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Category: Machine Learning

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Yuri Trutnev held a meeting of the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Russian-Chinese Commission on Cooperation and Development of the Russian Far East and the Northeast of China

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Yuri Trutnev held a meeting of the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Russian-Chinese Commission on Cooperation and Development of the Russian Far East and the Northeast of China

    May 20, 2025

    Yuri Trutnev held a meeting of the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Russian-Chinese Commission on Cooperation and Development of the Russian Far East and the Northeast of China

    May 20, 2025

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    Yuri Trutnev held a meeting of the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Russian-Chinese Commission on Cooperation and Development of the Russian Far East and the Northeast of China

    A meeting of the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Russian-Chinese Commission on Cooperation and Development of the Russian Far East and the Northeast of the People’s Republic of China was held in Moscow. The Russian part of the commission is headed by Deputy Prime Minister – Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev. The head of the Chinese part of the commission is Vice Chairman of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Zhang Guoqing.

    “Our meeting is taking place immediately after an important political event – the official visit of the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping to Russia and his participation in the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The leaders of our countries confirmed their course to strengthen good-neighborliness and cooperation. In late August – early September, Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin plans to visit China to participate in the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the celebrations of the anniversary of the victory over Japan and the end of World War II. Relations between Russia and China are an important stabilizing factor in global politics and economics. I am confident that the work of our commission as one of the bridges of cooperation between Russia and China is of particular importance today. In recent years, our countries have faced unprecedented challenges, destabilization of international relations and the global economy. At the same time, Russian-Chinese ties continue to strengthen. In 2024, mutual trade turnover once again set a record, reaching almost 245 billion US dollars. “I am confident that our meeting today will contribute to the implementation of the agreements of the heads of state and government, primarily in the development of cooperation between the Russian Far East and Northeast China,” Yuri Trutnev opened the meeting.

    “In recent years, under the strategic leadership of the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping and the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, Sino-Russian relations reached the highest level in their history and have become the standard of cooperation between world powers and neighboring countries. Our leaders set a course and direction for our further interaction, sent the whole world a clear signal about the stable and healthy development of Sino-Russian relations at a high level, which introduced stability and positive to a complex international situation. The key task of today’s meeting is to implement agreements between our leaders and conduct appropriate preparations for the upcoming meeting between them, as well as for regular meetings of the heads of government. Currently, individual countries under various pretexts abuse tariff measures, which grossly violating the laws, rights and interests of other states and seriously contradicts the Rules of the WTO, damages the multilateral trading system, undermines the stability of the global economic order. Such actions have a negative impact on the world supplies and production chains. In these conditions, it is important for us to consistently deepen cooperation in all areas, including the interaction of the north-east of the People’s Republic of China and the Far East of the Russian Federation in order to make an even greater contribution to the development of our countries, ”said Zhang Gotsin.

    The results and promising areas of joint work in the Russian Far East and the North-East of the People’s Republic of China were discussed. Over 6 years (from 2018 to 2023), the trade turnover of the Russian Far East with the People’s Republic of China increased by almost 2.5 times and exceeded 1.9 trillion rubles in 2023.

    In the territories of advanced development and in the free port of Vladivostok, 65 investment projects with a total investment volume of 1 trillion rubles are being implemented with the participation of Chinese capital. Projects with the participation of Chinese companies in the total investment volume in the Far East make up 10%. In a number of large projects, Chinese companies are technological partners, carry out work on the construction of new enterprises, and participate in start-up work.

    Work on the creation of a new preferential regime – an international territory of advanced development – is being completed. The regime was developed in cooperation with representatives of China and other countries. The draft law on international territories of advanced development was adopted in the first reading by the State Duma of the Russian Federation. The regime will be created by the end of this year. Chinese companies are showing interest in interaction within the new legal framework. Five companies from China have already applied as residents.

    The development of transport infrastructure was discussed. In 2024, the volume of bilateral foreign trade cargo transportation through border crossings and seaports of Russia and China increased by 9% to almost 176 million tons. In 2024, land checkpoints on the border with China increased cargo turnover from 40.4 to 45.9 million tons. A significant contribution to the growth was made by the opening of two new bridge crossings in 2022: Blagoveshchensk – Heihe and Nizhneleninskoye – Tongjiang. In 2024, 6.2 million tons of cargo were transported through them.

    The construction of a bridge in the area of the settlements of Jalinda (Russia) and Mohe (China) can contribute to the increase in freight traffic. Amur Region and Heilongjiang Province have formed a promising freight base. The location of the bridge has been agreed upon. On the Russian side, key participants in the project and the main technical parameters have been determined.

    The Russian side invited Chinese partners to further develop the Northern Sea Route. In 2024, the number of voyages carried out by Chinese companies in the NSR waters doubled and amounted to 14 voyages.

    On the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, a project to create an innovative scientific and technological center on Russky Island is being implemented. Research and development centers in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biomedicine, marine engineering, artificial intelligence and big data are being created. The construction of a pilot building is nearing completion. Chinese organizations and departments, representatives of scientific communities have been invited to participate in the implementation of joint projects in these areas.

    “This September, the anniversary, tenth Eastern Economic Forum will be held in Vladivostok with the participation of the President of the Russian Federation. This event is invariably an important platform for developing cooperation with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. China is traditionally one of the main guests of the Eastern Economic Forum. We invite our Chinese colleagues to take part in the work of the tenth Eastern Economic Forum in September this year,” said Yuri Trutnev.

    Summing up the meeting, Yuri Trutnev once again emphasized: “The Russian government is open to dialogue and is ready to provide support to Chinese partners in the Far East.”

     

    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 USA: Chairman Wicker Leads SASC Hearing on the Department of the Air Force’s Posture and Readiness

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
    Watch Video Here 
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today led a hearing on the Department of the Air Force’s posture within the current threat environment. During the hearing, the committee received testimony from the service’s leadership on the challenges they face and what may be needed to better address threats on the horizon.
    In his opening remarks, Chairman Wicker emphasized the need to ensure long-term readiness and superiority through fighter aircraft such as the F-15E, as well as the necessity of modernizing our nuclear capabilities.
    Read Senator Wicker’s hearing opening statement as delivered.
    Good morning. I begin with a common refrain: The United States faces its most dangerous threat environment since World War II. However, though many of our national security challenges mirror the 1930s, warfare looks much different today. Technological advances in artificial intelligence, hypersonic strike weapons, sixth-generation aircraft, and space-based weapons are transforming the nature of modern conflict. The Department of the Air Force is on the front lines of these changes.  Today we will hear from three representatives of that service.  We welcome Secretary Troy Meink, General Chance Saltzman, and General David Allvin. I thank all of them for being here and for their continued service to our nation.
    The committee understands that the Fiscal Year 2026 President’s Budget is not yet complete, and we are therefore aware that the three witnesses before us do not have the full budget picture. That being said, their testimony is still vital. It will help us consider how to support the mission of the Air Force and the Space Force, which is to be lethal and “ready to fight tonight,” as the slogan goes.
    One of our most pressing responsibilities is to ensure the long-term readiness and modernization of the Air Force. In the event of war, we need not only capability but also capacity. If we go to war in 2027, we will fight with the Air Force we have today, which is a mix of fourth-generation fighters, such as the F-15E and F-16, and fifth-generation fighters the F-22 and F-35. We need more fighter aircraft now, and we are working along with our colleagues in the House, Chairman Rogers, to keep the F-15EX line open through our reconciliation bill.
    Even as we plan for future systems, we must address the state of today’s fleet. The mission capability rates across many Air Force platforms remain unacceptably low. Some platform fleets are frequently less than 50 percent mission capable – and we’ll have questions about that. The F-35 fleet is available a mere 54 percent of the time. This is not just a maintenance issue.  It is a readiness issue, and it impacts our ability to deter adversaries and respond when necessary. Taxpayers are investing billions of dollars to support these aircraft, and our airmen, and our citizens, deserve higher readiness levels to defend our national interests. I expect our witnesses to provide a frank assessment of what is driving these poor rates and, more importantly, what is being done to reverse the trend.
    The Air Force also plays a key role in modernizing our nuclear forces. The service is responsible for two legs of the nuclear triad as well as a majority of the U.S. nuclear command, control, and communications system. These programs must stay on schedule to deliver the essential capabilities we need to deter nuclear threats. We cannot afford to allow these programs to flounder because of a lack of leadership and prioritization. This committee expects accountability among program managers and transparency with Congress to ensure we can modernize effectively, and I think this panel shares that sentiment. I look forward to hearing our witnesses explain how the Air Force manages these risks while preserving strategic stability.
    The U.S. Space Force has grown significantly in the last five years. That trend should continue, because our threats are growing as well.  Maintaining space superiority is a no-fail mission. Increased investment in this young service is absolutely vital.
    We also must invest in the facilities that support our service members. In the 2025 NDAA, this committee unanimously adopted a provision that requires the services to maintain a minimum four percent plant replacement value for infrastructure. That provision survived conference and was signed into law by the president. It is the law of the land. Let me say this again. This is the law of the land, and senior leaders should set the example to the Force by following the law – a law that was created, I must point out, because the services had long ignored this problem.
    We cannot make progress on any of these issues without those who wear the uniform and support the mission every day. Our airmen, guardians, and civilians are our greatest asset. Recruiting and retention continue to be major challenges, and we need to remain focused on supporting service members and their families with the resources, care, and career opportunities they deserve.
    I look forward to the hearing, and testimony from each of our witnesses about how they intend to ensure the Department of the Air Force has what it needs to meet today’s challenges, maintain our superiority in air and space, and prepare for the threats we face on the horizon.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King Touts “MAINEiacs” Contribution to National Defense

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), in a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), received commitment from General David Allvin, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, to support the KC-46 tanker program and remain focused on military readiness and availability. Last fall, it was announced that Bangor Air National Guard Base was a finalist to receive the KC-46A fueling tankers to replace the aging KC-135s. During the exchange, Senator King touted the tremendous contribution of the “MAINEiacs” to national defense, encouraged continued investment there, and reminded General Allvin of the strategic importance of Bangor Air National Guard Base and it’s refueling mission.
    “One way to help on the tanker capacity is the KC-46 which is at Bangor, affectionately known as the MAINEiacs. As you know, they provided enormous support during the Gulf War and anything on the east side of the United States, in terms of Europe, the Middle East, and it’s going to be an incredibly important capacity. They’re doing fantastically with their present fleet, but the KC-46 is the next generation. And as you pointed out yourself, tankers are the heart and soul of being able to keep our forces over the target. So, I hope that’s something on your agenda,” began Senator King.
    “Absolutely, Senator, and sort of the maniacs were on the list as part of one of the candidate locations, and the final location for preferred location will happen in the fourth quarter of this year,” replied General Allvin.
    “I appreciate that. Thank you very much,” said Senator King.
    Later in the hearing, Senator King stressed his concerns about military readiness to General Allvin, particularly regarding aircraft availability and maintenance. During their discussion, Senator King pointed out that the military operates with between 50-60% of their fleet available while commercial carriers often have more than 90% of their planes available for use.
    “General Allvin, I am concerned about availability and mission availability. You mentioned a couple of figures, 50%, 62%. The commercial air fleet is in the high 90s. Now, granted, there are more complicated systems in the military, but I believe, and this applies to the Navy as well, that we really don’t put enough emphasis on maintenance and availability. We’re talking about very expensive products here, very expensive aircraft, and if we had more of them ready to fly, we perhaps wouldn’t have to buy as many new ones. So, I see that closing that gap between 62% and 98% which is the commercial availability rate, would go a long way toward helping us with our budget and also helping us with our readiness,” said Senator King.
    “Senator, thank you for that. I would say that one of the big challenges is that the airlines have a profit model. They have a different business model, and so as they look at that, they generate their values,” responded General Allvin.
    “The difference is they have to meet a profit realization rate, and we don’t. The military doesn’t. And I think I’m just saying, surely, we can get beyond 62%,” replied Senator King.
    General Allvin agreed, “I do believe, Senator, we do need to improve. I think one of the big challenges, though, is what I was trying to address, is the KC 135 is the average one? It’s as old as me and I am no spring chicken. So, the airlines, they just throw those out because it becomes cost ineffective for them to maintain older platforms that it can still have the enough seats for passenger seats to maintain a profit. So, they’ll dump those off to the side.”
    I understand that. But do you believe that we can do better than 62%,” asked Senator King.
    I do believe we can do better, and I think it becomes more challenging the older the aircraft get, because we’re discovering new things all the time, because they’re breaking in new and different ways. Yes, Senator, we can. We can continue to do better,” finished General Allvin.
    As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Senator King has been a steadfast supporter of the armed forces, including Bangor’s 101st Air Refueling Wing. He recently secured key provisions in the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that helps protect the Maine Air National Guard — guaranteeing that as the Air Force modernizes the tanker fleet, it replaces older aircraft on a one-for-one basis — and ensure support for all branches of the military to make sure that servicemembers can continue providing best in class services to protect the ‘territory of the brave.’ 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Spotify continues to change music. What’s next – will AI musicians replace music made by humans?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra

    Spotify was started, according to its official claims, because its founders “love music and piracy was killing it”. In Mood Machine, music journalist Liz Pelly argues this is rewriting history.

    In fact, she points out, Spotify founder Daniel Ek initially patented a platform around 2006, for circulating “any kind of digital content”. Only months later did he and his co-founder decide music might be the most profitable form of content.

    Review: Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist – Liz Pelly (Hodder & Stoughton)

    Ek grew up in a working-class suburb of Stockholm. A neighbour recalled that, while still at school, Ek had set up a website-making business – and was earning more than his teachers. Rejected for a job at Google, he founded an ad-targeting business, Advertigo. After he sold it to tech entrepreneur Martin Lorentzon, the two men registered a new company: Spotify.

    ‘The Google of music’

    Spotify would allow users to find their desired piece of music quickly. Ek described it in 2009 as “essentially the Google of music”, Pelly writes. He had a “maniacal focus” on ensuring a user would get a virtually instantaneous response when they pressed play; no annoying buffering.

    Spotify launched in Europe in 2008 and in the United States in 2011. It listed on the stock market in 2018. Spotify has just recorded its first annual profit. It is valued at over US$100 billion: more than the three leading recording companies combined.

    It had 678 million users at March 2025: of them, 268 million were paying subscribers. The rest contribute to Spotify’s earnings by listening to advertisements: the so-called “freemium” model.

    Boon or bane of musicians?

    Music streaming now accounts for 84% of recorded music revenue, according to Pelly – and Spotify is the largest music streamer.

    Initially, Spotify looked like a boon to musicians, she writes. It could save music from the threat of “pirate” downloading, which gave no payments to creators. But many musicians are critical of the low payments artists get: fractions of a cent per stream.

    Spotify claims that in 2024 it paid out more than US$10 billion to the music industry. It claims nearly 1,500 artists are earning over US$1 million annually.

    Spotify pays the recording and publishing rights holders, not the singers and songwriters. How much the latter gets depends on their contracts with the record companies. The system is complicated, indirect and not that transparent.

    ‘Mixtapes still work’ – so do playlists

    Spotify gradually shifted towards playlists, to simplify the process of users selecting music. Some playlists, like “today’s top hits”, just consisted of the currently most popular songs. These are like the “top 40” format of many commercial radio stations.

    Spotify also hired music experts to compile their choice of the best new releases. The compilers of the most popular of these playlists, such as the playlist “rap caviar”, became very influential. A Spotify advertisement in 2013 made the analogy between playlists and mixtapes (as featured in Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity), claiming “mixtapes still work”.

    Spotify advertising claims ‘mixtapes still work’, referencing High Fidelity.

    Spotify also increasingly tried to increase passive listening. It introduced playlists geared to match the existing tastes of listeners and allow for how these might vary across the day. It termed this “music for every moment”: music to exercise to, background music for studying, music to help you sleep and so on. I have a playlist of songs about economics.

    Ek said in 2016: “we really want to soundtrack every moment of your life”.

    One of the parts of the book I found most intriguing was Pelly’s discussion of how this echoes a strategy developed by Thomas Edison around a century ago. He produced shellac 78 rpm records with titles such as “in moods of wistfulness” and “for more energy!”.

    In 2014, Spotify made large investments in “algorithmic personalisation”. This suggested music similar in key, tempo, time signature, acousticness, danceability, loudness, mode and energy to whatever the user was already choosing.

    This kept users “within their comfort zone (or as Spotify thought of it, their customer retention zone)”. But it meant users were much less likely to encounter new styles and artists, or broaden their musical horizons.

    Generic music and AI

    While Spotify denies it, Pelly claims Spotify commissions session musicians, playing under assumed names, to record very generic-sounding music, for playlists such as “chill instrumental beats”. Pelly gives an example of 20 songwriters using 500 names to produce thousands of tracks, streamed millions of times.

    A “looming cloud” is the prospect AI-generated music will displace human musicians and singers in Spotify’s playlists, Pelly writes. She mentions that Spotify blocked a start-up called Boomy, which released over 14.5 million AI-generated songs – and has since struck up a partnership with Warner.

    Another controversy is around Spotify’s Discovery Mode, which offers artists more promotion of their songs in exchange for accepting lower payments. But if most artists do this, the promotions cancel each other out, leaving all the artists worse off.

    How Spotify is changing music

    Pelly quotes an independent record label founder who says Spotify has changed the nature of the music being made.

    It’s not sustainable to put out challenging records […] you have to put out records that are going to get repeat listens in coffee shops […] that are going to be playlist friendly.

    This is despite some music fans saying the music they experience as “life-changing, really profound” is different from the songs they play most often.

    Songs streamed are only monetised after 30 seconds. This has created “a particular emphasis placed on perfecting song intros […] songwriters would just dive directly into the chorus”. So, no more songs with long waits for the vocals, like U2, the Temptations, Dire Straits or Pink Floyd.

    Artists who want their songs to appear on playlists need them to match a particular mood or context. This means songs increasingly “remain in a single emotional register throughout”.

    It may mean artists are less likely to release songs with marked tempo changes, such as Dexys’ Midnight Runners’ Come on Eileen (1982), Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven (1971), Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody (1975) or Franz Ferdinand’s Take Me Out (2004). There may still be much smaller tempo changes, such as Taylor Swift’s Evermore from 2020.

    Artists may now be less likely to release songs with marked tempo changes, such as Dexys’ Midnight Runners’ Come on Eileen.

    The “Spotify for artists” service provides artists with data about the streaming of their songs. A band planning a tour can see in which cities or countries they are most popular. They can even alter their set lists to include the songs particularly popular in particular areas.

    But Spotify monitors use of this facility, Pelly writes – and it is not clear how they use the data. Over time, it may encourage artists to repeat aspects of their most popular songs, rather than innovate and evolve.

    A serious look

    The book is interesting and informative, but somewhat dryer than some other recent exposes of the tech sector. Partly this is because Ek is a less colourful character than X’s Elon Musk, or Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg.


    Pelly does not provide the witty lines of tech journalist Kara Swisher’s Burn Book. She is not a gossipy former insider, like director of global public policy at Meta, Sarah Wynn-Williams.

    As an economist, I felt the book complemented sociologist Michael Walsh’s Streaming Sounds: Musical Listening in the Digital Age. Walsh describes the demand for music streaming. Pelly analyses the supply side.

    Pelly rightly describes her book as a “serious look” at Spotify. It brings together a lot of useful information about the company and raises good questions about whether it is changing the music industry – and music itself – for the better.

    The debate will continue, as AI increases its influence and artists become more concerned about their songs being “TikTok friendly”, as well as “Spotify friendly”. Perhaps there will be more songs like Steve’s Lava Chicken from A Minecraft Movie. Just 34 seconds long, it recently became the shortest song to make the UK top 40.

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

    – ref. Spotify continues to change music. What’s next – will AI musicians replace music made by humans? – https://theconversation.com/spotify-continues-to-change-music-whats-next-will-ai-musicians-replace-music-made-by-humans-253630

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: HTTPeak Launches “Lazy Admin,” an AI Solution That Saves Costs and Staff Hours, empowering business users with data insights and analysis in seconds, all via natural language

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HTTPeak introduces Lazy Admin, an AI-powered tool for Salesforce, enabling users to generate insights in seconds using natural language. This solution streamlines business operations, enhancing efficiency and decision-making, and positions HTTPeak as an emerging force in AI-driven business solutions.

    Photo Courtesy of Mustafa Parekh

    NEW YORK, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HTTPeak, a thriving software company, has recently introduced Lazy Admin, an advanced yet simple AI-powered reporting and data analysis tool designed for Salesforce and custom applications. This cutting-edge solution helps users to generate reports and insights in seconds using natural language, significantly reducing the time and effort required for data insights and getting deeper analysis.

    This solution delivers a wide range of benefits designed to drive efficiency and smarter decision-making across the organization. It helps businesses save on costs and staff hours, while delivering faster insights—enabling teams to know more in less time. Users can explore the same data from multiple perspectives within seconds, empowering them to make informed decisions with confidence.

    With built-in data protection, seamless integration capabilities with external databases beyond Salesforce, and the ability to offer API access for partner apps, the solution not only strengthens internal operations but also extends its value across the tech ecosystem. Its intuitive interface makes it a cakewalk for everyone, regardless of technical expertise. Additionally, it can be trained to understand company-specific language and workflows, acting as a personalized data assistant—offering the power of a dedicated staff member at a fraction of the cost.

    HTTPeak’s launch of Lazy Admin marks a significant milestone in the company’s mission to streamline business operations through AI-driven solutions. Mustafa Parekh, Founder of HTTPeak, notes, “Our goal with Lazy Admin is to democratize access to data insights, making it possible for anyone in the organization to analyze and understand their data without needing extensive technical expertise.”

    This approach aligns with the growing trend of AI adoption in business operations, where companies increasingly seek to leverage technology to enhance efficiency and decision-making.

    Lazy Admin is built on advanced algorithms that comprehend human language, allowing users to fetch reports and data insights quickly and efficiently. It not only organizes the data, but also helps to understand it much clearer by using a variety of visual charts. The tool supports both standard and custom Salesforce objects, enabling users to search data from leads, contacts, accounts, opportunities, and more. With the capability to get trained on the organization’s internal acronyms and business language, it enhances user interactions to feel more conversational, enabling an even more seamless and human-like experience for business users.

    For example, businesses can use Lazy Admin to analyze revenue segmented by stages or months or track cases closed by weeks, providing actionable insights that inform strategic decisions. The AI-powered Data Talk feature further enhances the analysis process by providing strategic recommendations and key takeaways, such as highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement, providing a clear understanding of current performance and future potential.

    It analyzes the overall trajectory of the business or dataset, offering strategic recommendations to optimize outcomes. Beyond just what’s visible in the data, it also considers external contributing factors—those not directly present in the dataset but highly relevant to the industry context and nature of the information. As a result, the insights generated support more effective, data-informed decision-making across the organization.

    In 2024, the software industry experienced significant growth driven by AI and cloud technologies. As businesses increasingly adopt AI solutions to enhance operational efficiency, tools like Lazy Admin are about to play a critical role. Mustafa Parekh emphasizes, “The integration of AI into business operations is not just about technology; it’s about empowering leaders with the insights they need to drive growth and innovation.” This integration is particularly important in today’s business environment, where timely and accurate data analysis can differentiate between success and stagnation.

    Lazy Admin offers a range of subscription options through quote-based pricing tailored to each organization’s unique needs. With features like inline record editing, custom object support, and premium customer service, the tool is designed to be both cost-effective and scalable. As adoption grows, the team remains focused on turning strong interest into long-term customer relationships.

    As the demand for AI-powered solutions continues to rise, HTTPeak is well positioned to capitalize on this trend. Mustafa Parekh adds, “We are committed to continuously improving Lazy Admin, ensuring it remains at the forefront of AI innovation in the Salesforce ecosystem.” This commitment to innovation is crucial in a dynamic market, where staying ahead of technological advancements is key to maintaining competitive advantage.

    Businesses interested in Lazy Admin can initiate the onboarding process through Salesforce AppExchange. Rather than a simple self-installation, the Lazy Admin team works closely with each organization to ensure a smooth and impactful implementation. This guided approach reflects our belief that businesses benefit from tailored support when adopting AI solutions. With the dynamic pricing customized to meet specific needs and usage patterns, Lazy Admin empowers organizations to maximize their Salesforce investment through seamless integration and powerful data analysis—without requiring deep technical expertise.

    Visit the Lazy Admin Website to learn how this innovative solution can transform your business operations.

    About HTTPeak
    HTTPeak is a software company that develops innovative AI-powered solutions for business operations. With Lazy Admin, HTTPeak aims to revolutionize data analysis and reporting, making it accessible and efficient for businesses worldwide. The company’s focus on AI-driven tools reflects its commitment to empowering businesses with cutting-edge technology that enhances productivity and decision-making.

    Contact information:

    Mustafa Parekh
    Founder, HTTPeak
    lazyadmin@httpeak.com
    https://lazyadmin.httpeak.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/00a67c9c-e353-4381-b8df-4c7b2b7c1807

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Currenc Group Inc. Announces First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Currenc Group Inc. (Nasdaq: CURR) (“Currenc” or the “Company”), a fintech pioneer empowering financial institutions worldwide with artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    First Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights

    • Total Processing Value (TPV) through Tranglo was US$1.30 billion for the first quarter of 2025, decreasing by 3.7% year-over-year. Total number of transactions decreased to 2.77 million for the first quarter of 2025 from 2.94 million for the same period of 2024. The decline in TPV was mainly due to the decline in business volume from the Hong Kong market.
    • Total revenues excluding TNG Asia and GEA1 were US$10.0 million for the first quarter of 2025, representing a year-over-year decrease of 11.5%, primarily due to the 23.1% decline in global airtime revenue.
          For the three-month period ended March 31,  
          2025     2024  
          $     $  
          (dollars in thousands)  
      Remittance revenue excluding TNG Asia & GEA     4,583       5,025  
                       
      Global Airtime Revenue     2,022       2,573  
      Indonesian Airtime Revenue     3,437       3,742  
      Total Revenue excluding TNG Asia & GEA     10,042       11,340  
                       
    • Total remittance revenues excluding TNG Asia and GEA, i.e., remittance revenues contributed by Tranglo, were US$4.6 million for the first quarter of 2025, down 8% year-over-year. The decline in remittance revenue was mainly due to a decrease in remittance revenue from the Hong Kong market. Tranglo’s overall take rate declined to 0.35% in the first quarter of 2025 from 0.37% in the same period of 2024.
    • Currenc’s global airtime transfer revenues were US$2.0 million for the first quarter of 2025, representing a year-over-year decrease of 23.1%. The growing availability of free Wi-Fi in Southeast Asian countries, especially Malaysia and Indonesia, has led to declining demand for Malaysia-Indonesia airtime transfers, resulting in a decline in global airtime business in the first quarter of 2025. As Currenc expects this trend to continue in Southeast Asian markets, the Company’s management plans to deemphasize airtime transfer and reallocate its resources and capital to expand its new AI product offerings.
    • Total direct costs of revenue were US$6.9 million for the first quarter of 2025, representing a year-over-year decrease of 20.7%.
    • The direct payout rate for Tranglo’s remittance business was 0.13% for the first quarter of 2025, flat compared to 0.12% for the same period of 2024. Currenc’s overall gross profit margin ratio for the first quarter of 2025 was 31.8%, compared to 33.6% for the same period of 2024.
    • Total operating expenses increased to $7.5 million for the first quarter of 2025 from $5.8 million for the same period of 2024. The increase was mainly due to expenses of $2.2 million in recognition of the incentive shares granted to employees upon the completion of the INFINT SPAC merger.

      As Currenc divested TNG Asia and GEA in August and July 2024, respectively, its operating costs now reflect the operating costs of Tranglo, WalletKu and the Company’s headquarters only. Also, with the rollout of its new AI initiatives, Currenc incurred $0.5 million in operating costs related to these new businesses in the first quarter of 2025. The new AI businesses are expected to contribute incrementally to revenues and positively impact EBITDA in 2025.

      • Tranglo’s operating costs for the first quarter of 2025 were $3.2 million, representing an increase of 14% from $2.8 million in the same period of 2024.
      • WalletKu’s operating costs were $0.2 million for the first quarter of 2025, as compared to $0.4 million for the same period of 2024.
      • Professional fees and director fees were $0.8 million and $0.6 million for the first quarter of 2025, respectively.
    • Other income totaled $1.0 million for the first quarter of 2025, mainly contributed by Tranglo.
    • EBITDA analysis
      For the three-month period ended March 31, 2025   Tranglo     WalletKu     TNG
    Asia 
    and GEA    		     Headquarters
    and
    adjustments    		     Group
         Total    		  
          (dollars in thousands)  
      Net income (loss)     1,160       (136 )     –       (5,511 )     (4,487 )
                                               
      Add:                                        
      Income tax expenses     141       –       –       (93 )     48  
      Interest expense, net     21       –       –       1,066       1,087  
      EBIT     1,322       (136 )     –       (4,538 )     (3,352 )
      Depreciation and amortization     –       –       –       –       554  
      EBITDA     1,322       (136 )     –       (4,538 )     (2,798 )
                                               
    • The Company’s total EBITDA for the first quarter of 2025 was a loss of $2.8 million.
    • Tranglo and WalletKu’s combined EBITDA for the first quarter of 2025 was $1.2 million.
    • TNG Asia and GEA’s combined losses had no impact on the Company’s results from the fourth quarter of 2024 onwards as they were divested before the completion of the de-SPAC merger.
    • Headquarters expenses and adjustments recorded an EBIT loss of $4.5 million, mainly contributed by:
      • $2.2 million in “Operating Expenses” in recognition of the incentive shares granted upon completion of the de-SPAC merger.
      • $0.8 million for professional fees.
      For the three-month period ended March 31, 2024   Tranglo     WalletKu     TNG
    Asia
    and GEA    		     Headquarters
    and
    adjustments    		     Group
    Total    		  
          (dollars in thousands)  
      Net income (loss)     1,070       (123 )     (1,039 )     (2,540 )     (2,632 )
                                               
      Add:                                        
      Income tax expenses     163       –       –       (92 )     71  
      Interest expense, net     –       –       242       1,069       1,311  
      EBIT     1,233       (123 )     (797 )     (1,563 )     (1,250 )
      Depreciation and amortization     –       –       –       –       1,016  
      EBITDA     1,233       (123 )     (797 )     (1,563 )     (234 )
                                               
    • Net loss was US$4.5 million for the first quarter of 2025, primarily driven by the net loss of $5.5 million incurred by headquarters and adjustments.

    Management Comments
    “As demand for digital remittance continues to grow steadily, intensified market competition is compressing pricing,” said Alex Kong, Founder and Executive Chairman of Currenc. “Against this backdrop, we strove to maintain Tranglo’s healthy take rate while delivering TPV of US $1.30 billion in the first quarter of 2025, underscoring the strength of our core remittance platform and our disciplined strategic execution. Looking ahead, we are positioning Currenc for higher‑margin growth through two key initiatives: scaling our AI product offerings and expanding our remittance services into major corridors. We believe this combination of broader reach and AI‑driven innovation will support a more diversified revenue base and a structurally stronger bottom line.”

    Ronnie Hui, Chief Executive Officer of Currenc, commented, “While softer airtime demand weighed on our total revenues, our remittance business remained resilient amid a competitive environment in the first quarter of 2025, supporting a combined EBITDA for Tranglo and WalletKu of US $1.2 million. We are reallocating capital toward accelerating our AI initiatives and building higher‑margin remittance corridors to boost product value and operational scale, priming the Company for quality growth throughout the year. We also enhanced cost management and maintained Tranglo’s payout rate at 0.13%. Operating expenses rose to US $7.5 million, primarily due to a one‑time US $2.2 million share‑based incentive linked to the de‑SPAC merger, as well as costs related to our new AI initiatives. Outside of these expenses, our headquarters’ operating costs remained broadly stable. Going forward, this strengthened bottom line will allow us to invest in AI-driven growth while maintaining financial discipline.”

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    To supplement the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, it uses EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure as described below, to understand and evaluate its core operating performance. This non-GAAP financial measure, which may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies, is presented to enhance investors’ overall understanding of the Company’s financial performance and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

    EBITDA is defined as net loss before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Currenc believes that EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating its operating results. This non-GAAP financial measure eliminates the impact of items that Currenc does not consider indicative of the performance of its business. While Currenc believes that this non-GAAP financial measure is useful in evaluating its business, this information should be considered supplemental in nature and is not meant as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

    About Currenc Group Inc.
    Currenc Group Inc. (Nasdaq: CURR) is a fintech pioneer dedicated to transforming global financial services through artificial intelligence (AI). The Company empowers financial institutions worldwide with comprehensive AI solutions, including SEAMLESS AI Call Centre and other AI-powered Agents designed to reduce costs, increase efficiency and boost customer satisfaction for banks, insurance, telecommunications companies, government agencies and other financial institutions. The Company’s digital remittance platform also enables e-wallets, remittance companies, and corporations to provide real-time, 24/7 global payment services, advancing financial access across underserved communities.

    For additional information, please refer to the Currenc website https://www.currencgroup.com and the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Safe Harbor Statement
    This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties, or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

    Investor & Media Contact
    Currenc Group Investor Relations
    Email: investors@currencgroup.com

    SOURCE: Currenc Group Inc.

     
    CURRENC GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
     
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
     
        Three months ended March 31,  
        2025     2024  
        US$     US$  
    Revenue     10,055,569       13,104,123  
                     
    Cost of revenue     (6,854,172 )     (8,696,562 )
    Gross profit     3,201,397       4,407,561  
    Selling expenses     –       (3,987 )
                     
    General and administrative expenses     (7,522,252 )     (5,824,208 )
                     
    Loss from operations     (4,320,855 )     (1,420,634 )
    Finance costs, net     (1,087,313 )     (1,311,363 )
    Other income     969,691       189,735  
    Other expenses     (402 )     (19,137 )
                     
    Loss before income tax     (4,438,879 )     (2,561,399 )
    Income tax expense     (48,479 )     (70,529 )
                     
    Net loss     (4,487,358 )     (2,631,928 )
    Net income attributable to non-controlling interests     (187,000 )     (403,056 )
                     
    Net loss attributable to Currenc Group Inc.     (4,674,358 )     (3,034,984 )
                     
    Net loss per share, basic and diluted (1)   $ (0.13 )   $ (0.09 )
                     
    Shares used in net loss per share computation, basic and diluted (1)     35,374,891       33,980,753  
                     
    Other comprehensive loss:                
    Foreign currency translation adjustments     171,532       368,135  
                     
    Total comprehensive loss     (4,315,826 )     (2,263,793 )
    Total comprehensive loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests     (228,069 )     (407,798 )
    Total comprehensive loss attributable to Currenc Group Inc.     (4,543,895 )     (2,671,591 )
     
    (1) Retrospectively restated to reflect Reverse Recapitalization
    CURRENC GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
     
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
     
        March 31,
    2025    		     December 31,
    2024    		  
          US$       US$  
    ASSETS                
    Current assets:                
    Cash and cash equivalents     62,300,298       63,821,397  
    Restricted cash     40,978       40,742  
    Accounts receivable, net     2,103,924       2,115,681  
    Other financial assets     3,171,000       –  
    Amounts due from related parties     449,094       560,823  
    Prepayments, receivables and other assets     25,874,112       20,948,216  
    Total current assets     93,939,406       87,486,859  
    Non-current assets:                
    Equipment and software, net     1,118,661       1,055,520  
    Right-of-use asset     294,965       349,240  
    Intangible assets     3,000,978       3,386,117  
    Goodwill     12,059,428       12,059,428  
    Deferred tax assets     344,291       342,822  
    Total non-current assets:     16,818,323       17,193,127  
    Total assets     110,757,729       104,679,986  
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT                
    Current liabilities:                
    Borrowings     20,128,362       20,150,058  
    Receivable factoring     480,225       258,415  
    Other financial liabilities     3,329,550       –  
    Accounts payable, accruals and other payables     51,411,453       55,329,740  
    Amounts due to related parties     76,472,666       67,697,074  
    Convertible bonds     1,750,000       1,750,000  
    Lease liabilities     177,505       171,909  
    Total current liabilities:     153,749,761       145,357,196  
    Non-current liabilities:                
    Deferred tax liabilities     784,479       876,912  
    Employee benefit obligation     39,259       45,289  
    Lease liabilities     111,833       156,647  
    Total non-current liabilities:     935,571       1,078,848  
    Total liabilities     154,685,332       146,436,044  
                     
    Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)                
                     
    Shareholders’ deficit:                
    Ordinary shares (US$0.0001 par value; 550,000,000 shares authorized 46,527,999 and 46,527,999 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively) (1)     4,653       4,653  
    Additional paid-in capital (1)     67,797,587       65,638,838  
    Accumulated deficit     (136,197,260 )     (131,522,902 )
    Accumulated other Comprehensive Loss     7,873       (108,122 )
    Total shareholders’ deficit attributable to Currenc Group Inc.     (68,387,147 )     (65,987,533 )
    Non-controlling interests     24,459,544       24,231,475  
    Total deficit     (43,927,603 )     (41,756,058 )
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit     110,757,729       104,679,986  
     
    (1) Retrospectively restated to reflect Reverse Recapitalization
    CURRENC GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
     
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
     
        Three months ended March 31,  
        2025     2024  
        US$     US$  
    Cash flows from operating activities:                
    Net loss     (4,487,358 )     (2,631,928 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:                
    Non-cash expense for Share-based compensation     2,158,749       –  
    Depreciation of equipment and software     123,799       142,518  
    Depreciation of right-of-use assets     53,712       41,981  
    Amortization of intangible assets     385,139       831,392  
    Deferred income taxes     (92,426 )     54,704  
    Disposal of fixed assets     401       –  
    Unrealized foreign exchange gain     328,269       (124,690 )
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
    Accounts receivable     33,923       (110,270 )
    Prepayments, receivables and other assets     (4,918,772 )     9,477,057  
    Escrow money payable     –       218,542  
    Client money payable     –       146,847  
    Accounts payable, accruals and other payables     (4,068,655 )     (7,014,740 )
    Interest payable on convertible bonds     –       952,736  
    Amount due from a director     729,198       –  
    Amount due to Immediate holding company     23,766       –  
    Amounts due from related parties     (3,652 )     –  
    Amounts due to related parties     8,245,995       (2,205,121 )
    Net cash used in operating activities     (1,487,912 )     (220,972 )
                     
    Cash flows from investing activities:                
    Decrease in short-term investments     –       615  
    Purchases of property, plant and equipment     (175,158 )     (12,058 )
    Proceeds received from disposal of PPE     596       –  
    Net cash used in investing activities     (174,562 )     (11,443 )
                     
    Cash flows from financing activities:                
    Proceeds from borrowings     –       639,210  
    Repayment of borrowings     –       (95,742 )
    Proceeds from receivable factoring     433,287       586,789  
    Repayment of receivable factoring     (218,974 )     (610,559 )
    Payment of principal elements of lease liabilities     (65,286 )     (46,295 )
    Payment of interest elements of lease liabilities     (7,416 )     (2,952 )
    Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities     141,611       470,451  
                     
    Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents     (1,520,863 )     238,036  
    Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and escrow money receivable at beginning of the period     63,862,139       58,960,384  
    Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and escrow money receivable at end of the period     62,341,276       59,198,420  
                     
    Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:                
    Income taxes paid     (140,905 )     (15,825 )
    Interest paid     (48,773 )     (346,270 )
    CURRENC GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
     
    EBITDA Analysis for the First Quarter of 2025 and 2024
     
    For the three-month period ended March 31, 2025   Tranglo     WalletKu     TNG Asia and GEA     Headquarters and adjustments     Group Total  
        (dollars in thousands)  
    Net income (loss)     1,160       (136 )     –       (5,511 )     (4,487 )
                                             
    Add:                                        
    Income tax expenses     141       –       –       (93 )     48  
    Interest expense, net     21       –       –       1,066       1,087  
    EBIT     1,322       (136 )     –       (4,538 )     (3,352 )
    Depreciation and amortization     –       –       –       –       554  
    EBITDA     1,322       (136 )     –       (4,538 )     (2,798 )
    For the three-month period ended March 31, 2024   Tranglo     WalletKu     TNG Asia and GEA     Headquarters and adjustments     Group Total  
        (dollars in thousands)  
    Net income (loss)     1,070       (123 )     (1,039 )     (2,540 )     (2,632 )
                                             
    Add:                                        
    Income tax expenses     163       –       –       (92 )     71  
    Interest expense, net     –       –       242       1,069       1,311  
    EBIT     1,233       (123 )     (797 )     (1,563 )     (1,250 )
    Depreciation and amortization     –       –       –       –       1,016  
    EBITDA     1,233       (123 )     (797 )     (1,563 )     (234 )
                                             

    1 TNG Asia and GEA were divested in August 2024 and July 2024, respectively.
    2 Tranglo maintained a positive EBITDA for the first quarter of 2025 and 2024.
    3 Tranglo and WalletKu maintained a combined positive EBITDA for the first quarter of 2025 and 2024.

    ____________________________________
    1 Currenc divested TNG Asia and GEA in August 2024 and July 2024, respectively. As such, from the fourth quarter of 2024 onward, only Tranglo’s (digital remittance and global airtime transfer businesses) and WalletKu’s (Indonesian airtime business) results will be consolidated and reported in the Company’s financial statements.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Prairie Band Casino & Resort Transitions from Viz Explorer to Quick Custom Intelligence’s (QCI) Enterprise Platform

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI), a leader in advanced casino management solutions, is excited to announce that Prairie Band Casino has chosen the QCI Enterprise Platform to enhance its data-driven operations. This significant move from Viz Explorer to QCI demonstrates Prairie Band Casino & Resort’s commitment to improving the guest experience by leveraging superior analytics and real-time operational insights.

    As a prominent gaming destination, Prairie Band Casino & Resort is known for offering exceptional service to its patrons. With the adoption of the QCI Enterprise Platform, the casino will now utilize cutting-edge analytics, player development tools, and streamlined processes to drive performance optimization and guest satisfaction.

    John Tuckwin, Marketing Director for Prairie Band Casino & Resort, shared his enthusiasm for the transition: “Our switch to the QCI Enterprise Platform reflects our ongoing mission to provide an exceptional gaming experience. The platform’s ability to deliver real-time data and comprehensive analytics will allow us to make informed decisions that will enhance both our operational efficiency and the overall satisfaction of our guests. This partnership signifies a step forward in Prairie Band Casino & Resort’s goal to stay at the forefront of gaming technology, further solidifying its position as a premier destination in the region.”

    Andrew Cardno, CTO of QCI, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: “We are thrilled to welcome Prairie Band Casino & Resort to our growing network of gaming properties. Their decision to implement the QCI Enterprise Platform underscores their commitment to innovation, and we look forward to helping them streamline their operations and maximize revenue opportunities.”

    Melissa Chiaurro, President of Viz Explorer, also commented on the collaboration:
    “We are thrilled to announce our extended partnership with Prairie Band Casino & Resort and their dedicated team. By integrating the QCI Enterprise Platform, they are poised to gain deeper insights into their operations, enabling more informed decision-making and enhanced customer experiences. This collaboration underscores our commitment to supporting Prairie Band Casino & Resort in achieving their business objectives and delivering exceptional service to their guests. We look forward to the continued success of this partnership.”

    ABOUT Prairie Band Casino & Resort
    Prairie Band Casino & Resort opened January of 1998 and is owned and operated by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. It is located on tribal land just north of Topeka, Kansas. The casino offers more than 1,100 slot machines including Class II games; a 400-seat bingo hall; and 25 table games including blackjack, craps and roulette. There are four dining options, lobby bar, luxury hotel, on-site convenience store and RV park. The 12,000-square-foot Great Lakes Ballroom plays host to concerts and other live performances, and the award-winning Firekeeper Golf Course is only steps away.

    ABOUT QCI
    Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has pioneered the revolutionary QCI AGI Platform, an artificial intelligence platform that seamlessly integrates player development, marketing, and gaming operations with powerful, real-time tools designed specifically for the gaming and hospitality industries. Our advanced, highly configurable software is deployed in over 250 casino resorts across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. The QCI AGI Platform, which manages more than $35 billion in annual gross gaming revenue, stands as a best-in-class solution, whether on-premises, hybrid, or cloud-based, enabling fully coordinated activities across all aspects of gaming or hospitality operations. QCI’s data-driven, AI-powered software propels swift, informed decision-making vital in the ever-changing casino industry, assisting casinos in optimizing resources and profits, crafting effective marketing campaigns, and enhancing customer loyalty. QCI was co-founded by Dr. Ralph Thomas and Mr. Andrew Cardno and is based in San Diego, with additional offices in Las Vegas, St. Louis, Denver, Dallas, and Phoenix. Main phone number: (858) 299.5715. Visit us at www.quickcustomintelligence.com.

    ABOUT Andrew Cardno
    Andrew Cardno is a distinguished figure in the realm of artificial intelligence and data plumbing. With over two decades spearheading private Ph.D. and master’s level research teams, his expertise has made significant waves in data tooling. Andrew’s innate ability to innovate has led him to devise numerous pioneering visualization methods. Of these, the most notable is the deep zoom image format, a groundbreaking innovation that has since become a cornerstone in the majority of today’s mapping tools. His leadership acumen has earned him two coveted Smithsonian Laureates, and teams under his mentorship have clinched 40 industry awards, including three pivotal gaming industry transformation awards. Together with Dr. Ralph Thomas, the duo co-founded Quick Custom Intelligence, amplifying their collaborative innovative capacities. A testament to his inventive prowess, Andrew boasts over 150 patent applications.
    Across various industries—be it telecommunications with Telstra Australia, retail with giants like Walmart and Best Buy, or the medical sector with esteemed institutions like City Of Hope and UCSD—Andrew’s impact is deeply felt. He has enriched the literature with insights, co-authoring eight influential books with Dr. Thomas and contributing to over 100 industry publications. An advocate for community and diversity, Andrew’s work has touched over 100 Native American Tribal Resorts, underscoring his expansive and inclusive professional endeavors.

    Contact:
    Laurel Kay, Quick Custom Intelligence
    Phone: 858-349-8354

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Top KingWin Ltd Regains Compliance with Nasdaq Minimum Closing Bid Price Rule

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Guangzhou, China, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Top KingWin Ltd (“Top KingWin” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: WAI) announced today that it received a formal notification from the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) on May 19, 2025, that the Company has regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), which requires the Company’s class A ordinary shares, par value of US$0.0025 each (the “Ordinary Shares”) to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share.

    The Nasdaq staff made this determination of compliance after the closing bid price of the Company’s Ordinary Shares has been at $1.00 per share or greater for the last 10 consecutive business days from May 5 to May 16, 2025. Accordingly, the Company has regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) and this bid price deficiency matter is now closed.

    About Top KingWin Ltd

    Top KingWin’s main clients are entrepreneurs and executives in small and medium-sized enterprises in China. Services provided by Top KingWin to its clients including (i) corporate business training services, which mainly focus on providing training services of advanced knowledge and new perspectives on the capital markets, (ii) corporate consulting services, which mainly focus on providing a combination of customized corporate consulting services to fulfill client’s unique financial needs, (iii) advisory and transaction services, which mainly focus on connecting entrepreneurs and businesses with diversified sources of capital, and (iv) sales of devices to support artificial intelligence data collection and analysis. Its mission is to provide comprehensive services to address clients’ needs throughout all phases of their development and growth.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this press release are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, the use of proceeds from the Company’s offering, the intent, belief or current expectations of Top KingWin and members of its management, as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and in its other filings with the SEC.

    For more information, please contact:

    Bonnie

    Email: IR@tcjhgw.cn

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: POET Technologies Announces Upsize and Amendments to Previously Announced Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — POET Technologies Inc. (“POET” or the “Corporation“) (TSXV: PTK; NASDAQ: POET), the designer and developer of the POET Optical Interposer™, Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) and light sources for the data center, tele-communication and artificial intelligence markets, is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated April 28, 2025, in response to significant interest from a strategic investor and to allow for a more timely execution, it proposes to amend the terms of its previously announced non-brokered public offering to, among other things, increase the offering size to US$30,000,000 and make certain ancillary revisions to the offering structure, which will now be conducted as a non-brokered private placement (as amended, the “Offering”). The Offering Price (as defined herein) remains unchanged and represents a premium to the prevailing market price of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”).

    In the revised Offering, the Corporation expects to issue 6,000,000 common shares of the Corporation (the “Common Shares”) and one common share purchase warrant (the “Warrant”) exercisable to acquire up to 6,000,000 Common Shares (the “Warrant Shares”) at a price of C$8.32 per Warrant Share for a period of five years from the date of issue. The combined price of one Common Share and the Warrant (in respect of one Common Share) will be equal to US$5.00 (the “Offering Price”).

    The Corporation intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes. No commission or finder’s fee will be paid by the Corporation, and no underwriter or sales agent will be engaged by the Corporation in connection with the Offering. The Corporation expects to complete the Offering on or about May 22, 2025.

    All Common Shares and Warrants issued under the Offering are expected to be distributed outside of Canada in reliance on OSC Rule 72-503 – Distributions Outside of Canada and, accordingly, all Common Shares, Warrants and Warrant Shares issued under the Offering will not be subject to a Canadian statutory hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The Offering remains subject to the final acceptance of the Exchange.

    This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About POET Technologies Inc.
    POET is a design and development company offering high-speed optical engines, light source products and custom optical modules to the artificial intelligence systems market and to hyperscale data centers.  POET’s photonic integration solutions are based on the POET Optical Interposer™, a novel, patented platform that allows the seamless integration of electronic and photonic devices into a single chip using advanced wafer-level semiconductor manufacturing techniques. POET’s Optical Interposer-based products are lower cost, consume less power than comparable products, are smaller in size and are readily scalable to high production volumes. In addition to providing high-speed (800G, 1.6T and above) optical engines and optical modules for AI clusters and hyperscale data centers, POET has designed and produced novel light source products for chip-to-chip data communication within and between AI servers, the next frontier for solving bandwidth and latency problems in AI systems.  POET’s Optical Interposer platform also solves device integration challenges across a broad range of communication, computing and sensing applications.  POET is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with operations in Singapore, Penang, Malaysia and Shenzhen, China. More information about POET is available on our website at www.poet-technologies.com

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    This news release contains “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws) and “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such statements or information are identified with words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “potential”, “estimate”, “propose”, “project”, “outlook”, “foresee” or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding any potential outcome. Such statements include, without limitation, the Corporation’s ability to complete the Offering on the terms announced and within the expected timeline, the Corporation’s expectations with respect to its products, the scalability of the POET Optical Interposer and the success of the Corporation’s products, the Corporation’s use of proceeds for the Offering and the Corporation’s ability to obtain the final approval of the Exchange. Such forward-looking information or statements are based on a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions which may cause actual results or other expectations to differ materially from those anticipated and which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, management’s expectations regarding the size of the market for its products, the capability of its joint venture to produce products on time and at the expected costs, the performance and availability of certain components, and the success of its customers in achieving market penetration for their products. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, the attractiveness of the Corporation’s product offerings, performance of its technology, the performance of key components, and ability of its customers to sell their products into the market. For further information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties, refer to the Corporation’s filings on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Corporation’s securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Corporation can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are as of the date of this news release and the Corporation assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and statements except as required by applicable securities laws.

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. 120 Eglinton Avenue, East, Suite 1107, Toronto, ON, M4P 1E2- Tel: 416-368-9411 – Fax: 416-322-5075

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: 2025 State of Small Business Survey: Surge in AI, cybersecurity and social media demand

    Source: Verizon

    Headline: 2025 State of Small Business Survey: Surge in AI, cybersecurity and social media demand

    What you need to know:

    • Nearly half (47%) of SMBs updated their cybersecurity solutions to further protect their business. More than a third (38%) are actively using AI across multiple business functions, such as data analysis, marketing and customer service.
    • Over 56% of SMBs believe AI can help address issues with employee management and overall employee headcount.
    • 3 in 4 (76%) of SMBs agree that social media positively impacts their business performance.
    • But more than half (54%) of SMBs struggle to keep online content fresh and stay up to date with social media trends.

    NEW YORK, NY – Verizon Business today announced the findings of its sixth annual State of Small Business Survey, conducted by Morning Consult. The report shows small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are aggressively adopting technology to drive market growth and operational efficiency. The surge is fueled by increasingly accessible artificial intelligence (AI) and content creation tools, empowering SMBs to expand their marketing and sales capabilities and reach new markets.

    Social media is a critical driver, with 58% of SMBs now on TikTok, while 38% are actively integrating AI into their operations. This isn’t just a trend; it’s a fundamental transformation of how SMBs compete and thrive in the modern digital economy.

    “Small business owners are entering a new chapter of digital business with the rise of AI,” said Aparna Khurjekar, Chief Revenue Officer, Business Markets and SaaS, Verizon Business. “At Verizon, we are committed to supporting our SMB community in navigating their business through the latest technology to help deliver growth and protect their assets from emerging cyber threats.”

    Based on responses from 600 SMBs in the United States, the State of Small Business Survey identified the following key findings and insights:

    • Upgrading technology solutions for new ways of doing business. In the last year, almost half of small businesses (47%) implemented new technology platforms to bolster security for their increasingly digital operations. Social media continues to be a leading customer engagement tool among SMBs, with more than three in five decision-makers either launching content creation initiatives or increasing their investment in content creation during the past year.
    • AI adoption spreads in new ways. Today, 38% of SMBs are leveraging AI in one capacity or another. More than a quarter (28%) are using AI for marketing and social media, while 24% are using the technology for written communications. Nearly a quarter use AI to power digital personal assistants that can help them with customer service. Another 25% are using AI to boost their cybersecurity efforts. Meanwhile, SMBs are exploring AI for employee recruitment and retention, with 56% believing AI can help their business offset any pain points caused by reduced or frozen headcount and another 53% believing AI can help the business retain current staff.
    • SMBs turn to AI to help with employee management strategies. While more than two-thirds of decision makers surveyed believe employees need to be in-person for the business to function, they are turning to AI for support in navigating this new workforce. Nineteen percent (19%) of SMBs are using AI for recruitment and talent sourcing, and 56% believe AI can help their business offset any pain points caused by reduced or frozen headcount. More than half (53%) believe AI can help the business retain current staff.
    • Growing importance of cybersecurity. More than half of SMBs (52%) acknowledge that business growth likely increases the threat of cyberattacks on their business. Nearly half of the respondents (47%) invested in technologies to improve cybersecurity in the last year. A quarter of SMBs don’t believe their business is investing enough.
    • Content for social media continues to be king. Over the past year, SMBs have leaned heavily on social media as one of their leading customer outreach tactics. Facebook remains the number one most popular platform for these businesses, and 76% agree that social media positively impacts their business. A whopping 58% of them are on TikTok.

    As technology continues to evolve and become increasingly more accessible, many SMBs understand the vital importance of embracing the role of technology to grow and protect their business in this new era of digital transformation through AI.

    Visit our website to view the complete survey findings.

    For more information on Verizon’s Small Business Solutions, visit https://www.verizon.com/business/solutions/small-business/.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Members discuss possible cotton breakthrough ahead of MC14, World Cotton Day 2025

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Members discuss possible cotton breakthrough ahead of MC14, World Cotton Day 2025

    Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam, who chaired the 43rd Round of Consultations of the Director-General’s Consultative Framework Mechanism for Cotton (DGCFMC), drew members’ attention to the latest meeting of the Steering Committee of the “Partenariat pour le Coton” initiative, which built on a series of national consultations held last year in the Cotton 4+ countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Côte d’Ivoire).
    The meeting took place at the headquarters of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in Cairo on 28-29 April. Important suggestions were made regarding advancing the cotton development agenda in the C-4+ countries, and there was productive discussion on available financing options, including concrete proposals to support the cotton-textile-clothing value chain.
    DDG Paugam stressed that, while it has been projected that US$ 5 billion could be unlocked over the next 10 years under the framework of the “Partenariat pour le Coton”, this would require the C-4+ to act as the driving force and to adopt a regional approach to attract and sustain investment.
    A study published in June 2024 highlights the potential of processing 25 per cent of C4+ cotton locally. Although this would require an investment of around US$ 5 billion in facilities and workforce training, it could create 500,000 jobs, especially for women and youth, and would significantly enhance value addition within the region.
    Acknowledging previous concerns about implementation, transparency, and commitment to the Evolving Table on Cotton Development Assistance, DDG Paugam called for a dedicated meeting with donors to explore ways to enhance the effectiveness and impact of this tool. The Evolving Table contains project updates by a number of WTO members and by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
    Chad, the FAO and the International Trade Centre (ITC) jointly announced that the 2025 World Cotton Day will take place on 7 October in Rome, which will coincide with the 80th anniversary of the FAO. The event aims to boost visibility and promote investment in African cotton through the work of the “Partenariat pour le Coton”, as well as to encourage discussion of climate challenges to cotton.
    Afreximbank reiterated the importance of a harmonized project submission template for standardization, transparency, collaboration and monitoring of C4+ cotton projects and proposed joint financing initiatives, shared knowledge platforms, capacity-building, risk mitigation strategies and policy advocacy.
    Members took the floor to share their experiences of activities within the framework of South-South cooperation. They also expressed support for the cotton industry, focusing on job creation, economic diversification, de-risking investments, tailored cooperation, regional strategies and enabling environments. Delegations also discussed industrialization, global value chain integration, investment clarity and progress on regional development projects in the context of the cotton industry.
    On emerging challenges, members learned about the latest developments in cotton-producing countries, as well as new challenges facing the cotton sector in C-4+ countries. The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) shared a presentation about water use in cotton cultivation, which explained that it is a misconception that cotton – a semi-desert crop – requires large quantities of water for cultivation. Nevertheless, ICAC cautioned that climate change is affecting rainfall patterns, and that this is a matter of concern for cotton cultivation.
    The DGCFMC also outlined key next steps. A technical online seminar on second-hand and recycling of clothing by Côte d’Ivoire is scheduled for 19 June. Other members were encouraged to coordinate with the WTO Secretariat to propose similar initiatives. A harmonized “Partenariat pour le Coton” project submission template will be created to enable C-4+ countries to present priority projects at an upcoming technical workshop. The WTO will support monitoring, evaluation and engagement with development agencies. Meanwhile, FIFA’s Football for Schools programme will encourage the use of C-4+ cotton for apparel, to produce T-shirts and polo shirts in West Africa and distribute these items globally by the end of 2025.
    In conclusion, DDG Paugam underscored the need to sustain and build on the current momentum surrounding cotton, especially given that MC14 is approaching. Progress made, consolidated synergies and promising prospects ahead call for redoubling efforts, he said.
    Ambassador Hussain, who facilitated the discussion on addressing the trade aspects of cotton, gave an update on his consultations with members on the way forward for agriculture negotiations, focusing on cotton.
    He noted that the C-4+ countries and other members had stressed the importance of cotton within the agricultural negotiations, and that members had highlighted the need to make significant progress on this issue at MC14, as this would resonate positively in Africa and benefit the WTO as a whole.
    The C-4+ Group also suggested the possibility of decoupling cotton negotiations from the broader agriculture package to facilitate reaching a standalone decision on cotton at MC14. The Group, along with several other developing members, emphasized the importance of adhering to past ministerial decisions and called for progress to be made to reduce cotton-specific trade-distorting domestic support.
    Ambassador Hussain urged members to engage actively in open dialogue, express their concerns clearly, and work together to bridge differences. He proposed to convene a “cotton quad plus” meeting in the coming weeks to facilitate honest and concrete discussions. The “cotton quad plus” forum involves the C-4+ countries and several major cotton players, including Australia, China, Brazil, the European Union, India, Pakistan and the United States.
    The ICAC also provided an overview of the global cotton market for the 2024-25 season, forecasting a production increase of approximately 7 per cent compared to the previous season. World cotton consumption is anticipated to rise by 2 per cent in 2024-25, although trade projections have been revised downward to 9.45 million tonnes for the 2024-25 season. This adjustment reflects a decrease from the previous forecast of 9.94 million tonnes, as reported in April 2024. The ICAC also presented findings from a recent analysis on specialty cotton, which grows annually and currently accounts for about 31 per cent of total global cotton lint production. Specialty cotton, as defined by the ICAC, includes any long or extra-long staple varieties, as well as cotton from specific identity programmes encompassing various certification initiatives worldwide, such as “Better Cotton” and “Cotton Made in Africa”.
    The International Trade Centre (ITC) provided an update on the ITC Cotton Portal, a joint initiative with the WTO to consolidate cotton-related information. The portal, launched at the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires in 2017, features three main modules: trade statistics, market information and learning. The ITC reported that the portal has around 3,000-4,000 users annually. Planned improvements include the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), additional languages, and better data on e-commerce and logistics.
    The ITC Cotton Portal aggregates cotton-related information from the ICAC, ITC and WTO, as well as other sources. For instance, it features a live data feed from ICAC on cotton production, as well as direct links to essential tools that facilitate cotton trade, such as the Export Potential Map.
    The C-4+ agreed concerning the relevance of this tool in contributing to a more efficient cotton trading system by improving transparency and accessibility of trade-related information relevant for cotton producers, traders and policymakers. They called for more training to raise awareness of the platform in Africa and to increase its utilization, as this could help governments in making informed policy decisions. The ITC and the WTO expressed their readiness to pursue discussions with the C-4+ concerning ways to make the portal more accessible and as relevant as possible in developing economies, and especially in Africa.
    The WTO Secretariat introduced a revised background paper compiling all cotton-related information available at the WTO, including members’ notifications, replies to a questionnaire on cotton policy developments and information on tariff and non-tariff measures.
    As part of Cotton Day at the WTO members attended  the opening of an exhibition featuring a data visualization structure that consolidated and presented information on cotton-related activities, telling the story of cotton through interactive maps, infographics, images and dynamic graphics. The exhibition concluded with a reception hosted by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) at WTO headquarters.

    Share

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Awareness campaign on ‘investment’ scams using Artificial Intelligence (AI) – E-001920/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001920/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Costas Mavrides (S&D)

    Based on complaints from Cypriot citizens and the Cyprus Consumers Association, there has been an alarming increase in cases of fraud through misleading videos and other content created using Artificial Intelligence (AI). The material in question includes fake interviews, advertisements and videos, in which prominent and trustworthy individuals appear – without their knowledge or consent – presenting purported ‘investment opportunities’. These are essentially organised digital scams aimed at extorting money from unsuspecting citizens.

    Given that this is a rapidly evolving threat with cross-border dimensions, requiring immediate and long-term measures:

    • 1.Does the Commission intend to proceed with the design and implementation of an effective European cooperation framework, as well as the legal harmonisation of the Member States, to tackle such forms of digital fraud more effectively?
    • 2.Does the Commission intend to proceed immediately with information campaigns at EU level or otherwise, given that this concerns all European citizens, with the aim of properly informing, forewarning and protecting citizens from such misleading practices?

    Submitted: 14.5.2025

    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Subsidies for EU prejudices? – E-001730/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001730/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Virginie Joron (PfE)

    The Commission has provided EUR 230 million in grants to the Euronews channel over 10 years[1]. The European institutions have also signed a framework contract worth EUR 133 million over four years, from September 2023 to September 2027, for media and advertising strategies (COMM/DG/FWC/2023/30)[2]. Over the period 2014-2023, the Commission is reported to have paid EUR 88 million to the Havas group and EUR 37 million to Euractiv[3].

    In addition, Parliament, through its Directorate-General for Communication, has earmarked a maximum of EUR 9.1 million in media grants in 2023. For example, in 2023 the newspaper Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace received grants of EUR 150 000, while 20 minutes received EUR 175 000[4].

    It is hard to believe that the media can remain independent under these conditions and resist Brussels’ disinformation.

    • 1.In total, how many payments and grants were awarded by the Commission to the media, journalists, news agencies, ERA-NET Plus and fact-checking services in 2023 and 2024, bearing in mind that Grok artificial intelligence estimates these payments to be between EUR 78 million and EUR 88 million?
    • 2.Which media or journalists who are critical of the Commission were subsidised?
    • 3.Are European media subsidies compatible with electoral rules and the rules on free and undistorted competition?

    Submitted: 30.4.2025

    • [1] https://brusselssignal.eu/2025/02/eu-spending-who-is-getting-the-quiet-billions-from-the-european-commission/
    • [2] Framework contract COMM/DG/FWC/2023/30 for media strategy, planning and advertising from September 2023 to September 2027. Invitation to tender COMM/AWD/2022/54. The maximum total amount under this framework contract was EUR 132.82 million over four years, but this amount represented the ceiling for several European institutions, including EUR 50 million for the European Parliament.
    • [3] https://ec.europa.eu/budget/financial-transparency-system/analysis.html
    • [4] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/contracts-and-grants/fr/grants/ex-post-publication; https://www.europarl.europa.eu/contracts-and-grants/files/grants/ex-post-publication/en-list-of-grants-awarded-2023.xlsx
    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: XRP News: $XDX Presale Heats Up as XenDex Readies First Audit and Platform Design Reveal

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SYDNEY, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With XRP rapidly regaining its dominance across the global crypto market, XenDex is solidifying its position as the most promising decentralized exchange being built on the XRP Ledger. And with the $XDX presale entering its final stretch, urgency is building fast.

    The soft cap is already filled, and with the hard cap now almost fully reached, only a limited number of $XDX tokens remain before the presale closes. As investor excitement surges, XenDex has officially announced two major milestones this week:

    Buy $XDX Before Exchange Listing

    1. A full mockup design of the XenDex platform will be unveiled showcasing its clean, intuitive user interface and how all major features will operate.
    2. XenDex will undergo its first third-party security audit, reinforcing its commitment to safety, smart contract integrity, and long-term trust.

    What Is XenDex?

    XenDex is building the first all-in-one decentralized finance platform for XRPL, combining the most in-demand tools into a single seamless platform:

    • AI-Powered Copy Trading
    • Non-Custodial Lending & Borrowing
    • Cross-Chain Trading (with BNB, Ethereum, and Solana)

    Purchase $XDX At A low Price

    Only $XDX presale buyers will receive early access to Version 1 of the platform.

    Why Is XRP Surging?

    XRP’s bullish momentum follows several landmark events:

    • SEC lawsuit officially withdrawn
    • Judge Torres’ rulings in Ripple’s favor
    • Approval of ProShares’ XRP Futures ETF
    • Brazil’s first XRP Spot ETF launch

    With rising institutional interest, analysts are now forecasting long-term XRP price targets as high as $1,000 and XenDex is launching at the perfect moment to ride that wave.

    $XDX Presale Details

    • Soft Cap: Filled
    • Price: 1.25 XRP = 10 XDX
    • Minimum Buy: 150 XRP

    Buy XDX on XenDex

    Major Listings Confirmed

    Post-presale, $XDX will be listed on:

    • Binance
    • Gate.io
    • MEXC
    • BitMart
    • FirstLedger
    • MagneticX

    Join the XenDex Community

    Buy $XDX – xendex.net/presale
    Telegram – t.me/xendexcommunity
    X (Twitter) – x.com/xendex_xrp
    XenDex Docs – xdxdocs.gitbook.io

    Contact:
    Frank Richards
    Frank@xendex.net

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post provided by XenDex. 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/520da55d-69bd-4670-ba05-f4ba3e6c93d8

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Societe Generale_ Combined General Meeting and Board of Directors dated 20 May 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COMBINED GENERAL MEETING AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS DATED 20 MAY 2025

    Press release

    Paris, 20 May 2025

    Combined General Meeting

    The General Meeting of shareholders of Societe Generale was held on 20 May 2025 at CNIT Forest, 2, Place de la Défense, 92092 Puteaux and was chaired by Mr. Lorenzo Bini Smaghi.

    Quorum was established at 64,34% (vs 55.61% in 2024):

    • 687 shareholders participated by attending the General Meeting in person at the place where it was held on 20 May 2025;
    • 1,057 shareholders were represented at the General Meeting by a person other than the Chairman;
    • 13,140 shareholders voted online;
    • 2,400 shareholders voted by post;
    • 8,767 shareholders, including 2,500 online, representing 1.07% of the share capital, gave proxy to the Chairman;
    • A total of 26 051 shareholders were present or represented and participated in the vote.

    The agenda item, with no vote, was an opportunity to present and discuss with shareholders the Group’s climate strategy and social and environmental responsibility.

    In addition, 9 shareholders sent 56 written questions prior to the General Meeting. The answers were made public before the General Meeting on the institutional website.

    All the resolutions put forward by the Board of Directors were adopted, in particular:

    • The 2024 annual company accounts and annual consolidated accounts;
    • The dividend per share was set at EUR 1.09. It shall traded ex-dividend on 26 May 2025 and will be paid from 28 May 2025;
    • The renewal of two independent directors for 4 years: Mr. William Connelly and Mr. Henri Poupart-Lafarge;
    • The appointment of two independent directors for 4 years: Mr. Olivier Klein and Mrs. Ingrid-Helen Arnold;
    • The renewal of Mr. Sébastien Wetter’s mandate as Director representing the employee shareholders;
    • The compensation policy for the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, the Deputy Chief Executive Officers and the Directors;
    • The components composing the total compensation and the benefits of any kind paid or awarded for the 2024 financial year to the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer and the Deputy Chief Executive Officers;
    • The authorisation granted to the Board of Directors to purchase ordinary shares of the Company was renewed for 18 months up to 10% of the share capital;
    • The authorisation for capital increases, enabling the issue of shares in favour of employees under a company or group saving plan, was renewed for 26 months;
    • The amendments to the Articles of Association to take account of the entry into force of the “Loi Attractivité” (no. 2024-537 dated 13 June 2024).

    The detailed voting result is available this day on the Company’s website in the item “Annual General Meeting”.

    Board of Directors

    Following the renewals and appointments of directors, the Board of Directors is composed of 15 directors, including (i) 2 directors re-elected by the employees in March 2024 and (ii) 1 director representing employee shareholders appointed by the General Meeting and one non-voting director.

    Accordingly, the Board of Directors is composed as follows:

    • Mr. Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, Chairman;
    • Mr. Slawomir Krupa, Director;
    • Mrs. Ingrid-Helen Arnold, Director;
    • Mr. William Connelly, Director;
    • Mr. Jérôme Contamine, Director;
    • Mrs. Béatrice Cossa-Dumurgier, Director;
    • Mrs. Diane Côté, Director;
    • Mrs. Ulrika Ekman, Director;
    • Mrs. France Houssaye, Director elected by employees;
    • Mr. Olivier Klein, Director;
    • Mrs. Annette Messemer, Director;
    • Mr. Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Director;
    • Mr Johan Praud, Director elected by employees;
    • Mr. Benoît de Ruffray, Director;
    • Mr. Sébastien Wetter, Director representing employees shareholders;
    • Mr. Jean-Bernard Lévy, Non-voting Director (“censeur”).

    The Board of Directors is made up of 41,7% women (5/12) and 91,7% independent directors (11/12) if we exclude from the calculations the three directors representing the employees in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article L. 225-23 of the Commercial Code, paragraph 2 of Article L. 225-27 of the Commercial Code and the AFEP-MEDEF code. In order to ensure compliance with a forthcoming legislative change scheduled for mid-2026, the Board of Directors has already decided, for the General Meeting of May 2026, that shareholders will be invited to replace a man director, whose term of office will expire, by a woman director.

    The Board of Directors held after the General Meeting has decided that, as of 20 May 2025, the Board committees will be composed as follows:

    • Audit and Internal Control Committee: Mr. Jérôme Contamine (chairman), Mrs. Diane Côté, Mrs. Ulrika Ekman, Mr. Olivier Klein and Mr. Sébastien Wetter;
    • Risk Committee: Mr. William Connelly (chairman), Mrs. Ingrid-Helen Arnold, Mrs. Béatrice Cossa Dumurgier, Mrs. Diane Côté, Mrs. Ulrika Ekman, Mr. Olivier Klein and Mrs. Annette Messemer;
    • Compensation Committee: Mrs. Annette Messemer (chairwoman), Mr. Jerome Contamine, Mr. Benoit de Ruffray and Mrs. France Houssaye;
    • Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee: Mr. Henri Poupart-Lafarge (chairman), Mr. William Connelly, Mme Diane Côté and Mr. Benoit de Ruffray.

    Biographies

    Mr. William Connelly is a graduate of Georgetown University in Washington (US). He began his career in 1980 at Chase Manhattan Bank, where he worked for 10 years, before joining Baring Brothers from 1990 to 1995. He then held various executive positions within ING Group NV from 1995 until he became a member of The Management Board, where he was responsible for Wholesale Banking from 2011 to 2016. He was also the CEO of ING Real Estate from 2009 to 2015. In addition to his mandate as an independent director of Societe Generale since 2017, he currently is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Amadeus IT Group and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Aegon until the second half of 2025. He also served as an independent director of Singular Bank from February 2019 to April 2023. During its session on 10 April 2025, the Societe Generale Board of Directors selected William Connelly for the Chairmanship as of the General Meeting which will be held on 27 May 2026. He will succeed Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, who has been Chairman since 2015, and will have completed his third term.

    Mr. Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Graduate of École polytechnique, the École nationale des ponts et chaussées and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He began his career in 1992 at the World Bank in Washington D.C. before moving to the French Ministry of the Economy and Finance in 1994. He joined Alstom in 1998 as Head of Investor Relations and was in charge of Management Control. In 2000, he was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Transmission and Distribution at Alstom, a position he held until 2004. He was Chief Financial Officer of Alstom from 2004 until 2010 and became President of Alstom Grid from 2010 to 2011. On 4 July 2011, he became Chairman of Alstom Transport, before being appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in February 2016, a position he held until June 2024. Since then, he has been Chief Executive Officer and Director of Alstom.

    Mr. Olivier Klein, Graduated from the Panthéon‑Sorbonne University in 1978 with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, from the National School of Statistics and Economic Administration (ENSAE) in 1980, and from HEC’s graduate course in Finance in 1985. He began his career at the BFCE in 1985 and served as manager of the Foreign Exchange and Rate Risk Management Advisory Department, then as Director of the BFCE’s Investment Bank, and finally as Regional Director of its corporate bank. He joined the Caisse d’Epargne group in 1998 and was Chairman of the Executive Board of the Caisse d’Epargne Ile‑de‑France Ouest from 2000 to 2007 and then of the Caisse d’Epargne Rhône‑Alpes from 2007 to 2009. In January 2010, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Banking and Insurance of the BPCE group until September 2012. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the BRED group from October 2012 to May 2023. He was a Member of the Supervisory Board of BPCE and its Risk Committee between 2019 and May 2023. He is Chief Executive Officer of Lazard Frères Banque SA and Managing Partner since September 2023. Since 1986, He is teaching macroeconomics and monetary policy at HEC. He is a director of Rexécode since 2018.

    Mrs. Ingrid-Helen Arnold, Graduated from the University of Applied Sciences Ludwigshafen in 1997 with a master’s degree in economics. She began her career at SAP SE in 1996, where she held various responsibilities related to innovation and digital transformation. In 2014, she was appointed Chief Information Officer and Business
    Processes and extended Member of the SAPExecutiveCommittee. From 2016 to April 2021, she was President of SAP Business Data Network group in Palo Alto (United States) and SAP SE Walldorf (Germany). In 2021, she joined the Südzucker group as Chief Digital Officer and Information tehcnology and member of the Group’s Executive Committee. She is Chief Executive Officer of KAKO GmbH since June 2024. She was a member of the Supervisory Board and a member of the Heineken group Audit Committee from 2019 to 2023. She is a member of the TUI group Supervisory Board since 2020.

    Mr. Sébastien Wetter holds a Master degree in Fundamental Physics and graduated from the Lyons Business School (EM Lyon). He began his career at Societe Generale in 1997 in the Strategy and Marketing Division of Societe Generale’s retail bank. Working in the Group’s Organisation Consulting Department from 2002, he performed a range of roles in the Corporate & Investment Banking arm and helped roll out the Group-wide participatory Innovation programme. As of the end of 2005, he joined the Commodities Market Department as Chief Operating Officer holding a global remit, before becoming Head of Business Development in 2008. From 2010 until 2014, he served as General Secretary in the Group’s General Inspection and Audit Division. In 2014, he joined the Sales Division of the Corporate & Investment Bank arm where he held a number of positions: Head of marketing for major French and international clients, then in 2016, Global Chief Operating Officer responsible for the sales teams covering financial institutions. From 2020 to December 2022, he has been a banker managing Societe Generale’s relationship with international financial institutions. He has been a member of the of the Supervisory Board of the Fonds Commun de Placement d’Entreprise (FCPE) since May 2024.

    The regulatory declarations on the absence of conflicts of interest and the absence of convictions mentioned on page 140 of the Universal Registration Document filed by Societe Generale on 12 March 2025 with the French market authority (AMF) under number D.25-00088, relating notably to the three directors whose terms of office are renewed remain valid and the two new directors appointed with effect from the General Meeting of 20 May 2025 have made the same regulatory declarations.

    Press contacts:
    Jean-Baptiste Froville_+33 1 58 98 68 00_ jean-baptiste.froville@socgen.com
    Fanny Rouby_+33 1 57 29 11 12_ fanny.rouby@socgen.com

    Societe Generale

    Societe Generale is a top tier European Bank with around 119,000 employees serving more than 26 million clients in 62 countries across the world. We have been supporting the development of our economies for 160 years, providing our corporate, institutional, and individual clients with a wide array of value-added advisory and financial solutions. Our long-lasting and trusted relationships with the clients, our cutting-edge expertise, our unique innovation, our ESG capabilities and leading franchises are part of our DNA and serve our most essential objective – to deliver sustainable value creation for all our stakeholders.

    The Group runs three complementary sets of businesses, embedding ESG offerings for all its clients:

    • French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance, with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank.
    • Global Banking and Investor Solutions, a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG.
    • Mobility, International Retail Banking and Financial Services, comprising well-established universal banks (in Czech Republic, Romania and several African countries), Ayvens (the new ALD I LeasePlan brand), a global player in sustainable mobility, as well as specialized financing activities.

    Committed to building together with its clients a better and sustainable future, Societe Generale aims to be a leading partner in the environmental transition and sustainability overall. The Group is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe).

    In case of doubt regarding the authenticity of this press release, please go to the end of the Group News page on societegenerale.com website where official Press Releases sent by Societe Generale can be certified using blockchain technology. A link will allow you to check the document’s legitimacy directly on the web page.

    For more information, you can follow us on Twitter/X @societegenerale or visit our website societegenerale.com.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: VA News | May 20, 2025

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    This week’s VA News focuses on your prescriptions from VA’s mobile app to your mailbox, 1-on-1 assistance from VA, and honoring Memorial Day with National Partners.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIZkdtoM6lg

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 305

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL5

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 305
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    235 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Northern Alabama
    Northwest Georgia
    Southeast Illinois
    Southwest Indiana
    Central Kentucky
    Middle Tennessee

    * Effective this Tuesday afternoon and evening from 235 PM until
    1000 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Scattered large hail likely with isolated very large hail events
    to 2.5 inches in diameter possible
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely

    SUMMARY…Thunderstorms will spread quickly eastward across the
    watch area through the afternoon and early evening hours. Damaging
    winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes are expected.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 85 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 50 miles north of Bowling Green KY to
    35 miles south of Huntsville AL. For a complete depiction of the
    watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU5).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 302…WW 303…WW 304…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 25030.

    …Hart

    SEL5

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 305
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    235 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Northern Alabama
    Northwest Georgia
    Southeast Illinois
    Southwest Indiana
    Central Kentucky
    Middle Tennessee

    * Effective this Tuesday afternoon and evening from 235 PM until
    1000 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Scattered large hail likely with isolated very large hail events
    to 2.5 inches in diameter possible
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely

    SUMMARY…Thunderstorms will spread quickly eastward across the
    watch area through the afternoon and early evening hours. Damaging
    winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes are expected.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 85 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 50 miles north of Bowling Green KY to
    35 miles south of Huntsville AL. For a complete depiction of the
    watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU5).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 302…WW 303…WW 304…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 25030.

    …Hart

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW5
    WW 305 TORNADO AL GA IL IN KY TN 201935Z – 210300Z
    AXIS..85 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    50N BWG/BOWLING GREEN KY/ – 35S HSV/HUNTSVILLE AL/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 75NM E/W /46N BWG – 29NNE VUZ/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 25030.

    LAT…LON 37688487 34138529 34138827 37688797

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU5.

    Watch 305 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Mod (60%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Mod (40%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    High (70%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Low (10%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (60%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (30%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (>95%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: UIFCA Launches: AI-Powered Investing & Expert Financial Education

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — UIFCA Wealth Academy Ltd. today announced its official launch, introducing a comprehensive platform designed to transform how individuals and businesses approach financial markets. The academy integrates cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools with expert-backed investment strategies and world-class financial education, aiming to equip investors with the necessary insights and resources for informed, strategic decision-making.

    The core mission of UIFCA is to empower users to achieve steady and exponential wealth growth, irrespective of the complexities presented by today’s rapidly shifting economic landscape. Recognizing that financial markets are in constant evolution, UIFCA emphasizes that staying ahead requires more than fundamental knowledge; it demands innovation, adaptability, and a data-driven methodology. The academy is built to address these needs directly, offering solutions for navigating market volatility and identifying growth opportunities.

    Through its state-of-the-art technology, UIFCA analyzes market trends in real time. This capability assists users in identifying potential investment opportunities, mitigating risks effectively, and optimizing their investment portfolios for better performance. A dedicated team of seasoned financial experts and AI specialists works continuously to ensure the platform remains at the forefront of the industry, delivering high levels of accuracy, efficiency, and reliability to its user base.

    UIFCA is structured to cater to a diverse range of investors. Whether an individual is a seasoned market participant looking to refine sophisticated strategies or a newcomer seeking to build a strong financial foundation, the academy provides guidance and support. The platform champions the democratization of access to financial intelligence, enabling a broader audience to harness the power of AI-driven investment strategies.

    The ultimate goal is to foster long-term financial success for its members. By providing advanced tools, comprehensive educational materials, and access to expert insights, UIFCA strives to help users take confident control of their financial futures. The academy is committed to shaping intelligent investments and securing tomorrow’s wealth for its global community. Individuals interested in exploring these innovative financial solutions are encouraged to visit the company website.

    About UIFCA Wealth Academy Ltd.
    UIFCA Wealth Academy Ltd. is committed to revolutionizing the way investors navigate the financial markets. Leveraging cutting-edge AI-powered tools, expert-backed strategies, and world-class financial education, UIFCA provides investors with the insights and resources needed to make informed, strategic decisions for steady and exponential wealth growth. With a focus on innovation, expertise, and empowerment, UIFCA serves a global community of traders in both cryptocurrency and traditional financial markets.

    Contact:
    Sarah Mitchell
    sarah.mitchell@ufaceu.com
    Communications Manager
    UIFCA Wealth Academy Ltd
    Website: www.ufaceu.com | www.uifca.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/83b004d5-1e7b-45be-b6a4-94123527ed67

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy Grills Secretary Of State Marco Rubio On Trump Meme Coin Dinner, USAID, Corrupt Deals With Foreign Governments

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    [embedded content]

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Tuesday questioned U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a hearing on President Trump’s fiscal year 2026 budget request for the U.S. Department of State. Murphy challenged Rubio on the administration’s misleading foreign aid claims and raised serious concerns about Trump’s ongoing business ties with foreign governments, warning they undermine U.S. national security.

    Murphy called out Rubio for downplaying the harm caused by shutting down USAID and misrepresenting key facts in his opening statement: “It would certainly shock Americans to hear that only 12% of our foreign aid reaches needy recipients on the ground – the people who need the help. That is not actually an accurate number. That is the amount of our aid that goes directly to local groups on the ground, but as you know, most of our aid runs through bigger international organizations, like Save the Children. Those entities are [giving] somewhere around 80%, 85% of the aid we give them directly to recipients on the ground. So I think that what you have done to shutter USAID is illegal, but I also think it is bad policy, and I do think it is important for us to all be operating with the same set of facts. The fact is not that only 12% of taxpayer dollars are ending up in the hands of the people who really need it on the ground.”

    Murphy condemned Trump for abandoning his pledge to keep family business separate from foreign deals, warning the reversal creates dangerous conflicts between national security and personal profit: “During his first term, [Trump] made the decision to not enter into any new business deals during his presidency – that Trump-affiliated businesses would not enter into any foreign business arrangements. And that made sense, because obviously it can be confusing for foreign governments to know how to try to win favor with the U.S. government if they have one route – making concessions that are good for U.S. national security – and they also have another route – which is perhaps helping the President’s business interests. The President obviously changed that policy, and in this administration, his business interests are announcing new agreements and new investments into those business interests by foreign governments. And I think it stands to reason that that creates a real problem for foreign policy. It creates a problem for foreign governments in which they don’t exactly know what the best way is to try to get on good terms with the U.S. government and with the White House. Is it to do what’s right for American national security, or might it also be to do a business deal with the President of the United States and the entities he controls?”

    After Rubio denied knowing about Trump’s upcoming meme coin dinner, a closed-door gala promising exclusive access to the President in exchange for anonymous multi-million dollar investments in Trump’s meme coin, Murphy concluded: “I think that represents a real problem for this Committee, because there is clearly a way around the State Department for foreign individuals of significant influence and wealth, to be able to directly lobby the President of the United States. And so, if your answer is that you don’t know this is happening, that in and of itself is a problem. These are individuals who just bought their way into a meeting with the President. I think you should endeavor to get your hands on the list to make sure that there aren’t individuals there who are perhaps contravening national security interests that the Department of State is prioritizing.”

    A full transcript of Murphy’s exchange with Rubio can be found below:

    MURPHY: “Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Secretary, for being here. 

    “Before I ask my questions, I just ask that after this hearing you go back and reconsider a claim that you made in your opening statement. It would certainly shock Americans to hear that only 12% of our foreign aid reaches needy recipients on the ground– the people who need the help. That is not actually an accurate number. That is the amount of our aid that goes directly to local groups on the ground, but as you know, most of our aid runs through bigger international organizations, like Save the Children. Those entities are getting somewhere around 80%, 85% of the aid we give them directly to recipients on the ground. So I think that what you have done to shutter USAID is illegal, but I also think it is bad policy, and I do think it is important for us to all be operating with the same set of facts. The fact is not that only 12% of taxpayer dollars are ending up in the hands of the people who really need it on the ground.

    “Mr. Secretary, I wanted to talk to you about the President’s personal business interests. During his first term he made the decision to not enter into any new business deals during his presidency– that Trump-affiliated businesses would not enter into any foreign business arrangements. And that made sense, because obviously it can be confusing for foreign governments to know how to try to win favor with the U.S. government if they have one route – making concessions that are good for U.S. national security – and they also have another route – which is perhaps helping the President’s business interests. The President obviously changed that policy, and in this administration, his business interests are announcing new agreements and new investments into those business interests by foreign governments. And I think it stands to reason that that creates a real problem for foreign policy. It creates a problem for foreign governments in which they don’t exactly know what the best way is to try to get on good terms with the U.S. government and with the White House. Is it to do what’s right for American national security, or might it also be to do a business deal with the President of the United States and the entities he controls? Just to clarify, when the President’s businesses are engaged in negotiations, for instance with the UAE on their stable-coin business – there was this big investment announced recently – you are not part of those negotiations. Those are being done by the President’s family or those representing the President’s businesses?”

    RUBIO: “I am not aware the President is involved in managing any business, other than the presidency of the United States. His family is allowed to make business deals. They continue to operate the enterprises that his family ran. I also don’t accept the notion that these deals – for example in Saudi Arabia, or the UAE or Qatar – had anything to do with the President. For example, Qatar bought $200 billion worth of airplanes from Boeing. The President’s not – as far as I know– a shareholder of Boeing. He certainly does not own Boeing. The overwhelming – if you look at the deals that were structured, they were involved with investments in the United States, that’s the deals he signed, and/or investments in, for example, the UAE or Saudi Arabia, involving artificial intelligence.”

    MURPHY: “UAE did announce a massive investment in World Liberty Financial, and World Liberty Financial is controlled by the President. And the President does actively engage in these businesses. He uses his social media to market the businesses that are being run by his family. I mean, just go on to his social media feed and you will see him marketing his meme coin. That is the President of the United States, that is not his sons doing it.”

    RUBIO: “But just to be clear, that was not an announcement as part of this trade visit that was conducted into the Middle East.”

    MURPHY: “Well, whether or not it was made during the time the President was there, there are obviously business deals being done between Trump entities and these countries.

    “Let me ask you about the one that is probably most confusing to this Committee, which is the planned gift of a plane to either the United States government or the President. Is it your understanding that this luxury plane that Qatar has offered the President – and the President has announced he is willing to accept – is a gift to the United States government? Or is it a gift, ultimately, to the President himself that he can use in his library?”

    RUBIO: “Well you would have to talk to the Department of Defense because this is a replacement, or at least a temporary bridge plane, for Air Force One – the new Air Force One – which is way off of its delivery schedule. And so that would have to be with the Air Force. They operate Air Force One. My understanding of it basically has been from the very beginning that this is a plane that was identified after talking to Boeing about what other planes around the world would fit the bill – that are out there, that could be used now – they identified the ones the Qataris had as an opportunity for one, and the ones the UAE had as an opportunity for one, and that’s how that–“

    MURPHY: “And it’s not your understanding that the plane ultimately will belong to the President, or to the President’s library, after?”

    RUBIO: “I’m not involved at that level of it. I’ve never heard that before. What I’ve heard is that that plane will replace Air Force One which is an Air Force plane.”

    MURPHY: “Let me ask you about the dinner that’s happening this Thursday night. The President has offered access to him to the 200 top purchasers of his meme coin. Reports are that maybe about half or more of those individuals, who will be meeting with him, many in a VIP reception, are foreigners. Do you have a list of those foreign individuals who will be meeting with the President?”

    RUBIO: “I don’t. I don’t know anything about it. I didn’t even know there was a dinner on Thursday night, so I’m not sure what you’re referring to.”

    MURPHY: “So you don’t know whether any of the foreign individuals who are going to be meeting with the President this Thursday night, for instance, are on our list of sanctioned individuals, or whether any of those individuals have connections to, let’s say, terrorist organizations abroad?”

    RUBIO: “Well I think if they had terrorist links the Department of Homeland Security probably would not have allowed them into the country. But, again, I don’t even know there is a dinner on Thursday. You’re asking me about something I don’t know about.”

    MURPHY: “Listen, this is a dinner that the President is having. It is likely going to involve some very significant foreign interests. You have to be pretty wealthy in order to be able to get inside this dinner. Isn’t that a relevant question for the Secretary of State–”

    RUBIO: “I’m not the Social Secretary.”

    MURPHY: “–which foreign interests are going to be speaking to the President?”

    RUBIO: “No.”

    MURPHY: “I mean, it’s kind of naive to believe they aren’t going to be in that room talking about national security matters.”

    RUBIO: “I don’t think that that’s the case at all, because I would be aware if it was the case. The truth of the matter is I interact with government officials and others in governments of other countries. You’re asking about a dinner I don’t know anything about. I can’t answer you because I don’t know anything about this dinner. It’s the first I heard of it. Like I said, I don’t keep the President’s social schedule. It’s not on my phone. It’s not in my pocket. I can’t comment on a dinner I know nothing about.”

    MURPHY: “I think that represents a real problem for this Committee, because there is clearly a way around the State Department for foreign individuals of significant influence and wealth, to be able to directly lobby the President of the United States. And so if your answer is that you don’t know this is happening, that in and of itself is a problem.”

    RUBIO: “I don’t think that’s fair. I don’t know that there’s a dinner, and I don’t know what the guest list is, but I can tell you I’ve run into the President of FIFA from the World Cup. He’s here all the time. I see him. He’s a private individual, it’s not a government entity, and he’s met with the President and is friendly with the President. He doesn’t have to go through me to meet with the President. The President has relationships and friends and people he’s known for a long time. Some of them are foreigners. That’s not unusual. But you’re asking me about a specific dinner and implying nefarious impact. I can’t comment on a dinner.”

    MURPHY: “Yeah, but those are people that he’s known for a long time. These are individuals who just bought their way into a meeting with the President. I think you should probably endeavor to get your hands on the list to make sure that there aren’t individuals there who are perhaps contravening national security interests that the Department of State is prioritizing.”

    RUBIO: “I don’t have any concern about that. I don’t have any concern that the President having dinner with someone is going to contravene the national security of the United States.”

    MURPHY: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: ESET Research APT Report: Russian cyberattacks in Ukraine intensify; Sandworm unleashes new destructive wiper

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • ESET has released its latest advanced persistent threat (APT) report.
    • Russian APT groups intensified attacks against Ukraine and the EU, exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities and deploying wipers.
    • China-aligned groups like Mustang Panda and DigitalRecyclers continued their espionage campaigns targeting the EU government and maritime sectors.
    • North Korea-aligned groups expanded their financially motivated campaigns using fake job listings and social engineering.

    BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ESET Research has released its latest APT Activity Report, which highlights activities of select APT groups that were documented by ESET researchers from October 2024 through March 2025. During the monitored period, Russia-aligned threat actors, notably Sednit and Gamaredon, maintained aggressive campaigns primarily targeting Ukraine and EU countries. Ukraine was subjected to the greatest intensity of cyberattacks against the country’s critical infrastructure and governmental institutions. The Russia-aligned Sandworm group intensified destructive operations against Ukrainian energy companies, deploying a new wiper named ZEROLOT. China-aligned threat actors continued engaging in persistent espionage campaigns with a focus on European organizations.

    Gamaredon remained the most prolific actor targeting Ukraine, enhancing malware obfuscation and introducing PteroBox, a file stealer leveraging Dropbox. “The infamous Sandworm group concentrated heavily on compromising Ukrainian energy infrastructure. In recent cases, it deployed the ZEROLOT wiper in Ukraine. For this, the attackers abused Active Directory Group Policy in the affected organizations,” says ESET Director of Threat Research Jean-Ian Boutin.

    Sednit refined its exploitation of cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in webmail services, expanding Operation RoundPress from Roundcube to include Horde, MDaemon, and Zimbra. ESET discovered that the group successfully leveraged a zero-day vulnerability in MDaemon Email Server (CVE-2024-11182) against Ukrainian companies. Several Sednit attacks against defense companies located in Bulgaria and Ukraine used spearphishing email campaigns as a lure. Another Russia-aligned group, RomCom, demonstrated advanced capabilities by deploying zero-day exploits against Mozilla Firefox (CVE 2024 9680) and Microsoft Windows (CVE 2024 49039).

    In Asia, China-aligned APT groups continued their campaigns against governmental and academic institutions. At the same time, North Korea-aligned threat actors significantly increased their operations directed at South Korea, placing particular emphasis on individuals, private companies, embassies, and diplomatic personnel. Mustang Panda remained the most active, targeting governmental institutions and maritime transportation companies via Korplug loaders and malicious USB drives. DigitalRecyclers continued targeting EU governmental entities, employing the KMA VPN anonymization network and deploying the RClient, HydroRShell, and GiftBox backdoors. PerplexedGoblin used its new espionage backdoor, which ESET named NanoSlate, against a Central European government entity, while Webworm targeted a Serbian government organization using SoftEther VPN, emphasizing the continued popularity of this tool among China-aligned groups.

    Elsewhere in Asia, North Korea-aligned threat actors were particularly active in financially motivated campaigns. DeceptiveDevelopment significantly broadened its targeting, using fake job listings primarily within the cryptocurrency, blockchain, and finance sectors. The group employed innovative social engineering techniques to distribute the multiplatform WeaselStore malware. The Bybit cryptocurrency theft, attributed by the FBI to TraderTraitor APT group, involved a supply-chain compromise of Safe{Wallet} that caused losses of approximately USD 1.5 billion. Meanwhile, other North Korea-aligned groups saw fluctuations in their operational tempo: In early 2025, Kimsuky and Konni returned to their usual activity levels after a noticeable decline at the end of 2024, shifting their targeting away from English-speaking think tanks, NGOs, and North Korea experts to focus primarily on South Korean entities and diplomatic personnel; and Andariel resurfaced, after a year of inactivity, with a sophisticated attack against a South Korean industrial software company.

    Iran-aligned APT groups maintained their primary focus on the Middle East region, predominantly targeting governmental organizations and entities within the manufacturing and engineering sectors in Israel. Additionally, ESET observed a significant global uptick in cyberattacks against technology companies, largely attributed to increased activity by North Korea-aligned DeceptiveDevelopment.

    “The highlighted operations are representative of the broader threat landscape that we investigated during this period. They illustrate the key trends and developments, and contain only a small fraction of the cybersecurity intelligence data provided to customers of ESET APT reports,” adds Boutin.

    Intelligence shared in the private reports is primarily based on proprietary ESET telemetry data and has been verified by ESET researchers, who prepare in-depth technical reports and frequent activity updates detailing activities of specific APT groups. These threat intelligence analyses, known as ESET APT Reports PREMIUM, assist organizations tasked with protecting citizens, critical national infrastructure, and high-value assets from criminal and nation-state-directed cyberattacks. More information about ESET APT Reports PREMIUM and its delivery of high-quality, actionable tactical and strategic cybersecurity threat intelligence is available at the ESET Threat Intelligence page.

    Make sure to follow ESET Research on Twitter (today known as X), BlueSky, and Mastodon for the latest news from ESET Research.

    About ESET

    ESET® provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of emerging global cyberthreats, both known and unknown — securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether it’s endpoint, cloud, or mobile protection, our AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multifactor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. The ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow our social media, podcasts and blogs.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/916569c8-b3c1-41ce-bc7a-dfd407156187

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ESET Research uncovers Operation RoundPress: Russia-aligned Sednit targets entities linked to the Ukraine war to steal confidential data

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • ESET researchers uncovered the Operation RoundPress espionage campaign, with Russia-aligned Sednit group most likely behind it.
    • In Operation RoundPress, the compromise vector is a spearphishing email leveraging an XSS vulnerability to inject malicious JavaScript code into the victim’s webmail page. It targets Roundcube, Horde, MDaemon, and Zimbra webmail software.
    • Most victims are governmental entities and defense companies in Eastern Europe, although ESET has observed governments in Africa, Europe, and South America being targeted as well.
    • The payloads are able to steal webmail credentials, and exfiltrate contacts and email messages from the victim’s mailbox.
    • Additionally, SpyPress.MDAEMON is able to set up a bypass for two-factor authentication.

    MONTREAL and BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ESET researchers have uncovered a Russia-aligned espionage operation, which ESET named RoundPress, targeting webmail servers via XSS vulnerabilities. Behind it is most likely the Russia-aligned Sednit (also known as Fancy Bear or APT28) cyberespionage group, holding the ultimate goal of stealing confidential data from specific email accounts. Most of the targets are related to the current war in Ukraine; they are either Ukrainian governmental entities or defense companies in Bulgaria and Romania. Notably, some of these defense companies are producing Soviet-era weapons to be sent to Ukraine. Other targets include African, EU, and South American governments.

    “Last year, we observed different XSS vulnerabilities being used to target additional webmail software: Horde, MDaemon, and Zimbra. Sednit also started to use a more recent vulnerability in Roundcube, CVE-2023-43770. The MDaemon vulnerability — CVE-2024-11182, now patched — was a zero day, most likely discovered by Sednit, while the ones for Horde, Roundcube, and Zimbra were already known and patched,” says ESET researcher Matthieu Faou, who discovered and investigated Operation RoundPress. Sednit sends these XSS exploits by email; the exploits lead to the execution of malicious JavaScript code in the context of the webmail client web page running in a browser window. Therefore, only data accessible from the target’s account can be read and exfiltrated.

    In order for the exploit to work, the target must be convinced to open the email message in the vulnerable webmail portal. This means that the email needs to bypass any spam filtering, and the subject line needs to be convincing enough to entice the target into reading the email message — abusing well-known news media such as Ukrainian news outlet Kyiv Post or Bulgarian news portal News.bg. Among the headlines used as spearphishing were: “SBU arrested a banker who worked for enemy military intelligence in Kharkiv” and “Putin seeks Trump’s acceptance of Russian conditions in bilateral relations”.

    The attackers unleash JavaScript payloads SpyPress.HORDE, SpyPress.MDAEMON, SpyPress.ROUNDCUBE, and SpyPress.ZIMBRA upon the targets. Those are capable of credential stealing; exfiltration of the address book, contacts, and log-in history; and exfiltration of email messages. SpyPress.MDAEMON is able to set up a bypass for two-factor authentication protection; it exfiltrates the two-factor authentication secret and creates an app password, which enables the attackers to access the mailbox from a mail application.

    “Over the past two years, webmail servers such as Roundcube and Zimbra have been a major target for several espionage groups, including Sednit, GreenCube, and Winter Vivern. Because many organizations don’t keep their webmail servers up to date, and because the vulnerabilities can be triggered remotely by sending an email message, it is very convenient for attackers to target such servers for email theft,” explains Faou.

    The Sednit group — also known as APT28, Fancy Bear, Forest Blizzard, or Sofacy — has been operating since at least 2004. The U.S. Department of Justice named the group as one of those responsible for the Democratic National Committee (DNC) hack just before the 2016 U.S. elections and linked the group to the GRU. The group is also presumed to be behind the hacking of global television network TV5Monde, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) email leak, and many other incidents.

    For a more detailed analysis and technical breakdown of Sednit’s tools used in Operation RoundPress, check out the latest ESET Research blogpost “Operation RoundPress” on WeLiveSecurity.com. Make sure to follow ESET Research on Twitter (today known as X), BlueSky, and Mastodon for the latest news from ESET Research.

    Map of operation RoundPress targets, according to ESET telemetry

    About ESET

    ESET® provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of emerging global cyberthreats, both known and unknown — securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether it’s endpoint, cloud, or mobile protection, our AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multifactor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. The ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow our social media, podcasts and blogs.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eee3ee68-80dc-4136-a11d-6f498092f7d1

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 20 May 2025 Departmental update African health leaders and global partners unite to confront rising threat of antimalarial drug resistance

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Health leaders from malaria-endemic African countries and global partners called today for intensified action to counter antimalarial drug resistance – a growing challenge that threatens to undermine hard-won progress against one of Africa’s deadliest diseases.

    Meeting on the margins of the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly, the high-level gathering turned a spotlight on the urgent need for coordinated action to contain the spread of resistance to frontline malaria medicines.

     “Antimalarial drug resistance is a threat to every community on this continent, noted Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, Minister of Health of Rwanda. “It demands a shared response, rooted in science, solidarity and speed.”

    Led by the Government of Rwanda, the side event brought together a powerful coalition of co-hosts, including Eritrea, Ethiopia, Namibia, South Sudan, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia. Supporting partners included World Health Organization (WHO), Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), the RBM Partnership to End Malaria and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

    A race against time to preserve life-saving malaria treatments

    Containing antimalarial drug resistance is a critical public health priority – particularly in the African Region, which shoulders 95% of the global malaria burden. According to WHO’s latest World malaria report, 4 East African countries – Eritrea, Rwanda, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania – have confirmed the presence of partial resistance to artemisinin, the core compound of the most effective treatments for P. falciparum malaria. Resistance is also suspected in other countries, including Ethiopia, Namibia, Sudan and Zambia.

    Drug resistance has been driven by several factors, such as the use of substandard or counterfeit medicines and treatment regimens that are not followed to completion. Protecting the efficacy of artemisinin-based antimalarial drugs is now a race against time. With heavy dependence on artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) in Africa, full-blown treatment failure could have very serious consequences.

    In 2022, WHO released a dedicated strategy to confront antimalarial drug resistance in Africa. It reinforces the critical need for close collaboration with National Malaria Programmes, research institutions, and other partners to map the presence of antimalarial drug resistance, monitor drug efficacy and ensure patient access to effective treatments.

    “Drug resistance is a growing threat that demands urgent, collective action,” said Dr Daniel Ngamije, Director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme. “We must act decisively and in solidarity to preserve the tools we have and to ensure access to effective – treatments for all in need.”

    Urgent need to diversify malaria treatment options

    In most malaria-endemic countries in Africa, artemether-lumefantrine (AL) accounts for more than 80% of the malaria treatment market in the public sector. To protect efficacy of AL and other artemisinin-based therapies, WHO has called for diversification of currently used ACTs (see box below). One approach is the use of multiple first-line therapies, which could reduce drug pressure and delay resistance. Next-generation therapies may include triple ACT combinations or non-artemisinin-based drugs.

    However, some alternative ACTs with favorable safety and efficacy profiles are more expensive than AL, placing them out of reach for many endemic countries. Innovation must not only deliver next-generation treatments but also ensure they are accessible and affordable.

    “Innovation is critical in the fight against drug resistance,” said Dr Martin Fitchet, CEO of MMV. “With our partners, we’re developing next-generation antimalarials that could reach patients by 2027 – while acting now to preserve the power of today’s treatments. Both are vital to outpace resistance and keep saving lives.”

    Together with countries and other partners, global funders are working to expand access to alternative treatments and bolster efforts to detect and mitigate resistance. In a joint donor statement issued in September 2024, the Gates Foundation, the Global Fund, UNITAID and the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative noted that time is of the essence:

    “It’s all too easy with a sweeping problem like resistance to only wake up to the scale of it too late,” notes Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund and a panelist in today’s discussion.

    WHO-recommended artemisinin-based combination therapies

    ACTs combine an artemisinin derivative (artesunate, artemether or dihydroartemisinin) with a partner drug. The role of the artemisinin compound is to reduce the number of parasites during the first 3 days of treatment, while the role of the partner drug is to eliminate the remaining parasites and cure the infection. WHO currently recommends 6 ACTs as first and second-line treatment for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria:

       ●   artemether-lumefantrine (AL)
       ●   artesunate-amodiaquine (AS-AQ)
       ●   artesunate-mefloquine (AS-MQ)
       ●   artesunate-pyronaridine (AS-PY)
       ●   artesunate+sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (AS+SP)
       ●   dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHA-PPQ)   

    Momentum builds for national action on antimalarial drug resistance

    Panelists in today’s discussion echoed the commitments of the 2024 Yaoundé Declaration for strong leadership in malaria-endemic countries, greater regional collaboration and sustained support from global partners. These actions will not only help to accelerate reductions in malaria mortality, but also contribute towards curbing drug resistance.

    Many speakers recognized the urgent need for robust surveillance systems and timely sharing of data on drug-resistant malaria. As Professor Dyann Wirth, Chair of the WHO Malaria Advisory Policy Group, noted:

    “Data needs to be shared in a timely way so that researchers share it with policymakers – and then policymakers are able to use that data to make decisions.”

    Health leaders also called for more predictable, sustainable financing to close critical gaps in health services and surveillance – including through increased domestic resource mobilization and continued support from international partners.

    Stepping up collective action, aligned with country priorities

    To bolster country-driven efforts, coordinated support from global partners is vital. The “Big Push” initiative is bringing together governments, communities and other partners in a shared effort to revitalize malaria control.

    “The Big Push represents a new era of partnership – one that is country-driven and community-led,” said Dr Michael Charles, CEO of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria.

    The Big Push calls for a clear accountability mechanism and increased investment in malaria responses. It further highlights the critical role of data-driven decision-making, resilient primary health care systems and meaningful community engagement.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 304

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL4

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 304
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    145 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Central Illinois
    West Central Indiana

    * Effective this Tuesday afternoon and evening from 145 PM until
    800 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes possible
    Scattered large hail likely with isolated very large hail events
    to 2 inches in diameter possible
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

    SUMMARY…A few strong to severe thunderstorms will track
    northeastward across the watch area. Large hail and a few tornadoes
    appear to be the main threats.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 65 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 55 miles north northeast of Peoria IL
    to 15 miles south southeast of Mattoon IL. For a complete depiction
    of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
    WOU4).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 302…WW 303…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 450. Mean
    storm motion vector 24030.

    …Hart

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW4
    WW 304 TORNADO IL IN 201845Z – 210100Z
    AXIS..65 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    55NNE PIA/PEORIA IL/ – 15SSE MTO/MATTOON IL/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 55NM E/W /20NE BDF – 43SE AXC/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 450. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24030.

    LAT…LON 41408802 39258696 39258939 41409053

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU4.

    Watch 304 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Mod (50%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Low (20%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    Mod (40%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Low (20%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (60%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (30%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (90%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NIH researchers develop biomarker score for predicting diets high in ultra-processed foods

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 2

    News Release
    Tuesday, May 20, 2025

    Poly-metabolite scores could reduce reliance on self-reported dietary data in large population studies.
    For the first time, researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) identified patterns of metabolites in blood and urine that can be used as an objective measure of an individual’s consumption of energy from ultra-processed foods. Metabolites are left after the body converts food into energy, a process known as metabolism. Scientists used these data to develop a score based on multiple metabolites, known as a poly-metabolite score, that has the potential to reduce the reliance on, or complement the use of, self-reported dietary data in large population studies. The findings appeared May 20, 2025, in PLOS Medicine.   
    “Limitations of self-reported diet are well known. Metabolomics provides an exciting opportunity to not only improve our methods for objectively measuring complex exposures like diet and intake of ultra-processed foods, but also to understand the mechanisms by which diet might be impacting health,” said lead investigator Erikka Loftfield, Ph.D., M.P.H., of NIH’s National Cancer Institute.
    Diets high in ultra-processed foods, which are defined as ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat, industrially manufactured products, typically high in calories and low in essential nutrients, have been linked to increased risk of obesity and related chronic diseases, including some types of cancer. Large population studies quantifying the health effects of ultraprocessed foods typically rely on self-reported data from dietary questionnaires. Such measures may be subject to differences in reporting and may not account for changes in the food supply over time. As a result of this study, researchers now have an objective measure of ultra-processed food intake to help advance the study of associations between ultra-processed foods and health outcomes.
    In the new study, the researchers used data from several existing studies to identify metabolites and patterns of metabolites in blood and urine that were related to ultra-processed food intake. Observational data came from 718 older adults who provided biospecimens and dietary information over a 12-month study period. Experimental data came from a small clinical trial of 20 adults at the NIH Clinical Center who consumed a diet high in ultraprocessed foods (80% of energy) and a diet comprised of no ultraprocessed food (0% of energy) for two weeks each in random order.
    The researchers found hundreds of metabolites that correlated with the percentage of energy from ultra-processed foods in the diet. Using machine learning, researchers identified metabolic patterns associated with high intake of ultra-processed foods and calculated poly-metabolite scores for blood and urine separately. Additional tests found that these scores could accurately differentiate within trial subjects between the highly processed diet phase and the unprocessed diet phase.
    Study participants were older U.S. adults whose diets may vary from other populations, as a result, findings will need to be replicated in other age groups. Researchers recommended that these poly-metabolite scores be evaluated and improved in populations with different diets and a wide range of ultra-processed food intake. Additionally, future research should examine the association of these poly-metabolite scores and the risk of diseases such as cancer and type 2 diabetes.
    About the National Cancer Institute (NCI): NCI leads the National Cancer Program and NIH’s efforts to dramatically reduce the prevalence of cancer and improve the lives of people with cancer. NCI supports a wide range of cancer research and training extramurally through grants and contracts. NCI’s intramural research program conducts innovative, transdisciplinary basic, translational, clinical, and epidemiological research on the causes of cancer, avenues for prevention, risk prediction, early detection, and treatment, including research at the NIH Clinical Center—the world’s largest research hospital. Learn more about the intramural research done in NCI’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics. For more information about cancer, please visit the NCI website at cancer.gov or call NCI’s Cancer Information Service, at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).
    About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.
    NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health®

    References
    Abar L, Steele EM, Lee SK, Kahle L, Moore SC, Watts E, et al. (2025) Identification and validation of poly-metabolite scores for diets high in ultra-processed food: An observational study and post-hoc randomized controlled crossover-feeding trial. PLoS Med 22(5): https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1004560

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 303

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL3

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 303
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    110 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Eastern Arkansas
    Southern Illinois
    Western Kentucky
    Southeast Missouri
    Northern Mississippi
    West Tennessee

    * Effective this Tuesday afternoon and evening from 110 PM until
    800 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5
    inches in diameter likely
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely

    SUMMARY…Thunderstorms will intensify across the watch area this
    afternoon in a very moist and unstable air mass. A few supercells
    are expected, capable of large hail, damaging winds, and a few
    tornadoes.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 110 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 60 miles east northeast of Poplar Bluff
    MO to 35 miles south of Greenville MS. For a complete depiction of
    the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
    WOU3).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 302…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 24030.

    …Hart

    SEL3

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 303
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    110 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Eastern Arkansas
    Southern Illinois
    Western Kentucky
    Southeast Missouri
    Northern Mississippi
    West Tennessee

    * Effective this Tuesday afternoon and evening from 110 PM until
    800 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5
    inches in diameter likely
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely

    SUMMARY…Thunderstorms will intensify across the watch area this
    afternoon in a very moist and unstable air mass. A few supercells
    are expected, capable of large hail, damaging winds, and a few
    tornadoes.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 110 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 60 miles east northeast of Poplar Bluff
    MO to 35 miles south of Greenville MS. For a complete depiction of
    the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
    WOU3).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 302…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 24030.

    …Hart

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW3
    WW 303 TORNADO AR IL KY MO MS TN 201810Z – 210100Z
    AXIS..110 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    60ENE POF/POPLAR BLUFF MO/ – 35S GLH/GREENVILLE MS/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 95NM E/W /50SE FAM – 46SW SQS/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24030.

    LAT…LON 37088747 32958908 32959288 37089146

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU3.

    Watch 303 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Mod (60%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Mod (40%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    Mod (60%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Low (20%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    High (70%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (60%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (>95%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lawmakers Raise Alarm Over Trump’s Middle East AI Giveaway

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC  — President Donald Trump’s efforts to curry favor from several wealthy royal families that rule over countries in the Middle East and cut artificial intelligence deals with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) could threaten U.S. national security and put American economic interests at risk.

    Today. U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) along with Congressmen Jim Himes (D-CT) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) issued the following joint statement in response to President Trump’s artificial intelligence deals that were announced with Saudi Arabia and the UAE this week:

    “Democrats and Republicans have long agreed that American companies must remain the undisputed leader in AI, a rapidly developing technology critical to the future of everything from our national security to manufacturing, finance to health care. We have worked hard to ensure the most powerful AI systems are built here, and we have fought to restrict the most sophisticated chips from reaching China – or those who would grant remote access to China – given Beijing’s use of AI to strengthen its military, crack down on domestic dissent, and compete with the U.S.

    “President Trump announced deals to export very large volumes of advanced AI chips to the UAE and Saudi Arabia without credible security assurances to prevent U.S. adversaries from accessing those chips. These deals pose a significant threat to U.S. national security and fundamentally undermine bipartisan efforts to ensure the United States remains the global leader in AI. Rather than putting America first, this deal puts the Gulf first.

    “The volume of AI chips Trump is offering for export would deprive American AI developers of highly sought-after chips needed here and slow the U.S. AI buildout. Under this deal, data centers and AI systems that would otherwise be built in America will be built in the Middle East – at the exact time that President Trump says he wants to bring jobs and key industries back home. This deal would incentivize U.S. firms to build the factories of the future overseas, creating significant vulnerabilities in our AI supply chain. If our leading AI firms offshore their frontier computing infrastructure to the Middle East, we could become as reliant on the Middle East for AI as we are on Taiwan for advanced semiconductors – and as we used to be on the Middle East for oil. We should not foster new dependencies on foreign countries for this premier technology.

    “Additionally, these deals will provide our highest end chips to G42, a company with a well-documented history of cooperation with the People’s Republic of China. We applaud the administration’s efforts to limit exports of advanced AI chips to China, including recent actions to further restrict exports of Nvidia chips. However, these efforts will be for nothing if G42 or other companies with ties to China are given large quantities of our most advanced chips.

    “Proponents of the deal argue that China will fill the gap if we do not sell substantial quantities of advanced chips to these countries. This is false. China cannot and will not because China makes fewer chips as a nation than these deals offer, and each is inferior to their U.S.-designed equivalent. This is thanks to the bipartisan efforts under both the Trump and Biden administrations to cut off China’s access to advanced chip manufacturing equipment. These efforts have worked, and we should double down on this success rather than squander the leverage we have won.

    “If this deal succeeds, the offshoring of frontier American AI will be recorded as an historic American blunder. People around the world deserve to enjoy the benefits we will reap from AI. However, AI chips must only be exported to trusted companies, in reasonable numbers, and in concert with credible security standards and assurances. We welcome the opportunity to work with the administration to meet these objectives and urge our colleagues in Congress to do the same.”

    Senator Reed is Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.  Senator Coons is Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. Senator Shaheen is Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Senator Warner is Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Senator Kelly is a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Congressman Himes is Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee. Congressman Krishnamoorthi is Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: 29/2025・Trifork Group: Reporting of transactions made by persons discharging managerial responsibilities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company announcement no. 29 / 2025
    Schindellegi, Switzerland – 20 May 2025

    Reporting of transactions made by persons discharging managerial responsibilities

    Pursuant to the Market Abuse Regulation Article 19, Trifork Group AG (Swiss company registration number CHE-474.101.854) (“Trifork”) hereby notifies receipt of information of the following transactions made by persons discharging managerial responsibilities in Trifork or by persons associated with them.

    1. Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated
    a) Name Ferd AS
    2. Reason for the notification
    a) Position/status Ferd AS is represented on the Board of Directors of Trifork Group AG by Erik Theodor Jakobsen
    b) Initial notification/
    Amendment    		 Initial notification
    3. Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
    a) Name Trifork Group AG
    b) LEI 8945004BYZKXPESTBL36
    4.1 Details of the transaction(s)
    a) Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument

    Identification code

    		 Shares

    ISIN CH1111227810
    b) Nature of the transaction Acquisition
    c) Price(s) and volume(s) Price(s) Volume(s)
    DKK 90.00 160,000
    d) Aggregated information
    —
    Aggregated volume —
    Price    		 Total volume: 160,000

    Total price: DKK 90.00

    Total value: DKK 14,400,000
    e) Date of the transaction 20 May 2025
    f) Place of the transaction Nasdaq Copenhagen (XCSE)
    1. Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated
    a) Name Jørn Larsen
    2. Reason for the notification
    a) Position/status CEO
    b) Initial notification/
    Amendment    		 Initial notification
    3. Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
    a) Name Trifork Group AG
    b) LEI 8945004BYZKXPESTBL36
    4.1 Details of the transaction(s)
    a) Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument

    Identification code

    		 Shares

    ISIN CH1111227810
    b) Nature of the transaction Sale
    c) Price(s) and volume(s) Price(s) Volume(s)
    DKK 90.00 160,000
    d) Aggregated information
    —
    Aggregated volume —
    Price    		 Total volume: 160,000

    Total price: DKK 90.00

    Total value: DKK 14,400,000
    e) Date of the transaction 20 May 2025
    f) Place of the transaction Nasdaq Copenhagen (XCSE)

    Investor and media contact
    Frederik Svanholm, Group Investment Director, frsv@trifork.com, +41 79 357 73 17

    About Trifork
    Trifork is a pioneering and global technology partner, empowering enterprise and public sector customers with innovative digital solutions. With 1,215 professionals across 71 business units in 16 countries, Trifork specializes in designing, building, and operating advanced software across sectors such as public administration, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, energy, financial services, retail, and real estate. The Group’s R&D arm, Trifork Labs, drives innovation by investing in and developing synergistic, high-potential technology companies. Trifork Group AG is publicly listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen. Learn more at trifork.com.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC MD 902

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Mesoscale Discussion 0902
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    1019 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025

    Areas affected…parts of eastern Kentucky…middle/eastern
    Tennessee,,,northern Alabama

    Concerning…Severe potential…Watch possible

    Valid 201519Z – 201745Z

    Probability of Watch Issuance…60 percent

    SUMMARY…An initially isolated severe wind threat will probably
    gradually become more widespread, perhaps along with increasing
    potential for tornadoes, as storms spread eastward into early/mid
    afternoon.

    DISCUSSION…Little in the way of notable surface pressures rises
    have recently been evident within elongated, eastward advancing
    (around 35 kt) conglomerate convective outflow. However, forcing
    for ascent downstream of large-scale mid-level troughing slowly
    pivoting into the lower Ohio Valley has been maintaining convective
    development along its leading edge, with embedded cells occasionally
    undergoing a period of intensification. The downstream
    boundary-layer across eastern Tennessee into the vicinity of a
    stalled frontal zone across Kentucky is seasonably moist, and
    becoming characterized by CAPE in excess of 1000 J/kg, with
    inhibition gradually weakening with insolation.

    As daytime heating continues, a gradual intensification of storms is
    likely to continue, with further organization probable as this
    occurs, in the presence of strong deep-layer shear beneath 50+ kt
    southwesterly 500 mb flow. It appears that the intersection of the
    convective outflow and the surface frontal zone may become the focus
    for a developing area of low pressure across south central through
    southeastern Kentucky. As this occurs, hodographs might become
    increasingly conducive to a risk for tornadoes, in addition to
    increasing potential for strong to severe surface gusts associated
    with the strengthening convective cold pool.

    ..Kerr/Hart.. 05/20/2025

    …Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product…

    ATTN…WFO…RLX…MRX…JKL…LMK…OHX…HUN…

    LAT…LON 37708562 38428448 38278303 37078313 35698500 34588637
    34558787 35158777 36098684 37708562

    MOST PROBABLE PEAK TORNADO INTENSITY…85-115 MPH
    MOST PROBABLE PEAK WIND GUST…65-80 MPH
    MOST PROBABLE PEAK HAIL SIZE…1.00-1.75 IN

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 302

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL2

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 302
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    110 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Eastern Kentucky
    Northeast Tennessee
    Extreme Southwest Virginia
    Western West Virginia

    * Effective this Tuesday afternoon and evening from 110 PM until
    800 PM EDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes possible
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
    Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…A line of thunderstorms will track eastward across the
    watch area through the afternoon, posing a risk of locally damaging
    winds gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 80 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 60 miles south of London KY to 70 miles
    northeast of Jackson KY. For a complete depiction of the watch see
    the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU2).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 25030.

    …Hart

    SEL2

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 302
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    110 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Eastern Kentucky
    Northeast Tennessee
    Extreme Southwest Virginia
    Western West Virginia

    * Effective this Tuesday afternoon and evening from 110 PM until
    800 PM EDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes possible
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
    Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…A line of thunderstorms will track eastward across the
    watch area through the afternoon, posing a risk of locally damaging
    winds gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 80 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 60 miles south of London KY to 70 miles
    northeast of Jackson KY. For a complete depiction of the watch see
    the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU2).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 25030.

    …Hart

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW2
    WW 302 TORNADO KY TN VA WV 201710Z – 210000Z
    AXIS..80 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    60S LOZ/LONDON KY/ – 70NE JKL/JACKSON KY/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 70NM E/W /21NNW VXV – 36SW HNN/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 25030.

    LAT…LON 36208551 38248394 38248099 36208265

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU2.

    Watch 302 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Mod (50%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Low (20%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    Mod (60%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Low (10%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (40%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Low (20%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (90%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Kaanch Network Surpasses $1.12M in Presale as RWA Tokenization Heats Up Ahead of Exchange Listing

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As real-world asset (RWA) tokenization gains momentum across global markets, Kaanch Network is capturing investor attention with a presale that has already raised over $1.12 million. Now in Stage 5, Kaanch is offering tokens at $0.16 — marking one of the final opportunities for early participants before its upcoming centralized exchange (CEX) listing.

    With institutions, governments, and enterprises racing to digitize real-world assets such as real estate, bonds, certificates, and credentials, blockchain infrastructure is under pressure to evolve. Purpose-built for this shift, Kaanch Network stands out as a next-generation Layer 1 blockchain designed to meet the legal, technical, and compliance requirements of large-scale RWA adoption.

    Why RWA Tokenization Needs Purpose-Built Infrastructure

    Tokenizing real-world assets isn’t just about issuing tokens — it requires:

    • Compliance-ready smart contracts
    • Final, traceable, real-time settlement
    • Low transaction fees for scalable use
    • Built-in decentralized identity layers
    • Cross-chain interoperability
    • DAO-based governance mechanisms

    Kaanch Network delivers on all fronts — setting the stage for seamless tokenization of both physical and financial assets.

    Kaanch Network: Ready for Real-World Scale

    Key infrastructure highlights include:

    • 1.4 Million TPS – High throughput for real-time issuance, trading, and workflows
    • 0.8-Second Finality – Instant settlement for asset transfers and financial operations
    • 3600 Validators – Deep decentralization ensures resilience and trust
    • .knch Domains – Native decentralized identity for agents, wallets, and registries
    • RWA Framework – Built-in standards for tokenizing real estate, bonds, certifications, and more
    • Interoperability Bridges – Seamless asset flows with Ethereum, Solana, and BNB
    • DAO Governance – Token holders vote on upgrades, funding, and proposals
    • Live Staking – Up to 119% APY for early supporters and stakers

    Final Presale Rounds Before Listing

    The Kaanch token ($KNCH) has entered Stage 5 of its presale at $0.16, with limited availability before the project officially hits exchanges. The presale offers an early entry point into one of the few Layer 1 platforms specifically engineered for the RWA era.

    “With over $1.12M raised and infrastructure built for institutional-grade asset tokenization, we believe Kaanch is one of the most strategically positioned blockchains heading into the next wave of adoption,” said a spokesperson for Kaanch Network.

    Presale access is currently open via the official portal: https://presale.kaanch.com

    As global financial systems begin integrating blockchain into core asset management, the demand for compliant, high-performance infrastructure is set to soar. With a real-world-ready framework and growing momentum, Kaanch Network aims to be at the center of this transformation.

    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/db1988a7-96b7-4809-a2d2-b6a1616f4588

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/31a1f81c-9270-4e00-816c-3e900689c5a0

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/627d82e5-53b7-4265-9747-eee8518826da

    The MIL Network –