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Category: Sport

  • MIL-OSI: Best Crypto Casinos 2025: JACKBIT | Rated Top Bitcoin Casino with NO KYC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LARNACA, Cyprus, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Crypto casino is booming in 2025, but not all platforms are equal. After reviewing dozens, JACKBIT Casino stands out for its top bonuses, newest games, fast sign-up, and no-KYC policy. In this guide, we cover its pros and cons, welcome offers, and what makes it a top crypto casino this year.

    >>CLAIM FREE SPINS & RAKEBACK BONUS at JACKBIT CASINO !<<

    Discover the Best Bitcoin Casino with Free Spins in 2025: JACKBIT Casino

    What makes JACKBIT stand out from the crowd? It’s more than just its sleek user interface or its massive library of 7,000+ casino games, or free spins. JACKBIT delivers a truly next-level crypto gambling experience—with

    instant deposits and withdrawals, zero KYC requirements, and a VIP system that pays back up to 30% in rakeback. As one of the leading bitcoin casinos, JACKBIT ensures user safety and a positive gambling experience, making it a top choice for responsible gamblers.

    Throw in $10,000 in weekly giveaways, 10,000 free spins every week, BTC 10 weekly cashback, and access to the most advanced crypto sportsbook on the market, and JACKBIT becomes more than just a casino—it’s a crypto-powered entertainment hub.

    CLICK HERE TO GET 30% RAKEBACK BONUS + 100 FREE SPINS + NO KYC

    Why We Chose JACKBIT as the Top Online Bitcoin Casino

    >Jackbit Bitcoin Casino Bonus (2025)

    JACKBIT is raising the bar in 2025 with one of the most rewarding crypto casino bonus lineups around:

    Welcome Bonus: 30% Rakeback + 100 Free Spins Wager Free + No KYC

    • 30% Rakeback on Losses
    • 100 Free Spins on First Deposit
    • No KYC Required to Play or Withdraw
    • $10,000 in Weekly Cash Giveaways
    • 10,000 Free Spins Given Away Weekly

    Whether you’re a casual player or a seasoned high roller, JACKBIT’s top bitcoin gambling sites promotions deliver real value. The rakeback system ensures you get up to 30% of your losses back, automatically credited to your account. It’s a rare feature that rewards consistent play and loyalty.

    Plus, the ongoing giveaways offer serious value, with thousands of dollars in cash and free spins distributed every single week. JACKBIT doesn’t just claim to be rewarding—it proves it, week after week.

    How to Join JACKBIT Bitcoin Casino: A Step-by-Step Guide

    Getting started with JACKBIT Casino is quick, easy, and completely hassle-free—even for players in the U.S. With no KYC requirements, you can dive into the action instantly, without uploading any personal documents. Follow these simple steps to join:

    Step 1: Visit the Official JACKBIT Bitcoin Casino

    Head straight to the JACKBIT crypto Casino sign-up page and click the “Sign Up” button in the top right corner to begin.

    Step 2: Set Up Your Account

    Fill out the short registration form with the following details:

    • Your email address
    • A strong password
    • Your country of residence
    • Preferred currency (crypto and fiat options available)

    Agree to the terms and conditions, then click “Create Account.”

    Step 3: Fund Your Account

    Once registered, go to the “Wallet” section to make your first deposit. JACKBIT supports a variety of payment methods like:

    • Bitcoin (BTC)
    • Ethereum (ETH)
    • Tether (USDT)
    • And more payment methods

    Pro Tip: Don’t forget to claim your 30% Rakeback + 100 Free Spins welcome bonus with your first deposit!

    Step 4: Start Playing

    With your account funded, you’re ready to explore JACKBIT’s full range of games. Jump into:

    • Thousands of online slots
    • Live dealer tables
    • The industry-leading crypto sportsbook

    Whether you’re here to spin, bet, or win big—JACKBIT Bitcoin casino delivers from the very first click.

    Why Crypto Casinos

    Crypto casinos have revolutionized the online gaming industry by offering a unique and exciting way to play casino games using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. These casinos provide a secure, transparent, and fair gaming experience, making them a popular choice among players. With the rise of crypto casinos, players can now enjoy a wide range of games, including slots, table games, live dealer games, and more, all from the comfort of their own homes.

    One of the key advantages of crypto casinos is the enhanced security they offer. Transactions made with cryptocurrencies are encrypted and decentralized, reducing the risk of fraud and ensuring that players’ funds are safe. Additionally, the use of blockchain technology allows for provably fair gaming, where players can verify the fairness of each game outcome.

    Crypto casinos also offer a level of anonymity that traditional online casinos cannot match. Players can register and play without providing personal information, thanks to the no KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements. This makes the gaming experience more private and secure.

    In summary, crypto casinos combine the thrill of online gaming with the benefits of cryptocurrency, providing a modern and innovative way to enjoy casino games. Whether you’re a fan of slots, table games, or live dealer games, crypto casinos offer a diverse and exciting gaming experience.

    Getting Started with Crypto Casinos

    Getting started with crypto casinos is easy and straightforward. To begin, players need to choose a reputable and trustworthy crypto casino that offers a wide range of games and accepts their preferred cryptocurrency. Once they have selected a casino, they can create an account and make a deposit using their cryptocurrency wallet.

    Many crypto casinos offer generous welcome bonuses, free spins, and other promotions to new players, making it an excellent way to start their gaming journey. These bonuses can significantly boost your initial bankroll, giving you more opportunities to explore the casino’s game offerings.

    Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started with crypto casinos:

    1. Choose a Reputable Crypto Casino: Look for a casino with a good reputation, a wide range of games, and positive player reviews. Ensure that the casino supports your preferred cryptocurrency.
    2. Create an Account: Register by providing basic information such as your email address and creating a strong password. Some casinos may also ask for your country of residence and preferred currency.
    3. Make a Deposit: Go to the casino’s wallet section and make a deposit using your cryptocurrency wallet. Most crypto casinos support a variety of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether.
    4. Claim Your Welcome Bonus: Don’t forget to claim your welcome bonus, which may include free spins and deposit bonuses. These bonuses can give you a great start and increase your chances of winning.
    5. Start Playing: With your account funded and your bonus claimed, you’re ready to start playing. Explore the casino’s game library, which may include slots, table games, live dealer games, and more.

    By following these steps, you can easily get started with crypto casinos and enjoy a thrilling and rewarding gaming experience.

    Best Ways to Play at JACKBIT Bitcoin Casino

    Whether you’re a crypto-savvy high roller or a casual gamer looking for quick fun, JACKBIT bitcoin casino offers countless ways to play. A key promotional feature is the reload bonus, which encourages both new and returning players to keep engaging with the platform. Here’s how to maximize your gaming experience:

    JACKBIT provides various promotional offers, including a generous deposit bonus that matches a percentage of your initial deposit. This significantly increases your available gaming funds and enhances your overall engagement with the platform.

    1. Explore the 7,000+ casino games

    JACKBIT hosts one of the largest game collections online, offering a wide variety of crypto gambling games—including:

    • Top-tier slots from providers like Pragmatic Play, Nolimit City, and Hacksaw Gaming
    • Live casino tables with real dealers for blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and game shows
    • Bitcoin blackjack for enhanced player experience with faster transactions, lower fees, and added privacy
    • Crypto crash and instant games like Aviator and Plinko for fast-paced action

    Pro Tip: Use the search bar or filters to discover hidden gems and new releases.

    Playing games on JACKBIT allows users to engage with various types of online casino platforms, making it easy to enjoy activities like bingo and traditional slot games using cryptocurrencies.

    2. Take Advantage of Rakeback, Bonuses & Free Spins

    One of the most significant advantages of playing at crypto casinos is the opportunity to take advantage of rakeback, bonuses, and free spins. Rakeback is a reward program that gives players a percentage of their losses back, while bonuses and free spins provide players with extra funds to play with.

    Many crypto casinos offer generous welcome bonuses, reload bonuses, and other promotions to keep players engaged and entertained. For example, a welcome bonus might include a percentage match on your first deposit, along with free spins on popular slot games. Reload bonuses, on the other hand, offer additional funds on subsequent deposits, ensuring that players always have something to look forward to. Additionally, joining a VIP club can provide exclusive benefits such as unique bonuses, cashback deals, and personalized rewards for high-stakes players, elevating the gaming experience.

    Free spins are another popular promotion, giving players the chance to spin the reels of selected slot games without using their own funds. These spins can lead to significant winnings, making them a favorite among players.

    To make the most of these bonuses and promotions, it’s essential to read the terms and conditions carefully. Pay attention to wagering requirements, which dictate how many times you need to play through the bonus before you can withdraw any winnings. By understanding these requirements, you can maximize your gaming experience and increase your chances of winning.

    JACKBIT’s bonus system is built for longevity. Maximize your returns with:

    • Up to 30% rakeback on your gameplay losses
    • 100 free spins on your first deposit
    • $10,000 weekly giveaways
    • 10,000 free spins given away weekly

    These free spin offers are part of promotional incentives designed to enhance your gaming experience. It is important to understand the wagering requirement attached to these bonuses to fully benefit from them.

    DON’T JUST PLAY—GET REWARDED WHILE YOU PLAY

    3. Play Anytime, Anywhere

    JACKBIT is fully optimized for mobile gaming. Whether you’re using a phone or tablet, you’ll get:

    • Lightning-fast loading speeds
    • Smooth navigation
    • Full access to games, promotions, and payments

    Perfect for crypto betting on the go. Top Bitcoin gambling sites are also adapting to mobile trends, ensuring functionality and user-friendliness across devices.

    4. Dive Into the Crypto Sportsbook

    Bet on 140+ sports and thousands of live events every month with JACKBIT’s top-tier sportsbook, one of the leading betting sites offering a range of features for users. Highlights include:

    • 82,000+ live events monthly
    • 4,500+ betting types
    • 75,000+ pre-match events

    Great for sports bettors who want fast, crypto-friendly bets and a variety of betting options.

    5. Stay Anonymous, Stay in Control

    Thanks to no KYC requirements, JACKBIT bitcoin casino lets you play anonymously. Enjoy:

    • Instant registration
    • Fast deposits & instant withdrawals
    • Total control over your data

    Perfect for privacy-first players.

    Why JACKBIT Stands Out as the Best Crypto Casino with Minimum Deposits and Withdrawals

    JACKBIT has earned its reputation as the best crypto casino due to its extensive range of casino games, including live casino games, video poker games, and classic table games. Among bitcoin gambling platforms, JACKBIT bitcoin casino site stands out for offering an authentic casino experience with competitive odds, ensuring that players have the best chance to win big. The Bitcoin casino offers a user-friendly interface and seamless navigation, making it easy for players to access their favorite games and enjoy a thrilling gaming experience.

    The Bitcoin casino’s commitment to innovation is evident in its incorporation of cutting-edge technology, providing players with a visually stunning and immersive gaming environment. Many Bitcoin casinos, including JACKBIT, offer regular promotions and bonuses, such as free spins and deposit bonuses, to keep the excitement alive and reward loyal players.

    JACKBIT Bitcoin Casino Pros & Cons

    Pros:

    • 30% Rakeback on All Bets (welcome bonus)
    • 100 Free Spins on First Deposit
    • $10,000 + 10,000 Free Spins Weekly
    • Best Crypto Sportsbook in 2025
    • 7,000+ Casino Games
    • No KYC Policy
    • Fast Crypto Withdrawals
    • Top VIP Program

    Cons:

    • Not available in some restricted countries (use a VPN for access)

    Accepted Payment Methods at Jackbit online casino

    Cryptocurrencies

    Jackbit online casino supports a wide array of cryptocurrencies for both deposits and withdrawals, including:​

    • Bitcoin (BTC)
    • Ethereum (ETH)
    • Tether (USDT)
    • Binance Coin (BNB)
    • USD Coin (USDC)
    • Tron (TRX)
    • Dogecoin (DOGE)
    • Litecoin (LTC)
    • Ripple (XRP)
    • Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
    • Monero (XMR)
    • Dash (DASH)
    • Solana (SOL)
    • Cardano (ADA)
    • Polygon (MATIC)
    • Shiba Inu (SHIB)
    • Chainlink (LINK)
    • Dai (DAI)
    • BUSD​

    These cryptocurrencies can be used for both deposits and withdrawals, providing flexibility for crypto enthusiasts. ​

    Traditional Payment Methods

    While Jackbit is primarily a crypto-focused platform, it also accepts Visa and Mastercard for deposits. However, withdrawals are typically processed through cryptocurrencies. ​

    Transaction Details

    • Deposit Processing Time: Instant for both crypto and card deposits.
    • Withdrawal Processing Time: Typically within 1 hour; however, in some cases, it may take up to one business day.
    • Minimum Deposit: Varies by cryptocurrency; for example, the minimum deposit is approximately $50.
    • Minimum Withdrawal: Depends on the selected cryptocurrency.
    • Withdrawal Limits: Up to €25,000 per week and €50,000 per month.
    • Fees: Jackbit does not charge fees for crypto deposits. ​

    ️ Verification Requirements

    Jackbit operates with a non-mandatory KYC policy, allowing players to deposit and play without immediate identity verification. However, for large withdrawals or if suspicious activity is detected, the casino may request verification documents. ​

    Currency Exchange

    For players preferring fiat currencies, Jackbit offers the option to purchase cryptocurrencies directly through the platform using Visa or Mastercard, facilitating easy conversion from EUR, USD, or CAD to your chosen crypto. ​

    Jackbit crypto Casino’s diverse payment options, swift transaction times, and user-friendly policies make it a convenient choice for both crypto enthusiasts and traditional players.

    Best Games at JACKBIT crypto Casino

    JACKBIT crypto Casino boasts a world-class collection of over 7,000 games—from high-volatility slots to immersive live dealer tables and crypto-exclusive titles. Whether you’re chasing big wins or just spinning for fun, here are the best games to try at JACKBIT:

    Top Online Slots

    If you’re into spinning reels, JACKBIT crypto casino delivers premium slots with stunning graphics, thrilling bonus features, and enticing progressive jackpots. Some of the fan favorites include:

    • Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play) – Candy-themed chaos with tumbling wins and free spins.
    • Wanted Dead or a Wild (Hacksaw Gaming) – A wild-west, high-volatility slot with massive win potential.
    • Gates of Olympus (Pragmatic Play) – Multipliers rain from the gods in this legendary hit.
    • Book of Dead (Play’n GO) – A classic Egyptian-themed slot with big RTP and bonus rounds + 100 free spins available.
    • The Dog House Megaways (Pragmatic Play) – Cute pups, sticky wilds, and explosive payouts.
    • Jammin’ Jars (Push Gaming) – Funky fruit, cluster wins, and exciting bonus features.

    Pro Tip: Look for “Bonus Buy” slots to fast-track your way into free spins and features.

    Best Live Casino Games

    Powered by Evolution, Pragmatic Live, and other top providers, JACKBIT’s live casino gives you the real-deal Vegas vibe—without ever leaving your screen.

    • Lightning Roulette – A thrilling twist on classic roulette with huge multipliers.
    • Blackjack VIP – For high rollers who want fast-paced action and high limits.
    • Crazy Time & Monopoly Live – Game-show-style live games with massive multipliers and interactive fun.
    • Baccarat Squeeze – For fans of high-stakes drama and slow-reveal tension.

    All live dealer games are crypto-friendly and fully mobile-optimized.

    Crash & Instant Games

    For players who like fast-paced, high-risk thrills, JACKBIT offers instant and crash games that pay out in seconds:

    • Aviator – Watch the plane soar—cash out before it crashes!
    • Plinko – Drop the ball and hope for a big multiplier.
    • Dice & Mines – Simple yet addictive games with customizable risk.

    These games are perfect for crypto players looking to flip coins fast.

    Crypto Sportsbook Games

    If sports betting is your game, JACKBIT’s sportsbook is one of the most complete on the crypto scene:

    • 82,000+ live monthly events
    • 4,500+ bet types across 140+ sports
    • Esports, live stats, and instant crypto payouts

    Great for betting on everything from Premier League to CS:GO.

    Crypto Casino Software Providers

    Crypto casino software providers play a crucial role in the online gaming industry by developing and supplying games to crypto casinos. Some of the top crypto casino software providers include Pragmatic Play, Evolution Gaming, and Hacksaw Gaming. These providers offer a wide range of games, including slots, table games, and live dealer games, all of which are designed to provide a fair and exciting gaming experience.

    Pragmatic Play is known for its high-quality slots and innovative game features. Their games often come with stunning graphics, engaging themes, and exciting bonus rounds. Popular titles from Pragmatic Play include “Sweet Bonanza” and “The Dog House Megaways.”

    Evolution Gaming is a leader in live dealer games, offering an authentic casino experience with real dealers and high-definition streaming. Their games include classics like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, as well as unique game-show-style titles like “Crazy Time” and “Monopoly Live.”

    Hacksaw Gaming is another top provider, known for its creative and high-volatility slots. Games like “Wanted Dead or a Wild” offer thrilling gameplay and the potential for massive wins.

    These software providers ensure that crypto casinos offer a diverse and exciting gaming experience, with something for every type of player. Whether you prefer spinning the reels of a slot game or enjoying the thrill of live dealer games, these providers have you covered.

    A Leader in Bitcoin Gambling sites with Live Dealer Games, free spins & Customer Support

    As a leading crypto casino, JACKBIT stands out among BTC gambling sites by providing a seamless experience for both deposits and withdrawals as well as free spins. With instant deposits and withdrawals, players can enjoy their winnings without delay.

    The Bitcoin gambling sites also offer a generous welcome bonus, live casino games, and BTC 30% weekly cashback, making it an attractive choice for both new and seasoned players. JACKBIT crypto casino supports a wide variety of cryptocurrencies, including BTC and ETH, ensuring that players can easily manage their funds using their preferred digital currency rather than other bitcoin gambling sites.

    JACKBIT’s commitment to security is unwavering, with advanced encryption technology and robust security measures in place to protect players’ personal and financial information.

    Additionally, JACKBIT is KYC VPN friendly, allowing players to maintain anonymity and privacy while enjoying a seamless gaming experience without restrictions. The crypto gambling site’s dedication to providing a safe and secure gaming environment has earned it a loyal following among crypto enthusiasts.

    A Trusted Name in Bitcoin Online Gambling Sites with Multiple Trending Casino Games

    When it comes to choosing a trusted crypto gambling site, there are many options to consider. However, not all sites are created equal, and some stand out from the rest due to their reputation, game selection, and player experience.

    Trusted Bitcoin casino sites offer a wide range of games, from slots and table games to live dealer games and sports betting. These sites are known for their fair play, secure transactions, and excellent customer support.

    For example, a top Bitcoin gambling site might offer thousands of slot games with instant deposits and withdrawals from leading providers like Pragmatic Play and Evolution Gaming. These games come with exciting themes, high-quality graphics, and the potential for big wins. Table games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat are also popular, providing a classic casino experience.

    Live dealer games bring the excitement of a real casino to your screen, with professional dealers and interactive gameplay. Sports betting is another popular option, allowing players to bet on their favorite sports and events with competitive odds.

    In summary, trusted Bitcoin gambling sites offer a comprehensive and enjoyable gaming experience, with a wide range of games and features to suit every player. Whether you’re a fan of slots, table games, live dealer games, or sports betting, these sites provide a secure and exciting way to enjoy online gambling.

    A Trusted Name in Sports betting & Bitcoin casino with trending casino games & with a Bitcoin Casino bonus including instant deposits and withdrawals

    JACKBIT crypto casino has become synonymous with trust and reliability in the online gambling space. As one of the many Bitcoin gambling sites, it offers a cryptocurrency-based gambling experience with extensive game libraries, enticing promotions, and user-friendly features. Bitcoin casino sites like JACKBIT provide advantages such as instant withdrawals, a diverse array of gaming options, and generous bonuses, all specifically tailored for players using cryptocurrencies. The Bitcoin casino is known for its provably fair games, ensuring fair play for all users. Additionally, JACKBIT’s customer support is top-notch, providing assistance whenever needed. The casino’s support team is available 24/7, ready to assist players with any questions or concerns they may have.

    JACKBIT’s crypto casino transparency and commitment to fair play have made it a favorite among players seeking a reputable and trustworthy online casino. The Bitcoin casino offers an extensive library of crypto casino games, including popular titles from leading providers, and ensures that players always have access to the latest and greatest in online gaming.

    A Diverse Online Casino Game

    From sports betting to bitcoin slots, JACKBIT crypto casino caters to all types of players. The Bitcoin casino features a wide array of games from top providers like Pragmatic Play and Evolution Gaming. Whether you’re a fan of jackpot slots, enjoy the simplicity of dice games, or prefer the thrill of live dealer games, JACKBIT has something for all casino enthusiasts. The casino’s diverse selection of games, including exciting jackpot games, ensures that players never run out of options, with new titles added regularly to keep the gaming experience fresh and exciting.

    JACKBIT’s sports betting platform offers competitive odds and a wide range of betting options, allowing sports enthusiasts to place bets on their favorite teams and events. Additionally, platforms like Mega Dice feature an extensive range of over 4,000 casino games and a robust sportsbook, making it an appealing choice for both casino enthusiasts and sports bettors.

    The crypto casino’s live dealer games provide an authentic casino experience, with real dealers and interactive gameplay that brings the excitement of a brick-and-mortar casino to the comfort of your home.

    Promotions and Deposit Bonuses of Best Crypto Casino Online

    Best crypto casinos are known for their enticing promotions and bonuses, designed to attract new players and keep existing ones engaged. These can range from generous welcome bonuses to exciting free spins and loyalty programs. For instance, some crypto casinos offer a welcome bonus of up to 1 BTC, along with 50 free spins on popular slot games. This gives new players a substantial boost to start their gaming journey.

    In addition to the welcome bonuses, players can also benefit from deposit bonuses, which can match a percentage of their deposits, sometimes up to 100%. Reload bonuses are another popular promotion, offering players additional funds on subsequent deposits. Weekly free spins, free bets, and other ongoing promotions keep the excitement alive, providing players with more opportunities to win big. These bonuses not only enhance the gaming experience but also increase the chances of hitting those coveted jackpots.

    Security, Safety & Customer Support

    Security and safety are paramount in the world of crypto casinos. These platforms employ advanced encryption technology to safeguard player data and ensure that all transactions are secure. This means that your personal and financial information is protected at all times. Additionally, crypto casinos use provably fair algorithms to guarantee that games are fair and random, providing a level playing field for all players.

    Many crypto & Bitcoin gambling sites are licensed and regulated by reputable authorities, such as the Curacao Gaming Authority. This ensures that they operate in a fair and transparent manner, adhering to strict standards of conduct. Players can also enhance their security by using VPNs, adding an extra layer of protection to their gaming experience. With these measures in place, players can enjoy their favorite games with confidence, knowing that their safety is a top priority.

    Mobile Gaming

    Mobile gaming has become a cornerstone of the crypto casino experience, allowing players to access their favorite games from anywhere, at any time. Many best crypto casinos have developed mobile-friendly websites and apps that are optimized for use on smartphones and tablets. This means you can enjoy seamless gameplay, whether you’re at home or on the go.

    With mobile devices, players can easily deposit and withdraw funds, play games, and participate in promotions, all with a few taps on their screens. The convenience and accessibility of mobile device gaming have made crypto casinos more appealing than ever. Whether you’re waiting for a bus or relaxing at home, you can dive into the exciting world of crypto casino gaming whenever you want.

    Final Words on Best Bitcoin Gambling Sites No KYC VPN Friendly

    JACKBIT’s recognition as the best bitcoin casino online for 2025 is a testament to its dedication to providing a superior gaming experience. As one of the best crypto casinos, JACKBIT excels in software quality, game variety, bonuses, and user experience.

    With its robust selection of games, secure payment methods, and exceptional customer service, JACKBIT is set to continue leading the crypto casino industry rather than many Bitcoin casinos in the industry. Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or new to the world of crypto gambling, JACKBIT is the perfect platform to explore the exciting world of the best crypto gambling sites. The casino’s commitment to innovation within the crypto gambling space, security, and player satisfaction ensures that it remains at the forefront of the online gambling industry.

    FAQ about Best Crypto gambling Sites with NO KYC, VPN Friendly

    What makes JACKBIT the best crypto casino?

    JACKBIT offers a comprehensive selection of casino games, including live casino games and online casino games, along with secure and instant deposits, free spins, casino games, and withdrawal options. As a leading Bitcoin online gambling site, JACKBIT’s reputation for fair play and generous bonuses, such as free spins, further enhances its appeal.

    JACKBIT’s cutting-edge technology and user-friendly interface make it a top choice for players seeking an exceptional gaming experience, especially those interested in playing games like bingo and traditional slot games using cryptocurrencies.

    Can I play sports betting on JACKBIT Bitcoin casino?

    Yes, JACKBIT provides a robust sports betting platform, allowing players to place bets on a wide range of sports events with competitive odds. The platform offers various betting options, catering to both casual bettors and seasoned sports enthusiasts. JACKBIT’s sports betting section is designed to provide an engaging and rewarding experience for all players.

    Are there live dealer games available at this crypto casino?

    Absolutely, JACKBIT features an exciting array of live dealer games that bring the authentic casino experience directly to your screen. Players can interact with real dealers and enjoy the thrill of live gaming from the comfort of their own homes. The live dealer games & dice games at JACKBIT are powered by top providers, ensuring high-quality streaming and immersive gameplay.

    Is JACKBIT a reliable platform for online gambling & provably fair games?

    Yes, JACKBIT is renowned for its reliability and trustworthiness in the online gambling industry, offering provably fair games and excellent customer support. The casino’s commitment to security and transparency ensures that players can enjoy their gaming experience with peace of mind. JACKBIT’s reputation as a trusted name in online gambling has made it a popular choice among players worldwide.

    Can I find JACKBIT on bitcoin gambling sites with instant deposits and withdrawals?

    Yes, JACKBIT is prominently featured on many top crypto gambling sites as a leading choice for crypto casino gaming. The casino’s stellar reputation and wide range of gaming options make it a preferred platform for players seeking a top-tier crypto gambling experience. JACKBIT’s presence on reputable bitcoin gambling sites further solidifies its status as a leading player in the industry.

    What sets JACKBIT apart from the best crypto gambling sites?

    JACKBIT stands out among the best crypto gambling sites due to its extensive range of dice games, attractive bonuses, and user-friendly interface. The platform supports a variety of cryptocurrencies, offers innovative incentives, and ensures low transaction fees, making it an appealing choice for players. JACKBIT’s commitment to providing a secure and enjoyable gambling experience, along with features like instant withdrawal for transaction efficiency, makes it a top contender in the crypto gambling market.

    Types of Crypto Casino Games

    Crypto casino games come in a variety of forms, catering to different player preferences and offering a unique twist on traditional casino gaming. The most common types include slots, table games, live dealer games, and specialty games like Crash and Plinko.

    Slots are a staple in any crypto casino, offering a range of themes, mechanics, and betting limits. From classic fruit machines to modern video slots with intricate storylines and bonus features, there’s something for every slot enthusiast. Popular titles often come from renowned providers like Pragmatic Play and Hacksaw Gaming, ensuring high-quality graphics and engaging gameplay.

    Table games such as blackjack, roulette, and baccarat provide a more traditional casino experience. These games are perfect for players who enjoy strategy and skill-based gaming. Crypto casinos often offer multiple variations of these classic games, catering to both beginners and seasoned players.

    Live dealer games offer an immersive experience with real-time interaction with professional dealers. Powered by top providers like Evolution Gaming, these games bring the excitement of a brick-and-mortar casino to your screen. Players can enjoy live blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and even game-show-style titles like Crazy Time and Monopoly Live.

    Specialty games like Crash and Plinko add a unique twist to the traditional casino experience. These games are fast-paced and often involve simple mechanics with high-risk, high-reward potential. For example, in Crash, players must cash out before a multiplier crashes, while Plinko involves dropping a ball to land on a high multiplier.

    With the rise of crypto casinos, players can now enjoy these games with the added benefits of cryptocurrency, including fast transactions, anonymity, and provably fair gaming. This diverse selection ensures that every player can find something to enjoy, making crypto casinos a popular choice for online gaming enthusiasts.

    Bitcoin Online Gambling

    Bitcoin online gambling has surged in popularity, offering players a secure, fast, and anonymous way to enjoy their favorite casino games. Bitcoin casinos provide a wide range of games, including slots, table games, and live dealer games, all of which can be played using Bitcoin.

    One of the primary advantages of Bitcoin online gambling is the speed of transactions. Deposits and withdrawals are processed almost instantly, allowing players to access their funds without delay. This is a significant improvement over traditional payment methods, which can take several days to process.

    Security is another major benefit. Bitcoin transactions are encrypted and decentralized, reducing the risk of fraud and ensuring that players’ funds are safe. Additionally, Bitcoin casinos often employ advanced security measures, such as two-factor authentication and SSL encryption, to protect players’ personal and financial information.

    Anonymity is a key feature of Bitcoin online gambling. Players can register and play without providing personal information, thanks to the no KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements. This makes the gaming experience more private and secure, appealing to players who value their privacy.

    Bitcoin casinos also offer generous welcome bonuses, reload bonuses, and other promotions to attract new players. These bonuses can significantly boost your initial bankroll, giving you more opportunities to explore the casino’s game offerings. For example, a welcome bonus might include a percentage match on your first deposit, along with free spins on popular slot games.

    In summary, Bitcoin online gambling provides a more convenient, secure, and rewarding gaming experience. With fast deposits and withdrawals, low transaction fees, and increased security, it’s no wonder that more players are turning to Bitcoin casinos for their online gaming needs.

    A Trusted Name in Sports betting & Bitcoin casino with trending casino games & with a Bitcoin Casino bonus including instant deposits and withdrawals

    Comparison of Gambling Sites

    When comparing gambling sites, several factors come into play, including the range of games, bonuses and promotions, payment methods, and customer support. The best Bitcoin gambling sites excel in these areas, providing a comprehensive and enjoyable gaming experience.

    Range of Games: The best gambling sites offer a wide variety of games, including slots, table games, and live dealer games. A diverse game library ensures that players have plenty of options to choose from, catering to different preferences and skill levels. Look for sites that feature games from top providers like Pragmatic Play, Evolution Gaming, and Hacksaw Gaming.

    Bonuses and Promotions: Generous bonuses and promotions are a hallmark of top gambling sites. These can include welcome bonuses, reload bonuses, free spins, and loyalty programs. Bonuses not only enhance the gaming experience but also increase the chances of winning. It’s important to read the terms and conditions, especially the wagering requirements, to fully benefit from these offers.

    Payment Methods: A variety of payment methods is crucial for a seamless gaming experience. The best Bitcoin gambling sites support multiple cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, as well as traditional payment methods like credit cards and bank transfers. Fast deposits and withdrawals, with low transaction fees, are essential for player satisfaction.

    Customer Support: Reliable customer support is a key factor in choosing a gambling site. The best sites offer 24/7 support through multiple contact options, including live chat, email, and phone. Prompt and helpful customer service ensures that any issues or questions are resolved quickly, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

    Reputation: A strong reputation is built on positive player reviews and high ratings. Trusted gambling sites are licensed and regulated by reputable authorities, ensuring fair play and transparency. Look for sites with a proven track record of reliability and trustworthiness.

    By considering these factors, players can make an informed decision when choosing a gambling site that meets their needs and provides a secure and enjoyable gaming experience.

    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/ae192d0f-d29a-4a8e-a8d3-d5a7732306a7

    The MIL Network –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Australia: Share your stories about Quarry Hill’s history, character and heritage

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    The City is inviting community members to share stories, photos and documents about Quarry Hill’s rich history and character.

    With community involvement, it will provide a broad historical overview of Quarry Hill known as a ‘thematic history’.

    The study will look at how Quarry Hill has changed since post-European contact in the region.

    The thematic history’s purpose is to identify and explain the main factors, processes, places and events that have shaped Quarry Hill.

    Manager Strategic Planning Anthony Petherbridge said the community can play an important role in the project.

    “This is stage 1 of the project, and the aim is to better understand Quarry Hill’s rich history, character and heritage,” Mr Petherbridge said.

    “Stories, photographs and documents will be invaluable to provide local knowledge and a broader historical perspective of Quarry Hill.

    “The City is also interested in exploring potential places of heritage significance within the area and information that can be shared to help fill in historical gaps or details.

    “By doing so, the public engagement will help guide the development of a future heritage study for Quarry Hill to protect and celebrate significant places for future generations.

    “A community session will be held on Tuesday May 6, 2025, from 3pm to 7.00pm at the Quarry Hill Golf Club, 47-85 Houston St, Quarry Hill. 

    “This is an opportunity to share your knowledge and talk to City staff involved in the project. Tell us your Quarry Hill stories from the past and bring along documents or photos that can contribute to this exciting project.

    “You are encouraged to book a time slot at the community session via the City’s Let’s Talk Greater Bendigo online engagement platform.

    “On Let’s Talk Greater Bendigo, you can also learn more about the project, upload documents and photos if you are unable to attend the community session.

    “A map is also available for you to pinpoint places that you think are important in Quarry Hill’s history.”

    If you wish to speak to someone about the project, ask to speak to Strategic Planning via email or phone:

    [email protected]

    1300 002 642

    MIL OSI News –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: Gambling in Australia: how bad is the problem, who gets harmed most and where may we be heading?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alex Russell, Principal Research Fellow, CQUniversity Australia

    Mick Tsikas/AAP, Joel Carret/AAP, Darren England/AAP, Ihor Koptilin/Shutterstock, The Conversation, CC BY

    Gambling prevalence studies provide a snapshot of gambling behaviour, problems and harm in our communities. They are typically conducted about every five years.

    In some Australian states and territories, four or five have been conducted over the past 20 or so years. These have provided a snapshot into how gambling has changed – and how it has not.

    So, how has gambling in Australia changed in the past two decades or so, and where may we be heading?

    The intensification of gambling

    In 1997-98, the Productivity Commission found about 82% of Australians had gambled in the previous 12 months.

    Almost all further prevalence studies show the proportion of adults gambling has declined substantially over time.

    The 2024 NSW prevalence survey, for example, found 54% reported gambling in the previous 12 months, down from 69% in 2006.

    While fewer people are gambling, the proportion of people experiencing problems has not changed much, nor has gambling turnover.

    In some states, gambling turnover has increased, even when you take inflation into account.

    So while a smaller proportion of people are gambling, those who do gamble are doing so more frequently, and spend more money – a phenomenon we have described as the “intensification” of the industry.

    As figures from the Grattan Institute show, the vast majority of gambling spend comes from a very small proportion of people who gamble.

    What’s the problem?

    Typically, the focus in gambling studies has been on “problem gamblers”, a term we now avoid because it can be stigmatising.

    This refers to those experiencing severe problems due to their gambling, which is typically about 1% of the adult population, and around 2% of people who gamble.

    This doesn’t sound like much, until you remember 1% of adults in Australia is more than 200,000 people. That’s a lot of people struggling with severe problems.

    Based on recent prevalence surveys in Australia, these gamblers spend about 60 times as much as people who do not experience problems.

    However, that’s just the most severe cases.

    How gambling harms people

    When most people think of gambling harm, they think about financial harm. But gambling can cause problems with relationships, work and study, emotional and psychological harm, and even cause health issues.

    Some degree of gambling harm is experienced by around 10-15% of people who gamble.

    Some groups are overrepresented: young men typically experience very high levels of harm compared to others. Other overrepresented groups are:

    • those who have not completed tertiary education
    • people who speak a language other than English
    • people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

    Harm isn’t just experienced by people who gamble, though – it impacts the people around them.

    While young men are more likely to experience harm from their own gambling, women, particularly young women, are most likely to experience harm from someone else’s gambling.

    When we take all of these sources of harm into account, we get a much better picture of gambling harm in our community: around 15-20% of all adults (not all gamblers) experience harm.

    That’s very different to the figure of 1% we’ve focused on in the past.

    We’re still missing some accounting, though: we don’t know how much harm is experienced by people under 18, for example, because prevalence studies typically only include adults.

    Where does the harm come from?

    The most problematic form in Australia is pokies, responsible for about 51-57% of problems.

    Casinos are responsible for another 10-14%, although fewer people have been gambling in casino games in recent years.




    Read more:
    Whatever happens to Star, the age of unfettered gambling revenue for casinos may have ended


    Sports betting and race betting together account for about another 19-20% of harm.

    Between them, pokies, casino games and sports and race betting account for about 90% of harm to Australian gamblers.

    Availability is an issue

    This widespread availability of pokies is the biggest single driver behind gambling harm in Australia.

    In other countries, pokies are limited to venues that are specifically used for gambling, like casinos or betting shops.

    We have pokies in a huge number of our pubs and clubs, except in Western Australia.

    A couple of years ago, we used national prevalence data to compare gambling problems in WA to the rest of the country.

    A higher percentage of adults in WA gamble, but mostly on the lotteries which are typically not associated with much harm.

    Gambling on pokies is far less prevalent in WA because they’re only available in one casino. Gambling problems and harm are about one-third lower in WA, and our analysis shows this can be attributed to the limited access to pokies.

    This also tells us something important. If pokies are not available, people will typically not substitute them with other harmful forms. It points to the role of the availability of dangerous gambling products in gambling harm, rather than personal characteristics.

    Online gambling has also become a lot more available. Most of us now have a mobile phone almost surgically implanted onto our hand, making online gambling more accessible than ever. Not surprisingly, online gambling continues to increase.

    An obvious solution to try

    Governments have taken increasingly proactive measures to help address gambling harm, such as the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Gambling, strategies for minimising harm such as NSW’s investment into gambling harm minimisation, Victoria’s proposed reforms on pokies including mandatory precommitment limits, Queensland’s Gambling Harm Minimisation Plan and the ACT’s Strategy for Gambling Harm Prevention.

    Voluntary limits have been trialled to help people keep their gambling under control, but have had virtually no uptake.

    For example, the recent NSW Digital Gaming Wallet trial was conducted in 14 venues. Only 32 people were active users, and 14 of these were deemed genuine users. Another study found only 0.01% of all money put through machines in Victoria used the voluntary YourPlay scheme.

    The problem with voluntary limits is, no one volunteers.

    Mandatory limits though are almost certainly necessary, just like we have mandatory limits for how fast you can drive, or how much you can drink before the bartender puts you in a taxi.

    There will almost certainly be push back against this, just like the introduction of mandatory seatbelts in the 1970s, or the introduction of random breath testing.

    Now, we accept them as important public health measures.

    History tells us the same will happen with mandatory gambling limits, even if we’re a bit uncomfortable about it at first.

    Alex Russell received funding from the Star Entertainment Group from 2014-2016 to conduct research examining gambling behaviour and problems amongst casino staff, and to provide recommendations to minimise risks associated with occupational exposure to gambling. He no longer accepts industry funding, or works on industry-funded projects.

    Matthew Browne receives funding from New Zealand and Australian State and Federal Government Authorities. Most recently, the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General, New Zealand Ministry of Health, and the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation.

    Matthew Rockloff has receives funding from New Zealand and Australian State and Federal Government Authorities. Most recently, the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General, the NSW Office of Responsible Gambling, the New Zealand Ministry of Health, the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, the Government of South Australia, Gambling Research Australia, and the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission.

    – ref. Gambling in Australia: how bad is the problem, who gets harmed most and where may we be heading? – https://theconversation.com/gambling-in-australia-how-bad-is-the-problem-who-gets-harmed-most-and-where-may-we-be-heading-252389

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Tenney Condemns NY AG James’ Failure to Comply with Federal Orders to Protect Girls’ Sports and End Woke Gender Curriculum in Schools

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22)

    Oswego, New York – Congresswoman Tenney (NY-24) today sent a letter to New York’s Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Education Department Commissioner Betty Rosa condemning their failure to comply with President Trump’s recent Executive Orders that ban biological males from participating in female sports and aims to put an end to the woke gender ideologies that have dominated curriculums.

    Rep. Tenney’s letter follows a joint statement by Attorney General James and Commissioner Rosa announcing their refusal to cooperate with President Trump’s Executive Orders Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling and Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.

    “By promoting radical gender ideology and allowing biological males to compete in girls’ sports, Attorney General James and Commissioner Rosa are jeopardizing the safety of children across New York. Their refusal to comply with common-sense federal orders that protect girls’ athletics and prohibit the teaching of woke gender ideologies to young children puts New York students at risk of losing critical federal funding. I stand with President Trump in his efforts to dismantle the Left’s woke agenda that has infiltrated our schools and put an end to the indoctrination of students with these fringe gender mutilation ideologies,” said Congresswoman Tenney.

    Read the full text of the letter here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Constitutional Offices Are Not Ornamental; Every Citizen Is Supreme In A Democracy, Stresses Vice-President

    Source: Government of India

    Constitutional Offices Are Not Ornamental; Every Citizen Is Supreme In A Democracy, Stresses Vice-President

    There Is No Visualisation in the Constitution of Any Authority above Parliament, Asserts VP

    Is Our Discourse Controlled by Moneybags, Muscle Power, And Foreign Interests? You Must Discern, Urges Vice-President

    The Constitution Is For the People; Elected Representatives Are Its Repository, Affirms VP

    Soul of Democracy Resides In Each Citizen, Says Vice-President

    If You Hesitate To Speak The Right Thing At The Right Time, To The Right Group  You’ll Not Only Weaken Yourself, But Also Deeply Wound Positive Forces, says VP

    Vice-President presides over ‘Kartavyam’, an event commemorating 75 years of the Indian Constitution at the University of Delhi

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 2:43PM by PIB Delhi

    The Hon’ble Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, today said, “For any democracy, every citizen has a pivotal role. I find it inconceivably intriguing that some have recently reflected that constitutional offices can be ceremonial or ornamental. Nothing can be far distanced from a wrong understanding of the role of everyone in this country, constitutional functionary or a citizen. According to me, a citizen is supreme because a nation and democracy are built by citizens. Every one of them has a role. The soul of democracy resides and pulsates in every citizen. Democracy will blossom. Its values will get heightened. When citizen is alert, citizen contributes and what a citizen contributes, there is no substitution of that.”

    Every citizen has a pivotal role in a democracy. I find it inconceivably intriguing that some have recently reflected that constitutional offices can be ceremonial or ornamental.

    Nothing can be far distanced from a wrong understanding of the role of everyone in this country, be… pic.twitter.com/PYm6X5D4f1

    — Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) April 22, 2025

    Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest over ‘Kartavyam’, an event commemorating 75 years of the Indian Constitution at the University of Delhi today, the Vice-President and ex-officio Chancellor of the University of Delhi, stated, “There is no visualisation in the constitution of any authority above parliament. Parliament is supreme and that being the situation. Let me tell you, it is as supreme as every individual in the country. Part of ‘We the People’ is an atom in democracy and that atom has atomic power. That atomic power is reflected during elections and that is why we are a democratic nation.”

    There is no visualisation in the Constitution of any authority above Parliament.

    Parliament is supreme; it is as supreme as every individual in the country.

    Every part of ‘We the People’ is an atom in democracy. This atomic power is reflected during elections. That is why… pic.twitter.com/xE8MJigcXE

    — Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) April 22, 2025

    He also added that, “The Constitution is encapsulated—its essence, it’s worth, its nectar—in the Preamble of the Constitution. And what does it say? ‘We, the People of India’, the supreme power is with them. No one is above the people of India. And we, the People of India, under the Constitution, have chosen to reflect their aspirations, their desires, and their will through their public representatives. And they hold the representatives accountable—severely accountable, on occasions—through elections. A Prime Minister who imposed ‘Emergency’ was held accountable in 1977. And therefore, let there be no doubt about it: the Constitution is for the people, and its repository of safeguarding is that of the elected representatives. They are the ultimate masters as to what the Constitution’s content will be.”

    Reflecting on the duty of citizens in democracy, the Vice-President said, “Democracy is not only for the government to govern. It is participatory democracy, just not laws, but also culture and ethos. Citizenship demands action, not merely status….Democracy is shaped not by governments, democracy is shaped by individuals. Because individuals bear the responsibility to uphold our symbols, preserve our heritage, defend sovereignty, foster brotherhood….. Government has a role that it [individual] does not become a handicap. Government has a role that it must have affirmative policies but government is like giving me a good stadium, a good football ground. Goals have to be scored by individuals.”

    Underlining the significance of quality of discourse in any healthy democracy, the Vice-President said, “If you want to know the health of democracy, like the health of an individual, if you want to analyse how healthy is our democracy, then you will have to find out discourse quality, the kind of discourse we have. Is our discourse moderated? Is our discourse manipulated? Is our discourse controlled by moneybags, by muscle power, by foreign interests, by people working against the interests of this nation? You will have to discern.”

    If you want to know about the health of a democracy, then you must analyse the quality of discourse that we have.

    Is our discourse moderated? Is our discourse manipulated? Is our discourse controlled by moneybags, by muscle power, by foreign interests, by people working against… pic.twitter.com/d1gt71MKkd

    — Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) April 22, 2025

    Underlining the significance of freedom of expression, he stated, “We have to understand—democracy thrives through expression and dialogue. Abhivyakti aur samvaad—these are the core mantras of democracy. These are the basic mantras. If your right of expression is throttled or regulated, as was done during the Emergency, democracy nosedives. But if you have the right of expression, and that expression reflects arrogance and ego—where you believe your expression is ultimate, where you refuse to entertain any different point of view, refuse to even look at the other side—that too is not true expression as per our civilization. Because every expression demands respect for dialogue, and respect for the other point of view. You must always be prepared to be challenged. And to challenge is not a physical act—it is a challenge of ideas, a difference in thought: “I disagree with you.” That does not mean “I am disagreeable.” There must always be space for such exchange. Therefore, expression and dialogue are complementary—they together define democracy. If we delve into our civilizational heritage, this was referred to in Vedic times as ‘Anantavad’—the idea of infinite perspectives. There was a tradition of vaad-vivaad—debate and discourse—And this tradition was free of ego. Vaad-vivaad dissolves ego and arrogance. Because if I believe that only I am right and no one else can be right—that arrogance tarnishes not only the individual but also institutions. That is why, for a healthy democracy, expression and dialogue are essential.”

    Democracy is not only for the government to govern. It is participatory democracy- comprising not merely laws, but also culture and ethos.

    Citizenship demands action, not merely status. Every individual, if he or she decides, can inculcate a new fervour of nationalistic spirit… pic.twitter.com/4Y9BwyEZkz

    — Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) April 22, 2025

    “If you hesitate to speak the right thing, at the right time, to the right group and the right person, you will not only weaken yourself but also deeply hurt those positive forces. Therefore, expression and dialogue are of utmost importance. Nations are not built by industrialists, nations are built by individuals. The power of the individual, as I said an atom. The power is atomic, you have that power. You only have to realise it”, he further added.

    Distinguished Jurist, Justice H.R. Khanna was your alumnus. That should always remind us why we are celebrating Constitution Day and Samvidhan Hatya Diwas in this country.

    We do this because on 26th November, 1949, the Constitution was adopted.

    Further, young boys and girls… pic.twitter.com/LXiuS6SKXi

    — Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) April 22, 2025

    Emphasising the role of youth in nation-building, Shri Dhankhar added, “The quality of discourse defines our democracy and in this, I have no doubt, our youth must elevate beyond partisanship to thoughtful deliberation. Our youth cannot afford this critical juncture when Bharat is rising, the rise is unstoppable. We are destined to be a global power. We will be a developed nation. You cannot be tied down to partisan interests; you have to believe only in national interests.”

    Shri Yogesh Singh, Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi, Prof. Balaram Pani, Dean Colleges, University of Delhi, Shri Prakash Singh, Director, South Delhi Campus, University of Delhi and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

    ****

    JK/RC/SM

    (Release ID: 2123424) Visitor Counter : 17

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Sorensen Tours Kewanee’s Main Street with Mayor Gary Moore

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)

    Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) visited Kewanee’s Main Street for a walking tour with Mayor Gary Moore. The visit was an opportunity for the Congressman to hear directly from small business leaders about their successes, challenges, and how federal resources can better support economic growth in the region.

    “Walking down Main Street in Kewanee, you feel the heart of this town in every storefront. Some of these businesses have been here for decades—passed down through generations—and they continue to be anchors for the local economy,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen. “I’m grateful to hear directly from the neighbors who make this community strong, and I’m committed to making sure the federal government is a partner in their continued success.” 

    Stops included Mirocha’s Hillside Florist, Breedlove’s Sporting Goods, Good’s Furniture, Johnson’s Hub Clothing, and Blissful Branch Boutique. The tour concluded with lunch at Cerno’s Bar & Grill. 
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Working conditions of artists and workers in the cultural and creative sectors and industries – E-000809/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Improving artists’ working conditions remains a priority for the Commission. It is explicitly mentioned in the mission letter to the Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport and will be addressed in the EU strategic framework for culture, the ‘Culture Compass’. The Commission is regularly in touch with stakeholders, notably with relevant social partners via the EU sectoral social dialogues.

    The Commission is following up on the actions set out in its reply[1] to the European Parliament. It analysed regulatory gaps with social partners’ involvement, organised mutual learning activities on social protection, gathered further evidence[2] on undeclared work and further improved the EU-funded online information resource[3] on artists’ working conditions. The Commission will organise a high-level round table with relevant stakeholders to determine the scope for further EU action.

    The Commission supports Member States in the implementation of the 2019 Council recommendation on access to social protection[4].

    It also covers artists and workers in the cultural and creative sectors and monitors the implementation of EU labour law directives[5] setting minimum standards to protect the working conditions of workers in employment relationships, including intermittent workers[6].

    • [1] Commission reply to the European Parliament’s legislative initiative report of 21 February 2024 on an EU framework for the social and professional situation of artists and workers in the cultural and creative sectors.
    • [2] https://www.ela.europa.eu/en/news/creative-sectors-ela-study-reveals-precarious-working-conditions-and-undeclared-labour
    • [3] https://creativesunite.eu/work-condition
    • [4] Council Recommendation on access to social protection for workers and the self-employed: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/GA/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32019H1115(01)
    • [5] https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/rights-work/labour-law_en
    • [6] See in particular Council Directive 1999/70/EC of 28 June 1999 concerning the framework agreement on fixed-term work: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1999/70/oj/eng
    Last updated: 22 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum+ 2025 promotes cultural co-operation

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum+ 2025 promotes cultural co-operation 
    The theme of the Forum is “Connect, Create, Engage: Bridging Cultures for All”. Officiating at the Panel opening today, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, highlighted that the world has undergone rapid and vigourous changes and technological advancement is something inevitable. A people-oriented approach should be adopted to promote the arts and cultural development, i.e. to connect more with people, to create more for people and to engage more people. Making good use of Hong Kong as an East meets-West centre for international cultural exchange and the largest art trading centre in Asia, Hong Kong will surely continue to work hard to make our name card more shiny and tell good stories of Hong Kong.
     
    In addition to the speeches given by Miss Law and Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr Gao Zheng in the Panel, participating cultural ministers and senior officials from Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Korea, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam also took turns to speak.

    The Acting Chief Executive, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, hosted the gala dinner for the delegations as well as local cultural leaders. Local musicians, all-inclusive orchestra and a cappella choir were invited by the forum to perform in the dinner, showcasing a blend of Chinese and Western traditional and contemporary music, demonstrating to the guests the diversified and vibrant of art and culture scene in Hong Kong.
     
    In his speech at the dinner, Mr Chan pointed out that the Government has been actively fostering the city’s development into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange with the clear national support in the National 14th Five-Year Plan. With its unique advantage of blending Chinese and Western cultures and its extensive international connections, Hong Kong will become a “super connector” and “super value-adder” between the Mainland and the rest of the world.
     
    The delegations attending the forum visited the Hong Kong Museum of Art and Oil Street Art Space (Oi!) yesterday (April 21). They will attend the plenary session and visit the Hong Kong Palace Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District tomorrow (April 23).
     
    The Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum has been held since 2003 with the aim of promoting cultural co-operation and exchanges among regions. Drawing on the success of past forums, this year’s forum is themed “Connect, Create, Engage: Bridging Cultures for All” and has expanded its scale. In addition to inviting more Asian countries to participate, Belt and Road countries outside of Asia are invited to participate for the first time to further promote cultural exchanges with countries in the region.
    Issued at HKT 20:54

    NNNN

    CategoriesMIL-OSI

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. appoints new judges, judicial justice to Provincial Court

    The Government of British Columbia has appointed three new judges and a new judicial justice to the Provincial Court to support timely and efficient access to justice.

    The new judges are:

    • Aamna Afsar (effective May 1, 2025)
    • Christopher Balison (effective May 1, 2025); and
    • Dennis Isaac Ferbey (effective May 1, 2025)

    The new judicial justice appointed to the Provincial Court is Patrick Angly.

    Afsar joined the BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) in 2006 and worked as Crown counsel in Vancouver for almost 14 years. During that time, Afsar spent several years working in the Downtown Community Court. In 2019, Afsar became a member of the Immigration Refugee Board (IRB) of Canada. In 2020, Afsar received the IRB’s Chairperson’s Award for developing curriculum and training for the gender-related task force to improve the adjudication of gender-related refugee claims. Since 2021, Afsar has been an alternate chair of the BC Review Board. Afsar was appointed a judicial justice in July 2022 and is qualified to conduct hearings in French. From 2007 to 2023, Afsar was a member and treasurer of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, where one of Afsar’s significant contributions was facilitating workshops for community members on Canadian family law and domestic-violence awareness and prevention.

    Balison became Crown counsel shortly after being called to the B.C. bar in 2007. In December 2021, after working as the administrative Crown in Kamloops office for two years, Balison was appointed as a deputy regional Crown counsel in the Interior region. Balison served as the director and president of Baseball BC from 2017 to 2022, developing Safe Sport policies to protect youth and create a safe, ethical and equitable sporting environment.

    Ferbey obtained a law degree from the University of Victoria in 2007 and practised as a criminal defence counsel in Surrey and Delta for the first 10 years of Ferbey’s career. Taking on many legal aid files and frequently acting as duty counsel, Ferbey also devoted time to pro bono legal work. In March 2018, Ferbey moved to a general practice firm in Trail. Ferbey lives and works in the West Kootenays, primarily conducting federal prosecutions as an agent for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.

    Angly graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Laws in 1982 and was called to the B.C. bar in 1983. Angly’s 39-year legal career has been devoted to defence work, appearing in every level of court, from traffic court to the Supreme Court of Canada. Angly has primarily been a sole practitioner and has represented people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

    The appointments are made by considering various factors, such as the court’s requirements, the diversity of the judiciary and the candidates’ areas of expertise. These four appointments show the Province’s continued dedication to ensuring fair access to justice for everyone in British Columbia.

    Quick Facts:

    • The process to appoint judges involves the following steps: 
      • Interested lawyers apply, and the Judicial Council of B.C. reviews the candidates.
      • The council is a statutory body made up of the chief judge, an associate chief judge, other judges, lawyers and members from outside the legal profession.
      • The council recommends potential judges to the attorney general, with the final appointment made through a cabinet order-in-council.
    • Although judges and judicial justices are located in a judicial region, many use technology such as videoconferencing for court proceedings.
    • They also travel regularly throughout the province to meet changing demands.

    Learn More:

    For information about the judicial appointment process, visit: https://provincialcourt.bc.ca  

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: New York Post: Stefanik calls for fed probe of NY school district for ‘direct violation’ of Trump’s order on trans athletes

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (21st District of New York)

    ICYMI: New York Post: Stefanik calls for fed probe of NY school district for ‘direct violation’ of Trump’s order on trans athletes | Press Releases | Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

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    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Cultural co-operation panel held

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum+ 2025 Ministerial Panel was held today, during which participating cultural ministers and senior officials exchanged views and shared their experience on policies and measures to promote arts and cultural development.

     

    Officiating at the panel opening, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law highlighted that technological advancement is inevitable as the world has undergone rapid and vigorous changes.

     

    A people-oriented approach, ie an approach to connect more with people, to create more for people and to engage more people, should be adopted, in order to promote arts and cultural development, she stressed.

     

    Miss Law added that by making good use of its positions as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange as well as the largest art trading centre in Asia, Hong Kong will continue to thrive.

     

    Separately, Acting Chief Executive Chan Kwok-ki hosted the gala dinner for the delegations as well as local cultural leaders. In his speech at the event, Mr Chan pointed out that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been actively fostering the city’s development into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange with the clear national support in the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

     

    With its unique advantage of blending Chinese and Western cultures and its extensive international connections, Hong Kong will become a “super connector” and “super value-adder” between the Mainland and the rest of the world, he stressed.

     

    The Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum aims to promote cultural co-operation and exchanges among regions. Themed “Connect, Create, Engage: Bridging Cultures for All”, this year’s gathering has expanded its scale, welcoming participation from Belt & Road countries outside Asia.

     

    The delegations attending the forum visited the Hong Kong Museum of Art and Oil Street Art Space yesterday. They will attend the plenary session and visit the Hong Kong Palace Museum tomorrow.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Plymouth to host community sport conference

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Community sport and activity providers in Plymouth will gather for a conference later this week to find out more about the support and opportunities available to them.

    The conference, organised by the Council and Active Devon, will bring grassroots clubs and organisations together with regional and national sports bodies to share knowledge on key issues such as sustainability, funding and partnership working.

    It is being held at the new Hub at Foulston Park on the evening of Thursday 24 April and will focus on the themes of participation, places and pride. There will be presentations, seminars and workshops led by the Council, Active Devon and Plymouth Marjon University, as well as Argyle Community Trust, YMCA Plymouth and Sport England.

    They will cover topics including:

    • co-designing facilities with the community
    • supporting community activities through health, education and events
    • supporting grassroots clubs
    • upcoming Sport England investment in Plymouth
    • identifying and applying for local funding support
    • improving sustainability and governance 
    • safeguarding, welfare and supporting diverse groups
    • rehab and pre-hab opportunities for club athletes
    • recognising and celebrating the social value of sport.

    Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet Member with responsibility for sport and leisure, will open the conference. She said: “As part of the city’s Active to Thrive plan, we have a shared vision for Plymouth to be the most physically active coastal city in England by 2034.

    “To do this we need quality clubs, top class facilities, active schools and accessible community opportunities for sport and physical activity. This can only be achieved through collaboration between local clubs and other providers.

    “The conference will be a chance for those providers to come together, share their knowledge and experiences and look at ways to build on existing strengths, as well as tackle challenges. It will also be an opportunity to connect directly with organisations that can help them develop and thrive.”

    The community sport conference will start at 5.30pm and finish at 8.30pm. A limited number of tickets are still available. To view the agenda and book your place visit the Eventbrite website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Appointments made to the Forestry Commission Board

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government Non-Ministerial Departments

    News story

    Appointments made to the Forestry Commission Board

    Kate Cheetham has been appointed to the board and Jennie Price and Peter Latham are reappointed

    A series of appointments and reappointments have been made to the Forestry Commission Board.

    By Royal Warrant, His Majesty King Charles III has appointed Kate Cheetham as a Non-Executive Commissioner. Her appointment began on 1 April 2025 and will run for three years until 31 March 2028.

    Jennie Price has been reappointed for a third term of two years as Non-Executive Commissioner. This will run from 1 April 2025 until 31 March 2027.

    Peter Latham will continue as a Non-Executive Commissioner for an additional six months from 1 April 2025 until 30 September 2025.

    All appointments have been made on merit and in accordance with the Ministerial Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    Biographies

    Kate Cheetham

    Kate is the Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary of Lloyds Banking Group (LBG), where she advises the Board and executive team on legal and governance matters and leads the Group’s Legal and Secretariat function. She joined LBG in 2005, having previously worked as a corporate lawyer at Linklaters and run a commercial art gallery in London. Kate is passionate about inclusion and diversity, and has been a champion for social mobility and women’s leadership within the Group. She also served as a trustee of the Lloyds Bank Foundation for seven years, supporting grassroots charities across the UK.

    Jennie Price

    Jennie Price was the CEO of Sport England. Jennie is a qualified lawyer and has previously been the CEO of WRAP, a Defra-supported environmental organisation specialising in recycling and resources management. She retains an active interest in sport and is Chair of the international supervisory board on integrity in tennis. She is also a trustee of the Canal and River Trust and until very recently was Chair of Trustees of the Scouts in the UK. Jennie brings considerable expertise in engaging wide sectors of the community in outdoor activities and has an excellent understanding of the links to health and wellbeing.

    Peter Latham

    Peter Latham is a director of Association Technique Internationale des Bois Tropicaux (ATIBT or the International Tropical Timber Technical Association) and a trustee of the Commonwealth Forestry Association. He was previously CEO and chair of the timber distributor James Latham Plc., and chair of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification International. Peter brings extensive knowledge of the timber industry and experience of successful stakeholder engagement on an international level.

    Notes for Editors

    • The Forestry Commission increases the value of woodlands to society and the environment.

    • It is a non-ministerial department, supported by Forest Research and Forestry England.

    • Non-Executive Commissioners play a pivotal role in establishing a strong, sustainable future for the organisation.

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    Published 22 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: Jordan Banjo and Samsung Team Up to Tackle Road Trip Boredom, Powered By The Galaxy Tab S10 FE

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung’s Road Trip Rescue Wall provided a welcome creative recharge for families travelling through Rugby this Good Friday
     
    Whilst 71% of Brits enjoy family road trips, they don’t come without their frustrations.  
     
    Samsung research, conducted to launch the new Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Tab S10 FE+, finds that despite UK families typically traveling over 150 miles on road trips, boredom strikes within a mere 43 minutes, making a boredom-free experience less likely.  
     
    With the average family only making two stops per road trip, limited to essential needs like going to the toilet (81%), having a snack break (57%) or stretching their legs (47%), there are few chances to alleviate the boredom.  
     
    Bringing a much-needed creative break to Brits travelling this Easter Weekend, Jordan Banjo unveiled Samsung’s Road Trip Rescue Wall at Moto Rugby, helping families recharge their imagination with the help of the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Tab S10 FE+.  
     

     
    Father of three and Diversity member, Jordan Banjo, says: “Let’s be real, with three kids in the back, a ‘quick’ family road trip can feel like an actual expedition. We’re obsessed with the memories we’re going to make at the destination but forget that the getting there bit can sometimes be challenging. 
     
    “Moments like the Samsung Road Trip Rescue Wall inject some fun into the journey itself, making the journey just as much a part of the adventure as the destination. The Galaxy Tab S10 FE is a secret weapon for families. Anything that helps keep the peace and sparks imagination is a win in my book.” 
     
    Families dropping by Samsung’s Road Trip Rescue Wall enjoyed a moment of inspiration as they put Galaxy Tab 10 FE’s creative capabilities to the test, contributing their family’s artwork for the chance to win their very own tablet.  
     
    This comes as new stats reveal that 45% of Brits think using a tablet during a family road trip is a great way to share experiences and engage together. 
     
    And when it comes to how they use tech on the go, a third of parents are looking for gadgets that engage the whole family in a shared activity. Regionally, this number is highest for Londoners (40%) and across generations, is most true for Gen Z (41%), almost double their Gen X counterparts.  
     
    Annika Bizon, Mobile Experience VP of Product and Marketing Samsung UK&I, says: “Working out how to keep your children entertained in the car can be as stressful as planning a family trip itself.  
       
    “Parents often need technology like tablets to be an additional travel companion for long journeys, helping the entire family to beat both boredom and frustration – whether it’s getting creative with the S Pen, or exploring the Galaxy Tab S10 FE’s preloaded apps to encourage imagination and learning whilst on the move.  
       
    “It’s not about filling the time; it’s about enriching the journey for everyone in the car. The Galaxy Tab S10 FE is designed to do just that, turning challenging journeys into shared enjoyment.”  
     
    The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Tab S10 FE+, with its creative and entertainment capabilities, alongside 5G connectivity, ensures an engaging journey for all. And with a powerful processor and longer-lasting battery life, you can do more for longer.  
     
    Pricing and current offers: 
     
    Galaxy Tab S10 FE (starting from £499 RRP) and Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (starting from £649 RRP) are available now in 5G and Wi-Fi variants and offered in three colours: Grey, Silver and Blue. 
     
    Customers who purchase a Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE or a Tab S10 FE+ from Samsung.com and participating retailers can also claim a free Slim Keyboard Cover worth up to £169.  
     
    For more information about the Galaxy Tab S10 FE series, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/uk/tablets/galaxy-tab-s10-fe/buy/ 

    MIL OSI Economics –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Australia: All-abilities bike track now open in Evatt

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Sporting organisations, therapy providers, and community and disability organisations gathered to open the new path.

    In brief:

    • A new bike track and storage shed suitable for all abilities is now open.
    • The accessible track is designed to help kids build cycling skills, road safety awareness and confidence.
    • It will host the Cyclabilities program run by Abilities Unlimited Australia.

    A new accessible cycling path has opened in Evatt.

    The all-abilities Road Safety Learn to Ride concrete bike track and bike storage shed are located at Evatt Community Playground. This is adjacent to Evatt Primary School.

    The new facility will make learning to ride safer for all children, no matter their ability.

    On Saturday mornings, the Abilities Unlimited Australia (AUA) Cyclabilities program will use the track.

    When not in use by Cyclabilities, it is available for the community to enjoy.

    AUA Cyclabilities

    AUA provides tailored programs for children with disabilities. It promotes inclusion and empowers every child to discover their potential through sports.

    The Cyclabilities program is an inclusive cycling initiative.

    It helps children of all abilities learn cycling skills and road safety awareness. Beyond this, it fosters social, emotional and physical development.

    On Saturday mornings, over 100 participants take part. The new Evatt facility will help grow participation in the program.

    AUA’s 1:1 and small group sports programs are designed to meet the unique needs and abilities of each child.

    “This inclusive facility is a vital gift to our community, offering children of all abilities a safe space to learn cycling, develop essential road safety skills, and build confidence,” Co-founder of Abilities Unlimited Australia Fiona Jarvis said.

    “Children with disabilities face heightened risks and barriers to participation. This precinct breaks those barriers, fostering independence, inclusion, and community connection.”

    The ACT Government’s 2024 Community Sport Facilities Program provided funding to Abilities Unlimited Australia (AUA) for the project.

    Read more like this:


    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: How Fomo – the fear of missing out – affects young people’s binge drinking

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Richard Cooke, Professor of Health Psychology, University of Staffordshire

    Media_Photos/Shutterstock

    Past English government campaigns have tried to curb youth drinking by focusing on the things young people might do while drunk and regret later: falling off scaffolding, vomiting or ending up looking a mess.

    And while more recent attempts, such as the Spread Campaign in Australia, have tended to be less overtly graphic, they still focus exclusively on harms associated with drinking, such as cancer. They use fear to try and scare people into changing their drinking behaviour.

    But despite their popularity with policymakers, psychological research has generally shown that campaigns based on fear do not change behaviour. What’s more, our research has found that even when young people thought they would regret what they did when drunk and made plans to drink less, they still ended up drinking the same amount.

    Over a number of research studies, we’ve tried to figure out why regret doesn’t change drinking behaviour. What we’ve found is that for many young people, the fear of missing out on the good things they might experience while drinking outweighs the fear that they might do something they regret.

    When young people in a focus group talked about their binge drinking, several downplayed the severity of the things they’d done while drunk – which included taking their clothes off in a nightclub and dancing naked on a table, and getting a tattoo of a footballer on their bum. They explained that the social benefits they got out of drinking, such as making shared memories, bonding and meeting new people, outweighed any negative consequences that followed.

    This helps to explain why health campaigns can be ineffective. If you can justify naked dancing or getting a tattoo on your bum, you’re not going be too bothered about feeling a bit sick the morning after.

    In a second, ongoing study, we talked to young adults about their fears of missing social events. Many told us that not attending these events meant exclusion from in-jokes based on shared experiences, leaving them feeling isolated. One of our interviewees even admitted an event would be “rubbish” but went anyway so as to not miss out.

    So, it seemed to us that regret might work differently for things you do – “action regret” – versus things you do not do: “inaction regret”.

    Young people feared missing out on experiences.
    Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

    Applied to alcohol, this makes sense. Memories of hangovers fade, but you hold on to those shared experiences that mean so much. Conversely, not sharing experiences means you are left out of conversations, wondering what might have been.

    This means that Fomo – the fear of missing out – might be a better predictor of young adults’ drinking behaviour than anticipating regret.

    For our most recently published research study, we recruited over 100 young adults aged 18-30 and asked them to report the Fomo they felt and how much they planned to drink. They did this three times a day on three consecutive weekends. We also asked them how much they had gone on to drink each time.

    Measuring Fomo and drinking plans multiple times over a short period helped us understand fluctuations in feelings and drinking plans. Our results show that experiencing higher levels of Fomo increased how much young adults planned to drink, and led to them drinking more.

    This suggests one reason young adults drink more after experiencing Fomo is that they believe drinking more makes it more likely something memorable will happen. This supports what we found in our qualitative studies.

    In contrast, experiencing Fomo did not make young adults drink more frequently. In another study one of us (Richard) conducted, young adults’ drinking frequency was best predicted by social factors, such as how often young adults contacted their friends about drinking, and their drinking habits.

    As drinking often happens in social settings with friends, its frequency is likely to depend more on these social and contextual factors, rather than individual differences in Fomo or drinking plans.

    Overall, our research shows that Fomo – an entirely psychological phenomenon – influences young adults’ drinking plans and how much they drink. Such results can help explain why hard-hitting health campaigns that highlight regret following binge-drinking are ineffective at reducing binge-drinking. Young adults are more worried about missing out socially than about the hangover the next day.

    Richard Cooke has received funding from NIHR, the Wellcome Trust, European Union, and the European Foundation for Alcohol Research (ERAB) who were funded by the Brewers of Europe. ERAB had no role in study design, collection, analysis or interpretation of data, writing of manuscripts or decisions to submit papers for the projects they supported.

    Joel Crawford 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. How Fomo – the fear of missing out – affects young people’s binge drinking – https://theconversation.com/how-fomo-the-fear-of-missing-out-affects-young-peoples-binge-drinking-230229

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: Toxic chemical pollution continues on Isle of Man as government defends Unesco conservation status

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Anna Turns, Senior Environment Editor, The Conversation

    Peel Bay on the Isle of Man. MrsBain/Shutterstock

    The Isle of Man government has said it is “fully committed to environmental protection and transparency” regarding its Unesco biosphere status – despite admitting that legacy landfill sites are discharging hazardous chemical contaminants into the sea.

    The Isle of Man is a self-governing island in the Irish Sea between the UK and and Ireland. It is not part of the UK or the European Union, but has the status of “crown dependency” with an independent administration. Its population of about 84,000 people are British citizens.

    It is known as the home of TT motorbike racing, traditional smoked kippers a low tax economy, and the world’s only “whole-nation” Unesco biosphere reserve. It boasts crystal clear waters, top-class dive sites and a thriving marine life.

    The Isle of Man achieved this highly regarded status in 2016 on the basis of its marine habitats and sustainability strategies.




    Read more:
    PCBs: these toxic pollutants were banned decades ago but still pose a huge threat


    But polychlorinated biphenols (PCBs) – synthetic industrial chemicals once used to make electricals and other materials – continue to be released into the waterways and the sea.

    Although the production of PCBs was banned globally in the 1980s, they still exist in many products, like electrical equipment, much of which lingers in landfills and so they continue to pose a risk to ocean health. Research has shown how legacy contaminants such as PCBs can be released from hundreds of thousands of coastal landfills across Europe – and the Isle of Man is no different.

    Evidence has been accumulating for years about PCB discharges on the Isle of Man and much of it is on the government’s own website.

    For example, 4,000 tonnes of toxic silt from harbour dredging – which included PCBs and heavy metals was dumped in the Irish sea in 2014. This “trial dump” was despite environmental and legal advice from its marine monitoring officer that this would be ignoring international agreements and would be damaging to the environment.


    The Insights section is committed to high-quality longform journalism. Our editors work with academics from many different backgrounds who are tackling a wide range of societal and scientific challenges.


    Then in 2015 – a time when it would have been putting together its Unesco application – the island government compiled a document, titled “the Peel Marina silt questions and answers” in which it discussed further toxic waste dumping options. It states:

    Disposing of 18,000 tonnes of contaminated sediments from the marina directly to the sea bed would have had a negative impact on the species involved. Testing carried out by Defa [Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture] officers had already identified the likelihood that earlier disposal of 4,000 tonnes into the sea had contributed to rises in contaminants within commercial fisheries species to levels approaching EU food safety standards.

    That batch of 18,000 tonnes of contaminated silt, collected after harbour dredging in Peel harbour, was eventually moved to a sealed pit.

    But it is the ongoing situation with legacy landfills which is seeing PCBs continuing to leach into the sea – a situation that the island government admits will not be entirely solved until the construction of a wastewater treatment plant (building is due to start on the plant in April 2025).

    ‘A hidden gem’

    The Isle of Man government leans heavily on its biosphere status across its tourism marketing and brands itself as “extraordinary”, a “hidden gem, an unexplored land, a biosphere nation”.

    But despite its pledges of being a destination with a “fantastic seascape…and coastline”, contaminated leachate from decommissioned landfill continues to drain into the marine environment.

    The Isle of Man applied for the biosphere reserve status in 2013, which was awarded in 2016 based on the submission of a comprehensive 250-page nomination document. But there was no mention of toxic landfill leachate or the dumping of thousands of tonnes of contaminated harbour silt which later came to light.

    The Isle of Man government told The Conversation that Unesco was aware of the discharges and that “biosphere status is not a hallmark of perfection”. It said its PCB discharges are in line with those of the UK.

    But it raises the question of whether such pollution can be in line with the spirit of the biosphere status.

    It is important to be clear that the Isle of Man is not unique in the British Islands in having managed disposal or unintentional discharges of legacy industrial wastes to the sea.

    My team’s research (Patrick Byrne’s) documents thousands of coastal landfills in England and Wales, many of which discharge hazardous materials to the sea through leachates or erosion.

    A Unesco biosphere reserve is not supposed to be perfect – almost nowhere is. But it should be a model for how we protect and sustainably manage our environment, including how we address legacy pollution. Why not highlight the issue of legacy industrial wastes as a challenge to be met?

    The Isle of Man government rejects the idea that it misrepresented any of the facts around its environmental credentials.

    But when The Conversation put the details to Unesco, it said it had not been made aware of previous dumping of toxic silt containing PCBs in 2014 and added that the first time the issue was raised with them was “in late 2023”.

    A spokesperson said: “At the time of the nomination, the International Committee of the Unesco Biosphere Programme was not aware of this issue.”

    The government told The Conversation it included “all information relevant for consideration by Unesco” when it made its application, but said certain discharges were not in the “zonation area” and that “nowhere is perfect”.

    The major concern is about being open and honest with the public and Unesco about the environmental challenges and potential human health concerns associated with legacy pollutants like PCBs. It is entirely possible that the Isle of Man’s Unesco status would still have been granted if Unesco had been fully aware about the dumping at sea.

    Landfills

    The Conversation spoke to Calum MacNeil, a freshwater scientist who worked for the Isle of Man government for 13 years. He now works for a research institute in New Zealand but has been flagging concerns about contamination from toxic silt. Together with his help, we spent months gathering all of the evidence, checking the facts and joining the dots between silt dredged from a harbour, landfills and sealed pits aimed at temporarily dealing with this legacy pollution.

    On the Isle of Man, historic landfills dating back to the 1940s are unlined so they are not sealed. After heavy rain, pollutants can wash away and leach out into the surrounding environment.

    One, called Raggatt landfill, is located 3.7 miles (6km) from the coast. It’s the size of several football pitches and when it rains, leachate (the landfill’s liquid discharge) that has been found to contain PCBs can “run off” the facility onto the nearby main road and the adjacent River Neb, eventually draining into the sea at Peel Bay.




    Read more:
    Pollution scientist talks to freshwater ecologist who warned of Isle of Man toxic silt dumps


    According to a 2017 news report, the government stated that the leachate “does not pose a risk to people swimming in Peel Bay” because it’s diluted by seawater. MacNeil insists that this is “a crucial admission” because he believes that the government cannot scientifically prove that any public exposure to PCB contamination is ever safe.

    MacNeil said: “I feel there needs to be international scientific and legal scrutiny of all of this. I believe both Unesco and the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have a responsibility here as well given the international agreements involved and the biosphere designation. Given the biosphere status, surely the Isle of Man government should be acting not just to the letter of the law but in the spirit of the law.”

    Regulations

    While various international regulations govern levels of chemical contamination in leachate in and immediately around old landfills, the same rules do not apply to anything that is deliberately dumped or discharged directly into rivers or the sea.

    Isle of Man legislation called the Water Pollution Act 1993 outlines that any discharge or dumping must abide by any and all relevant international agreements that apply to the Isle of Man.

    MacNeil argues that the onus should be on the Isle of Man government to prove that any discharge of PCBs is legal under international agreements.

    These include an agreement called Ospar (the Oslo-Paris convention for the protection of the marine environment for the north-east Atlantic) and the Basel convention which governs how nations, including the Isle of Man, should treat and dispose of hazardous waste in environmentally sound ways.

    Tourism

    Tourists and local residents swim all year round in bathing waters such as Peel Bay, and praise for this nation’s marine conservation achievements is vast. Last summer, the Isle of Man was even nominated for the “most desirable island in Europe” travel award hosted by magazine Wanderlust.

    With goals to grow annual visitor numbers to 500,000, a thriving ecotourism industry could contribute an estimated £520 million by 2032. According to the island’s tourism agency, Visit Isle of Man, it aims to be “a leading British ecotourism destination that provides a range of opportunities for visitors to connect with our unique nature and wildlife”.

    Contaminated silt was allegedly dredged from Peel harbour and dumped out at sea.
    Daniel Sztork/Shutterstock

    But Peel is one of three beaches (technically designated as a non-bathing area) on the island to recently fail minimum standards for bathing waters “due to insufficient infrastructure”, according to the 2024 bathing water report from the Isle of Man’s Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defa).

    A desirable designation

    A board is currently being formed to lead the ten-year periodic review (reaccreditation) of the island’s Unesco status.

    As one 2022 study explains, biosphere reserves are “learning sites for sustainable development”. Researchers point out that a coherent and holistic approach on the Isle of Man is not necessarily easy to achieve, in part because the biosphere is managed by one government department (Defa) with a remit for environment, food and agriculture, resulting in “age-old tensions between farming and conservation”.




    Read more:
    Coastal landfills risk leaking long-banned toxic chemicals into the ocean


    The Isle of Man government’s website states: “Our biosphere status encourages us to learn about and cherish what we have in the Isle of Man and safeguard it for the future by making good decisions, as individuals, as organisations and as an island. It tells potential new residents and visitors that we are a special place for people and nature and have a conscience.”

    But without openly acknowledging the legacy pollution challenges, they are literally being buried for future generations. This ultimately undermines local, national, and international efforts to learn and move forward in a sustainable way, which is at the heart of the Unesco biosphere philosophy.


    A spokesperson for the Isle of Man government said:

    “The Isle of Man government remains fully committed to environmental protection and transparency regarding its Unesco Biosphere status. We reject any assertion that the government has acted to misrepresent environmental matters in its Unesco application.

    “All relevant data and policies have been developed in line with scientific evidence and regulatory frameworks. The Isle of Man government conducts rigorous environmental monitoring, including assessments of water quality and potential contaminants, to ensure compliance with established safety standards.

    “The Isle of Man has legacy landfill sites similar to those found in the UK, Europe and around the world which leach contaminants, including PCBs, into the marine environment. Details of PCB discharges from UK landfills can be found on the UK Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) data sets where the pollutant threshold below which data is not required to be submitted for PCBs in water is stated as 0.1kg.

    “The level of PCBs entering the marine environment in the Isle of Man is slightly lower than the average throughout the Irish Sea as determined by sediment and biota samples.

    “The leachate discharge from the historic Raggatt landfill, which closed in 1990, is planned to be discharged to Peel Wastewater Treatment Plant which has recently received planning permission and construction expected to commence by April 2025.

    “As stated on the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture’s pollution control monitoring webpage: ‘Independent advice from Phoenix Engineering is that this would represent the best available technology to manage and control emissions of PCBs present in Raggatt landfill leachate to the marine environment in Peel.’

    “Due to historic mining, heavy metals such as lead are known to flow down the river and accumulate in silt at Peel Marina, which has previously exceeded Cefas action level 2 where sediments are considered unacceptable for uncontrolled disposal at sea without special handling and containment. No further deposits to sea of Peel dredging silt have been made since 2014, and a catchment management plan is currently being developed to reduce this contamination at Peel Marina.

    “The aim for all Unesco Biospheres is to improve our environment; something which the Isle of Man has consistently strived to achieve since accreditation in 2016.”


    A spokesperson for Unesco said:

    “Unesco first received information on this issue in late 2023, which was then relayed to the relevant government authorities for comments. Unesco was informed that the situation appeared to stem from the presence of a UK historic landfill which is being followed through a comprehensive monitoring programme.

    “Following Unesco’s request, the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs confirmed that ‘it is in line with the UK government’s responsibilities under the Ospar convention, and are satisfied the Isle of Man government is taking all possible steps to prevent and eliminate pollution of PCBs from land-based sources entering the marine environment in line with Article 3 of the Ospar convention’.

    “In the original application dossier, the Isle of Man committed to ‘take responsibility for overseeing salvage and pollution counter-measures in order to comply with international conventions’. It also committed to observing a range of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs).

    “As the Isle of Man Biosphere Reserve was designated in 2016, its periodic review is scheduled for 2026. Unesco will make all information available to the Intergovernmental Committee in charge of examining the renewal of the status.”


    For you: more from our Insights series:

    • Inside Porton Down: what I learned during three years at the UK’s most secretive chemical weapons laboratory

    • The overshoot myth: you can’t keep burning fossil fuels and expect scientists of the future to get us back to 1.5°C

    • We found over 300 million young people had experienced online sexual abuse and exploitation over the course of our meta-study

    • ‘There has never been a more dangerous time to take drugs’: the rising global threat of nitazenes and synthetic opioids

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

    Patrick Byrne receives funding from the UK Natural Environment Research Council.

    Anna Turns 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. Toxic chemical pollution continues on Isle of Man as government defends Unesco conservation status – https://theconversation.com/toxic-chemical-pollution-continues-on-isle-of-man-as-government-defends-unesco-conservation-status-236547

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Matador Technologies Provides Corporate Update Ahead of Digital Asset Platform

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Key Highlights

    • Digital Asset Platform Introduction: Matador is preparing to launch its Digital Asset Platform, enabling the inscription of digital art onto physical gold. The platform integrates precious metals-based art with blockchain infrastructure using Bitcoin Ordinals, a protocol built on the Bitcoin Network.
    • “Grammies” – Digital Gold Collectibles: The first product, “Grammies,” consists of 1-gram gold units with digital inscriptions recorded on Bitcoin. These units are tradable and transferable via Ordinals-compatible Bitcoin wallets and can be converted into physical gold-based artwork.
    • Timing and Market Context: Gold has recently exceeded ~USD$3,400/oz, providing a favorable environment for the Digital Gold Product launch, particularly as investors explore alternative stores of value amid global macroeconomic uncertainty.
    • Team and Infrastructure Updates: To support product development, Matador appointed Antoine De Vuyst as CTO and “dxxmsdxy” as Lead Designer. Bitcoin custody is managed by BitGo, and physical gold is stored at the Royal Canadian Mint.
    • Ongoing Strategy: In addition to the gold product, Matador intends to expand to other precious metals. The Company holds 64 BTC (including equivalents) and 2 kg of gold as part of its broader treasury strategy.

    TORONTO, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Matador Technologies Inc. (“Matador” or the “Company”) (TSXV: MATA, OTCQB: MTDTF), a Bitcoin Ecosystem company, is providing a corporate update as it moves toward the launch of its Digital Asset Platform, beginning with a gold-based product on the Bitcoin network, with an anticipated launch in the next couple of months. Over the past quarter, the Company has made progress in product development, treasury allocation, team expansion, and market engagement.

    Digital Asset Platform and Product Update

    The Company’s upcoming launch features “Grammies,” 1-gram units of physical gold linked to digital inscriptions using Bitcoin Ordinals. Users will be able to:

    • View Grammies in a personalized dashboard
    • Buy and sell in a secure trading environment
    • Transfer Grammies to Ordinals-compatible Bitcoin wallets
    • Print Grammies into physical gold artwork

    The launch coincides with a period of strong gold pricing—recently surpassing USD$3,400 per ounce (sourced from Reuters) —and increased interest in physical-digital asset convergence.

    “Gold has always been a store of value and we believe Bitcoin is the future of value transfer. Matador is where the two converge,” said Mark Moss, Chief Visionary Officer of Matador Technologies.

    In a press release issued on March 31, 2025, the Company appointed Antoine De Vuyst (CTO) and the pseudonymous artist “dxxmsdxy” (Lead Designer), both with experience in Bitcoin and Ordinals-related development. This team expansion aims to support secure and user-focused platform delivery.

    Matador expects the Grammies product to be the first of multiple offerings centered on precious metals and digital inscription. Silver and other metals are under consideration for future phases.

    Treasury and Capital Strategy

    As part of its asset diversification approach, Matador has continued to accumulate Bitcoin and physical gold. Since January 2025, the Company has added over 40 Bitcoin, bringing total holdings to roughly 64 BTC and BTC-equivalents. These purchases were funded with available cash.

    The Company also holds 2 kilograms of physical gold, acquired via Kitco Metals Inc, as announced in a press release issued on January 24, 2025. Matador remains debt-free.

    Custody and Market Access

    As announced in a press release issued on February 10, 2025, for custody of its Bitcoin, Matador has engaged BitGo Trust Company, which provides cold storage and multi-signature protection. Gold is held at the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa.

    To support market liquidity and visibility, Matador retained Independent Trading Group Inc. (ITG) as a market maker on the TSX Venture Exchange which was announced in a press release dated January 8, 2025. On March 18, 2025 the Company announced it listed on the OTCQB under the symbol MTDTF, broadening access to U.S.-based investors.

    Industry Engagement

    As indicated in a press release issued February 18, 2025, Matador participated in several recent industry events aimed at strengthening relationships with investors, partners, and other stakeholders, including:

    • Max & Stacy’s Bitcoin Golf Invitational (El Salvador)
    • The Inaugural Crypto Ball (Washington, D.C.)
    • AlphaNorth Capital Events (Bahamas and Whistler, Canada)
    • Centurion One’s Growth Conference (Toronto)
    • PDAC 2025 (Toronto)

    These engagements provided perspective on evolving market trends and helped reinforce Matador’s role within the Bitcoin, gold, and blockchain ecosystems.

    Looking Ahead

    Matador continues to advance its goal of developing a platform that combines real-world assets with blockchain utility. Supported by a clean balance sheet, growing team, and product focus, the Company is positioning itself at the intersection of traditional and digital finance.

    “We’ve made steady progress this quarter,” said Deven Soni, CEO of Matador Technologies. “We’re continuing to build the foundation needed to support the rollout of our Digital Gold Product and broader asset digitization strategy.”

    For additional information, please contact:

    Media Contact:
    Sunny Ray
    President
    Email: sunny@matador.network

    Phone: 647-932-2668

    About Matador Technologies Inc.
    Matador Technologies Inc. leverages blockchain technology to digitize assets like gold. Focused on building innovative financial solutions, Matador is at the forefront of integrating blockchain technology to preserve and grow value. Matador’s digital gold platform aims to democratize the gold buying experience, combining the best of modern technology and time-proven assets, to create a platform that will allow users to buy, sell, and store gold 24/7 in a convenient and engaging way.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

    This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

    Forward Looking Statements – Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with the implementation of the Company’s treasury management strategy and the launch of its mobile application as currently proposed or at all. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including with respect to the potential acquisition of Bitcoin and/or US dollars, the pricing of such acquisitions and the timing of future operations. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

    The MIL Network –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Australia: Inclusion Awards recipients announced

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Ravi Krishnamurthy accepts the Leader in Inclusion award from Mark Mulligan of Icon Water.

    In brief

    • Winners of this year’s Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards have been announced.
    • The Awards celebrate people with disability who are leaders in the community.
    • The six award winners are listed in this story.

    Recipients of the Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards have been announced.

    The Awards celebrate people with disability who are leaders in the Canberra community.

    They recognise those who improve the experiences of people with disability in the workplace, business and community.

    The nomination process

    Anybody can nominate someone in one of the six award categories.

    Nominees can be:

    • individuals
    • teams
    • local businesses
    • community organisations

    Self-nominations are also welcome.

    The judging process

    The judging panel includes:

    • people with disability
    • awards sponsors
    • ACT Inclusion Council members
    • members of the Canberra business community.

    “It is wonderful to see the achievements of all the winners… They are taking us one step closer to a truly inclusive capital,” ACT Inclusion Council Chair Mr David Smith said.

    The winners

    Leader in Inclusion – Ravi Krishnamurthy
    Ravi has been a relentless force for change in the Canberra community for more than 20 years.

    Excellence in Inclusive and Innovative Employment Practices – The Apollo Neurodiversity Program
    This program offers neurodivergent people a career in ICT within the Australian Public Service.

    Excellence in Collaborating with people with Disability – Safer Me Safer You Project Advisory Group
    Safer Me Safer You Project Advisory Group, by Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT, has set a benchmark for inclusive co-design.

    Excellence in Access and Inclusion – Netball ACT’s 2024 All Abilities Netball program
    Netball ACT’s 2024 All Abilities Netball program has enabled people with disability to play netball in a mainstream competition, making sport more inclusive.

    Excellence in Innovation and Impact – Derek Brewer
    Derek is the founder of Panache Special Needs Driver Training Program. This supports neurodivergent learner drivers and other learner drivers with disability.

    Sue Salthouse Award for Championing Human Rights and Equality – Renée Heaton
    Renée is a powerful advocate and leader. She has led the ACT Disability Reference Group for almost four years.

    Congratulations to the winners and all nominees.

    View the list of finalists and winners on the ACT Inclusion Council website.

    Read more like this:


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    MIL OSI News –

    April 23, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow Mayor Announces Opening of Sports Complex for Blind Children

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the north-east, a sports complex of boarding school No. 1 has opened. This was reported in on your telegram channel Sergei Sobyanin said.

    “This unique educational institution on 3rd Mytishchinskaya Street has been teaching and rehabilitating children with severe visual impairments for over 140 years. Thanks to the talent of teachers, the work of parents and their own persistence, many of the school’s graduates achieve great success in life. Now the children have even more opportunities to improve their health and play sports,” the Moscow Mayor wrote.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @Mos_Sobyanin

    The construction of the sports complex on 3rd Mytishchinskaya Street (building 5, building 6) was completed in December 2024. It has all the necessary conditions for sports and rehabilitation of people with special needs – blind and visually impaired students of boarding school No. 1.

    The sports complex’s exterior finish is made of blue and white aluminum panels, complemented by vertical slats and pylons. Decorative screens made of perforated aluminum protect the space from sunlight, ensuring comfortable exercise at any time of day. The stained glass windows on the first floor create a feeling of lightness and spaciousness. The façade is decorated with the name of the specialized Moscow boarding school No. 1 for the education and rehabilitation of the blind, written in Braille.

    The four-story building with an area of 4.7 thousand square meters houses:

    — a swimming pool for recreational swimming 25 by 11 meters with four lanes and stands for spectators; a stationary lift has been installed for comfortable immersion in the water for students with disabilities;

    — a universal sports hall with spectator space: with the help of special partitions it can be divided into several sections, which allows for simultaneous training and competitions in various sports, including mini-football, basketball and volleyball;

    – gym;

    — a recreational space with a salt cave and a showdown table (a game for the visually impaired that combines elements of table tennis and air hockey).

    In addition, the new complex has comfortable changing rooms, storage facilities for equipment and a medical center.

    A barrier-free environment has been created inside the sports complex. In particular, tactile tiles for the visually impaired are laid on the floor throughout the building – not on the right or left, as in standard sports complexes, but as a central path. The buttons of the information terminal at the entrance are equipped with inscriptions made in Braille.

    An elevator with a lifting capacity of up to a thousand kilograms has been installed. At the second floor level, a covered heated passage has been arranged, which will allow comfortable and safe movement between the main building of the boarding school and the sports complex without going outside.

    The area next to the sports complex was landscaped and greened. Sports and playgrounds were equipped here, and small architectural forms were installed.

    The new sports complex on 3rd Mytishchinskaya Street will host physical education classes and additional training, as well as competitions in swimming, goalball, mini-football (group B1, sports for the blind), track and field, judo and other sports.

    Individual lessons are provided for children with severe and multiple developmental disabilities outside of school hours. It is expected that up to 150 students will visit the swimming pool weekly, and up to 300 schoolchildren will visit the gym.

    In addition, from May, from Monday to Saturday in the evening (from 18:00 to 22:00), the sports complex will be open for training to all those who wish to do so by prior appointment.

    Boarding school No. 1 for the education and rehabilitation of the blind

    The history of Moscow Boarding School No. 1 for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind dates back more than 140 years, when in the fall of 1882, on the first floor of a three-story building in Sokolovsky (now Elektrichesky) Lane, the Moscow Educational and Upbringing Institution for Blind Children (20 people) was opened, under the patronage of Empress Maria Feodorovna. Blind children received primary education in accordance with the program of a two-year primary school for sighted children and were taught accessible crafts: weaving baskets, straw rugs, edge carpets and chair seats, making brushes, knitting stockings and scarves, and needlework.

    In October 1918, the institution was renamed Children’s Home No. 1 for the Blind, where children received free primary education and were fully supported by the state. Nine years later, it was transformed into the Moscow Institute for Blind Children, which switched to eight-year education in 1932.

    During the Great Patriotic War, the institute was evacuated to the city of Menzelinsk in the Tatar ASSR. Graduates who remained in Moscow worked at the educational and production enterprises of the All-Russian Society of the Blind and prepared products for the front: boxes for anti-tank mines, iron stoves for trenches and dugouts, various brushes. A group of graduates, led by the blind teacher of Russian language and literature Maria Ksenofontova, organized patronage over military hospitals in Moscow. They taught blind soldiers to read and write using Braille.

    In 1948, the institute was transformed into Secondary General Education Boarding School No. 1 for blind children with 11 years of education.

    In 1956, the institution moved to a new four-story building on Novoalekseevskaya Street (now 3rd Mytishchinskaya Street, Building 5), where it remains to this day. Throughout its history, Boarding School No. 1 has been an important scientific and methodological center, conducting scientific research in the field of typhlopedagogy and typhlopsychology, developing educational programs and scientific and methodological manuals, and holding thematic events to improve the qualifications of specialists working with blind and visually impaired children. In particular, the school was a pioneer in the introduction of computer technology for blind users and programmers, programs for special types of labor training, special training for admission to universities, and the integration of the blind into society.

    Over the years of its work, more than 1.6 thousand people have graduated from the school. Among them are scientists, teachers, lawyers and attorneys, musicians and composers, writers and journalists, poets, programmers, computer system operators, managers and foremen of enterprises of the All-Russian Society of the Blind, outstanding athletes (masters of sports, winners of world and European championships) and other specialists.

    Today, Boarding School No. 1 is a modern specialized educational institution, where 352 children study, 80 percent of whom are totally blind. The children undergo adapted programs of preschool, primary, basic and secondary general education.

    The boarding school has created all the conditions for the harmonious development of children with special needs, and this is largely due to the team of highly qualified typhlopedagogic teachers and educators who generously give the children their knowledge, rich experience and boundless love. The school’s workforce consists of 267 employees, including 62 teachers, 50 educators and 40 teaching staff.

    The education is based on the reading and writing system of the French typhlopedagogue Louis Braille and lasts one year longer than in regular schools – 12 years, because the primary school course takes five years.

    A nine-year course of study has been developed for children with combined diseases and severe developmental disabilities. Since 2017, there have been work rehabilitation groups for such school graduates. The children are engaged in carpentry, knitting from wool on their fingers and weaving string bags with a fishing shuttle.

    In addition to the main educational building on 3rd Mytishchinskaya Street (building 5), boarding school No. 1 includes:

    — a preschool department with 24-hour care on Raketny Boulevard (building 14);

    — a rehabilitation department on Kosmonavtov Street (building 4), where work rehabilitation groups are organized;

    — the health resort and recreational structural unit “Solnyshko” in the village of Kostino in the Moscow region, where children receive comprehensive rehabilitation services in an inpatient setting.

    In 2022, an all-Russian center for gifted visually impaired children was opened on the school’s premises, where talented children from other regions of our country can enroll based on the results of testing in mathematics, Russian and English, as well as an interview. Currently, 23 children from 14 subjects of the Russian Federation (Khabarovsk and Krasnoyarsk territories, Nizhny Novgorod, Orenburg, Ryazan and other regions) are studying here as part of this project.

    The socio-cultural rehabilitation of children is facilitated by additional education, represented by programs of various focus areas: physical education and sports, artistic and aesthetic, cultural and natural science. In particular, since 2018, a branch of the E.F. Svetlanov Children’s Art School (Equal Opportunities Department) has been operating at Boarding School No. 1, where 70 people with profound visual impairments study. 95 percent of children attend clubs and sections.

    In the 2023/2024 academic year, 17 eleventh-graders graduated from the school. Five of them were awarded federal and Moscow medals for outstanding academic achievements. Based on the results of the Unified State Exam, 44 graduates (37 percent) received more than 220 points in three subjects, of which 20 people (17 percent) received more than 250 points. Six people received 100 points in one subject.

    In addition, last academic year, 18 students received diplomas of winners and prize winners of the municipal stage of the All-Russian School Olympiad. Two students became prize winners of the regional stage, 44 students became prize winners of the city Olympiad “Museums. Parks. Estates”, and one student became the winner of the Moscow championship “Abilympics” in the “Vocal” competence. In the 2024/2025 academic year, two students became prize winners of the Moscow School Olympiad.

    Thanks to its high educational results, the school is annually a laureate of the Moscow Mayor’s grants (first and second degree).

    The capital’s education system for people with disabilities

    For children with various developmental disabilities, the Moscow city social protection system has eight rehabilitation and educational centers, where about two thousand children undergo comprehensive rehabilitation and receive a quality education.

    Highly qualified doctors, psychologists, teachers, speech therapists and other specialists work with the children, and the centers themselves are equipped with modern innovative equipment. For example, today VR helmets are used to teach children with disabilities: thanks to augmented reality, teachers simulate situations that are only available in the laboratory or in special conditions. Students try themselves in the role of chefs or interns in chemical laboratories. Visualization and immersion in a specific situation help children understand the processes taking place, and thanks to the game form, the knowledge gained during classes is absorbed much better.

    Based on the results of the 2023/2024 academic year, 15 graduates of boarding schools were awarded federal and Moscow medals for outstanding academic achievements.

    It is planned to build a new rehabilitation and educational center for 800 students in the territory of TiNAO.

    At the same time, the majority of children with special needs (over 42 thousand) study in regular city schools, where the most favorable conditions for social adaptation have been created for them.

    In the 2023/2024 academic year, inclusive practices were implemented in 478 educational organizations in Moscow.

    It is possible to choose the form of training:

    – in groups or classes together with students who do not have special educational needs;

    – in separate groups or classes with small occupancies;

    — in special correctional schools implementing adapted educational programs for various nosological groups.

    Every year the number of students with disabilities who are winners and prize winners of the All-Russian and Moscow School Olympiads is growing.

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

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

    HTTPS: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12646050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    April 22, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Chinese Culture Festival 2025 to hold free Chinese opera talks and exhibition

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    To promote the culture and artistic features of Chinese opera among members of the public, the Chinese Opera Festival (COF), as a core part of the Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2025, will organise a number of free talks, masterclasses and an exhibition from May to August to introduce various theatrical genres, performance styles, repertoire appreciation and more from various perspectives.
     
    Talks on the Three Kingdoms Opera
    ——————————————————————-

         Veteran Cantonese opera performing artist Yuen Siu-fai will host four talks to discuss the classic plays from the “Three Kingdoms” story that will be staged in this year’s COF from the perspectives of character portrayal, the art of adaptation, strategic plots in the storylines and genre variations.
     
    Topic: Character Portrayal in Staging “Three Kingdoms” Stories: Zhuge Liang and Jiang Wei
    Date: May 17 (Saturday)
     
    Topic: On the Adaptation of Stories from the “Three Kingdoms” for the Stage – With Examples from Excerpts and Full-length Plays
    Date: May 24 (Saturday)
     
    Topic: On the Strategic Plots: “Invoking the East Wind” and “Returning to Jingzhou”
    Date: May 31 (Saturday)
     
    Topic: Stories from the “Three Kingdoms”: From History and Literature to Traditional Theatre
    Date: June 7 (Saturday)
     
    Talks on the Art of Kunqu Opera
    ——————————————————————-

         This year’s COF features three Kunqu opera performances. Three talks will be given by seasoned Kunqu art researcher Cheung Lai-chun, who will guide audiences through the culture and stories behind the plays as well as their exquisite stage interpretations.
     
    Topic: Appreciation of “Fifteen Strings of Cash”
    Date: May 18 (Sunday)
     
    Topic: Appreciation of “Kneeling by the Pond” from “The Lioness Roars” and “Rendezvous at the Pavilion” from “Red Pear Blossom”
    Date: May 25 (Sunday)
     
    Topic: Appreciation of “Entrusting His Son” from “The Beauty Washing Silk by the River” and “Cancelling the Birthday Celebrations” from “The Pavilion of Chanting in the Wind”
    Date: June 1 (Sunday)
     
    Talks on the Culture of Chinese Opera
    ——————————————————————-

         This year’s COF features regional operatic genres that are rarely seen by Hong Kong audiences – Yuediao opera of Henan and Qinqiang opera of Shaanxi, along with selected Chinese operas based on the “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”. Scholar of Chinese opera Lum Man-yee will deliver two talks, covering the evolution of “Three Kingdom” operas and the characteristics of female performers playing “xusheng” (bearded male) role in Yuediao and Qinqiang traditions respectively.
     
    Topic: Staging “Three Kingdoms” stories: from Southern Operas of the Song and Yuan Periods to Regional Operas of Today
    Date: June 8 (Sunday)
     
    Topic: Heroine Women Playing Middle-aged Men: the “Bearded Male” Cross-dressing Roles in Yuediao Opera of Henan and Qinqiang Opera of Shaanxi
    Date: June 15 (Sunday)
     
         The Talks on “Three Kingdoms” Opera, Talks on the Art of Kunqu Opera and Talks on the Culture of Chinese Opera will be conducted in Cantonese and will be held at 2.30pm at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Admission is free, and online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1839.html#tab_13_0). Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
     
    Masterclasses and Demonstration Talk of Kunqu Opera
    ——————————————————————-

         Main cast members of the Zhejiang Jingkun Art Center (Kun Opera Troupe) will host masterclasses and a demonstration talk delving into the techniques of sheng (male) and dan (female) role performances as well as the art of music and singing of Kunqu opera respectively.
     
    Masterclasses of Kunqu Opera:
    Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
    Moderator: Chan Chun-miu
     
    Topic: The Crafting of Dan (Female) Roles in Kunqu
    Date and time: August 14 (Thursday), 2pm
    Master: Hu Ping
     
    Topic: The Crafting of Sheng (Male) Roles in Kunqu
    Date and time: August 14 (Thursday), 4pm
    Master: Zeng Jie
     
    Demonstration Talk of Kunqu Opera:
    Venue: Theatre, Block I, Jao Tsung-I Academy
    Moderator: Cheung Lai-chun
     
    Topic: Kunqu Classics as a Living Tradition
    Date and time: August 18 (Monday), 5pm
    Speakers: Wu Xinyi, Wang Hengtao
     
         Masterclasses and Demonstration Talk of Kunqu Opera will be conducted in Putonghua. Admission is free, and online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1839.html#tab_13_0). Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
     
    Exhibition
    ——————————————————————-

         A “Three Kingdoms in Chinese Opera” Exhibition will be held at Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Yuen Long Theatre from May to August. The exhibition will illuminate the make-up, costumes and stage artistry of key characters in Chinese opera “Three Kingdoms” repertoires, showcasing the arts across opera genres. Admission is free.
     
    Period: May 27 (Tuesday) to June 7 (Saturday)
    Venue: Foyer Exhibition Area, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
     
    Period: July 16 (Wednesday) to August 1 (Friday)
    Venue: Exhibition Corner, Yuen Long Theatre
     
         In addition to the above-mentioned talks, masterclasses and exhibition, extended activities including meet-the-artists sessions, a backstage tour and a demonstration performance of Peking opera will be held during the CCF period to promote the artistry and culture of Chinese traditional opera. For more information about the events, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1839.html.
     
         The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public’s national identity and cultural confidence. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from both the Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2025 will be held from June to September. Through different performing arts programmes in various forms and related extension activities, including selected programmes of the COF, “Tan Dun WE-Festival”, film screenings, exhibitions, as well as community and school activities and more, the festival provides members of the public and visitors with more opportunities to enjoy distinctive programmes that showcase fine traditional Chinese culture, thereby facilitating patriotic education and contributing to the inheritance, transformation and development of traditional Chinese culture in Hong Kong. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2025, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 22, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special traffic and transport arrangements for Kai Tak Sports Park concert from April 24 to 27

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Special traffic and transport arrangements for Kai Tak Sports Park concert from April 24 to 27 

    CategoriesMIL-OSI

    Post navigation

    Type(3) Cross-boundary coach services

         The KTSP Limited will arrange cross-boundary coach services during the dispersal period on the event dates to facilitate travellers’ return to the Mainland via the LMC/HG Port. Passengers should purchase tickets prior to the concert (on-site ticket sales not available during dispersal) and board their coach at the PUDOA on the G/F, Kai Tak Stadium, via the escalator outside Gate H, 2/F. They should refer to the operators’ website (Eternal East Bus: www.myeebus.com/eebusfansIssued at HKT 12:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 22, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by SCST at Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum+ 2025 – Ministerial Panel (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Speech by SCST at Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum+ 2025 – Ministerial Panel (English only) 
    Honourable ministers, heads of delegations, Consul Generals, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
     
    Good afternoon. Just now I was so eager to welcome you that I almost jumped on stage myself. On behalf of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), I would like to extend our warmest welcome to all of you to the Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum+ (ACCF+) 2025. May I take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to Mr Gao Zheng, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, who will be delivering a speech for us in a short moment. 
     
    This year’s ACCF+ has received an unprecedented participation of senior delegations from 17 countries in the region, with five of the countries sending delegations to join this Forum for the first time. Your active participation and unwavering support not only sustains the continued success of this Forum, but also reaffirms Hong Kong’s unique position as an international hub for arts and culture, as well as the “super connector” for bridging countries across Asia and beyond, for meaningful cultural exchanges.
     
    The theme of this year’s Forum is “Connect, Create, Engage: Bridging Cultures for All”. I trust you would agree with me that this is something that we, as cultural ministers and government leaders, need to seriously contemplate at this point in time. The world has undergone rapid and vigourous changes since the last ACCF held in 2022, and these changes are multifaceted, especially when we are now entering a volatile age of geopolitical tension and tariff wars. What impacts the arts and cultural development of a place most is undoubtedly the amplified diversity through technology. We should all recognise that technological advancement is something inevitable, so instead of resisting it, we should adopt a people-oriented approach to embrace it. And to achieve this, my strategy is to connect more with people, to create more for people and to engage more people. After all, culture is from people, and is about people.
     
    Situated right in the heart of Asia, with a convergence of diverse cultures and global connections, Hong Kong is blessed with unique advantages to play the important role as a “super connector” between China, our motherland, and the rest of the world.  With the clear support in China’s National 14th Five‑Year Plan, we have been striving to develop Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges. Together with the competitive edge in the commercial sector, Hong Kong is also the largest art trading centre in Asia. All these have been written on the name card of Hong Kong now. We will surely work hard to make our name card more shiny and promote our strengths, but more importantly, we will make good use of these attributes to build connections with our friends in the region and the rest of the world. This is why Hong Kong is taking a leadership role in hosting this renowned event once again, and presenting various large-scale forums and summits, such as the Museum Summit organised last month by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in partnership with The Guimet ‑ National Museum of Asian Arts in France, which received a record-high total registration of over 7 000 participants. One-third of them were non-Hong Kong registrants, from 39 countries. These achievements boost not only our confidence in consolidating our role, but Hong Kong’s attractiveness to draw in new arts and cultural ideas and collaboration opportunities. As a melting pot of Chinese and Western cultures, Hong Kong’s potential could only be fully unleashed with the constant stimuli from the rest of the world.
     
    Good connections is a solid foundation. With it, we can create more for our people. For the sake of arts and cultural development in Hong Kong, my priorities now go to creating space, opportunities, and more importantly an ecosystem. The cultural landscape in Hong Kong is much broadened with the full operation of the world-class West Kowloon Cultural District and the state-of-the-art Kai Tak Sports Park which was opened last month. The recent Coldplay concert hosting over 200 000 audience members coming from all over the world is a strong testimony of Hong Kong’s strong capability in staging world-class events. So, we will definitely work hard to make good use of the space with sufficient quality content. 
     
    Apart from attracting mega events and world-class artists to Hong Kong, we will also create opportunities for our home-grown artists and talent to shine. On this, we are taking bold steps to develop new initiatives that provide such a platform, an example of which is the inaugural Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo (HKPAX) launched in 2024 that brought together arts institutions and practitioners from around the world. The HKSAR Government has already committed to supporting the second edition of HKPAX in the 2025-26 Budget Speech. The Forum today will undoubtedly serve as another precious platform in connecting partners, fostering exchanges and co-operation, and engaging cultural communities with constructive and inspirational thoughts and initiatives.
     
    Currently, Hong Kong is home to a number of globally acclaimed galleries, auction houses and art fairs. Hong Kong’s low tax rate and thriving art fairs have attracted art lovers from around the world to participate in Hong Kong’s art trading events. These qualities have contributed to the emergence of Hong Kong’s art trading and auction market, making Hong Kong one of the world’s top three art trading centres. As you know, Art Basel Hong Kong has developed into a prominent international event for visual arts since its debut in Hong Kong in 2013.  
     
    The advancement in infrastructure and enrichment of platforms have worked together to create a more pluralistic cultural environment, allowing space and conditions for industry building and the integrated development of culture, sports and tourism. The achievements did not happen by accident. This is one of the four strategic directions in the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development that we promulgated in November 2024 to enhance the ecosystem for the arts, culture and creative industries. Along this direction, we will continue to improve infrastructure, promote cross-sectoral and cross-genre collaborations, nurture talent, and more importantly, to collaborate with all sectors of society for the better future of arts and cultural development. 
     
    Very soon, my dear friends, you will be sharing your constructive and inspirational experiences and opinions for fostering arts and cultural growth at this Ministerial Panel. I look forward to learning from the immense interflow of ideas and insightful discussions that will ensue. On behalf of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, I would like to once again express my heartfelt gratitude for your honourable presence at ACCF+ 2025. Your participation and contribution is deeply meaningful to us and to the enhancement of people-to-people bonding in the region. 
     
    Thank you very much.
    Issued at HKT 16:45

    NNNN

    CategoriesMIL-OSI

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 22, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Plans for potential LFC victory parade

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Plans are in place for a victory parade if Liverpool Football Club wins the UEFA Champions League Final on Saturday.

     If Jurgen Klopp’s team triumph, the City of Liverpool will formally invite the club to hold a victory parade on Sunday 2 June.

     The date has been requested by Liverpool Football Club.

    Due to the major logistical challenges needed to arrange a parade of this scale, the announcement is being made in advance so residents and businesses in the city can prepare.

    The Champions League parade would take place when Liverpool is staging two major events – River Festival Liverpool and the Bordeaux Wine Festival – which are already expected to attract tens of thousands of people to the waterfront.

    It would start at 4pm, and would see the Liverpool FC team parade their newly acquired trophy on an open top bus, along Liverpool’s UNESCO World Heritage Waterfront.

    The route starts at Allerton Maze and will travel north bound on Queens Drive towards the Fiveways roundabout and Rocket flyover. From there it will journey along:

    • Queens Drive
    • Mill Bank
    • West Derby Road
    • Islington
    • Leeds Street
    • The Strand
    • Route finishes at Blundell Street

    The River Festival Liverpool event would start earlier than advertised on Sunday to accommodate a parade – around 10.30am.

    Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “Anyone who is a football fan can’t help to have been impressed by Liverpool’s performance this season – whatever their allegiance. The twists and turns have kept us all gripped and as a result it is going right down to the wire. We can’t wait until the result to plan for a parade because it is a complex logistical challenge with many partners involved and simply can’t be organised overnight.

    “Whichever team you support, there is no doubting the positive impact sporting success for each of our clubs has on the city, not just economically but also in terms of a feel-good factor. It rightly generates huge pride and attracts massive international attention. If the Reds win, they will receive a well-deserved heroes’ welcome and we will put on a show to make the city proud.

    “Even though the Champions League parade would potentially take place on an already busy day in the city, we are working closely with LFC, Merseyside Police, and our travel partners to ensure that all events taking place on June 2 run smoothly and safely so everyone can enjoy our city, and everything it has to offer.”

    The parade is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of people, so the city council is issuing key advice for fans:

    • Use the full length of the route. The open top bus won’t be stopping so take advantage of the full length of the route from Queens Drive all the way to The Strand.
    • Decide which part of the route you want to wait at and arrive in plenty of time.
    • Be patient – it is impossible to predict how long it will take the team bus to travel along the route.
    • Due to the number of people coming in to and out of the city, there will be significant demands on public transport, with queuing likely.

    Motorists are advised that the city centre is expected to be extremely busy, and with this in mind they should plan their journeys in and out of the city carefully.

    As crowd volumes increase, it is expected that there will periodic closures of the Queensway Tunnel, as the parade passes close by, and an extended closure of the dock branch exit.

    Superintendent Paul White, said: “In the event of the parades taking place there will be a large number of police officers on the streets throughout the city, who will be providing a reassuring presence and making sure fans can enjoy the parades in safety.

    “The parade route has been planned to give residents the opportunity to celebrate Liverpool’s success. Road closures will be put in place by Liverpool City Council in order to allow the parades to take place. This will ultimately cause some disruption to local traffic and public transport routes. Despite this, the intention is to keep disruption to a minimum so fans, locals and visitors can enjoy the events and explore Liverpool safely and freely.

    “Those intending to go tare advised to use public transport and to check timetables. Motorists are advised to check road closures and available parking prior to the events.”It is expected there will be significant disruption around the parade route travel advice is available at www.merseytravel.gov.uk  to help spectators, workers and residents plan their journeys in advance.

    Key points include:

    • Consider walking, cycling or use public transport wherever possible.
    • Be prepared for some changes to services, particularly for bus due to delays and diversions.
    • Allow time for and plan your journey. The transport network is expected to be very busy before and after the parade.
    • Check timetables – be prepared for some changes to services, particularly bus for which some diversions will be in place.
    • The Mersey Ferries are a good cross river option, with regular services running between Seacombe and Liverpool – check www.merseyferries.co.uk for journey times on the day of travel.
    • Passengers travelling on the Wirral line before, during and after the parade should get on and off at Liverpool Central, and Northern Line passengers should use Moorfields. These stations are best set up to manage significant numbers of people.

    Wayne Menzies Merseytravel’s Head of Rail and Chair of the Major Events Transport Board, said: “Liverpool will be extremely busy and through the sheer volume of people and the need for road closures, there will be disruption to the transport network. Both parade-goers and people needing to get home from work need to be aware of that and plan ahead, also keeping an eye on the latest travel information.

    “We have been working closely with Liverpool FC, transport operators, Liverpool City Council, Merseyside Police and other partners to ensure that we are doing all we can to help people get to the parade and home again safely.”

    ‘Live’ travel updates and alerts will be available from Merseytravel at www.merseytravel.gov.uk, or via the journey planner app, and on Twitter @Merseytravel, #LFCparade

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 22, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: 6th national campaign for fitness underway

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

    China has launched its sixth national physical fitness monitoring campaign to assess citizens’ health and help guide public fitness policies.

    The initiative, held every five years, is jointly organized by the General Administration of Sport, the Ministry of Education and seven other departments. It is currently underway across 31 provincial-level regions and includes 1,877 sampling points. Data will be collected from 248,000 people aged 3 to 79 via questionnaires and physical tests in three categories: children, adults and seniors.

    Feng Qiang, an official with the General Administration of Sport, told China Central Television that for the first time, this year’s campaign will feature the real-time uploading of data to a national platform to ensure authenticity.

    In another first, monitoring will include exercise-specific metrics such as cycling, high-knee lifts and pushups. The updates reflect shifting health priorities, with 25 core indicators now measuring body shape, physiological function, physical fitness and exercise habits.

    Body weight and body mass index are now mandatory measurements. These align with the national “Weight Management Year” campaign, which calls on the public to focus on weight control, healthy eating and regular exercise.

    According to the 2020 report, 49.6 percent of Chinese adults were overweight or obese, a 6.4 percentage point increase from the 2014 assessment.

    In Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, 3,200 residents are taking part in the testing. Xue Liang, from the Zhejiang sports science institute, said the updated standards help identify individual fitness weaknesses. Experts on-site now offer personalized exercise prescriptions based on the results.

    “Our goal is for more people to get their fitness monitored and also encouraged to exercise more often and scientifically,” Xue said.

    Hangzhou resident Wu Xiaowei said he discovered balance issues during his assessment that he had not noticed before, and now plans to address them through targeted training.

    The national data collection is scheduled to conclude by June 30, with an official report expected in November.

    Since its launch in 2000, the campaign has helped track shifting trends in public fitness.

    The fifth survey, conducted in 2019, showed modest progress overall but raised concerns about increasing weight and declining muscular strength in some groups.

    Experts noted that 25 years of continuous national fitness monitoring has helped build a clearer picture of China’s evolving public health. The data also supports the development of improved public fitness services and helps identify gaps in sports infrastructure and participation.

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 22, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: BW Energy: Appraisal well confirms potential for future Bourdon development cluster

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BW Energy is pleased to announce that second sidetrack DBM-1 ST2 well has confirmed the substantial oil discovery with good reservoir and fluid quality of the Bourdon prospect in the Dussafu Licence offshore Gabon, announced on 7 March 2025. Management estimates indicate 56 million barrels oil in place of which approximately 25 million barrels are considered recoverable.  

    “The appraisal well confirms the potential for establishing a new development cluster with a production facility following the MaBoMo blueprint. We expect at least four producing wells,” said Carl K. Arnet, CEO of BW Energy. “We continue to successfully expand the Dussafu reserve base which, together with multiple additional prospects yet to be to be drilled, will support long-term production and value-creation in Gabon.”   

    Initial data shows that oil from Bourdon field has the lowest viscosity of the Dussafu discoveries measuring an average of 3.5 centipoise (cp), compared to 5 cp and 7 cp for the Hibiscus / Tortue and Ruche fields, respectively.  

    Evaluation of logging data and formation pressure measurements confirm approximately 11.2 metres of pay in an overall hydrocarbon column of 35.2 metres in the Gamba formation. The well was drilled by the Norve jack-up rig to a total depth of 4,731 metres. 

    Bourdon is located approximately 15 kilometres west of FPSO BW Adolo and 7.5 kilometres southeast of the MaBoMo facility. The discovery will enable the Company to book additional reserves not included in its 2024 Statement of Reserves. 

    For further information, please contact:  

    Brice Morlot, CFO BW Energy

    +33.7.81.11.41.16
    ir@bwenergy.no 

    About BW Energy:  

    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.  

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

    The MIL Network –

    April 22, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: TruGolf Reports 2024 Financial Results 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Salt Lake City, Utah, April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TruGolf Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRUG), a leading provider of golf simulator software and hardware, announced today an overview of its 2024 results that were filed on Form 10-K on April 15, 2025. The Company reported record sales of $21.9 million, an increase of 6.2% percent as compared to 2023 sales. The gains were driven by continued enthusiastic market adoption of new hardware and software products launched earlier in 2024. Net losses narrowed by 14.5% to ($8.8) million for 2024, versus a net loss of ($10.3) million in 2023. Notably, 42% of the net loss for 2024 was due to non-cash expenses. EPS for the full year was ($0.76), a significant improvement from 2023’s ($857.35) loss per share. 

    Chief Executive Officer and Director Chris Jones said, “We are very pleased with our growing sales momentum for our upgraded and industry-leading golf simulators and software. Cost controls were effective and contributed to our greater cash generation in the second half of the year. We ended the year with $10.9 million in cash, and our debt went down. Interest in our franchise concept remains high and we anticipate announcing contracts for additional franchises in the United States throughout 2025. We now expect the first franchise locations to open by the end of the second quarter, with associated delivery of TruGolf simulators in the first half of 2025.”

    Mr. Jones continued, “2024 saw the rollout of our new, industry-leading golf simulator products that were eagerly accepted by the market. While 2024’s sales growth was somewhat hindered by select product availability, we expect to continue setting the standard in the world of virtual golf with further hardware and software innovations arriving in 2025.”

    Operations:

    Gross margin for 2024 improved to 66.7% as compared to 61.9% in 2023. 2024’s loss from operations was 75% lower at ($2.1) million as compared to ($8.7) million in 2023. 2024 operating expenses declined by 22% or $4.7 million. These improvements were driven by implementing better cost controls, reducing discretionary spending and achieving greater productivity through enhanced operational efficiencies.

    2024 SG&A expenses declined by 40%, or $4.4 million, in 2024 as compared to 2023. Non-cash stock compensation expense for the year was $658,000. Cash flow used in operations was $4.0 million in 2024, versus $6.1 million in 2023, an improvement of over 35%. TruGolf ended 2024 with $10.9 million in cash on the balance sheet.

    As previously disclosed, on October 2, 2024, the Company received a delist determination letter from the Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) related to its failure to maintain stockholders’ equity for continued listing. The Company has requested a hearing to appeal the delist determination, which has been scheduled for May 15, 2025.

    Disclaimer on Forward Looking Statements

    This news release contains certain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements that are not of historical fact constitute “forward-looking statements” and accordingly, involve estimates, assumptions, forecasts, judgements and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the timing of new franchise openings during 2025. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, expectations may prove to have been materially different from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including ”believes,” ”estimates,” ”anticipates,” ”expects,” ”plans,” ”projects,” ”intends,” ”potential,” ”may,” ”could,” ”might,” ”will,” ”should,” ”approximately” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Any forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of its date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after its date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. More detailed information about the risks and uncertainties affecting the Company is contained under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov

    About TruGolf:

    Since 1983, TruGolf has been passionate about driving the golf industry with innovative indoor golf solutions. TruGolf builds products that capture the spirit of golf. TruGolf’s mission is to help grow the game by attempting to make it more Available, Approachable, and Affordable through technology – because TruGolf believes Golf is for Everyone. TruGolf’s team has built award-winning video games (“Links”), innovative hardware solutions, and an all-new e-sports platform to connect golfers around the world with E6 CONNECT. Since TruGolf’s beginning, TruGolf has continued to attempt to define and redefine what is possible with golf technology.

    Contact: Michael Bacal
                   mbacal@darrowir.com 
                   917-886-9071

    TRUGOLF HOLDINGS, INC
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

        December 31,     December 31,  
        2024     2023  
                 
    ASSETS                
                     
    Current Assets:                
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 10,882,077     $ 3,297,564  
    Restricted cash     –       2,100,000  
    Marketable investment securities     –       2,478,953  
    Accounts receivable, net     1,399,153       2,398,872  
    Inventory, net     2,349,345       2,119,084  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     116,619       262,133  
    Other current assets     45,737       –  
    Total Current Assets     14,792,930       12,656,606  
                     
    Property and equipment, net     143,852       234,308  
    Capitalized software development costs, net     1,540,121       –  
    Right-of-use assets     634,269       972,663  
    Other long-term assets     31,023       1,905,983  
                     
    Total Assets   $ 17,142,195     $ 15,769,560  
                     
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT                
                     
    Current Liabilities:                
    Accounts payable   $ 2,819,702     $ 2,059,771  
    Deferred revenue     3,113,010       1,704,224  
    Notes payable, current portion     10,001       9,425  
    Notes payable to related parties, current portion     2,937,000       1,237,000  
    Line of credit, bank     802,738       802,738  
    Margin line of credit account     –       1,980,937  
    Convertible notes payable     –       954,622  
    Dividend notes payable     4,023,923       –  
    Derivative liability     –       –  
    Accrued interest     661,376       459,872  
    Accrued and other current liabilities     999,307       1,125,495  
    Accrued and other current liabilities – assumed in Merger     45,008       –  
    Lease liability, current portion     363,102       334,255  
    Total Current Liabilities     15,775,167       10,668,339  
                     
    Non-current Liabilities:                
    Notes payable, net of current portion     9,732       2,402,783  
    Note payables to related parties, net of current portion     624,000       861,000  
    PIPE loan payable, net     4,068,953       –  
    Dividend notes payable     –       4,023,923  
    Gross sales royalty payable     1,000,000       1,000,000  
    Lease liability, net of current portion     305,125       668,228  
    Other liabilities     –       63,015  
                     
    Total Liabilities     21,782,977       19,687,288  
                     
    Commitments and Contingencies                
                     
    Stockholders’ Deficit:                
    Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 10 million shares authorized; zero shares issued and outstanding, respectively     –       –  
    Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized:                
    Common stock – Series A, $0.0001 par value, 90 million shares authorized; 26,120,545 and 13,098 shares issued and outstanding, respectively     2,612       120  
    Common stock – Series B, $0.0001 par value, 10 million shares authorized; 1,716,860 and 1,716,860 shares issued and outstanding, respectively     172       –  
    Treasury stock at cost, 4,692 shares of common stock held, respectively     (2,037,000 )     (2,037,000 )
    Additional paid-in capital     18,548,931       10,479,738  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss     –       (1,662 )
    Accumulated deficit     (21,155,497 )     (12,358,924 )
          (4,640,782 )     (3,917,728 )
                     
    Total Stockholders’ Deficit     (4,640,782 )     (3,917,728 )
                     
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit   $ 17,142,195     $ 15,769,560  


    TRUGOLF HOLDINGS, INC.

    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

        For the     For the  
        Year Ended     Year Ended  
        December 31, 2024     December 31, 2023  
                 
    Revenue, net   $ 21,858,864     $ 20,583,851  
    Cost of revenue     7,271,512       7,825,768  
    Total gross profit     14,587,352       12,758,083  
                     
    Operating expenses:                
    Royalties     706,214       709,640  
    Salaries, wages and benefits     9,314,415       9,681,323  
    Selling, general and administrative     6,669,684       11,027,332  
    Total operating expenses     16,690,313       21,418,295  
                     
    Loss from operations     (2,102,962 )     (8,660,212 )
                     
    Other (expenses) income:                
    Interest income     106,400       108,011  
    Interest expense     (6,932,618 )     (1,730,908 )
    Gain on fair value adjustment     142,319       –  
    Loss on extinguishment of debt     (270,594 )     –  
    Gain on investment     262,035       –  
    Total other expense     (6,692,458 )     (1,622,897 )
                     
    Loss from operations before provision for income taxes     (8,795,420 )     (10,283,109 )
                     
    Provision for income taxes     –       –  
    Net loss   $ (8,795,420 )   $ (10,283,109 )
                     
    Net loss per common share Series A – basic and diluted   $ (0.76 )   $ (857.35 )
                     
    Weighted average shares outstanding Series A – basic and diluted     11,634,761       11,994  

    TRUGOLF HOLDINGS, INC.

    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

        For the     For the  
        Year Ended     Year Ended  
        December 31, 2024     December 31, 2023  
                 
    Cash flows from operating activities:                
    Net loss   $ (8,795,420 )   $ (10,283,109 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:                
    Depreciation and amortization     607,415       58,641  
    Amortization of convertible notes original issue discount     728,278       97,111  
    Amortization of right-of-use asset     338,394       298,208  
    Change in fair value of derivative liability     142,319          
    Fair value of warrants in excess of fair value of debt     –       93,530  
    Bad debt expense     767,913       681,479  
    Change in OCI     1,662       –  
    Stock issued for services     119,959       5,872,529  
    Stock issued for make good provisions on debt conversion     700,821       –  
    Stock options issued to employees     538,323       –  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
    Marketable investment securities     –       12,530  
    Accounts receivable, net     231,806       (1,335,714 )
    Inventory, net     (230,261 )     2,396  
    Prepaid expenses     145,514       (114,385 )
    Capitalized software, net     (2,070,742 )     –  
    Other current assets     (45,737 )     17,840  
    Other assets     13,662       (1,905,983 )
    Accounts payable     494,215       596,434  
    Deferred revenue     1,408,786       (1,008,296 )
    Accrued interest payable     201,504       615,582  
    Accrued and other current liabilities     (634,557 )     374,819  
    Other liabilities     (63,015 )     63,015  
    Lease liability     (334,256 )     (269,848 )
    Net cash used in operating activities     (5,733,416 )     (6,133,221 )
                     
    Cash flows from investing activities:                
    Purchases of property and equipment     –       (127,413 )
    Purchase of short-term investments     –       (2,493,145 )
    Sale of short-term investments     2,478,953       –  
                     
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     2,478,953       (2,620,558 )
                     
    Cash flows from financing activities:                
    Proceeds from PIPE loans, net of discount     8,902,681       –  
    Proceeds from loan payable – related party     2,000,000       –  
    Proceeds from investment fund (PIPE)     2,112,560       –  
    Cash acquired in Merger     103,818       –  
    Debt refinance conversion     192,787       –  
    Proceeds from line of credit     –       1,980,937  
    Proceeds from notes payable     –       2,433,059  
    Proceeds from convertible notes     –       185,500  
    Costs of Merger paid from PIPE loan     (1,947,787 )     –  
    Repayments of line of credit     (1,980,937 )     –  
    Repayments of loans assumed in Merger     (100,000 )     –  
    Repayments of notes payable     (9,146 )     (107,569 )
    Repayments of notes payable – related party     (535,000 )     (37,000 )
    Dividends paid     –       40,150  
                     
    Net cash provided by financing activities     8,738,976       4,495,077  
                     
    Net change in cash , cash equivalents and restricted cash     5,484,513       (4,258,702 )
                     
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – beginning of year     5,397,564       9,656,266  
                     
    Cash and cash equivalents – end of year   $ 10,882,077     $ 5,397,564  
                     
    Supplemental cash flow information:                
    Cash paid for:                
    Interest   $ 923,975     $ 1,115,332  
    Income taxes   $ –     $ –  
    Non-cash investing and financing activities:                
    Derivative liability related to warrants   $ 142,319     $ –  
    PIPE note principal converted to Class A Common Stock   $ 5,832,600     $ –  
    Convertible notes exchanged for PIPE note   $ 2,419,622     $ –  
    Class A Common Stock exchanged in Merger   $ 3,854,573     $ –  
    Class A Common Stock issued in Merger   $ 1,154     $ –  
    Class B Common Stock issued in Merger   $ 172     $ –  
    Termination of loan payable   $ 1,875,000     $ –  
    Conversion of dividend note payable and accrued interest   $ –     $ 3,925,273  
    Conversion of note payable to line of credit   $ –     $ 257,113  
    Warehouse lease   $ –     $ 537,994  

    The MIL Network –

    April 22, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Statement following Leeds United’s promotion to the Premier League

    Source: City of Leeds

    The leader of Leeds City Council has hailed Leeds United’s return to the Premier League as “fantastic news” for the club, its fans and the whole local community.

    A 6-0 win for Leeds over Stoke City at Elland Road – coupled with a defeat for promotion rivals Sheffield United – means the Whites will be back in the top flight again next season.

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

    “Leeds United’s return to the Premier League is fantastic news and, on behalf of the council, I want to send our warmest congratulations to everyone at the club.

    “As an Elland Road season ticket holder myself, I know how much promotion will mean to the fans, not just here in Leeds but right around the world.

    “Supporting Leeds has plenty of ups and downs, and days like today are a fitting reward for all those who continue to march on together in their thousands even when times are tough.

    “Leeds’s players, coaching staff, directors and the many, many unsung heroes behind the scenes at Elland Road should feel very proud of what they have achieved.

    “A special mention, of course, must go to Daniel Farke, who now stands alongside the legendary likes of Don Revie, Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa as a manager who has guided Leeds into the top flight of English football.

    “The profile and publicity that comes with the Premier League’s huge global appeal can also bring wider economic benefits to Leeds as a whole while showcasing it as a wonderful place to live, work and visit.

    “This, therefore, is a great day for Leeds, both on and off the pitch. Congratulations once again to Daniel and his players, they’ve put the club back where it belongs and put smiles on countless faces. Roll on next season!”

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 22, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to cluster-randomised trial of blood pressure reductions for all-cause dementia

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    April 21, 2025

    A study published in Nature Medicine looks at blood pressure control for dementia.

    Dr Julia Dudley, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:

    “This large trial of over 33,000 people in rural China provides further evidence that addressing high blood pressure could be one way to reduce dementia risk. This is consistent with a landmark report published in The Lancet last year, which highlighted untreated high blood pressure as one of 14 risk factors that account for almost half of global dementia cases. Existing medicines and lifestyle changes to reduce blood pressure could present a more accessible way to lower dementia risk for those with high blood pressure.

    “While the results from this trial are reassuring, further studies are needed to understand how other risk factors like genetics interact with factors like high blood pressure to influence dementia risk. It will also be interesting to see whether interventions trialed in this study can work in other populations across the world. 

    “Looking after our heart and blood vessel health is something we can all do to improve our overall wellbeing and reduce our risk of dementia. With no current treatments available on the NHS to slow or stop the diseases that cause dementia, there has never been a more pressing need to promote good brain health and to gain a deeper understanding of how we can reduce our risk of developing dementia.

    “The government also has a vital role to play in tackling the health and lifestyle factors that influence dementia risk – including cardiovascular health. This could mean introducing policies to reduce salt, sugar, and calories in processed foods, and lowering the NHS Health Check eligibility age in England from 40 to 30, so more people can start managing their blood pressure earlier in life.

    “If you’re worried about your blood pressure, or haven’t had it checked for a while, speak to your GP or your local pharmacy may offer this service. If you’re over 40, you should ideally have your blood pressure checked at least every five years.”

    Prof James Leiper, Director of Research, British Heart Foundation, said:

    “There has been evidence for a long time that people who have high blood pressure have a higher risk of developing dementia, especially vascular dementia. The findings of this large trial, involving high blood pressure treatments that are already widespread, offer strong evidence that enhanced treatment of high blood pressure could in turn reduce the heightened dementia risk that comes with it.

    “It will be important to see whether this reduced risk continues for longer than the four-year follow up period in the study, and whether similar effects are seen in other populations that receive the same treatment. If so, wider use of high blood pressure treatment in people with the condition could be recommended to fight the growing impact of dementia.”

     

    Dr Richard Oakley, Associate Director of Research and Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, said:  

    “Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. The condition is progressive and although no single behaviour is guaranteed to prevent dementia, we know that what’s good for your heart is often also good for your head.

    “This study is one of the first big trials to test whether treating high blood pressure, supported by health coaching can reduce dementia risk, and the results appear to be promising.

    “It is encouraging that the intervention worked in real-world, rural settings using non-physician healthcare workers, which may have implications for delivering care in areas with limited resources in the future. However, this four-year study cannot tell us whether the benefits will last in the long-term so we will continue to follow this trial. 

    “Research will one day beat dementia. This study takes another step forwards and we will be keen to see further studies provide more information about the impact of blood pressure control over the longer term and in other populations.”

     

    Prof Sir Mark Caulfield, Vice Principal for Health for Queen Mary’s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, said:

    “the findings reported in Nature Medicine show that optimizing blood pressure control convincingly reduces risk of dementia. There have been prior studies suggesting correlation of blood pressure level and dementia risk -especially vascular dementia – but this is a very emphatic outcome of a trial. The trial is in a Chinese population so some people might say it isn’t generalisable, but we know from other research that the correlation of blood pressure level with adverse outcomes is consistent across populations. This is a really major advance in dementia prevention and will transform global blood pressure guidance and prevention strategies.”

    Prof Ian Maidment, Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, Aston University, said:

    “There is already good evidence that we should control hypertension to reduce the potential risk of dementia.

    “The study here showed that the intervention reduced the risk of dementia (as expected). However, the intervention would require significant modification. It was delivered by “village doctors” in rural villages in China. It would require significant changes for the UK and other similar healthcare systems; although potentially community pharmacists could deliver a similar programme.

    “There are also a number of further limitations to consider before we should consider changing UK practice. The cohort were relatively young at baseline (62/ 63 years old) and only followed up for 48 months. In part due to these two factors, very few dementia cases actually arose during the trial: 4.59% (n=668) intervention vs 5.40% (n=734) in control. This represents 66 excess cases (734 minus 668; although the denominator is different. There were 17,407 people in the intervention group vs 16,588 in the control group). There was also no health economic data for the intervention delivered across 163 villages for 48 months.”

    Prof Masud Husain, Professor of Neurology, University of Oxford, said:

    “This is a landmark study with a very large sample size and a robust effect. It’s a wake-up call to treat high blood pressure intensively, not just to protect the heart but also the brain.”

    “Remarkably, within just four years, there was a significant reduction in the incidence of dementia by aggressively treating raised blood pressure. Although many patients and their GPs understand how important it is to treat blood pressure, they might not appreciate what a risk it poses for developing dementia. In my clinic, I recommend keeping BP consistently below 140/80.”

     

    Prof Tara Spires-Jones, Director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, Group Leader in the UK Dementia Research Institute, and President of the British Neuroscience Association said:

    “This paper by He and team based at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center tested whether treatment for high blood pressure was associated with a reduction in risk of developing dementia.  The team randomly assigned 163 villages in rural China to treat people with high blood pressure with medication and coaching to help them manage blood pressure and in 163 similar villages, people received standard care. The team observed that the people in the group receiving treatment for two years had a 15% reduced risk of developing dementia to the control group . This randomized, controlled trial provides further strong evidence supporting the importance of managing blood pressure and other cardiovascular risks to protect the brain during ageing. It is important to note that treating high blood pressure was not a fool-proof guarantee as some people receiving treatment still developed dementia.  Although lifestyle modification is not a guarantee of avoiding dementia, strong evidence suggests there are things we can all do to keep our brains healthy and reduce dementia risk as we age including keeping mentally, physically, and socially active, treating conditions like hearing loss and high blood pressure, and avoiding things like head injury, too much alcohol, and smoking.”

    Prof Atticus Hainsworth, Professor of Cerebrovascular Disease, St George’s, University of London (SGUL), said:

    “It is encouraging to see further support for the concept that intensive blood pressure control reduces dementia risk. Jiang He and colleagues report a large clinical study, sampling older people from over 300 Chinese villages (almost 34,000 participants). Blood pressure was treated with cheap, readily-available drugs, managed by community healthcare workers who were not specialist doctors. They found a significant reduction in dementia risk among those villages where blood pressure was treated intensively. The implication is clear. We have an intervention that moves the needle on dementia risk, that can be delivered to large numbers of people in their communities, at modest cost.

    “There are parallels with a previous large clinical trial of intensive blood pressure lowering in older North Americans (the SPRINT-MIND study). The reduction in risk was similar – about 15%. In both studies, the beneficial effect did not depend on using specific drug type to lower blood pressure. And in both, an effect of treatment was apparent after 12-18 months (though both studies continued for a longer duration).

    “Replicating experimental findings doesn’t always happen. Here we are looking at similar findings from two big trials in different settings – rural China and (largely urban, primarily white) North America. These concordant findings may prompt changes in healthcare policy guidelines.”

    Prof Toby Richards, Department of Allied and Public Health, School Of Health, Sport And Bioscience at the University of East London, said:

    “Dementia is a rising problem in society today.

    “In this large community based clinical trial in 34,000 people, the authors have shown two important findings. Firstly, that non-medical staff can provide medical information and deliver primary care protocols effectively in a community setting. And secondly that effectively lowering blood pressure to

    “The data reinforce recent European Society of Cardiology 2024 guidelines aiming for a lower blood pressure and a structured algorithm of treatment.

    “This has important ramifications for individuals.  Blood Pressure can be relatively easy to measure at home enabling individuals to take control and autonomy for their health and these data show benefit in reducing the risk for developing dementia.

    “In a resource strapped NHS these data also show that an algorithm of Treatment based on the European Society guidelines can be implemented by non-health care professionals,  potentially at pharmacy level.

    “In summary these data support treating blood pressure to

    ‘Blood pressure reduction and all-cause dementia in people with uncontrolled hypertension: an open-label, blinded-endpoint, cluster-randomized trial’ by Jiang He et al. was published in Nature Medicine at 16:00 UK time on Monday 21st Monday. 

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03616-8

    Declared interests

    Prof James Leiper: No conflicts of interest to declare.

    Prof Sir Mark Caulfield: Mark Caulfield was President of the British and Irish Hypertension Society between 2009-11 and served on the European Society of Hypertension Council.

    Between 2013-21 he was Chief Scientist for Genomics England, a Department of Health and Social Care Company

    Prof Ian Maidment: No declarations of interest.

    Prof Masud Husain: I don’t have any conflicts of interest.

    Prof Tara Spires-Jones: I have no conflicts with this study but have received payments for consulting, scientific talks, or collaborative research over the past 10 years from AbbVie, Sanofi, Merck, Scottish Brain Sciences, Jay Therapeutics, Cognition Therapeutics, Ono, and Eisai. I am also Charity trustee for the British Neuroscience Association and the Guarantors of Brain and serve as scientific advisor to several other charities and non-profit institutions.

    Prof Atticus Hainsworth: I have co-authored a publication with one of the authors, Dr Jeff Williamson, on a related topic. I lead the Vascular Experimental Medicine group in DementiasPlatformUK. I serve on a scientific panel for AriBio Ltd.

    Prof Toby Richards: Professor Richards has declared no conflicts of interest.

    For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 22, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dobro.Center SPbPU: New Horizons of Volunteering and Social Responsibility

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Dobro.Center SPbPU

    The event’s guest of honor was Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Youth Policy and Interaction with Public Organizations of St. Petersburg, SVO veteran Ivan Esipov.

    In honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, a VR session “Leningrad through the eyes of Tanya Savicheva” was held, organized by “Victory Volunteers” and the Dobro.Center “Harmony”. With the help of modern technologies, students were able to immerse themselves in the events of the Leningrad blockade.

    At the meeting of the scientific section “Youth and Society: Current Socially Significant Practices”, representatives of different regions of Russia and the CIS countries presented scientific reports in the field of youth policy. They shared data on social trends: ecology, consumer behavior, trust in content on social networks, youth marriages and cultural identity.

    “The Humanitarian Forum was memorable for its high level of organization, relevant topics and lively discussions. Valuable experience, warm atmosphere and professionalism inspire further research,” shared the winner of the first degree diploma for the best report, a student of the Russian-Armenian University Donara Afrikyan.

    The key event was the round table “

    “Today, when society is facing new challenges, it is important to unite young people around common meanings, values and goals.

    A student of the Humanitarian Institute of SPbPU Maria Guner read her poem dedicated to the veterans of the SVO. The event ended with an open microphone, where everyone could ask a question, make a suggestion, share their story.

    “The volunteer movement in St. Petersburg is the flagship of assistance and unity in the country. The round table on humanitarian development at the Polytechnic University reflected the key areas of public organizations, including assistance to the front,” emphasized Deputy Chairman of the Youth Parliament of St. Petersburg, participant of the SVO, student of ITMO University Zakhar Kornev.

    As part of the forum, Polytechnic University graduate and member of the Union of Artists of Russia Alexander Dudorov held a charity master class on painting. Participants created their own paintings using acrylic paints. During Alexander Alfeevich’s exhibition, SPbPU Ambassador, Head of the Process Automation Department of the IT Department of BorisHof Group of Companies Ruslan Talipov purchased two works by the St. Petersburg artist. All proceeds from the sale of the paintings are donated to the AdVita Foundation to help children, as well as to support needy children in Donbass.

    In addition, activists of the SPbPU Dobro.Center joined forces with business partners – Gazprom Pererabotka, the Sputnik Hotel and the Izmailovo Hotel – to help the Nevsky Front – Children charity fund raise funds for a charity football tournament for children from orphanages in the Northwestern Federal District.

    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 –

    April 22, 2025
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