the screen with an assessment of the current state of affairs for the task under consideration and options for increasing the efficiency of its solution.

    This approach allows companies to quickly obtain a comprehensive picture, and employees to understand complex dependencies without having to delve into the technical details of how ML algorithms work and make timely, informed management decisions.

    “The meta-model is the highlight of our development. It acts as an experienced logistics analyst who first understands the situation, identifies all the interrelations, and only then formulates the task for LLM so that it can generate a truly useful, meaningful report for the employee,” explains Nikita Akinshin.

    It is also important that the new hybrid decision support model can perform tasks at all management levels, i.e. take on the roles of different employees of logistics companies. Mechanics and suppliers will receive reports on the technical condition of the transport fleet, middle managers will be able to build optimal routes, and managers will be able to more accurately forecast annual revenue.

    “After receiving information from the DSS, further decisions will be made by employees, while the system’s analytics are advisory in nature. But in the near future, from 3 to 5 years, the decision-making process may also become automated. It is only necessary to settle moral and ethical issues and regulate the legal framework,” says Vladimir Kutkov.

    The development of the employees of the engineering center of the State University of Management can be used not only in logistics, but also adapted for other sectors of the economy.

    A scientific publication with a detailed description of the development is currently being prepared for release.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s new law targets private sector growth through stronger financial support

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    People work in the filling workshop of the Global Intelligent Manufacturing Industrial Park of Yili Modern Intelligent Health Valley in Tumd Left Banner in Hohhot, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s newly enacted Private Sector Promotion Law has drawn significant attention for introducing a range of financial support mechanisms designed to bolster private businesses.

    The legislation, which took effect on May 20, 2025, aims to address long-standing financing challenges faced by private enterprises and promote high-quality economic development.

    Expanding financing channels

    The Private Sector Promotion Law explicitly encourages private businesses to diversify their financing channels. By supporting the development of a multi-layered capital market, the law makes it easier for private companies to raise money directly, for example, by issuing stocks or bonds.

    Some local governments are already introducing new financing tools. Jiangsu province, for instance, has launched the “Private Credit Loan,” which breaks through traditional loan limits and offers more flexible financing options for private businesses.

    Specifically, Jiangsu’s loan breaks through the previous loan ceiling of 10 million yuan ($1.3 million), with the maximum amount now reaching up to 30 million yuan. The funding usage term has also been extended to a maximum of three years, and for project-based financing, it can be extended to 10 years — far longer than the traditional corporate loan practice of annual review within a one-year term.

    Optimizing credit policies

    The law also requires relevant State Council departments to use monetary policy tools and macro-credit policies to encourage financial institutions to provide more inclusive financial services to private businesses. Measures include setting reasonable tolerance levels for non-performing loans, improving the due diligence and liability exemption mechanisms, and enhancing professional service capabilities.

    The National Financial Regulatory Administration has also called for optimizing credit supply policies, directing financial institutions to offer more targeted financial services to private enterprises.

    Innovating financial products and services

    The law encourages financial institutions to create products and services tailored to the specific needs of private businesses. This includes innovative financing methods such as accounts receivable financing, warehouse receipt financing, equity financing, and intellectual property financing.

    For example, Chongqing has promoted IP financing to help small- and medium-sized technology firms access funding. When Zhongke Guangzhi (Chongqing) Technology Co., Ltd. faced financing challenges, the Chongqing Intellectual Property Operation Center arranged an IP pledge loan.

    By using the company’s core patents as collateral, and combining this with a credit assessment, the center helped the company secure a 5 million yuan loan. Across China, financial institutions are also using big data and artificial intelligence to develop new service models, aiming to make financial services more efficient and better suited to the needs of private enterprises.

    Strengthening financing guarantee functions

    The Private Sector Promotion Law aims to establish a comprehensive risk-sharing system for private enterprise financing, supporting collaboration between financial institutions and guarantee providers. The National Financial Regulatory Administration, together with the Ministry of Finance, is promoting the creation of a nationwide government-backed guarantee system to offer low-cost financing guarantees for small and micro businesses.

    Establishing information-sharing mechanisms

    The law also calls for the development of a robust credit information collection and sharing mechanism, encouraging credit reporting agencies and rating institutions to serve private enterprises. This measure is designed to reduce information gaps between lenders and private businesses, lowering lending risks.

    In short, the Private Sector Promotion Law introduces a broad range of financial support policies to make financing more accessible and equitable for private companies. These initiatives are expected to ease funding challenges, unlock innovation, and drive high-quality economic development in China.

    Luo Weijie is an associate professor in economics at Beijing International Studies University.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fencing test event set

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Challenge Cups Fencing Championships, which is also the 15th National Games (NG) Fencing test event, will be held at Kai Tak Arena, Kai Tak Sports Park this Saturday and Sunday.

     

    With more than 500 athletes participating, the event features open and veteran divisions. The épée competition will be staged on the first day, while the foil and sabre competitions will be held on the next day.

     

    The competition event will start at 9am on both days. Tickets are distributed to people through the Fencing Association of Hong Kong, China. Members of the public may register for tickets online from 9am tomorrow while stocks last.

     

    Moreover, a small number of tickets have been reserved for on-site distribution at the entrance on level UG of Kai Tak Arena at 9am or 2.30pm on the event days for admission.

     

    Radio Television Hong Kong will provide live broadcasts of parts of the events via RTHK TV 32 and webcast.

    Click here for more details

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –