NewzIntel.com

Category: Sport

  • MIL-OSI China: 100-day countdown as China sends largest delegation to Chengdu World Games

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

    This photo taken on April 29, 2025 shows a countdown clock marking 100 days to go for the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The Games will be held in Chengdu from Aug. 7 to 17. [Photo/Xinhua]

    BEIJING, April 29 — Around 330 Chinese athletes will participate in the 2025 Chengdu World Games, which marks the country’s largest delegation for the event, an official of the General Administration of Sport of China said at a press conference Tuesday.

    With the 100-day countdown to the 12th World Games falling on Tuesday, the event will be held in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, from August 7 to 17. According to the organizers, the Games will feature 255 events across 60 disciplines and 34 sports.

    Li Jing, Deputy Director of the General Administration of Sport of China, introduced, “Chinese athletes have clinched berths in 152 events of 28 sports so far, who come from a wide range of fields, including professional athletes and outstanding sports enthusiasts in schools and universities, enterprises, institutions and sports clubs.”

    “There are also disabled athletes selected by China Disabled Persons’ Federation for free diving, ju-jitsu and archery,” Li added.

    The international event is not only a platform for competition but also an opportunity for cultural exchanges. Li emphasized, “The Games will fully demonstrate the development of China in sports, particularly in non-Olympic events, as well as an image of Chinese athletes filled with vitality.”

    Li said, “27 competition venues for the World Games have been ready. Softball and floorball events will kick off one day ahead of the Games’ opening ceremony.”

    This photo taken on April 29, 2025 shows an installation for the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on April 29, 2025 shows a countdown clock marking 100 days to go for the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on April 29, 2025 shows a countdown clock marking 100 days to go for the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on April 29, 2025 shows a countdown clock marking 100 days to go for the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: World Games’ first-ever torch relay to take place in China’s Sichuan on July 26

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

    BEIJING, April 29 — With the 100-day countdown to the 2025 Chengdu World Games falling on Tuesday, the event’s organizing committee announced that the World Games’ first torch relay will be held in southwest China’s Sichuan Province on July 26.

    The flame collection and launch ceremony will be held at the Sanxingdui Museum, before the flame is relayed in three cities in Sichuan: Chengdu, Deyang and Meishan, organizers said on Tuesday.

    “It will be the first time in the World Games’ history to organize torch relay activities. 120 torchbearers will cover a total distance of 11 kilometers,” said Wang Fengchao, vice president of the Chengdu World Games organizing committee and mayor of Chengdu.

    “The selection of torchbearers runs through March to June, which includes representatives of athletes, coaches, citizens, international friends, as well as grassroots workers such as couriers, ride-hailing drivers and sanitation workers,” Wang added.

    The torch, named “Zhumeng”, or “Dream Chaser”, is the first-ever torch designed for the World Games, and was unveiled on February 27. Wang said, “The relevant facilities of flame collection and torch relay will be ready in early July.”

    As the highest-level international comprehensive Games for non-Olympic sports, the 2025 Chengdu World Games will be held from August 7 to 17, which is also the first world sports event staged in west China after the Chengdu Universiade in 2023.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King Delivers his Own ‘Declaration of Conscience’ Nearly 75 Years after Former Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    To watch the floor speech, click here
    WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) today spoke on the Senate floor to commemorate the 75th anniversary of former U.S. Senator Margaret Chase Smith’s (R-ME) ‘Declaration of Conscience’ speech. The speech, delivered on June 1, 1950, would be the defining moment in which a Republican stood up to her own party in defense of American democracy.
    More specifically, King called on his colleagues in both parties to remember her legacy and “…stop thinking politically as Republicans and Democrats about elections and start thinking patriotically as Americans about national security based on individual freedom. It is high time that we all stopped being tools and victims of totalitarian techniques-techniques that, if continued here unchecked, will surely end what we have come to cherish as the American way of life.”
    More on former U.S. Senator Margaret Chase Smith can be found here. The original Declaration of Conscience speech transcript can be found here.
    The full transcript of Senator King’s floor speech from this afternoon is below.
    +++
    Mr. President,
    Almost 75 years ago, the junior Senator from Maine rose in this chamber to deliver a speech from her heart about a crisis then facing our country, a crisis not arising from a foreign adversary but from within.
    A crisis that threatened the values and ideals at the base of the American experiment. Senator Margaret Chase Smith’s ‘Declaration of Conscience’ turned out to be one of the most important speeches of the Twentieth Century and defined her for the ages as a person of extraordinary courage and principle. Here she is with her famous red rose which always wore on her lapel.
    Now, I should admit up front that I worked for the candidate Bill Hathaway who defeated Smith in 1972, but Smith and I made it up years later when I was producing a documentary on her life for Maine PBS. In fact, as we began the project, I was so worried that she might resent my having worked for her opponent, so I sent her a letter confessing my role in her last campaign.
    Her response was pure Margaret Smith:
    “Dear Angus King, it is perfectly alright with me that you once worked for Mr. Hathaway. Yours sincerely, Margaret Chase Smith.”
    Simple as that. In working together on the documentary, she shared some fascinating background on the famous speech, including that she drafted it by hand at her kitchen table in her hometown of Skowhegan, Maine over Memorial Day weekend of 1950.
    After returning to Washington a couple of days later, she steeled her resolve and headed to the Senate floor. As luck would have it, when she got in the trolly from the Russell building, there next to her sat Senator Joe McCarthy who was the subject of the speech.
    “Why are you looking so serious, Margaret?” he asked. “Because I’m on my way to make a speech, Joe, and you’re not going to like it.”
    Smith told me that she was so nervous about the speech and the breach it would make in her relationship with Senator McCarthy—this was the height of the Red Scare of the early fifties, remember—that she told her chief aide, Bill Lewis, who was up in the press gallery, not to hand out the copies of the speech to the press until she started speaking on the floor, because she was afraid she might lose her nerve.
    But she went through with it, and the rest is, quite literally, history.
    Here is how Margaret Chase Smith began that speech—
    “Mr. President, I would like to speak briefly and simply about a serious national condition. It is a national feeling of fear and frustration that could result in national suicide and the end of everything that we Americans hold dear. It is a condition that comes from the lack of effective leadership either in the legislative branch or the executive branch of our government.”
    Remember these are Margaret Chase Smith’s words 75 years ago. She continued,
    “I think that it is high time for the United States Senate and its members to do some real soul searching and to weigh our consciences as to the manner in which we are performing our duty to the people of America and the manner in which we are using or abusing our individual powers and privileges.”
    Later in the speech, here is one of her conclusions,
    “It is high time that we stopped thinking politically as Republicans and Democrats about elections and started thinking patriotically as Americans about national security based on individual freedom.”
    I think that’s very important Mr. President. She said,
    “It is high time that we stopped thinking politically as Republicans and Democrats about elections and started thinking patriotically as Americans about national security based on individual freedom. It is high time that we all stopped being tools and victims of totalitarian techniques – techniques that, if continued here unchecked, will surely end what we have come to cherish as the American way of life.”
    Senator Smith’s speech had plenty of criticism of the Democratic Administration of that time, but the real focus of her urgent plea to her colleagues was the actions of Senator Joseph McCarthy (whom she never mentioned by name) who had embarked upon an anti-communist crusade in a manner that threatened the principles of free speech and the rule of law embedded in our values as a nation—and in our Constitution. In other words it wasn’t McCarthy’s anti-communism she objected to, it was the manner in which he carried it out.
    Mr. President, I fear that we are at a similar moment in history. And while today’s ‘serious national condition’ is not involving the actions of one of our colleagues, it is involving those of the President of the United States.
    Echoing Senator Smith, today’s crisis should not be viewed as a partisan issue; this is not about Democrats or Republicans, or immigration or tax policy, or even the next set of elections; today’s crisis threatens the idea of America and the system of government that has sustained us for more than two centuries.
    Again, this is not about the President’s agenda (although yes, I disagree with most of it), it’s about the manner in which he is pursuing it—which includes ignoring the Constitution and the rule of law—and it’s this roughshod non-process that endangers all of us, his detractors and supporters alike.
    What’s at stake is simple and, in fact, was the driving force behind the basic design of our Constitution—the grave danger to any society is the concentration of power in one set of hands. 
    The paradox at the heart of the structure of any democratic government is that power is given to the government to protect and serve the people, but at the same time the people must be protected from that same power being used against them. Madison put it clearly in the 51st Federalist:
    “But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.”
    Precautions that go beyond regular elections. And the most important of those “auxiliary precautions” is the explicit separation of powers between the executive and the legislature, at the heart of our Constitution better known as checks and balances. My fear is this phrase has become such a cliche that we don’t recognize it as the fundamental premise of our Constitutional system.
    There’s nothing new about the recognition of the danger of concentrated power; the ancient Romans summed it up with a question: “Quis custodiet, ipsos custodes?” or “Who will guard the guardians?”
    Another way to put this is a universal principle of human nature, “All power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
    It’s important to emphasize that the danger I am describing isn’t based upon institutional jealousy, a loss of the prerogatives of the Senate, or the politics of Democrats and Republicans; it’s about the violation of the very deliberate division of power between the legislature and the executive which as I said is the heart of the Constitution. It’s there for a reason to see that power is not concentrated in one set of hands. It is the most important bulwark between our citizens and—let’s call it what it is—tyranny.
    Again, Madison warned us in no uncertain terms, this time in the 47th Federalist:
    “The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands . . . may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.” Madison’s word, “Tyranny.” And later in the same essay, “There can be no liberty where the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person.” 
    “There can be no liberty where the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person.”
    And yet, this “accumulation of all powers” is exactly what is happening today, before our very eyes. Although many in this body unfortunately seem determined to ignore it, deliberately ignore it, the evidence is everywhere: from the elimination of Congressionally-established agencies to the withholding of appropriated funds (an appropriations bill is a law, by the way. It is not a suggestion to the executive about where he or she should spend money, but a law) to issuing executive orders purporting to be law in place of legislation to sidestepping if not ignoring court orders:
    This President is engaged in the most direct assault on the Constitution in our history, and we in this body, at least thus far, are inert—and therefore complicit.
    It’s worth pausing for a moment to look at the terms of Article II which outlines the powers and responsibilities of the President. At the outset, it must be remembered that the Declaration of Independence was directed specifically at the depredations of the British King, and later, that the Framers had recently come through a brutal eight-year war against that same king. It is clear that a monarchy was exactly what the Framers were trying to avoid in the structure of the new government and it explains the limited powers granted to the President in Article II.
    So, let’s look at Article II. In light of this anti-monarchical intent, Article II only gives the President one-and-half unilateral powers—the power to issue pardons and the role of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in wartime, but even this latter is constrained by the reservation to the Congress of the power to declare war.
    With these two exceptions, all the other powers granted to the President—appointment of judges and federal officials, making treaties with other countries, vetoing legislation—are all bounded in some respect by the requirement of Congressional assent. I want to repeat, Article II is not a broad grant of authority to the president, it is anything but. It’s a restriction on the powers of the president.
    And here is the most important phrase in Article II. The principal responsibility of the President, however, is spelled out explicitly in Article II—the chief executive “shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.”
    It doesn’t say that only the laws he agrees with, or that he has any power whatsoever to make laws; his job is simply to execute the laws passed by Congress, without exception—a responsibility this President is spectacularly failing to meet. To take care that the laws be faithfully executed.
    And while this is the most serious breach of our Constitutional order, the Administration has also taken a series of apparently unconnected actions, which, taken together, spell out our rapid path toward one-man rule, or tyranny as Madison would say.
    In the style of the Declaration of Independence, here’s a partial list, only where the Declaration says “he” it’s referring to the King as the King of England; “he” as used in my list, however, refers to the President:
    He has enabled the random firing of personnel throughout the government without regard to the importance of the job or the qualifications of the individual, which has severely compromised the ability of the affected agencies to carry out the purposes Congress intended, the very antithesis of faithfully executing the laws; the very antithesis of faithfully executing the laws.
    He has enabled the dismemberment of agencies providing essential services to the American people, most particularly in the Social Security and Veterans Administrations, by people who literally don’t know what they are doing, again in violation of his responsibility to faithfully execute the laws creating those agencies and programs;
    He has systematically, early in the Administration, fired independent Inspectors General throughout the government—whose job it is to find fraud, corruption and malfeasance in agency programs—in clear violation of federal law and apparent intent to govern without constraints;
    He has used the power of the government to threaten, intimidate, and extort private law firms for the supposed offense of representing clients he doesn’t like, an exercise of governmental power nowhere found in the Constitution, and a clear violation of the very structure of our legal system;
    He has used the power of the government to threaten and intimidate former government officials based upon actions and statements with which he disagrees, thereby sending the message throughout the government that pleasing the President is more important than telling the truth. Again, he has no such power under the Constitution, and the result of this abuse of his office is the opposite of faithfully executing the laws;
    He has openly threatened media platforms—particularly television networks—with license revocation or other punishment for airing content he doesn’t like, in clear violation of the First Amendment, one of the fundamental bulwarks of our freedoms. For a president of the United States to threaten a media firm with revocation of their license or other forms of punishment for content he doesn’t like, that’s the antithesis of the First Amendment. The compromise of the free press has been a sign of incipient despotism throughout history—right up to the present day;
    He has used the power of the government (including the impoundment of Congressionally appropriated funds and threatening tax-exempt status) to threaten and intimidate private universities in order to force them to adopt policies to his liking, again, a power found nowhere in the Constitution, nowhere in Article II;
    He has enabled a national program of arrest and deportation of individuals in this country with no due process whatsoever, and even when it is admitted that at least one such individual was sent to a foreign prison by mistake, he has refused to make any effort to return that person to his home despite court orders—including an unanimous order of the United States Supreme Court—that he do so; this entire process is a violation of the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments and certainly isn’t consistent with his obligation to faithfully execute the laws.
    He has openly suggested the possibility of sending U.S. citizens to a foreign prison for undefined crimes, thereby placing them outside the reach of our criminal justice system, including the Constitutionally guaranteed right to counsel;
    He has abused the limited powers delegated to him by Congress in connection with tariffs and trade by declaring emergencies where none exist and single-handedly plunging our economy into chaos and risk of inflation, unemployment, and possible recession—a perfect example of the dangers of one-man rule. The Constitution specifically delegates to the congress in Article I, Section VII, Clause III, the power over trade and commerce among Nations. Congress delegated that power to the president under certain limited circumstances, that of an emergency, not that a president can define an emergency however he wants. I live in Maine. We are on the border of Canada. There is no emergency that justifies the imposition of tariffs with Canada. If he wants to propose a tariff against Canada, Britain, or any other country, he should come here because that’s our responsibility. We should debate it and chances are we would come up with a more rational solution than the one the made several weeks ago;
    He has attempted to cut off funds to a single state—my own—because he took personal umbrage at our Governor’s refusal to bend to his policy preference which was inconsistent with the law of our state. Our Governor’s position was not on the issue of trans-athletes, it was on the issue of state and local control. The basic bedrock of our representative form of government.
    Tellingly, during that exchange, he said, “We are the law,” a statement more suitable to a king and one which is wholly inconsistent with our form of government. By the way, Mr. President, an Executive Order is not law despite what the President seems to think. This “We are the Law” comment is a clear statement of an intent to govern as a sovereign without regard to the Constitution or the rule of law;
    In a field that I have some special knowledge of, he has compromised national security by dismantling those agencies charged with defending our nation against the clear and present danger of cyber-attacks and firing many of those individuals—with no stated cause—who are best suited to mount such a defense;
    He has further compromised national security by alienating our allies with his unlawful and indiscriminate imposition of tariffs which has severely undermined confidence in our country, again acting far in excess of the limited power over trade delegated by Congress. Mr. President, I have served for the past 12 years on Intelligence and Armed Services, and I have come to realize that our asymmetric advantage in the world is allies. China has customers, we have allies. To alienate our allies, without good reason, with no emergency, with no consultation with congress, with no consultation with the Foreign Affairs committee, with no consultation with anybody as far as I can tell, is a serious compromise of our national security, both in terms of our intelligence capabilities, but also who will come our aid in a time of trouble
    Mr. President, this is not a complete list, but it does present a disturbing and dangerous pattern—that this President is attempting to govern as a monarch, unbound by law or Constitutional restraint, not as a President subject to the constraints of the Constitution and the rule of law.
    Again, this not about his policies—whether they be mass deportations or trans athletes, trade and tariffs, or the appropriate levels of staffing in the federal government—no, the issue before us—and we can no longer avoid it—is the manner in which he is pursuing those policies which violates both the spirit and the express terms of our founding document.
    And again, this is not about observing the boundaries prescribed by the Constitution just to check the appropriate boxes; this is about observing those boundaries to protect ourselves and our people from the abuse that inevitably—inevitably—flows from the unbridled concentration of power.
    To those who like the policies of the President and are therefore willing to ignore the unconstitutional means of effectuating them, I (and history) can only say, watch out:
    Today, the target may be the undocumented or federal workers, but tomorrow (perhaps under a different King-President), it could be you.
    Once this power is concentrated into one set of hands, it’s going to be very difficult to get it back and it can turn that power against anybody who displeases the monarch. So what can we do? What are the guardrails and how can we buttress and support them?
    The first guardrail is the Congress itself, the part of our government actually empowered to define policy, appropriate funds, and oversee the actions of the executive. But unfortunately, the majority in Congress has thus far wholly abdicated these fundamental responsibilities and, thus far, has shown little inclination to even recognize the danger, let alone take action to confront it.
    We could reclaim our power, however, by pulling back the trade authority (there’s a bill to do that), instituting vigorous oversight of the activities of DOGE to determine to what extent their actions compromise congressional intent, or holding the President’s nominees and his prized tax bill until he ceases his attempts to make policy unilaterally, including impounding congressionally authorized and appropriated funds. 
    You know, do our job.
    The second guardrail is the courts which are generally holding up their end of the Constitutional bargain, but they read the press just as we do and need to know that we are ready to reassume our powers and responsibilities. As easy as it may be for us to rely entirely on the courts to save us, that’s a cop-out; reclaiming power must be a joint project.
    The final guardrail is the people, who more and more are speaking up—in rallies, in correspondence with us, in town meetings, and in conversations at the grocery store.
    But their only real power, the midterm elections, don’t happen for 19 months, and in the meantime, the burden falls back to us.
    I don’t think we have 19 months; given what’s happened in the first 100 days, we need to act now, before the awesome power of the United States’ government is consolidated into one set of hands. When that happens, there may be no going back. 
    No, we can’t escape the responsibility of our oath. Each of us swore, swore mind you, to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic;” [and that we would] “bear true faith and allegiance to the same.” The same being the Constitution.
    Clearly, the Framers knew there might someday be “domestic” enemies of the Constitution and made it our sacred obligation to defend the Constitution from them.
    (I should mention that Joe McCarthy primaried Senator Smith a few years after her speech as punishment to standing up to him, but to no avail, she cruched her opposition and won going away).
    So, with thanks to Margaret Chase Smith for her example and inspiration, this is my ‘Declaration of Conscience.’ I don’t relish this moment, but feel I have no choice but call out the clear implications—and dangers—of what is happening.
    What is happening day by day before our eyes; to do otherwise, to keep silent, would be to compromise what I have believed about our country since my first civics class in high school and, at about the same time, when I watched my dad risk his career to fight for justice and the rule of law. 
    And so, here I stand.
    Abraham Lincoln came to the Congress in the midst of the Civil War—at a time when our forebears—like us—were reluctant to face the responsibilities that had been thrust upon them. At that critical moment, this is what Abraham Lincoln said:
    “Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this Administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation.”
    Mr. President, I deeply hope that in the midst of our fiery trial, we will choose honor—and the Constitution.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Gomez Hosts Virtual Roundtable with Social Media Creators and Influencers, Pushes for Better Federal Support

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

    Gomez pushes for better support for content creators and connects with gaming and digital influencers to reach young Americans

    LOS ANGELES, CA — Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) today hosted a virtual roundtable with digital creators, influencers, and leaders in the gaming and anime space to discuss the growing role of the creator economy in shaping culture, driving innovation, and empowering young people. The conversation focused on financial security for creators, digital entrepreneurship, and educational opportunities through gaming to reach out to people aged 18–24. Gomez is also pushing the Small Business Administration (SBA) to better support content creators through better access to loans, tax resources, and protections for intellectual property.

    Participants included creators and influencers like Kenny Williams Jr., Angelina Darrisaw, David Echeverria, Ilan Shapiro, Ryan Johnson, John Cash, DJ Squid, and Bethany Simpson — representing millions of followers across platforms.

    “Content creators aren’t just building audiences — they’re building businesses, creating jobs, and driving a $250 billion economy,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez. “We need small business programs that match that reality — not policies that make it harder for entrepreneurs to succeed.”

    “Representative Gomez isn’t just showing up — he’s leading the way,” said Michael Ceraso, an organizer and advocate with Winning Margins who moderated and invited creators to the event. “At a time when most politicians are scrambling to catch up with the digital world, Rep. Gomez is already building real partnerships with creators and pushing for the federal support they deserve. He understands that creators are small business owners, educators, and cultural leaders — and he’s fighting to make sure policy reflects that. This gathering wouldn’t have happened without his vision and commitment.”

    Ryan Johnson — founder and CEO of Cxmmunity Media, a company focused on eSports and video game career development for students of color — spoke about empowering creators, especially students at HBCUs. Rep. Gomez reflected on how platforms like Twitch and YouTube are shaping public opinion and stressed the importance of Democrats engaging directly with digital communities and young Americans.

    “Our company’s claim to fame is that we started the nation’s first eSports and video game league for HBCUs,” said Ryan Johnson, Founder and CEO of Cxmmunity Media. “We’ve been trying to find more strategic ways to not only tell stories but help and empower these creators to use their voices.”

    Rep. Jimmy Gomez represents LA, a global hub for the digital creator economy. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, he has been vocal about modernizing the tax code and small business support systems to meet the needs of today’s entrepreneurs. Today’s discussion builds on Rep. Gomez’s January listening session with leading social media influencers, held just days before a potential TikTok ban.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Pfluger: Texas values are no longer under siege — they’re leading the way.

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)

    President Trump’s First 100 Days: Delivering for America and Restoring Texas Values

    When President Donald J. Trump took the oath of office exactly one hundred days ago, he vowed to usher in the “Golden Age of America.” Given the chaos President Biden left behind—open borders, soaring inflation, weakened energy independence, and a nation divided—this was no small promise. It is now one hundred days into his second term, and President Trump is turning campaign promises into measurable outcomes. With a Republican Congress working in tandem, we have begun reversing the damage done under the previous administration and laying the groundwork for a stronger, safer, and more self-reliant America.

    These first 100 days have made one thing abundantly clear: under Republican leadership, commonsense is being restored, and the American people are once again being prioritized. Change is never easy, but President Trump’s willingness to shake up a broken system has already produced tangible, meaningful victories and has set the tone for where we are going. Illegal border crossings have dropped to historic lows, energy production is surging in the Permian Basin, and Texas values are no longer under siege—they’re leading the way.

    Border security, in particular, stands as one of the most dramatic turnarounds from the Biden administration years. In contrast to President Biden’s border policies that enabled drug cartels, traffickers, and violent criminals to flood across our southern border, bringing deadly fentanyl and chaos with them, President Trump has taken immediate action to reestablish control and restore rule of law. Illegal border encounters have declined by 95%, known daily “gotaways” have dropped 99%, and over 21 million fentanyl pills have been seized. Construction of the border wall has resumed, the Remain in Mexico policy has been reinstated, and over 150,000 illegal immigrants—including gang members from MS-13 and Tren de Agua—have been arrested.

    Furthermore, the passage of the Laken Riley Act, the first piece of legislation signed into law this term, reflects a renewed commitment to American safety and accountability. Texas certainly bore the brunt of the prior administration’s lax border policies, but thankfully, we no longer face that burden alone. With President Trump back in office, Washington is finally acting like a partner again, not an obstacle. It is ironic that President Biden once said only Congress could fix the border—turns out we just needed a president who cared enough to try.

    Beyond securing the border, the Trump administration and Republican Congress have wasted no time unleashing America’s energy potential. On day one, President Trump declared a national energy emergency and immediately set to work undoing the regulatory mess imposed by the Biden administration. In partnership with Congress, the White House has reinstated oil and gas production on federal lands, revived the Keystone XL pipeline, axed the job-killing natural gas tax, and cut the permitting timeline for new projects to just under a month.

    As the representative for Texas-11 and the Permian Basin, I’ve seen firsthand how these changes can bring stability to producers and relief to consumers. I also know it is imperative to work in lockstep with industry on these issues to produce the best energy outcomes. My bill to repeal the Biden-era natural gas tax, the second piece of legislation signed into law this Congress, was the direct outcome of my work with industry leaders and helps codify President Trump’s actions to ensure that future energy policy supports, rather than punishes, those who power the nation.

    Stable, pro-growth energy policy isn’t just an economic issue—it’s a geopolitical imperative. A predictable regulatory framework gives our companies the confidence to invest, hire, and expand, while reducing our dependence on foreign adversaries. That’s why we’re fighting to codify these reforms into law—to ensure long-term policy that supports American energy independence regardless of who occupies the White House.

    These first 100 days have been about more than just a policy shift—they’ve been a course correction. In 2024, voters sent a clear message: They wanted an end to the progressive ideological nonsense and a return to practical governance rooted in American values. We are delivering on that mandate.

    The past administration attempted to govern by progressive fiat—undermining parental rights, blurring the lines between men and women in public spaces and athletics, stripping God and faith from our ideology, and more—but American voters, and especially Texans, never accepted that trajectory as inevitable.

    As a seventh-generation Texan, I deeply believe that Texas is the best place to live and raise a family and that our way of life must be protected from political overreach. This belief inspired me to run for Congress and fuels my work every day. I am passionate about protecting the Texas way of life for the next generation, and I’m proud to be doing that alongside a President who shares our priorities.

    Much remains to be done—but the turnaround is underway. God bless Texas-11, and God bless the United States of America.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: On the eve of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, Dmitry Chernyshenko met with volunteers from the Zaporizhia region

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmytro Chernyshenko, as part of a working visit to the city of Melitopol in the Zaporizhia region, held a meeting with representatives of the 80th Anniversary of Victory volunteer corps and activists of the “Volunteers of Victory” movement at the Youth Center. The event was also attended by the Governor of the Zaporizhia region Yevhen Balitsky.

    The meeting took place in the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland and on the eve of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The Deputy Prime Minister discussed with the volunteers their participation in the preparation for the celebration, assistance to veterans, and the projects that the guys plan to implement.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized the importance of the volunteer movement in the country and noted the contribution of volunteers to preserving historical memory and supporting veterans.

    He spoke about his personal involvement in the creation of the volunteer movement in Russia and its role in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

    “Now volunteers have even more responsibility on their shoulders. You are helping our country cope with the difficulties its residents are facing. I would like to thank you for giving the most precious thing you have, an irreplaceable resource – time. I am sure that by giving, you also get satisfaction from what you do, you feel a sense of involvement in a great cause. And the only way to repay volunteers in a good way is recognition,” he added.

    At the Youth Center, the Deputy Prime Minister got acquainted with the eco-workshop, the creative project “Art-Yug”, the work of the regional headquarters “We are together”, the media studio and the center for preparation for the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory. Since the opening of the Youth Center, about 12 thousand people have taken part in its events.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko also visited a number of sports and educational facilities in Melitopol, where significant transformations took place with the support of the Government.

    One of them, the Spartak stadium, is being built practically from scratch. The first stage of work has been completed, and the second stage will begin soon – the arrangement of stands, installation of lighting poles, installation of video surveillance and utility networks. It is expected that the Spartak stadium will become one of the largest football grounds in Donbass and Novorossiya.

    The Deputy Prime Minister spoke with the young football players and presented his team with a certificate for the development of the material and technical base.

    “This year, declared the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland, we are approaching a significant date – May 9. Every family keeps the memory of their grandfathers and great-grandfathers who fought for their native land. Today, our brothers continue this fight in the special military operation zone. We remember and honor their feat. As a sign of support and respect, we have brought you a gift that we hope will help you in your training. We wish you to grow up to be strong athletes, achieve success in the Russian Football Premier League and take worthy places,” he said.

    In addition, Dmitry Chernyshenko met with the students of the Children’s and Youth Sports School No. 1 and presented the team with a certificate for the purchase of sports equipment and gear.

    The school was launched in September last year by President Vladimir Putin.

    “In less than a year, a major overhaul of the building and premises was carried out here: the gyms, locker rooms, showers, utility rooms were completely renovated, the ventilation was replaced, a new fire-fighting system and new sports equipment were installed. The territory was also improved. More than 6 thousand children are involved in the system of children’s and youth sports schools of the region, and this number is constantly growing. Only at the Melitopol Youth Sports School No. 1, about a thousand children are involved in sports,” said the governor of the Zaporizhia region, Yevgeny Balitsky.

    At Melitopol State University (MelSU), Dmitry Chernyshenko assessed the progress of major repairs. The comprehensive program for modernizing MelSU infrastructure includes academic buildings, student dormitory buildings, gyms, canteens, a library, boiler houses and other facilities. By September 1, 2025, it is planned to complete major repairs of four academic buildings.

    “More than 13 thousand students receive higher education at Melitopol State University, last year more than 5.5 thousand students from 73 regions of Russia entered MelSU, which once again demonstrates the demand and development of education in the Zaporizhzhya region, which is fully integrated into the educational field of the Russian Federation,” added Evgeniy Balitsky.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko presented Melitopol University with a certificate for the purchase of printing equipment. The Deputy Prime Minister laid flowers at the monuments to Hero of the Soviet Union Nikolai Malyuga and twice Hero of Socialist Labor Dmitry Motorny.

    In Melitopol, Dmitry Chernyshenko also got acquainted with the multimedia historical park “Russia – My History”. He paid special attention to the exhibition dedicated to the celebration of Victory Day.

    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 Russia: Dmytro Chernyshenko: New educational and sports infrastructure is being created in the Kherson region with the support of the Government

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    “We pay special attention to new regions. President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin emphasizes that a comprehensive program for their socio-economic development is one of our nationwide, most important priorities. This applies to all areas, including education and science. In the Kherson region, with the support of the Government, new educational and sports infrastructure is being restored and created. More than 17 thousand students study at regional universities. About 4.5 thousand budget places have been allocated for the upcoming academic year. Vladimir Vasilievich, a new admissions campaign will start soon, I ask you to personally monitor its progress,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    Students of the region are actively involved in scientific and educational activities and implement various projects. Youth laboratories operate in the region. Colleges of the Kherson region participate in the championship movement “Abilympics” and the championship “Professionals”.

    During the meeting, the topic of youth policy in the region was also discussed.

    “A new youth center will be opened this year under the “Region for the Young” program. The volunteer movement is actively developing in the Kherson region, with more than 7,000 people involved. The guys are great, they work in the regional center of the 80th anniversary of Victory, actively helping the participants of the SVO and their families,” the vice-premier said.

    Special attention in the Kherson region is currently paid to the development of sports infrastructure. This year, five open physical culture and health complexes for practicing various sports will be created in the subject, a martial arts center and a modular hall for table tennis are also being built, and sports facilities are being equipped with equipment.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko said that the Government, together with the region, will continue to restore and create infrastructure, and noted the important role of Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin in this process.

    The Kherson region will also receive support within the framework of the national project “Tourism and Hospitality”. Funds have been allocated for this from the federal budget.

    “The support provided by the Government of the Russian Federation, personally by President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Dmitry Nikolaevich Chernyshenko, is of great importance for the Kherson region. Thanks to our joint work, we are restoring educational institutions, creating new opportunities for young people, developing sports and tourism. This is a serious contribution to the future of the region and strengthening its socio-economic potential. I am confident that together we will achieve all the goals set,” said the governor of the Kherson region.

    In the village of Schastlivtsevo, Dmitry Chernyshenko and Vladimir Saldo assessed the progress of construction of the branch of the Tavrida art cluster, which should become a center of attraction for creative youth. The work is planned to be completed by the summer of 2025.

    “This facility will become a year-round educational center for the youth of Russia’s historical regions. More than 50 buildings will accommodate over 300 participants – future creators, leaders, and professionals,” Vladimir Saldo emphasized.

    The national project “Youth and Children” and the Rosmolodezh programs implemented in the Kherson region were discussed at the site of the branch of the art cluster “Tavrida”.

    In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Governor took part in the opening of the renovated acrobatics hall of the children’s and youth sports center. The facility was renovated on the instructions of the head of state and with the support of the Government.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko assessed the renovated premises, presented the Center with a certificate for equipment, watched the performances of the students, and also talked with young athletes and coaches. The Deputy Prime Minister, among other things, spoke about the preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and the sports facilities in Sirius and recalled the goal set by President Vladimir Putin – to increase the share of Russians systematically involved in physical education and sports to 70% by 2030.

    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-Evening Report: Renewables, coal or nuclear? This election, your generation’s energy preference may play a surprising role

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magnus Söderberg, Professor & Director, Centre for Applied Energy Economics and Policy Research, Griffith University

    Christie Cooper/Shutterstock

    In an otherwise unremarkable election campaign, the major parties are promising sharply different energy blueprints for Australia. Labor is pitching a high-renewables future powered largely by wind, solar, hydroelectricity and batteries. The Coalition wants more gas and coal now, and would build nuclear power later.

    So how might these two competing visions play out as Australia goes to the polls this Saturday?

    Research shows clear generational preferences when it comes to producing electricity. Younger Australians prefer renewables while older people favour coal and gas. The one exception is nuclear power, which is split much more on gender lines than age – 51% of Australian men support it, but just 26% of women.

    While many voters are focused squarely on the cost of living, energy prices feed directly into how much everything costs. Research has shown that as power prices rise, the more likely it is an incumbent government will be turfed out.

    Coal, renewables or nuclear?

    About half of young Australians (18–34) want the country powered by renewables by 2030, according to a 2023 survey of energy consumers. Only 13% of the youngest (18–24) group think there’s no need to change or that it’s impossible. But resistance increases directly with age. From retirement age and up, 29% favour a renewable grid by 2030 while 44% think there’s no need or that it’s impossible.

    On nuclear, the divide is less clear. The Coalition has promised to build Australia’s first nuclear reactors if elected, and Coalition leader Peter Dutton has claimed young people back nuclear. That’s based on a Newspoll survey showing almost two-thirds (65%) of Australians aged 18–34 supported nuclear power.

    But other polls give a quite different story: 46% support for nuclear by younger Australians in an Essential poll compared to 56% support by older Australians. A Savanta poll put young support at just 36%.

    There’s a gender component too. The demographic most opposed to nuclear are women over 55.

    Younger voters remain strongly committed to environmental goals – but they’re also wary of cost blowouts and electricity price rises. Some see nuclear as a zero emissions technology able to help with the clean energy transition.

    Older Australians are more likely to be sceptical of nuclear power. This is likely due to nuclear disasters such as Chernobyl as well as the prospect of nuclear war during the Cold War.

    It’s an open question how robust support for nuclear would be if the Coalition was elected and began the long, expensive process of construction. New findings by the National Climate Action Survey shows almost 40% of Australians would be “extremely concerned” if a nuclear power plant was built within 50 kilometres of their homes and another 16% “very concerned”.

    These energy preferences aren’t just found in Australia. In recent research my co-authors and I found a clear divide in Sweden: younger favour renewables and nuclear, older favour fossil fuels. Why the difference? Sweden already gets about 40% of its power from nuclear, while renewables now provide about 40% of Australia’s power.

    We found younger Swedes strongly favoured renewables – but also supported nuclear power, especially when electricity prices rose. That is because nuclear is perceived to stabilise the supply of electricity. They wanted clean energy, as long as it was reliable and affordable. Our study found older people were not necessarily pro-fossil fuels, but were more focused on keeping energy affordable – especially for businesses and industry.

    When electricity prices rose in Sweden, our survey respondents broadly became less concerned about climate change and more likely to be favourable to nuclear energy.

    In Australia, the cost of the clean energy transition has crept up. While solar and wind offer cheap power once built, there are hidden costs.

    If electricity prices keep rising, we should expect to see declining support for the clean energy transition.

    Overcoming the energy divide

    During Australia’s decade-long climate wars from roughly 2012 to 2022, climate change was heavily politicised and energy became a political football. Under a Coalition government in 2014, Australia became the first nation to abolish a carbon tax.

    Labor took office in 2022 pledging to end the climate wars and fast-track the clean energy transition. But the Coalition has opened up a new divide on energy by proposing nuclear power by the 2040s and more gas and coal in the meantime.

    This election, the cost of living is the single biggest issue for 25% of voters in the ABC’s Vote Compass poll. But climate change is still the main concern for about 8% of voters, energy for 4% and the environment 3.5%. Here, Coalition backing for fossil fuels and nuclear may attract some older and younger voters but repel others. Labor’s renewable transition may attract younger voters but lose older energy traditionalists.

    Energy preferences could play out through a cost of living lens. Parties pushing too hard on green policies this election risk alienating older voters concerned about rising costs. But going nuclear would be very expensive, and keeping old coal plants going isn’t cheap. Downplaying climate action or dismissing nuclear outright could alienate some younger Australians, who are climate-conscious and energy-savvy.

    Policymakers should resist framing energy as a zero-sum game. There is a path forward which can unite generations: coupling ambitious climate targets with pragmatic policies to protect consumers. Transitional supports such as energy rebates, time-of-use pricing or community-scale renewables and batteries can soften any economic impact while building public trust.

    Our research suggests electricity price rises can quickly erode support even for well-designed energy policies.

    As Australia navigates a complex and costly transition, keeping both younger and older generations on board may be the greatest political – and moral – challenge of all.

    Magnus Söderberg 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. Renewables, coal or nuclear? This election, your generation’s energy preference may play a surprising role – https://theconversation.com/renewables-coal-or-nuclear-this-election-your-generations-energy-preference-may-play-a-surprising-role-253832

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: University of San Diego Women’s Volleyball Team Joins U.S. Attorney’s Office and City Attorney’s Office to Launch Fentanyl Awareness Campaign

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – The U.S. Attorney’s Office, San Diego City Attorney’s Office and Olé Foundation for the University of San Diego today launched a social media campaign featuring members of USD’s women’s volleyball team to promote fentanyl awareness and overdose prevention. The campaign coincides with the fourth annual National Fentanyl Awareness Day on April 29.

    The goal of this joint effort is to raise awareness of the dangers of fentanyl, to reduce accidental use or overdose, and in the event of an overdose, to educate students on how to save lives in an emergency.

    “These student athletes are terrific ambassadors for the messages of fentanyl awareness and prevention,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon, “We are making progress every day in preventing accidental fentanyl poisonings, and we are grateful for such committed partners like the City Attorney’s Office and the University of San Diego knowing that their actions will help save lives.”

    “Fentanyl continues to claim lives across our communities, and awareness is one of the most powerful tools we have to fight back,” said City Attorney Heather Ferbert. “We’re proud to partner with the Department of Justice and the University of San Diego’s student athletes to share life-saving information. By working together, we can help prevent tragedy and protect our community”.

    The student athletes are showcased in a video filmed at various locations on USD’s campus, each reciting a line about the dangers of fentanyl, recognizing the signs of an overdose, and the importance of naloxone (also known by the brand name Narcan).

    Naloxone is an opioid overdose reversal medication, available either as a nasal spray or an injector. Many pharmacies carry naloxone. In California, you can get naloxone from a pharmacist without a prescription. It is also possible to get naloxone from community-based distribution programs, local public health groups, or local health departments, free of charge. For more information about naloxone and how to get training on using it, visit: Naloxone Information.

    In the public service announcements, the student athletes state the following:

    Winning at the Division One level takes a lot of skill, a team committed to excellence, and maybe a little luck.

    Because I know some of us have our superstitions

    I must have this meal before every game

    I always put my left shoe on before my right shoe

    But the one thing I will not do is try my luck with a pill that I didn’t get at a pharmacy

    That’s because what you might think are common medicines like Adderall, Xanax, or Percocet

    Could contain a deadly amount of fentanyl

    Taking drugs is a risk that we just won’t take.

    Fentanyl doesn’t care about the win or the loss. It doesn’t care about your age. It doesn’t care about your family, teammates, or friends. It doesn’t care if you get lucky the first time.

    As a student athlete, I know I set an example to those around me, on our team and in our community.

    Know what Narcan is, and how to use it – or know who to call to get help.

    And know what those overdose signs are, like someone you can’t arouse, snoring sounds, shortness of breath, vomiting or turning blue. You have the power to keep our community safe.

    We here at USD are all members of the same team.

    And safety isn’t about luck, it’s about knowledge and prevention.

    Just remember, if you are ever in doubt, call 911.

    Let’s take luck out of it

    We are teaming up to save lives from fentanyl

    Because as a USD Torero, we know it takes a team.

    This campaign uses the hashtags #TakesMoreThanLuck #ItTakesATeam. The social media public service announcement can be found here.

    The campaign is being deployed over social media platforms, including Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, LinkedIn, and YouTube, by the individual student-athletes, the Department of Justice, the University of San Diego Athletic Department, and other coalition members.

    This is the third time that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the City Attorney’s Office have teamed up to feature student athletes in partnership with an NIL collective. For this social media campaign, the offices partnered with the Olé Foundation at USD, which is dedicated to empowering student-athletes by providing education, resources, and guidance to navigate the evolving landscape of NIL opportunities. The department helps scholar-athletes maximize their personal brand, ensuring they make informed decisions while maintaining integrity and balancing their academic and athletic commitments. Through strategic partnerships, mentorship, and compliance support, the department prepares student-athletes for success in the NIL space and beyond.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the City Attorney’s Office have previously partnered with the SDSU women’s soccer team, Aztec Link, the SDSU men’s basketball team and their NIL collective, the MESA Foundation, to create similar public service announcements and media campaigns that at the time were the first such collaborations of their kind. The campaigns have since received over a million impressions.

    Additional fentanyl prevention resources can be found at San Diego County’s Community & Parent Toolkits, which are available in both English and Spanish.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office’s participation in the social media campaign with USD’s NIL Department is not an endorsement of any product, service, or enterprise associated with the department.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Outlining Turmoil Created in First 100 Days Under Trump

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today outlined the turmoil created under President Trump’s first 100 days in office, warning that his administration’s retaliatory policies, deep federal cuts and unilateral tariffs are poised to negatively impact New York’s economy, the environment and hard working families. Last week, New York State joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of President Trump’s global tariffs. According to independent estimates, Trump’s tariffs will cost the State’s economy more than $7 billion, result in more than 280,000 jobs lost and hit New York families with an average cost increase of $6,400. New York has also led the fight to protect federal funding from cuts and disruptions that are impacting more than $1.3 billion in federal funding for New York and has successfully challenged in court the Trump Administration’s global funding freeze, as well as cuts to the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other critical federal agencies.

    “The first 100 days of the Trump Administration have been rife with chaos and uncertainty, from on-again, off-again tariffs to cuts to vital programs, New Yorkers are paying the price,” Governor Hochul said. “President Trump promised relief from inflation and his policies are making life harder, chaotic and more expensive for working class New Yorkers while slashing the very services they rely on.”

    Implications for New Yorkers during President Trump’s First 100 Days Include:

    • More than $1.3 billion in cuts to funding for State programs so far with more expected, in addition to the funding cuts to local governments, universities and other organizations delivering critical services to New Yorkers
    • Massive fluctuation in the stock market from ever changing tariff policies has shrunk 401(k)s and 529 college savings plans, and is expected to increase cost of living for New Yorkers by thousands of dollars
    • Manufacturers and small businesses are reeling from severe cost hikes on some products due to tariffs, leading them to leave shipments in customs or cancel orders
    • Canadian and European travel to New York has dropped and hotel stays and trips in regions such as the North Country and Western New York have been cancelled
    • The pause of construction of Empire Wind, which will have a profound impact on jobs and energy production
    • Cutting millions in funding that allows school districts and food banks to buy produce from local farmers who rely on their purchases
    • Three Social Security Administration offices closed in New York
    • Eliminated every person in the office that manages a program helping over 1 million New Yorkers pay their heating and cooling bills
    • Cuts to the NIH paused the critical research of a New York Scientist on Alzheimer’s treatments
    • Cut over $300 million in infrastructure funding for New York communities, threatening our public safety
    • Cutting the majority of federal AmeriCorps funding in New York, which supports approximately 1,500 AmeriCorps members working for non-profits and in low-income communities across the State

    PUBLIC SAFETY AND IMMIGRATION

    The Trump administration has revoked more than $325 million in vital resiliency funding from the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program and put $56 million more at risk, which will impact several critical infrastructure and community resilience projects in New York State.

    Additionally, DOGE is planning to cut up to 84 percent of staff from their Office of Community Planning and Development, which helps pay to rebuild homes and other recovery efforts after the country’s worst disasters such as Superstorm Sandy and Tropical Storms Lee and Irene.

    The Albany National Weather Service (NWS) Office was forced to suspend weather balloon launches due to staff shortages and budget constraints. This has impacted the ability of the NWS to provide twice-daily balloon launches, impacting the accuracy of weather forecasts.

    After Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained a Sackets Harbor mom and her children, Governor Hochul took action, engaging with the White House, Border Czar Tom Homan and local officials in an effort to bring the family back home. After 11 days in detention, the family was returned to Sackets Harbor.

    ECONOMY AND TOURISM

    The stock market has been unstable due to President Trump’s on-again, off-again tariff policy. This has caused retirees’ 401(k)s and students’ 529 savings plans to shrink. Additionally, consumer confidence plunged, to 50.8 percent in April from 71.7 percent in January. The dollar has weakened, falling to a three month low in April.

    The Governor has heard from small and mid-sized businesses across the State who are worried about rising costs and their future. A recent survey from the National Small Business Association found that the majority of small businesses are concerned about tariffs and one in three are very concerned. Examples include North Country manufacturer Alcoa, which took an estimated $20 million hit on imports from Canada, and North Country Golf Club which is facing declines in businesses due to the decline in tourism from Canada. In the Southern Tier, the Cortland Standard, which was in business for more than a century, has closed its doors, citing the expected 25 percent tariffs on paper as part of the decision.

    The Trump administration is cancelling the successful Manufacturers Extension Partnership (MEP) in several states. In New York, NY MEP centers generated $1.25 billion in economic impact, supported the creation or retention of nearly 6,300 jobs and served over 700 companies during the 2023 calendar year. This decision has raised widespread concern across the entire national network of MEP Centers, prompting fears about whether these initial cancellations are the first step in a broader effort to dismantle the program and eliminate federal funding for all 51 centers.

    Due to the tariff trade war with Canada, New York’s number one trade partner, and the rhetoric that Canada could be the “51st state,” impacts are widespread. Visitors from Canada are avoiding the U.S. and New York State. Overall, total bridge crossings between Eastern Ontario and New York State for March are down 23,000 compared to 2024, and at the lowest level since 2022. Additionally, Niagara River bridges traffic for February is down 14 percent and Thousand Islands Bridge crossings are down 19 percent.

    A survey of local businesses in the North Country found that 66 percent have already experienced a slight to significant decrease in Canadian bookings for 2025, and that 26 percent have already adjusted staffing levels in response to the decline.

    TRANSPORTATION

    President Trump’s Department of Transportation vowed to kill congestion pricing from day one of his administration, despite clear evidence that the program is working. The MTA reported that in March, traffic is down 13 percent, travel times have improved in key corridors within the Central Business District and it has increased revenue for the MTA that will result in improvements in the system.

    IMPACTS ON HARD WORKING FAMILIES

    President Trump has reduced the federal workforce by more than 120,000 people nationwide according to data compiled from CNN. In New York more than 1,200 federal workers have been forced to file for unemployment.

    The Trump administration has pledged to cancel the successful and free Direct File tax filing program. This program has already begun to make an impact in its first full year, with many New Yorkers saving nearly $300 per household in tax prep fees that could instead go toward groceries, gas, child care or rent.

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture slashed hundreds of millions of dollars in funding that helped schools buy food from local farms. The program sought to bring local produce to schools and child care facilities, giving schools the opportunities to purchase fresh foods and use smaller producers rather than rely on large corporations.

    The Trump Administration announced that half of all food shipments through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) would be canceled, resulting in a $500 million reduction in funding for food banks across the country. New York State could see a loss of around 16 million pounds of USDA foods in 2025 due to the TEFAP funding cuts, according to Feeding New York State.

    SSA field offices are closing, wait times for deserving seniors are increasing and sensitive and private personal data is in danger of being insecure.

    ENERGY

    The Trump Administration stopped construction on Empire Wind, putting thousands of construction jobs at risk and threatening to dismantle a project that when complete, will generate enough electricity to power about 500,000 homes in New York State.

    Funding has been suspended for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Funds. The NEVI program — passed as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — provides funding directly to states for installing public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, which, if implemented, will lower fuel costs for families, reduce U.S. dependence on fossil fuels and create construction jobs nationwide.

    President Trump has also threatened to roll back the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and repeal its tax credits. NYSERDA estimates a full repeal of the clean energy incentives could result in more than $20 billion in increased project costs and could cause significant project attrition.

    HOUSING

    At the direction of President Trump and DOGE, HUD staff has been decimated, imperiling the core functions of the agency that serve our communities, manage federally funded housing programs and assist housing development at a time of national crisis for housing. Funding has also been cut for organizations that fight housing discrimination across the country, while rolling back federal protections to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing.

    HUD has further announced it was ending four years early the Emergency Housing Voucher Program, a successful federal program to combat homelessness for more than 9,500 households across the State. The federal administration imperiling this funding will force these families, at last stably housed, back onto the street.

    The $1 billion Green and Resilient Retrofit Program that helps preserve affordable housing is being paused, threatening projects that keep tens of thousands of units livable for low-income Americans.

    HEALTH CARE

    The actions of the current administration threaten the health and safety of New Yorkers. New York State remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of all New Yorkers and promoting health equity.

    President Trump has endorsed the House’s budget resolution which includes over $1 trillion in cuts to critical safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP. Nearly 7 million qualifying New Yorkers are covered under Medicaid, including 2.5 million children, and 636,000 New Yorkers with disabilities. 2.9 million New Yorkers rely on SNAP for healthy food, including over 800,000 children.

    The Trump administration’s National Institute of Health (NIH) has cut grant funding to SUNY used to conduct research to cure diseases, keep our nation safe and grow our economy. The NIH’s sudden budget cuts will cost SUNY research an estimated $79 million on current grants, including more than $21 million over just the next five months that will immediately imperil the work of SUNY’s dedicated researchers by decimating the equipment, staff and services they rely on.

    The Trump Administration picked a top health official who has questioned the safety of vaccines and the use of fluoride in drinking water and claimed that autism was preventable. These views go against proven science and could lead to more diseases by making people doubt public health advice.

    The Administration has taken back important public health funding. This includes money for tracking disease, supporting vaccinations and helping vulnerable communities hit hardest by the pandemic. Without this funding, local health services must cut staff and scale back programs, especially in areas that need the most help.

    Hundreds of federal health workers have lost jobs, making it harder for both the federal government and states like New York to respond to health threats and deliver services like maternal care and disease control.

    New executive orders have removed federal support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs, harming efforts to ensure fair health care for women, LGBTQ+ people and communities of color. These actions affirm that the needs of these communities no longer matter to the federal government.

    In addition, with massive arbitrary cuts to federal agencies, the future of federal programs to help combat substance use disorder, heating and cooling assistance for low-income New Yorkers, and early childhood investment programs like Head Start remain in jeopardy.

    New York State remains committed to ensuring all New Yorkers have access to affordable, quality health care. Accordingly, the State rejects thinly veiled attacks on anyone who may not comport with the Trump Administration’s limited views of who is a person.

    EDUCATION

    President Trump vowed to eliminate the Department of Education, a crucial part of the federal government that supports kids, teachers and administrators right here in New York State. New York receives $5.5 billion annually from the Department of Education. Approximately $3.2 billion is routed through the State Budget and $2.3 billion is sent directly to local entities, primarily colleges and universities. This crucial funding supports Pell Grants for college students, money for kids with disabilities, programs that are supporting kids’ mental health, crucial research at our public higher education institutions and much more

    ENVIRONMENT & AGRICULTURE

    The Trump administration has taken aim through Executive Order at dismantling New York State’s strong environmental protections.

    Additionally, funding for the Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program has been slashed. While the Biden administration had indicated that $24 million would be available under the LFPA program (New York Food for New York Families), the Trump administration (USDA) has reversed and this next round of funding will no longer be available.

    More recently, New York State’s $60 million award for the New York Connects: Climate Smart Farms and Forests Program, which funds climate smart agriculture and forestry practices, was cancelled by USDA.

    USDA staff that assist farmers with implementing conservation programs, loans and other resources for their farms, have been laid off.

    Over 80 percent of agrochemical imports and 70 percent of farm machinery imports come from countries facing tariffs of 10 percent or more. Tariffs may slow down or halt on-farm expansion and modernization due to projected increases in equipment costs, with much of the stainless steel coming from abroad.

    Trade issues are having a compounding effect for dairy farmers — input costs are going up and the milk price relies on export markets. Tariffs and threats of trade disputes result in lost markets and lower milk prices. For example, the budget for a building project went from $85,000 to $106,000, due to tariffs on steel and aluminum, one farm had a $2,200 fee added to their bill for grain because it came from a Canadian feed mill and another farm is anticipating their bottom line to be 7-10 percent lower this year due to lower milk prices and tariffs on inputs, including feed, energy and building supplies.

    The ability of West Coast apple producers to export their product will play a key role in the price and demand for New York apples. If West Coast producers are not able to expand overseas markets, they will continue to flood East Coast markets and displace New York State fresh apples where they can undercut prices.

    Tariffs placed on equipment, largely coming from Canada, would increase producers’ costs of maple syrup production significantly and negatively impact profitability in the maple industry.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Funding for Playground Equipment Coming in Fall 2025

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on April 29, 2025

    The Government of Saskatchewan will invest $3.75 million annually to deliver a new program to help fund school playground equipment in communities throughout the province.

    As a result, up to $50,000 in matched funding will be available for schools to build a new playground or update existing equipment.

    “Our government recognizes that every child deserves a place to play,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Alana Ross said. “Parent groups are working hard alongside local school councils to build safe, accessible playgrounds for their kids. This funding will help make their job a little easier, while ensuring projects are completed sooner.”

    Administered in partnership with the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA), the School Playground Equipment Grant program is expected to start accepting applications in fall 2025.

    The SPRA is a non-profit dedicated to connecting, educating and inspiring parks and recreation providers to create parks and recreation spaces for the benefit of everyone, with its core operations funded by Sask Lotteries.  

    “We are proud to expand our partnership with the Government of Saskatchewan in the delivery of the School Playground Equipment Grant program,” Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association President Darcy McLeod said. “Playgrounds are crucial to child development and are foundational pieces of community infrastructure that support our health and wellbeing.”

    The criteria and guidelines will be announced closer to the application process, after engagement with stakeholders. It is estimated that approximately 75 projects will receive support each year.

    “It takes time to plan and develop a school playground,” Ross said. “The program will launch in just a few short months and we want communities to know work is underway so they can incorporate this new funding option into their planning process.”  

    Further details, including the specific date that applications open along with the program criteria will be announced once finalized in collaboration with SPRA.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: American Rebel (NASDAQ: AREB) to Host Strategic Board Meeting and Exclusive Dinner for Investors at Mar-A-Lago Following Unprecedented Successful Sponsorship at the American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at Charlotte Motor Speedway

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    American Rebel Light Beer was featured at the NHRA event, where thousands of attendees and a national television audience were exposed to America’s Fastest Growing Beer.

    Nashville, TN, April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) (“American Rebel” or the “Company”), creator of American Rebel Light Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) and a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of branded safes, personal security and self-defense products and apparel (americanrebel.com), will be holding an exclusive dinner at Mar-A-Lago tonight for its board of directors and a major investor group. This will be the second round of meetings this month at Mar-a-Lago, aka the “Winter White House,” where America’s Patriotic Beer brand has established a strong footprint among supporters of President Trump and those who love our great nation.

    Quote from CEO Andy Ross:

    “Hosting our esteemed Board of Directors, investment bankers, and key strategic investors at Mar-A-Lago in Florida is an honor and a pivotal opportunity for American Rebel Holdings, Inc. As we convene at the Winter White House, we are eager to discuss the strategic growth of American Rebel Light Beer. This event, following several preliminary planning meetings, presents a unique chance to accelerate and enhance our existing strategic plan to expand our distribution footprint and target customer base, particularly among NHRA fans. Our distribution expansion in 2025 continues to surpass expectations, setting the stage for sustained revenue growth and market share gains over the coming months and years.”

    This weekend’s American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway at the Charlotte Motor Speedway (charlottemotorspeedway.com) was broadcast nationally through FOX Broadcasting’s FS1. The event provided viewers with the experience of drag racing and additional exposure for American Rebel Light Beer. The NHRA’s partnership with FOX Sports ensures expanded coverage, bringing drag racing, and this weekend American Rebel Light Beer, to homes across the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean.

    American Rebel Light Beer – America’s Patriotic, God Fearing, Constitution Loving, National Anthem Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer was proud to be featured at this iconic event. Fans attending the race enjoyed cold American Rebel Light Beer while experiencing the unique four-lane racing format and pit access included with every ticket. For those watching from home, the FS1 broadcast showcased the adrenaline-pumping action, making it a weekend to remember.

    Continued Quote from CEO Andy Ross:

    “We are honored to have Tony Stewart Racing’s (tsrnitro.com) Matt Hagan, driver of the American Rebel Light Funny Car, give his insights to the group in Florida to continue to capture the momentum of American Rebel Light Beer within the NHRA (nhra.com). TSR Racing with Tony, Matt, and Leah combined with American Rebel Light Beer is a winning combination with the fans that we believe is creating long-term customers. We are thoroughly evaluating additional sponsorship and growth opportunities for American Rebel Light Beer, ensuring its continued success as America’s Patriotic Beer.”

    About American Rebel Light Beer

    Produced in partnership with AlcSource, American Rebel Light Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) is a premium domestic light lager celebrated for its exceptional quality and patriotic values. It stands out as America’s Patriotic, God Fearing, Constitution Loving, National Anthem Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.

    American Rebel Light is a Premium Domestic Light Lager Beer – All Natural, Crisp, Clean and Bold Taste with a Lighter Feel. With approximately 100 calories, 3.2 carbohydrates, and 4.3% alcoholic content per 12 oz serving, American Rebel Light Beer delivers a lighter option for those who love great beer but prefer a more balanced lifestyle. It’s all natural with no added supplements and importantly does not use corn, rice, or other sweeteners typically found in mass produced beers. For more information follow American Rebel Beer on all social media platforms (@americanrebelbeer).

    About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Light Beer. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit americanrebel.com and americanrebelbeer.com. For investor information, visit americanrebelbeer.com/investor-relations.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc.
    info@americanrebel.com
    ir@americanrebel.com

    American Rebel Beverages, LLC
    Todd Porter, President
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com

    Media Contact:
    Matt Sheldon
    Matt@PrecisionPR.co

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. American Rebel Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: AREB; AREBW) (the “Company,” “American Rebel,” “we,” “our” or “us”) desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “forecasts” “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include benefits of our strategic planning, marketing outreach efforts, actual placement timing and availability of American Rebel Beer, success and availability of the promotional activities, our ability to effectively execute our business plan, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BTCC Exchange Pioneers Bitcoin Donations at Successful Legends Golf Day Charity Event Hosted by Red Eagle Foundation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

    VILNIUS, Lithuania, April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BTCC, the world’s longest-serving crypto exchange, has redefined charitable giving at the Red Eagle Foundation’s Legends Golf Day by enabling, for the first time in the foundation’s history, Bitcoin donations that bypassed traditional financial constraints while raising substantial funds for disadvantaged children.

    The event, held on April 24, 2025 at The Shire London, marked a historic milestone as BTCC enabled the first-ever Bitcoin donation option for the Red Eagle Foundation, revolutionizing how attendees could contribute to charitable causes. Participants could easily donate Bitcoin through QR codes available throughout the venue, transcending traditional banking limitations.

    The event featured an impressive lineup of ten Tottenham Hotspur legends, including Glenn Hoddle, Teddy Sheringham, Ossie Ardiles, Pat Jennings, Paul Miller, Michael Hazard, John Pratt, David Howells, John Lacey, and Mark Falco. Professional golfer Lucy Robson challenged participants as the “Beat the Pro”, and Team Barrington James took home the championship.

    A highlight included Glenn Hoddle sharing stories from his illustrious career and offering insights on the current Tottenham Hotspur team in a Q&A session hosted by former Chelsea player and sports television pundit Scott Minto.

    “BTCC brings a whole new donation method to traditional charity events, allowing more people in need to benefit from the power of cryptocurrency,” said Aaryn, Head of Branding at BTCC Exchange.

    “As pioneers in the cryptocurrency space, we believe it’s our responsibility to use innovative technology to create positive social impact. We’re happy to provide continuous support to our partner Red Eagle Foundation and look forward to launching more CSR initiatives as our exchange grows,” Aaryn added.

    The successful introduction of cryptocurrency donations represents just the beginning of BTCC’s expanded commitment to social responsibility. The exchange plans to leverage blockchain technology to address various social challenges while continuing to support organizations like the Red Eagle Foundation that make a meaningful difference in society.

    As a token of appreciation for its loyal community, BTCC will also be launching a giveaway featuring a signed shirt by Glenn Hoddle. Supporters are encouraged to stay tuned for more details on the exchange’s X (Twitter).

    About BTCC Exchange

    Founded in 2011, BTCC is one of the most established cryptocurrency exchanges, providing secure and reliable crypto trading services. The exchange continues to innovate its services for its 7.04 million traders worldwide while maintaining a strong commitment to community service and corporate social responsibility.

    Official website: https://www.btcc.com/en-US

    X: https://x.com/BTCCexchange

    Media Contact: press@btcc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Academic Council discussed youth policy issues

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The meeting of the Academic Council began, as per tradition, with a pleasant ceremony of honoring the Polytechnicians and the university’s partners.

    For her significant contribution to the development of the university, the rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy awarded the commemorative badge “For Merit” to the federal inspector for St. Petersburg of the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Northwestern Federal District Tatyana Kubrakova.

    Then Andrey Ivanovich congratulated the graduate and postgraduate student of the Polytechnic University, assistant of the Higher School of Sports Pedagogy of the Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism, Honored Master of Sports of the Russian Federation, World and European Champion in short water Kirill Prigoda with a recent victory at the Russian Swimming Championship. The Polytechnician was the best in five distances: 50, 100, 200 meters breaststroke, in the 4×100 relay medley swimming and broke the Russian record. Kirill is the pride of the Polytechnic University, and given his great contribution to strengthening the positive image of the university, the Rector of SPbPU presented him with the main award of the university – the “For Merit” badge with special feeling.

    Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences diplomas were awarded to Igor Rovnin, a graduate of the Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism, deputy director of the private general education institution Gazprom School Saint Petersburg (academic supervisor – professor of the Higher School of Sports Pedagogy of SPbPU Alexander Bolotin) and senior lecturer of the Department of Foreign Languages Galina Borshchenko (academic supervisor – doctor of pedagogical sciences, professor Anna Rubtsova).

    Milana Zhavner received an associate professor’s certificate in the scientific specialty “Mechanical Science”.

    It’s time to honor the winners and prize winners of various competitions and contests. Winner of the Gazprom Neft League of Universities Award The SPbPU team won in the “Big Prospects” nomination, presenting an additional professional development program “Reverse Engineering of Oil Industry Enterprises”: Vice-Rector for Continuing and Pre-University Education Dmitry Tikhonov, Director of the Information Technology and Business Analysis Research Center “Gazprom Neft” Irina Rudskaya, Head of the Directorate of Continuing Education and Industry Partnership, Head of the Program Ivan Kurta, and Leading Analyst of the Directorate of Continuing Education and Industry Partnership Natalia Ivanova.

    The team of the Higher School of Media Communications and Public Relations of the Humanitarian Institute, consisting of Adelina Borodina, Aya Klimacheva, Vladislava Smelova, and Taisiya Temirova (project mentor – Director of the Higher School of Media Communications and Public Relations Marina Arkannikova), won in two nominations of the All-Russian competition of student works “Archer of the Future”.

    And the volunteer project “Polytech Gives Good” by students of the Higher School of Microbiology and Social Sciences Sofia Ryabinina and Elina Avakova took 1st place in the All-Russian competition “School of Volunteers”.

    L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (Kazakhstan) sent letters of gratitude to Polytechnic University teachers Natalia Chicherina, Maya Bernavskaya, Evgenia Tuchkevich and Evgenia Vorontsova for promoting fruitful educational and scientific cooperation, supporting scientific events and active participation in the international seminar “New paradigms of scientific research in the era of AI: opportunities and transformation of research practices”.

    The SPbPU Certificate of Honor for many years of conscientious work and high professionalism was awarded to the Head of the Quality Control Department, Maxim Dyuldin.

    For the first time in the history of the Polytechnic Military Training Center, for excellent academic performance, active civic position, initiative and diligence demonstrated in volunteer work and assistance to participants of the SVO, students of the communications department Grigory Aleksandrov (IMMiT) and Artem Tikhonravov (IEIT) received departmental awards of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation – the medal “Marshal of the Signal Troops Peresypkin”.

    Lecturer at the Institute of Secondary Vocational Education Tatiana Tsvetkova received two awards – gratitude from the Committee on Science and Higher Education “For conscientious work, great personal contribution to the development of the professional education system of St. Petersburg” and gratitude from the rector of SPbPU A. I. Rudskoy “For the successful organization and holding of the opening Museum of the History of the Development of Public Catering in St. Petersburg as part of the St. Petersburg government project “St. Petersburg cuisine”.

    At the international robot fighting championship RoboWars, which took place in the Indian city of Surat during the largest technology festival Mindbend and brought together more than 80 teams from different countries, the CML-team of the Student Design Bureau of the Advanced Engineering School “Digital Engineering” won – engineer of the Experimental Design Bureau of the SPbPU PISh Vsevolod Bolshakov and laboratory assistant of the Experimental Design Bureau of the SPbPU PISh Daria Kuatkhina. The guys also became winners in the individual competition “Battle of Robots – KRASHILOVO”, in which more than 40 teams from different regions of Russia participated.

    As always, the athletes pleased us with their success. The Polytechnicians became the first in the St. Petersburg student cheerleading competitions (thanks to students Marat Gainutdinov, Victoria Nechaeva, Arina Rakhmatulina and Margarita Senina)

    According to the results of the student karate competitions (VKF) within the framework of the St. Petersburg Student Sports Games 2025, Polytech won 1st place in the overall team standings. This is the merit of the coach of the Student Sports Club “Black Bears-Polytech” Elizaveta Orlova, as well as students Anastasia Vasilenko, Maria Luganskaya and Valery Kazantsev.

    The SPbPU hockey team also won the All-Russian final of the Student Hockey League championship and earned special congratulations from the SPbPU Academic Council.

    After the official ceremony, the Academic Council moved on to the agenda. Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Communication Technologies Maxim Pasholikov spoke about the implementation of youth policy at the university.

    “It is important that students from their first year begin to understand the values our university lives by, accept these values and leave the Polytechnic as spiritually mature people with the right life guidelines,” emphasized Maxim Pasholikov. “Our communities have always been the main actor in our youth policy. It is impossible to reach all 30 thousand students given the limited resources. That is why trade union organizations, the headquarters of student teams, the adapter movement, patriotic and sports clubs, creative associations that attract a large number of young people are important to us, and, accordingly, through them, through their leaders, we work with young people.”

    Maxim Aleksandrovich noted that the leaders of student associations in many cases become mentors for their younger comrades, and even after graduating from university, they return here as members of the alumni association and ambassadors of the Polytechnic University.

    The Vice-Rector noted that the SPbPU History Museum, creative semesters and last year’s innovation – musical changes on the White Staircase of the Main Academic Building – play an important role in the education and formation of students’ personalities.

    The number of visitors, projects and grants is also growing in the Polytechnic Tower. Work continues within the framework of the “We are together” campaign – for this the vice-rector separately thanked the Humanitarian Institute and the “Harmony” Center.

    Maxim Aleksandrovich drew the attention of the institute directors to the fact that the relevance of social and psychological assistance at the university has grown significantly.

    This year we managed to expand the staff of the Psychological Support Center; people are asking for help, and these are not just people who want to talk, but those who are really experiencing difficulties and problems, emphasized Maxim Pasholikov.

    Maxim Aleksandrovich spoke in detail about the events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, talking about the festive decoration of the campus, exhibitions, the ongoing project “Scientific Regiment” and the new video project “Memory of Glory Lives”, the play “Engineers of Victory” and the upcoming press conference at TASS about the new book “Polytech. Fortitude. 1941-1945”. As always, the inter-university military-patriotic rally “Syandeba” and “Family Victory Day” will be held in the Polytech Park on May 17, including the traditional run named after Hero of the Soviet Union Viktor Lyagin.

    The second issue on the agenda was the presentation of academic titles. By a majority of votes, the members of the SC voted to award the academic title of “professor” to Vladimir Sergeev (PhysMekh) and Alexey Flimonov (IEIT); the title of “associate professor” to Alexey Lukin (PhysMekh), Roman Burkovsky (IEIT), Alexey Grachev and Dmitry Masailo from IMMIT, Alexander Moskvichev (IBSS) and Elena Ladik (ISI).

    On the third issue, “On monitoring the implementation of decisions of the Academic Council,” the scientific secretary of SPbPU, Dmitry Karpov, made a report.

    Also, the members of the Academic Council unanimously supported the nomination of the assistant of the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan Albert Gilmutdinov for the award of the title of “Honorary Professor of SPbPU”.

    Photo archive

    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 Global: How Trump promotes a radical, unscientific theory about sex and gender in the name of opposing ‘gender ideology extremism’

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Ina Seethaler, Associate Professor and Director of Women’s and Gender Studies, Coastal Carolina University

    Sexual diversity has been documented in every species in the animal kingdom, including among humans. smartboy10/DigitalVision Vectors via Getty Images

    The Trump administration claims to be rooting out “gender ideology extremism” and “restoring biological truth” in the United States.

    In a January 2025 executive order, President Donald Trump decreed that there are only two genders – male and female – and that anyone who believes differently denies “the biological reality of sex.”

    Yet as a gender studies scholar, I know what the science really says about gender and sex.

    Most researchers in my field, as well as those in other disciplines such as sociology and biology, agree that biological sex is vastly more complicated than solely the two variants of male and female. Sexual diversity has been documented among all animals, including humans.

    Trump’s claim otherwise is itself a gender “ideology” – that is, a set of beliefs and values about gender.

    Sex and gender are not the same thing

    Experts in many disciplines have shown how gender is different from sex. Sex refers to bodily attributes such as genitals, hormones and chromosomes; gender is made up of the norms, roles, behaviors and expectations people are supposed to comply with based on the culture and society they live in.

    As such, gender is socially constructed – that is, defined by a community’s beliefs and rituals. In other words, gender does not follow biology. Instead, people have what’s called a “gender identity” – an internal sense of themselves as masculine, feminine or somewhere in-between.

    There are many ways in which gender and sex don’t necessarily line up.

    Among humans, a conservative estimate by the United Nations suggests that up to 1.7% of the world’s population are intersex, meaning their bodies vary from what has been labeled typical combinations of chromosomes, hormones and genitals.

    Intersex rights advocates have long pushed for medical treatment that reflects this fact, rather than common expectations of the human body. Recognition of gender and sex diversity can significantly reduce the stigma and trauma of being an intersex person.

    In the animal kingdom, female spotted hyenas have a penis. Male seahorses get pregnant.

    It took biologists a long time to figure out that some male animals do things that defy socially determined understandings of masculinity. But once they did, groundbreaking insights into the complexity of evolutionary processes have emerged.

    By labeling the concept of gender identity as an “ideology,” the Trump administration has reduced all people – but especially transgender and nonbinary people – to a belief system, ignoring their complex human identities.

    Don’t tell this dad he can’t give birth. A seahorse couple at the New England Acquarium’s 2009 Pregnant Male Seahorse exhibit.
    Matt Stone/MediaNewsGroup/Boston Herald via Getty Images

    What is gender ideology, really?

    Trump’s executive order on gender is itself based on a gender ideology called “biological determinism” – the belief that there are only two genders and that the sex assigned at birth permanently determines one’s role in society.

    This ideology dismisses research and data that document the complexity of human life. This can have serious social consequences.

    Because adherents of biological determinism see sex and gender as one and the same, they generally want to ban puberty blockers, hormone therapy and other gender-affirming health care for trans youth. These are important and sometimes lifesaving treatments; the Trump administration and other adherents of their ideology dismiss them as medical malpractice.

    The executive order also claims that enforcing a rigid male-female divide will keep women and girls safe because bathrooms and domestic violence shelters become dangerous for women when transgender people are allowed to use them.

    Research has consistently debunked this notion. Privacy and safety problems have not increased due to the legal recognition of transgender individuals. There is no evidence that cisgender women – that is, those assigned female at birth – should fear violence committed against them by transgender women.

    Biology is not destiny

    Much of my academic work has focused on how societies rooted in biological determinism tend to be patriarchal. They are designed by men for the benefit of men, and men hold most positions of authority.

    Patriarchal countries, including the U.S., tend to value masculinity over femininity. Political and religious leaders, the media and social norms suggest women are weaker than men, more emotional and better suited for care work. As a result, they portray women as less effective leaders than men.

    Historically, these societies have limited women’s sphere of influence to the household. That, in turn, prevented them from widespread access to, and success in, economic, religious and political leadership positions, just to name a few.

    U.S. feminists in the 1960s and 1970s protested the idea that a person’s body should dictate what they can and cannot do with their life. Back then, patriarchal beliefs restricted women’s participation in sports – they weren’t allowed to run marathons – and jobs, with fields such as practicing law and surgery essentially off-limits.

    Women in the U.S. also lacked full bodily autonomy for much of the 20th century. Access to contraception was limited, and terminating a pregnancy was illegal.

    By the 1980s, women had succeeded in convincing much of U.S. society that they had the same abilities and should enjoy the same rights as men. By the early 2000s, they had made great strides toward attaining equality in education, career choice and reproductive freedom, among others.

    Trans people began making similar progress in the 2010s.

    Moving backward

    As the Trump administration reverts to a simplistic interpretation of sex and gender, public debate on these basic social and political rights is reemerging.

    There is legislation at the state and federal level banning transgender women athletes from participating in sports, bills that would make it a crime to identify as transgender and challenges to women serving in combat roles in the U.S. military.

    Abortion, established as a constitutional right in 1973, had that constitutional protection reversed in 2022. Abortion is now outlawed in 12 states; others severely limit the ability to get the procedure.

    Trump signs the ‘No Men in Women’s Sports’ executive order barring transgender women from women’s sports on Feb. 5, 2025. It was his third order targeting transgender people.
    Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

    To enforce Trump’s “gender ideology” executive order, the Department of Veterans Affairs is phasing out gender-affirming health care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention temporarily scrubbed data about women’s health that has been vital in raising public awareness and fueling ongoing research into aspects of women’s health, such as safe forms of contraception.

    The administration’s policies and ideas are ingrained in a gender ideology that predates the feminist movement of the mid-20th century.

    When asked in court during proceedings in lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of Trump’s executive order, lawyers representing the Trump administration have repeatedly failed to define what exactly the administration is referring to with the term “radical gender ideology.”

    One lawyer, when prompted by a judge, replied that he was “loathe to speculate” what the president means by the phrase.

    In my assessment, the administation’s inability to define “gender ideology” is a meaningful signal. The Trump administration is pursuing, in essence, its own gender ideology masked as anti-gender ideology.

    Ina Seethaler serves on the boards of the Palmetto State Abortion Fund and the Family Justice Center of Horry and Georgetown Counties.

    – ref. How Trump promotes a radical, unscientific theory about sex and gender in the name of opposing ‘gender ideology extremism’ – https://theconversation.com/how-trump-promotes-a-radical-unscientific-theory-about-sex-and-gender-in-the-name-of-opposing-gender-ideology-extremism-250552

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Going up! Leeds United promotion parade confirmed for Bank Holiday Monday

    Source: City of Leeds

    Leeds United fans will have the chance to salute the club’s promotion-winning heroes during an open-top bus parade, it can be confirmed today.

    Fresh from clinching a return to the Premier League, Daniel Farke and his squad will be riding high once again as they make their way around a loop of Leeds city centre next Monday, May 5.

    Large crowds are expected to turn out to show their appreciation for Leeds’s manager and players on a Bank Holiday afternoon that promises to live long in the memory.

    The parade will follow a mile-long route that will take in the full length of the Headrow as well as City Square, Boar Lane, New Market Street and parts of Wellington Street and Vicar Lane.

    The Whites are scheduled to arrive in the city centre at around 1pm, with the parade set to last between an hour and an hour-and-a-half.

    Due to the high number of fans expected to attend, there will be no single focal point for the event. Instead, supporters are being encouraged to line as much of the route as possible and give the team the welcome they deserve.

    Farke and his players will be ‘on the mic’ and interacting with fans throughout the parade, meaning everyone – no matter where they are along the route – will get the same special experience and enjoy what is sure to be a city centre-wide carnival atmosphere.

    People who cannot make it to the event will be able to follow proceedings via a live stream on the club’s LUTV channel.

    The parade has been organised by Leeds City Council in conjunction with the club, and with support from agencies including West Yorkshire Police.

    Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said:

    “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to work with Leeds United to give players and fans the chance to celebrate promotion together.

    “As a season ticket holder at Elland Road, I know how much this football club means to its supporters and indeed Leeds as a whole.

    “The name of Leeds United is already known all around the world, but being in the Premier League raises the profile of the club still further and will also bring wider economic benefits to the city.

    “I’m looking forward to seeing fans out enjoying themselves, it should be a wonderful spectacle. By lining the entirety of the route, they’ll be able to secure a great view of the parade and help create a party atmosphere right across the city centre.”

    The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, said:

    “Winning promotion is a marvellous achievement by Daniel Farke and his players, they really have done the whole of Leeds proud over the course of the season.

    “Leeds United’s ups and downs are woven into the fabric of life here and, as the city’s Lord Mayor, it’s my absolute pleasure to see them back where they belong.

    “I know the club’s fans have been in party mood since promotion was secured and I’m sure they will relish the opportunity to continue their celebrations at next week’s parade.”

    Morrie Eisenberg, chief operating officer at Leeds United, said:

    “We are thrilled to be able to celebrate our promotion to the Premier League with a parade across Leeds city centre.

     “Sadly, due to restrictions when we were last promoted to the top flight in 2020, it wasn’t possible for a bus parade to take place, so we’re now delighted to be able to celebrate this promotion properly with our supporters.

     “On behalf of the club I would like to thank everybody who has helped pull the parade together behind the scenes and at local authority level, I’m sure next Monday will be a great occasion for the whole city.”

    A programme of road closures and other traffic restrictions is due to be in place across much of the city centre from 8am to 5pm on Monday. Emergency service access will be maintained throughout this time.

    The size of the expected turnout means people coming into the city centre – for the parade or other reasons – are being asked to carefully plan their journeys in advance.

    The park and ride sites at Temple Green and Stourton will be operating on the day, with First running inbound buses from there to the city centre between 10am and 1pm and return services between 2.30pm and 5.30pm.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Cambodia, KOICA and WFP launch initiative to boost national homegrown school feeding programme

    Source: World Food Programme

    PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA – The Royal Government of Cambodia, through the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), has launched a US$ 10 million initiative from 2025 to 2029 to accelerate the expansion of Cambodia’s national homegrown school feeding programme.

    The programme currently reaches 190,000 children across 686 schools. The renewed support from South Korea builds on the achievements of Phase I (2020—2024) and will enable MoEYS and WFP to provide hot, nutritious meals to 133,300 schoolchildren across 428 schools. These schools will be progressively integrated into the national programme with full government ownership and management expected by 2028. 

    “The Ministry is deeply grateful for the continued support from the Government of the Republic of Korea, KOICA, and WFP,” said H.E. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport. “Through this programme, we are not only improving access to nutritious food but also investing in Cambodia’s future by building a stronger, more resilient education system that supports our national development goals.” 

    The Royal Government of Cambodia has shown strong leadership and commitment to school meals. In August 2024, it approved the School Feeding Policy, a landmark step that formalized the programme’s role in contributing to education, nutrition, agriculture and social protection. This approach aligns closely with Cambodia’s broader human capital development agenda and the priorities of the Pentagonal Strategy—building a healthier, more educated, and resilient generation.

    “We are honoured to continue this important collaboration with the Royal Government of Cambodia and WFP,” said Moon Jung Choi, Country Director of KOICA Cambodia Office. “This second phase of support reaffirms the Government of Republic Korea’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development for the Cambodian people by supporting national systems that deliver lasting improvements in education, nutrition and rural livelihoods.”

    The national school feeding programme adopts a home-grown approach, linking education and nutrition with local agriculture by sourcing food from smallholder farmers. In a country where over half of the population relies on agriculture, this approach stimulates local economies, strengthens food systems and serves as a safety net for vulnerable families affected by recurrent shocks.

    “WFP is proud to continue supporting Cambodia’s journey towards a nationally owned, sustainable school feeding programme,” said Claire Conan, WFP Representative in Cambodia. “The renewed partnership with KOICA and MoEYS is a powerful example of how partnership can improve children’s well-being, enhance learning, and build more resilient communities.”

    In addition to meal provision, the programme focuses on capacity strengthening, infrastructure upgrades and institutional development at national, sub-national, and school levels. These efforts are designed to enable MoEYS to take ownership, while ensuring the quality, efficiency, and sustainability of the programme. 

    #                                  #                                  #

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies, building prosperity and supporting a sustainable future for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Best No KYC Casinos: JACKBIT Is Ranked Top No Verification Casino With Exclusive Bonuses

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LARNACA, Cyprus, April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — No KYC casinos are ruling the gambling landscape recently. With numerous available options, it might be overwhelming for players to choose the best No KYC casino for better and safer iGaming. After reviewing multiple No KYC casino platforms, our experts found that JACKBIT is one of the best No KYC casinos of 2025.

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    However, what helps JACKBIT stand out from the rest of the casinos? Is it the wide array of 7000+ games, multiple payment options, beneficial bonuses, or a safe gaming experience? Let’s have a detailed breakdown of what makes JACKBIT the best No KYC option for both seasoned gamblers and beginners exploring the new landscape. So, here is what JACKBIT has in store for you.

    JACKBIT Casino: The Best No KYC Casino In 2025

    JACKBIT is one of the most popular and widely accepted no KYC casinos in 2025. With a sleek design, easy navigation, and user-friendly interface, JACKBIT has offered an unmatched iGaming experience since its launch in 2022. This no KYC casino platform has a noteworthy game library that offers over 7000+ different casino games, and one of the best sportsbooks, making JACKBIT the hub for most casino and gambling lovers.

    Along with diverse and engaging games, JACKBIT, the no KYC crypto casino, has the best crypto sportsbook that has 82,000+ live events monthly, 75,000+ pre-match events monthly, 4500+ betting free spins, and 140+ sports types. Talking about the bonuses and promotions, JACKBIT offers the best welcome bonus with no wagering free spins, tournaments, rakeback, VIP club offers, and many more.

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    Moreover, JACKBIT no verification casino is a multiple-currency casino that provides fiat as well as cryptocurrencies. The registration and account creation of this no ID verification casino are simple, with no KYC verification procedures. Furthermore, the license from the Curacao Gaming Control Board ensures that JACKBIT, the no KYC crypto casino, is a reliable casino platform with transparent and safe services.

    Pros And Cons Of JACKBIT

    Before you enter the world of casinos, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages the platform holds. Similar to any form of entertainment casino also comes with its own set of pros and cons. Although you have analyzed the key features and attractions of JACKBIT in the earlier section, let’s have a closer look at its pros and cons.
    Pros

    • Provides engaging 7000+ casino games and the best crypto sportsbook.
    • Offers an attractive welcome bonus with no wagering requirements.
    • With no KYC requirements, JACKBIT safeguards the anonymity and privacy of its users.
    • With crypto and fiat transaction options, JACKBIT, the no KYC crypto casino, offers instant and lightning-fast transactions.
    • Has a wide range of bonuses, including a rakeback VIP Club.

    Cons

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    • Beginners might feel slight confusion and technical challenges, especially during crypto transactions.

    How To Join JACKBIT No KYC Casino

    As mentioned in the earlier section, the registration procedures of JACKBIT, the best no KYC casino, are easy, fast, and hassle-free. As the platform is free of KYC verifications, players can enter the casino straight away without providing sensitive and personal information. The complete guide to joining JACKBIT is as follows:

    1.   Visit the official website of JACKBIT

    As the first step, you have to visit the official website of JACKBIT. Go through the terms and conditions and rules provided by the casino and ensure that they suit your needs. Once you have finalized the platform, click on the “Log In” or “Register” option located in the top right corner of the screen.

    2.   Create your account

    Once you click the Register icon, you will be asked to provide certain details, including your email address, a secure password, the country you reside in, and your preferred currency. After providing these details, agree to the terms and conditions and proceed with account creation.

    3.   Make your first deposit

    After activating your account, you must make the first deposit to continue with the games. To do this, head to the “wallet” section and select the deposit method of your choice. JACKBIT offers multiple payment options, including cryptocurrencies, Mastercard, Visa, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more.

    4.   Enjoy your games and win big

    Once the first deposit is completed, you can navigate to the casino or sportsbook section and choose the game of your choice. Start playing and earn big wins through safe and responsible gambling.

    Best No KYC Casino: Games Offered By JACKBIT

    JACKBIT offers a wide range of casino games and a crypto sportsbook for its players. With over 7000+ casino games, JACKBIT no verification casino ensures that all its players, whether beginners or experts, gain a premium gaming experience with safety and transparency. This platform makes iGaming engaging with a diverse category of games. Some of the popular ones include:

    Casino Slots
    Casino slots are one of the most engaging and exciting categories of games available at JACKBIT. In the 6,000+ casino games offered by this platform, diverse slots will be the most popular ones. Moreover, you will find different types of slot games including Gates of Olympus, Candy Rush, Sweet Bonanza, Fat Banker, and Wanted Dead or a Wild. So, with multiple options, the no KYC casino slots at JACKBIT make your gaming experience engaging and exciting.

    Live Casino Games
    A wide variety of live casino games is a standout feature of JACKBIT, making it an engaging platform. This best no KYC casino has an excellent collection of 248 live dealer games. With card and table games, the live dealers at JACKBIT offer a gaming experience that just makes the players feel like a real casino.

    Whether it be Bitcoin Baccarat, Online roulette, or Bitcoin Blackjack, JACKBIT has everything in store for you. With a wide variety of live casino games, this best no KYC casino ensures that every player, beginner as well as experts, enjoy this platform.

    Poker
    Poker games, whether it be video poker or table poker, JACKBIT has an extensive collection of these varieties. With instant and fast blockchain-based payments, the poker games can be enjoyed without delays or distractions. Some popularly chosen poker varieties at JACKBIT, the no verification casino, include Caribbean Stud Poker, Teen Patti, Caribbean Poker, Casino Holdem, Jacks or Better, Oasis Poker, and Texas Hold’em Poker 3D.

    Exclusive Mini Games
    Along with table games, blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and more, JACKBIT also offers a wide range of mini games. Most of these mini-games are fast, funny, and engaging crash games that offer instant results. The popular mini games offered by JACKBIT include Dino, Aero, SpeedX, Chicken, and so on.

    GRAB 30% RAKEBACK + 100 FREE SPINS—NO KYC, INSTANT PAYOUT!

    JACKBIT Bonuses And Promotions
    Gambling is gaining more and more importance these days. More than just entertainment, casino gambling has become a part of the everyday life of most gamblers. So, most of them search for the best benefits for the deposits they make. One of the leading and renowned no KYC casinos of 2025, JACKBIT has a diverse store of bonuses and promotions, elevating the gaming experience and winning possibilities of every player.

    • Welcome Casino Bonus

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    • Other Casino Bonuses
      • Tournaments
        Exclusive tournaments like Play Big, Win Bigger, offer tempting prize pools and free spins. These tournaments ensure 1000 free spins daily and an exciting prize pool of $10,000 weekly.
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      This is a Network Promotion by Pragmatic Play. It includes 48 and 7-day tournaments. The expected prize pool of the entire Network Promotion is €24,000,000, and the total expected prize pool of each stage of the Network Promotion is €2,000,000.
    • JACKBIT Sports Bonuses
      • NBA Playoffs
        Place a minimum bet of $10 on the NBA playoffs and earn 10% cashback of a maximum of $100.
    • Sports Welcome Bonus
      This is a 100% no-risk bonus. The minimum stake to qualify for the bonus is $20, and the maximum bonus amount is $100.
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      In this bonus, the 4th ticket will be free and offered as a gift. So, to qualify, players have to place 3 bets and will get the 4th bet for free and unlimited.
    • Other JACKBIT bonuses
      • Rakeback VIP Club
        This bonus offers various benefits for VIP club members, including faster accumulation of points, instant rakeback, diverse and special games and sports, and so on.
    • Social Media Bonuses
      Special bonuses and rewards are offered to those who join the socials of JACKBIT.

    JOIN JACKBIT TODAY FOR 30% RAKEBACK & 100 SPINS—KYC-FREE!

    Payouts And Transactions At JACKBIT No KYC Casino

    JACKBIT ensures that all the transaction needs of its players are addressed without fail. So, this platform provides a multiple-currency system. Whether you are a crypto enthusiast who chooses fast flashing transactions or someone who seeks fiat options, JACKBIT has both options tailored for you.

    As JACKBIT accepts 17 cryptocurrencies, most players choose to deposit and withdraw money through this method. Almost all the major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Binance, Tether, Solana, Shiba, and others are accepted on this platform.

    As mentioned, JACKBIT has fiat payment options for those who do not opt for cryptocurrencies. This no KYC casino offers 24 different fiat deposit methods, including Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Skrill, Neteller, Pix, bank transfer, and so on. However, remember, while crypto transactions offer a no KYC option, fiat payments ight need KYC verification. Moreover, fiat options cannot be used for withdrawals, as to take out the winnings, players have to choose between any cryptocurrencies.

    Self-Exclusion Tools Offered By JACKBIT
    A reputable no KYC casino, JACKBIT, values the safety of its players. So, the best no KYC casino offers multiple options that allow players to play safely and responsibly. Some of the self-exclusion methods offered by JACKBIT are:

    • Account limits: This is a method that helps players set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits for their accounts.
    • Time-out periods: JACKBIT allows players to take short breaks from gambling for 24 hours, 72 hours, or a couple of days to avoid addictions.
    • Self-Exclusion: If a player has more serious issues or addiction, JACKBIT helps those players exclude themselves from gambling for an extended period from 6 months to 5 years.

    Is JACKBIT A Trustworthy No KYC Casino In 2025?

    Wondering whether JACKBIT is a trustworthy platform or not? You are not alone. Although JACKBIT is a popular no KYC casino and one of the best casino platforms available in 2025, it is normal to have doubts about the reputation of the platform. Even though casinos come with certain inherent risks, JACKBIT casino without KYC, reduces them to a certain extent with its reputation, license, and fairness. In this section, let’s have a detailed look at how safe and reliable this no KYC casino is.

    License and reputation

    The first and foremost thing that ensures the reliability of JACKBIT, the best no KYC casino, is the license and certification it holds. According to official data, this casino without KYC is licensed by the Curacao Gaming Control Board. This anonymous casino is one of the most reputable and recognized organizations in the gambling landscape. So, as licensed by this organization, JACKBIT functions under a set of rules and laws recognized by it. So, we can ensure that JACKBIT is a reliable and trustworthy casino platform.

    Provably Fair Gameplay

    JACKBIT is a no KYC casino that includes over 2000+ renowned game providers. Some of the most popular ones include BGaming, AvatorUX, Apollo Play, Backseat Gaming, Booming Gaming, and more. Moreover, this anonymous casino platform follows the provably fair gameplay and works on a certified Random Number Generator (RNG) system, making things more transparent and fair.

    Transparent payment facilities

    The diverse cryptocurrency transaction facilities ensure that JACKBIT anonymous casino follows a transparent payment facility. Despite the instant deposits and withdrawals, the transaction speed and blockchain-based payment confirm that the transactions will be conducted within seconds or minutes without any unnecessary distractions.

    Players’ experience

    At JACKBIT, the experience of the players is the most valued. In order to ensure that all its players enjoy their gaming, the platform offers a minimal and easy-to-navigate interface with a clutter-free website. Moreover, JACKBIT no verification casino has a well-optimized website that works well on both desktop as well as mobile devices. Furthermore, this no KYC casino has a 24/7 live chat facility that works to address and rectify all the issues and concerns of its players.

    JACKBIT Casino Conclusion: The Best No KYC Casino In 2025

    As we reach the conclusion of this review about JACKBIT, it is clear that this no KYC casino is one of the best casinos available in 2025. This platform opens a wide array of exciting, fun, and engaging games along with noteworthy bonuses for its users. One of the best crypto sportsbooks is also available on JACKBIT.

    The total casino games, sports, and others offered by this platform exceeds 7000 in number. Among these, over 6000+ are casino games from different categories such as poker, table games, instant wins, slots, and so on. You have also come across the diverse and beneficial bonuses and promotions, ranging from welcome bonuses to tournaments and cashbacks.

    The safety and transparency maintained by JACKBIT also make it the best no KYC casino in 2025. With 17+ cryptocurrencies and other transaction methods, JACKBIT offers no KYC registration and payment facilities.

    So, the personal data collected by this platform is less compared to traditional casinos. Moreover, the games included in this casino are RNG-certified and follow provably fair gameplay. The Curacao license that JACKBIT owns also confirms that the casino is reliable and follows officially recognized laws and frameworks.

    So, altogether, JACKBIT had succeeded in proving its safety and reliability, making it one of the best and most trusted no KYC casinos of 2025. Now, the ball is in your court. It’s you, the players, who have to identify the potential benefits and bonuses of the platform and play ideally to earn significant rewards. So, responsibly and safely. Sometimes you might be a spin away from your jackpot.

    ACTIVATE YOUR 30% RAKEBACK + 100 FREE SPINS—START WINNING!

    FAQ’s About Best No KYC Casino 7Bit

    Does JACKBIT require KYC verification?

    JACKBIT allows players to engage in the diverse games offered on this platform without a KYC verification. However, the platform may ask for KYC verification while using fiat transactions.

    Is JACKBIT a legal no KYC casino?
    Yes. JACKBIT is a legal no KYC casino with a license from the Curacao Gaming Control Board. However, the legality and regulations of the casino differ depending on the region from which you access it.

    Does JACKBIT offer a mobile app?

    As JACKBIT has a well-optimized website that suits all devices, the casino does not need a separate mobile application.

    Is a VPN needed to use JACKBIT?

    A VPN is not mandatory to use JACKBIT. However, this casino is a VPN-friendly platform.

    How does JACKBIT handle players’ personal data?

    JACKBIT has advanced encryption methods and no KYC registration facilities, which help safeguard the user data easily and effectively.

    Email: support@jackbit.com

    Legal Disclaimer

    This content is for informational purposes only and not legal, financial, or gambling advice. Ensure compliance with local gambling laws. No warranties are made regarding accuracy. Readers are responsible for verifying information and ensuring legal compliance. Gambling may be restricted in some regions.

    Affiliate Disclosure

    Some links may be affiliate links, earning a commission at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on objective evaluation, and partnerships do not influence conclusions.

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the Jackbit. 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.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/39a4bb9e-6ef6-487b-93b8-2fedae326e5e

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Kaltura Announces “Connect on the Road 2025” Conference Schedule: Join Experts from IBM, AWS, JPMorgan Chase & Co, Bloomberg, Adobe, and more in Exploring Digital Immortality and Institutional Knowledge Activation in the Age of Agentic AI

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kaltura (Nasdaq: KLTR), the AI Video Experience Cloud, today announced the lineup of speakers for the company’s annual Connect on the Road conference. Coming to New York (May 13th), San Francisco (May 15th), and London (May 20th), the sessions will focus on “Digital Immortality” and how AI is reshaping the ways organizations are creating living content archives to fuel smarter decisions and continuous personalization. 

    “Every enterprise knows that knowledge, whether institutional, operational, customer-centric or otherwise, drives business growth”, said Nohar Zmora, SVP Head of Marketing at Kaltura. “Digital immortality is about more than preserving information, it’s about using AI to make knowledge accessible, actionable, and alive across the enterprise. When AI becomes a strategic layer in the video database, it shapes employee and customer experiences, accelerates learning, and enables personalization we’ve never seen before.”  

    With hundreds of executives and leaders in Marketing, Communications, and Enterprise Media expected to attend, guests will have the opportunity to hear from some of the expert voices leading AI-driven transformations within their organizations, including: 

    • Toni VanWinkle, Vice President Digital Employee Experience, Adobe 
    • Phil Le-brun, Director, Enterprise Strategy, AWS 
    • Bill Macaitis, Advisor, former CMO, Slack & Zendesk 
    • Judy Lee, Senior Director, Global Brand Experiences, Pinterest 
    • Bruce Ableson, Senior Director of Global Readiness and Enablement, Adobe  
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    • Davood Shamsi, Director of AI/ML, JPMorgan Chase & Co.  
    • RJ Crowder-Schaefer, Global Head of Event Product & Technology, Bloomberg  
    • Jennifer Sacks Tobener, VP, Digital & Marketing Technology, Salesforce 
    • Rodrigo Davies, AI Product Leader, Figma 
    • Amy Tennison, VP of TechXchange, IBM 
    • Unmesh Suryawanshi, Head of Streaming and Security, Visa 
    • Chris Hamilton, Senior Global Communications Director, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals 
    • Santiago Casto, Global Head of Automation and AI, MUFG 

    Among the topics that will be explored are: 
    1) Agentic AI that can think and execute decisions is turning corporate knowledge into a proactive, hyper-personalized, intelligent system.  
    2) Transforming content into “Living archives” with content that self-updates, contextualizes insights, and delivers hyper-relevant knowledge based on a user’s real-time needs.  
    3) Creating enduring, engaging institutional memory sources that don’t disappear with employee turnover but scale across teams, leveraging proven messaging and strategies.  
    4) Ensuring brand continuity with consistent messaging across customer and user interactions to enhance engagement.  
    5) Tackling AI ethics & ownership questions, such as who controls knowledge? How can organizations shape, govern, and direct AI-driven decision-making?  

    Attendees will also get front-row, hands-on demos of several of Kaltura’s next-generation AI platform’s new capabilities, including the Customer Experience Genie and Work Genie AI agents. These agents redefine and hyper-personalize customer engagement, employee onboarding and training by transforming search within a video library into interactive, conversational journeys tailored to each user. The Kaltura Content Lab, also available for demo, enables creators to quickly transform long-form video content into engaging, bite-sized experiences. With a single click, Content Lab generates clips, video quizzes, summaries, and chapters from videos and audio, saving time, reducing costs, and maximizing content value. These products mark a shift from passive video consumption into active, personalized experiences, reflecting Kaltura’s differentiated approach to AI – rooted in a proprietary cloud-based database, built for secure enterprise environments, and designed to transform passive content into actionable business value.  

    Kaltura will also be hosting its Education Connect on the Road track in both Europe and the US, kicking off in Utrecht, Netherlands, on May 12th. The events will bring together leaders in higher education to share insights on how they are using AI and additional new technologies to improve education, increase engagement, and more. See more locations and details here. 

    Reserve your spot at a location that works for you here. 

    About Kaltura 
    Kaltura’s mission is to create and power AI-infused hyper-personalized video experiences that boost customer and employee engagement and success. Kaltura’s AI Video Experience Cloud includes a platform for enterprise and TV content management and a wide array of Gen AI-infused video-first products, including Video Portals, LMS and CMS Video Extensions, Virtual Events and Webinars, Virtual Classrooms, and TV Streaming Applications. Kaltura engages millions of end-users at home, at work, and at school, boosting both customer and employee experiences, including marketing, sales, and customer success; teaching, learning, training and certification; communication and collaboration; and entertainment, and monetization. For more information, visit www.corp.kaltura.com. 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Best Online Casinos Australia: 7Bit Casino Ranked Top Choice for Aussie Players in 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PERTH, Australia, April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — After trying out tons of online casinos in Australia, most just didn’t live up to the hype, especially when it came to bonuses. While chatting with a few local players, one name kept coming up: 7Bit casino. So, we decided to check it out. Right from the start, it felt like a different experience. The welcome offer was massive, that is up to 10,800 AUD plus 250 free spins. With thousands of slots, live dealer games, and smooth crypto payments, 7Bit stood out as something special.

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    7Bit Casino : Our Favourite Overall Casino

    7Bit Casino, licensed by Curacao eGaming, offers a modern, user-friendly interface with vibrant graphics and seamless navigation. Its game library exceeds 10,000 titles, including Australian online pokies, table games, and live dealer options with high RTPs. The casino supports both fiat and crypto payments, with fast withdrawals via PayID and Bitcoin, positioning it as a top PayID casino.

    The mobile platform mirrors the desktop experience, ensuring players can enjoy online pokies for real money on the go. 24/7 live chat provides prompt support, and SSL encryption with a provably fair system enhances security, though third-party audits like eCogra are absent. Responsible gambling tools, such as deposit limits and self-exclusion, are available to promote safe play.

    7Bit Casino earns our top spot for its unmatched game variety, generous bonuses, and Aussie-friendly features. With thousands of online pokies real money options, a 10,800 AUD + 250 free spins welcome bonus, and fast PayID transactions, it’s a standout PayID casino. The platform’s mobile optimization, robust security, and 24/7 support make it ideal for players seeking online blackjack real money or real money pokies Australia.

    Regular promotions, tournaments, and a rewarding VIP program further elevate its appeal, ensuring a thrilling and reliable gaming experience.

    What Makes 7Bit Casino The Best Online Casino Australia

    7Bit Casino is a top choice for Australian players, offering a massive selection of over 10,000 games, including crowd-favorite pokies like Mega Moolah and Johnny Cash, plus table and live dealer options. High RTP slots and a generous welcome package – up to 10,800 AUD + 250 free spins make it especially appealing. Players also get 75 no-deposit free spins (code: 75BIT), weekly cashback, reload bonuses, and exclusive Telegram deals.

    With fast PayID and crypto withdrawals, 24/7 live chat, and a mobile-friendly design for iOS and Android, 7Bit makes playing on the go easy. Licensed in Curacao and active for over a decade, it offers a trusted, secure environment. The VIP program adds value with cashback, faster payouts, and exclusive rewards, while regular tournaments keep things exciting. For real money pokies in Australia, 7Bit blends variety, speed, and player perks perfectly.

    How to Join 7Bit Best Online Casino Australia

    Joining 7Bit Casino is straightforward and designed for quick access to the best online casinos in Australia:

    1. Visit 7Bit Casino. Click Here to Directly Visit 7Bit Casino’s Official Website
    2. Click “Sign Up” on the homepage.
    3. Enter your name, email, date of birth, and create a username/password.
    4. Verify your email if prompted.
    5. Log in, deposit using PayID or crypto, and claim the welcome bonus.

    The process takes about a minute, and players instantly join the VIP program, unlocking perks like cashback and exclusive bonuses for real money pokies in Australia.

    How We Selected 7Bit as the Best Online Casino in Australia

    We evaluated 7Bit Casino based on rigorous criteria to ensure it meets the needs of Aussie players:

    License and Security

    7Bit holds a Curacao eGaming license, ensuring regulatory oversight. SSL encryption protects player data, and a provably fair system allows game fairness verification. While no eCogra audits are noted, the license and security measures provide a solid foundation of trust for online pokies real money players.

    Bonuses and Promotions

    The welcome package offers 325% up to 10800 AUD + 250 FS

    • 1st Deposit Bonus: 100% up to 800 AUD + 100 FS
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    • 3rd Deposit Bonus: 50% up to 800 AUD
    • 4th Deposit Bonus: 100% up to 8000 AUD + 50 FS

    A payid pokies Australia no deposit bonus of 75 free spins (code ‘75BIT’, x45 wagering, €50 max cashout) is available. Weekly cashback, reload bonuses, and Telegram-exclusive offers keep players engaged, making it a top choice for online pokies Australia payid enthusiasts.

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    Casino Games

    With over 10,000 games, 7Bit offers online pokies real money, table games, and live dealer options. High-RTP titles like Mega Moolah are favorites among the best online casino Australia players, ensuring diverse and rewarding gameplay.

    Casino Game ProvidersOur Favourite Overall Casino

    Partners include industry leaders like NetEnt, Microgaming, Play’n GO, and Evolution Gaming, ensuring high-quality, fair games for Australian online pokies and online blackjack players.

    Banking Methods

    Supports VISA, Mastercard, Neosurf, Skrill, PayID, and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. PayID is ideal for Aussies, offering fast transactions for the best online casino in Australia.

    Customer Support

    24/7 live chat responds within seconds, email support is slower, and no phone support is available. A detailed FAQ section addresses common queries, enhancing the experience for best online casinos in Australia.

    The Selection Process: Defining Excellence in Online Gaming

    • Screening: Verify licensing and reputation to ensure trust.
    • Game Evaluation: Assess variety, quality, and provider reputation.
    • Bonus Analysis: Check value, terms, and wagering requirements.
    • Payment Review: Test speed, security, and options like PayID.
    • Support Testing: Evaluate response times and effectiveness.
    • Mobile Testing: Ensure compatibility for online pokies real money on smartphones.
    • Security Check: Confirm encryption and fairness systems.
    • Player Feedback: Analyze reviews for real-world insights.
    • Scoring: Rank based on weighted criteria to identify top PayID casino options.

    Pros and Cons of 7Bit Online Casino

    Pros Cons
    Over 10,000 games, including real money pokies High wagering requirements on bonuses
    Welcome bonus: 10,800 AUD + 250 FS No phone support
    Fast PayID and crypto withdrawals No third-party audits (e.g., eCogra)
    24/7 live chat support  
    Mobile-friendly platform  
    Curacao license and SSL encryption  
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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2025 Commencement Speakers and Honorary Degree Recipients

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    From business success to the National Science Foundation, from policymaking in Hartford to the world’s most popular YouTube sneaker channel, from the Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation to the President of the Rwanda Academy of Sciences, the honored guests of UConn’s commencement ceremonies bring a wealth of experience, insight, and wisdom to share with this year’s graduates. Speakers at the ceremonies, which begin on Saturday, May 10, include:

    College of Engineering (Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m. at Gampel Pavilion): Mark P. Sarkisian ’83

    Mark Sarkisian is a partner in the San Francisco office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP. He is a licensed professional engineer and structural engineer in 31 states. In 2021, Sarkisian was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, and is a member of the University of Connecticut Academy of Distinguished Engineers. He received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from UConn in 1983, and his master’s degree in structural engineering from Lehigh University. Sarkisian’s career focuses on developing innovative structural engineering solutions for over 100 major building projects around the world, including the Jin Mao Tower in China and the Al Hamra Fidrous Tower in Kuwait, both over 1,300 feet[1]tall. Sarkisian holds 10 U.S. patents and five international patents. Sarkisian has authored over 150 technical papers related to the design of building structures, and in 2012 completed his first book, “Designing Tall Buildings – Structure as Architecture.” He teaches integrated studio design courses focused on collaborative design opportunities at the University of California, Berkeley; California College of the Arts; Stanford University; California Polytechnic State University; Northeastern University; North Carolina State University; and the Pratt Institute.

    School of Nursing (Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m. at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts): Joan Y. Reede

    Dr. Joan Y. Reede was appointed as Harvard Medical School’s (HMS) first Dean for Diversity and Community Partnership in January of 2002, and has been responsible for the development and management of a comprehensive program that has provided leadership, guidance, and support to promote the increased recruitment, retention, and advancement of diverse faculty, particularly individuals from groups underrepresented in medicine. This charge includes oversight of all diversity activities at HMS as they relate to faculty, trainees, students, and staff. Reede is a graduate of Brown University and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She completed a pediatric residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and a fellowship in child psychiatry at Boston Children’s Hospital. She holds an MPH and an MS in Health Policy Management from Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, and an MBA from Boston University. Reede created and developed more than 20 programs at HMS that aim to address pathway and leadership issues for minorities and women who are interested in careers in medicine, academic and scientific research, and the health care professions. At a national level, Reede’s advice and expertise is highly sought after among several committees and councils, such as being appointed to the Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Minority Health and serving on the Board of Governors for the Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center. She also has many affiliations, including the Task Force for the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, CTSA Women in CTR Interest Group of the NIH, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science STEM Education Review Committee.

    School of Business (Saturday, May 10, 1:30 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion): Richard Eldh ‘81

    Rich Eldh was born in the village of Ardsley, New York, and moved homes five times between the ages of 5 and 15. He attended Staples High School in Westport, graduating as a three-sport athlete and an all-state football player. After high school, he enrolled at the University of Connecticut. In what would have been his junior year, 1978–1979, he took a leave of absence to travel abroad, living in Kempten, Germany, in Bavaria. There, he worked at Dixie Union, a manufacturing company, as a computer programmer, where he developed new automation software for the finance department. This experience in Germany highlighted the significant impact computing technology would have on business. Motivated by this realization, he decided to pursue a career in the computer industry. Upon returning to the University of Connecticut for his final two years, he majored in finance at the School of Business and graduated in 1981 with a degree in Finance. He first joined a manufacturing firm implementing automation software, then moved to Four Phase Systems, a Motorola company, selling data entry systems. Later, he joined Hewlett-Packard, specializing in manufacturing systems and automation. It was at HP that he met his wife; they married and started a family. After working for two very large corporations, Rich joined a startup called Gartner Group in Stamford. He was the 100th employee, and in ten years, the company grew from $9 million in revenue to just under $1 billion with 4,500 employees. Today, Gartner boasts a market cap of $38 billion with 21,000 employees. These early career highlights led Rich to co-found Sirius Decisions, which became a leader in high-performance go-to[1]market research and benchmarking. Headquartered in Wilton, Sirius Decisions grew to 400 employees with private equity backing and offices worldwide. The company was eventually monetized for approximately $300 million through a sale to a public company in Boston. Throughout his career, he has had the honor of working with associates and clients across more than 50 countries. Alongside his career, Rich and his wife Joyce raised two daughters and a son. They have each found success in the medical field, the fashion world, and the blockchain and crypto industry, respectively.

    School of Social Work (Saturday, May 10, 1:30 p.m. at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts): Maggie Mitchell Salem

    Maggie Mitchell Salem joined IRIS as Executive Director in January 2024. Throughout her nearly 30-year career, Maggie has managed diverse teams focused on civic education, intercultural dialogue, social and political rights, and forced displacement. She arrived in Connecticut following three years leading the National Democratic Institute’s democratic governance program in Tunisia. Given the exponential increase in the number of refugees, humanitarian parolees, and other immigrants that IRIS assists, Maggie has focused on organizational structure, systems, and policies that create a strong foundation for the organization’s continued growth. Her previous experience at Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Services) and Fugees Academy have underscored the importance of collaborative, communicative leadership and management. For more than a decade, she was the founding executive director of Qatar Foundation International and expanded Arabic language and culture education to public K-12 schools across the U.S., UK, and Germany. As the Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), she expanded or created new programs in Jordan, Iran, and Iraq. Maggie started up and led the Middle East Institute’s Communications Department from 2001-2004. She also served as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer in Mumbai and Tel Aviv, and as staff on the Executive Secretariat of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Maggie was a Fulbright Scholar in Syria while studying for her Masters in Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University. She received a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology from Johns Hopkins University. She has two sons and two daughters. She lives with her six dogs and two cats in East Haddam.

    Bachelor of General Studies (Saturday, May 10, 2 p.m. at Student Union Theater): Daniel Mercier ‘95

    Daniel Mercier graduated from the Bachelor of General Studies program in 1995 with a focus in Visual Communications. After serving as a Graphics Specialist for a few years, Mercier returned to UConn in 1998 as a Media Producer. In 2001, he transitioned to the role of Instructional Developer in the Instructional Design and Development Department. After completing a Master of Arts in Educational Technology in 2003, Mercier became Manager of Instructional Design and Development and ultimately served as Assistant Director and Director of the Institute of Teaching and Learning. In 2015, he took on the role of Director, Instructional Design, in the Center for Pedagogical Innovation at Wesleyan University. In 2017, Mercier returned to UConn as the Director of Academic Affairs at the Avery Point Campus of the University of Connecticut. Throughout his 30-plus-year career, Mercier has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the development of instructional tools, to help faculty utilize technologies to reach our students. In his work, he has supported faculty, staff and students across the higher education landscape. His commitment to the University of Connecticut spans nearly 25 years. In his current position, he recruits faculty, oversees academic advising and other academic support programs, and develops partnerships between the Avery Point campus and other academic entities within and outside UConn. These partnerships include the support of students in the Bachelor of General Studies Program.

    College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (Saturday, May 10, 6 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion): Rodney Butler ’99 (BUS)

    Rodney A. Butler is the Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) since January 2010. Butler’s service on Tribal Council began in 2004, and after one year, he was appointed Tribal Council Treasurer; a position he held through 2009. During his tenure, Butler chaired the Tribe’s Finance, Housing, and Judicial Committees, the MPTN Utility Authority, and served as an Interim CEO for Foxwoods Resort Casino. Butler earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from the University of Connecticut where he played Defensive Back for the UConn Huskies football team. Prior to Tribal Council, Butler worked in the finance department at Foxwoods Resort Casino. He later became Chairman of the Tribal Business Advisory Board; an executive body responsible for overseeing the Tribe’s non-gaming businesses and commercial properties. Butler was actively involved in multiple resort expansions at Foxwoods, as well as community development initiatives on the Reservation, the establishment of the Mashantucket (Western) Pequot Tribe Endowment Trust, and the legalization of Sports Betting and iGaming in the state of Connecticut. He was also a participant in Harvard Business School’s program “Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities.” He is a regular speaker on national panels related to Native American issues. Butler presently serves on the Board of Directors for Mashantucket Pequot Interactive and is on the board of Foxwoods El San Juan Casino. He also serves as the President of Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA), as Alternate Vice President for the National Congress of American Indians, and on the boards for the United South and Eastern Tribes, Indian Gaming Association, American Gaming Association, the Mystic Aquarium, and the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. He is the 2019 recipient of the Citizen of the Year award from the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, and the National Indian Gaming Association’s John Kieffer Sovereignty Award. In 2018, he received the St. Edmund’s Medal of Honor Award from the Enders Island Retreat Center. In 2017, Butler was appointed “Tribal Leader of the Year” by the NAFOA. As Chairman, Butler’s primary focus is to ensure long-term stability for the Tribe’s citizens, government, and business enterprises.

    School of Fine Arts (Saturday, May 10, 6 p.m. at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts): Jacob G. Padrón

    Jacob G. Padrón is the Artistic Director of Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven. He is also the Founder and Artistic Director of The Sol Project, a national theater initiative that works in partnership with leading theater companies to amplify the voices of Latino playwrights in New York City and beyond. Padrón has held senior-level artistic positions at theater companies across the country. He was the Senior Line Producer at The Public Theater where he worked on new plays, new musicals, Shakespeare in the Park, and Public Works. He was formerly the Producer at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago where he supported the artistic programming in the Garage – Steppenwolf’s dedicated space for new work, new artists, and new audiences. From 2008 to 2011, he was an Associate Producer at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival where he was instrumental in producing all shows in the 11-play repertory. Under the guidance of his late mentor Diane Rodriguez, he served as the producer of Suzan-Lori Parks’ “365 Days/365 Plays” for Center Theatre Group, a collaboration that included over 50 theater companies to launch Festival 365 in Los Angeles. He is a co-founder of the Artist Anti-Racism Coalition, a grassroots movement committed to dismantling structural racism within the Off-Broadway community. Jacob is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University (B.A.) and David Geffen School of Drama (M.F.A.). His first artistic home was El Teatro Campesino located in San Juan Bautista, California.

     

    College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Ceremony I (Sunday, May 11, 9 a.m. at Gampel Pavilion): Maureen Ahern ‘85

    Maureen Ahern is an Executive Leadership Coach on her third career whose journey began in the same classrooms as today’s graduates. A proud Husky who earned both a Bachelors and a Masters, Maureen’s connection to UConn runs deep. For over 10 years, she returned to UConn Stamford each week as an Adjunct Professor, teaching Interpersonal Communications and Public Speaking after her corporate day job in New York, driven by her belief that becoming a great communicator gives you the power and confidence to take meaningful action to shape your future. Maureen started as a Sales Executive at The Associated Press and quickly rose to lead the Satellite Networks division before transitioning to Standard and Poor’s Comstock. At S&P she led many different departments as Director of Operations, VP of US Sales and Managing Director for Asian and South American markets, building successful international relationships while traveling the world. She was part of the management team that sold Comstock to IDC and then pivoted from corporate into the digital world, as Partner and COO of momAgenda, where she helped build a thriving e-commerce company. Drawing on her teaching background, leadership experience and desire to coach and mentor others, Maureen completed her leadership coaching certification at Georgetown University’s Transformational Leadership Institute. Today as Founder of Ahern Leadership Coaching and Consulting, Maureen partners with C-suite executives and emerging leaders across industries, facilitating leadership development through one-on-one coaching, team coaching, and specialized training and leadership development workshops. Her coaching philosophy – described by clients as “tough but loving”-centers on her belief that leaders aren’t born, they are made and that everyone has leadership capacity waiting to be unlocked through awareness, action and courage. Maureen was a mentor with the Freshman Founders Program at the Werth Institute at UConn Stamford, in addition to her volunteer work with CT NEXT and Startup Westport as a business mentor. She is also an angel investor with Tidal River Fund whose goal is to fund underrepresented founders. When not working with her clients whom she loves and adores, Maureen enjoys yoga, beach walks, and time with her three adult children (Patrick, Brendan and Caeleigh). She shares life in Cos Cob with her husband Mike Santini (fellow UConn grad) and their black lab, Nino.

    Neag School of Education (Sunday, May 11, 9 a.m. at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts): Suzanne M. Wilson

    Suzanne M. Wilson is the Neag Endowed Professor of Teacher Education at the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education, where she also serves as a professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Her undergraduate degree is in history and American studies from Brown University; she also has an M.S. in statistics and a Ph.D. in psychological studies in education from Stanford University. She was a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University, where she served on the faculty for 26 years. Wilson also served as the first director of the Teacher Assessment Project, which developed prototype assessments for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Wilson is a committed teacher, having taught undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral classes in educational policy, teacher learning, and research methods. She has directed 36 dissertations and served as a committee member for another 45. Wilson serves on multiple editorial and advisory boards. She was elected to the National Academy of Education in 2013 and to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2022. Wilson has written on teacher knowledge, qualitative methods, curriculum reform, educational policy, and teacher preparation and professional development. She has published in Science, American Educator, American Educational Research Journal, Educational Researcher, Review of Educational Research, Elementary School Journal, Teaching and Teacher Education, Journal of Teacher Education, Phi Delta Kappa, and Teaching Education. She is the author of “California Dreaming: Reforming Mathematics Education” (Yale, 2003) and editor of Lee Shulman’s collection of essays, “Wisdom of Practice: Essays on Teaching, Learning, and Learning to Teach” (Jossey-Bass, 2004). She is currently working on a collection of essays entitled, “Why Teach?”

    College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Ceremony II (Sunday, May 11, 1:30 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion): Joe La Puma ‘05

    Joe La Puma serves as SVP of Content Strategy at Complex NTWRK and hosts Complex’s Sneaker Shopping, the world’s No. 1 sneaker show, which has garnered over 1 billion views on YouTube. He has been at the forefront of sneaker and street culture at Complex for the past 15 years. La Puma started his journalism career writing for The Daily Campus and was voted “Rookie of the Year” by fellow staffers. After graduating from UConn in 2005 with a degree in Journalism, he returned to Bay Shore to manage The Finish Line—where he previously worked in high school—while contributing articles to both local and global publications like Newsday and Hypebeast.com. In 2006, La Puma landed an internship at Complex magazine, a pop culture publication specializing in convergence culture through hip-hop, sneakers, and fashion. La Puma has written more cover stories (21) than any other writer in Complex history, including profiles on Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, and Kid Cudi. La Puma is also a published author of the book “Complex Presents: Sneaker of the Year: The Best Since ’85.” In his current SVP role, La Puma has led Complex to over 200% growth in audience and engagement. In 2014, Complex debuted the YouTube show Sneaker Shopping, a series that La Puma created and hosts to this day. Over the past decade of Sneaker Shopping, La Puma has interviewed icons like Eminem, Whoopi Goldberg, Kevin Hart, Mark Wahlberg, Billie Eilish, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, and conducted one of the only lifestyle interviews with former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2020 election cycle. The show has filmed episodes across the U.S., as well as abroad in China, England, Spain, and Japan. With his extensive editorial work on footwear and over 300 episodes of Sneaker Shopping, La Puma is regarded as one of the foremost sneaker experts in the world. La Puma is a three-time Webby Award winner and has been featured on Good Morning America, and The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. In 2024, La Puma was inducted into the Bay Shore High School Hall of Fame, a group that includes only 79 members since the school opened in 1893. La Puma currently lives in Brooklyn, and takes half-days at work when he can during UConn Basketball March Madness runs.

    School of Pharmacy – Doctor of Pharmacy (Sunday, May 11, 1:30 p.m. at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts): JoAnn Trejo

    JoAnn Trejo, Ph.D., MBA is professor of pharmacology and senior assistant Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences Faculty Affairs at the University of California (UC) San Diego. She completed her undergraduate degree at UC Davis, earned her Ph.D. and MBA at UC San Diego and completed postdoctoral training at UC San Francisco. Trejo is a basic science researcher with expertise in cell signaling in the context of vascular inflammation and cancer. Her research has been published in more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and she is a recipient of a NIH R35 Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) and the American Heart Association Established Investigator Award. Trejo is an outstanding educator, mentor and a leader actively engaged in initiatives aimed at enhancing excellence in science and pharmacology. She is the director of five NIH-supported training programs including the UC San Diego IRACDA Postdoctoral Scholars Program, FIRST Program and three early career faculty development programs. Trejo served as an elected member of the leadership Council for the ASCB and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and is a current member of the scientific advisory boards for Septerna and Versiti. She has also served on multiple NIH Study Sections, the NCI Board of Scientific Counselors for Basic Sciences, and Blavatnik, HHMI and Chan Zuckerberg foundation review panels. Trejo is a current member of the NIGMS Advisory Council. She is the Associate Editor for Molecular Biology of the Cell and is an editorial board member for Proceedings National Academy of Sciences Nexus, Journal of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology. Trejo is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) Fellow and 100 Inspiring Hispanic / Latinx Scientists and was recently elected honorary fellow of the British Pharmacological Society.

    College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Ceremony III (Sunday, May 11, 5:30 p.m., Gampel Pavilion): Joe La Puma ‘05

    School of Pharmacy – Bachelor of Science (Sunday, May 11, 6 p.m., Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts): Joe Honcz ‘98

    Joe Honcz is a distinguished expert in managed care and market access, boasting a robust 25-year career that spans significant sectors of the health care industry. Early in his career, he played a pivotal role in leading teams for the launch of Medicare Part D, followed by instrumental involvement in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act while at Anthem BCBS and Aetna. Since 2020, Joe has leveraged his profound understanding of managed care to deliver strategic market access insights, empowering over 20 biotech and pharmaceutical clients to effectively navigate complex market dynamics. His contributions have been crucial in the successful launch of innovative products in both traditional and rare/orphan disease categories. As a “pharmacy futurist,” he continues to drive innovation and shape market access strategies at Petauri Health, supporting the emerging pharmaceutical and health tech industries. His exceptional ability to anticipate industry trends has consistently provided clients with strategic advantages, enabling them to stay ahead of competitors with foresight and precision. Beyond his professional endeavors, Joe is actively involved at Yale Ventures as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence and at the University of Connecticut Technology Commercialization Services in the same capacity. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of St. Joseph School of Pharmacy and is on the Board of Directors for the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) and Avery’s Little Army, whose mission is to honor the legacy of Avery Marie Lafferty, an exceptionally brave cancer rebel, and all patients like her. Joe’s extensive background is complemented by diverse roles at Pfizer, Walgreens, Humana, PrecisionAQ, and CVS. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the University of Connecticut, underscoring his deep roots and commitment to the field. In addition to being a Board member, he is also an AMCP diplomat to the UConn School of Pharmacy, where he fulfills his passion for mentoring and coaching.

    The Graduate School – Masters Ceremony (Monday, May 12, 9 a.m. at Gampel Pavilion): Manasse Mbonye ’95 Ph.D.

    Manasse Mbonye is a Founding Fellow of the Rwanda Academy of Sciences (RAS) and its current President. He is also the Group Leader and Professor, Rwanda Astrophysics Space and Climate Sciences Research Group (RASCSRG) at the University of Rwanda and a member of the national Science Advisory Group (SAG). By Training, Mbonye is a theoretical Astrophysicist and Cosmologist. He completed his Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut in 1995. Mbonye has taught Physics at various institutions including UConn, the University of Michigan, and RIT. He has also worked at NASA (Goddard Space Flight Center). In 2012, Mbonye returned to Africa. Since then, his appointments have included, Provost (later) Ag Rector (National University of Rwanda), the first Principal (University of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology), and Executive Secretary (Rwanda’s National Council for Science and Technology, (NCST)). During Mbonye’s tenure, NCST instituted a major review of Rwanda’s Science, Technology, Research and Innovation (STRI) policy. Further, the National Research and Innovation Agenda (NRIA) was constructed, along with its implementation enabler, the National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF) framework. Rwanda launched the NRIF in June 2018. Mbonye has served on the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTCO) Board of Directors as its Rapporteur (2017-2018). He has also been Chairman of the Rwanda Energy Group (REG) (2015-2018), Rwanda’s sole electric energy production source and utility company. Prof. Mbonye continues to do research and supervise students, at the University of Rwanda.

     

    UConn Health (Monday, May 12, 1 p.m. at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts): Manisha Juthani

    Dr. Manisha Juthani, is the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH). Juthani is the first Indian American to serve as a commissioner in the State of Connecticut. She served as professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine through September 2024 and currently serves as an adjunct professor of medicine. She served as Director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program from 2012 to 2021. Juthani received her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and M.D. from Cornell University Medical College, completed Internal Medicine residency training at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell campus, and served as chief resident at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She came to Connecticut in 2002 as an Infectious Diseases fellow at Yale School of Medicine. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Juthani was a leader in the COVID response at Yale which led to her appointment as Commissioner of CT DPH in 2021. In the early days of the pandemic, she was a voice to help educate the public in both local and national media outlets, a role she was able to expand in her role as Commissioner. Upon joining CT DPH, she helped guide Connecticut out of the pandemic and worked to revitalize areas of public health, such as gun violence, maternal health, opioid use, and sexually transmitted diseases, that were exacerbated during the pandemic. As she continues in her role as DPH Commissioner, Juthani has shifted her core vision to “Preserve and Protect Core Public Health Principles and Services.” As Connecticut is presented with new public health challenges, she remains committed to preserving public health achievements made over the years, including improvements in regulatory oversight in health care, drinking water, and environmental health which includes food safety. It is more important than ever to highlight the importance of vaccines, control of infectious diseases, road safety, and healthier mothers and babies. Clear, accurate communication about public health risks is vital to her mission. She continues to advocate for health as a human right which is the core vision of CT DPH. Juthani is on the Board of Directors of UConn Health.

    The Graduate School – Doctoral Ceremony (Monday, May 12, 6 p.m. at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts): Sethuraman Panchanathan

    Sethuraman “Panch” Panchanathan is a computer scientist and engineer who served as the 15th director of the United States National Science Foundation (NSF) from 2020 until 2025. Panchanathan was nominated to by the president in 2019 and unanimously confirmed by the Senate on June 18, 2020. NSF is a $9.06 billion independent federal agency, and the only government agency charged with advancing all fields of scientific discovery, technological innovation and science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.

    Panchanathan previously served as the executive vice president of the Arizona State University (ASU) Knowledge Enterprise, where he was also chief research and innovation officer. He was also the founder and director of the Center for Cognitive Ubiquitous Computing at ASU. Under his leadership, the university increased research performance fivefold, earning recognition as the fastest growing and most innovative research university in the U.S.

    Prior to joining NSF, Panchanathan was appointed by the president to serve on the National Science Board, where he was a chair of the Committee on Strategy and a member of the External Engagement and National Science and Engineering Policy committees. Additionally, he was chair of the Council on Research of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and co-chair of the Extreme Innovation Taskforce of the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils. Arizona’s governor appointed Panchanathan as senior advisor for science and technology in 2018. He was the editor-in-chief of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) MultiMedia magazine and editor and associate editor of several international journals.

    For his scientific contributions, Panchanathan has received numerous awards, including honorary doctorates from prestigious universities, distinguished alumni awards, the Governor’s Innovator of the Year for Academia Award, the Washington Academy of Sciences Distinguished Career Award and the IEEE-USA Public Service Award.

    Panchanathan is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, where he also served as vice president for strategic initiatives. He is also a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the Association for Computing Machinery, IEEE and the Society of Optical Engineering.

    School of Law (Sunday, May 18, 10:30 a.m. at UConn School of Law): Mayor Arunan Arulampalam

    The son of Sri Lankan refugees, Arunan Arulampalam was born in Zimbabwe and made a home and a family in Hartford after graduate school. Prior to being elected mayor of Hartford in November 2023, he served as CEO of the Hartford Land Bank, where he developed a first-in-the-nation program to train Hartford residents to become local developers and tackle blight in their city. Arulampalam served in Governor Ned Lamont’s administration as Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Before that, he was a lawyer at the downtown firm Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C. Arulampalam also served on the Board of the Hartford Public Library, the House of Bread, and on the Hartford Redevelopment Authority. He earned his BA in International Studies from Emory University and his JD from Quinnipiac University School of Law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: OTC Markets Group Welcomes BW Energy Limited to OTCQX

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced BW Energy Limited (Oslo Bors: BWE; OTCQX: BWERY, BWEFF), a growth-focused oil and gas company, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market. BW Energy Limited upgraded to OTCQX from the Pink® market.

    BW Energy Limited begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbols “BWERY” and “BWEFF.” U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

    Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their U.S. investors. For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the U.S. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.

    “The OTCQX Market provides a platform for increased recognition and engagement with a wider base of US investors. BW Energy is a fast-growing oil and gas company with production and attractive development assets in Gabon, Namibia and Brazil. We expect cross-trading on OTCQX to create additional long-term value through a broader US investor base and increased trading volumes in our shares,” says Carl K. Arnet, the CEO of BW Energy.

    About BW Energy Limited
    BW Energy is a growth E&P company with a differentiated strategy targeting proven offshore oil and gas reservoirs through low risk phased developments. The Company has access to existing production facilities to reduce time to first oil and cashflow with lower investments than traditional offshore developments. The Company’s assets are 73.5% of the producing Dussafu Marine licence offshore Gabon, 100% interest in the Golfinho and Camarupim fields, a 76.5% interest in the BM-ES-23 block, a 95% interest in the Maromba field in Brazil, a 95% interest in the Kudu field in Namibia, all operated by BW Energy. In addition, BW Energy holds approximately 6.6% of the common shares in Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. and a 20% non-operating interest in the onshore Petroleum Exploration License 73 (“PEL 73”) in Namibia. Total net 2P+2C reserves and resources were 599 million barrels of oil equivalent at the start of 2025.

    About OTC Markets Group Inc.

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

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

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

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

    Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Free Park Tennis to be served up at one of Sunderland’s Parks from May

    Source: City of Sunderland

    Sunderland will join cities like London and Manchester in offering free tennis, activator led sessions, as part of a scheme to make tennis available to everyone.

    Residents are being invited to join 1 hour tennis sessions starting from Sunday 11 May. These sessions will take place every Sunday at Barnes Park Tennis Courts from 10am to 11am.

    Free Park Tennis is open to everyone, regardless of ability or age (children under 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult). It is a great way to meet new people, spend time with family or friends, and exercise, while having fun. Rackets and balls will be provided.

    Anyone interested in taking part in Free Park Tennis, can book a spot at Clubspark / Barnes Park / Coaching / Summary and clicking the Barnes Park site.

    In 2023, these courts were part of over £400,000 worth of investment to improve 17 tennis courts across seven of Sunderland parks. There are two tennis courts available in Barnes Park, which is a green flag award winning park.

    The courts in Barnes Park, as well the others across Sunderland are available for everyone to use. There are both paid and free options at each park across the week, so you should always be able to find a free session to book. Find out more information at https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/SunderlandParksTennis

    Councillor Beth Jones, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, said: “Tennis is a fantastic sport and a brilliant way to get some exercise while also having fun.

    “It’s really beneficial for your mental and physical health, no matter your age or ability. And most importantly, it’s free for everyone.

    I encourage everyone to come and have a go at tennis and make the most out of our parks and tennis courts.”

    These sessions have been organised by Active Sunderland, Sunderland City Council in partnership with the LTAs Barclays Free Park Tennis scheme.

    Sian Foley, Delivery Manger at the LTA, said, “Barclays Free Park Tennis sessions offer people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities the chance to pick up a racket and enjoy tennis at no cost. Whether people want to improve their health, meet new people, or simply try out a new sport, the sessions in Sunderland’s parks, recently transformed through the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation funded Park Tennis Project, are a welcoming and accessible way to play tennis.”

    For anyone wanting to book a tennis court at any public courts across Sunderland’s parks, visit: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/SunderlandParksTennis

    Sunderland will join cities like London and Manchester in offering free tennis, activator led sessions, as part of a scheme to make tennis available to everyone.

    Residents are being invited to join 1 hour tennis sessions starting from Sunday 11 May. These sessions will take place every Sunday at Barnes Park Tennis Courts from 10am to 11am.

    Free Park Tennis is open to everyone, regardless of ability or age (children under 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult). It is a great way to meet new people, spend time with family or friends, and exercise, while having fun. Rackets and balls will be provided.

    Anyone interested in taking part in Free Park Tennis, can book a spot at Clubspark / Barnes Park / Coaching / Summary and clicking the Barnes Park site.

    In 2023, these courts were part of over £400,000 worth of investment to improve 17 tennis courts across seven of Sunderland parks. There are two tennis courts available in Barnes Park, which is a green flag award winning park.

    The courts in Barnes Park, as well the others across Sunderland are available for everyone to use. There are both paid and free options at each park across the week, so you should always be able to find a free session to book. Find out more information at https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/SunderlandParksTennis

    Councillor Beth Jones, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, said: “Tennis is a fantastic sport and a brilliant way to get some exercise while also having fun.

    “It’s really beneficial for your mental and physical health, no matter your age or ability. And most importantly, it’s free for everyone.

    I encourage everyone to come and have a go at tennis and make the most out of our parks and tennis courts.”

    These sessions have been organised by Active Sunderland, Sunderland City Council in partnership with the LTAs Barclays Free Park Tennis scheme.

    Sian Foley, Delivery Manger at the LTA, said, “Barclays Free Park Tennis sessions offer people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities the chance to pick up a racket and enjoy tennis at no cost. Whether people want to improve their health, meet new people, or simply try out a new sport, the sessions in Sunderland’s parks, recently transformed through the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation funded Park Tennis Project, are a welcoming and accessible way to play tennis.”

    For anyone wanting to book a tennis court at any public courts across Sunderland’s parks, visit: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/SunderlandParksTennis

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: New Ideas for Cities: The Results of the Urban Development Technologies Hackathon

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The hackathon “Urban Development Technologies” has ended at the State University of Management. It was held for the fourth time as part of the V All-Russian Interuniversity Forum “The Art of Management: Science, Practice, Project Technologies”.

    The competition was attended by 80 students from GUU, RUT (MIIT), RGUTIS, RTU MIREA, RUDN, SFedU, SPbGASU of various fields of study as participants and team facilitators.

    The organizing committee included representatives of the Department of Acceleration Programs and Project-Based Learning of the State University of Management: Irina Milkina, Evgeny Titov, Anastasia Lobacheva, Ekaterina Illarionova, Irina Denisova, Danila Smirnov.

    The goal of the hackathon was to solve management problems for the development of students’ professional competencies in the field of creating a comfortable urban environment, developing urban infrastructure and logistics, improving the ecological environment, supporting social entrepreneurship, and involving young people in urban projects.

    The business partners of the competition were the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Analytical Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation”, the Scientific Research Center for Municipal Economics, Sber, Vitra Russia, Roskachestvo and Beyond Taylor, VYSOTA-SERVIS Group of Companies, the State Budgetary Institution “Leisure and Sports Center of TiNAO”, the Museum of Urban Economy of Moscow, the Basmanny District Museum – Basmania and others.

    The special feature of the hackathon “Urban Development Technologies” is the original approach to the formation of multi-competence inter-university teams with skills in a variety of areas and directions from information technology to public relations. The guys not only worked on real problem cases from partners, but also participated in an educational master class on team building, during which they got to know each other, formed and presented their teams.

    The participants also had a dialogue with the competition’s business partners, both in person and online, and visited the Moscow Museum of Urban Economy, where they were impressed by the visualization of the processes of providing housing and communal services to the population and a full immersion in the topic.

    On the final day, the teams presented their projects to a panel of experts consisting of representatives of the event’s partners.

    The winner of the hackathon was the team “Infinite”, which worked on the case “Financial model for the maintenance of apartment buildings” from the Center for Municipal Economics, consisting of: Linda Yuliana (RUDN), Lozovsky Viktor (GUU), Baburina Alena (SFedU), Kuznetsov Vladimir (RUT (MIIT)), Kuleshov Ivan (RTU MIREA), Kudin Ivan (GUU), Paramonova Irina Ilyinichna (GUU), Rumeus Elizaveta (GUU).

    The 2nd degree diploma was awarded to the team “6 cadres”, which worked on the case from the Basmanny District Museum – Basmania, consisting of: Ivan Gordeev (RUDN), Ilya Kopytin (RGUTIS), Alevtina Maryenko (GUU), Vladimir Komov (GUU), Ksenia Starikova (GUU), Alexandra Nenarokomova (GUU).

    2 teams that scored the same number of points from the expert jury received 3rd degree diplomas:

    team “WIN 777” (case from Vysota-Service Group of Companies) consisting of: Vasilina Shumskaya (RUDN University), Riad Gubatov (SUU), Anna Akinshina (SFU), Alexander Belov (RTU MIREA), Suzanna Aleksanyan (SUU), Elena Semikolenova (SUU), team “Desperate Innovators” (case from the Museum of Municipal Economy Moscow) consisting of: Anton Petrov (RTU MIREA), Pavel Polyakov (SUU), Valeria Kornienko (SFU), Egor Korostelev (RUDN University), Alexey Ilyin (SUU), Maxim Roenko (RUT (MIIT)), Yesayan Shogik (SUU).

    Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Dmitry Bryukhanov congratulated the winners of the hackathon and presented memorable prizes and gifts from our university and the event partners to all participants.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/29/2025

    Искусство управлять: наука,…” data-yashareImage=”https://guu.ru/wp-content/uploads/IMG_20250424_112943-scaled.jpg” data-yashareLink=”https://guu.ru/%d0%bd%d0%be%d0%b2%d1%8b%d0%b5-%d0%b8%d0%b4%d0%b5%d0%b8-%d0%b4%d0%bb%d1%8f-%d0%b3%d0%be%d1%80%d0%be%d0%b4%d0%be%d0%b2-%d0%bf%d0%be%d0%b4%d0%b2%d0%b5%d0%b4%d0%b5%d0%bd%d1%8b-%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%be%d0%b3/”>

    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 Russia: The Digital GTO took place at SPbGASU

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Participants of the Digital GTO. In the center – Yulia Yakovleva and Ilya Gladushevsky

    The Digital GTO test was taken at SPbGASU on April 22. Over the course of an hour, 77 schoolchildren and college students answered one hundred questions about construction, design, and 3D modeling. Those who scored more than 70 points out of a possible one hundred will receive an additional five points to their Unified State Exam results when entering SPbGASU for the training program 08.03.01 Construction and specialty 08.05.02 Construction of unique buildings and structures.

    “Digital GTO” is an interactive test developed by the Etalon Group and the National Association of Organizations in the Sphere of Information Modeling Technologies (NOTIM) as part of the career guidance project “I am the builder of the future!” of the Public Council under the Ministry of Construction of Russia. “Digital GTO” is designed to help future young specialists determine the level of their digital competencies in the field of construction. The project’s objectives are to expand opportunities for admission, prepare sought-after professionals, and fill the personnel shortage.

    The Digital GTO project was launched at the Growth Point of SPbGASU. Ilya Gladushevsky, responsible secretary of the admissions committee, associate professor of the department of ground transport and technological machines, addressed the participants: “I have already seen many of you and will see you again in the summer. Today you have a unique opportunity to participate in the Digital GTO project! The day will be eventful and interesting!” he noted.

    Yulia Yakovleva, Head of Adaptation and Special Projects at Etalon Group, spoke about the tasks included in the test and why it is held at our university: “The tasks were developed by employees of EtalonProekt, the general designer of our group. We can say that this is not a basic level, but a level “with an asterisk”. The test is intended for those who already have in-depth knowledge, participate in career guidance events, and are passionate about their profession. Today, many companies are hunting for personnel and hold their own events to work with future students. Even kindergartens are specialized – they start raising personnel from the cradle!”

    We asked the guys why they came to SPbGASU to take the Digital GTO.

    Vadim Savelyev, 11th grade student of Gymnasium No. 261 (St. Petersburg): “I am planning to enroll in SPbGASU. I am choosing between the Industrial and Civil Construction and Construction of Unique Buildings and Structures programs. It is interesting to learn about the university, to see it from the inside. I have not been here yet, but I have many friends, and they have told me about it. The fact that you can get additional points is also important. I prepared on my own, studied programs, new technologies. And my school teachers helped.”

    Maria Krestyaninova, a fourth-year student at the Academy of Urban Environment Management, Urban Development and Printing (AUGSiP, St. Petersburg): “I came here because I am very interested in this profession. Friends told me that they teach well here, the teachers are good. And the extra points interested me. I have studied many programs over four years. I rely on my knowledge and hope for a good result.

    I am currently writing my thesis. I will be applying to SPbGASU this year.”

    After the formal part, the participants went to the computer rooms and started taking the test. The children concentrated on solving the tasks for an hour, then they had a tour of our university. Arina Sukhacheva, a third-year student of the architecture department, introduced the audiences, the model workshop, and the drawing department. Returning to the “Growth Point”, the children watched a presentation about the university prepared by Elena Abashina, a fourth-year student of the construction department, a specialist in the admissions committee. The results were summed up and the winners were awarded here. The scores were calculated by a computer program. The best results were shown by five people:

    Timofey Isaev (gymnasium No. 52, 9th grade) – 90 points; Alexey Ermilov (school No. 18, grade 11) – 76 points; Yaroslav Karachakov (school No. 531, 10th grade) – 75 points; Ivan Postnikov (gymnasium No. 540, 11th grade) – 75 points; Tikhon Bayruk (school No. 18, 11th grade) – 73 points.

    “I have 90 points. Luck was on my side today! I will definitely apply to PGS. It was difficult at the Olympiad itself!” said Timofey Isaev.

    “You can only participate in the Digital GTO in person. This time, schoolchildren and college students from St. Petersburg, Krasnodar, Tula and other cities came to us. In the future, we plan to cooperate with the Etalon Group to disseminate information about the project as widely as possible,” said Elvira Tkachenko, deputy responsible secretary of the admissions committee.

    “We will conduct the “Digital GTO” on the platform of the Public Council under the Ministry of Construction of Russia “I am the builder of the future!” quite often. If it didn’t work out this time, there will be a chance next time!” – Yulia Yakovleva, a representative of the Etalon Group, encouraged the guys.

    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 Asia-Pac: SCST begins visit to UAE (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    SCST begins visit to UAE  
    In the morning, Miss Law had a fruitful exchange with the UAE Minister of Sports, HE Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, where they shared their visions and identified common ground in advancing their cities as global hubs for major international sporting events, professionalising the sports industry, leveraging sports as a key economic driver, and fostering unity among community through sports participation. Miss Law introduced Hong Kong’s commitment to nurturing elite sports talents by providing comprehensive support and professional training for local athletes. Miss Law also highlighted the vibrant horse racing culture in Hong Kong. HE Dr Al Falasi shared similar efforts made and policies implemented by the government of the UAE to develop sports in the country. Miss Law extended her invitation to HE Dr Al Falasi to visit Hong Kong to explore further opportunities for sports co-operation and exchange.
     
    Miss Law then paid a courtesy call on the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai, Ms Ou Boqian. During the meeting, she reported on the recent work of the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) and outlined plans to fostering collaboration and building stronger connections between Hong Kong and the Middle East. Ms Ou shared her insights into the UAE’s cultural and tourism landscape, highlighting potential opportunities for cooperation between the two regions. She emphasised that Hong Kong has competitive advantages in high-end tourism, horse racing tourism, and yacht tourism, which presented significant potential for further development.
     
    In the afternoon, Miss Law attended the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, a leading international event for the Middle East’s hospitality industry. She toured various pavilions, engaged with local trade representatives, and explored potential collaborations between Hong Kong’s tourism sector and the Middle East market. During the event, Miss Law witnessed the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding at the Hong Kong Pavilion between the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and two major travel agents in the Middle East, Musafi.com and Almosafer International Travel and Tourism Company, which aimed to establish a framework for future co-operation.
     
    Miss Law also met with the Group Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, Mr Engr Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, and the Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of the Emirates, Mr Adnan Kazim, in the pavilion at the ATM. They discussed strengthening partnerships to promote Hong Kong as a premier travel destination for Middle East markets.
     
    In the evening, a dinner reception was co-organised by the CSTB, the HKTB, and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai. The event welcomed around 70 guests, including key partners from the Middle East’s tourism industry, along with distinguished travel trade leaders and industry representatives from Hong Kong. In her opening remarks, Miss Law highlighted Hong Kong’s multifaceted tourism offerings, which catered to visitors of all ages and interests. She also pointed to the new Kai Tak Sports Park as an exciting development that will host world-class sports and entertainment events. She underscored Hong Kong’s commitment to becoming a Muslim-friendly destination, reiterated Hong Kong’s eagerness to deepen ties with the Middle East, not only by welcoming visitors from the region but also by encouraging more Hong Kong people to explore the Middle East for both leisure and business.
     
    Miss Law will continue her visit to the UAE today (April 29, Dubai time).
    Issued at HKT 2:48

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Becomes Gold Sponsor at Token2049 Dubai: CEO Gracy Chen to Share Vision for Crypto’s Next Chapter

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, is set to make a major impact at TOKEN2049 Dubai as a Gold Sponsor of this year’s landmark event. Taking place from 30 April to 1 May 2025, at Madinat Jumeirah Conference Centre, TOKEN2049 Dubai brings together the brightest minds and boldest innovators from across the global crypto and blockchain ecosystem. As the crypto community gathers in one of the most dynamic hubs for innovation, Bitget stands ready to spotlight its strategies that continue to shape the digital asset landscape.

    Day One of the conference will see Bitget CEO Gracy Chen deliver a keynote speech on the io.net Stage, from 3:00 to 3:15 PM GST. Titled,“Two Strategies Bitget Adopted to Thrive in a Volatile Market”, the sharing will explore how Bitget navigates and thrives amid global volatility, tapping into emerging opportunities while staying at the forefront of innovation. Gracy’s insights will highlight the strategies that enabled Bitget to deliver real-world impact in an unpredictable market landscape, setting a blueprint for sustainable success in the evolving crypto ecosystem.

    Further amplifying its presence, Bitget is setting the stage for an unforgettable evening with Cryptoverse Dream Night on May 30. In collaboration with 1inch and backed by Morph, this invite-only after-hours event will gather Web3 pioneers, blockchain leaders, and crypto giants for an immersive night of electrifying energy, premium experiences, and next-gen networking. From surprise performances to curated social moments, the event captures the bold spirit driving the future of the cryptoverse. Attendees stand a chance to be rewarded with Bitget Exclusives when they capture and share the most electrifying moments at the event.

    As discussions around decentralization, market access, and innovation take center stage, Bitget is expanding its role beyond that of a traditional exchange. Through its contributions both during the conference and at side events, Bitget aims to help shape new standards for how value is built in this digital economy. “Our goal is to help lay the groundwork for a more connected and resilient Web3 ecosystem,” said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget. “Success in this space requires more than technology — it demands collaboration and a shared vision for what the future should look like and there is no greater platform to have these conversations than at an event like TOKEN2049. With a powerful presence both on and off the main stage, Bitget’s participation at Token2049 Dubai reflects its broader strategy to support the ongoing evolution of Web3.”

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 100 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more.

    Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dca116ce-6d79-4bfa-8ef8-9b1e72215f89

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Exciting plans to make 2025 Waterside Half Marathon biggest and best yet

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Exciting plans to make 2025 Waterside Half Marathon biggest and best yet

    29 April 2025

    Derry City and Strabane District Council have announced ambitious plans to create an unforgettable experience for runners and spectators alike when the Waterside Half Marathon returns to the city this Autumn.

    The 2025 edition of the event, sponsored by EY and the Lycra Company, is set to feature a record field of 3,250 runners who will set off from Ebrington Square at 9.30am on Sunday September 7th.

    Council’s Festival and Events team are planning a number of new features to make the 42nd staging of the race not just the biggest but the best yet.
    Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr, has urged runners to seal their place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
    “Demand for places in the Waterside Half Marathon has gone through the roof in recent years and over 75% of places have now been snapped up four months ahead of race day,” she said.
    “This is a brilliant reflection of the huge running participation numbers that exist locally and the popularity of this event with all levels of runner.
    “Last year’s scenic four bridge route, which was designed in consultation with local running clubs, proved particularly popular with both athletes and spectators alike and I am delighted to see it retained for 2025.”

    The race route starts and ends in Ebrington Square and crosses the Craigavon Bridge, the Peace Bridge (twice), the Foyle Bridge and the Pennyburn Footbridge.

    Ebrington Square is set to host the EY sponsored Race Village where there will be a club zone, live music and food and drink to allow runners to celebrate their achievement with friends and family.
    Athletics NI have also confirmed that the 2025 Half Marathon will also be the Northern Ireland and Ulster Half Marathon Championships race.
    Festival and Events Manager at Council, Jacqueline Whoriskey, said they were delighted to continue to grow the event into one of the biggest on the island of Ireland.
    “We were delighted with the success of the 2024 Waterside Half Marathon, where runners remarked on how good the atmosphere was around the course, particularly at the relay changeover points and along the quay,” she said.
    “The dramatic finish over the Peace Bridge and up the mall through Ebrington Square has proved a big hit with runners and spectators too so we aren’t surprised that demand has been at an all time high this year and well over 2,000 runners have already sealed their spot.
    “We are delighted to have EY and The Lycra Company on board as sponsors this year and their generous support will allow us to create an even better race experience before, during and after the event when we are planning a post race party in the Square where you can toast your success.”

    The entry fee for the Half Marathon is £27 plus booking fee and £70 plus booking fee for a Relay team.

    The event is chip-timed and every finisher receives a commemorative medal and t shirt.

    You can register now at www.derrystrabane.com/whm and follow the Waterside Half Marathon facebook page for race updates.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: BW Energy: OTC Markets Group Welcomes BW Energy Limited to OTCQX

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OTC Markets Group Welcomes BW Energy Limited to OTCQX

    NEW YORK – OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced BW Energy Limited (Oslo Bors: BWE; OTCQX: BWERY, BWEFF), a growth-focused oil and gas company, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market. BW Energy Limited upgraded to OTCQX from the Pink® market.

    BW Energy Limited begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbols “BWERY” and “BWEFF.”  U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

    Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their U.S. investors.  For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the U.S. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.

    “The OTCQX Market provides a platform for increased recognition and engagement with a wider base of US investors. BW Energy is a fast-growing oil and gas company with production and attractive development assets in Gabon, Namibia and Brazil. We expect cross-trading on OTCQX to create additional long-term value through a broader US investor base and increased trading volumes in our shares,” says Carl K. Arnet, the CEO of BW Energy.

    About BW Energy Limited
    BW Energy is a growth E&P company with a differentiated strategy targeting proven offshore oil and gas reservoirs through low risk phased developments. The Company has access to existing production facilities to reduce time to first oil and cashflow with lower investments than traditional offshore developments. The Company’s assets are 73.5% of the producing Dussafu Marine licence offshore Gabon, 100% interest in the Golfinho and Camarupim fields, a 76.5% interest in the BM-ES-23 block, a 95% interest in the Maromba field in Brazil, a 95% interest in the Kudu field in Namibia, all operated by BW Energy. In addition, BW Energy holds approximately 6.6% of the common shares in Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. and a 20% non-operating interest in the onshore Petroleum Exploration License 73 (“PEL 73”) in Namibia. Total net 2P+2C reserves and resources were 599 million barrels of oil equivalent at the start of 2025.

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

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

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

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

    Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

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

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: 28 April 2025 Yury Trutnev: EEF big contributor to development of Far East and President’s instructions Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev chaired a meeting in Vladivostok on preparations in the lead-up to the 10th Eastern Economic Forum, which is scheduled to take place on the campus of Far Eastern Federal University on 3–6 September. The EEF is being organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

    Source: Eastern Economic Forum

    28 April 2025

    Yury Trutnev: EEF big contributor to development of Far East and President’s instructions

    Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev chaired a meeting in Vladivostok on preparations in the lead-up to the 10th Eastern Economic Forum, which is scheduled to take place on the campus of Far Eastern Federal University on 3–6 September. The EEF is being organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

    “The Eastern Economic Forum has contributed much over the years to the development of the Far East and the fulfilment of the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. Thousands of people from all over the world attend the EEF every year, and no sanctions or anything else will succeed in weakening interest in it. The Russian Far East is a huge region, and its development affects its neighbours and the entire world. We will do our best as always to ensure that our guests receive all the information they seek and are able to carry out their work in comfort and safety at the Eastern Economic Forum,” Trutnev said as he opened the meeting.

    The composition of the Forum programme was considered in detail.  

    “We discussed possible themes for the EEF, and I believe it would be impossible to ignore the Soviet nation’s victory in the Great Patriotic War. Our proposal for the main theme is going to be something like ‘The Far East: From Victory to Victory’, though we’ll think a bit more about the exact wording. The Second World War ended in the Far East. The President of the Russian Federation has ordered us to prepare a major exhibition on the island of Shumshu, where the Kuril landing took place, to educate young people and remind all of us about the heroic feats that led to the great victory,” Trutnev said.

    The Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic suggested including in the business programme topics of vital importance to regional development and possible integration with the economy of the broader Asia-Pacific region.

    “We would focus in particular on technological development. Technology is changing the world now. It is changing the very fabric of life. And many of these technologies either originate in Asia or are first brought to market here. We would like to see the Far East play a bigger role in this process and believe it can. We would like to use new tools like our international advanced-development territories to ensure that these technologies are created and replicated in Russia,” Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic Alexei Chekunkov said.

    First Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the Eastern Economic Forum Igor Pavlov touched on organizational issues and how preparations for the 10th Eastern Economic Forum were getting along.

    “A great many events have been planned for EEF 2025, including the ‘Welcome to the Far East!’ exhibition, which traditionally enjoys the participation of federal ministries and agencies. And the sports programme will include a special patriotic Parade of Sails, rowing competitions, a hockey match, a run, and more,” Pavlov said.

    According to Governor of Primorsky Territory Oleg Kozhemyako, the region has been following the roadmap laid out last year in its preparations for the Forum. Funds have been set aside in the regional budget for the construction of the region’s pavilion at the Far East Street exhibition, sports and cultural programmes, medical care, and road inspections. A special unit has been tasked with ensuring electrical supply, and preparations are underway on transmission lines and at power facilities. Law enforcement agencies are coming together to create a task force to ensure public order and security. 25 hotels in Vladivostok and Artem are on call to accommodate Forum guests and participants in 1,600 rooms.

    Mayor of Vladivostok Konstantin Shestakov reported on the measures being implemented as part of the preparations for the Forum in the capital of the Far Eastern Federal District in landscaping, road infrastructure, sanitation and security, building facades, and catering and cultural events. Work has been planned to repair roads, paint elevated and underground pedestrian crossings, and fix metal and concrete fences, bus stops, and bridges. The storm water drainage system will also be cleaned, sunken manholes fixed, pavement and curbs touched up, graffiti and unauthorized advertising removed, and concrete surfaces and road infrastructure painted. The city itself will receive an important facelift, with private investors funding 10 objets d’art across the route that will be travelled by guests through the city. Special events, concerts, and evening programmes are also being planned for the city’s open-air venues, with additional cultural initiatives for Forum participants and the residents of Vladivostok in development.

    Far Eastern Federal University President Boris Korobets spoke about the preparation of the Far Eastern Federal University campus for the Forum, with large-scale modernization of infrastructure to begin in May and student service brigades to take part in campus renovation work for the first time this year, for which volunteers are currently being recruited. For the fourth year in a row, FEFU will work together with the Russian Znanie Society to organize a lecture hall for the students and youth of Primorsky Territory at the Forum. 350 top students and talented schoolchildren will attend in person, with another 8.5 million people expected to join the event online. This year, the lecture will focus on the end of World War II, the contribution of the Soviet nation to the fight against fascism, and the events of the Soviet-Japanese War of 1945. A new visual attraction will be installed in the park on FEFU’s central square in the form of a 50-metre-high flagpole flying a 150-square-metre tricolour. As part of the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland announced by the President of Russia, an Alley of Heroes will be established in the campus park and dedicated to the Russian heroes serving their country in the special military operation from all eleven regions of the Far East.

    The regions of the Far East are also preparing for this tenth anniversary forum. As in the past, they will present their economic achievements and unique culture and customs at the Far East Street exhibition. 11 region and five industry pavilions have been planned this year: two pavilions for the Ministry of Sport of Russia, the ‘Business’ and ‘GTO Arena’; the Far East and Arctic Development Corporation’s ‘Developing the Far East’ Pavilion; the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia’s ‘Falcon House’ Pavilion; and the ‘Corporation Turizm.RF’ Pavilion. The pavilions dedicated to the regions will focus on economic and social achievements of the past ten years, provide information about investment projects, advanced technological developments, and the implementation of master plans for the development of the cities of the Far East, and the celebration of the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War. An alley dedicated to brands from the Far East is being organized in conjunction with ASI and will present the goods manufactured in the region.

    Also discussed during the meeting were issues of sanitary and epidemiological safety to be addressed during the preparation for EEF 2025.

    “The EEF is a well-prepared, balanced tool for attracting investment to the Far East that allows all federal executive authorities to see whether they are fulfilling the President’s instructions and for investors to understand that they are on the right track. And we will protect what we have here, even as we turn now to the content and move forward, work on the sessions, and think about how to set the right tasks,” Trutnev said in conclusion.

     

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    MIL OSI Economics –