Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 10 (Xinhua) — Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg will pay an official visit to China from July 13 to 16, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman announced on Thursday.
As the official representative noted, Jan Borg will visit China at the invitation of the member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi. -0-
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Players of China celebrate during the match between Dominican Republic and China at the Women’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 in Arlington, the United States, July 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
China came from behind to edge the Dominican Republic in a five-set thriller on Wednesday in a women’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) match.
Wu Mengjie scored 25 points and Gong Xiangyu added 18 as China secured a 25-22, 17-25, 22-25, 25-22, 15-13 victory, improving their overall record to 6-3 in the preliminary round.
Nineteen-year-old middle blocker Chen Houyu sealed the match with a decisive block in the tie-breaker. She finished with 12 points from five kills, four blocks and three aces. Zhuang Yushan was also in double figures with 14 points.
China’s head coach Zhao Yong credited the win to his team’s fighting spirit.
“The four matches in Arlington are very important for us [to qualify for the Finals] and this time we fought until the end,” said Zhao. “Under pressure, our young players never gave up.”
“Their serves were very aggressive, but we were able to make adjustment accordingly quick enough,” Chinese captain Gong added. “We were very determined in our receiving, especially in the fifth set.”
Brayelin Elizabeth Martinez tallied a match-high 33 points, but the Dominican Republic slipped to a 4-5 record after being outblocked 15-10 by China.
“I think if we look at the numbers, maybe the Dominican Republic had a better powerful attack than China, but China was better than us in blocking,” said Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, president of the Dominican Republic Volleyball Federation.
Also on Wednesday, Germany outlasted Canada 24-26, 25-20, 23-25, 25-23, 15-13, while the United States defeated Thailand 28-26, 21-25, 27-25, 25-15.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
SCIO organizes media trip to exhibition marking 80th anniversary of victory against Japanese aggression, fascism
China SCIO | July 10, 2025
The State Council Information Office (SCIO) organized a media trip on Tuesday to the Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Beijing. The participating journalists included foreign correspondents from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Iraq. The group visited a themed exhibition in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Lai Shengliang, deputy curator of the Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, introduces the exhibition to reporters in Beijing, July 8, 2025. [Photo by Liu Jian/China SCIO]
Good afternoon Chair and Members of the Committee. Thank you for inviting us to appear before the Committee today.
I am joined by my colleagues Martin O’Brien, Head of our Irish Economic Analysis Division and Thomas Conefrey, Deputy Head in the same Division. We very much welcome the opportunity to engage with you on the outlook for the economy and the public finances.
In my opening statement, I will cover briefly our latest assessment of the economic outlook, as outlined in our JuneQuarterly Bulletin, as well as our latest economic advice to the Government, as outlined in theGovernor’s pre-Budget letter (PDF 3.04MB), published last week.
The economic outlook
Let me start with the global context, because the key factors shaping the domestic outlook stem from developments abroad, but with important implications for Ireland.
Since the start of the year, we have seen a material shift in trade policy, with rising tariffs between the US and its trading partners, as well as a sharp increase in policy uncertainty.
In light of these developments, the global growth outlook has weakened. Short-term forecasts for world trade and economic activity have been revised downwards. And uncertainty around these forecasts is particularly elevated, given the range of potential outcomes around trade policy.
The openness of the Irish economy and the prominent role that FDI and multinational firms play domestically mean that Ireland is particularly exposed to changes in the global economic outlook as well as shifts in trade policy, and broader economic policy, in the US.
Given uncertainty over the future direction of US trade policy, our June Quarterly Bulletin presented projections for the economy under a baseline and a more adverse scenario.
These were based on different assumptions around the level and coverage of tariffs, the level and persistence of uncertainty and the future path of financing conditions.
In the baseline scenario, we expected Modified Domestic Demand to grow by 2.0 per cent in 2025 and by 2.1 per cent per annum on average in 2026 and 2027.
This is a downward revision to the growth outlook relative to our previous projections – but the central outlook is still consistent with a full-employment economy.
The adverse scenario assumed persistently higher and broader tariffs, including due to retaliation from the EU. It also assumed that policy uncertainty would remain higher for longer and that financing conditions would be tighter.
In this scenario, annual average MDD growth would almost halve compared to the baseline, illustrating the sensitivity of economic activity to an escalation of trade tensions.
The trade-offs facing the public finances
The economy and public finances are entering this period of heightened uncertainty from a strong position. But there are also underlying vulnerabilities that need to be managed carefully.
The exceptional growth in corporation tax receipts since 2015 and the strong pace of economic expansion in recent years have resulted in a marked increase in government revenues.
As a result, even with the substantial rise in government spending and some tax cuts, the headline budget balance has run substantial surpluses in recent years.
However, external developments mean that this benign combination of factors, namely, a rapidly growing economy and exceptional corporate tax receipts, could be at risk in the coming years.
In particular, risks to the fiscal position from lower corporate taxes and other MNE-dependent taxes have increased given recent international developments.
And, excluding estimated “excess” corporation tax (and the impact of the Apple State Aid case), the budget balance has been in a persistent deficit position for 17 consecutive years.
At the same time, in the current juncture, an important public policy priority is the need for higher investment, both to address infrastructure deficits and to support the transition to net zero.
Indeed, these infrastructure deficits have become an increasingly significant factor constraining the supply side of the economy.
Addressing infrastructure deficits will not only help meet important societal and economic needs today, but also enable our economy to remain competitive amid a shifting geopolitical landscape.
Finally, looking further into the future, there are known future funding needs that the State needs to prepare for today.
Given demographic trends, Ireland is expected to see the largest increase in age-related spending, on areas such as pensions, healthcare and long-term care, amongst the EU by 2050.
And we know already that the Future Ireland Fund, the establishment of which has been a very positive public policy intervention, will not be sufficient, on its own, to finance the higher level of public expenditure that will be required to meet the needs of an older population.
Overall, the current environment presents important trade-offs for fiscal policy. Between investing in infrastructure, but not adding excessively to demand in a capacity-constrained economy. Between addressing the funding needs of today, but also preparing for the funding needs of the future.
Managing those trade-offs
While undoubtedly this presents a difficult balancing act, careful management of the public finances can contribute to achieving these multiple aims. So let me finish off by summarising our economic policy advice outlined in the Governor’s pre-budget letter, in light of those trade-offs.
I will focus on three areas in particular.
First, it is important that the Government commits, and adheres to, a credible fiscal anchor that results in sustainable increases in net government expenditure over time. In the current context of the economy operating at capacity, it is important, from a macro-stabilisation perspective, that the overall fiscal policy stance does not add excessively to demand.
Second, within that overall fiscal envelope, the public finances need to prioritise investment. Sustainably achieving the necessary rise in public investment requires creating sufficient economic and fiscal space, through offsetting choices in terms of current spending or taxation. Beyond demand management considerations, broadening the tax base is also important for addressing future funding needs and mitigating the reliance of the public finances on corporate tax receipts.
Third, public investment alone will not be sufficient to address the economy’s infrastructure gaps. Measures that reduce delays, and, therefore, the ultimate costs, in the planning and building of infrastructure are needed to help ensure that the benefits of public investment for long-term growth are realised fully. Measures that incentivise scale and investment in new machinery, equipment and technologies in the construction sector can also help enhance productivity and enable more sustainable delivery of housing and infrastructure. These structural policies can have an outsized impact on strengthening the supply side of the economy, complementing, and adding to the effectiveness of, additional public investment in infrastructure.
Thank you for your attention and we look forward to your questions.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Wednesday (9 July 2025), thanking him for Germany’s leading role in the Alliance, and its support to Ukraine.
Mr Rutte commended Germany’s resolve, commitment and contributions to our shared security, and its landmark decision to invest significantly more in defence. Highlighting the importance of Germany’s defence industrial base, he said, “your world-class industries and entrepreneurs are capable to ramp up production, innovate and deliver”.
At a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of Germany’s accession to NATO, the Secretary General thanked Germany for its contributions to the Alliance. Speaking in German, and echoing the words of Germany’s first Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer, Mr Rutte recognised that Germany continues to be an “able and reliable” Ally, ready to take on more responsibility. “When the world becomes more dangerous, and our security is at stake – Germany steps up,” Mr Rutte said.
While in Berlin, Mr Rutte also met President of the Bundestag Julia Klöckner, Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul, parliamentarians from the Defence Committee, and Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius, who hosted the 70th anniversary event at the Ministry of Defence.
Proceeds will fund further clinical development of the company’s true theranostic pipeline and expansion of the global production and manufacturing network for copper-based radiopharmaceuticals.
Initial clinical data presented at SNMMI 2025 by Dr. Gary Ulaner, MD, PhD show a solid safety profile and potentially improved performance of 61Cu-NuriPro in metastatic prostate cancer imaging.
The financing round was led by Kurma Growth Opportunities Fund, Angelini Ventures, Wellington Partners, and Neva SGR (Intesa Sanpaolo Group), with participation from DeepTech & Climate Fonds (DTCF), Bayern Kapital, Eurazeo, Vives Partners, NRW.BANK and HighLight Capital, with existing investors.
Alongside Tony Rosenberg, who recently joined as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, David Meek joins as an additional new Independent Director; Oliver Sartor, MD and Bela Denes, MD join as additional Scientific Advisors.
Basel, Switzerland / Munich, Germany, July 10, 2025 – NUCLIDIUM AG, a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company developing a proprietary copper-based theranostic platform, today announced the successful closing of its Series B financing round, raising CHF 79 million (EUR 84 million). The round was led by Kurma Growth Opportunities Fund, Angelini Ventures, Wellington Partners, and Neva SGR (Intesa Sanpaolo Group), with participation from DeepTech & Climate Fonds (DTCF), Bayern Kapital, Vives Partners, Eurazeo, NRW.BANK and HighLight Capital, as well as existing investors. The proceeds will be used to advance the clinical development of NUCLIDIUM’s Copper-61/Copper-67 (61Cu/67Cu) theranostic pipeline across multiple oncology indications. In parallel, the company will expand its production and manufacturing capabilities through a global production network.
NUCLIDIUM’s differentiated platform links tumor-targeting molecules with copper isotopes – Copper-61 for diagnostics and Copper-67 for therapeutics – to address current limitations in radiotheranostics, such as suboptimal clinical efficacy and complex manufacturing. Diagnostic results from initial clinical trials in these indications show superior lesion detection and higher tumor-to-background ratios compared with clinically approved tracers. Initial data were recently presented at SNMMI 2025 by Dr. Gary Ulaner, MD, PhD highlighting a favorable safety profile and potentially improved imaging performance of 61Cu-NuriPro™ compared to current PET imaging standards, suggesting strong clinical promise and broader potential for 61Cu/67Cu theranostic pairing. Early therapeutic data from the two lead compounds, NuriPro™ and TraceNET™, show strong tumor-to-background ratios in metastatic prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors including breast cancer.
“NUCLIDIUM is entering the next clinical phases with its lead compounds to diagnose and treat metastatic prostate, neuroendocrine tumors and breast cancer,” said Leila Jaafar, PhD, CEO and Co-Founder of NUCLIDIUM. “Our copper-based radiotheranostics are developed for seamless use in hospital workflows, care delivery and waste management, making these therapies more accessible worldwide. Our groundbreaking next generation copper theranostic platform also allows us to rapidly develop new targets across a wider range of cancers, particularly those highly relevant to women’s health.”
With this financing, NUCLIDIUM will continue expanding its worldwide production and manufacturing network for diagnostics and therapeutics, growing its international team, and strengthening strategic collaborations with hospitals and academic centers, initially across Europe and North America.
In conjunction with the financing round, Daniel Parera, MD, Partner at Kurma Partners, Regina Hodits, PhD, Managing Director at Angelini Ventures, and Liliana Nordbakk, Partner Life Sciences at Neva SGR, will join NUCLIDIUM’s Board of Directors.
“This significant Series B financing reflects the confidence of our investors in NUCLIDIUM’s vision and the transformative potential for the diagnostic and therapeutic industry in oncology and nuclear medicine,” said Tony Rosenberg, Chairman of the NUCLIDIUM Board.“With this backing, we are positioned to accelerate clinical development, broaden patient access globally, and reinforce our commitment to innovation in precision oncology. I am delighted to welcome our new Board and advisory members, whose deep expertise will further strengthen NUCLIDIUM’s leadership in radiopharmaceuticals.”
“NUCLIDIUM’s platform stands out in a rapidly evolving field and will change how radiotheranostic care is delivered. This investment reflects our strong conviction in the future of precision medicine and our belief in NUCLIDIUM’s potential to scale as a next-generation company — an ambition shared across a strong European syndicate,” added Daniel Parera, MD, Partner at Kurma Partners, Regina Hodits, PhD, Managing Director at Angelini Ventures, and Liliana Nordbakk, Partner Life Sciences at Neva SGR for all participating investors.
The Series B financing transaction was advised by VISCHER AG, and Walder Wyss, Switzerland as legal counsels.
About NUCLIDIUM NUCLIDIUM AG is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of next-generation copper-based radiopharmaceuticals for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Leveraging copper isotopes – Copper-61 for diagnostics and Copper-67 for therapeutics – NUCLIDIUM is creating a differentiated platform with the potential to overcome existing limitations in radiotheranostics. The company’s operations in Switzerland and Germany combine innovative chemistry, deep clinical expertise, and strategic manufacturing capabilities to deliver scalable, accessible, and clinically superior theranostic solutions to patients worldwide. NUCLIDIUM is committed to expanding the reach and efficacy of radiotheranostics, including addressing critical unmet medical needs in oncology and women’s health.
TALLINN, Estonia, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Crypto winters come and go, but few events wake the market up like a perfectly timed price rollback. And Bitcoin Solaris just pulled off a surprise move that has investors scrambling. With major exchange listings on the horizon and a short-lived drop in presale price, analysts are calling it the most generous window of 2025. It is not just a coin anymore, it is a momentum machine.
If there was ever a moment to pay attention, this is it.
Bitcoin Solaris: Built to Dominate the Next Cycle
Bitcoin Solaris, or BTC-S, is a next-generation crypto project designed to extend Bitcoin’s legacy into high-performance, real-world utility. It achieves this through a layered dual-consensus design that merges Proof of Work and Delegated Proof of Stake in a way few others have dared.
Its architecture splits into a Base Layer that runs SHA-256 mining and a Solaris Layer that executes 15-second block finality with blazing-fast transaction speeds of over 10,000 TPS. Together, they balance speed, decentralization, and energy savings at 99.95 percent less consumption than traditional Bitcoin mining.
More than just a tech demo, BTC-S is delivering tangible user value through:
The upcoming Solaris Nova App brings mobile-first mining to the masses.
A reward structure that includes validator rotation, adaptive load balancing, and secure finality.
Rust-based smart contracts ready for DeFi, enterprise apps, and more.
And with recent security audits completed by both Cyberscope and Freshcoins, confidence in the protocol’s integrity has never been higher.
A lot of crypto enthusiasts have taken notice, and according to the detailed review from Token Galaxy, the structure behind Bitcoin Solaris is what sets it apart. Even Token Empire released a breakdown that highlights why the community and investor base keep growing every week.
This Isn’t Just Another Presale. It’s a Launchpad for Wealth.
Here’s what the current presale phase looks like:
Current Price: $11
Next Phase: $11
Launch Price: $20
Presale Raised: Over $6.6 million
Users Joined: 14,150+
Timeline: Ends July 31, 2025
This presale is short, explosive, and closing fast. What’s more, Bitcoin Solaris has introduced something that almost never happens in crypto: a rare Price rollback, dropping the cost per token to $5 instead of $11. It’s not a discount. It’s a once-only reversal, and only for a limited time.
This move has reignited FOMO among those who nearly missed earlier phases. For those watching from the sidelines, this is your moment.
Wallets like Trust Wallet and Metamask are recommended for seamless token delivery on launch day, ensuring a smooth transition when the project hits exchanges.
Mobile Mining with Real Yield
Bitcoin Solaris is not just scalable. It’s portable. Thanks to the upcoming Solaris Nova App, BTC-S introduces a mining system that fits in your pocket.
With mining tools optimized for mobile devices and cross-platform functionality, users can generate passive income from:
CPU-mining tasks on mobile or desktop
Optimized PoW mechanics that adapt to low-power environments
This allows anyone to tap into Bitcoin-level value accrual without investing in expensive hardware.
You are not stuck hoping for a bull run. You’re earning now.
Liquid Staking Reinvented
Another pillar of the Bitcoin Solaris economy is its liquid staking model. Instead of locking assets away, staked BTC-S tokens are converted into sBTC-S, which can be traded or deployed across DeFi apps.
Compatibility with governance, lending, and DeFi protocols
Full integration with the Solaris Nova App
Increased decentralization and validator diversity
This approach puts capital efficiency and usability back in the hands of users.
Why This Rollback Changes the Game
This isn’t your typical hype cycle. The price rollback came at the exact moment momentum was peaking. Community sentiment is at an all-time high, exchanges are circling, and developers are pushing regular upgrades.
Add to that the fact that BTC-S is positioning for a 150 percent exchange gain from $5 to $20, and it’s not hard to see why analysts are calling it the best crypto to buy now.
You can also check out the expanding conversation across platforms like Telegram and X. The buzz is real, and it’s growing louder by the day.
Meanwhile, the official site is already receiving surging traffic from both retail and institutional visitors.
Conclusion
Bitcoin Solaris is positioning itself as a high-performance, user-focused ecosystem with cutting-edge technology, mobile-first tools, and a rare rollback opportunity.
This presale window may be short, but the potential impact is long-lasting. With high scalability, advanced staking, a mobile-first mining model, and a rare rollback offer, BTC-S is not only redefining utility but rewriting the entry point for retail investors.
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Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
Global stocks advanced on Thursday, underpinned by optimism around artificial intelligence and the prospect of upcoming interest rate cuts, while investors kept a cautious eye on U.S. President Donald Trump’s ongoing assault on international trade.
U.S. copper futures widened their premium to the London benchmark overnight after Trump announced plans to impose a 50% tariff on copper imports. He said the levies would come into effect on August 1.
Trump also threatened a punitive 50% tariff on Brazil’s exports to the U.S. on Wednesday and issued tariff notices to seven minor trading partners.
The latest tariff moves did little to rattle markets as European stocks gained, with Germany’s DAX up 0.1% and UK’s FTSE 100 rising 1% to their respective all-time highs.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan added 0.5%. U.S. stock futures took a breather, with Nasdaq futures down 0.1% after the tech-heavy index closed at a record high on Wednesday.
The market reaction to Trump’s tariff developments this week was less severe than in April, and Jeff Ng, SMBC’s head of Asia macroeconomic strategy, said investors had grown somewhat “numb” to the ever-changing situation.
“They know that there is still room for negotiation. A lot of these announcements, they start off with eye-catching numbers, but they are not totally final, and they are still subject to changes. Even if they are implemented, they could also be reversed in the coming few months to year,” he said.
Meanwhile, investors digested upbeat quarterly results from TSMC that reflected strong demand for the world’s largest contract chipmaker’s products, kept alive by surging interest in artificial intelligence applications.
TSMC’s report came a day after AI chip giant Nvidia became the world’s first public company to hit a $4 trillion market value. Other tech-related stocks in Korea and Japan further got a boost.
Also keeping stocks supported were expectations of at least two interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve this year.
Minutes released on Wednesday showed “most participants” at the Fed’s meeting last month anticipated rate cuts would be appropriate later this year, with any price shock from tariffs expected to be “temporary or modest.”
“Our view remains that in the balance of risks between employment and inflation, Fed would be more sensitive to employment than to inflation. Hence, if our view holds, and we get some weakness in the employment numbers over summer, Fed will respond by cutting rates in September,” said Mohit Kumar, an economist at Jefferies.
DOLLAR EASES
The dollar was on the back foot on Thursday against the euro, but holding its own against the yen JPY=EBS at 146.35, after a sharp rise earlier this week when Trump slapped Japan with 25% tariffs.
The euro was up 0.17% to $1.1734 and sterling gained 0.15% to $1.36110.
An exception was the Brazilian real, which languished near a one-month low at 5.5826 per dollar owing to Trump’s tariff threat on Latin America’s largest economy.
The real’s volatility gauges spiked to the highest since late April when markets were still trying to get to grips with Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff threats.
“Without a clear path yet to de-escalation, the real is likely to continue to trade on a softer footing in the near-term. The initial real sell-off was exacerbated by the unwind of popular carry trades,” Lee Hardman, a senior currency economist at MUFG said.
“The risk is that carry trades continue to be unwound on the back of heightened trade risks and higher financial market volatility triggering a further reversal of real gains.”
In cryptocurrencies, bitcoin was pinned near a record high and was last at $111,207, while ether was up 1.8% to $2,790.9.
Elsewhere, crude prices were steady with Brent futures hovering at $70.2 per barrel, while U.S. crude was flat at $68.33 a barrel.
UK and France partner on navigation systems to protect critical infrastructure from hostile threats
UK and French researchers join up to shield critical infrastructure, including power supplies and emergency services, with more resilient navigation and timing systems.
UK and French researchers join up to shield critical infrastructure, including power supplies and emergency services, with more resilient navigation and timing systems.
Positioning, Navigation, and Timing systems are critical to everything from banking to transport – and the Ukraine war has shown how these systems can be targeted by malign actors.
Partnerships on AI supercomputing infrastructure, and AI research, to be agreed when French President and UK Science and Tech Secretary meet in London.
UK and French experts will work more closely to increase the resilience of both countries’ critical infrastructure to the signal-jamming seen in the war in Ukraine, as part of a suite of joint science and tech work being announced today (Thursday 10 July).
From our electricity infrastructure, to transport, to financial transactions, the tech we rely on for everyday life depends on reliable Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), often provided via satellites. The conflict in Ukraine has shown how new technologies – in some cases, just small hand-held devices – can be used to disrupt PNT services, potentially causing major disruption to the vast areas of life and the economy reliant on them.
As part of a raft of UK-France joint science and tech efforts being announced today, researchers from both countries will work together on technologies complementary to the likes of GPS, which are highly resistant to this sort of jamming.
An example is e-LORAN, a program driven by the UK government, working closely with the National Physical Laboratory and private sector companies. The system uses ground-based radio towers, which are much more challenging to block, for a reliable “backup” to GPS, so that UK infrastructure can keep running even when GPS fails.
The UK’s Science and Tech Secretary used a joint visit to Imperial College London, with President Macron, to set out how this sort of collaboration makes both the UK and France stronger and safer. Whilst speaking at Imperial, Peter Kyle also pointed out the tens of millions of pounds in investment being brought into the British tech sector through UK-French trade, as well as the new jobs and growth that this partnership creates.
These are efforts that will bolster our economic and national security, which are foundational pillars of the Plan for Change.
UK Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle said:
France and the UK both have huge ambitions for technology to boost economic growth and strengthen national security. It is vital we work with natural partners like our French neighbours in these endeavours, particularly as the threats from hostile state actors only grows.
Today we build on the Entente Cordiale with an Entente Technologique, celebrating and renewing our longstanding and historic partnership so that together we can face down the challenges of tomorrow.
Additionally, the UK and France are launching a partnership on supercomputing. The partnership will be led by the Bristol Centre for Supercomputing, the home of Isambard-AI, and the French computing centre GENCI, who lead France’s AI Factory.
Closer ties between both nations’ world-leading compute power, and sharing AI best practice, will turbocharge the breakthroughs in AI, transforming public services and improving lives. These efforts build on the AI Opportunities Action Plan, the UK government’s blueprint to fuel the use of AI across the economy.
This builds on the strong existing UK-France cooperation on AI. The UK’s AI Security Institute and France’s INESIA have committed to further technical workshops to deepen their collaboration on frontier AI research, in order to support our national security.
Some of the UK and France’s leading research institutions are also committing to closer work. Collaboration agreements were signed today when President Macron and Science and Tech Secretary Peter Kyle visited Imperial College London, where they witnessed first-hand some of the cutting-edge uses of AI being pioneered in the UK, from health to clean energy.
The spotlight will shine on the vast opportunities for UK-France science and tech collaboration again on Friday, when the UK’s AI Minister Feryal Clark and her French counterpart Minister Clara Chappaz will tour Diamond Light Source in Oxford.
Diamond is one of the most advanced scientific facilities in the world. Researchers here are harnessing light 10 billion times brighter than the sun to study new scientific samples, like previously unknown virus structures, to pioneer new medicines and treatments for diseases.
Notes to editors
The 3 UK-France science and technology agreements being signed are between:
Imperial and CNRS Ayrton Blériot Engineering Lab (ABEL)
University College London (UCL) and National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology (Inria)
Oxford-Cambridge and HEC, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Université Paris-Saclay
UK-French export and investment announcements
British tech unicorns are winning tens of millions of pounds in significant contracts with French corporates, driving jobs and growth at home. This includes Synthesia’s new partnership with Decathlon to create a pioneering AI avatar lab which the global sports retailer will use to communicate with customers and employees, building on Synthesia’s existing work with over half of France’s CAC40 (equivalent to FTSE 100). Other deals include ElevenLabs’ collaboration with M6 and TV5 Monde and Darktrace’s contract with GL Events, a French major events operator.
BT’s operations in France totalled approximately £130 million last financial year, connecting more than 80 French-headquartered companies, from Alstom to Michelin. BT has supported French telecoms, communications, cyber security and banking operations for 55 years. BT has invested more than £24 billion domestically so far this decade, with plans to invest a further £20 billion by 2030. BT’s investment into digital infrastructure projects also boosts the UK’s attractiveness for French investment and act as an enabler of British exports to France.
Thales, in conjunction with partners, is planning £40 million of AI-focussed R&D investment as part of its CortAIx UK AI Accelerator – which will employ 200 people and serve as a focal point for Thales’ AI innovation in the UK. This initiative will further enhance AI cooperation between France and the UK, ss well as help both countries to stay ahead of evolving threats, unleashing the potential of AI to increase mission success for both countries.
Comand AI are investing £35 million over the next 5 years to set up an office in the UK, in their first step to becoming a pan-European defence company. This investment will create around 40 highly skilled jobs in tech, bringing the best of software engineering to defence. These jobs would represent half of their global engineering team. They aim to build the future of defence technology between the UK and France, from capability assessment to mission planning and execution for our Allied nations.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam arrived in Paris, France on Tuesday as he continued a trip spanning various European countries.
Mr Lam attended a Hong Kong legal services seminar organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ) and briefed representatives of various international organisations on Hong Kong’s arbitration system and the advantages offered by its legal service sector.
On meeting Financial Action Task Force (FATF) President Elisa de Anda Madrazo on Tuesday, Mr Lam remarked that as an international financial centre Hong Kong has always supported the FATF’s work to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing and to maintain the stability of the international financial system.
He added that the DoJ has participated in mutual evaluations among FATF member jurisdictions.
Mr Lam later visited the Chambre Arbitrale Maritime de Paris (the Paris Maritime Arbitration Chamber) and met its Secretary General Pascale Mesnil. He was briefed on the chamber’s operations, France’s arbitration sector, and developments in resolving international maritime disputes through arbitration.
He highlighted that Hong Kong is committed to optimising its arbitration system through multi-pronged policy measures, and to enhancing and consolidating its status as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region.
Mr Lam also expressed hope for a deepening of exchanges and co-operation with the French arbitration sector.
Yesterday morning, Mr Lam visited the office of the French National & Olympic Sports Committee (CNOSF) and met representatives of the Chambre Arbitrale du Sport (the Chamber of Arbitration for Sport) and the CNOSF Conference of Conciliators to learn about the committee’s sports arbitration and conciliation services.
He also spoke about the DoJ’s work in promoting sports dispute resolution in Hong Kong.
At noon, Mr Lam attended a lunch event hosted by the Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the French Republic Deng Li.
Mr Lam briefed Mr Deng on Hong Kong’s efforts in safeguarding national security, implementing the principle of “one country, two systems” by rule of law, and leveraging its unique advantages to promote development.
In the afternoon, Mr Lam attended the seminar organised by in Paris by the DoJ: “Hong Kong Legal Services – Gateway to China and Beyond”.
He outlined the unique advantages of Hong Kong’s legal services sector under the principle of “one country, two systems” to about 130 participants.
Giving a keynote speech, Mr Lam stressed that Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction in China and the only jurisdiction in the world with a bilingual common law system in Chinese and English.
He said that Hong Kong’s common law system aligns with the legal systems of many major economies and with the rules of international trade and business, adding that the city’s professional and comprehensive legal services industry provides high-quality legal services to support global financial and commercial activities.
During the seminar, Mr Lam also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre and Jus Mundi, an AI-powered legal research platform based in Paris, that will enhance co-operation in legal and alternative dispute resolution between Hong Kong and France.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam arrived in Paris, France on Tuesday as he continued a trip spanning various European countries.
Mr Lam attended a Hong Kong legal services seminar organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ) and briefed representatives of various international organisations on Hong Kong’s arbitration system and the advantages offered by its legal service sector.
On meeting Financial Action Task Force (FATF) President Elisa de Anda Madrazo on Tuesday, Mr Lam remarked that as an international financial centre Hong Kong has always supported the FATF’s work to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing and to maintain the stability of the international financial system.
He added that the DoJ has participated in mutual evaluations among FATF member jurisdictions.
Mr Lam later visited the Chambre Arbitrale Maritime de Paris (the Paris Maritime Arbitration Chamber) and met its Secretary General Pascale Mesnil. He was briefed on the chamber’s operations, France’s arbitration sector, and developments in resolving international maritime disputes through arbitration.
He highlighted that Hong Kong is committed to optimising its arbitration system through multi-pronged policy measures, and to enhancing and consolidating its status as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region.
Mr Lam also expressed hope for a deepening of exchanges and co-operation with the French arbitration sector.
Yesterday morning, Mr Lam visited the office of the French National & Olympic Sports Committee (CNOSF) and met representatives of the Chambre Arbitrale du Sport (the Chamber of Arbitration for Sport) and the CNOSF Conference of Conciliators to learn about the committee’s sports arbitration and conciliation services.
He also spoke about the DoJ’s work in promoting sports dispute resolution in Hong Kong.
At noon, Mr Lam attended a lunch event hosted by the Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the French Republic Deng Li.
Mr Lam briefed Mr Deng on Hong Kong’s efforts in safeguarding national security, implementing the principle of “one country, two systems” by rule of law, and leveraging its unique advantages to promote development.
In the afternoon, Mr Lam attended the seminar organised by in Paris by the DoJ: “Hong Kong Legal Services – Gateway to China and Beyond”.
He outlined the unique advantages of Hong Kong’s legal services sector under the principle of “one country, two systems” to about 130 participants.
Giving a keynote speech, Mr Lam stressed that Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction in China and the only jurisdiction in the world with a bilingual common law system in Chinese and English.
He said that Hong Kong’s common law system aligns with the legal systems of many major economies and with the rules of international trade and business, adding that the city’s professional and comprehensive legal services industry provides high-quality legal services to support global financial and commercial activities.
During the seminar, Mr Lam also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre and Jus Mundi, an AI-powered legal research platform based in Paris, that will enhance co-operation in legal and alternative dispute resolution between Hong Kong and France.
LYON, France, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TSplus, a leading provider of secure remote access and application delivery solutions, is proud to announce its new partnership with ImsCloud, a trusted name in IT services and cloud hosting in France.
This partnership brings TSplus Remote Access to ImsCloud’s portfolio of ready-to-deploy solutions, offering French IT resellers a secure and cost-effective remote desktop alternative to Citrix and Microsoft RDS. As part of ImsCloud’s reseller catalog, TSplus will now be available alongside complementary tools such as Signitic and Cloudiway—enabling partners to deliver complete, modern digital workspaces to their customers.
“We are excited to partner with ImsCloud, a company that shares our values of simplicity, security, and customer support,” said François Stoop, International Sales Director at TSplus. “Together, we’re making enterprise-level remote access easy to deploy and affordable for businesses of all sizes.”
With this integration, ImsCloud’s partners can now offer TSplus Remote Access directly to their clients—simplifying remote work and IT management with no hidden fees or technical complexity.
A Strategic Boost for TSplus in the French Market
This partnership is a key milestone in TSplus’ expansion strategy. By aligning with ImsCloud—recognized for its close relationships with resellers and membership in the EURABIS group—TSplus gains:
Stronger visibility in the French-speaking IT channel
Direct access to a qualified network of local resellers
Accelerated adoption of TSplus Remote Access in SMBs across France
A trusted partner to ensure seamless deployment and support for end users
For TSplus, it’s a unique opportunity to grow its presence in a market that values practical, secure, and budget-conscious IT solutions. For ImsCloud and its resellers, it means gaining a proven alternative to complex and costly virtualization tools like Citrix or Microsoft RDS.
To learn more about the new TSplus solution available via ImsCloud, visit: https://imsbackup.com/
To learn more about TSplus range of remote access solutions, visit www.tsplus.net
About ImsCloud Based in Le Mans, ImsCloud is a fast-growing IT services company specializing in secure cloud solutions including data backup, hosting, cybersecurity, and Microsoft 365 services. Known for their agility, personalized service, and technical reliability, ImsCloud is a key member of the EURABIS group and a trusted partner for resellers across France.
About TSplus TSplus is a global software company that empowers organizations to securely access their business applications from anywhere. With solutions in Remote Access, Server Monitoring, and Remote Support, TSplus is the smart alternative to traditional virtualization tools—trusted by over 500,000 users in 140+ countries.
LYON, France, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TSplus, a leading provider of secure remote access and application delivery solutions, is proud to announce its new partnership with ImsCloud, a trusted name in IT services and cloud hosting in France.
This partnership brings TSplus Remote Access to ImsCloud’s portfolio of ready-to-deploy solutions, offering French IT resellers a secure and cost-effective remote desktop alternative to Citrix and Microsoft RDS. As part of ImsCloud’s reseller catalog, TSplus will now be available alongside complementary tools such as Signitic and Cloudiway—enabling partners to deliver complete, modern digital workspaces to their customers.
“We are excited to partner with ImsCloud, a company that shares our values of simplicity, security, and customer support,” said François Stoop, International Sales Director at TSplus. “Together, we’re making enterprise-level remote access easy to deploy and affordable for businesses of all sizes.”
With this integration, ImsCloud’s partners can now offer TSplus Remote Access directly to their clients—simplifying remote work and IT management with no hidden fees or technical complexity.
A Strategic Boost for TSplus in the French Market
This partnership is a key milestone in TSplus’ expansion strategy. By aligning with ImsCloud—recognized for its close relationships with resellers and membership in the EURABIS group—TSplus gains:
Stronger visibility in the French-speaking IT channel
Direct access to a qualified network of local resellers
Accelerated adoption of TSplus Remote Access in SMBs across France
A trusted partner to ensure seamless deployment and support for end users
For TSplus, it’s a unique opportunity to grow its presence in a market that values practical, secure, and budget-conscious IT solutions. For ImsCloud and its resellers, it means gaining a proven alternative to complex and costly virtualization tools like Citrix or Microsoft RDS.
To learn more about the new TSplus solution available via ImsCloud, visit: https://imsbackup.com/
To learn more about TSplus range of remote access solutions, visit www.tsplus.net
About ImsCloud Based in Le Mans, ImsCloud is a fast-growing IT services company specializing in secure cloud solutions including data backup, hosting, cybersecurity, and Microsoft 365 services. Known for their agility, personalized service, and technical reliability, ImsCloud is a key member of the EURABIS group and a trusted partner for resellers across France.
About TSplus TSplus is a global software company that empowers organizations to securely access their business applications from anywhere. With solutions in Remote Access, Server Monitoring, and Remote Support, TSplus is the smart alternative to traditional virtualization tools—trusted by over 500,000 users in 140+ countries.
Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Alfredo Mantovano chaired a meeting at Palazzo Chigi this evening between the Italian Government and a delegation from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, led by the Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halyč, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk.
The meeting was also attended by: the Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli; the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin; the Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci; the Italian Ambassador to the Holy See, Francesco Di Nitto; the President of Triennale Milano, Stefano Boeri; the President of the MAXXI Foundation – National Museum of 21st Century Art, Emanuela Bruni; and, the President of the Bambino Gesù Foundation and Paediatric Hospital, Tiziano Onesti.
The meeting came just a few hours before the start of the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2025), which will be held in Rome tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, 10-11 July, and will be opened with addresses by the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. In this regard, Undersecretary of State Mantovano thanked Archbishop Shevchuk “for having accepted the invitation for a discussion on the very eve of an international event dedicated to the reconstruction of war-torn Ukraine”.
The meeting reaffirmed the key role played by the Greek Catholic Church in providing the population with spiritual and social support over more than 40 months of conflict. “During these years – underlined Undersecretary of State Mantovano – you have demonstrated that you are a vibrant and united Church and community, able to respond as one, together with the other Christian Churches, to the suffering of your people”. There was a significant focus on the prospects for reconstruction and the role local communities and religious institutions can play in the country’s regeneration. “We are convinced – added Undersecretary of State Mantovano – that the ‘local dimension’ will be one of the pillars of Ukraine’s economic recovery. You too are among the representatives of local areas, demonstrating the crucial contribution believers can make in any context”.
Today’s meeting forms part of a broader cultural and social collaboration programme promoted by the Italian Government which, already since September 2023, has involved institutions such as Triennale Milano and MAXXI in initiatives dedicated to the restoration of war-damaged heritage, including the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, and in training projects in the fields of cultural heritage conservation and management. At the end of the meeting, Undersecretary of State Mantovano presented His Beatitude Shevchuk with the bronze medal minted in 2024 by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato [State Printing Works and Mint] to celebrate Ukraine’s resistance and support the ‘Unbroken Kids’ rehabilitation centre at the Saint Nicholas Children’s Hospital in Lviv.
On July 6, an arson attack targeted the East Melbourne Synagogue. It was the latest in a series of antisemitic incidents recorded across Australia since October 7 2023, when Hamas carried out a horrific terrorist attack, killing about 1,200 Israelis. These domestic incidents have escalated in both number and severity.
Australia has not previously experienced antisemitism at this scale. In response, the Albanese government appointed Jillian Segal as the nation’s first special envoy for combating antisemitism, and commissioned a plan with recommendations to address the issue.
1. Preventing violence and crime, including a proposed law enforcement framework to improve coordination between agencies, and new policies aimed at stopping dangerous individuals from entering Australia.
2. Strengthening protections against hate speech, by regulating all forms of hate, including antisemitism, and increasing oversight of platform policies and algorithms.
3. Promoting antisemitism-free media, education and cultural spaces, through journalist training, education programs, and conditions on public funding for organisations that promote or fail to address antisemitism.
The government has said it will consider the recommendations.
These measures are broadly reasonable and make practical sense. Some – such as those aimed at preventing violence and crime – are more straightforward to implement than others. It would also be logical to apply them to all forms of hate, not just antisemitism.
But that needs to be done with caution. We don’t want to create an environment in which any criticism of a community or group is shut down by regulation.
In a democracy, open and robust debate is essential. The challenge lies in the details: how we define hate, and where we draw the threshold for what counts as hate.
The document ignores the elephant in the room: whether the plan could be used to silence legitimate criticism of Israel.
The special envoy’s plan notes antisemitism has risen since October 7, but it does not fully explain the context. Israel’s military response in Gaza, which has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, has prompted a wave of global protest and criticism of Israel, including accusations of genocide.
In this context, the line between antisemitism and criticism of Israel has become more difficult and contested than ever. Some people who attack Israel or Zionism may be expressing antisemitic views. Others may not. Distinguishing between the two is complex, but essential.
The envoy adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, which covers both direct attacks on Jewish identity and certain criticisms of Israel, such as comparisons with Nazi Germany.
In my experience as a researcher working on online hate (including antisemitism), even members of the Jewish community adopting this definition often disagree on how to apply it.
The threshold varies – for example when deciding whether an online post or a statement crosses the line into antisemitism.
So where should we draw that line? It’s a crucial question. If the envoy’s recommendations are implemented, decisions about funding, visas, and even criminal charges could depend on it.
There is, of course, broad agreement on some cases. Setting fire to a synagogue is clearly antisemitic – it targets a Jewish place of worship.
Similarly, attacking a Jewish-owned business or damaging property in a Jewish neighbourhood suggests the target was chosen because it was Jewish.
Some people – often those already harbouring anti-Jewish views – treat the entire Jewish community as if it represents the Netanyahu government or the Israel Defense Forces.
This ignores the diversity of views within Jewish communities. That lack of nuance fuels antisemitism.
Few would disagree that antisemitic acts include attacks on Jewish people or property carried out indiscriminately, or when anti-Israel protests attempt to hold the whole Jewish community collectively responsible for the actions of the Israeli government.
But we also need to be realistic. We are unlikely to eliminate all forms of antisemitic hate or intimidation from public life. Hate can be expressed without breaching laws, and people can intimidate others while staying just within legal boundaries.
Humour, sarcasm and coded language are often used to incite hatred without triggering any formal consequence. That kind of harm is much harder to prevent – and it may be something we have to learn to live with, while continuing to push back against it.
Rebuilding trust
In the long term, the only real solution is building mutual understanding. That’s why personal relationships matter.
Knowing someone who is Jewish is one of the strongest antidotes to antisemitism. When you have a Jewish friend, you’re less likely to believe or spread the myths that circulate online and offline about what Jewish people think, believe or represent.
The same applies to all forms of hate. Direct contact helps break down stereotypes across all communities.
The problem is that the current context is pushing communities apart. Segregation and isolation are increasing. Before October 7, there was meaningful interfaith work happening – Jewish students visiting the Islamic Museum, Muslim students visiting the Holocaust Museum. That work has largelystopped.
Now, people are retreating into fear, distrust and generalisations. All nuance is lost. The “other” becomes a single, threatening enemy.
It will take time to rebuild that trust – and the longer the war continues, the harder it will be.
Matteo Vergani receives funding from the Campbell Collaboration, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Department of Home Affairs.
On July 6, an arson attack targeted the East Melbourne Synagogue. It was the latest in a series of antisemitic incidents recorded across Australia since October 7 2023, when Hamas carried out a horrific terrorist attack, killing about 1,200 Israelis. These domestic incidents have escalated in both number and severity.
Australia has not previously experienced antisemitism at this scale. In response, the Albanese government appointed Jillian Segal as the nation’s first special envoy for combating antisemitism, and commissioned a plan with recommendations to address the issue.
1. Preventing violence and crime, including a proposed law enforcement framework to improve coordination between agencies, and new policies aimed at stopping dangerous individuals from entering Australia.
2. Strengthening protections against hate speech, by regulating all forms of hate, including antisemitism, and increasing oversight of platform policies and algorithms.
3. Promoting antisemitism-free media, education and cultural spaces, through journalist training, education programs, and conditions on public funding for organisations that promote or fail to address antisemitism.
The government has said it will consider the recommendations.
These measures are broadly reasonable and make practical sense. Some – such as those aimed at preventing violence and crime – are more straightforward to implement than others. It would also be logical to apply them to all forms of hate, not just antisemitism.
But that needs to be done with caution. We don’t want to create an environment in which any criticism of a community or group is shut down by regulation.
In a democracy, open and robust debate is essential. The challenge lies in the details: how we define hate, and where we draw the threshold for what counts as hate.
The document ignores the elephant in the room: whether the plan could be used to silence legitimate criticism of Israel.
The special envoy’s plan notes antisemitism has risen since October 7, but it does not fully explain the context. Israel’s military response in Gaza, which has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, has prompted a wave of global protest and criticism of Israel, including accusations of genocide.
In this context, the line between antisemitism and criticism of Israel has become more difficult and contested than ever. Some people who attack Israel or Zionism may be expressing antisemitic views. Others may not. Distinguishing between the two is complex, but essential.
The envoy adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, which covers both direct attacks on Jewish identity and certain criticisms of Israel, such as comparisons with Nazi Germany.
In my experience as a researcher working on online hate (including antisemitism), even members of the Jewish community adopting this definition often disagree on how to apply it.
The threshold varies – for example when deciding whether an online post or a statement crosses the line into antisemitism.
So where should we draw that line? It’s a crucial question. If the envoy’s recommendations are implemented, decisions about funding, visas, and even criminal charges could depend on it.
There is, of course, broad agreement on some cases. Setting fire to a synagogue is clearly antisemitic – it targets a Jewish place of worship.
Similarly, attacking a Jewish-owned business or damaging property in a Jewish neighbourhood suggests the target was chosen because it was Jewish.
Some people – often those already harbouring anti-Jewish views – treat the entire Jewish community as if it represents the Netanyahu government or the Israel Defense Forces.
This ignores the diversity of views within Jewish communities. That lack of nuance fuels antisemitism.
Few would disagree that antisemitic acts include attacks on Jewish people or property carried out indiscriminately, or when anti-Israel protests attempt to hold the whole Jewish community collectively responsible for the actions of the Israeli government.
But we also need to be realistic. We are unlikely to eliminate all forms of antisemitic hate or intimidation from public life. Hate can be expressed without breaching laws, and people can intimidate others while staying just within legal boundaries.
Humour, sarcasm and coded language are often used to incite hatred without triggering any formal consequence. That kind of harm is much harder to prevent – and it may be something we have to learn to live with, while continuing to push back against it.
Rebuilding trust
In the long term, the only real solution is building mutual understanding. That’s why personal relationships matter.
Knowing someone who is Jewish is one of the strongest antidotes to antisemitism. When you have a Jewish friend, you’re less likely to believe or spread the myths that circulate online and offline about what Jewish people think, believe or represent.
The same applies to all forms of hate. Direct contact helps break down stereotypes across all communities.
The problem is that the current context is pushing communities apart. Segregation and isolation are increasing. Before October 7, there was meaningful interfaith work happening – Jewish students visiting the Islamic Museum, Muslim students visiting the Holocaust Museum. That work has largelystopped.
Now, people are retreating into fear, distrust and generalisations. All nuance is lost. The “other” becomes a single, threatening enemy.
It will take time to rebuild that trust – and the longer the war continues, the harder it will be.
Matteo Vergani receives funding from the Campbell Collaboration, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Department of Home Affairs.
Nomination reflects Bitwise’s continued commitment to research and education
Shannon has strong background in token analysis, data-driven research
Bitwise publishes a wide range of research seeking to facilitate investor access to rapidly growing digital finance asset class
10 July 2025. London: Bitwise is pleased to announce the appointment of Max Shannon as Senior Research Associate within its European research team. The move reinforces Bitwise’s ongoing commitment to research and investor education, aimed at making crypto assets more widely accessible to the investment community and support its suite of German domiciled crypto exchange traded products (ETPs), which includes single asset strategies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana, diversified crypto baskets, and index-based staking ETPs.
Shannon brings a strong background in token analysis, crypto equities, and data-driven research, and will play a key role in expanding Bitwise’s thought leadership in crypto investing.
Prior to joining Bitwise, Shannon served as a Crypto & Equity Research Analyst at CoinShares, where he specialized in liquid tokens and publicly listed crypto-related companies. His expertise in Python programming and his hands-on experience analyzing large financial datasets make him a strong fit for Bitwise’s data-centric research approach.
In his new role, Shannon will report directly to Dr. André Dragosch, Head of Research, Europe at Bitwise, who said: Max’s dual strengths in granular token evaluation and quantitative data analysis align perfectly with our commitment to rigorous, research-first investment strategies. His appointment further strengthens our capabilities in altcoin research and underscores our dedication to delivering institutional-grade insights to our European clients and the investment community.”
Shannon said: “I’m excited to join such a dynamic and innovative firm as Bitwise, and to work alongside a team of true crypto experts. Being part of a company that places research and investor education at the core of its mission is a unique opportunity for me, and I look forward to contributing to the continued expansion of that vision.”
Bitwise made its debut on the European market on 18 June 2020, and its portfolio of products has expanded rapidly since then. Its products are designed to integrate seamlessly into traditional portfolios, offering exposure to crypto assets through regulated vehicles— without the operational risks of holding a physical wallet. Based on the country of residence and other applicable local requirements, some of the current offerings may be suitable to individual investors and available via leading brokerage platforms, with features such as physical redemption included as standard. Bitwise publishes regular freely available analysis on the latest developments in the crypto sector, including a weekly commentary, special reports and deep dives on specific topics. Examples are the weekly Crypto Market Compass, the monthly Bitcoin Macro Investor report and the Crypto Market Espresso, an ad-hoc publication focused on market-relevant crypto news and timely insights. Register here or follow our Linkedin newsletter if you’d like to be notified by email when new market commentary and research updates become available. All research is available on the insights section at bitwiseinvestments.eu.
About Bitwise
Bitwise is one of the world’s leading crypto specialist asset managers. Thousands of financial advisors, family offices, and institutional investors across the globe have partnered with us to understand and access the opportunities in crypto. Since 2017, Bitwise has established a track record of excellence, managing a broad suite of index and active solutions across ETPs, separately managed accounts, private funds, and hedge fund strategies – spanning both the U.S. and Europe.
In Europe, for the past five years Bitwise (formerly ETC Group) has developed an extensive and innovative suite of crypto ETPs, including Europe’s most traded bitcoin ETP, or the first diversified Crypto Basket ETP replicating an MSCI digital assets index.
This family of crypto ETPs is domiciled in Germany and issued under a base prospectus approved by BaFin. We exclusively partner with reputable entities from the traditional financial industry, ensuring that 100% of the assets are securely stored offline (cold storage) through regulated custodians.
Our European products comprise a collection of carefully designed financial instruments that seamlessly integrate into any professional portfolio, providing comprehensive exposure to crypto as an asset class. Access is straightforward via major European stock exchanges, with primary listings on Xetra, the most liquid exchange for ETF trading in Europe. Retail investors benefit from easy access through numerous DIY/online brokers, coupled with our robust and secure physical ETP structure, which includes a redemption feature. For more information, visit http://www.bitwiseinvestments.eu
Media contacts:
JEA Associates John McLeod 00 44 7886 920436 john@jeaassociates.com
Important information The information contained in this press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, opinions are those of Bitwise and do not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy any financial products or cryptocurrencies. This press release is issued by Bitwise Europe GmbH (“BEU”), a limited company domiciled in Germany, for information only and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. BEU gives no explicit or implicit assurance or guarantee regarding the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of this article or the opinions contained therein. It is advised not to rely on the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of this article or the opinions contained therein. Please note that certain products may not be available in all jurisdictions or may be offered exclusively to professional or qualified investors, as defined under applicable laws and regulations, including MiFID II (EU), the Financial Services and Markets Act (UK), and the Swiss Financial Services Act (FinSA). Investors should consult their legal or financial advisors for guidance before making any financial decision. For more details, please visit our website or contact us directly via europe@bitwiseinvesmtents.com
Before investing in crypto Exchange Traded Products (“ETPs”), potential investors should consider the following: Potential investors should seek independent advice and consider relevant information contained in the base prospectus and the final terms for the ETPs, especially the risk factors. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. ETPs issued by BEU are suitable only for persons experienced in investing in cryptocurrencies and risks of investing can be found in the prospectus and final terms available on www.bitwiseinvestments.eu. The invested capital is at risk, and losses up to the amount invested are possible. ETPs backed by cryptocurrencies are highly volatile assets and performance is unpredictable. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The market price of ETPs will vary and they do not offer a fixed income or match precisely the performance of the underlying cryptocurrency. Investing in ETPs involves numerous risks including general market risks relating to underlying, adverse price movements, currency, liquidity, operational, legal and regulatory risks.
1 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –Samantha Beltran, left, Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center Army CID FXD latent print examiner, demonstrates fingerprint analysis techniques to French Forces in Djibouti personnel at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 12, 2025. The JTFAC analyzes evidence from the field, including DNA, fingerprints, firearms, and electronic media, to provide actionable intelligence in support of U.S., allied, and partner nation operations across Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Hardy-Bannerman) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman) VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –Natassha Robinson, Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center Army CID FXD latent print examiner, demonstrates fingerprint analysis techniques to Japanese Self-Defense Force members at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 19, 2025. The JTFAC collaborates with various partner forces across the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility to support operations to enhance regional security and stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Hardy-Bannerman) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman) VIEW ORIGINAL3 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –A sign for the Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center is displayed at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 5, 2025. The JTFAC is U.S. Africa Command’s sole provider of comprehensive forensic capabilities across the range of military operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek) (Photo Credit: Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek) VIEW ORIGINAL4 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –Emily Rue, Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center, observes a color test to isolate the compound in the sample in Bizerte, Tunisia, April 28, 2025. African Lion 25 (AL25) is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve Photo By Lt. Col Dale D. Barnes.) (Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Dale Barnes) VIEW ORIGINAL5 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –The Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center and Tunisian Armed Forces use a variety of chemicals to retrieve serial numbers removed from equipment in Bizerte, Tunisia, April 28, 2025. African Lion 25 (AL25) is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Lt. Col. Dale D. Barnes.) (Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Dale Barnes) VIEW ORIGINAL6 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –Lauren Kraul, Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center, discusses methods to retrieve serial numbers removed from equipment with Tunisian Armed Forces in Bizerte, Tunisia, April 28, 2025. African Lion 25 (AL25) is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve Photo By Lt. Col Dale D. Barnes.) (Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Dale Barnes) VIEW ORIGINAL7 / 7Show Caption +Hide Caption –The Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center and Tunisian Armed Forces collaborate during exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Bizerte, Tunisia, April 28, 2025. Fluorescent lighting is used to view fingerprints on items being tested. AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Lt. Col. Dale D. Barnes.) (Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Dale Barnes) VIEW ORIGINAL
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U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF)
VICENZA, Italy – When U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) identified a need to gather evidence, the U.S. Army’s Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center (JTFAC) answered the call. Its forensic team launched into action at sea, turning expertise into real-world impact.
At the request of the CENTCOM and AFRICOM, JTFAC personnel deployed to collect and analyze forensic evidence from a vessel carrying Iranian-supplied advanced conventional weapons. The seized cargo included ballistic missile components, anti-ship ballistic missile parts and a warhead, all bound for Houthi rebel forces in Yemen.
The forensic evidence helped secure a June 5, 2025, federal conviction of the ship’s captain, Muhammad Pahlawan, a Pakistani national who worked closely with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, on six charges related to smuggling Iranian-made advanced conventional weaponry destined for the Houthis in Yemen, as well as threatening multiple witnesses.
“The JTFAC forensic team conducted rapid sensitive site exploitation at expeditionary locations, including within the maritime environment,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kyle Thomason, provost marshal for U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), which provides oversight to JTFAC operations.
To meet the unique demands of a maritime environment, the team rapidly adapted its Fly Away Kit, a mobile forensic toolkit designed for land and sea missions. This self-contained toolkit enabled JTFAC scientists to conduct on-site analysis, including chemical trace detection, biometric collection, and confirmed and inventoried types of weapons and equipment aboard the vessel.
The vessel’s initial interdiction resulted in the deaths of two Navy SEALs off the coast of Somalia in Jan. 2024, making international headlines at the time. However, the loss of service members was not in vain.
The interdiction successfully prevented anti-ship ballistic missiles from targeting U.S. and partner-nation vessels. The type of weaponry found aboard the vessel was consistent with the weapon systems used by the Houthi rebel forces during the time of the charged conspiracy against merchant ships and U.S. military vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack in Israel.
“The JTFAC services the Joint Interagency Intergovernmental Multinational community within AFRICOM,” said Thomason. “Their mission enables U.S. and partner nation forces to accomplish AFRICOM campaign objectives.”
Along with AFRICOM and CENTCOM, U.S. European Command was also involved in this offshore mission, highlighting JTFAC’s reach across geographic boundaries and interagency lines.
“We’re glad to have had the opportunity to fit into the seams of multiple commands to support this consequential operation,” added Thomason.
The mission not only demonstrated the center’s technical capabilities, but also deepened collaboration between defense, justice and diplomatic agencies operating in the AFRICOM area of responsibility. It marked a significant milestone in JTFAC’s expanding role as a forensic enabler for both military and civilian partners.
“The lab is internationally accredited, meaning its scientists can serve as expert witnesses in both the U.S. and abroad,” said Greg Sanson, the JTFAC liaison officer to SETAF-AF. “This comes in handy when either the U.S. or a partner nation wants to take legal action against subjects identified through our forensic analysis.”
JTFAC’s recent support of African Lion exercises laid the groundwork for this success. During those multinational events, Forensic Exploitation Team (FXT) scientists provided hands-on training to host-nation forces in Tunisia and Morocco, covering topics such as latent fingerprint development, DNA analysis and post-blast evidence recovery.
In addition, AFRICOM’s exercise Cutlass Express included 21 legal advisors from 12 countries converging in Victoria, Seychelles, Feb. 10-14, 2025. The multinational team discussed legal processes and examined possible scenarios that support search and seizure operations such as the type of mission which brought about this latest conviction.
“These engagements not only enhance the forensic science capabilities of our partners across the African continent, but also reinforce our center’s readiness for real-world contingencies,” added U.S. Army Maj. Lucas Poon, the JTFAC director at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
JTFAC’s capabilities stem from both military and civilian personnel, operating under the umbrella of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID). The Army CID’s Forensic Exploitation Division (FXD) staffs the majority of JTFAC positions. While the JTFAC is operationally controlled by SETAF-AF, a unique team from multiple U.S. Army commands enables this function.
The FXD supports numerous annual partner nation engagements and deploys on six-month rotations as part of the JTFAC in Djibouti.
“The lab’s ongoing mission provides multiple other benefits to partner nations, civilians and service members who operate in this area,” said Sanson. “Accurate forensic assessments lead to updated tactics, techniques and procedures, as well as revisions to protective equipment and policies to keep people safe now and into the future.”
As threats grow more complex and transnational, JTFAC continues to prove that science, when deployed with precision, can be a decisive force for justice and security.
About SETAF-AF
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.
On Thursday the Netherlands pledged €300 million for the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine in 2025 and 2026. Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp announced the support at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Rome, in which he and Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof are participating. The URC is an annual international event dedicated to the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.
The foreign minister also announced that €30 million of this sum will be earmarked to help Dutch businesses and organisations to set up projects that contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction and sustainable recovery through the Ukraine Partnership Facility (UPF) grant programme. Mr Veldkamp had already said that €52 million of the Dutch contribution would be spent on repairing Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and drinking water supplies in 2025.
In addition, the Netherlands is donating €4 million for the construction of a new wing at the children’s hospital in Lviv, to be carried out in partnership with the Princess Máxima Center for paediatric oncology in Utrecht.
These amounts are part of the funds that the government had already set aside for non-military support to Ukraine in 2025 and 2026. The support amounts to €252 million per year, which adds up to more than €500 million in total. The details of how the first €200 million would be spent had already been announced. Now the purpose of the remaining amounts has also been determined.
‘Russia isn’t just trying to bring Ukraine’s armed forces to their knees, but for more than three years has also been attempting to destroy Ukraine’s society and economy through continuous attacks, for instance on energy infrastructure, water supplies and grain storage facilities, as well as houses and apartments. It is therefore important that the international community supports Ukraine not only with arms, but also with financial, economic and social assistance. Ukraine’s economy and society must be kept running because that will help the country in its struggle. It is, as it were, another front line. Our financial and economic support is also intended to help the recovery process run more smoothly and to keep the costs of reconstruction down,’ said Mr Veldkamp.
Ukraine Partnership Facility
At the conference, Mr Veldkamp and Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko, will sign a cooperation agreement on the extension of the UPF grant programme established in 2023 to help Dutch businesses and organisations working on projects in the fields of agrofood, sustainable energy, healthcare, water and circular construction that will benefit Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction. The Netherlands and Ukraine will collaborate to ensure that the selected projects meet Ukraine’s needs to the greatest extent possible.
€20 million to boost Ukraine’s cyber resilience
One of the topics discussed at the conference will be efforts to boost Ukraine’s cyber resilience. The Netherlands had already announced it was setting aside €10 million per year for 2025 and 2026 to assist Ukraine in this area. The cyber threat posed to Ukraine by Russia has never been greater, as cyber attacks are an integral part of Russia’s war effort. The funding may for example be used to increase the cyber resilience of critical sectors such as energy and transport.
On Thursday the Netherlands pledged €300 million for the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine in 2025 and 2026. Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp announced the support at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Rome, in which he and Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof are participating. The URC is an annual international event dedicated to the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.
The foreign minister also announced that €30 million of this sum will be earmarked to help Dutch businesses and organisations to set up projects that contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction and sustainable recovery through the Ukraine Partnership Facility (UPF) grant programme. Mr Veldkamp had already said that €52 million of the Dutch contribution would be spent on repairing Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and drinking water supplies in 2025.
In addition, the Netherlands is donating €4 million for the construction of a new wing at the children’s hospital in Lviv, to be carried out in partnership with the Princess Máxima Center for paediatric oncology in Utrecht.
These amounts are part of the funds that the government had already set aside for non-military support to Ukraine in 2025 and 2026. The support amounts to €252 million per year, which adds up to more than €500 million in total. The details of how the first €200 million would be spent had already been announced. Now the purpose of the remaining amounts has also been determined.
‘Russia isn’t just trying to bring Ukraine’s armed forces to their knees, but for more than three years has also been attempting to destroy Ukraine’s society and economy through continuous attacks, for instance on energy infrastructure, water supplies and grain storage facilities, as well as houses and apartments. It is therefore important that the international community supports Ukraine not only with arms, but also with financial, economic and social assistance. Ukraine’s economy and society must be kept running because that will help the country in its struggle. It is, as it were, another front line. Our financial and economic support is also intended to help the recovery process run more smoothly and to keep the costs of reconstruction down,’ said Mr Veldkamp.
Ukraine Partnership Facility
At the conference, Mr Veldkamp and Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko, will sign a cooperation agreement on the extension of the UPF grant programme established in 2023 to help Dutch businesses and organisations working on projects in the fields of agrofood, sustainable energy, healthcare, water and circular construction that will benefit Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction. The Netherlands and Ukraine will collaborate to ensure that the selected projects meet Ukraine’s needs to the greatest extent possible.
€20 million to boost Ukraine’s cyber resilience
One of the topics discussed at the conference will be efforts to boost Ukraine’s cyber resilience. The Netherlands had already announced it was setting aside €10 million per year for 2025 and 2026 to assist Ukraine in this area. The cyber threat posed to Ukraine by Russia has never been greater, as cyber attacks are an integral part of Russia’s war effort. The funding may for example be used to increase the cyber resilience of critical sectors such as energy and transport.
The partnership combines Secarna’s OligoCreator®technologywith Vect-Horus’ VECTrans®platform to enable systemic delivery of oligonucleotide therapies across the blood-brain barrier
This collaboration marks a strategic step for both companies in expanding their presence in targeted delivery and CNS indications, uniting complementary expertise in RNA therapeutics and advanced delivery technologies
This strategic agreement unlocks new potential treatments for neurodegenerative and other CNS disorders and delivering solutions that truly impact patient lives
Martinsried, Germany, and Marseille, France, July 10, 2025 – Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG, a company redefining the discovery and development of best-in-class oligonucleotide therapeutics, and Vect-Horus, an expert in the design and development of molecular vectors to facilitate targeted delivery of therapeutic molecules and imaging agents, today announced that the companies have entered into a strategic research collaboration to develop RNA-targeted therapeutics capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to address diseases of the central nervous system (CNS).
The partnership will combine Vect-Horus’ expertise and delivery technology platform, VECTrans®, a versatile delivery system focused on shuttling therapeutic or imaging payloads across biological barriers, with Secarna’s proprietary OligoCreator® oligonucleotide discovery platform. The combination of these two technologies will expand Secarna’s targeted delivery portfolio, offering a novel approach that could potentially transform the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
“This partnership brings together two complementary platforms to address one of the most challenging aspects of CNS drug development – effective, targeted, and systemic delivery across the blood-brain barrier,” said Konstantin Petropoulos, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Secarna Pharmaceuticals. “Our collaboration with Vect-Horus, whose VECTrans® technology has earned major recognition in the world, marks a significant step in our strategic expansion into targeted delivery in the context of CNS diseases, unlocking new possibilities for treating neurodegenerative and other CNS disorders and delivering solutions that truly impact patient lives.”
“We are pleased to collaborate with Secarna Pharmaceuticals” said Alexandre Tokay, co-founder and CEO of Vect-Horus. “By combining our VECTrans® delivery platform with Secarna’s OligoCreator® technology, we aim to advance RNA-targeted therapies for CNS disorders. This research collaboration represents a unique opportunity to overcome the long-standing delivery challenges through the blood-brain barrier and bring forward innovative treatment options for patients who today have limited and ineffective treatment options”
With over 20 years of expertise Vect-Horus’ VECTrans® platform uses engineered peptide and single-domain, heavy chain-only (VHH) antibody vectors to shuttle therapeutic or imaging payloads—ranging from small molecules and oligonucleotides to proteins—across biological barriers like the blood–brain barrier via receptor-mediated transport. This approach enables efficient targeting of specific cells or tissues (e.g., the CNS or tumors) while enhancing pharmacokinetics and minimizing off-target effects. VECTrans® has been validated in multiple preclinical animal models for a variety of diseases. In addition, the platform has one partnered program in the clinical stage targeting glioblastoma multiforme and pancreatic cancer.
Secarna’s AI-empowered OligoCreator® platform unites multiple delivery solutions with safety and efficacy assessment tools to rapidly discover and refine highly effective and safe oligonucleotide therapies. This powerful integration enhances Secarna’s ability to address diseases once considered untreatable, reinforcing the platform’s critical role in driving the next generation of medical innovation.
About Secarna Pharmaceuticals Secarna Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company redefining the discovery and development of best-in-class oligonucleotide therapeutics, offering hope to patients facing conditions that are beyond the reach of current approaches and modalities. With the Company’s proprietary AI-empowered OligoCreator® platform, which includes multiple delivery technologies, Secarna identifies and characterizes oligonucleotide therapeutics with unparalleled speed and excellent safety and efficacy. By delivering these novel therapeutics to the cells, organs, or tissues where they are needed, targeted oligonucleotide therapies have the potential to revolutionize treatments for a wide range of difficult-to-treat disorders. Secarna’s unique ‘OligoCreator®’ platform is leveraged to transform untreatable conditions into treatable ones, profoundly changing the future of medicine. www.secarna.com
About Vect-Horus Vect-Horus designs and develops vectors that facilitate targeting and delivery of therapeutic or imaging agents to organs, including the brain, and to tumors. Founded in 2005, Vect-Horus is a spin-off of the Institute for Neurophysiopathology (INP, UMR7051, CNRS and Aix Marseille University), formerly headed by Dr Michel Khrestchatisky, co-founder of the company. Vect-Horus has 42 employees (most in R&D). To learn more about Vect-Horus, visit www.vect-horus.com.
Contact Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG
Konstantin Petropoulos, PhD, MBA Chief Executive Officer Phone: +49 (0)89 215 46 375 info@secarna.com
The State of Qatar participated in the109th session of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), held in The Hague.
The Qatari delegation was headed by HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and its Permanent Representative to the OPCW Dr. Mutlaq bin Majid Al Qahtani.
In Qatar’s statement during the session, His Excellency noted that the meeting is taking place amid serious challenges to international peace and security, foremost among them the war waged by Israel on the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in severe humanitarian tragedies.
His Excellency affirmed Qatar’s support for the request made by the State of Palestine, as a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, for an immediate investigation into Israel’s use of prohibited substances during its military operations in Gaza.
His Excellency stressed that such actions constitute a blatant violation of international law and relevant conventions and require accountability for the perpetrators.
In this context, His Excellency condemned Israel’s repeated targeting of sites within Syrian territory, which hinders the work of OPCW missions and endangers the lives of its experts, especially as Syria continues its cooperation with the OPCW Technical Secretariat to identify sites containing chemical materials and develop destruction plans.
HE the Ambassador praised the recent positive progress in cooperation between the Syrian Arab Republic and the OPCW Technical Secretariat, commending the vital role played by the organization in this regard and Qatar’s support for enhancing this cooperation, calling on the Executive Council to engage positively with this new reality and to take the necessary steps to restore Syria’s rights and privileges as an active member of the organization.
His Excellency also reiterated Qatar’s position calling for the resolution of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis through dialogue and diplomatic means, and for the peaceful settlement of international disputes.
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On July 10, our country celebrates the Day of the Russian army’s victory over the Swedes in the Battle of Poltava – one of the 20 days of military glory in the Russian holiday calendar.
The Battle of Poltava became the decisive battle of the Northern War (1700-1721), in which the Russian Tsardom, which was in the period of reforms of Peter I, was confronted by the powerful Swedish Kingdom, led by the talented military leader Charles XII.
Charles’s self-confidence played a cruel joke on him. Being in the minority, cut off from supplies, having lost his baggage train in the battle near the village of Lesnoy and having suffered serious losses in attempts to take Poltava by storm, the Swedish king decided on a general battle, hoping to defeat the Russian army, which was not yet well trained and equipped. Contrary to his expectations, the Russians had an overwhelming advantage in artillery and well-fortified positions.
In the first stage of the battle, the Swedes managed to occupy two unfinished redoubts on the move, but they were no longer able to advance. Having withstood heavy artillery fire and mixed up their ranks, they moved into a decisive attack, which quickly turned into a bayonet fight. Two hours later, they were surrounded by the Russians from the flanks, panicked, and fled the battlefield.
As a result, the Swedish corps was completely routed. About 9,000 people were killed, and 19,000, including all the generals, were captured. The Russians got the entire royal treasury, but Charles XII himself managed to escape to Turkey with a small detachment, where he continued to intrigue against Russia.
Despite the fact that the Northern War lasted for another 12 long years after the Battle of Poltava, Sweden could no longer pose a significant threat to the Russians. At the end of the war, Russia retained the territories of Karelia, Livonia, Estonia, Ingria and free access to the Baltic Sea, opening up broad strategic and trade opportunities.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Cricket minnows Italy are on the cusp of sealing their first appearance at the Twenty20 World Cup after stunning Scotland in the European qualifying tournament on Wednesday.
Their 12-run victory in Voorburg, the Netherlands, kept Italy top of the Europe Regional Final standings and in pole position for the 20-overs showpiece to be held in India and Sri Lanka next year.
A win over the Dutch, who are second in the standings, in their final match on Friday would seal their place but Italy’s superior net run rate means even a narrow loss could send them through if other results go their way.
“I am really proud of the boys for this moment,” said captain Joe Burns, who played 23 tests for Australia before switching allegiance to Italy last year.
“Hopefully this is the stepping stone for a lot to come. It’s a very emotional group at the moment. Being on the verge of a World Cup? It’s very surreal.”
With the top two in the standings to advance, Scotland can still qualify but need a big win against Jersey on Friday and an Italy victory against the Dutch.
“A lot of the credit has to go to Italy, who outskilled us with the ball in those conditions,” Scotland captain Richie Berrington said.
“Obviously today’s a tough one, but it’s important we learn what we can from this game. We will be looking to come back strong.
“We have to focus on coming back on Friday and looking to win that game then the rest takes care of itself.”
England’s Lauren James scored twice, while Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone also found the net to put the defending women’s European champions back on track at Euro 2025 with an emphatic 4-0 victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday.
Four days after a lacklustre 2-1 loss to France, aruthless England came out firing on all cylinders in front of a festive crowd that included Britain’s Prince William.
England and the Netherlands both have three points from their opening two games in Group D, level with France who can go three points clear at the summit if they beat Wales later on Wednesday.
England play tournament debutants Wales in their final group game on Sunday, when the Netherlands play France.
James put England on the scoresheet in the 22nd minute when goalkeeper Hannah Hampton picked out Alessia Russo with a stunning long ball. Russo, who had a hat-trick of assists to win the player of the match award, slipped it to James on the edge of the box who worked the ball onto her left foot before unleashing a screamer into the top corner.
Stanway doubled England’s lead seconds before halftime when the Dutch struggled to clear the ball and the midfielder was there to fizz a first-time shot past wrong-footed goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar.
An unmarked James, who recently returned after missing almost three months with a hamstring injury, completed her double in the 60th with an easy shot from inside the box.
James received a standing ovation — and a kiss blown from her proud dad — when coach Sarina Wiegman replaced her with Chloe Kelly midway through the second half.
“I enjoyed it a lot. The goals say it all,” said James.
“We bounced back from our previous game and today we showed we’re more than capable of showing the world what we can do.”
MORE MISERY
Toone, who had replaced Beth Mead in the starting 11, added more misery for the Dutch in the 67th minute. Russo held up the ball in the penalty area before sending it to a running Toone, who calmly slotted home.
Wiegman, who coached the Netherlands to the Euro 2017 title, was delighted with her team’s response after the defeat to France, as they thoroughly smothered the Dutch, taking 17 shots to the Netherlands’ four.
“How we came together, how we played down the pitch and of course I’m very happy with the score because that’s a massive help because goal difference can make the difference,” Wiegman said.
“Also the days into this game, how we looked at each other’s eyes and said, ‘OK what do we do?’, and execution of the game plan. I think that really helped.”
The Lionesses also kept Vivianne Miedema, who scored her 100th international goal in the Netherlands’ 3-0 win over Wales in their tournament opener, under wraps.
“It’s tough, we need to accept it because we don’t deserve anything else today,” Miedema said. “England came out the way we thought they would and we weren’t intense anywhere on the pitch.
“We need to look at ourselves — we wanted to press high which didn’t work because we couldn’t cover the distances. We know how good England are but I don’t think today really reflected how we are and how good we can be.”
Novak Djokovic’s pursuit of yet more career milestones continued unabated as he reached a record 14th Wimbledon semi-final and a showdown with world number one Jannik Sinner on Wednesday.
The 38-year-old Serb recovered from a set down to beat Flavio Cobolli 6-7(6) 6-2 7-5 6-4 and is now only two victories away from an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title.
Blocking his path next is a rather more formidable Italian in the form of Sinner who eased any worries about an elbow injury to beat American powerhouse Ben Shelton 7-6(2) 6-4 6-4.
In the women’s quarter-finals, Poland’s claycourt specialist Iga Swiatek broke new ground by reaching her first Wimbledon semi-final, beating Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 7-5.
The eighth seed will face Switzerland’s unseeded Belinda Bencic who edged out Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva 7-6(3) 7-6(2) to also reach her first semi-final at the grasscourt slam.
By reaching a record-extending 52nd Grand Slam semi, Djokovic also kept alive his hopes of equalling Roger Federer’s men’s record eight Wimbledon singles titles.
It remains a tall order even for a player widely regarded as the greatest of all time, especially with top seed Sinner and Spain’s holder Carlos Alcaraz, the two new powers in men’s tennis, most people’s bet to contest the final on July 13.
But no one should be writing off Djokovic who has won 44 of his last 46 matches at the All England Club and seems to know every single blade of grass on the historic Centre Court.
“It means the world to me that at 38 I am able to play in the final stages of Wimbledon,” Djokovic, who suffered a nasty slip on match point but appeared unscathed, said.
“Competing with youngsters makes me feel young, like Cobolli today. I enjoy running and sliding around the court. Speaking of the young guys, I will have Sinner in the next round so I look forward to that. That is going to be a great match-up.”
SINNER INJURY
Sinner may well have been back home in Italy had Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov not damaged his right pectoral muscle and retired with a two-set lead in the fourth round on Monday.
The three-times Grand Slam champion also sustained an elbow injury early on in that match and there was some doubt about his physical state ahead of his clash with 10th seed Shelton.
But he produced a clinical performance, reeling off seven successive points to win the first-set tiebreak and then pouncing in the 10th game of the next two sets to match his run to the semi-final two years ago when he lost to Djokovic.
Sinner, bidding to become the first Italian to win a Wimbledon singles title, wore a protective sleeve on his right arm but was rock solid against the big-serving Shelton.
“I had quite good feelings in the warm-up today,” Sinner, who dropped only six points on his first serve, said.
“I put into my mind that I’m going to play today. So the concerns were not that big if I would play or not.
“It was just a matter of what my percentage is. Today was very high, so I’m happy.”
Swiatek appears to have finally overcome her grass court demons and the four-times French Open champion could not hide her delight at reaching the semi-final at the sixth attempt.
“Honestly, it feels great. I have goosebumps after this win. I am super happy and super proud of myself and I will keep going. I worked really hard to progress here on this surface.”
Former Olympic champion Bencic became the first Swiss woman to reach the semis since Martina Hingis in 1998 after stunning 18-year-old seventh seed Andreeva on Centre Court.
“It’s crazy, it’s unbelievable. It’s a dream come true,” the 28-year-old mother said. “I’m just speechless.”
Bencic will face Swiatek on Thursday after top seed Aryna Sabalenka takes on 13th-seeded American Amanda Anisimova.
The first silverware of this year’s tournament will also be decided on Thursday when Dutchman Sem Verbeek and Czech Katerina Siniakova face Britain’s Joe Salisbury and Brazil’s Luisa Stefani in the mixed doubles final on Centre Court.
France produced a dominant display to thrash Wales 4-1 and go top of Group D at Euro 2025 on Wednesday, outclassing their opponents who scored their first goal at a major championship.
After England beat the Netherlands 4-0 earlier in the day, France went top of the group on six points, followed by the English and the Dutch on three points each.
Wales, who face England in their final group game on Sunday, have yet to register a point but still have a mathematical chance of going through to the knockouts. France face the Netherlands in their last group game.
Clara Mateo was at the centre of much of France’s attacking play and lashed them into an early lead, controlling a flick-on from a corner on her chest and firing a volley into the net in the eighth minute.
The moment thousands of Wales fans had been waiting for came five minutes later when Ceri Holland broke down the left and though her first attempt to find Jess Fishlock was blocked, she managed to steer the ball to the 38-year-old, who poked home Wales’ maiden goal at the women’s European Championship finals.
That was as good as it got for Wales, who looked set to go into the break level only for Holland to chop down Mateo in the box and Kadidiatou Diani’s spot kick crept over the line after striking the foot of keeper Safia Middleton-Patel.
Middleton-Patel was at fault just after the break as she lost control of the ball in the box, allowing Mateo to tee up Amel Majri, who thumped it into the net.
After that the Welsh wilted as the French dominated, with Grace Geyoro scoring their fourth in the 63rd minute, steering home a ball from the right following an extended period of possession to crown a convincing win.
“We’ve got six points after two matches and that’s what we need to remember. It won’t be an easy (next) game because the Netherlands will have no choice but to attack and score goals,” France coach Laurent Bonadei said.
Mateo was impressed with how her side bounced back from Fishlock’s equalising goal and how they went on to dominate.
“We had a bit of a scare at the start of the game but we had confidence in ourselves. It was a great evening, there are different strikers and that’s important for everyone’s confidence,” she said.
If you watched any of the 2025 Wimbledon womens’ matches, you’ll have noticed many players donning a skort: a garment in which shorts are concealed under a skirt, or a front panel resembling a skirt.
You may even remember skorts from your schooling days, as they’re commonly offered in girls’ uniforms throughout Australia.
The skort (a portmanteau of skirt and shorts) has played a truly unique role in the history of women’s clothing. They were once a progressive item of clothing, as they afforded women the opportunity to partake in activities that would have been difficult in a skirt or dress.
Their role in contemporary society, however, is a bit more complicated.
Rebellious beginnings
The first garments resembling skorts were developed in the 1890s so women could ride bicycles without their skirt getting caught in the chains. While the puffy “bloomers” had already been invented a few decades earlier, women who wore them often faced ridicule.
Skorts were considered revolutionary at a time when men both figuratively and literally wore the pants.
Back then, they were usually a pair of loose pants under a front panel resembling a skirt. The aim was to retain the wearer’s femininity, and not offend those who thought pants were a purely masculine article of clothing.
A drawing from an 1896 patent of a ‘cycling skirt’.
The skort as we know it today, and as is seen across the sporting world, was popularised in the 1960s by American fashion designer Leon Levin.
This skirt was said to offer “the freedom of shorts and soft lines of a skirt”. The underlying message: even as women participate in traditionally “masculine” activities, they should be careful not to look too masculine.
Sport management academic M. Katie Flanagan argues women may be convinced that exercising in a skort achieves an acceptable gender performance. In other words, they are socialised to think they have to “perform” their gender by wearing the “correct” clothing.
Skorts in sport and school
In the sporting world, skorts are deliberately designed to be trendy and attractive, rather than purely functional.
One study on women golfers found they were more satisfied with their uniforms if they were happy with both the comfort and attractiveness, indicating women’s sportswear isn’t just about fit and practicality.
Skorts have historically also had class associations. As recently as ten years ago, sport skorts were an expensive item reserved for those from the middle and upper classes. Women from lower economic classes also tended to not have the time and/or resources to engage in the activities skorts were designed for, namely tennis and golf.
More recently, however, discount stores have made skorts accessible to those on a budget.
School skorts, a topic of my ongoing research, are particularly affordable at discount stores. A generic discount store skort may cost about A$10, compared to A$20–40 for one purchased directly from a school.
Some schools offer skorts to girls as the equivalent of sports shorts or as part of the everyday uniform. Other schools seem to prefer culottes as an alternative to a dress or skirt – shorts that are loose enough to resemble a skirt.
Many schools still don’t offer shorts to girls as part of the everyday uniform. Whether or not girls are allowed to wear the “boys’” shorts comes down to the individual school.
From rebellion to restriction
One 2019 review of school uniform policies in South Australia found 98.6% of public schools included shorts as a uniform option for girls, compared to just 26.4% of private schools.
Researchers Sarah Cohen-Woods and Rachel Laattoe found girls in private schools were often restricted in their choices, having to choose between skorts and culottes as an alternative to a skirt or dress.
Across Australia, all state and territory education policies – most of which came into effect between 2017 and 2019 – mandate public schools must offer girls the option of wearing shorts and pants.
However, the wordings of these policies differ widely. While New South Wales, Victoria and Norther Territory specifically mention shorts and pants must be offered to girls, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania specify schools must offer unisex or gender neutral items to all students.
South Australia’s and Australian Capital Territory’s policies further state uniform items should be categorised by type of clothing, or in non-gender specific terms.
However, in some states, including New South Wales, schools are free to interpret the policy as they wish, which is why some only offer culottes or skorts to girls. There is generally no oversight or enforcement of policies to force schools to offer actual shorts to girls.
A similar debate is happening in women’s sports. Ireland’s Camogie Association only ended the compulsory skorts policy in May, after years of complaints by players. Dublin captain Aisling Maher said she was “sick of being forced to wear a skort that is uncomfortable and unfit for purpose”.
“In no other facet of my life does someone dictate that I have to wear something resembling a skirt because I am a girl. Why is it happening in my sport?” Maher said.
A camogie team pictured in Waterford, Ireland, 1915. The Irish stick-and-ball team sport is played by women. Wikimedia
A garment for the male gaze
In recent years, many stores have advertised skorts for fashion. Target, for instance, currently sells a tailored skort described as a “must have for any trendsetter looking to stand out in a crowd”.
There are conflicting arguments about whether skorts are progressive or regressive. On one hand, they allow women and girls to move freely during physical activities, without having to worry about their underwear being visible.
On the other, they set a precedent in regards to how women and girls ought to perform their gender, by avoiding looking too “masculine” – which makes them somewhat misogynistic.
The skort is an object of dual meanings: at once a skirt and a pair of shorts – at once progressive and regressive.
Jennifer E. Cheng 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.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
LONDON, July 10 (Xinhua) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with French President Emmanuel Macron at his Downing Street residence on Wednesday, vowing to work together to combat illegal migration.
“The leaders agreed that tackling the threat of illegal migration and small boat crossings is a shared priority that requires joint solutions,” said a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office.
“Both leaders agreed on the need to move forward and make progress in developing new and innovative solutions, including new deterrents to disrupt the business model of these gangs,” the statement said.
Despite joint funding and collaboration, more than 20,000 people have arrived in the UK from France on small boats across the English Channel this year, a 50 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Both leaders are under enormous pressure in their countries over a surge in far-right and anti-immigration political sentiment. In a speech to the British parliament on Tuesday, Mr Macron called the issue a “burden” for both countries. It remains unclear whether the two sides will reach a new deal to combat illegal migration during the French president’s three-day visit.
During their meeting on Wednesday, the leaders also discussed joint efforts to further deepen the partnership, from strengthening defense cooperation to increasing bilateral trade and investment.
A British-French summit is planned for Thursday, at which both sides aim to make concrete progress in these areas, the statement said.
Macron began a state visit to the UK on Tuesday, the first such visit by a French president since 2008. Macron is also the first head of state from the European Union to visit the UK on a state visit since Brexit. –0–
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Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique urged his team to make one final push to complete a perfect season following their 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinals on Wednesday.
“I feel great, it was difficult to play this kind of match against a team like Real Madrid, everything is good, and we are happy with the performance, we deserve to win,” the 55-year-old said at the post-match press conference.
Luis Enrique (C), head coach of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates after the semifinal match between Paris Saint-Germain (France) and Real Madrid (Spain) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, the United States, July 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
PSG has already secured a domestic league and cup double and captured its first UEFA Champions League title. A win over Chelsea in Sunday’s final would further cement a historic season for the club.
“We are one step from making a new history of Paris. That is the objective since the beginning, but it is always very difficult to achieve these things, very few teams can do what we are trying to do. If we can achieve our goal, that will be massive for us and for our fans,” Enrique said.
Fabian Ruiz, who scored twice in the first half, was named man of the match. With three goals so far in the tournament, he has a chance to claim the Golden Boot if he scores again in the final. The Spaniard, however, said his main focus is helping the team win.
“I always try to give the best of myself to help the team. It’s true that I’m having a great tournament, and I think the fundamental thing is the team and I can help the team win on Sunday, and being able to score a goal and being able to be the top scorer for me is fantastic, but above all is the team,” the 29-year-old said.
