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Category: Technology

  • MIL-OSI: Ushur Launches Ushur Intelligence: Agentic AI Purpose-built for Highly Regulated Enterprises

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ushur, the leading AI-powered Customer Experience Automation™ company, today announced the launch of Ushur Intelligence, purpose-built for highly regulated industries. Designed with enterprise-grade security, compliance, and control, Ushur Intelligence enables healthcare, insurance, and financial services organizations to deploy domain-specific AI Agents that automate workflows requiring hyper personalization and judgment — all while ensuring safety or governance.

    As enterprises face mounting pressure to achieve more with fewer resources, the demand for intelligent automation has never been greater. Stricter regulations, rising customer expectations and reliance on manual processes are accelerating the need for smarter, automated solutions. The emergence of agentic AI marks a turning point — enabling autonomous reasoning, decision-making and goal-driven action that adapts to context in real time. This signals a new era of enterprise transformation, one that moves well beyond the scripted, hardwired workflows to deliver contemporary customer experiences and meet rapidly evolving business needs.

    “Agentic AI marks a major shift — from reactive task automation to proactive, intuitive problem-solving,” said Simha Sadasiva, CEO and Co-founder of Ushur. “With Ushur Intelligence, we’ve created a way for enterprises to safely deploy vertical-focused AI Agents all while maintaining transparency, trust, and total control.”

    Ushur Intelligence uses proprietary language models (UshurLM) trained on customer behavior to deliver digital experiences for industry-specific use cases with adherence to regulatory compliance, data privacy and data security protocols.

    Key capabilities include:

    • Domain-specific AI Agents: Designed for healthcare, insurance, and financial services use cases to ensure precision and regulatory alignment.
    • Multi-agent orchestration: A scalable architecture designed to build and coordinate multiple AI Agents through MCP and agent-to-agent (A2A) interoperability.
    • Seamless integration: Connects with enterprise systems, policies, and workflows to enable end-to-end automation without coding involved.
    • Built-in compliance frameworks: Including HIPAA, SOC 2, GDPR, and HITRUST.
    • Real-time reasoning and decision-making: Allows AI Agents to interpret context and act accordingly, while operating within an authorized set of tasks and services.
    • Natural language Agent Builder: Accelerating deployment without engineering overhead.
    • Enterprise-grade governance: With guardrails, audit trails, and human-in-the-loop capabilities.

    Availability

    Enterprises can now tap into the power of agentic AI through Ushur’s prebuilt, customizable solutions — designed to address their most urgent, high-impact challenges. Rather than starting from scratch, organizations gain immediate access to a robust infrastructure purpose-built for agentic AI, with the flexibility to tailor each experience to their unique business needs.

    Ushur delivers AI Agent solutions purpose-built for customer service in regulated industries, designed to manage the complexity, documentation and high-stakes inbound inquiries these businesses encounter. Customers receive instant support — anytime, anywhere — through empathetic, personalized interactions. Employees benefit from immediate access to information, guided workflows and improved productivity. These solutions not only elevate self-service experiences to drive customer satisfaction and retention, but also generate measurable operational impact across the enterprise.

    Available solutions include:

    • Healthcare: AI Agent for Member Service
    • Insurance: AI Agent for Policyholder Service
    • Financial Services: AI Agent for Client Service

    Ushur is continuously expanding its portfolio of industry-specific AI Agents to address the most complex and mission-critical processes across the enterprise.

    Ushur Intelligence is now available for enterprises to unlock immediate value from Agentic AI. Whether at the early stages of AI exploration or deepening existing investments, Ushur provides a fast, secure and tailored path forward. To learn more, visit ushur.ai.

    About Ushur

    ‍Ushur delivers the world’s first Customer Experience Automation platform built specifically for regulated industries. Purpose-built for delivering ideal self-service, Ushur infuses intelligence into digital experiences for the most delightful and impactful customer engagements. Equipped with guardrails and compliance-ready infrastructure, Ushur powers vertical AI Agents for healthcare, financial services and insurance use cases. Designed for rapid code-less deployment with flexible, advanced capabilities for IT and business teams, enterprises can transform customer and employee journeys at scale, driving faster time-to-value and improved outcomes.

    kesia@scribewise.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier signs decree unveiling tax-related information rules concerning internet platform companies

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

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a State Council decree unveiling rules to regulate internet platform companies’ submission of tax-related information.

    The rules go into effect on Monday.

    The rules aim to regulate the internet platform companies’ submission of tax-related information of business operators and employees on their respective platforms, enhance the efficiency of tax services and management, protect the legal rights and interests of taxpayers, create a fair and unified tax environment, and promote the standardized and healthy development of the platform economy.

    According to the rules, internet platform companies are required to submit the identity information of operators and employees, as well as income data for the previous quarter, to their respective tax authorities within one month following the end of each quarter.

    Internet platform companies should standardize the preservation of tax-related information concerning operators and employees within their platforms, according to the rules.

    Tax authorities are required to keep the acquired tax-related information confidential in accordance with the law and establish a tax information security management system.

    The rules also outline circumstances under which submission is exempted and measures to reduce submission burdens.

    In addition, the rules also stipulate corresponding legal responsibilities for different types of violations.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Ahead of Time Together”: Winners and Prize-Winners of “Highest Standard” Awarded in Moscow

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    June 13th Center of Cultures The HSE hosted a ceremony to honor the winners of the All-Russian School OlympiadHighest quality“. Of the more than 4.5 thousand winners and prize winners, about 700 schoolchildren from 67 regions of Russia took part in it. The best of the best were noted in special nominations established by the organizing committee of the Olympiad. For the second year in a row, the Olympiad “Highest Standard” is held with the support of Sber.

    Before the ceremony, a festival program was organized in the HSE atrium, which for an hour and a half became the main city square of HSE City with street activities and artists, a lounge area and elegant pavilions, flags and garlands.

    Here you could get a consultation from a neuro-fortune teller, play table football and hockey, solve puzzles and dance, take part in the creation of living paintings. In the chill-zone of Sber, which is supporting the Olympiad for the second season, schoolchildren played computer games, ate ice cream and got answers to questions about building a dream career, and in the VR-greenhouse of the ROST Group of Companies, a partner of Vysshaya Proba in biology, they picked tomatoes, drank smoothies and tried snacks with the taste of tomato and cucumber.

    In the Photo Mosaic zone, participants were invited to contribute to the creation of the HSE inscription from hundreds of photographs of Olympiad diploma winners. Those who wished could take part in a quest introducing HSE, in the game What? Where? When?, continue to build up their intellectual potential at the master class What Can Be Learned from Social (and Not Only) Network Analysis? or the training Creative Worlds: How Ideas Turn into Collaborations.

    The guests then moved to the Cultural Center. The participants of the ceremony honoring the diploma holders (similar events were previously held in Saint Petersburg, Perm And Nizhny Novgorod) said the first vice-rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Vadim Radaev.

    “The Olympiad “Higher Standard” will soon turn 30, and every year it becomes more and more beautiful and cool. It already includes 30 profiles, including two new ones – “Industrial Programming” together with “Yandex” and “History of Art” together with the Pushkin Museum. And of course, the competition is growing. This year, more than 50 thousand people took part in it, and your victory is even more significant. There are more than 4.5 thousand winners and prize-winners, and even more diplomas, because some of you managed to win the Olympiad in several profiles,” said Vadim Radaev.

    The First Vice-Rector also thanked the partners and the team of organizers, “who are conducting the ‘Higher Test’ at the highest level.”

    Olga Tsukanova, Managing Director and Head of the Academic Partnerships Directorate at Sber, joined in the congratulations. She emphasized that the Higher School of Economics offers a wide range of sciences, and those who win the Olympiads then find themselves in a variety of fields.

    “We will be glad to see you among our employees, clients, partners, and we are ready to support those who see the future, who are moving towards the future, who are ready to lead others. Invitations to internships at Sber are received not only by students, but also by schoolchildren, who can try themselves in our product teams, “twist” the products that we release to the market. And students, especially after two years of study, having received a solid base, do cool projects at Sber,” said Olga Tsukanova.

    The organizing committee of the Olympiad established special nominations in which the best of the best were recognized: “Everest of Science” (diplomas in five or more profiles), “Conquering Olympus” (the highest results in profiles from 90 points), “Victory Marathon” (prize places for four or more years), “Ahead of Time” (completion of tasks two grades higher than the class of study, and tasks for the 7th grade by sixth-graders) and “HSE Olympiads” (winning several intellectual competitions of the National Research University Higher School of Economics). The laureates in these nominations, as well as two diploma winners of the Olympiad, who celebrated their birthday on June 13, were presented with diplomas, medals and gifts on stage.

    Deputy Vice-Rector – Head Directorate for the Development of Intellectual Competitions HSE University Danil Fedorov, congratulating the winners in the “Everest of Science” nomination, urged them to apply to a university where it is difficult to study, reminding them that the Higher School of Economics is exactly such a university.

    Olga Tsukanova invited the winners in the Conquering Olympus nomination to become students of the AI360: Artificial Intelligence Engineering track of the bachelor’s program Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, which is being implemented at HSE jointly with Sber and Yandex.

    Chairman of the Methodological Commission for the Profile “Foreign Languages” – Head Foreign language schools HSE University Ekaterina Kolesnikova compared the process of preparing for the Olympics to playing sports. “The winners in the “Victorious Marathon” nomination know very well that those who do not stop when things are difficult, who act at the limit of their capabilities, win,” she noted.

    The winners in the “Ahead of Time” nomination were announced by Anna Korovko, Senior Director for Main Educational Programs at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, and the Chair of the Methodological Commission for the “Political Science” profile, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Denis Stukal. Anna Korovko promised that by the time they finish 11th grade, studying at the HSE will become even more difficult, and Denis Stukal, himself a former Olympiad participant, called them true leaders who not only challenged those who were a year or two older than them, but also succeeded in doing so.

    “You have a great future ahead of you, and I hope that at some point it will become inextricably linked with our university, because HSE is a university that is also ahead of its time. Let’s get ahead of it together and move only forward,” Denis Stukal concluded.

    The Chairperson of the Methodological Commission for the Economics Profile, Daria Tabashnikova, announced the winner in the HSE Olympiads brand nomination, Anastasia Usenko, who won the Vysshaya Proba Olympiad, the In Your Own Words essay championship, and the Highest Aerobatics competition. “Collecting awards, receiving diplomas, and preferences is great, but it’s even cooler when a person tries himself in different things and succeeds,” Daria Tabashnikova emphasized.

    The results of the event were summed up by the Director for Work with Gifted Students at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Tamara Protasevich.

    “The ending Olympiad season of “Highest Standard” is the fifteenth, anniversary one for our team, which is responsible for its implementation. The year 2025 is generally rich in anniversaries: 5 years of the All-Russian Case Championship, 10 years of “Highest Aerobatics”. And “Highest Standard” is our largest project: registration for it began in August last year, and diplomas are being awarded now, in June. The Olympiad is constantly in the focus of our attention, and we are constantly improving it,” said Tamara Protasevich.

    She gave examples of feedback from Olympiad participants, which those present in the hall agreed with, raising glowing hearts: “The level of tasks is decent, difficult, but interesting,” “The atmosphere is pleasant, comfortable, not overwhelming, allows you to enjoy completing the Olympiad tasks,” “Organization – everything is clear and well thought out, prompt responses to questions, caring, friendly volunteers.”

    Tamara Protasevich also announced another nomination – “Recognition of the Organizers”, the winners of which were the best volunteers – students of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, who over the past three years participated in the “Higher Standard” and other intellectual competitions of the university. “Without these guys, not a single project of our directorate would have taken place. They are the best!” – she concluded.

    The ceremony of honoring the diploma winners ended with a collective performance of the student anthem “Gaudeamus”, after which all its participants were awarded the Olympiad diplomas and medals in the lobby of the Center of Cultures. Some of them shared their impressions with the news service “Vyshka.Glavnoe”.

    “The Highest Standard” is a combination of all the best that can be found at the Olympiad, says Erland Glukhov, a 10th-grader at the AMTEK General Education Lyceum in Cherepovets. “I participated in the in-person stage in Moscow, my friends in St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod, and everyone was happy with the organization of the process and the support of the participants. I especially like the tasks: they are designed in an unconventional way, they include interesting elements, and they are really interesting to solve.”

    According to Erland, behind every victory at the Olympics there is, first and foremost, hard work, not only your own, but also that of your mentors, as well as the support of your parents.

    “When I was doing assignments in the Law profile, I had the feeling that I was in some other universe the whole time, that I fell asleep in the first minute and woke up in the last minute, when everything was already done,” said Alexander Gimpelson, a 10th-grade student at School No. 7 “Russian Classical School” in Ryazan. “The assignments required a creative approach, and it was always necessary not only to reproduce the provisions of the laws, but also to understand them, evaluate them from different angles, and show how they can be applied in practice.”

    In preparation for the Olympiad, Alexander mastered scientific literature, thanks to which “these complex adverbial participial phrases, thirty subordinate clauses in one sentence of the law became lively and understandable.” In a year, he plans to enroll in the Faculty of Law at the National Research University Higher School of Economics and subsequently specialize in the field of private law.

    11th-grader Polina Platonova from the Vladimir region has been participating in Olympiads since the 4th grade. This year she went to Nizhny Novgorod for the “Highest Standard”, and she associates the in-person round competitions with both a holiday and a tense struggle. The girl is considering the possibility of entering the National Research University Higher School of Economics – Nizhny Novgorod and also associates her further professional development with jurisprudence.

    Albina Markaryan, an 11th-grader from Voronezh, participated in the final round in her hometown and will be applying to the HSE for a bachelor’s degree in International Relations this year. Before the awards ceremony, she walked around the atrium (“everything was organized wonderfully, lots of competitions and entertainment”), she liked everything in the university building, and she has no doubt that if she is accepted, these feelings will not only remain, but will also intensify.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: The Art of Leisure: Slim Aarons’ Dazzling Summer Scenes Debut on Samsung Art Store”

    Source: Samsung

    Today, a dozen of Slim Aarons’ most  iconic mid-century jet-set scenes arrive on Samsung Art Store in a seasonal, summertime delivery of works from the legendary Photographer. These sunny images of exotic resort locations such as Lake Como, Marrakech, and Mabella join the two dozen works of Aarons’s already available for digital display on the Samsung Art Store.
    This latest collection of images from Aaron’s to debut on the Samsung Art Store showcases photographs from the 1960s, 70s and 80s, capturing the world’s most exclusive summer resorts and society destinations, where his timeless vision comes alive in full kaftan clad splendor. This seasonal offering, curated by Samsung Art Store, invites you into Aarons’ timeless world, where sunlit patios set the stage for photographs of the bold personalities and effortless style Aarons is known for. Featuring some of his most famous photography such as Positano Beach (1979) and Poolside Gossip (1970), each image reflects Aarons’ ability to capture high society in its most unguarded, yet dazzling, moments.

    “Slim Aarons photography is truly timeless and offers a window into an era defined by elegance and style,” says Daria Greene, Samsung Art Store’s Global Curator. “His extraordinary ability to transport viewers through space and time to the most exotic and exclusive locations of the 20th century is unmatched and accounts for his enduring popularity. As part of the Samsung Art Store catalogue, we’re now able to bring his work into millions of homes in an entirely new format for him.”
    “Bringing Slim Aarons’ work to Samsung Art Store reflects our deep commitment to shaping a more accessible future for art and for artists around the world,” said Yong Su Kim, Corporate EVP and Head of Service Business Team. “Samsung Art Store was built to reimagine how art is experienced in the home — making the world’s most celebrated works available in a way that is personal, dynamic, and beautifully integrated into daily life.”

    An Analog Icon Goes Digital
    “Expanding the Slim Aarons catalog available on the Samsung Art Store supports our mission to keep Slim’s incredible artistic legacy alive in the 21st century,” said Shawn Waldron, curator of the Slim Aarons archive for Getty Images. “Slim provided the blueprint for aspirational living by focusing on timeless elegance and environments. The Samsung Frame television is the ideal digital product to honor and display his work in ways he could never have imagined in his lifetime.”
    Slim Aarons’ famously described his photography as capturing “attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places,” a phrase that has become synonymous with his legacy. Now, with his work available on Samsung Art Store, Aarons’ timeless vision finds a new audience, offering an effortless way to transform any space. Samsung Art Store subscribers can also enjoy over 3,500 other works of art from over 800 artists with the service now available on Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED, QLED, The Frame and The Frame Pro, which are powered by Samsung Vision AI for AI-enhanced picture and sound.
    For more information, visit www.samsung.com.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ICC elects four new members to the Executive Board

    Source: International Chamber of Commerce

    Headline: ICC elects four new members to the Executive Board

    The new members were formally elected during the annual meeting of the ICC World Council on 19 June 2025 and will each serve a three-year term effective 19 June 2025. The diverse experience of new members will enrich ICC’s roadmap to enable peace and prosperity through trade and reflects ICC’s continued commitment to geographic representation and diversity of expertise as the world’s largest and most inclusive business organisation.

    The ICC Executive Board is responsible for developing and implementing ICC’s strategy, policy and programme of action as well as for overseeing the financial affairs of ICC. 

    ICC Chair Philippe Varin said:

    “I’m very pleased to welcome this exceptional group of global leaders who bring deep expertise and fresh perspectives to ICC. Their leadership will be vital as we continue charting a path forward in delivering real-world solutions for business in a changing global environment. My thanks also to our outgoing Board members for their contributions.”

    The new Board members are: 

    Mohammad Lootah

    Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah is the President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, where he leads strategic initiatives to enhance Dubai’s business environment, attract foreign investment, support global business expansion, and promote the digital economy. Prior to this role, he held several key leadership positions within Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, including CEO of Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection, overseeing areas such as consumer rights, business protection, and intellectual property. He also served in senior roles at the Department of Economic Development and the Dubai Land Department. 

    Zhang Hui

    Zhang Hui is Vice Chairman, Executive Director and President of the Bank of China, roles he assumed between December 2024 and January 2025. He also serves as Vice Chairman of BOC Hong Kong (Holdings) Limited. Mr Zhang joined the Bank of China in 2024 after serving as Executive Vice President of China Development Bank from 2021 to 2024. Prior to that, he spent many years at Bank of Communications, where he held various senior roles including as Chief Risk Officer, general manager of several risk management departments, and president of regional branches including in Guizhou and Shanghai. 

    Anousheh Ansari

    Anousheh Ansari is the CEO of XPRIZE, where she leads global innovation competitions addressing some of humanity’s most pressing challenges. A tech entrepreneur and space pioneer, Ms Ansari co-founded and led Prodea Systems, an IoT company recognised among Inc. Magazine’s 500 fastest-growing firms. In 2006, she became the first female private space explorer, the first astronaut of Iranian descent, and the first Muslim woman in space. Under her leadership, XPRIZE has awarded over US$81 million and launched US$361 million in active competitions. Ms Ansari also serves in various global advisory roles, including with the World Economic Forum, GESDA and UNESCO, and is an advocate for women entrepreneurs through initiatives like The Billion Dollar Fund for Women.

    Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul

    Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul is a Thai business leader and former Minister of Tourism and Sports, known for her contributions to both public policy and corporate governance. As Thailand’s tourism minister from 2014 to 2017, Ms Wattanavrangkul championed sustainable tourism and cultural heritage. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors at Kasikornbank and Toshiba Thailand, and plays an active role in advancing education, innovation and international cooperation through various institutional boards. Ms Wattanavrangkul’s career reflects a strong commitment to inclusive and sustainable development in Thailand.

    Term renewals

    Elected to serve on the ICC Executive Board for a second term during the World Council meeting were Holger Bingmann (Germany), Managing Partner, Bingmann Pflüger International GmbH, Rebecca Enonchong (Cameroon), CEO, AppsTech and Chair of Afrilabs, Marjorie Yang (Hong Kong), Chair, Esquel Group, Lama Al Sulaiman (Saudi Arabia), Shareholder and Board Member of Rolaco Holdings, KSA and LUX and Justin D’Agostino (Hong Kong), Global CEO, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer.

    Outgoing Board members are Candace Johnson (United States/Luxemburg), Vice-Chair, NorthStar Earth and Space, Fredrik Cappelen (Sweden), Chairman and Board Member in the Swedish and Nordic industry, Valentina Mintah (Ghana), Founder West Blue Consulting, Zhang Xiaolun (China) Chair, China National Machinery Industry Corporation (SINOMACH).

    Leading chambers worldwide

    The ICC World Council also ratified the re-election of Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu as Chair of the ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF) for a second three-year term commencing 20 June 2025. Mr Hisarcıklıoğlu is Chair of ICC Türkiye and President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB).

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Where did the wonder go – and can AI help us find it?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Lucy Gill-Simmen, Vice Dean for Education & Student Experience, Royal Holloway University of London

    French philosopher René Descartes crowned human reason in 1637 as the foundation of existence: Cogito, ergo sum – I think, therefore I am. For centuries, our capacity to doubt, question and think has been both our compass and our identity. But what does that mean in an age where machines can “think”, generate ideas, write novels, compose symphonies and, increasingly, make decisions?

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has brought a new kind of certainty, one that is quick, data-driven and at times frighteningly precise, at times alarmingly wrong. From Google’s Gemini to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, we live in a world where answers can arrive before the question is even finished. AI has the potential to change not just how we work, but how we think. As our digital tools become more capable, we may well be justified in asking: where did the wonder go?

    We have become increasingly accustomed to optimisation. From using apps to schedule our days to improving how companies hire staff through AI-powered recruitment tools, technology has delivered on its promise of speed and efficiency.

    This article is part of our State of the Arts series. These articles tackle the challenges of the arts and heritage industry – and celebrate the wins, too.

    In education, students increasingly use AI to summarise readings and generate essay outlines; in healthcare, diagnostic models match human doctors in detecting disease.

    But in our pursuit of optimisation, we may have left something essential behind. In her book The Power of Wonder (2023), author Monica Parker describes wonder as a journey, a destination, a verb and a noun, a process and an outcome.

    Lamenting how “modern life is conditioning wonder-proneness out of us”, the author suggests we have “traded wonder for the pale facsimile of electronic novelty-seeking”. And there’s the paradox: AI gives us knowledge at scale, but may rob us of the humility and openness that spark genuine curiosity.

    AI as the antidote?

    But what if AI isn’t the killer of wonder, but its catalyst? The same technologies that predict our shopping habits or generate marketing content can also create surreal art, compose jazz music and tell stories in different ways.

    Tools like DALL·E, Udio.ai, and Runway don’t just mimic human creativity, they expand our creative capacity by translating abstract ideas into visual or audio outputs instantly. They don’t just mimic creativity, they open it up to anyone, enabling new forms of self-expression and speculative thinking.

    The same power that enables AI to open imaginative possibilities can also blur the line between fact and fiction, which is especially risky in education where critical thinking and truth-seeking are paramount. That’s why it’s essential that we teach students not just to use these tools, but to question them. Teaching people to wonder isn’t about uncritical amazement – it’s about cultivating curiosity alongside discernment.

    Educators experimenting with AI in the classroom are starting to see this potential, as my recent work in the area has shown. Rather than using AI merely to automate learning, we are using it to provoke questions and to promote creativity.

    When students ask ChatGPT to write a poem in the voice of Virginia Woolf about climate change, they learn how to combine literary style with contemporary issues. They explore how AI mimics voice and meaning, then reflect on what works and what doesn’t.

    When they use AI tools to build brand storytelling campaigns, they practise turning ideas into images, sounds and messages and learn how to shape stories that connect with audiences. Students are not just using AI, they’re learning to think critically and creatively with it.

    This aligns with Brazilian philosopher Paulo Friere’s “banking” concept of education, where rather than depositing facts, educators are required to spark critical reflection. AI, when used creatively, can act as a dialogue partner, one that reflects back our assumptions, challenges our ideas and invites deeper inquiry.

    The research is mixed, and much depends on how AI is used. Left unchecked, tools like ChatGPT can encourage shortcut thinking. When used purposely as a dialogue partner, prompting reflection, testing ideas and supporting creative inquiry, studies show it can foster deeper engagement and critical thinking. The challenge is designing learning experiences that make the most of this potential.

    A new kind of curiosity

    Wonder isn’t driven by novelty alone, it’s about questioning the familiar. Philosopher Martha Nussbaum describes wonder as “taking us out of ourselves and toward the other”. In this way, AI’s outputs have the potential to jolt people out of cognitive ruts and into new realms of thought, causing them to experience wonder.

    It could be argued that AI becomes both mirror and muse. It holds up a reflection of our culture, biases and blind spots while nudging us toward the imaginative unknown at the same time. Much like the ancient role of the fool in King Lear’s court, it disrupts and delights, offering insights precisely because it doesn’t think like humans do.

    This repositions AI not as a rival to human intelligence, but as a co-creator of wonder, a thought partner in the truest sense.

    Descartes saw doubt as the path to certainty. Today, however, we crave certainty and often avoid doubt. In a world overwhelmed by information and polarisation, there is comfort in clean answers and predictive models. But perhaps what we need most is the courage to ask questions, to really wonder about things.

    The German poet Rainer Maria Rilke once advised: “Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves.”

    AI can generate perspectives, juxtapositions and “what if” scenarios that challenge students’ habitual ways of thinking. The point isn’t to replace critical thinking, but to spark it in new directions. When artists co-create with algorithms, what new aesthetics emerge that we’ve yet to imagine?

    And when policymakers engage with AI trained on other perspectives from around the world, how might their understanding and decisions be transformed? As AI reshapes how we access, interpret and generate knowledge, this encourages rethinking not just what we learn, but why and how we value knowledge at all.

    Educational philosophers such as John Dewey and Maxine Greene championed education that cultivates imagination, wonder and critical consciousness. Greene spoke of “wide-awakeness”, a state of being in the world.

    Deployed thoughtfully, AI can be a tool for wide-awakeness. In practical terms, it means designing learning experiences where AI prompts curiosity, not shortcuts; where it’s used to question assumptions, explore alternatives, and deepen understanding.

    When used in this way, I believe it can help students tell better stories, explore alternate futures and think across disciplines. This demands not only ethical design and critical digital literacy, bit also an openness to the unknown. It also demands that we, as humans, reclaim our appetite for awe.

    In the end, the most human thing about AI might be the questions it forces us to ask. Not “What’s the answer?” but “What if …?” and in that space, somewhere in between certainty and curiosity, wonder returns. The machines we built to do our thinking for us might just help us rediscover it.

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

    – ref. Where did the wonder go – and can AI help us find it? – https://theconversation.com/where-did-the-wonder-go-and-can-ai-help-us-find-it-258490

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How the end of carbon capture could spark a new industrial revolution

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Andres Clarens, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Virginia

    Steelmaking uses a lot of energy, making it one of the highest greenhouse gas-emitting industries.
     David McNew/Getty Images

    The U.S. Department of Energy’s decision to claw back US$3.7 billion in grants from industrial demonstration projects may create an unexpected opening for American manufacturing.

    Many of the grant recipients were deploying carbon capture and storage – technologies that are designed to prevent industrial carbon pollution from entering the atmosphere by capturing it and injecting it deep underground. The approach has long been considered critical for reducing the contributions chemicals, cement production and other heavy industries make to climate change.

    However, the U.S. policy reversal could paradoxically accelerate emissions cuts from the industrial sector.

    An emissions reality check

    Heavy industry is widely viewed as the toughest part of the economy to clean up.

    The U.S. power sector has made progress, cutting emissions 35% since 2005 as coal-fired power plants were replaced with cheaper natural gas, solar and wind energy. More than 93% of new grid capacity installed in the U.S. in 2025 was forecast to be solar, wind and batteries. In transportation, electric vehicles are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. automotive market and will lead to meaningful reductions in pollution.

    But U.S. industrial emissions have been mostly unchanged, in part because of the massive amount of coal, gas and oil required to make steel, concrete, aluminum, glass and chemicals. Together these materials account for about 22% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

    The global industrial landscape is changing, though, and U.S. industries cannot, in isolation, expect that yesterday’s means of production will be able to compete in a global marketplace.

    Even without domestic mandates to reduce their emissions, U.S. industries face powerful economic pressures. The EU’s new Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism imposes a tax on the emissions associated with imported steel, chemicals, cement and aluminum entering European markets. Similar policies are being considered by Canada, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and the United Kingdom, and were even floated in the United States.

    The false promise of carbon capture

    The appeal of carbon capture and storage, in theory, was that it could be bolted on to an existing factory with minimal changes to the core process and the carbon pollution would go away.

    Government incentives for carbon capture allow producers to keep using polluting technologies and prop up gas-powered chemical production or coal-powered concrete production.

    The Trump administration’s pullback of carbon capture and storage grants now removes some of these artificial supports.

    Without the expectation that carbon capture will help them meet regulations, this may create space to focus on materials breakthroughs that could revolutionize manufacturing while solving industries’ emissions problems.

    The materials innovation opportunity

    So, what might emissions-lowering innovation look like for industries such as cement, steel and chemicals? As a civil and environmental engineer who has worked on federal industrial policy, I study the ways these industries intersect with U.S. economic competitiveness and our built environment.

    There are many examples of U.S. innovation to be excited about. Consider just a few industries:

    Cement: Cement is one of the most widely used materials on Earth, but the technology has changed little over the past 150 years. Today, its production generates roughly 8% of total global carbon pollution. If cement production were a country, it would rank third globally after China and the United States.

    Researchers are looking at ways to make concrete that can shed heat or be lighter in weight to significantly reduce the cost of building and cooling a home. Sublime Systems developed a way to produce cement with electricity instead of coal or gas. The company lost its IDP grant in May 2025, but it has a new agreement with Microsoft.

    Making concrete do more could accelerate the transition. Researchers at Stanford and separately at MIT are developing concrete that can act as a capacitor and store over 10 kilowatt-hours of energy per cubic meter. Such materials could potentially store electricity from your solar roof or allow for roadways that can charge cars in motion.

    How concrete could be used as a capacitor. MIT.

    Technologies like these could give U.S. companies a competitive advantage while lowering emissions. Heat-shedding concrete cuts air conditioning demand, lighter formulations require less material per structure, and energy-storing concrete could potentially replace carbon-intensive battery manufacturing.

    Steel and iron: Steel and iron production generate about 7% of global emissions with centuries-old blast furnace processes that use intense heat to melt iron ore and burn off impurities. A hydrogen-based steelmaking alternative exists today that emits only water vapor, but it requires new supply chains, infrastructure and production techniques.

    U.S. Steel has been developing techniques to create stronger microstructures within steel for constructing structures with 50% less material and more strength than conventional designs. When a skyscraper needs that much less steel to achieve the same structural integrity, that eliminates millions of tons of iron ore mining, coal-fired blast furnace operations and transportation emissions.

    Chemicals: Chemical manufacturing has created simultaneous crises over the past 50 years: PFAS “forever chemicals” and microplastics have been showing up in human blood and across ecosystems, and the industry generates a large share of U.S. industrial emissions.

    Companies are developing ways to produce chemicals using engineered enzymes instead of traditional petrochemical processes, achieving 90% lower emissions in a way that could reduce production costs. These bio-based chemicals can naturally biodegrade, and the chemical processes operate at room temperature instead of requiring high heat that uses a lot of energy.

    Is there a silver bullet without carbon capture?

    While carbon capture and storage might not be the silver bullet for reducing emissions that many people thought it would be, new technologies for managing industrial heat might turn out to be the closest thing to one.

    Most industrial processes require temperatures between 300 and 1830 degrees Fahrenheit (150 and 1000 degrees Celsisus for everything from food processing to steel production. Currently, industries burn fossil fuels directly to generate this heat, creating emissions that electric alternatives cannot easily replace. Heat batteries may offer a breakthrough solution by storing renewable electricity as thermal energy, then releasing that heat on demand for industrial processes.

    How thermal batteries work. CNBC.

    Companies such as Rondo Energy are developing systems that store wind and solar power in bricklike materials heated to extreme temperatures. Essentially, they convert electricity into heat during times when electricity is abundant, usually at night. A manufacturing facility can later use that heat, which allows it to reduce energy costs and improve grid reliability by not drawing power at the busiest times. The Trump administration cut funding for projects working with Rondo’s technology, but the company’s products are being tested in other countries.

    Industrial heat pumps provide another pathway by amplifying waste heat to reach the high temperatures manufacturing requires, without using as much fossil fuel.

    The path forward

    The Department of Energy’s decision forces industrial America into a defining moment. One path leads backward toward pollution-intensive business as usual propping up obsolete processes. The other path drives forward through innovation.

    Carbon capture offered an expensive Band-Aid on old technology. Investing in materials innovation and new techniques for making them promises fundamental transformation for the future.

    Andres Clarens receives funding from the National Science Foundation and the Alfred P Sloan Foundation.

    – ref. How the end of carbon capture could spark a new industrial revolution – https://theconversation.com/how-the-end-of-carbon-capture-could-spark-a-new-industrial-revolution-257894

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: I’m an expert in crafting public health messages: Here are 3 marketing strategies I use to make Philadelphia healthier

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sarah Bauerle Bass, Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Temple University

    A comic book produced for Black transgender women in Philadelphia explains the benefits of using PrEP to prevent HIV infection. Wriply Bennet for the Risk Communication Laboratory, Temple University

    In Philadelphia, the leading causes of death are heart disease, cancer and unintentional drug overdose. While some of these deaths are caused by things out of our control – like genetics – many are largely preventable.

    Preventable deaths are the result of a series of decisions. Whether a person decides to smoke, eat lots of fried foods or be a couch potato, their decisions – sometimes unconsciously – can affect their health.

    I’m a health communication expert and public health researcher at Temple University in North Philadelphia. I began working in public health in the late 1980s at the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and before that I worked in marketing and public relations. I have spent my career thinking about how health decisions are like many of the decisions consumers make each day around which products to buy.

    One key difference with health decisions is the inherent risks involved. There isn’t much risk in trying a new brand of cereal, but there is risk in riding a motorcycle without a helmet.

    Many people have a “that won’t happen to me” attitude when making a decision that involves risk. This element of “risk perception” has guided my interest in health decisions and how to use commercial marketing techniques – the same ones companies use to sell products – to encourage people to get vaccinated, get a colonoscopy or get treated for a medical condition.

    Temple students involved in the RapidVax project talk to Kensington residents about COVID-19 vaccinations during the pandemic.
    Temple University College of Public Health

    Breaking demographics into psychographics

    One strategy I use is segmentation analysis.

    Segmentation analysis is the process of looking at groups of people who may look like they are all similar on the surface – such as Black women from North Philadelphia – and then breaking them into smaller groups based on differences in their attitudes, beliefs or behaviors.

    Looking at these “psychographics” instead of demographics like age or sex can help public health communication researchers better understand how to communicate effectively.

    For example, I led a study in 2021 that looked at how connected transgender women living in Philadelphia and the San Francisco Bay Area felt to other members of the trans community. We wanted to see if messaging about PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, the medication used to prevent HIV infection, would need to be different depending on how connected they felt.

    We found that participants who were more engaged with the trans community were not only more knowledgeable about PrEP, but they were also more likely to see the benefits of using it compared with those who were less engaged.

    This indicates that strategies to reach those not as connected may need to include, for example, providing more basic information about what PrEP is and how it works.

    An example of perceptual mapping that shows different attitudes and beliefs around the HIV prevention medication PrEP.
    Temple University College of Public Health

    Mathematical models and 3D maps

    Another powerful marketing tool that I use is a process known as perceptual mapping and vector message modeling.

    Using simple survey answers, we can mathematically model how people are thinking about a health decision and present it in a three-dimensional map.

    Similar to how someone might think about the relationship between where cities or countries are in relation to each other – such as where Philadelphia is in relation to New York or Chicago – we can take answers from a survey and convert them into distances. We ask people to agree or disagree to statements about the benefits or barriers to a decision and enter their responses into a computer program to create the map.

    We can then do vector message modeling, which shows how to move the group toward the desired decision.

    Think back to high school physics when you may have learned about the amount of force, or pushing and pulling, needed to move one object toward another. Vector message modeling helps us figure out which beliefs to push or pull against to get the group to move toward a particular decision, and it helps us create the most persuasive messages for that group.

    When we use vector modeling along with segmentation analysis, we can also compare how messaging may need to be similar or different for different groups.

    For example, I used segmentation analysis and then perceptual mapping and vector message modeling to understand how medical mistrust might affect the decision to get vaccinated for COVID-19 among a group of Philadelphians who had not yet been vaccinated.

    Education materials created after using commercial marketing techniques to identify persuasive messages about COVID-19 booster shots.
    Temple University College of Public Health

    Our team then looked at perceptual maps and vector message modeling by levels of mistrust. The vectors showed that those with high levels of medical mistrust would be more likely to respond to messages that addressed concerns about the pandemic being a hoax, or the worry that minorities wouldn’t get the same treatment as others.

    This allowed us to think about how to build in messages around those issues in public media campaigns or other communication strategies that encourage vaccination.

    Decision-making tools

    I have used these methods to create and test a number of different communication strategies to influence health decisions.

    For example, I’ve developed web-based tools that have been used in hospitals and clinics in Philadelphia to encourage methadone patients with hepatitis C to receive antiviral treatment for their infection, Black cancer patients to take part in a clinical trial or to get genetic testing, and patients with low literacy and higher risk of colorectal cancer to have a colonoscopy.

    Staff members from the Risk Communication Laboratory organize materials to educate North Philadelphia residents about COVID-19 booster shots.
    Temple University College of Public Health

    My colleagues and I have also developed posters, booklets and social media posts that encourage low-income and vaccine-hesitant Philadelphians in Kensington to get COVID-19 booster shots; educational slides for low-literacy Philadelphia adults on dirty bombs and how the radioactive weapons might be used in a terror attack; and a comic book for trans women to learn about the benefits of PrEP use.

    Getting people to make better decisions about their health can be an uphill battle. We all have our reasons for not doing things that are good for us. For example, what did you eat for lunch today? Was it healthy? If not, why did you eat it?

    My job is to figure out what makes people do what they do, and then help them make decisions that keep them healthy.

    Read more of our stories about Philadelphia.

    Sarah Bauerle Bass has received funding from a number of organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, the American Cancer Society, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Departments of Health, and independent pharma research grants from Gilead and Merck.

    – ref. I’m an expert in crafting public health messages: Here are 3 marketing strategies I use to make Philadelphia healthier – https://theconversation.com/im-an-expert-in-crafting-public-health-messages-here-are-3-marketing-strategies-i-use-to-make-philadelphia-healthier-254905

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SHU and Shandong Institute of Technology and Business agreed on cooperation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    On June 23, a delegation from Shandong Institute of Technology and Business (SIITB) visited the National University of Management to sign a cooperation agreement.

    Rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroev, vice-rectors Maria Karelina and Dmitry Bryukhanov and director of the Institute of Marketing Gennady Azoev introduced the guests to the history of the university and the main areas in which cooperation is possible.

    “Our university has been training management personnel for various areas of the economy for over 100 years. We have both a humanitarian and a technical component of training. In addition, many students independently study Chinese, as they see more prospects in it than in English. GUU is actively developing cooperation with the People’s Republic of China: our university has a center for social, political and economic research in China, and last year we conducted an internship for 50 graduates of the presidential program for training management personnel in China,” Vladimir Stroyev noted.

    Rector of SHITB Tao Hu spoke about the history and capabilities of his university, noting the presence of similar positions and interests:

    “Thank you for the invitation, you have a very beautiful university. We are pleased that the interaction between our countries and our universities is developing. Since 1985, the Shandong Institute has been training personnel, primarily in the field of economics. And we really value international cooperation. I am sure that we will be able to work well on joint projects.”

    The parties discussed the possibility of admitting GUU graduates to master’s programs at SHITiB: “Business Management and Entrepreneurship”, “Applied Economics”, “Computer Science”, as well as admitting SHITiB graduates to the GUU master’s program “International Marketing and Brand Management”.

    Another area of cooperation will be the exchange of teachers for teaching language and special courses and the implementation of scientific cooperation programs.

    At the end of the meeting, a ceremonial signing of a cooperation agreement on the issues outlined took place.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: La Rosa Relies on Lofty to Support National Expansion Strategy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PHOENIX, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Award-winning real estate technology innovator, Lofty today announced customer La Rosa Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: LRHC), a real estate and PropTech company, has partnered with the Lofty team to support the company’s impressive national expansion efforts. By enabling La Rosa’s agents to close more deals more efficiently, Lofty can deliver the practical innovation needed to help La Rosa scale and drive their long-term growth strategy forward. Citing immediate demand, a swift onboarding process, and high user engagement, the Lofty platform has already been adopted by over 500 La Rosa agents across the U.S. To learn more about how Lofty helps brokerages boost productivity, recruit and retain top agents, and lower operational costs, visit https://www.lofty.com/solutions-brokers.

    With 26 corporate-owned brokerage offices across Florida, California, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, and Puerto Rico, La Rosa offers both residential and commercial real estate brokerage services, as well as technology-driven products and support for its 2,900 agents and franchise partners. As a strategic part of the firm’s national expansion strategy, Lofty’s comprehensive platform provides La Rosa with the innovative technology foundation needed to scale and grow.

    “Our collaboration with Lofty reflects our commitment to empowering agents through cutting-edge technology that aims to enhance productivity, streamline client engagement, and accelerate business growth. Since its rollout, Lofty has demonstrated strong adoption across our agent network, validating its product-market fit,” noted Joe La Rosa, CEO of La Rosa. “The platform’s low churn rate underscores its enduring value and strong reception among La Rosa agents.”

    Unlike other real estate technology solutions, Lofty provides a true platform, powered by AI, to support the unique and complex needs of both traditional and modern brokerages. Easy to learn, and quick to drive results, Lofty can convert 42% more leads than other solutions, enabling brokerages like La Rosa to rapidly drive growth from one centralized application while also optimizing technology investments. Lofty has also expanded its multilingual capabilities to better serve clients such as La Rosa. This includes two key features:

    • Language translation and currency conversion capabilities which are automatically reflected on an agent’s Lofty IDX website.
    • AI Sales Assistant now supports over 50 languages, powered by the language model from Google DialogFlow to GPT 4.1 to have more real and human conversations.

    “La Rosa understands that cutting-edge technology is a key growth lever. From search to settlement, the Lofty platform provides them with innovative yet user-friendly applications that empowers agents, enables the business to scale, and puts them on the path achieving profitability,” noted Andrew Wild, Vice President, Enterprise Sales, Lofty.

    To learn more about how Lofty’s unmatched AI capabilities can help your brokerage grow and expand, visit https://www.lofty.com/solutions-brokers.

    About Lofty Inc.
    Lofty Inc. (formerly Chime Technologies) provides an AI-powered platform that helps real estate professionals increase their productivity and accelerate business growth. Featuring award-winning technology, the Lofty platform is designed to optimize every step of the real estate journey, from search to settlement. By leveraging one unified hub, customers can automate marketing programs, streamline the sales process, and maximize collaboration between agents, empowering them to spend more time building relationships and their business. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Lofty provides proven solutions for brokers, teams, and the enterprise. For more information, visit lofty.com.

    About La Rosa Holdings Corp.
    La Rosa Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: LRHC) is transforming the real estate industry by providing agents with flexible compensation options, including a revenue-sharing model or a fee-based structure with 100% commission. Powered by its proprietary technology platform, La Rosa aims to equip agents and franchisees with the tools they need to deliver exceptional service.

    The Company offers both residential and commercial real estate brokerage services, as well as technology-driven products and support for its agents and franchise partners. Its business model includes internal services for agents and external offerings for the public, spanning real estate brokerage, franchising, education and coaching, and property management.

    La Rosa operates 26 corporate-owned brokerage offices across Florida, California, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, and Puerto Rico. La Rosa also recently started its expansion into Europe, beginning with Spain. Additionally, the Company has six franchised offices and branches and three affiliated brokerage locations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The Company also operates a full-service escrow settlement and title company in Florida.

    For more information, please visit: https://www.larosaholdings.com.

    Stay connected with La Rosa, sign up for news alerts here: larosaholdings.com/email-alerts.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b14f6437-2904-4be3-812e-d526b008ed34

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BOSS Money Ranked Highest by Customers Among Money Transfer Companies

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Newark, NJ, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BOSS Money, the remittance and payments brand of IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT), achieved the highest average app store rating of the eighteen digital money transfer companies in FXC Intelligence’s 2025 customer satisfaction ranking. FXC Intelligence is a highly regarded financial intelligence and analytics company specializing in cross-border payments.

    The BOSS Money app led the pack with a 4.9 average app rating in the FXC Intelligence rankings. Over 100,000 customers across the App store and Google Play platforms have given BOSS Money the highest possible score.

    “This recognition reflects the BOSS Money app’s unrivaled ease-of-use and proven reliability,” said Esti Witty, EVP Product at BOSS Money. “Our customers’ feedback, experiences, and trust inspire us to innovate and improve every day.”

    The FXC Intelligence app rankings reflect comparative customer scores for money transfer apps in the App Store and Google Play. Boss Money’s 4.6 Trustpilot rating was also among the highest in its peer group.

    New BOSS Money customers get two $0-fee transfers on their first two transactions to over 50 countries using a debit card in the BOSS Money app, and five $0-fee transactions when sending money to family or friends in Mexico. BOSS Money is known for its low fees and competitive exchange rates. Within the app, customers can compare foreign exchange rates quoted by leading money transfer providers to see exactly how much they are saving.

    “If you have not yet tried the BOSS Money app, this is your invitation. With two $0-fee transfers and the best exchange rates, it is easier than ever to become a happy BOSS Money customer,” Witty emphasized.

    The BOSS Money app is free at the iOS App and Google Play Stores.

    To learn more about BOSS Money’s low fees, competitive exchange rates and exclusive promotions visit bossmoney.com.

    ABOUT BOSS MONEY

    BOSS Money’s rapidly expanding international remittance service provides fast, secure and reliable money transfers for residents of the U.S. and Canada to popular destination countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and South Asia. BOSS Money offers a robust menu of payout options including cash pick-up, mobile money, in-country bank account, and debit card direct deposit. Customers can remit funds through the highly rated BOSS Money and BOSS Revolution apps or through licensed Boss Money retailers.

    ABOUT IDT CORPORATION

    IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT) is a global provider of fintech and communications solutions through a portfolio of synergistic businesses: National Retail Solutions (NRS), through its point-of-sale (POS) platform, enables independent retailers to operate more effectively while providing advertisers and marketers with unprecedented reach into underserved consumer markets; BOSS Money facilitates innovative international remittances and fintech payments solutions; net2phone provides enterprises and organizations with intelligently integrated cloud communications and contact center services across channels and devices; IDT Digital Payments and the BOSS Revolution calling service make sharing prepaid products and services and speaking with friends and family around the world convenient and reliable; and, IDT Global and IDT Express enable communications services to provision and manage international voice and SMS messaging.

    All statements above that are not purely about historical facts, including, but not limited to, those in which we use the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “target” and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While these forward-looking statements represent our current judgment of what may happen in the future, actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied by these statements due to numerous important factors. Our filings with the SEC provide detailed information on such statements and risks and should be consulted along with this release. To the extent permitted under applicable law, IDT assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    CONTACT
    IDT Corporation Investor Relations
    Bill Ulrey
    william.ulrey@idt.net

    # # #

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: 180 Degree Capital Corp. Sets Election of Director Special Meeting Date Pursuant to Shareholder Demand Under New York Business Law

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MONTCLAIR, N.J., June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 180 Degree Capital Corp. (NASDAQ:TURN) (“180 Degree Capital”) today provides notice to its shareholders of its intent to hold a special meeting of shareholders for the sole purpose of electing directors (“Director Election Special Meeting”) on August 18, 2025, as required under New York Business Corporation Law pursuant to the shareholder demand request submitted on June 17, 2025 (the “Demand Letter”), and in lieu of holding an annual meeting of shareholders.

    The Board of Directors of 180 Degree Capital has tentatively set a record date of July 18, 2025, for the Director Election Special Meeting. 180 Degree Capital is in the process of requesting confirmation from the shareholders who made the demand that they actually held the percentage of 180 Degree Capital’s outstanding shares required under New York law as of the date of their demand, given discrepancies between the dates of their affidavits and the date of their demand, as well as disclosures certain of those shareholders made publicly in connection with the delivery of their demand letter.

    “Given our goal of minimizing expenses and maximizing net asset value heading into our proposed merger with Mount Logan Capital Inc. (“Mount Logan”) in an all-stock transaction (the “Business Combination”), we did not originally plan to incur the expense of holding an annual meeting of shareholders ahead of the upcoming special meeting for shareholders to approve the Business Combination (the “Business Combination Special Meeting”),” said Kevin M. Rendino, Chief Executive Officer of 180 Degree Capital. “We continue to encourage constructive conversations with all shareholders, whether large or small holders of our stock. We can be reached anytime at our contact information included in our press releases. In an effort to not have 180 Degree Capital shareholders bear the cost of multiple proxy solicitations, we proactively reached out to the shareholder who issued this demand last week, and we look forward to the opportunity to engage with them in a constructive dialog at their convenience. We would note that their last direct outreach to speak with 180 Degree Capital’s management prior to sending the Demand Letter was in July 2024.”

    Mr. Rendino continued, “We truly appreciate the strong support for the Business Combination that we have received from an overwhelming number of our current shareholders and new ones who have built positions in 180 Degree Capital since the announcement of the proposed Business Combination. These supportive shareholders see what we do in the potential Business Combination – ownership in the robust balance sheet of Mount Logan and access to its extensive credit capabilities allow our merged company to provide comprehensive solutions across the capital structure for the vast universe of small cap companies we evaluate and invest in and provide what we believe is a unique opportunity to build substantial value for our shareholders. These opportunities exist because as constructive activists, we have always sought to work with boards and management teams to unlock value for shareholders. We proactively call our investee management teams and boards to propose and discuss solutions with complete transparency to drive outcomes that we believe can benefit all stakeholders of our investee companies, including, but not limited to, 180 Degree Capital. As such, this is why we believe we have never had to run competitive proxies, and rather have been either invited to join boards, have highly qualified candidates we introduce be appointed to boards, or been provided opportunities to lead and/or participate in capital structure solutions that are not widely marketed to drive material value creation and long-term partnerships. Further, we believe the Business Combination makes our net asset value per share (“NAV”) a floor for potential future value creation for our common shares rather than the ceiling our current structure imparts to our stock price based on NAV. We are thrilled at the potential opportunity for our shareholders to own a valuable and profitable company with great growth potential.”

    “In terms of progress toward completing our proposed Business Combination, we believe we are making material progress through the SEC review process that is required for us and any public company to complete prior to holding the Business Combination Special Meeting,” added Daniel B. Wolfe, President of 180 Degree Capital Corp. “We believe our amended preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus filed on June 12, 2025, addressed the comments received from the SEC to date, and we look forward to addressing any other comments/questions in subsequent amended filings. We are laser focused on driving our proposed Business Combination to a close that we believe will unlock future value creation for all of 180 Degree Capital’s shareholders.”

    About 180 Degree Capital Corp.

    180 Degree Capital Corp. is a publicly traded registered closed-end fund focused on investing in and providing value-added assistance through constructive activism to what we believe are substantially undervalued small, publicly traded companies that have potential for significant turnarounds. Our goal is that the result of our constructive activism leads to a reversal in direction for the share price of these investee companies, i.e., a 180-degree turn. Detailed information about 180 Degree Capital and its holdings can be found on its website at www.180degreecapital.com.

    Press Contact:
    Daniel B. Wolfe
    Robert E. Bigelow
    180 Degree Capital Corp.
    973-746-4500
    ir@180degreecapital.com

    Additional Information and Where to Find It

    In connection with the Director Election Special Meeting, 180 Degree Capital intends to file with the SEC a proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the “Director Election Proxy Statement”), containing a form of WHITE proxy card, with respect to its solicitation of proxies for the Director Election Special Meeting. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE DIRECTOR ELECTION PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) FILED BY THE COMPANY AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ANY SOLICITATION. Investors and security holders may obtain copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC by the Company free of charge through the website maintained by the SEC at https://www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed by the Company are also available free of charge by accessing the Company’s investor relations website at https://ir.180degreecapital.com.

    In connection with the agreement and plan of merger among 180 Degree Capital, Mount Logan Capital Inc. (“Mount Logan”), Yukon New Parent, Inc. (“New Mount Logan”), Polar Merger Sub, Inc., and Moose Merger Sub, LLC, dated January 16, 2025, as it may from time to time be amended, modified or supplemented (the “Merger Agreement”) that details the proposed combination of the businesses of 180 Degree Capital and Mount Logan and any other transactions contemplated by and pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement (the “Business Combination”), 180 Degree Capital intends to file with the SEC and mail to its shareholders a proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the “Business Combination Proxy Statement”), containing a form of WHITE proxy card. In addition, the surviving Delaware corporation, New Mount Logan plans to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) that will register the exchange of New Mount Logan shares in the Business Combination and include the Proxy Statement and a prospectus of New Mount Logan (the “Prospectus”). The Business Combination Proxy Statement and the Registration Statement (including the Prospectus) will each contain important information about 180 Degree Capital, Mount Logan, New Mount Logan, the Business Combination and related matters. SHAREHOLDERS OF 180 DEGREE CAPITAL AND MOUNT LOGAN ARE URGED TO READ THE BUSINESS COMBINATION PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS CONTAINED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE APPLICABLE SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITIES AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT 180 DEGREE CAPITAL, MOUNT LOGAN, NEW MOUNT LOGAN, THE BUSINESS COMBINATION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders may obtain copies of these documents and other documents filed with the applicable securities regulatory authorities free of charge through the website maintained by the SEC at https://www.sec.gov and the website maintained by the Canadian securities regulators at www.sedarplus.ca. Copies of the documents filed by 180 Degree Capital are also available free of charge by accessing 180 Degree Capital’s investor relations website at https://ir.180degreecapital.com.

    Certain Information Concerning the Participants

    180 Degree Capital, its directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Business Combination and the Director Election Special Meeting. Information about 180 Degree Capital’s executive officers and directors is available in 180 Degree Capital’s Annual Report filed on Form N-CSR for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on February 13, 2025, and in its proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“2024 Annual Meeting”), which was filed with the SEC on March 1, 2024. To the extent holdings by the directors and executive officers of 180 Degree Capital securities reported in the proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting have changed, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Forms 3, 4 or 5 filed with the SEC. These documents are or will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov. Additional information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be considered participants in the solicitation of the 180 Degree Capital shareholders in connection with the Business Combination and the Director Election Special Meeting will be contained in the Business Combination Proxy Statement and the Director Election Proxy Statement, respectively, when each such document becomes available.

    Mount Logan, its directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Mount Logan in favor of the approval of the Business Combination. Information about Mount Logan’s executive officers and directors is available in Mount Logan’s annual information form dated March 13, 2025, available on its website at https://mountlogancapital.ca/investor-relations and on SEDAR+ at https://www.sedarplus.com. To the extent holdings by the directors and executive officers of Mount Logan securities reported in Mount Logan’s annual information form have changed, such changes have been or will be reflected on insider reports filed on SEDI at https://www.sedi.com/sedi/. Additional information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be considered participants in the solicitation of the Mount Logan shareholders in connection with the Business Combination will be contained in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement when such document becomes available.

    Non-Solicitation

    This letter and the materials accompanying it are not intended to be, and shall not constitute, an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made, except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release, and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of 180 Degree Capital and Mount Logan, may contain statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events within the meaning of federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “should,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “would,” “forecasts,” “seeks,” “future,” “proposes,” “target,” “goal,” “objective,” “outlook” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions). Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and reflect Mount Logan’s and 180 Degree Capital’s current views about future events. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements about the benefits of the Business Combination involving Mount Logan and 180 Degree Capital, including future financial and operating results, Mount Logan’s and 180 Degree Capital’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the Business Combination, and other statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to future results of operations, projected cash flow and liquidity, business strategy, payment of dividends to shareholders of New Mount Logan, and other plans and objectives for future operations. No assurances can be given that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release will occur as projected, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the ability to obtain the requisite Mount Logan and 180 Degree Capital shareholder approvals; the risk that Mount Logan or 180 Degree Capital may be unable to obtain governmental and regulatory approvals required for the Business Combination (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect New Mount Logan or the expected benefits of the Business Combination); the risk that an event, change or other circumstance could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination; the risk that a condition to closing of the Business Combination may not be satisfied; the risk of delays in completing the Business Combination; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; the risk that synergies from the Business Combination may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the risk that any announcement relating to the Business Combination could have adverse effects on the market price of Mount Logan’s common shares or 180 Degree Capital’s common shares; unexpected costs resulting from the Business Combination; the possibility that competing offers or acquisition proposals will be made; the risk of litigation related to the Business Combination; the risk that the credit ratings of New Mount Logan or its subsidiaries may be different from what the companies expect; the diversion of management time from ongoing business operations and opportunities as a result of the Business Combination; the risk of adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the Business Combination; competition, government regulation or other actions; the ability of management to execute its plans to meet its goals; risks associated with the evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes; changes in economic, financial, political and regulatory conditions; natural and man-made disasters; civil unrest, pandemics, and conditions that may result from legislative, regulatory, trade and policy changes; and other risks inherent in Mount Logan’s and 180 Degree Capital’s businesses. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management at the time the statements are made. Readers should carefully review the statements set forth in the reports, which 180 Degree Capital has filed or will file from time to time with the SEC and Mount Logan has filed or will file from time to time on SEDAR+.

    Neither Mount Logan nor 180 Degree Capital undertakes any obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Any discussion of past performance is not an indication of future results. Investing in financial markets involves a substantial degree of risk. Investors must be able to withstand a total loss of their investment. The information herein is believed to be reliable and has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty is made, expressed or implied, with respect to the fairness, correctness, accuracy, reasonableness or completeness of the information and opinions. The references and link to the website www.180degreecapital.com and mountlogancapital.ca have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites are not incorporated by reference into this press release. Neither 180 Degree Capital nor Mount Logan is responsible for the contents of third-party websites.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: New Data Presented at ADA 2025 Highlights Burden and Risk Associations of Cardiac Arrhythmias in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — iRhythm Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:IRTC) announced the results from two large-scale real-world studies presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 85th Scientific Sessions (ADA 2025). The analyses reveal that cardiac arrhythmias are common and often occur early in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D)—especially those who also have chronic kidney disease (CKD). These findings suggest a critical opportunity to enhance early detection strategies in at-risk cardiometabolic populations.

    The studies examined longitudinal claims data from over 30 million U.S. adults, providing new insights into how arrhythmias—often asymptomatic—cluster around major disease inflection points. In T2D patients, arrhythmias were frequently identified prior to or shortly after diagnoses of CKD or major adverse cardiovascular events such as stroke or heart failure.

    Cardiac arrhythmias—conditions in which the heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly1—are a serious public health concern. In the general U.S. population, they affect roughly 1 in 20 adults2. But in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease—already at elevated cardiovascular risk3—new data reveal that arrhythmias occur more frequently, and often much earlier, than previously recognized.

    Left undetected, certain arrhythmias can lead to stroke, heart failure, hospitalization, or even death4-6. That’s why early detection is critical—giving clinicians a chance to act before complications arise. Yet in most diabetes care pathways, arrhythmias are not routinely screened for7, and many patients experience no symptoms at all8.

    “These findings support a growing body of evidence that heart rhythm disorders are not just late-stage complications—they often emerge much earlier, silently, and in ways that may help us better identify patients at rising risk,” said Mintu Turakhia, MD, iRhythm’s Chief Medical Officer, Chief Scientific Officer, and EVP of Product Innovation. “For patients living with diabetes and kidney disease, earlier detection of these arrhythmias may offer a window to take action before more serious events occur.”

    Cardiac Arrhythmias — Early and Frequent

    In the “Incidence of Cardiac Arrhythmias in Patients with Diabetes: A Real-World Study” (T2D-only analysis):

    • In a T2D cohort of 8.8 million individuals, over 1.1 million individuals were diagnosed with major arrhythmias.
    • 47% of arrhythmias occurred after diabetes diagnosis, with a median time of 496 days.
    • Among patients who experienced a MACE, 25% did so on or after arrhythmia detection, while 45% of MACE occurred beforehand—pointing to a complex but tightly linked risk timeline.

    In the “Incidence and Timing of Major Arrhythmias in T2D and CKD: A Real-World Analysis” (T2D + CKD population):

    • Among 3.2 million T2D patients who then received a CKD diagnosis, 670,003 (21%) developed a major arrhythmia, of which 397,359 (59%) occurred before CKD diagnosis.
    • Median time from T2D to arrhythmia was 488 days; median time from arrhythmia to MACE was 800 days.
    • Notably, 17% of patients who experienced a MACE did so within three days of their arrhythmia event.

    These findings suggest that arrhythmias are not only common in people with diabetes and kidney disease, but are often detected for the first time in close proximity to major cardiovascular events.

    Building on Prior Findings: A Broader Pattern Emerging

    These new results build upon findings presented by iRhythm at the American Heart Association’s (AHA) 2024 scientific sessions, which demonstrated that patients with diabetes and COPD who developed arrhythmias had:

    • Twice the hospitalization rate of those without arrhythmias
    • 35–50% higher emergency care costs
    • Hospital stays up to 5 days longer

    Additionally, real-world data presented at ACC.25 demonstrated that fewer than one in five patients experience a symptom coinciding with an arrhythmic episode. This reinforces the need to monitor patients based upon unique risk factors instead of symptoms.

    Across both ADA and AHA datasets, the real-world evidence shows a consistent signal: undiagnosed arrhythmias are clinically consequential and economically burdensome—and early rhythm detection could help change that trajectory.

    About the studies presented at ADA 2025

    Incidence of Cardiac Arrhythmias in Patients with Diabetes: A Real-World Study

    Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) contributes to development of arrhythmias through autonomic dysfunction, electrical remodeling, oxidative stress, and inflammation. This real-world evidence study examined the burden of arrhythmias in T2D and their temporal relationship with major cardiovascular events (MACE). Using a national claims database (Symphony Integrated Dataverse), study investigators identified adults with T2D (2014–2024) experiencing arrhythmias, their timing relative to T2D onset, and associations with cardiometabolic comorbidities. Among 8.8 million adults with T2D (median age: 60 years; 46% male, 54% female), a total of 1.14 million individuals developed a major arrhythmia (Table 1). Of these, 43% occurred prior to T2D; 57% developed on or after T2D. The median time to arrhythmia post T2D was 496 days (range: 1–2,007 days). Hypertension was present in 20%; 38% had at least one metabolic risk factor (chronic kidney disease, dyslipidemia, liver dysfunction, or obesity); 25% experienced a MACE either at the time of or following arrhythmias (median time:1 day; range: 0–1,925 days). MACE occurred in 45% of patients preceding the diagnosis of arrhythmia (median time: 542 days; range: 1–2,373 days). The findings highlight the burden of arrhythmias in T2D and the association between arrhythmias and MACE. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the potential strategies for early diagnosis, risk stratification and intervention.

    Incidence and Timing of Major Arrhythmias in T2D and CKD: A Real-World Analysis

    Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a leading cause of chronic renal disease (CKD). Despite strong links between T2D, CKD, and cardiovascular disease (CV), the incidence and timing of major arrhythmias in this high-risk population remains unclear. This study examined the incidence, timing, and risk associations of major arrhythmias in T2D-CKD patients. Study investigators analyzed Symphony Integrated Dataverse (2018-2024) claims data on adults with CKD (stages 1-4) following T2D, assessing arrhythmia occurrence, timing, and metabolic/CV risk factors. Among 3.2 million T2D patients subsequent CKD diagnosis (51% females, median age 73; 49% males, median age 72), 670,003 (21%) developed major arrhythmias, mainly atrial fibrillation (AF). In 59%, arrhythmias preceded CKD (56% males, median age 73; 44% females, median age 74). Median time from T2D to arrhythmia: 488 days (1-2,362); arrhythmia to CKD: 462 days (1-2,368); arrhythmia to MACE: 800 days (2-2,348). When arrhythmias followed CKD (54% males, median age 75; 46% females, median age 76), CKD-to-arrhythmia median time: 355 days (1-2,003). MACE occurred in 17% (54% males, 46% females; median age 76) within three days of arrhythmia, CKD-to-MACE median time: 461 days (1-1,998). Findings reveal that arrhythmias are common in T2D-CKD and strongly linked to MACE, suggesting that identifying shared mechanisms between T2D, CKD, and arrhythmias requires innovative diagnostic approaches, including continuous ambulatory EKG monitoring to drive early intervention and precision therapies.

    About iRhythm Technologies
    iRhythm is a leading digital health care company that creates trusted solutions that detect, predict, and prevent disease. Combining wearable biosensors and cloud-based data analytics with powerful proprietary algorithms, iRhythm distills data from millions of heartbeats into clinically actionable information. Through a relentless focus on patient care, iRhythm’s vision is to deliver better data, better insights, and better health for all.

    Media Contact
    Kassandra Perry
    irhythm@highwirepr.com

    Investor Contact
    Stephanie Zhadkevich
    investors@irhythmtech.com

    1. What is an arrhythmia? National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, 2022. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/arrhythmias
    2. Desai et al. Arrhythmias. StatPearls [Internet], 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558923/
    3. Swamy S, Noor SM, Mathew RO. Cardiovascular Disease in Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease. J Clin Med, 2023. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10672715/
    4. Ataklte et al. Meta-analysis of ventricular premature complexes and their relation to cardiac mortality in general populations. The American Journal of Cardiology, 2013.
    5. Lin et al. Long-Term Outcome of Non-Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia in Structurally Normal Hearts. PLOS ONE, 2016.
    6. Wolf et al. Atrial fibrillation as an independent risk factor for stroke: the Framingham Study. Stroke, 1991.
    7. Bhave, P. D., & Soliman, E. Z. (2024). Should patients with diabetes be routinely screened for atrial fibrillation? Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy, 22(1–3), 5–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/14779072.2024.2328645
    8. mSToPS Clinical Trial Demonstrates Zio by iRhythm Significantly Improves Health Outcomes for At-Risk Patient Populations, iRhythm Technologies, 2021. www.irhythmtech.com/company/news/irhythm-technologies-and-the-national-association-of-managed-care-physicians-partner-to-study-the-value-of-ambulatory-cardiac-monitoring-solutions-0.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: High Roller Technologies to Present at the Small Cap Growth Virtual Investor Conference June 26th

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAS VEGAS, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — High Roller Technologies, Inc. (“High Roller” and the “Company”) (NYSE: ROLR), operator of award-winning premium online casino brands High Roller and Fruta, today announced that Seth Young, SVP Corporate Strategy & Investor Relations, will present live at the Small Cap Growth Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on June 26th, 2025

    DATE: June 26th
    TIME: 12:00 PM ET
    LINK: REGISTER HERE
    Available for 1×1 meetings: July 1, 2025

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

    It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

    Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

    About High Roller Technologies, Inc.

    High Roller Technologies, Inc. is a leading global online gaming operator known for its innovative casino brands, High Roller and Fruta, listed under the ticker ROLR on the NYSE. The Company delivers a cutting-edge real-money online casino platform that is intuitive and user-friendly. With a diverse portfolio of over 5,000 premium games from more than 90 leading game providers, High Roller Technologies serves a global customer base, offering an immersive and engaging gaming experience in the rapidly expanding multi-billion iGaming industry. The online casino features enhanced search engine optimization, machine learning, seamless direct API integrations, faster load times, and superior scalability.

    As an award-winning operator, High Roller Technologies continues to redefine the future of online gaming through innovation, performance, and a commitment to excellence. For more information, please visit the High Roller Technologies, Inc. investor relations website, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages.

    About Virtual Investor Conferences®
    Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

    Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

    CONTACTS:
    High Roller Technologies, Inc.

    ir@highroller.com

    800-460-1039

    Virtual Investor Conferences
    John M. Viglotti
    SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
    OTC Markets Group
    (212) 220-2221
    johnv@otcmarkets.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: 51Talk Online Education Group to Present at the Small Cap Growth Virtual Investor Conference June 26th, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 51Talk Online Education Group (NYSE American: COE), based in Singapore, focused on global online education, today announced that David Chung, the Company’s investor relations vice president, will present live at the Small Cap Growth Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on June 26th, 2025.

    DATE: June 26th, 2025
    TIME: 9:30 a.m. EDT
    LINK: REGISTER HERE

    Available for 1×1 meetings: June 26th, 2025

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

    It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

    Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

    Recent Company Highlights

    • Gross billings for the first quarter of 2025 were US$21.9 million, a 74.6% growth from the first quarter of 2024.
    • Net revenues were US$18.2 million for the first quarter of 2025, a 93.1% increase from US$9.4 million for the first quarter of 2024.
    • The number of active students with attended lesson consumption was approximately 81,100 in the first quarter of 2025, representing a 75.5% increase from approximately 46,200 for the first quarter of 2024.

    About 51Talk Online Education Group

    51Talk Online Education Group (NYSE American: COE) is a global online education platform with core expertise in English education. The Company’s mission is to make quality education accessible and affordable. The Company’s online and mobile education platforms enable students to take live interactive English lessons, on demand. The Company connects its students with a large pool of highly qualified teachers that it assembled using a shared economy approach, and employs student and teacher feedback and data analytics to deliver a personalized learning experience to its students.

    About Virtual Investor Conferences®
    Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

    Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

    CONTACTS:
    51Talk Online Education Group
    David Chung
    Investor Relations Vice President
    davidchung@51talk.com
    Jinling Wang
    Investor Relations Manager
    wangjinling@51talk.com

    Virtual Investor Conferences
    John M. Viglotti
    SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
    OTC Markets Group
    (212) 220-2221
    johnv@otcmarkets.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: High Arctic Overseas Announces Executive Appointment

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAW

    CALGARY, Alberta, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — High Arctic Overseas Holdings Corp. (TSXV: HOH) (“High Arctic Overseas” or the “Corporation”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Cocks as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) effective June 24, 2025, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.

    Mr. Cocks initially joined the Corporation in October 2023 as VP-Finance responsible for the PNG Business to provide financial leadership and strengthen the finance and accounting processes in preparation of the spin-out from High Arctic Energy Services Inc.

    Mr. Cocks has over 20 years of experience in broad financial leadership positions including substantial periods in senior and executive roles of private and public companies, including significant experience in resources, construction, manufacturing and logistics businesses. Mr. Cocks is a Chartered Accountant with an extensive background in financial stewardship, strategic planning and analysis, change and risk management, controls design and implementation and building and developing international finance teams.

    Mike Maguire, Chief Executive Officer, stated: “I am pleased to welcome Matt to the executive management team at High Arctic. Matt’s 20-plus years of wide-ranging financial management expertise in international markets and in services to the extractive industries will be invaluable to the Corporation as we look to diversify and expand our PNG business. I would also like to thank Lonn Bate for his guidance and support as Interim CFO since the spin-out and establishment of the Corporation. Lonn can now focus fully on his duties as CFO of High Arctic Energy Services Inc.”

    About High Arctic ‎Overseas Holdings Corp.

    High Arctic Overseas is a market leader in Papua New Guinea providing drilling and specialized well completion services, manpower solutions and supplies rental equipment including rig matting, camps, material handling and drilling support equipment.

    For further information, please contact:
    Mike Maguire
    Chief Executive Officer
    1.587.320.1301

    High Arctic Overseas Holdings Corp.
    Suite 2350, 330–5th Avenue SW
    Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 0L4
    www.higharctic.com
    Email: info@higharctic.com

    Some of the statements in this press release, including those relating to TSXV Venture Exchange approval of the appointment of a new CFO, and the diversification and expansion of the Corporation’s business, that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “estimates”, or similar expressions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of the Corporation. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Corporation’s expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution readers of this news release not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as a number of factors could cause actual results or conditions to differ materially from current expectations. Please refer to the risks set forth in the Corporation’s most recent annual MD&A and the Corporation’s continuous disclosure documents that can be found on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Corporation does not intend, and disclaims any obligation, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.‎

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Solaris Confirms Major Exchange Listing Ahead of Public Launch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLINN, Estonia, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — For months, the crypto market has been searching for clarity. While most coins rely on vague promises or recycled narratives, one project is quietly building momentum with precision, community strength, and now, a major exchange catalyst that could unlock a wave of liquidity, Bitcoin Solaris (BTC-S). With one of the most explosive presales of the year already underway and a confirmed LBank listing on the horizon, BTC-S is emerging as one of the most strategic altcoin opportunities heading into mid-2025.

    LBank Listing: The Spark That Changes the Trajectory

    Bitcoin Solaris has officially confirmed it will be listed on LBank, one of the most globally active centralized exchanges. For those unfamiliar, LBank is known for offering liquidity to high-growth projects that are on the verge of breaking into the mainstream. Its user base, particularly strong in Asia and Latin America, is large, engaged, and responsive to promising tokens with well-built fundamentals.

    The LBank listing isn’t just a technical step; it’s a market-defining move. It brings:

    • Immediate liquidity for early BTC-S holders
    • Exposure to millions of new users who missed the presale
    • Deeper market depth and trading volume potential
    • A psychological shift from “upcoming project” to “active coin with utility”

    More importantly, it sets the stage for Bitcoin Solaris to enter the open market at $20 per token, which is more than double the current presale phase price of $9. The window to enter before this transition is narrowing fast.

    Introducing Bitcoin Solaris: Designed for Scale, Speed, and Real Usage

    What makes Bitcoin Solaris stand out isn’t just the hype or price projections. It’s the architecture. BTC-S is a dual-layer blockchain combining Proof-of-Work on the base layer for raw security with Delegated Proof-of-Stake on the Solaris Layer for blazing-fast transactions and scalability.

    This hybrid structure allows Bitcoin Solaris to hit:

    • 10,000+ transactions per second
    • 2-second finality on smart contracts
    • 99.95% less energy use compared to Bitcoin
    • High validator rotation and slashing mechanisms for security

    It doesn’t stop at performance. BTC-S is also built for inclusivity. Mining can be done directly through the upcoming Solaris Nova App, turning everyday smartphones, laptops, or desktops into mining devices.

    And with the LBank listing near, this daily-earned BTC-S can soon be traded instantly, giving miners real-time liquidity, a feature rarely available in new ecosystems.

    Roadmap: This Isn’t Just Talk, It’s Execution

    While many tokens stall after the presale, Bitcoin Solaris is moving forward at full speed. The development roadmap provides a clear and credible path to launch and beyond.

    Here’s a look at what’s unfolding:

    • Phase 1 (Q2–Q4 2025): Token generation, presale launch, protocol development, and global community building
    • Phase 2 (Q1 2026): Testnet deployment, wallet upgrades, dual-layer optimization, and Solana integration
    • Phase 3 (Q2 2026): Final mainnet testing, centralized and decentralized exchange listings, and dev toolkits
    • Phase 4 (Q3 2026): Mainnet launch, AI-powered Solaris Nova App release, and advanced governance
    • Phases 5–8 (2026–2028): Mining Power Marketplace, enterprise integration, DEX development, and global expansion via blockchain public services and AI-powered upgrades

    Every part of the roadmap is designed to not only support BTC-S as a token but also grow it into a full-scale DeFi-capable infrastructure.

    The Future of DeFi Doesn’t Run on Hype, It Runs on BTC-S

    Presale: Final Phases Before the $20 Public Launch

    The presale is more than 80% complete, and momentum is accelerating as the LBank listing draws near. Now in Phase 9, Bitcoin Solaris is rapidly closing in on its final stage.

    Here’s what buyers need to know:

    • Current Price: $9
    • Next Phase: $10
    • Confirmed Launch Price: $20
    • Bonus: 7% for current participants
    • Over 12,300+ buyers have already joined
    • More than $5 million raised
    • Less than 6 weeks remain

    This isn’t a long-drawn-out fundraising round. The Bitcoin Solaris presale lasts only 90 days, making it one of the shortest and most effective in the space. It’s structured to finish strong and go live fast. And with the LBank listing just ahead, the urgency to buy in at sub-$10 levels is growing daily.

    What Influencers Are Saying

    The market isn’t the only one taking notice. Leading crypto analysts and influencers have started to cover Bitcoin Solaris, and they’re excited.

    • Crypto Vlog: Focused on BTC-S’s mining design and mobile accessibility
    • Crypto League: Highlighted the LBank listing and performance metrics
    • Crypto Show: Called it “one of the hottest presales launching this year”

    These independent reviews continue to validate what early supporters already believe: Bitcoin Solaris is the real deal.

    Final Verdict

    The LBank listing is more than a milestone. It’s the start of Bitcoin Solaris becoming a publicly traded, globally accessible asset. As traders prepare to buy BTC-S on open markets at $20, presale participants still have a short window to enter at $9 and capture up to 150% ROI.

    Backed by a powerful roadmap, real technology, and a mining system designed for mass adoption, Bitcoin Solaris isn’t just a presale story. It’s shaping up to be the next major launch of 2025.

    For more information on Bitcoin Solaris:
    Website: https://www.bitcoinsolaris.com/
     Telegram: https://t.me/Bitcoinsolaris
     X: https://x.com/BitcoinSolaris

    Media Contact:
    Xander Levine
    press@bitcoinsolaris.com
    Press Kit: Available upon request

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

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

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/678f7c64-68e6-4a48-b17a-71d89126213c

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ad5cfb07-e488-41ae-94e4-6d72f16a634a

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1f6f4467-b28e-4784-bf41-cb4cc5e2a379

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/64ed1b17-3433-44f6-8919-0878a09733c9

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Gate’s Nearly 70% MoM Growth in Derivatives Volume Tops Global Charts, Featured in CoinDesk’s Latest Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PANAMA CITY, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gate has once again demonstrated its strong momentum and competitive edge in the crypto trading landscape, as highlighted in CoinDesk’s latest 2025 Exchange Review. The report, recognized as one of the most authoritative and data-driven assessments in the industry, named Gate as the best-performing derivatives exchange by month-on-month growth.

    According to CoinDesk Data, Gate’s derivatives trading volume surged by 69.9% in May, reaching $264 billion, the highest growth rate among all tracked platforms. This exceptional performance led to a 1.20% increase in market share, bringing Gate’s total derivatives market share to 4.13%, surpassing several long-established competitors. This milestone reinforces Gate’s position as a rising leader in the derivatives space, driven by its advanced trading infrastructure, deep liquidity, and commitment to providing a seamless user experience for both retail and institutional users.

    CoinDesk also noted that Gate was among the few exchanges that significantly climbed in the latest Exchange Benchmark rankings, alongside Binance and Kraken. Gate now ranks among the top three exchanges in the Derivatives Benchmark, scoring 82.6. Gate’s continued growth reflects its long-term strategy of innovation, product diversification, and global expansion. As one of the few exchanges to consistently grow both trading volume and market share, Gate is proving its ability to thrive in a competitive, evolving market environment.

    In addition to its trading performance, CoinDesk also recognized Gate as one of the top four global exchanges by total reserves. As of June 2025, Gate’s reserves reached $10.453 billion, covering more than 350 different user assets. The overall reserve ratio stood at 123.09%, with an excess reserve of $1.96 billion. Gate has long been a pioneer in reserve transparency and remains the first exchange to commit to 100% reserve holdings. Notably, its BTC reserve ratio reached 138.7%, while ETH and USDT reserves stood at 113.06% and 112.95% respectively. Other key assets such as GT, DOGE, and XRP also far exceeded the 100% benchmark, reinforcing Gate’s reputation for financial soundness and user protection. From being one of the first to commit to 100% reserves to introducing zero-knowledge proofs, Gate has consistently driven innovation at the intersection of technology and security.

    According to the CoinDesk report, Gate’s industry influence has also expanded through its high-profile partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing. Beginning with the 2025 Formula 1 season, the Gate brand is featured prominently on the team’s car, race suits, and the helmet of four-time World Champion Max Verstappen. The partnership represents a bold cross-industry collaboration that blends the speed and precision of Formula 1 with the innovation and momentum of Web3. To commemorate this alliance, Gate launched a co-branded digital collectibles campaign, “IN THE MOMENT”, celebrating historic highlights from all 24 race weekends with immersive, on-chain experiences. This marks a flagship entry into sports-themed digital assets and further exemplifies Gate’s commitment to bridging Web2 and Web3 culture.

    May was also a landmark month in Gate’s brand evolution. The exchange officially launched its new global domain, Gate.com, and unveiled a redesigned brand logo, marking a significant milestone in its journey to become the next-generation crypto exchange. This strategic rebranding initiative, introduced shortly after Gate’s 12th anniversary celebrations, reflects the platform’s renewed vision: to move beyond technical excellence and into global innovation leadership. As part of this transition, Gate also introduced its new Chinese name, “大门” (Damen), symbolizing a welcoming gateway to the future of crypto for users worldwide. The new domain and visual identity aim to unify Gate’s global brand presence and further enhance user trust across all markets.

    Gate’s strong performance across multiple metrics in the report, combined with sustained growth in trading volume, industry-leading reserve transparency, a revitalized global brand identity, and an expanding global presence, solidifies its position as one of the most trusted and forward-looking players in the crypto industry. CoinDesk’s latest recognition underscores Gate’s remarkable achievements and reinforces its commitment to shaping the future of digital finance as a true industry leader.

    About Gate
    Gate, founded in 2013 by Dr. Han, is one of the world’s earliest cryptocurrency exchanges. The platform serves over 27 million users with 3,600+ digital assets and pioneered the industry’s first 100% proof-of-reserves. Beyond core trading services, Gate’s ecosystem includes Gate Wallet, Gate Ventures, and other innovative solutions, while its global partnerships extend to top-tier sports brands like Oracle Red Bull Racing in F1 and Inter.
    For more information, please visit: Website | X | Telegram | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

    Media Contact:
    Loyo at loyo@gate.com 

    Disclaimer:
    This content does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or recommendation. You should always seek independent professional advice before making investment decisions. Gate may restrict or prohibit certain services in specific jurisdictions. For more information, please read the User Agreement via https://www.gate.com/user-agreement.

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

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7516b483-d894-4566-82b3-80f5a6fbf1f6

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Trade Envoy visits Pakistan to boost trade

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    World news story

    UK Trade Envoy visits Pakistan to boost trade

    The UK Trade Envoy to Pakistan, Mohammad Yasin MP, has begun a 3-day visit to Karachi and Islamabad to encourage investment and long-term economic co-operation.

    The visit follows the UK’s launch of its Growth Mission and Modern Industrial Strategy. Invest 2035 sets out a ten-year plan to provide certainty and stability for businesses in high growth sectors such as clean energy, digital technologies, life sciences and advanced manufacturing.

    Over 200 British companies are operating in Pakistan, with the top five contributing around one percent of Pakistan’s GDP. The UK is Pakistan’s largest European trading partner and top source of foreign direct investment.

    Mohammad Yasin MP, UK Trade Envoy to Pakistan, said:

    “The UK and Pakistan already enjoy deep commercial ties, but there is much more we can achieve together. It is a place close to my heart, and I have seen over many years the enormous potential to help both our countries prosper. During my visit, I look forward to supporting efforts that unlock new opportunities and drive growth.”

    Mr Yasin will meet senior government stakeholders including Jawad Paul, Secretary for Commerce, and Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis. He will also meet business leaders to strengthen trade and encourage investment.

    Mr Yasin’s visit will help pave the way for the UK-Pakistan Trade Dialogue, due to launch later this year. The Dialogue will offer a platform to grow exports, increase investment flows, address business environment concerns and identify opportunities for greater market access.

    For updates on the British High Commission, please follow our social media channels:

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: EMEET Launches PIXY: The World’s First Dual-Camera AI PTZ 4K Webcam

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHENZHEN, China, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EMEET, the world’s leading webcam brand, is proud to reveal PIXY, its most versatile webcam yet. PIXY is the world’s first dual-camera AI-powered PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) 4K webcam, with features like super-fast 0.2-second BlinkFocus auto-focus, gesture-based PTZ subject tracking, and AI-powered enhancements for subject capture, focus, and video quality. Built as much for content creators and for working professionals, PIXY reaches new levels of utility and visual fidelity, and it’s available at retailers starting today for $159.99.

    PIXY builds on the success (and unquestionably cute design) of the EMEET Piko and Piko+. With up to 4K Ultra HD video quality and a high-performance Sony sensor, PIXY delivers a crisp and clear image, further augmented by the second AI-assisted camera. Together, this dual-camera system can handle even challenging lighting conditions, like backlit or low-light scenes, while preserving detail and optimizing facial imaging performance.

    Super-fast BlinkFocus delivers an industry-leading auto-focus system that locks on in as little as 0.2s — that’s 2.5 times faster than the industry average. PIXY’s AI-assisted face detection also works in as little as 0.2 seconds and can automatically and intelligently detect facial contours, adjusting exposure to ensure natural skin tones and a perfect balance between highlights and shadows. Add in the gesture-controlled automatic tracking, which harnesses PIXY’s ability to pan and tilt to follow you as you move around the camera, and PIXY ensures you are always sharp, clear, and framed perfectly.

    Thanks to the built-in three-microphone array, PIXY’s audio quality matches its stellar video performance. Three specially tuned audio presets (Live Mode, Noise-Cancelling Mode, and Original Sound Mode) offer flexibility to record exactly what you need, whether that’s tuning out unwanted background sounds or preserving every bit of detail.

    For content creators, PIXY offers presets for custom PTZ setups, enabling you to switch between different positions and zoom levels easily as you stream or record. The EMEET Studio companion software’s built-in AI scriptwriting feature is also there when you need a few good ideas for a voiceover or tips on how to shoot a specific shot. Our optimized presets are useful for everyone from creators to educators, with a clarity-enhancing Whiteboard Mode tuned for presenting information, an Inversion Mode for mounting the camera upside down, and even a vertical video-optimized Portrait (9:16) Mode for mounting the camera on its side.

    When you’re done recording, simply tilt PIXY down to switch into privacy mode, which holds the camera in a face-down position, clearly showing you at a glance that no one is watching — also available as an automatic timeout when the camera isn’t being accessed.

    PIXY bundles all these category-best features into a compact and cute big-eyed design that’s easy to keep eye contact with and easily mounted on top of your monitor, shelf, or tripod. And it’s even compatible with the new Nintendo Switch 2.

    PIXY is now available for $159.99 at partner retailers, including Amazon and the EMEET storefront, starting today.

    Specifications
    Camera
    Dual Camera: One imaging camera + one AI-Assisted Camera
    Sensor: Sony® 1/2.55″ sensor
    Video Resolution: 4K@30fps/1080P@60fps
    FOV(D): 73°
    Video Codecs: YUY2 / MJPEG
    Imaging Optimization: Yes. Dual Camera Enhancement
    White Balance (Light Correction): Yes

    PTZ Tracking
    Focus Speed: 0.2s
    Face Capture Speed: 0.2s
    Gesture Tracking: Raise palm to activate/pause tracking
    Maximum Tracking Distance: 19.69 feet/6 meters
    Digital Zoom: 1.5X; No zoom in 4K mode
    Focus Mode: AF/PDAF+AI focus. Facial Focus, Central Area Focus, Selected Area Focus
    Pan & Tilt angle: 310°/180°

    Audio
    Built-In Audio: 3-Mic Microphone
    Microphone Modes: Live Mode, Original Sound Mode, Noise Canceling Mode

    Compatibility
    Software: Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Cisco Webex, FaceTime, GoToMeeting, Lifesize, Slack, Line, TrueConf, OBS (and others)
    Social Media Platforms: YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Facebook (and others)
    System Compatibility: Windows (10, 11), macOS (10.14 and above), USB Video Device Class (UVC) mode, Android TV V7.0 and above, Linux

    Additional Features
    Privacy Mode: Camera moves to face down, either by manually tilting the camera into place or via a configurable timeout
    Content-specific presets: High-clarity Whiteboard mode, vertically oriented (9:16) Portrait Mode, and inverted Flip Mode for upside-down mounting
    Scriptwriting: Integrated AI-based scriptwriting assistance

    MSRP: $159.99

    About EMEET
    Established in August 2016, EMEET is a leading global company specializing in the research, development, production, and sales of AI-powered audio and video products. Focusing on collaboration, production, and creation, EMEET aims to develop an intelligent ecosystem for creative products through technological innovation and user experience optimization, endeavoring to redefine the industry standards for individual productivity tools and drive the growth of the global personal productivity market, fostering collaboration, empowering production, and inspiring creation.

    Yiming Zhan (email: yiming@museperse.com)

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f312e1d0-a98c-4ad4-9d18-2a688da2925d

    Press materials can be accessed in this press kit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qdk4E-wW54OFzo5q96xEv-hK1NEHhQ8J?usp=drive_link

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Topnotch Crypto Unveils Exclusive XRP Cloud Mining Contracts with Instant Rewards and Flexible Terms

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the XRP community eagerly awaits significant price movements, Topnotch Crypto, a leading innovator in cloud mining solutions, today announced the launch of its new suite of XRP cloud mining contracts. Designed to provide immediate value and flexible earning opportunities, these contracts allow XRP holders to generate consistent daily income, regardless of market volatility.

    Despite continued anticipation for XRP to reach new highs, the asset has demonstrated periods of consolidation. Topnotch Crypto’s new XRP cloud mining contracts offer a strategic avenue for investors to maximize their holdings by earning passive income during these phases.

    “We understand the patience and dedication of the XRP community,” said a spokesperson for Topnotch Crypto. “Our new XRP cloud mining contracts are tailored to empower holders, offering a straightforward and efficient way to earn predictable returns daily, turning waiting periods into earning opportunities. We are committed to providing top-notch solutions that align with the evolving needs of the crypto market.”

    Harnessing the Power of XRP Cloud Mining with Topnotch Crypto

    Topnotch Crypto’s cloud mining platform removes the traditional barriers to cryptocurrency mining, such as expensive hardware, technical complexities, and high electricity costs. Utilizing advanced infrastructure and AI-driven optimization, Topnotch Crypto simulates yield through a fully remote and streamlined process.

    Key Features of Topnotch Crypto’s XRP Cloud Mining Contracts:

    • No Hardware, No Hassle: Participate in XRP mining without the need for specialized equipment or technical expertise.
    • Daily Payouts: Receive mining rewards credited directly to your account every day, ensuring predictable cash flow.
    • Robust Security: Benefit from Topnotch Crypto’s industry-leading security protocols, safeguarding your assets with utmost care.
    • Flexible Contract Options: Choose from a variety of short-term and long-term contracts designed to suit diverse investment strategies and risk appetites.

    Diverse Plans for Every Investor Profile:

    Topnotch Crypto offers a range of XRP cloud mining contracts, catering to both new and experienced investors:

    • Classic contract: suitable for novices to try, short cycle, experience the complete process.
    • Steady contract: balance income and cycle, suitable for users who want stable accumulation.
    • Advanced contract: suitable for long-term coin holders, get higher computing power configuration and better income.
    • Click here to view complete contract details

    These flexible options provide XRP holders with a practical approach to stay engaged in the ecosystem and generate steady returns as the token builds momentum.

    Why Choose Topnotch Crypto for XRP Mining?

    • 100% Remote Access: Activate and manage your mining plans from anywhere, anytime, with just an internet connection.
    • Advanced AI Optimization: Our proprietary AI ensures optimized yield and profitability, even during market fluctuations.
    • Transparent Daily Rewards: Enjoy clear and predictable XRP payouts that enhance your portfolio’s cash flow and mitigate volatility risks.
    • Dedicated Support: Access a responsive customer support team ready to assist with any queries.

    Getting Started with Topnotch Crypto is Simple:

    1. Register a platform account and you will receive $15, and you will receive a $0.6 reward for daily sign-in
    2. Select Your Contract: Browse our range of XRP cloud mining contracts and choose the one that fits your goals.
    3. Start Earning: Activate your chosen plan and begin receiving daily XRP rewards automatically.

    Topnotch Crypto is committed to making cryptocurrency mining accessible and profitable for everyone. Our platform is built on a foundation of security, efficiency, and user-centric design, allowing users to mine leading cryptocurrencies without the need for expensive rigs or in-depth technical knowledge.

    Don’t wait for the next XRP rally to start earning. Explore the future of XRP mining with Topnotch Crypto today at https://topnotchcrypto.com

    About Topnotch Crypto:

    Topnotch Crypto is a pioneering force in the cloud-based cryptocurrency mining industry, dedicated to democratizing access to passive income opportunities. With a focus on secure, AI-powered, and environmentally conscious infrastructure, Topnotch Crypto empowers users worldwide to mine popular cryptocurrencies through an intuitive and efficient platform.

    More information:

    Official website: https://topnotchcrypto.com

    APP download: https://topnotchcrypto.com/xml/index.html#/app

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. It is strongly recommended that you perform your own due diligence and consult with a professional financial advisor before making any investment or trading decisions in cryptocurrencies and securities.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Anthony Pompliano Strikes $1 Billion Merger to Create ProCap Financial; Raises Over $750M in Largest Initial Fundraise in History for Public Bitcoin Treasury Company

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • ProCap Financial to strategically acquire bitcoin and generate revenue and profits from its bitcoin holdings
    • Equity investors have immediate exposure to bitcoin based on structure of financing transactions
    • Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (NASDAQ: CCCM) to take ProCap Financial public

    New York, NY, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American investor and entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano today announced that ProCap BTC, LLC, a bitcoin-native financial services firm, has entered into a definitive agreement for a business combination with Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (NASDAQ: CCCM), a SPAC sponsored by a controlled subsidiary of Cohen & Company, Inc.

    At the closing of the proposed business combination, the combined company will operate as ProCap Financial, Inc., with up to $1 billion in bitcoin on its balance sheet. Entities in the proposed transaction raised $516.5 million in equity and $235 million in convertible notes, the largest initial fundraise in history for a public bitcoin treasury company.

    Leading institutional and bitcoin-native investors participating in the financing transactions include Magnetar Capital, Woodline Partners LP, Anson Funds, RK Capital, Off the Chain Capital, Parafi, Blockchain.com, Arrington Capital, BSQ Capital Partners, and FalconX. Industry veterans such as Mark Yusko, Jason Williams, Eric Semler, Tony Guoga, and Matteo Franceschetti participated as well.

    ProCap Financial aims to become the leading financial services firm at the intersection of bitcoin and traditional finance. ProCap Financial plans to use its bitcoin balance sheet to generate revenue and profit through a variety of strategies.

    ProCap Financial will be led by Anthony Pompliano, who has invested in more than 300 private companies and is one of the leading voices on bitcoin globally.

    “The legacy financial system is being disrupted by bitcoin,” said Pompliano. “ProCap Financial represents our solution to the increasing demand for bitcoin-native financial services among sophisticated investors. Our objective is to develop a platform that will not only acquire bitcoin for our balance sheet, but will also implement risk-mitigated solutions to generate revenue and profits from our bitcoin holdings.”

    “From day one we sought to partner with a platform and a leader that could develop a transformative organization – and we found that in ProCap BTC and Anthony Pompliano,” said Gary Quin, CEO of CCCM. “Anthony’s track record as an innovative investor, operator, and early advocate in the bitcoin ecosystem speaks for itself. We believe his deep expertise and relentless conviction will help continue to transform an industry undergoing rapid evolution.”

    Terms of the Proposed Business Combination and Financing Transactions

    The proposed business combination (the “Business Combination”) between ProCap BTC, LLC (“ProCap BTC”) and Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (“CCCM”) will result in ProCap Financial, Inc. (“ProCap Financial”) being a publicly listed company. In connection with the Business Combination, ProCap BTC sold $516.5 million of non-voting preferred units to investors in a private placement (the “Preferred Equity Raise”) and ProCap Financial secured commitments for $235 million in senior secured convertible notes (the “Convertible Notes”) from investors in a private placement (the “Convertible Debt Raise”, together with the Business Combination and the Preferred Equity Raise, the “Proposed Transactions”). At the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), any funds remaining in the CCCM trust account will be delivered to ProCap Financial. The full proceeds of the CCCM Trust Account, assuming no trust redemptions at or prior to Closing, is included in the up to $1 billion expected to be used to purchase bitcoin for ProCap Financial’s balance sheet.

    The Preferred Equity Raise was funded contemporaneously with the execution of the definitive agreements. ProCap BTC agreed to purchase bitcoin (the “BTC Assets”) using the aggregate amount of funds raised in the Preferred Equity Raise within fifteen days of the date of signing the definitive agreements. The BTC Assets will be held in a custodial account until the completion of the Business Combination, providing future shareholders of ProCap Financial with immediate exposure to bitcoin rather than waiting until after the Closing.

    The Convertible Notes will be funded at the close of the Business Combination and have a 130% conversation rate, zero interest rate, and maturity of up to 36 months. The Convertible Notes will be 2x collateralized by cash, cash equivalents or a portion of the bitcoin purchased with the proceeds from the Proposed Transactions. U.S. Bank National Trust, N.A. will serve as collateral agent and trustee with regard to the Convertible Notes and associated indenture and guarantee arrangements.

    At the Closing, former security holders of CCCM and former unit holders of ProCap BTC (“ProCap Holders”) will receive, as consideration in the Business Combination, newly-issued securities of ProCap Financial. The number of ProCap Financial shares issuable to the ProCap Holders at Closing will depend on the value of the BTC Assets measured as of a date shortly before the Closing, subject to a cap, and provided, also, that the ProCap Holders that are investors in the Preferred Equity Raise (as defined herein) will, at a minimum, receive such number of ProCap Financial shares as represents 1.25 times the number of preferred units delivered to such investors upon consummation of the Preferred Equity Raise, based on the trade weighted average price of the BTC Assets, as further described in the definitive agreements for the Proposed Transactions (the “Transaction Agreements”).

    Prior to entering into the definitive agreement, the proposed Business Combination has been approved by the board of directors of CCCM and by the board of managers of ProCap BTC. The terms of the Transaction Agreements, including covenants and conditions to Closing reasonably customary for similar transactions, including that the Proposed Transactions and their terms be approved by requisite CCCM shareholders and by the sole voting unit holder of ProCap BTC, an entity owned and controlled by Pompliano.

    The parties expect to consummate the Proposed Transactions prior to the end of 2025, after the submission for review by the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) of a registration statement on Form S-4 to register applicable securities issuable by ProCap Financial upon consummation of the proposed Business Combination. The parties intend to take actions necessary for the Convertible Notes, upon issuance in connection with the Closing, to have an associated 144A CUSIP number on the issue date to facilitate potential post-Closing trading amongst QUIBS, but are not expected to otherwise be registered or tradeable.

    The terms of the Proposed Transactions described in this release, including any dollar-denominated figures or implied valuations, are based on information as of the date of the signing of the Transaction Agreements and assume no redemptions from the CCCM trust account. These terms are subject to change, including as a result of fluctuations in the price of bitcoin prior to Closing. There can be no assurance that the final terms at Closing will reflect the figures referenced herein.

    Advisors

    Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC (“Cohen & Company”) is acting as exclusive financial advisor to ProCap BTC.

    Cohen & Company and Clear Street LLC are serving as joint co-placement agents in connection with the Preferred Equity Raise and Convertible Debt Raise.

    Reed Smith LLP is acting as legal advisor for ProCap BTC, LLC and ProCap Financial, Inc. in connection with the Proposed Transactions.

    Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP is acting as legal advisor to CCCM in connection with the Proposed Transactions. Ogier is acting as special Cayman Islands counsel to CCCM.

    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is acting as legal advisor to the joint co-placement agents in connection with the Preferred Equity Raise and Convertible Debt Raise.

    About ProCap BTC, LLC and ProCap Financial, Inc.

    ProCap BTC, LLC is a bitcoin-native financial services firm founded by Anthony Pompliano. Pompliano has invested in more than 300 private companies and is one of the leading voices on bitcoin globally. ProCap Financial, Inc., the company resulting from the proposed Business Combination, will focus on implementing various profit-generating products and services to support the unique financial needs of large financial institutions and institutional investors.

    About Columbus Circle Capital I
    Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (NASDAQ: CCCM) is a Cayman Islands–incorporated blank check company formed to effect a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The company is led by Chairman and CEO Gary Quin, a veteran investment banker with over 25 years of experience in cross-border M&A, private equity, and capital markets; COO Dan Nash, a skilled investment banker, with a strong track record in SPAC execution and building high-growth advisory platforms; and CFO Joseph W. Pooler, Jr., who brings decades of public company financial leadership. The board of directors includes Garrett Curran, Alberto Alsina Gonzalez, Dr. Adam Back, and Matthew Murphy.

    About Cohen & Company

    Cohen & Company is J.V. B. Financial Group, LLC’s full-service boutique investment bank based in New York City that provides high-touch services across strategic advisory, mergers & acquisitions, and capital markets transactions. Cohen & Company merges boutique attentiveness with institutional scale. Learn more at https://www.cohencm.com/.  J.V. B. Financial Group, LLC is an indirect controlled subsidiary of Cohen & Company Inc, a financial services company specializing in an expanding range of capital markets and asset management services. Cohen and Company Inc has approximately $2.3 billion of assets under management. 

    About Clear Street

    Clear Street Investment Banking provides a full suite of strategic advisory, transactions and creative capital solutions to companies and investors across high-growth sectors including technology, healthcare, energy and beyond. Clear Street Investment Banking is part of Clear Street, the cloud-native financial services firm delivering financing, derivatives, execution and more to power client success. Learn more at https://www.clearstreet.io/investment-banking.

    Additional Information and Where to Find It

    ProCap Financial, Inc. (“ProCap Financial”) and Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (“CCCM”) intend to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (as may be amended, the “Registration Statement”), which will include a preliminary proxy statement of CCCM and a prospectus (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) in connection with the proposed business combination between ProCap BTC, LLC (“ProCap BTC”) and CCCM (the “Proposed Transactions”). The definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents will be mailed to shareholders of CCCM as of a record date to be established for voting on the Proposed Transactions and other matters as described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. ProCap Financial and/or CCCM will also file other documents regarding the Proposed Transactions with the SEC. This communication does not contain all of the information that should be considered concerning the Proposed Transactions and is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any other decision in respect of the Proposed Transactions. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, SHAREHOLDERS OF CCCM AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ARE URGED TO READ, WHEN AVAILABLE, THE PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND AMENDMENTS THERETO, AND THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH CCCM’s SOLICITATION OF PROXIES FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF ITS SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS AND OTHER MATTERS AS DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CCCM, PROCAP BTC, PROCAP FINANCIAL AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS. Investors and security holders will also be able to obtain copies of the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and all other documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by CCCM and ProCap Financial, without charge, once available, on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I, 3 Columbus Circle, 24th Floor New York, NY 10019, e-mail: IR@ColumbusCircleCap.com; or upon written request to ProCap Financial, Inc., 600 Lexington Ave., Floor 2, New York, NY 10022.

    NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES REGULATORY AGENCY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS DESCRIBED HEREIN, PASSED UPON THE MERITS OR FAIRNESS OF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION OR ANY RELATED TRANSACTIONS OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE DISCLOSURE IN THIS COMMUNICATION. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY CONSTITUTES A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

    The offer and sale of the convertible notes to be issued by ProCap Financial and the preferred units of ProCap BTC sold in connection with the Proposed Transactions has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.

    Participants in Solicitation

    CCCM, ProCap BTC, ProCap Financial and their respective directors, executive officers, certain of their shareholders and other members of management and employees may be deemed under SEC rules to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from CCCM’s shareholders in connection with the Proposed Transactions. A list of the names of such persons, and information regarding their interests in the Proposed Transactions and their ownership of CCCM’s securities are, or will be, contained in CCCM’s filings with the SEC, including the final prospectus for CCCM’s initial public offering filed with the SEC on May 19, 2025. Additional information regarding the interests of the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of CCCM’s shareholders in connection with the Proposed Transactions, including the names and interests of ProCap BTC’s and ProCap Financial’s respective directors or managers and executive officers, will be set forth in the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is expected to be filed by ProCap Financial and CCCM with the SEC. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents as described above.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This communication and the information contained herein is for informational purposes only and is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the potential transactions and shall not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange the securities of CCCM or ProCap Financial, or any commodity or instrument or related derivative, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom. Investors should consult with their counsel as to the applicable requirements for a purchaser to avail itself of any exemption under the Securities Act.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This communication contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws with respect to the Proposed Transactions involving ProCap Financial, ProCap BTC, and CCCM, including expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, plans, prospects, financial results or strategies regarding ProCap BTC, ProCap Financial, CCCM and the Proposed Transactions, statements regarding the anticipated benefits and timing of the completion of the Proposed Transactions, the assets held by ProCap BTC and ProCap Financial, the price and volatility of bitcoin, bitcoin’s growing prominence as a digital asset and as the foundation of a new financial system, ProCap Financial’s listing on any securities exchange, the macro and political conditions surrounding bitcoin, the planned business strategy including ProCap Financial’s ability to develop a corporate architecture capable of supporting financial products built with and on bitcoin including native lending models, capital market instruments, and future innovations that will replace legacy financial tools with bitcoin-aligned alternatives, plans and use of proceeds, objectives of management for future operations of ProCap Financial, the upside potential and opportunity for investors, ProCap Financial’s plan for value creation and strategic advantages, market size and growth opportunities, regulatory conditions, technological and market trends, future financial condition and performance and expected financial impacts of the Proposed Transactions, the satisfaction of closing conditions to the Proposed Transactions and the level of redemptions of CCCM’s public shareholders, and ProCap Financial’s expectations, intentions, strategies, assumptions or beliefs about future events, results of operations or performance or that do not solely relate to historical or current facts. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “potential,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events or conditions that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this communication, including, but not limited to: the risk that the Proposed Transactions may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of CCCM’s securities; the risk that the Proposed Transactions may not be completed by CCCM’s business combination deadline; the failure by the parties to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Proposed Transactions, including the approval of CCCM’s shareholders; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transactions; the level of redemptions of the CCCM’s public shareholders, which may reduce the public float of, reduce the liquidity of the trading market of, and/or maintain the quotation, listing, or trading of the Class A ordinary shares of CCCM or the shares of common stock of ProCap Financial to be listed in connection with the Proposed Transactions; the insufficiency of the third-party fairness opinion for the board of directors of CCCM in determining whether or not to pursue the Proposed Transactions; the failure of ProCap Financial to obtain or maintain the listing of its securities on any securities exchange after closing of the Proposed Transactions; risks associated with CCCM, ProCap BTC and ProCap Financial’s ability to consummate the Proposed Transactions timely or at all, including in connection with potential regulatory delays or impediments, changes in bitcoin prices or for other reasons; costs related to the Proposed Transactions and as a result of becoming a public company; changes in business, market, financial, political and regulatory conditions; risks relating to ProCap Financial’s anticipated operations and business, including the highly volatile nature of the price of bitcoin; the risk that ProCap Financial’s stock price will be highly correlated to the price of bitcoin and the price of bitcoin may decrease between the signing of the definitive documents for the Proposed Transactions and the closing of the Proposed Transactions or at any time after the closing of the Proposed Transactions; asset security and risks associated with CCCM, ProCap BTC and ProCap Financial’s ability to consummate the Proposed Transactions timely or at all, including in connection with potential regulatory delays or impediments, changes in bitcoin prices or for other reasons; risks related to increased competition in the industries in which ProCap Financial will operate; risks relating to significant legal, commercial, regulatory and technical uncertainty regarding bitcoin; risks relating to the treatment of crypto assets for U.S. and foreign tax purposes; risks that after consummation of the Proposed Transactions, ProCap Financial experiences difficulties managing its growth and expanding operations; the risks that launching and growing ProCap Financial’s bitcoin treasury advisory and services in digital marketing and strategy could be difficult; challenges in implementing ProCap Financial’s business plan, due to operational challenges, significant competition and regulation; being considered to be a “shell company” by any stock exchange on which ProCap Financial’s common stock will be listed or by the SEC, which may impact ProCap Financial’s ability to list ProCap Financial’s common stock and restrict reliance on certain rules or forms in connection with the offering, sale or resale of securities; the outcome of any potential legal proceedings that may be instituted against ProCap Financial, ProCap BTC, CCCM or others following announcement of the Proposed Transactions, and those risk factors discussed in documents that ProCap Financial and/or CCCM filed, or that will be filed, with the SEC.

    The foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the final prospectus of CCCM dated as of May 15, 2025 and filed by CCCM with the SEC on May 19, 2025, CCCM’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and CCCM’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K that will be filed by CCCM from time to time, the Registration Statement that will be filed by ProCap Financial and CCCM and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus contained therein, and other documents that have been or will be filed by CCCM and ProCap Financial from time to time with the SEC. These filings do or will identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither CCCM nor ProCap Financial presently know or that CCCM and ProCap Financial currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.

    Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and each of CCCM, ProCap BTC, and ProCap Financial assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither CCCM, ProCap BTC, nor ProCap Financial gives any assurance that any of CCCM, ProCap BTC, or ProCap Financial will achieve their respective expectations. The inclusion of any statement in this communication does not constitute an admission by CCCM, ProCap BTC or ProCap Financial or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.

    The terms of the Proposed Transactions described in this communication, including any dollar-denominated figures or implied valuations, are based on information as of the date of the signing of the definitive business combination agreement and assume no redemptions from the CCCM trust account. These terms are subject to change, including as a result of fluctuations in the price of bitcoin prior to closing of the Proposed Transactions. There can be no assurance that the final terms at Closing will reflect the figures referenced herein.

    Media Contacts

    Ebony Lewkovitz
    ebony@edencommunications.com 

    Larissa Bundziak
    larissa@edencommunications.com 

    IR@ColumbusCircleCap.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Anthony Pompliano Strikes $1 Billion Merger to Create ProCap Financial; Raises Over $750M in Largest Initial Fundraise in History for Public Bitcoin Treasury Company

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • ProCap Financial to strategically acquire bitcoin and generate revenue and profits from its bitcoin holdings
    • Equity investors have immediate exposure to bitcoin based on structure of financing transactions
    • Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (NASDAQ: CCCM) to take ProCap Financial public

    New York, NY, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American investor and entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano today announced that ProCap BTC, LLC, a bitcoin-native financial services firm, has entered into a definitive agreement for a business combination with Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (NASDAQ: CCCM), a SPAC sponsored by a controlled subsidiary of Cohen & Company, Inc.

    At the closing of the proposed business combination, the combined company will operate as ProCap Financial, Inc., with up to $1 billion in bitcoin on its balance sheet. Entities in the proposed transaction raised $516.5 million in equity and $235 million in convertible notes, the largest initial fundraise in history for a public bitcoin treasury company.

    Leading institutional and bitcoin-native investors participating in the financing transactions include Magnetar Capital, Woodline Partners LP, Anson Funds, RK Capital, Off the Chain Capital, Parafi, Blockchain.com, Arrington Capital, BSQ Capital Partners, and FalconX. Industry veterans such as Mark Yusko, Jason Williams, Eric Semler, Tony Guoga, and Matteo Franceschetti participated as well.

    ProCap Financial aims to become the leading financial services firm at the intersection of bitcoin and traditional finance. ProCap Financial plans to use its bitcoin balance sheet to generate revenue and profit through a variety of strategies.

    ProCap Financial will be led by Anthony Pompliano, who has invested in more than 300 private companies and is one of the leading voices on bitcoin globally.

    “The legacy financial system is being disrupted by bitcoin,” said Pompliano. “ProCap Financial represents our solution to the increasing demand for bitcoin-native financial services among sophisticated investors. Our objective is to develop a platform that will not only acquire bitcoin for our balance sheet, but will also implement risk-mitigated solutions to generate revenue and profits from our bitcoin holdings.”

    “From day one we sought to partner with a platform and a leader that could develop a transformative organization – and we found that in ProCap BTC and Anthony Pompliano,” said Gary Quin, CEO of CCCM. “Anthony’s track record as an innovative investor, operator, and early advocate in the bitcoin ecosystem speaks for itself. We believe his deep expertise and relentless conviction will help continue to transform an industry undergoing rapid evolution.”

    Terms of the Proposed Business Combination and Financing Transactions

    The proposed business combination (the “Business Combination”) between ProCap BTC, LLC (“ProCap BTC”) and Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (“CCCM”) will result in ProCap Financial, Inc. (“ProCap Financial”) being a publicly listed company. In connection with the Business Combination, ProCap BTC sold $516.5 million of non-voting preferred units to investors in a private placement (the “Preferred Equity Raise”) and ProCap Financial secured commitments for $235 million in senior secured convertible notes (the “Convertible Notes”) from investors in a private placement (the “Convertible Debt Raise”, together with the Business Combination and the Preferred Equity Raise, the “Proposed Transactions”). At the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), any funds remaining in the CCCM trust account will be delivered to ProCap Financial. The full proceeds of the CCCM Trust Account, assuming no trust redemptions at or prior to Closing, is included in the up to $1 billion expected to be used to purchase bitcoin for ProCap Financial’s balance sheet.

    The Preferred Equity Raise was funded contemporaneously with the execution of the definitive agreements. ProCap BTC agreed to purchase bitcoin (the “BTC Assets”) using the aggregate amount of funds raised in the Preferred Equity Raise within fifteen days of the date of signing the definitive agreements. The BTC Assets will be held in a custodial account until the completion of the Business Combination, providing future shareholders of ProCap Financial with immediate exposure to bitcoin rather than waiting until after the Closing.

    The Convertible Notes will be funded at the close of the Business Combination and have a 130% conversation rate, zero interest rate, and maturity of up to 36 months. The Convertible Notes will be 2x collateralized by cash, cash equivalents or a portion of the bitcoin purchased with the proceeds from the Proposed Transactions. U.S. Bank National Trust, N.A. will serve as collateral agent and trustee with regard to the Convertible Notes and associated indenture and guarantee arrangements.

    At the Closing, former security holders of CCCM and former unit holders of ProCap BTC (“ProCap Holders”) will receive, as consideration in the Business Combination, newly-issued securities of ProCap Financial. The number of ProCap Financial shares issuable to the ProCap Holders at Closing will depend on the value of the BTC Assets measured as of a date shortly before the Closing, subject to a cap, and provided, also, that the ProCap Holders that are investors in the Preferred Equity Raise (as defined herein) will, at a minimum, receive such number of ProCap Financial shares as represents 1.25 times the number of preferred units delivered to such investors upon consummation of the Preferred Equity Raise, based on the trade weighted average price of the BTC Assets, as further described in the definitive agreements for the Proposed Transactions (the “Transaction Agreements”).

    Prior to entering into the definitive agreement, the proposed Business Combination has been approved by the board of directors of CCCM and by the board of managers of ProCap BTC. The terms of the Transaction Agreements, including covenants and conditions to Closing reasonably customary for similar transactions, including that the Proposed Transactions and their terms be approved by requisite CCCM shareholders and by the sole voting unit holder of ProCap BTC, an entity owned and controlled by Pompliano.

    The parties expect to consummate the Proposed Transactions prior to the end of 2025, after the submission for review by the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) of a registration statement on Form S-4 to register applicable securities issuable by ProCap Financial upon consummation of the proposed Business Combination. The parties intend to take actions necessary for the Convertible Notes, upon issuance in connection with the Closing, to have an associated 144A CUSIP number on the issue date to facilitate potential post-Closing trading amongst QUIBS, but are not expected to otherwise be registered or tradeable.

    The terms of the Proposed Transactions described in this release, including any dollar-denominated figures or implied valuations, are based on information as of the date of the signing of the Transaction Agreements and assume no redemptions from the CCCM trust account. These terms are subject to change, including as a result of fluctuations in the price of bitcoin prior to Closing. There can be no assurance that the final terms at Closing will reflect the figures referenced herein.

    Advisors

    Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC (“Cohen & Company”) is acting as exclusive financial advisor to ProCap BTC.

    Cohen & Company and Clear Street LLC are serving as joint co-placement agents in connection with the Preferred Equity Raise and Convertible Debt Raise.

    Reed Smith LLP is acting as legal advisor for ProCap BTC, LLC and ProCap Financial, Inc. in connection with the Proposed Transactions.

    Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP is acting as legal advisor to CCCM in connection with the Proposed Transactions. Ogier is acting as special Cayman Islands counsel to CCCM.

    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is acting as legal advisor to the joint co-placement agents in connection with the Preferred Equity Raise and Convertible Debt Raise.

    About ProCap BTC, LLC and ProCap Financial, Inc.

    ProCap BTC, LLC is a bitcoin-native financial services firm founded by Anthony Pompliano. Pompliano has invested in more than 300 private companies and is one of the leading voices on bitcoin globally. ProCap Financial, Inc., the company resulting from the proposed Business Combination, will focus on implementing various profit-generating products and services to support the unique financial needs of large financial institutions and institutional investors.

    About Columbus Circle Capital I
    Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (NASDAQ: CCCM) is a Cayman Islands–incorporated blank check company formed to effect a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The company is led by Chairman and CEO Gary Quin, a veteran investment banker with over 25 years of experience in cross-border M&A, private equity, and capital markets; COO Dan Nash, a skilled investment banker, with a strong track record in SPAC execution and building high-growth advisory platforms; and CFO Joseph W. Pooler, Jr., who brings decades of public company financial leadership. The board of directors includes Garrett Curran, Alberto Alsina Gonzalez, Dr. Adam Back, and Matthew Murphy.

    About Cohen & Company

    Cohen & Company is J.V. B. Financial Group, LLC’s full-service boutique investment bank based in New York City that provides high-touch services across strategic advisory, mergers & acquisitions, and capital markets transactions. Cohen & Company merges boutique attentiveness with institutional scale. Learn more at https://www.cohencm.com/.  J.V. B. Financial Group, LLC is an indirect controlled subsidiary of Cohen & Company Inc, a financial services company specializing in an expanding range of capital markets and asset management services. Cohen and Company Inc has approximately $2.3 billion of assets under management. 

    About Clear Street

    Clear Street Investment Banking provides a full suite of strategic advisory, transactions and creative capital solutions to companies and investors across high-growth sectors including technology, healthcare, energy and beyond. Clear Street Investment Banking is part of Clear Street, the cloud-native financial services firm delivering financing, derivatives, execution and more to power client success. Learn more at https://www.clearstreet.io/investment-banking.

    Additional Information and Where to Find It

    ProCap Financial, Inc. (“ProCap Financial”) and Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (“CCCM”) intend to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (as may be amended, the “Registration Statement”), which will include a preliminary proxy statement of CCCM and a prospectus (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) in connection with the proposed business combination between ProCap BTC, LLC (“ProCap BTC”) and CCCM (the “Proposed Transactions”). The definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents will be mailed to shareholders of CCCM as of a record date to be established for voting on the Proposed Transactions and other matters as described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. ProCap Financial and/or CCCM will also file other documents regarding the Proposed Transactions with the SEC. This communication does not contain all of the information that should be considered concerning the Proposed Transactions and is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any other decision in respect of the Proposed Transactions. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, SHAREHOLDERS OF CCCM AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ARE URGED TO READ, WHEN AVAILABLE, THE PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND AMENDMENTS THERETO, AND THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH CCCM’s SOLICITATION OF PROXIES FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF ITS SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS AND OTHER MATTERS AS DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CCCM, PROCAP BTC, PROCAP FINANCIAL AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS. Investors and security holders will also be able to obtain copies of the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and all other documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by CCCM and ProCap Financial, without charge, once available, on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I, 3 Columbus Circle, 24th Floor New York, NY 10019, e-mail: IR@ColumbusCircleCap.com; or upon written request to ProCap Financial, Inc., 600 Lexington Ave., Floor 2, New York, NY 10022.

    NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES REGULATORY AGENCY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS DESCRIBED HEREIN, PASSED UPON THE MERITS OR FAIRNESS OF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION OR ANY RELATED TRANSACTIONS OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE DISCLOSURE IN THIS COMMUNICATION. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY CONSTITUTES A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

    The offer and sale of the convertible notes to be issued by ProCap Financial and the preferred units of ProCap BTC sold in connection with the Proposed Transactions has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.

    Participants in Solicitation

    CCCM, ProCap BTC, ProCap Financial and their respective directors, executive officers, certain of their shareholders and other members of management and employees may be deemed under SEC rules to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from CCCM’s shareholders in connection with the Proposed Transactions. A list of the names of such persons, and information regarding their interests in the Proposed Transactions and their ownership of CCCM’s securities are, or will be, contained in CCCM’s filings with the SEC, including the final prospectus for CCCM’s initial public offering filed with the SEC on May 19, 2025. Additional information regarding the interests of the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of CCCM’s shareholders in connection with the Proposed Transactions, including the names and interests of ProCap BTC’s and ProCap Financial’s respective directors or managers and executive officers, will be set forth in the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is expected to be filed by ProCap Financial and CCCM with the SEC. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents as described above.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This communication and the information contained herein is for informational purposes only and is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the potential transactions and shall not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange the securities of CCCM or ProCap Financial, or any commodity or instrument or related derivative, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom. Investors should consult with their counsel as to the applicable requirements for a purchaser to avail itself of any exemption under the Securities Act.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This communication contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws with respect to the Proposed Transactions involving ProCap Financial, ProCap BTC, and CCCM, including expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, plans, prospects, financial results or strategies regarding ProCap BTC, ProCap Financial, CCCM and the Proposed Transactions, statements regarding the anticipated benefits and timing of the completion of the Proposed Transactions, the assets held by ProCap BTC and ProCap Financial, the price and volatility of bitcoin, bitcoin’s growing prominence as a digital asset and as the foundation of a new financial system, ProCap Financial’s listing on any securities exchange, the macro and political conditions surrounding bitcoin, the planned business strategy including ProCap Financial’s ability to develop a corporate architecture capable of supporting financial products built with and on bitcoin including native lending models, capital market instruments, and future innovations that will replace legacy financial tools with bitcoin-aligned alternatives, plans and use of proceeds, objectives of management for future operations of ProCap Financial, the upside potential and opportunity for investors, ProCap Financial’s plan for value creation and strategic advantages, market size and growth opportunities, regulatory conditions, technological and market trends, future financial condition and performance and expected financial impacts of the Proposed Transactions, the satisfaction of closing conditions to the Proposed Transactions and the level of redemptions of CCCM’s public shareholders, and ProCap Financial’s expectations, intentions, strategies, assumptions or beliefs about future events, results of operations or performance or that do not solely relate to historical or current facts. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “potential,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events or conditions that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this communication, including, but not limited to: the risk that the Proposed Transactions may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of CCCM’s securities; the risk that the Proposed Transactions may not be completed by CCCM’s business combination deadline; the failure by the parties to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Proposed Transactions, including the approval of CCCM’s shareholders; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transactions; the level of redemptions of the CCCM’s public shareholders, which may reduce the public float of, reduce the liquidity of the trading market of, and/or maintain the quotation, listing, or trading of the Class A ordinary shares of CCCM or the shares of common stock of ProCap Financial to be listed in connection with the Proposed Transactions; the insufficiency of the third-party fairness opinion for the board of directors of CCCM in determining whether or not to pursue the Proposed Transactions; the failure of ProCap Financial to obtain or maintain the listing of its securities on any securities exchange after closing of the Proposed Transactions; risks associated with CCCM, ProCap BTC and ProCap Financial’s ability to consummate the Proposed Transactions timely or at all, including in connection with potential regulatory delays or impediments, changes in bitcoin prices or for other reasons; costs related to the Proposed Transactions and as a result of becoming a public company; changes in business, market, financial, political and regulatory conditions; risks relating to ProCap Financial’s anticipated operations and business, including the highly volatile nature of the price of bitcoin; the risk that ProCap Financial’s stock price will be highly correlated to the price of bitcoin and the price of bitcoin may decrease between the signing of the definitive documents for the Proposed Transactions and the closing of the Proposed Transactions or at any time after the closing of the Proposed Transactions; asset security and risks associated with CCCM, ProCap BTC and ProCap Financial’s ability to consummate the Proposed Transactions timely or at all, including in connection with potential regulatory delays or impediments, changes in bitcoin prices or for other reasons; risks related to increased competition in the industries in which ProCap Financial will operate; risks relating to significant legal, commercial, regulatory and technical uncertainty regarding bitcoin; risks relating to the treatment of crypto assets for U.S. and foreign tax purposes; risks that after consummation of the Proposed Transactions, ProCap Financial experiences difficulties managing its growth and expanding operations; the risks that launching and growing ProCap Financial’s bitcoin treasury advisory and services in digital marketing and strategy could be difficult; challenges in implementing ProCap Financial’s business plan, due to operational challenges, significant competition and regulation; being considered to be a “shell company” by any stock exchange on which ProCap Financial’s common stock will be listed or by the SEC, which may impact ProCap Financial’s ability to list ProCap Financial’s common stock and restrict reliance on certain rules or forms in connection with the offering, sale or resale of securities; the outcome of any potential legal proceedings that may be instituted against ProCap Financial, ProCap BTC, CCCM or others following announcement of the Proposed Transactions, and those risk factors discussed in documents that ProCap Financial and/or CCCM filed, or that will be filed, with the SEC.

    The foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the final prospectus of CCCM dated as of May 15, 2025 and filed by CCCM with the SEC on May 19, 2025, CCCM’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and CCCM’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K that will be filed by CCCM from time to time, the Registration Statement that will be filed by ProCap Financial and CCCM and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus contained therein, and other documents that have been or will be filed by CCCM and ProCap Financial from time to time with the SEC. These filings do or will identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither CCCM nor ProCap Financial presently know or that CCCM and ProCap Financial currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.

    Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and each of CCCM, ProCap BTC, and ProCap Financial assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither CCCM, ProCap BTC, nor ProCap Financial gives any assurance that any of CCCM, ProCap BTC, or ProCap Financial will achieve their respective expectations. The inclusion of any statement in this communication does not constitute an admission by CCCM, ProCap BTC or ProCap Financial or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.

    The terms of the Proposed Transactions described in this communication, including any dollar-denominated figures or implied valuations, are based on information as of the date of the signing of the definitive business combination agreement and assume no redemptions from the CCCM trust account. These terms are subject to change, including as a result of fluctuations in the price of bitcoin prior to closing of the Proposed Transactions. There can be no assurance that the final terms at Closing will reflect the figures referenced herein.

    Media Contacts

    Ebony Lewkovitz
    ebony@edencommunications.com 

    Larissa Bundziak
    larissa@edencommunications.com 

    IR@ColumbusCircleCap.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Clean energy future to be ‘built in Britain’

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Clean energy future to be ‘built in Britain’

    Government publishes its Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan to ensure the clean energy revolution is built in Britain.

    • Government publishes landmark plan to capture the immense jobs and growth opportunities of the clean energy economy
    • Plan will double down on Britain’s strengths as a coastal nation and scientific superpower, bringing jobs to industrial heartlands and coastal communities through Plan for Change
    • Further £700 million for Great British Energy to invest in clean energy supply chains and ensure the clean energy revolution is built in Britain

    Communities across Britain will benefit from good jobs and investment in the clean energy economy, as the government today (Monday 23 June) publishes its Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan to ‘build it in Britain’.

    Clean energy is the economic opportunity of the twenty-first century, and thanks to the government’s clean energy mission, investment is booming in the UK, with over £40 billion of private investment in clean energy announced since July.

    This landmark plan, developed with industry, trade unions, and workers across all regions of the country, sets the UK on a path to unleash the tidal wave of jobs and investment that clean energy can bring, with the government targeting at least a doubling of current investment levels across our frontier Clean Energy Industries to over £30 billion per year by 2035.

    It comes after the Spending Review confirmed the biggest programme of investment in homegrown energy in UK history – from launching a golden age of nuclear with funding to build Sizewell C nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast and small modular reactors, to £9.4 billion for carbon capture industries.

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

    This government is doubling down on Britain’s clean power strengths as we build this new era of clean energy abundance, helping deliver good jobs, energy security and lower household bills.

    The UK’s pitch is clear – build it in Britain. Power the world.

    Great British Energy Chief Executive Dan McGrail said:

    Great British Energy will help the UK win the global race for clean energy jobs and growth by investing in homegrown supply chains and ensuring key infrastructure parts are made here in Britain.

    We are working closely with businesses across the clean energy sector to invest in areas of strategic need and will get funding out as fast as possible to get new projects off the ground.

    As part of this plan, Great British Energy will have an additional £700 million to help build manufacturing facilities here at home for key components for the clean power revolution like floating offshore platforms, electric cables, and cutting-edge hydrogen infrastructure. This builds on Great British Energy’s initial £300 million for offshore wind supply chains, which the Energy Secretary confirmed last week has already catalysed a further £700 million from industry and The Crown Estate. With today’s additional funding, this brings total public and private funding in clean energy supply chains to £1.7 billion. This investment will unlock thousands of jobs, kickstarting growth in coastal communities and industrial towns, and secure a cleaner, more independent energy future for Britain.

    Lucy Yu, CEO and founder of the Centre for Net Zero, has also been announced as the government’s Clean Energy AI Champion – helping to drive the adoption of AI across the UK’s clean energy sector and accelerate the net zero transition.

    The Clean Industry Bonus – the financial reward scheme for offshore wind developers to invest in homegrown, cleaner supply chains – could also be expanded to more sectors, such as hydrogen and onshore wind. This will ensure clean energy investment is directed to regions that need it most, including traditional oil and gas communities, ex-industrial areas and coastal communities.

    The Industrial Strategy sets out how Britain’s strengths make it the natural home for clean power industries: as a coastal nation, a scientific and innovation superpower, with strengths in high-value manufacturing and a skilled energy workforce to match.

    Read the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan.

    Stakeholders

    Martin Pibworth, Chief Executive designate at SSE plc, said:

    The government’s industrial strategy is a welcome signal of long-term thinking and ambition – doubling down on homegrown energy is the right thing for security, resilience and affordability, making the most of the UK’s competitive geographical and technical advantages in renewables in particular.

    It’s exactly the kind of commitment that gives industry the confidence to deliver at pace and scale, and with important decisions on energy policy expected in the weeks ahead, we hope to see a continued focus on unlocking investment that drives growth.

    As the UK’s clean energy champion, SSE is investing £17.5 billion over 5 years to 2027 – building the infrastructure, creating high-quality jobs, supporting the supply chain and driving the innovation needed to deliver a net zero economy.

    Jon Butterworth, CEO of National Gas, said:

    The Industrial Strategy makes clear the scale of economic opportunity within the clean energy sector. As an essential enabler for all growth sectors, we warmly welcome the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan which will position Britain as a world leader in technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture.

    As Britain’s national gas network, we believe technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture will attract major investment, creating highly-skilled jobs across the country, as well as decarbonising our existing industries and bolstering energy security.

    We welcome the recent commitments and recognition shown by the government on the role of green gases and Britain’s national gas network and look forward to working in partnership to deliver the clean energy economy of the future.

    Steve Foxley, Chief Executive of the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, said:

    Wind energy is not only a critical enabler of Net Zero as the foundation of our future clean energy system but also a once-in-a-generation industrial growth opportunity. Through clear pathways from research and development to commercialisation and deployment, the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy will capitalise on our long history of innovation to not only attract critical manufacturing investment, creating thousands of highly skilled jobs the length and breadth of the country, but also ensure our energy security in an otherwise increasingly uncertain world.

    Chris Norbury, Chief Executive of E.ON UK

    We welcome the government’s bold ambition to put clean energy at the centre of the UK’s industrial strategy. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow the economy, strengthen energy security and create skilled, secure jobs across the country.

    Our £2 billion UK investment plan is already driving forward decarbonisation, digitalisation and green skills, including through our Net Zero Academy and over 1,300 apprenticeships since 2018.

    This strategy is a chance to accelerate that progress with the right clarity, long-term investment signals and genuine partnership between government, cities and industry. If we get this right, Britain can lead the world in clean energy and deliver real meaningful benefits to every household and business.

    Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) said:

    We welcome the government’s Clean Energy Sector Plan and its clear commitment to creating high-quality, secure jobs – not just any jobs.

    The explicit pledge to a new generation of good industrial jobs will strike a chord with workers from Teesside to Merseyside, many of whom felt left abandoned by the last government’s failure to act.

    We strongly support the launch of the UK’s first-ever Clean Energy Workforce Strategy – a vital recognition that workers are central to both our economy and the clean energy transition.

    By prioritising sectors like nuclear fusion, nuclear fission, and offshore wind, the government is showing a serious commitment to a balanced, resilient energy mix.

    The TUC backs the ambition to ‘Build it in Britain. Power the World’ and stands ready to help make it a reality.

    Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, National Officer at GMB:

    This strategy is a welcome shift, recognising that Britain’s clean energy future must be built here, by skilled workers in secure, union jobs. For too long, energy policy has meant offshoring opportunity and hollowing out industry.

    If delivered properly, this plan could help turn that tide. GMB will work to make sure these promises translate into real investment, real jobs, and a just transition that puts working people at the heart of our industrial future.

    Sue Ferns, Senior Deputy General Secretary at Prospect union said:

    Boosting clean energy is not only an important mission in its own right, it is central to the success of every other sector. It is welcome to see the government doubling down on this mission, focusing investment on key technologies like renewables and nuclear energy, and recognising the key role that trade unions play as partners in this strategy.

    Securing the investment is important, but perhaps the biggest challenge in this area is around the workforce. The energy workforce is undergoing an unprecedented transition, which creates opportunities for many but also serious challenges that need to be addressed.

    Delivering on this strategy in a way which creates prosperity and supports jobs will require the government’s forthcoming energy workforce plan to be as ambitious as possible and fully backed by all parts of government.

    David Hall, VP, Power Systems, Schneider Electric, said:

    The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan will help to provide much needed certainty for businesses and investors. We welcome the recognition of electricity networks as a ‘foundational sector’ and look forward to working with the Government to develop an electricity networks growth plan.

    We also welcome the commitment to phasing out SF6 gas – a potent greenhouse gas – from switchgear. Regulatory certainty on this issue is key for manufacturers like Schneider Electric who are committed to invest in our domestic capabilities and support the decarbonisation of the grid.

    Schneider Electric is a key supplier of the electrical infrastructure powering the UK’s electricity networks. Over the past two years we have invested almost £50 million to further boost the UK’s domestic supply chain, including investing £42 million to build a brand new factory in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

    Vattenfall’s UK Country Manager, Claus Wattendrup, said:

    The government is right to back clean energy as a growth engine for UK jobs and skills. Offshore wind already supports over 50,000 UK jobs and is scaling up fast through initiatives like the Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan, and we now await the government’s Onshore Wind strategy to help unlock even more investment, jobs, and energy security.

    We must avoid own-goals along the way, however: the benefits of district heating must not be overlooked, whereas zonal pricing in Great Britain risks future investments without cutting bills.

    Dhara Vyas, CEO of Energy UK, said:

    Energy UK welcomes the government’s new Industrial Strategy and Clean Energy Industries sector plan, which rightly recognise the pivotal role energy will play across the whole economy, powering growth through digitalisation and electrification, boosting regional prosperity and delivering economic security and resilience.

    Stable, affordable energy prices will help ensure that the UK remains a competitive place to do business, and in an increasingly uncertain global operating environment, clean power will deliver energy security. Focussing on priority technologies where the UK has global expertise will deliver a strong competitive advantage for our businesses and economy.

    We know the investment necessary to decarbonise the economy will mostly be funded by the private sector. Clarity on government policy, removal of the barriers to investment and targeted support are all essential to meet this ambition.

    Jane Cooper, Deputy CEO of RenewableUK, said:

    Today’s industrial strategy identifies clean energy as one of the sectors with the highest growth opportunity, and we are going to see tens of billions of pounds of new investment in wind energy, grid and hydrogen in the coming years. With that new infrastructure comes a golden opportunity to secure new jobs, manufacturing, innovation and exports, in the growing industrial clusters across the UK, in areas like the Humber, Scotland, South Wales, the South West and Teesside.

    There are already nearly 2,000 companies in the UK who have benefitted from contracts to deliver work in the wind energy sector. Collectively, wind energy currently employs 55,000 people, a figure which has risen by a quarter from two years ago. By keeping a laser focus, as this Industrial Strategy does, on unlocking investment, remaining competitive, and supporting UK companies to innovate and grow, the offshore wind supply chain alone could boost the UK economy by £25 billion over the next decade.

    The opportunity and vision is there, now government needs to ensure they deliver on the critical aspects of this industrial strategy. Most notably for renewables, that means ensuring the next two contract for difference allocation round are as successful as possible, clearing large volumes of projects in a stable market framework to reduce costs. This is essential if we want to attract investment in the UK’s supply chain, skills and capabilities.

    Claire Mack OBE, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said:

    Placing clean energy at the heart of the new industrial strategy is a vote of confidence in the enormous economic growth potential of Scotland’s renewable energy industry and supply chain. The scale of opportunity is clear with sectors like offshore wind expected to generate £35 billion for the economy, helping to deliver good jobs and energy security.

    Scottish Renewables has been urging the UK government to be bold in removing barriers to investment and we’re pleased to see the ambition outlined in this strategy, including measures to build a grid fit for the future, drive competitive supply chains and grow exports.

    In the years ahead, success will be seen in the delivery of new clean energy infrastructure, thriving supply chains and skilled jobs across Scotland. Our industry stands ready to continue meeting that challenge head on.

    Olivia Powis, CEO of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA), said:

    We are delighted to see the Government’s continued commitment to Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage (CCUS), including Greenhouse Gas Removals (GGRs), as a frontier industry. This rightly positions CCUS and GGRs as a core pillar in delivering on three vital national objectives: reaching net zero, driving regional growth, and strengthening economic security.

    The UK’s CCUS industry stands ready to deliver and is pleased to see government’s prioritisation of cross-border CO₂ transport and storage networks in the North Sea, recognising the significant economic benefits for both UK and EU CCUS projects. This builds on the positive momentum from the recent UK-EU Summit – alongside the support confirmed in the Spending Review.

    Following these government commitments, a clear timetable for deployment is essential to secure investment, as well as investment in scaling up supply chains and growing the workforce needed to deliver at pace. With continued partnership between government and industry, CCUS can anchor a new era of sustainable industrial growth – one that revitalises communities, boosts energy resilience and ensures the UK leads in tackling climate change.

    Charlotte Lee, Chief Executive of the Heat Pump Association said:

    It is great to see heat pumps, and by association heating systems, being listed as a frontier industry within the plan and identified as one of six areas with the highest growth potential.

    With a new Heat Pump Investment Accelerator Competition confirmed, £13.2 billion recently announced for the Warm Homes Plan alongside a clear timeline for the introduction of the Future Homes Standard and a pledge to expand heat networks, it is clear the government are committed to enhancing the UK’s energy security by decarbonising heat from buildings.

    Whilst we await the detail within the Warm Homes Plan, this strategy sets clear intentions for the sector, and the HPA will continue to work closely with government to support their missions to break down barriers to investment and deliver nationwide growth.

    Clare Jackson, CEO at Hydrogen UK, said

    The UK can, and should, lead the world in hydrogen, creating jobs and skills, driving economic growth, and lowering emissions. With hydrogen as a key pillar, the Industrial Strategy and Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan are welcome, positive steps forward to achieving that goal, with strong policy signals and funding to match.

    The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan in particular acknowledges hydrogen’s economic and export potential, and we look forward to working with the government as it puts these strategies into practice.

    Dr Emma Guthrie, CEO of the Hydrogen Energy Association (HEA) said:

    We welcome the publication of the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan and the clear recognition of hydrogen as a central pillar in the UK’s clean industrial future.

    The commitment to a dedicated hydrogen sector plan – 1 of 8 outlined across key growth industries – provides the clarity and direction that hydrogen investors, innovators and infrastructure providers urgently need.

    The extension of the Clean Industry Bonus to hydrogen is a particularly positive step, signalling that government recognises the role hydrogen can play in decarbonising heavy industry and strengthening energy resilience.

    The wider Industrial Strategy’s focus on reducing energy costs, accelerating grid connections and supporting frontier technologies reflects many of the priorities the hydrogen industry has long been calling for.

    We now look forward to working closely with government and industry to ensure this strategy delivers tangible outcomes – unlocking investment, creating skilled green jobs, and accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.

    Yselkla Farmer, CEO at BEAMA said:

    BEAMA’s members are pleased that our calls for improvements to industrial conditions have been recognised. This long term strategy distinguishes electricity networks and electric heat – uniquely, both represented by BEAMA – as critical sectors for the UK’s economic prosperity. They have the potential to deliver significant benefits to consumers and those seeking excellent employment opportunities in our domestic supply chains.

    We are well aligned with the government’s overall vision and objectives for our sector. We are looking forward to keeping the momentum up over the ten years of this strategy, working with government to bring tangible change and hugely increase investment in our members’ markets, with specific benefit to British manufacturing. In addition to some further measures from upcoming policy announcements, this strategy has the potential to build on our existing strengths for an exciting future.

    We are especially pleased to see the level of financial support being targeted for BEAMA sectors through GB Energy, the National Wealth Fund and the British Business Bank and our hope is this can help bring forward investment in UK manufacturing to supply the UK’s electrification needs across the grid and in homes. The decision to reduce electricity costs for the IS-8 manufacturing sectors is an incredibly welcome step as we strive to ensure we can compete for investment globally.

    Stuart Dossett, Senior Policy Adviser at Green Alliance, said: 

    As international events threaten to drive up the price of oil and send bills soaring once again, it is vital the government look at how to make the UK energy secure. If we’re successful in doubling the amount of investment in clean energy over the next ten years, as the government proposes today, this will provide the cheap, secure power we need for the rest of the economy to grow. The government is also right to focus on making sure more homegrown renewable energy results in cheaper electricity costs for businesses. 

    Darren Davidson, Head of UK, Siemens Energy said:

    Today’s Industrial Strategy announcement, a 10-year UK government plan focused on partnership with business, is welcome news. As one of the world’s leading energy technology companies Siemens Energy has invested significantly in the UK, and we already employ over 6,500 people working on energy projects across the regions.

    The new plan is a significant step forward in helping to create a coherent, strategic policy framework – including funding support – to help strengthen the UK’s industrial base, encourage job creation and deliver the energy transition.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Interview with Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov to RIA Novosti

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Anton Alikhanov: We are fighting phantom enterprises.

    In an interview with RIA Novosti, Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov spoke about how pseudo-Russian brands are identified, what measures the state is introducing to ensure product safety in schools and kindergartens, and the fight against illegal goods.

    Anton Alikhanov (photo: Ministry of Industry and Trade)

    A. Veselova: Anton Andreevich, what is the situation with illegal turnover of products in Russia today?

    A. Alikhanov: I would like to start by saying that ten years ago, by decision of the president, a state commission was created to combat illegal turnover of industrial products. It became the main coordinating link in the comprehensive work in the fight against the shadow market. The activities of all industry and regulatory bodies at the federal level are linked through it.

    Various tools are used to reduce the circulation of illegal products. But the most effective has become the digital marking and traceability system of goods “Honest Sign”.

    This direction is already being implemented in all EAEU countries and in Uzbekistan. In Russia, 31 product categories are monitored from the conveyor to the consumer on a mandatory basis, with 16 being subject to an experiment. The government is also considering further expansion of the system to various products, especially in the food industry and industrial goods. The Honest Sign mobile application is used by almost 28 million consumers, they have checked more than 300 million products and identified 240 thousand violations. All complaints are sent to regulatory authorities.

    A. Veselova: What effect on the economy has been recorded in the country from the introduction of labeling?

    A. Alikhanov: According to the Federal Tax Service, over the past five years the economic effect has amounted to 1.2 trillion rubles in the form of tax and other revenues to budgets at all levels. More than half of this amount was achieved by whitening the tobacco market – 627 billion rubles. The results in other product groups are also noticeable. In dairy products – 148 billion rubles, in light industry – 143 billion rubles, in the footwear segment – 85 billion rubles, in perfumery – 35 billion rubles.

    In addition to increasing state revenues, legal businesses earned an additional 687 billion rubles by increasing their market share. And according to Rosstat data, the profitability of sales has increased for all bona fide market participants. Since the launch of mandatory labeling by 2023, tobacco products have increased by 17.9%, packaged water by 13.1%, footwear by 5.7%, and dairy products by 3.2%. I would like to note that these effects have been achieved without a noticeable impact on the final price for the consumer. According to the Research Institute of the Ministry of Finance, the share of labeling in the cost price is no more than 1%.

    A. Veselova: Since April 2024, a permit regime has been in effect for a number of goods in Russia, which checks the quality of the goods through a special QR code; if the product is of poor quality, the system will not allow the buyer to purchase it. How effective is this mechanism? How does the regime protect consumers?

    A. Alikhanov: Due to the introduction of a permit regime at store checkouts, sales of 1.2 billion low-quality or illegal goods have been blocked. Among them: beer – 299 million units, milk – 243 million, tobacco – 311 million, in the light industry – 187 million, soft drinks – 110 million. This system already applies to 16 groups of goods and will be expanded this year to non-alcoholic beer, caviar, veterinary drugs, technical rehabilitation equipment and bicycles.

    The labeling system allows for batches of unsafe products to be blocked within an hour by decision of regulatory authorities. For example, Rospotrebnadzor, based on research, did this proactively with respect to six million dietary supplements across the country with dangerous levels of lithium, melatonin, and simethicone. Similarly, due to a poisoning incident, sales of a batch of 2.5 million bottles of water were promptly stopped. Thus, we now have a mechanism for quickly stopping sales of products whose quality and safety are in doubt.

    It is important that we not only control the products themselves, but also close illegal production facilities, in particular 56 tobacco factories, using control bodies. At the same time, many enterprises left the shadow sector and began to operate according to the law. This is how more than 550 “new” water producers appeared, the number of legal importers of dietary supplements increased tenfold and those who produce them tripled.

    A. Veselova: What is happening now in the sphere of state control over industrial products?

    A. Alikhanov: State control is one of the key mechanisms for consumer protection. It ensures quality control and product safety in accordance with established requirements at all stages – during production, delivery and circulation.

    Today, the safety of certain types of products is confirmed by a certificate or declaration, while there is no further state control over such products. That is, there may be cases when an unscrupulous manufacturer provides the laboratory with a so-called “golden sample” that fully complies with the requirements. This is how he receives a certificate. And the product goes to the market under this certificate, but it does not comply with the requirements. As a result, unsafe products may end up on the shelf.

    A. Veselova: Are you developing additional mechanisms to protect consumers in order to prevent unsafe products from entering the market?

    A. Alikhanov: We have developed a set of measures with the Ministry of Economic Development. First of all, these are changes to the legislation to restore state control over certain types of industrial products – I believe that it will be effective. This is confirmed by the experiment that Rosstandart is conducting on certain types of construction products and materials. We are talking about cable products, various types of cement, construction and concrete mixtures, as well as heating convectors and radiators. Over two thousand control measures have already been carried out in a year of the experiment.

    According to the inspection results, 57% of cases revealed violations of product quality requirements. Such unsafe products are recalled from the market. For example, in St. Petersburg, about 6 thousand tons of dry construction mixtures worth a total of about 104 million rubles were withdrawn from circulation. And such cases are not isolated.

    Another significant initiative in this direction was introduced by the State Duma deputies. They proposed to legislatively enshrine the regulation of technical conditions, according to which manufacturers often release their products. We fully support this approach.

    A. Veselova: What is the difference between technical conditions and technical regulations? What effect do you expect from fixing technical conditions?

    A. Alikhanov: Technical conditions today are a non-public document in which the manufacturer himself defines the requirements for his products. Formally, they should not be lower than the requirements of technical regulations. But technical regulations establish only minimum safety requirements and do not affect quality parameters. Therefore, the requirements of technical conditions may be lower than GOSTs. A simple example: if a manufacturer puts saury in a can labeled “kilka”, this may not violate safety standards or technical conditions. But it absolutely does not meet consumer expectations and, most importantly, violates GOST requirements.

    We are confident that the removal of technical specifications from the unregulated zone will increase transparency and ensure fair competition. In addition, it will involve bona fide manufacturers in the national standardization process. Ultimately, this will have a positive effect on the quality of products released into circulation and will increase consumer confidence.

    A. Veselova: What additional measures are being taken to protect products from possible attempts at counterfeiting?

    A. Alikhanov: We conducted an experiment with the Ministry of Economic Development and the CRPT, following which the government adopted Resolution No. 837, which comes into force on September 1. It strengthens control not only over the availability, but also the content of permits for goods in the labeling system. This will allow us to confirm their relevance and compliance with the declared products. If the documents do not pass the check, the products will not be allowed on the market.

    In addition, a ban on sales at the checkout will be introduced if the permits are declared invalid after the products have been put into circulation. We are currently verifying the contents of the documents with the state registers of Rosaccreditation and Rospotrebnadzor. In the future, we will expand the array of data on the products themselves and whether the company has the right to produce them. We are discussing this decision with the member countries of the association and expect a positive decision from the Eurasian Economic Commission.

    A. Veselova: How does the ministry combat pseudo-Russian brands? How acute is this issue today?

    A. Alikhanov: We are conducting an experiment to identify such manufacturers and phantom enterprises. For example, more than 2.8 thousand shoe manufacturers are registered in the marking system, of which almost 470 are in Moscow. If the system reveals, based on risk indicators, that the activities of such companies deviate from the norm and raise suspicions, then representatives of the CRPT and Rospotrebnadzor conduct an on-site inspection. In fact, they determine whether there is real production or just a legal entity that legalizes illegal products.

    The first results showed that 92% of inspections of footwear, consumer goods and dietary supplements were fake enterprises. Their addresses were found to be vacant lots, residential buildings or abandoned buildings. These companies tried to “legalize” products that did not correspond to the declared documents. In some cases, there is reason to believe that these are imports that are registered as products of Russian origin in order to evade customs duties and control.

    Based on the results of the experiment, a mechanism was developed to limit the issuance of marking codes to such legal entities and block their products. Before the traceability system appeared, this was impossible to do. For now, we have extended this algorithm to the least regulated industries – footwear, light industry, perfumery, tires and dietary supplements. Then we will cover other product categories.

    A. Veselova: Anton Andreevich, there was information on the Internet about the incorrect operation of the marking system in case of unstable Internet operation? Do you know about this, does such a problem really exist?

    A. Alikhanov: Since March 1, 2025, an offline mode has been introduced for a number of product groups that require mandatory labeling, which allows checking the product even without the Internet. To do this, a special local module of the system is installed at the checkout, into which a database of labeled products is loaded. When attempting to make a sale, the system first accesses the online database, and if the check fails, for example, due to the lack of Internet, it loads data from the local module. Thus, the system ensures correct operation even during temporary Internet problems.

    A. Veselova: Today, more and more people use marketplaces, but it is difficult to check the quality of goods there. What measures do you plan to take in connection with counterfeit products on marketplaces?

    A. Alikhanov: In our opinion, it is necessary to strengthen control over marketplaces in order to exclude violations when selling marked goods on the Internet. The draft law “On the platform economy” provides for the obligations of trading platforms to check the registration of the seller, the product and its code in the marking system. If any of these criteria are not met, the offer should not be reflected in the buyer’s search. While such requirements have not yet been enshrined in law, CRPT has entered into agreements with the largest marketplaces: Yandex, Wildberries, SberMegaMarket, Samokat, Ozon, AliExpress and Russian Post. These online platforms have undertaken to independently check customer complaints received through the Honest Sign application and take action against violators. According to the marking system, 95% of complaints were confirmed. In relation to a third of them, marketplaces applied sanctions: fines, blocking goods or warnings. For the rest, sellers received notifications demanding that they eliminate the violations.

    A. Veselova: Today, goods from the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union cross customs under a simplified regime. There are frequent cases where goods illegally enter one of these countries and then travel to Russia. Is the Ministry working on measures to strengthen control in such cases?

    A. Alikhanov: Our country is the largest market in the EAEU and, of course, there are cases that you mentioned. Often these goods then end up, for example, in the fake production facilities that I mentioned earlier.

    To solve the problem, it is necessary, firstly, to harmonize the list of goods that are subject to mandatory labeling. That is, the nomenclature must be uniform in all EAEU countries. This is what we are discussing with our colleagues.

    Secondly, it is necessary to ensure regular verification of information from the labeling system with data from the EAEU member states on goods sent to Russia. This also concerns the verification of mirror customs statistics and the country of origin of the goods.

    A. Veselova: What effect do you expect from the experiment to control the supply of unsafe and low-quality food products to social institutions?

    A. Alikhanov: With the introduction of a permit regime at cash registers and the integration of the marking system with Mercury, counterfeit products were blocked from entering stores. But we see that dubious products have begun to appear in schools and hospitals where there are no cash registers.

    In order to set a barrier for it, at the end of last year, we decided at the state commission to start an experiment in the labeling system to control the supply of food products to the social sphere. So far, it covers several regions – Krasnodar, Perm, Stavropol and Khabarovsk Territories, Moscow and Novosibirsk Regions, St. Petersburg. We will complete it by September, having created criteria and a mechanism for stopping this practice. The experiment affects packaged water and dairy products, which are subject to labeling. In the near future, we will make such control mandatory, since we are already seeing successful results.

    A. Veselova: What are the prospects for the development of the labeling system in Russia in the future?

    A. Alikhanov: The introduction of labeling is advisable for goods that are most sensitive to illegal trafficking. Therefore, the government will systematically expand the range of products, including industrial products. We are conducting experiments on radio electronics, building materials, and radiators. We are working on traceability issues for the raw materials from which these goods are made.

    We will scale and develop the labeling system, supplement it with new functionality. That is, we will continue to narrow the opportunities for various tricks that pose a threat to human health and undermine food and economic security.

    Source – RIA Novosti.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Market Intelligence on Autopilot: St Mary Capital Delivers Real-Time Feed

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global investment firm St Mary Capital has introduced a real-time market intelligence feed. The feature is live and updated across the main asset classes and is focused on allowing clients to track changes in the market as they occur.

    The feed provides automatic feeds of the movement of equities, indices, commodities, and crypto-currency. It will help clients to make faster decisions by providing real-time market signals and price alerts. This launch comes as more traders look for simple tools that reduce the time spent searching for key market data.

    Helping Traders Stay Focused

    The feed was designed to be user-friendly. It puts alerts directly on the user’s dashboard, thereby not requiring traders to refresh pages or move to various platforms so that they are informed. The updates are in an organized and straightforward format.

    The clients will also be able to redefine the feed according to their time zone and the asset of their choice. For those who trade across different markets, having everything in one place may make tracking trends less stressful.

    The development of the feed followed a period of user testing. The feed is meant to work alongside other tools clients already use. It does not replace charting software or analysis platforms but adds an extra layer of awareness. Users can set it to show updates only for the assets they are actively watching or trading.

    Custom Alerts for Real-Time Reactions

    Customers have the ability to define alerts regarding price alert or volume activity or market news. This makes the user take immediate action when certain conditions are fulfilled, so they do not require monitoring the screen all the time.

    Even during periods of high trading activity, the feed can manage substantial data volumes. The company has confirmed that the system pulls data from multiple sources to keep updates timely and accurate.

    The feature is now live on St Mary Capital’s platform. All registered clients can access it as part of their existing services. More updates may be added later based on client feedback.

    Looking Ahead

    This new feed reflects a move toward more automated trading tools. While the current version focuses on real-time alerts, future versions may include extra features like market sentiment updates or trade suggestions.

    St Mary Capital says it will continue to gather client input to guide further improvements.

    About St Mary Capital

    St Mary Capital is a global investment company offering access to a diverse range of financial instruments, including cryptocurrencies, equities, indices, and commodities. Known for its data-driven approach and personalized account management, St Mary Capital empowers clients with tools, insights, and support to navigate today’s complex financial landscape. With a strong focus on transparency and regulatory alignment, the company continues to be a trusted resource for modern investors worldwide.

    Media Contact:
    Name:Benjamin Rothwell
    Email: office@stmarycapital.com
    Website: https://stmarycapital.com/

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

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 23 June 2025 One optometrist’s mission to transform eye care in Somalia

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Based in Mogadishu, Dr Kalif leads a life of tireless dedication. Each afternoon, he treats patients in his private clinic, offering essential eye care in a setting where such services are scarce. He also teaches at the only optometry faculty in southern and central Somalia—home to the majority of the country’s population.  

    In addition, he is the Project Manager of Charity Vision Somalia, overseeing the country’s first free comprehensive vision eye care center. And every Friday, he travels 30 kilometers outside the capital to run eye camps, providing checkups for villages who, in many cases, have never had their eyes examined in their lives. 

    Dr Kalif’s commitment is deeply personal. In the early 2000s, his grandmother was left aphakic (the condition of having no lens in the eye) after undergoing cataract surgeryand forced to rely on thick  +10.00 diopter that left bruises on her face. “Her glasses were so heavy they left painful marks on her nose,” Mohamed recalls. “I used to tell her that one day, I’d become an eye doctor and make things better for her.” Although she passed away before he could finish his education, her struggle remains a powerful source of inspiration behind his misión to make eye care more accessible for everyone. 

    Somalia lacks resources, and eye care does not receive much attention. But Mohamed refuses to let these challenges hold him back. Using simple tools and a single donated room in a voluntary hospital, he and his team treat over 100 patients every month for free. He focuses on creating solutions with what is on hand. “You don’t need magic,you just need a system.”  

    Technology is helping him build that system. After discovering the WHOeyes app through LinkedIn—a free vision screening tool developed by the World Health Organization (WHO)— Dr Kalif contacted WHO to translate the tool into Somali.   

    Today, he encourages families to check their eyesight and identify early signs of vision impairment. He also collaborates with local health platforms to spread awareness and plans to promote the app through social media videos. “It is easy to use and very effective,” he explains. “In a country like Somalia where awareness is lacking, this app could change lives.” 

    One of the biggest obstacles, he says, is a widespread lack of knowledge. Many parents and teachers don’t realize that children might be struggling with their vision. Over the years, Dr Kalif has screened hundreds of schoolchildren and discovered preventable conditions going unnoticed. He recalls a 17-year-old girl who lived with blurred vision in one eye her whole life. “She told me, ‘I thought everyone’s left eye was like this,’” he says. “When she smiled after getting her glasses, that’s the moment that keeps me motivated.” 

    But Dr. Kalif’s ambition reaches beyond individuals—he is focused on transforming the entire system.  He played a key role in setting up Somalia’s first optometry training program, which celebrated its first group of graduates in 2024. He is also teaming up with the National eye health coordinator of the Ministry of Health and the WHO country office in Somalia to complete the first ECSAT (Eye care situation analysis tool) and prepare a national eye health strategy. His goal is to link Somali professionals with global training programs to gain expertise without always needing help from outside specialists. 

    In a country where healthcare is often limited and vision care is rarely prioritized,  Dr Kalif stays optimistic. “Vision changes lives,” he explains. “I’ve watched people go from being jobless to providing for their families all because they could see again.” 

    His vision for the future is simple. “Eye care everywhere in Somalia. That’s my life’s mission”. 

     

     

    Note: 

    About optometry 
    Optometry is a healthcare profession that is autonomous, educated, and regulated (licensed/registered), and optometrists are the primary healthcare practitioners of the eye and visual system who provide comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis and management of disease in the eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system. According to the World Council of Optometry, an optometries holds a bachelor’s degree or higher from a tertiary-level educational institution.  

    About WHOeyes 

    WHOeyes is a free, population-facing mobile software application to check near and distance visual acuity. Regular visual acuity checks can ensure that vision impairment is identified at the earliest so that you can take action to continue enjoying your sight. You can learn more and download it here. 

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    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Presentation of Russian-language documentary prose “Chinese Seeds” held in China

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhua) — The presentation of the Russian-language documentary prose “Chinese Seeds or How I Grew Wheat in Kazakhstan” took place in Beijing last week.

    The event was held as part of the 31st Beijing International Book Fair, which ended on Sunday in the Chinese capital, the Keji Ribao/Science and Technology Daily newspaper reported.

    The authors of the new book are Jin Min, chief correspondent of the Nongye Kejibao (Agricultural Science and Technology Newspaper), and Zhang Zhengmao, a leading researcher at the Northwest University of Agriculture and Forestry.

    The documentary prose “Chinese Seeds” details the cultivation of high-quality wheat varieties and the results of cooperation between scientific researchers from both sides, which served as a vivid example of the mutual convergence of the aspirations of the peoples of the two countries within the framework of the joint construction of the “Belt and Road”.

    “Chinese Seeds or How I Grew Wheat in Kazakhstan” was published in Chinese in March 2023. According to the plan, this book will also be published in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Korean.

    The author of the book, Zhang Zhengmao, who was in Astana, presented to the participants of the presentation via video link the development of the Chinese-Kazakhstani project of the Research Center for Analysis and Testing of Grain Quality.

    The new book was published by Guangxi Kesuejishu Chubanshe (Guangxi Science and Technology) Publishing House. Its director, Cen Gang, said the publication of the book will further promote exchanges between China and Kazakhstan. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Exclusive: China and Kazakhstan open a new chapter in cooperation in the field of sustainable development technologies – President of the NAS of the Republic of Kazakhstan

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    Astana, June 23 (Xinhua) — China and Kazakhstan are opening a new chapter in cooperation in the field of sustainable development technologies, Akhilbek Kurishbayev, President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NAS RK) and Rector of the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University (KazNAIU), said in an interview with Xinhua.

    The Kazakhstan-China Center for Science and Technology Transfer, established in February 2025 at the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan jointly with the Zhejiang University of Technology and leading Chinese high-tech companies, opens a new page in the development of innovative partnership. Within its structure, the International Joint Laboratory of Spatio-Temporal Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Sustainable Development is being formed, which has already outlined priority areas at the launch stage.

    “A stable platform will be formed on the basis of the center, on which scientists from Kazakhstan, China and other countries of the Central Asian region will work according to a single program, with clearly defined goals and objectives, concentrating resources on conducting research and obtaining effective results, including adapting Chinese technologies to national conditions,” noted A. Kurishbayev.

    According to him, organizational and technical preparatory work is in full swing, and the laboratory will begin full-scale operations in the near future.

    “We have high hopes for the work of this center and its laboratory. I am sure that these hopes will be justified,” shared A. Kurishbaev. “The basis for this is our common desire for cooperation and the concentration of common scientific potential to solve a single problem,” he added.

    Speaking about his own contribution to the development of bilateral scientific cooperation, A. Kurishbayev recalled that since 2007, as Vice Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, he took the most active part in establishing and developing mutually beneficial cooperation with China. The first steps in developing cooperation in the field of science and trade in agriculture were agreements on phytosanitary and veterinary safety.

    According to him, a lot of work has been done since then: joint laboratories have been created, internships have been organized, and the Alliance for Agricultural Education, Science, and Innovation in the Field of Great Silk Road Technologies has been formed.

    “I have been to China many times, visited leading research institutes and universities,” he shared. “The scale of development of artificial intelligence, smart cities, green technologies, genetics, as well as approaches to modeling natural disasters are impressive.”

    Kazakhstan, according to him, has prospects in such areas as digitalization of the agricultural sector, water technologies, natural resource management and sustainable development of rural areas – it is in these areas that deep and practice-oriented cooperation with Chinese scientific schools is possible.

    He also emphasized the importance of environmental partnership: “Our countries are located in a single ecosystem of the Central Asian region, and we are doomed not only to live here together, but also to bear responsibility for its preservation and improvement. Therefore, it is extremely important for us to search for new environmentally friendly technologies that allow us to move away from “dirty” production and take the path of “green” development and, on this basis, create conditions for a more comfortable life not only for the present, but also for future generations. This is our sacred duty, and we have no other way. We all understand this very well.”

    A. Kurishbaev also noted the deteriorating environmental situation in the world. According to him, the negative consequences will be felt especially strongly by the fragile ecosystem of Central Asia. “This process can only be stopped by joint efforts, based on the results of research by our scientific organizations. All this is in our hands. This requires not only our joint desires, but also our determination to implement them in practice,” concluded A. Kurishbaev. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Nguyen’s Injectable Piezoelectric Gel Could Treat Osteoarthritis without Surgery

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Millions of Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, a painful joint disease that wears down cartilage and can severely impact mobility. Pain medications only mask symptoms, and surgical option carry risks of infection and immune rejection.

    Thanh Nyugen examines a sample of piezoelectric nanofibers which will be used for the injectable hydrogel for cartilage regeneration. (Contributed photo)

    At the University of Connecticut, a research team led by Thanh Nguyen, associate professor of mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering, believes the future of joint repair might lie in a tiny electrical spark—and a simple injection.

    Backed by a $2.3M grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), Nguyen and his team are developing an injectable hydrogel designed to stimulate cartilage regeneration in large animal models.

    “With current treatments, we’re managing the pain, not healing the tissue,” says Nguyen. “We’re hoping that the body’s own mechanical movements—like walking—can generate tiny electrical signals that encourage cartilage to grow back.”

    The innovation harnesses the body’s natural bioelectric signals to promote healing. The injectable gel contains a piezoelectric scaffold—a composite made from biodegradable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) nanofibers and magnesium oxide nanoparticles. When subjected to mechanical stress—such as joint movement or ultrasound—this scaffold generates small electrical charges.

    “By delivering [electrical] signals directly to damaged areas, the scaffold can stimulate cell activity and encourage the regeneration of strong, durable cartilage, particularly in high-load joints like the knees and hips.” — Thanh Nguyen, College of Engineering

    These mimic the body’s natural electrical cues that guide tissue development and repair.

    “By delivering these signals directly to damaged areas, the scaffold can stimulate cell activity and encourage the regeneration of strong, durable cartilage, particularly in high-load joints like the knees and hips,” Nguyen says. “This method also is cell-free and drug-free, a major advantage over traditional regenerative therapies that often require lab-grown stem cells.”

    The new grant-funded study, titled “Injectable Cell-Free Piezoelectric Scaffold to Treat Osteoarthritis in Large Animal Models,” will run through 2029. It’s based on two previous studies by Nguyen, his former postdoctoral fellow Yang Liu (now a professor at Peking University, China) and his former student Tra Vinikoor ’24 Ph.D. (now an advisor at the federal Food and Drug Administration). In these studies, the team injected the gel into the knees of rabbits with damaged cartilage, and within two months, saw re-formed, functional cartilage in the animals’ knees.

    Their work was published in the top medical journals of Science Translational Medicine and Nature Communication. (See previous UConn Today articles: Regrowing Cartilage in a Damaged Knee Gets Closer to Fixing Arthritis and Gel Repairs Cartilage Without Surgery, With Electricity)

    Nguyen’s team will spend the next four years testing the injectable gel’s effectiveness in large animal models. This is a key step before human clinical trials. (contributed photo)

    Over the next four years, Nguyen’s team will test the gel’s effectiveness in large animal models, a key step before human clinical trials. Along with four other active NIH Research Project (RO1) grants funding Nguyen’s work with piezoelectric biomaterials, the group hopes that the result of this project will successfully demonstrate that a single injection, followed by brief external ultrasound sessions, can significantly restore cartilage function in severe osteoarthritis cases.

    Nguyen’s research is highly interdisciplinary and at the interface of biomaterials, nano/micro-technology, and medicine. He credits the project’s progress to a “deeply collaborative” environment at UConn, where engineering and biomedical science intersect in innovative ways.

    The NIH/NIBIB grant is the fourth grant Nguyen received in FY25. Others include: “MAP Technology for Single-Admin and Co-Delivery of Polio and Other Vxs,” supported by a $4M grant from the Gates Foundation; “Bionic Self-Charged Bone Composite Scaffold,” supported by a $2.1 award from NIH/NIBIB; and “Advancing Multi-bNAbs Microneedle Patch Technology For HIV-1 Prevention in Breastfeeding Infants,” supported by a $1.5M grant from NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

    In addition, Nguyen served as the Materials Research Society’s Early Career Distinguished Presenter at the organization’s meeting in 2025. He spoke about his work on “Current Advances of Biodegradable and Biocompatible nanofiber-based materials for tissue engineering and drug delivery.”

    “We’re building hope for people who’ve been told their only option is a joint replacement,” he says.

    MIL OSI USA News –