President Donald J. Trump and Secretary Noem appointed new members to the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) and announced the date of the council’s first meeting.
Formed on March 19, 2002, the HSAC leverages the experience, expertise, and national and global connections of its membership to provide the Secretary of Homeland Security with real-time, real-world and independent advice on homeland security operations.
This new-look, America First HSAC will draw upon a deep well of public and private sector experience from homeland security experts committed to fulfilling President Trump’s agenda.
The Homeland Security Advisory Council will hold its first meeting at DHS headquarters in Washington, D.C. on July 2nd, 2025.
Appointed Members:
Henry McMaster, Governor, South Carolina, Chair
Joseph Gruters, State Senator, Florida, Vice Chair
Marc Andreessen, Co-Founder and General Partner, Andreessen Horowitz
David Chesnoff, Attorney, Chesnoff and Schonfeld.
Christopher “Chris” Cox, Founder, Bikers for Trump
Mark Dannels, Cochise County Sheriff, Arizona
Richard “Bo” Dietl, CEO and Founder, Beau Dietl & Associates
Matthew Flynn, Attorney, Steptoe. Former Deputy Assistant to the President. Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense.
Rudolph W. Giuliani, Former Mayor, New York City
Harvey C. Jewett IV, Retired President of Super 8 Motels Inc., Retired President and Chief Operating Officer, Rivett Group LLC., President Great Plains Education Foundation, Inc.
Steve Kirby, Founding Partner, Bluestem Capital Company
Mark Levin, Broadcast News Analyst, The Mark Levin Show
Corey Lewandowski, Chief Advisor to the Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
Nicholas Luna, Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Implementation, The White House
George Lund, CEO and Chairman, Torch Hill Investment Partners
Edward McMullen Jr, Senior Policy Advisor, Adams and Reese LLP. Former Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein,
Georgette Mosbacher, Co-Chair, Three Seas Programming, Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, Former Ambassador to Poland
James “Jim” Pallotta, Managing Partner and Founder, The Raptor Group.
Omar Qudrat, CEO, Maden, Founder, Muslim Coalition for America, Major, U.S. Army Reserve
Stephen Sloan, Global Head of Private Market Secondaries, Portfolio Advisors and Co-Founder, Cogent Partners
Robert “Bob” Smith, Former U.S. Senator, New Hampshire
Alexei Woltornist, Co-Founder and President, ATHOS. Former Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Department of Homeland Security
To learn more about the Homeland Security Advisory Council, including its previous taskings, reports, and recommendations, visit DHS.gov/Homeland-Security-Advisory-Council.
President Donald J. Trump and Secretary Noem appointed new members to the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) and announced the date of the council’s first meeting.
Formed on March 19, 2002, the HSAC leverages the experience, expertise, and national and global connections of its membership to provide the Secretary of Homeland Security with real-time, real-world and independent advice on homeland security operations.
This new-look, America First HSAC will draw upon a deep well of public and private sector experience from homeland security experts committed to fulfilling President Trump’s agenda.
The Homeland Security Advisory Council will hold its first meeting at DHS headquarters in Washington, D.C. on July 2nd, 2025.
Appointed Members:
Henry McMaster, Governor, South Carolina, Chair
Joseph Gruters, State Senator, Florida, Vice Chair
Marc Andreessen, Co-Founder and General Partner, Andreessen Horowitz
David Chesnoff, Attorney, Chesnoff and Schonfeld.
Christopher “Chris” Cox, Founder, Bikers for Trump
Mark Dannels, Cochise County Sheriff, Arizona
Richard “Bo” Dietl, CEO and Founder, Beau Dietl & Associates
Matthew Flynn, Attorney, Steptoe. Former Deputy Assistant to the President. Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense.
Rudolph W. Giuliani, Former Mayor, New York City
Harvey C. Jewett IV, Retired President of Super 8 Motels Inc., Retired President and Chief Operating Officer, Rivett Group LLC., President Great Plains Education Foundation, Inc.
Steve Kirby, Founding Partner, Bluestem Capital Company
Mark Levin, Broadcast News Analyst, The Mark Levin Show
Corey Lewandowski, Chief Advisor to the Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
Nicholas Luna, Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Implementation, The White House
George Lund, CEO and Chairman, Torch Hill Investment Partners
Edward McMullen Jr, Senior Policy Advisor, Adams and Reese LLP. Former Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein,
Georgette Mosbacher, Co-Chair, Three Seas Programming, Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, Former Ambassador to Poland
James “Jim” Pallotta, Managing Partner and Founder, The Raptor Group.
Omar Qudrat, CEO, Maden, Founder, Muslim Coalition for America, Major, U.S. Army Reserve
Stephen Sloan, Global Head of Private Market Secondaries, Portfolio Advisors and Co-Founder, Cogent Partners
Robert “Bob” Smith, Former U.S. Senator, New Hampshire
Alexei Woltornist, Co-Founder and President, ATHOS. Former Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Department of Homeland Security
To learn more about the Homeland Security Advisory Council, including its previous taskings, reports, and recommendations, visit DHS.gov/Homeland-Security-Advisory-Council.
Two drug kingpins have been found guilty of importing and dealing a tonne of cocaine and plotting a murder, following one of the largest EncroChat investigations in history led by Met detectives.
The Met’s investigation uncovered the two men’s plan to commit a murder, as well as their role in delivering millions of pounds worth of drugs across the capital and beyond.
The evidence of the offences were identified after officers trawled through thousands of messages on encrypted communication service EncroChat.
Thought to be impenetrable by law enforcement, Met officers accessed chats between James Harding and Jayes Kharouti.
It was identified that James Harding, 34 (01.01.1991), of Alton, Hampshire, was the head of a sophisticated organised drug dealing network, turning over an estimated £5 million profit in just 10 weeks. Harding resided in Dubai at the time of his arrest.
Harding was found guilty by the jury of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and conspiracy to commit murder on Tuesday, 24 June at The Old Bailey, following a seven-week trial.
Kharouti, 39, (09.02.1986) of Depot Road, Epsom, previously admitted to his role in supplying drugs on Friday, 8 November 2024 at The Old Bailey. He was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder alongside Harding on Tuesday, 24 June at the same court.
Chats on the encrypted messaging site unveiled they both spoke, in detail, about their plan to kill a suspected drug courier from a ‘rival crime network’.
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Casey, who led the investigation, said: “This conviction sends a clear message: no matter how sophisticated the methods, criminals cannot hide behind encrypted software.
“This operation dismantled a major supply chain and is a testament to the relentless work of our officers.
“We monitored their drug-dealing activity but then we saw the group discussing the contract killing of a rival. We moved fast to protect those in danger.
“Harding and Kharouti planned to kill, we stopped that and put them before the courts.”
This case is part of a wider operation to take down those who utilised EncroChat, after the National Crime Agency (NCA) passed information onto the Met after European agencies cracked the encrypted communications platform.
So far, Met investigations have led to more than 5,000 years-worth of prison sentences for criminals on the site.
Detective Inspector Driss Hayoukane QPM, who oversaw the Met’s EncroChat operation, added:
“Thanks to the tenacity and commitment from Met officers, over 500 criminals have been successfully convicted since the EncroChat platform was cracked back in 2020, leading to well over 5,000 years of sentences being handed down to those involved.
“This represents our commitment to combatting illegal drug supply, as well as the serious violence that comes with it.
“Our work doesn’t stop here – we will continue to pursue those who profit from bringing harm to our communities and will continue to deliver our mission of reducing crime.”
The investigation
Following the thorough investigation into a series of conversations on EncroChat, the Met discovered Harding used the handle “thetopsking”, while Kharouti used “besttops”. They used the platform to confidently communicate with each other about their vast criminal enterprise.
The Met spent hundreds of hours reviewing and analysing these messages. Among them were clear conspiracies to carry out a murder of a rival drug gang member with detailed plans, involving recruiting paid hitmen, arranging firearms and getaway vehicles. They had also discussed times, dates and locations.
This was on top of plans to coordinate deliveries of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine across the country, manage their vast finances and discuss security threats.
The court heard that approximately 50 importations were made into the UK, with a total weight of one tonne, between April and June 2020.
This allowed Harding to live a lavish lifestyle in the United Arab Emirates, where he conducted his criminal enterprise.
The arrests
Harding was arrested on Monday, 27 December 2021 at Geneva Airport, Switzerland. On Friday, 27 May 2022, he was extradited from Switzerland to the UK when he was arrested by Met officers.
Kharouti’s home was searched in 2020 after he was linked to the messages. Police found a handset with the same number he gave to Harding. He fled the country shortly after this, before being found in Turkey and extradited back to the UK.
They are both due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 26 June.
Certain creatures have unique microstructures in their exoskeletons that enable them to withstand heavy impacts continuously over time. These Bouligand structures can be found in the mantis shrimp, blue crab, glorious beetle and many more (shown here).
Credit: Shutterstock, B. Hayes/NIST
Some of the most innovative and useful inventions have been inspired by nature. Take the Shinkansen bullet train in Japan, whose aerodynamic design is modeled after the kingfisher bird. Or Velcro, which a Swiss engineer invented after observing that the burrs that stick to a dog’s fur have tiny hooks in them.
Now, scientists have turned to a small underwater predator for inspiration. The mantis shrimp is a colorful invertebrate that packs a powerful punch. It can crack clamshells with the force of a .22 caliber bullet, thanks to unique structures that make its exoskeleton surprisingly strong.
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have made synthetic versions of these structures and tested their impact performance by blasting microprojectiles at them. They discovered that adjusting specific parameters of the structures changed how they absorbed and dissipated the impact energy.
“The results and insights of this research mark an important advance in bioinspired materials design with applications for aerospace, such as helping spacecraft survive the impact of micrometeoroids and protecting orbiting satellites that collide with debris,” said NIST materials research engineer Edwin Chan.
Other potential applications include better bullet-resistant glass, blast-resistant building materials, and more protective helmets.
Chan and his colleagues published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
This research idea came from Sujin Lee, who came to NIST as a National Research Council (NRC) postdoctoral fellow. Lee wanted to understand why the mantis shrimp’s appendage didn’t break as it smashed the shells of other creatures. Chan was also intrigued by this concept, and the two developed a research project to find out.
“When a person punches someone, their hand hurts, but with a mantis shrimp, it doesn’t,” said Chan. Or it doesn’t seem to, anyway. Lee and Chan already knew that this was related to microscopic “Bouligand structures” in the shrimp’s exoskeleton.
“Bouligand structures are a universal material platform for impact resistance in nature, and we wanted to learn more about them, so we produced and tested them in the lab,” said Chan.
Lee and Chan synthesized the structures from cellulose nanocrystals, which are found in plant fibers. The nanocrystals self-assembled into plates, which layered on top of each other like rotating stacks of plywood.
Those stacks formed their synthetic Bouligand structures. Researchers then modified the crystals using high-frequency sound waves before assembling them into thin films that served as their test material.
Next, they tested the impact resistance of the thin films by firing microprojectiles at them at speeds of up to 600 meters per second. The microprojectiles, made of silica, were propelled toward their target by a high-intensity laser. The researchers recorded images of the microprojectiles impacting the thin films with an ultrafast camera.
Microprojectile Hitting CNC Film
NIST researchers tested the impact performance of synthetic versions of structures found in the exoskeleton of mantis shrimp. They used high-intensity lasers to fire microprojectiles made of silica at thin films of these synthetic structures.
Based on those images, the researchers observed that a microprojectile can leave a permanent indentation while also bouncing back like a tennis ball hitting the ground. The degree of indentation and the amount of bounce-back depended on how the energy dissipated or spread out in shockwaves after the microprojectile’s impact.
The researchers discovered that they could adjust how the energy dissipated by fine-tuning various factors that affected the sample’s mechanical properties, such as making the nanocrystals thicker or changing their density. They found that the microprojectiles left permanent indentations in the thinner films, but the thicker films excelled at redirecting the shockwaves from the impact.
NIST worked on this project as part of its mission to develop advanced measurement methods that can be useful to U.S. industry. Researchers can use the measurement methods developed for this project to further develop impact-resistant materials based on Bouligand structures as well as other types of advanced materials with special properties.
“These findings suggest that there are different ways to design materials to absorb impact, and we can use this knowledge to create more resilient and longer-lasting materials,” Chan said. “If you’re a boxer in the ring, you want to fight nine rounds, not just one.”
Paper: Sujin R. Lee, Katherine M. Evans, Jeremiah W. Woodcock, Jan Obrzut, Liping Huang, Christopher L. Soles and Edwin P. Chan. Controlling Impact Mitigation via Bouligand Nanostructures. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Published online May 16, 2025. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2425191122
WISe.ART Launches Mayte Spínola’s “Galactic Christ” into Space Aboard SpaceX Mission Pioneering Space-Based Art NFTs and Digital Expression
Geneva, Switzerland, June 24, 2025 –WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY), a leading global cybersecurity, blockchain, and IoT company, today announces that WISe.ART, its secure NFT marketplace subsidiary has successfully launched Spanish artist Mayte Spínola’s digital artwork El Cristo Cósmico (“The Galactic Christ”) into low Earth orbit (LEO) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, marking another milestone in the company’s strategy to expand the frontier of digital expression through space technology.
The launch occurred at 23:11 CET on June 23, 2025, placing a WISeSat satellite carrying Spínola’s artwork into orbit. Tokenized as an NFT on the WISe.ART platform, the artwork is securely stored on the satellite using embedded hardware security modules and blockchain-based authentication protocols.
This mission is part of WISe.ART’s broader initiative to pioneer the use of space as a platform for artistic and personal expression. By combining secure satellite technology, blockchain infrastructure, and NFTs, WISe.ART is enabling artists, creators, and public figures to engage with audiences globally and now, extraterrestrially.
“Space is not only the next frontier for technology, it is a new medium for human expression,” said Carlos Moreira, Founder of WISeKey and WISe.ART. “Through WISeSat and WISe.ART, we are giving artists and celebrities a secure and visionary way to project their work and messages from orbit.”
This is not WISe.ART’s first milestone in space. In 2022, during a special ceremony at the NASDAQ headquarters in New York, WISe.ART minted and transmitted a space-based NFT featuring actress Brooke Shields, demonstrating the platform’s early commitment to combining celebrity expression, secure blockchain, and satellite communications.
Mayte Spínola, one of Spain’s most celebrated contemporary artists and founder of the Grupo Pro Arte y Cultura, shared her thoughts on the occasion: “Seeing my work orbiting Earth is deeply symbolic. It represents the union of art, science, and faith, transcending borders and reminding us that peace is a universal message.”
Technical details of the mission:
Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9 (Transporter Mission)
Orbit: Sun-synchronous low Earth orbit (~500–600 km)
Payload: WISeSat satellite with secure NFT storage and communication capabilities
Security: Blockchain certification anchored to WISeKey’s Root of Trust, with post-quantum secure elements
Access: Two-way data connectivity for metadata validation and message exchange
With this launch, El Cristo Cósmico becomes a space-hosted digital artifact, merging art, spirituality, and space technology. It showcases how WISe.ART is redefining the role of NFTs, offering creators new dimensions for secure global, and now orbital engagement.
About WISe.ART
WISe.ART is a full-service NFT platform designed for artists, collectors, and brands. It leverages WISeKey’s trusted cybersecurity technologies to ensure secure creation, trading, and verification of digital assets, with integrations into IoT, satellite systems, and post-quantum infrastructures.
About WISeKey
WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.
Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.
Disclaimer This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FinSa’s predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.
Press and InvestorContacts
WISeKey International Holding Ltd Company Contact: Carlos Moreira Chairman & CEO Tel: +41 22 594 3000 info@wisekey.com
Media Contact: press@wise.art www.wise.art
WISeKey Investor Relations (US) The Equity Group Inc. Lena Cati Tel: +1 212 836-9611 lcati@theequitygroup.com
Samsung recently announced the upcoming global launch of the HU8000F series, its 2025 Hospitality TV. Available in six sizes — 43″, 50″, 55″, 65″, 75″ and 85″ — the HU8000F empowers hotel owners with powerful management tools to elevate guest stays while providing visitors with effortless streaming and connectivity options through Google Cast. Samsung unveiled the HU8000F series at HITEC 2025, the world’s largest and longest-running hospitality technology event, which took place between June 16-19 in Indianapolis, USA.
“Samsung’s HU8000F Hospitality TV series delivers a new level of in-room experience, combining brilliant 4K picture, advanced streaming and easy management,” said Hoon Chung, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics. “With Google Cast support, an AirSlim design, and integrated cloud capabilities, we are redefining what’s possible for hotel entertainment worldwide.”
Premium Picture Quality, AirSlim Design and Effortless Streaming
The HU8000F is powered by Samsung’s Crystal Processor 4K and features HDR10+ and Dynamic Crystal Color, immersing hotel guests in one billion shades of color with lifelike clarity and detail. Additionally, its sleek AirSlim design creates an elegant, nearly bezel-free look that complements any hotel space.
The new model has expanded content options for guests by adding Prime Video to its portfolio — along with Netflix and Samsung TV Plus — which are all accessible from the Tizen OS Home. For an enhanced viewing experience, the HU8000F also includes adaptive sound technology, providing real-time audio scene analysis and quality optimisation to any news program, sports game, musical performance, TV show or movie.
Hotel-Ready Features and Integrated Hospitality Solutions
For centralised remote management and actionable business insights for hotel managers, Samsung LYNK Cloud streamlines global hospitality operations while helping drive incremental revenue through targeted promotions. With SmartThings Pro and a multi-code remote, hotel staff can offer personalized in-room experiences and ensure interference-free control, enhancing both convenience and guest satisfaction.
As Google Cast is integrated directly into Samsung’s hotel TV series, guests can easily access their favorite content from 5,000 Cast-enabled apps by mirroring their Android and iOS devices on the TV, without the need for additional dongles or login requirements. Embedding Cast also reduces costs for hotels and system integrators by removing the need to buy and maintain extra hub-type devices, avoiding the risk of theft for those types of devices and freeing up an HDMI port.
For hotels currently using the HBU8000, a software update will soon be available to enable Google Cast without interrupting service.[1] This upgrade has already been successfully deployed in Indonesia at The Apurva Kempinski Bali and Swissôtel Living Jakarta Mega Kuningan through simultaneous software updates, demonstrating the scalability and reliability of the solution.
With Google Cast and over-the-top (OTT) integration, the HU8000F ensures seamless viewing options and an optimised solution that enhances viewing experiences.
Samsung’s hospitality display series is also built to include practical features tailored for hotel environments, including RJ12 connectors, bathroom speaker support and LAN output ports. Powered by the intuitive and secure Tizen platform, the HU8000F offers smooth navigation, enterprise-grade protection with Samsung Knox and flexible connectivity through multiple HDMI and USB ports.
Samsung’s HU8000F will be available in the UK from October 2025. For more information about Samsung’s hospitality solutions, please visit www.samsung.com.
[1] The Google Cast update schedule for HBU8000 may vary by region.
Samsung recently announced the upcoming global launch of the HU8000F series, its 2025 Hospitality TV. Available in six sizes — 43″, 50″, 55″, 65″, 75″ and 85″ — the HU8000F empowers hotel owners with powerful management tools to elevate guest stays while providing visitors with effortless streaming and connectivity options through Google Cast. Samsung unveiled the HU8000F series at HITEC 2025, the world’s largest and longest-running hospitality technology event, which took place between June 16-19 in Indianapolis, USA.
“Samsung’s HU8000F Hospitality TV series delivers a new level of in-room experience, combining brilliant 4K picture, advanced streaming and easy management,” said Hoon Chung, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics. “With Google Cast support, an AirSlim design, and integrated cloud capabilities, we are redefining what’s possible for hotel entertainment worldwide.”
Premium Picture Quality, AirSlim Design and Effortless Streaming
The HU8000F is powered by Samsung’s Crystal Processor 4K and features HDR10+ and Dynamic Crystal Color, immersing hotel guests in one billion shades of color with lifelike clarity and detail. Additionally, its sleek AirSlim design creates an elegant, nearly bezel-free look that complements any hotel space.
The new model has expanded content options for guests by adding Prime Video to its portfolio — along with Netflix and Samsung TV Plus — which are all accessible from the Tizen OS Home. For an enhanced viewing experience, the HU8000F also includes adaptive sound technology, providing real-time audio scene analysis and quality optimisation to any news program, sports game, musical performance, TV show or movie.
Hotel-Ready Features and Integrated Hospitality Solutions
For centralised remote management and actionable business insights for hotel managers, Samsung LYNK Cloud streamlines global hospitality operations while helping drive incremental revenue through targeted promotions. With SmartThings Pro and a multi-code remote, hotel staff can offer personalized in-room experiences and ensure interference-free control, enhancing both convenience and guest satisfaction.
As Google Cast is integrated directly into Samsung’s hotel TV series, guests can easily access their favorite content from 5,000 Cast-enabled apps by mirroring their Android and iOS devices on the TV, without the need for additional dongles or login requirements. Embedding Cast also reduces costs for hotels and system integrators by removing the need to buy and maintain extra hub-type devices, avoiding the risk of theft for those types of devices and freeing up an HDMI port.
For hotels currently using the HBU8000, a software update will soon be available to enable Google Cast without interrupting service.[1] This upgrade has already been successfully deployed in Indonesia at The Apurva Kempinski Bali and Swissôtel Living Jakarta Mega Kuningan through simultaneous software updates, demonstrating the scalability and reliability of the solution.
With Google Cast and over-the-top (OTT) integration, the HU8000F ensures seamless viewing options and an optimised solution that enhances viewing experiences.
Samsung’s hospitality display series is also built to include practical features tailored for hotel environments, including RJ12 connectors, bathroom speaker support and LAN output ports. Powered by the intuitive and secure Tizen platform, the HU8000F offers smooth navigation, enterprise-grade protection with Samsung Knox and flexible connectivity through multiple HDMI and USB ports.
Samsung’s HU8000F will be available in the UK from October 2025. For more information about Samsung’s hospitality solutions, please visit www.samsung.com.
[1] The Google Cast update schedule for HBU8000 may vary by region.
Eritrean nationals in Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Sweden, the United States, Russian Federation, South Sudan, Austria, and Finland have commemorated Martyrs Day with pride.
Eritrean communities in the Swiss cities of Geneva, Lausanne, Valais, Bern, Zurich, Chur, St. Gallen, Solothurn, Basel, Zug, Lucerne, Schaffhausen, and Ticino; Abu Dhabi and its environs in the UAE; Gothenburg, Sweden; Ohio, USA; Moscow, Russian Federation; Vienna, Austria; Aweil and Wau, South Sudan; as well as the Finnish cities of Helsinki, Jyvaskyla, Lahti, and Oulu commemorated Martyrs Day with patriotic zeal. Participants pledged to strengthen their engagement in supporting the Martyrs Trust Fund and the families of martyrs.
Nationals in Aweil, South Sudan, assumed responsibility for supporting 130 families of martyrs and contributed 3,500 US dollars. Nationals in Abu Dhabi and its environs contributed 5,150 Dirhams, while nationals in Finland contributed 2,830 Euros toward augmenting the Martyrs Trust Fund.
Nationals in Switzerland who had previously taken on the responsibility of supporting families of martyrs reaffirmed their commitment. Nationals in Canton Geneva and Canton Bern contributed 4,184 Swiss francs; Canton Schaffhausen, 1,320 Swiss francs; Canton St. Gallen, 2,920 Swiss francs; Canton Lausanne, 3,360 Swiss francs; Canton Lucerne, 5,000 Swiss francs; Canton Zurich, 5,565 Swiss francs; Canton Valais, 515 Swiss francs; and Canton Aargau, 500 Swiss francs. The Eritrean community in Biel/Bienne contributed 10,000 Swiss francs to the Martyrs Trust Fund.
Similarly, nationals in Bern contributed 5,000 Swiss francs in support of seven families of martyrs; nationals in Graubünden contributed 3,600 Swiss francs for five families; and nationals in St. Gallen contributed 10,800 Swiss francs in support of 15 families of martyrs.
Likewise, nationals residing in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, have pledged to assume responsibility for supporting 11 families of martyrs.
Events in all cities featured candlelight vigils and walkathon programs.
In related news, 114,000 Nakfa contributed by staff members of the Northern Red Sea Region administration and Foro sub-zone has been distributed to families of martyrs.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
LONDON and BOSTON, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zeelo, the category-leading Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS) provider for employers and schools offering mobility as a benefit, today announced the close of its $23 million Series B funding round. The round was led by impact investor Blue Earth Capital, with participation from existing investors including Direttissima Growth Partners and Peter Bauer’s family office. The new capital will be used to strengthen Zeelo’s profitable market leadership in the UK and Ireland, accelerate commercial growth in North America, enhance its proprietary routing software and AI-powered transport management platform, and pursue further strategic M&A following the successful acquisition of UK competitor Kura in 2024.
Zeelo provides daily commuter transportation to help reduce employee turnover and cut carbon emissions, leveraging a network of 650+ vetted third-party operator partners with access to over 10,000 vehicles. It is trusted by some of the world’s largest employers and school groups, including Amazon, Barclays, and UPS, and has delivered over 175% year-on-year revenue growth in North America, alongside profitability in its core UK & Ireland market. The company’s AI-powered virtual transportation management workflow, which automates route design, incident management, and customer support, is at the heart of its service – enabling greater operational efficiency, lower cost-to-serve, and a significantly enhanced customer experience. This “human-centric” AI approach ensures technology serves both riders and operations teams without removing the personal touch that defines Zeelo’s high service standards.
“Our mission is to empower opportunity through sustainable transportation,” said Sam Ryan, Co-Founder & CEO of Zeelo. “With this new investment, we’re scaling our impact – delivering inclusive mobility programs that not only reduce CO₂ emissions and car dependency, but also connect people to work and education in areas not served by public transit. Our proprietary tech platform and AI-powered operations are driving incredible ROI for customers, while our team continues to raise the bar for service quality. This capital gives us the resources to further integrate with industry partners, including operators, electric and autonomous vehicle providers, and to strengthen our market presence through focused go-to-market and acquisition strategies.”
In the past year, Zeelo has powered over 7 million rides through its platform, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining a 98% global customer satisfaction rate. Notably, in the UK, 10% of trips were completed with fully electric vehicles, and the company continues to fully offset emissions for its remaining services. Zeelo acquired competitor Kura in 2024, further strengthening its UK&I leadership position.
Zeelo is redefining the future of shared transportation with a vertically integrated model that combines best-in-class TaaS software, professional fleet partnerships, and virtual operations centers – supporting transit programs for daily commuting, school runs, campus shuttles, corporate events, and peer-to-peer vanpooling. The company continues to invest heavily into the motorcoach industry, partnering with local operators to digitize, optimize, and electrify their offerings.
“Our Private Equity team is excited to partner with Zeelo on their mission to decarbonize and democratize access to transportation,” said Kayode Akinola, Head of Private Equity at Blue Earth Capital. “Zeelo’s ability to shift commuters from cars to shared bus trips and optimize routes delivers significant GHG reduction potential and supports our focus on efficiency gains, whilst their role in accelerating adoption of EVs in the shuttle market aligns well with our electrification theme, an important pillar towards decarbonization.”
Zeelo has also bolstered its leadership team in 2025 with the additions of Fraser Cameron as CFO and James Winn as CRO, based out of Zeelo’s Boston office, bringing new capabilities in commercial strategy and mobility partnerships. These additions signal Zeelo’s readiness to scale profitably in North America and continue expanding its services into new markets and customer segments.
Looking ahead, Zeelo will continue to leverage human-centric AI to simplify mobility for its customers, riders, operator partners and drivers. Future plans include deeper industry integrations with autonomous and electric vehicle technology, enhanced self-serve capabilities, and targeted M&A to scale the platform globally.
Zeelo is a category-leading Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS) provider delivering mission-critical mobility solutions for employees and students across the US and UK & Ireland. Focused on corporations and schools, Zeelo enables safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation through its proprietary, asset-light technology platform.
Leveraging a network of 650+ vetted third-party operator partners and access to over 10,000 vehicles, Zeelo offers fully managed, end-to-end shuttle services that reduce transportation costs, improve employee retention and access, and enhance daily commutes. Its AI-powered virtual transportation management system optimizes routes, streamlines operations, and delivers a seamless rider experience.
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About Blue Earth Capital
Blue Earth Capital is a global, independent, specialist impact investor, headquartered in Switzerland, with operations in New York, London, and Konstanz. Blue Earth Capital seeks to address the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges by delivering measurable impact alongside aiming for attractive and market-rate financial returns. The company operates dedicated private equity, private credit, and fund solutions as well as separately managed accounts. Blue Earth Capital is owned by the Blue Earth Foundation, a Stiftung (charity/trust) registered in Switzerland that focuses on deep impact to support initiatives and business ventures to help deliver a more equitable and sustainable future.
61Cu-NuriPro™ detected more lesions up to 4 hours post-administration in 50% of patients, not visualized by 18F-piflufolastat PET1,2
Dosimetry data highlight favorable tumor-to-background ratio with 61Cu-NuriPro™
61Cu-NuriPro™’s 3.3 hours half-life allows for greater distribution range and later imaging after administration
Data presented on Monday, June 23 by Principal Investigator Dr. Gary Ulaner, MD, PhD at the SNMMI 2025 Annual Meeting in New Orleans
Basel, Switzerland, June 24, 2025 – NUCLIDIUM AG a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company developing copper-based theranostics, today announced positive data from the Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the company’s novel PET imaging agent, 61Cu-NuriProTM (61Cu-NODAGA-PSMA I&T) in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. These data were presented on June 23 at the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2025 Annual Meeting in New Orleans by Dr. Gary Ulaner, MD, PhD, Director of Molecular Imaging and Therapy at Hoag Family Cancer Institute and Principal Investigator for the trial. Dr. Ulaner highlighted 61Cu-NuriPro’s favorable safety, dosimetry profile and imaging characteristics in Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)-positive prostate cancer patients.
The Phase 1 trial conducted at Hoag Molecular Imaging and Therapy Clinic evaluated the safety, dosimetry and preliminary diagnostic efficacy of 61Cu-NuriProTM in patients with metastatic prostate cancer, and was compared to 18F-piflufolastat. 61Cu-NuriPro™ demonstrated a safety profile comparable to clinically established PSMA tracers with a favorable imaging performance. Notably, 61Cu-NuriPro PET visualized additional lesions in 50% of the patients which were not seen on the 18F-piflufolastat PET, with favorable tumor-to-background ratios. The number of detected lesions on the 61Cu-NuriPro PET increased up to 4 hours after administration, highlighting the diagnostic benefits of 61Cu’s 3.3-hour half-life and high positron yield.
“Accurate and reliable imaging remains essential in the management of prostate cancer. The Phase 1 results from 61Cu-NuriPro™ demonstrate not only a solid safety profile but also good imaging quality compared to standard-of-care,” said Dr. Gary Ulaner, MD, PhD, Director of Molecular Imaging and Therapy at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and Principal Investigator of the trial.“These early data suggest strong potential for improving diagnostic performance and patient outcomes.”
Leila Jaafar, PhD, CEO and Co-Founder of NUCLIDIUM added “These results further validate our first-in-class copper theranostics platform and the clinical promise of 61Cu-NuriPro™ as a potential best-in-class diagnostic. We are dedicated to rapidly advancing our portfolio of copper-based theranostic agents for a broader range of cancers, with a focus on safety, sustainability, and scalability.”
61Cu-NuriProTM (61Cu-NODAGA-PSMA I&T) is the diagnostic component of NUCLIDIUM’s PSMA-targeted NuriProTM program2,3,4,5,6. The company’s second diagnostic, 61Cu-TraceNET™, targeting SSTR-positive tumors, is in a Phase 1/2a clinical trial in broncho-pulmonary, and gastroenterohepatic neuroendocrine tumors (BP- and GEP-NETs). The agent will be developed further for imaging in a subset of metastatic breast cancer patients. Clinical trials of two corresponding therapeutics, 67Cu-NuriPro™ and 67Cu-TraceNET™, are expected to start enrollment in early 2026.
About NUCLIDIUM Nuclidium AG is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of next-generation copper-based radiopharmaceuticals for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Leveraging copper isotopes — Copper-61 for diagnostics and Copper-67 for therapeutics — Nuclidium is creating a differentiated platform with the potential to overcome existing limitations in radiotheranostics. With operations in Switzerland and Germany, the company combines innovative chemistry, deep clinical expertise, and strategic manufacturing capabilities to deliver scalable, accessible, and clinically superior theranostic solutions to patients worldwide. Nuclidium is committed to expanding the reach and efficacy of radiotheranostics, including addressing critical unmet medical needs in oncology and women’s health.
2 FDA Approves Pluvicto/Locametz for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. J Nucl Med. May 2022;63(5):13n.
3 Keam SJ. Piflufolastat F 18: Diagnostic First Approval. Mol Diagn Ther. Sep 2021;25(5):647-656. doi:10.1007/s40291-021-00548-0
4 Heo YA, Jadvar H, Calais J, et al. Flotufolastat F 18: Diagnostic First Approval Appropriate Use Criteria for Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen PET Imaging. Mol Diagn Ther. Jul 13; Jan 2023;63(1):59-68. doi:10.1007/s40291-023-00665-y10.2967/jnumed.121.263262
5 Hennrich U, Eder M. [(68)Ga]Ga-PSMA-11: The First FDA-Approved (68)Ga-Radiopharmaceutical for PET Imaging of Prostate Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). Jul 23 2021;14(8)doi:10.3390/ph14080713
6 Basaco Bernabeu T, Fani M, et al. 61Cu-PSMA–Targeted PET for Prostate Cancer: From Radiotracer Development to First-in-Human Imaging. JNM. Sep 2024, 65 (9) 1427-1434. doi: https://doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.123.267126
61Cu-NuriPro™ detected more lesions up to 4 hours post-administration in 50% of patients, not visualized by 18F-piflufolastat PET1,2
Dosimetry data highlight favorable tumor-to-background ratio with 61Cu-NuriPro™
61Cu-NuriPro™’s 3.3 hours half-life allows for greater distribution range and later imaging after administration
Data presented on Monday, June 23 by Principal Investigator Dr. Gary Ulaner, MD, PhD at the SNMMI 2025 Annual Meeting in New Orleans
Basel, Switzerland, June 24, 2025 – NUCLIDIUM AG a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company developing copper-based theranostics, today announced positive data from the Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the company’s novel PET imaging agent, 61Cu-NuriProTM (61Cu-NODAGA-PSMA I&T) in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. These data were presented on June 23 at the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2025 Annual Meeting in New Orleans by Dr. Gary Ulaner, MD, PhD, Director of Molecular Imaging and Therapy at Hoag Family Cancer Institute and Principal Investigator for the trial. Dr. Ulaner highlighted 61Cu-NuriPro’s favorable safety, dosimetry profile and imaging characteristics in Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)-positive prostate cancer patients.
The Phase 1 trial conducted at Hoag Molecular Imaging and Therapy Clinic evaluated the safety, dosimetry and preliminary diagnostic efficacy of 61Cu-NuriProTM in patients with metastatic prostate cancer, and was compared to 18F-piflufolastat. 61Cu-NuriPro™ demonstrated a safety profile comparable to clinically established PSMA tracers with a favorable imaging performance. Notably, 61Cu-NuriPro PET visualized additional lesions in 50% of the patients which were not seen on the 18F-piflufolastat PET, with favorable tumor-to-background ratios. The number of detected lesions on the 61Cu-NuriPro PET increased up to 4 hours after administration, highlighting the diagnostic benefits of 61Cu’s 3.3-hour half-life and high positron yield.
“Accurate and reliable imaging remains essential in the management of prostate cancer. The Phase 1 results from 61Cu-NuriPro™ demonstrate not only a solid safety profile but also good imaging quality compared to standard-of-care,” said Dr. Gary Ulaner, MD, PhD, Director of Molecular Imaging and Therapy at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and Principal Investigator of the trial.“These early data suggest strong potential for improving diagnostic performance and patient outcomes.”
Leila Jaafar, PhD, CEO and Co-Founder of NUCLIDIUM added “These results further validate our first-in-class copper theranostics platform and the clinical promise of 61Cu-NuriPro™ as a potential best-in-class diagnostic. We are dedicated to rapidly advancing our portfolio of copper-based theranostic agents for a broader range of cancers, with a focus on safety, sustainability, and scalability.”
61Cu-NuriProTM (61Cu-NODAGA-PSMA I&T) is the diagnostic component of NUCLIDIUM’s PSMA-targeted NuriProTM program2,3,4,5,6. The company’s second diagnostic, 61Cu-TraceNET™, targeting SSTR-positive tumors, is in a Phase 1/2a clinical trial in broncho-pulmonary, and gastroenterohepatic neuroendocrine tumors (BP- and GEP-NETs). The agent will be developed further for imaging in a subset of metastatic breast cancer patients. Clinical trials of two corresponding therapeutics, 67Cu-NuriPro™ and 67Cu-TraceNET™, are expected to start enrollment in early 2026.
About NUCLIDIUM Nuclidium AG is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of next-generation copper-based radiopharmaceuticals for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Leveraging copper isotopes — Copper-61 for diagnostics and Copper-67 for therapeutics — Nuclidium is creating a differentiated platform with the potential to overcome existing limitations in radiotheranostics. With operations in Switzerland and Germany, the company combines innovative chemistry, deep clinical expertise, and strategic manufacturing capabilities to deliver scalable, accessible, and clinically superior theranostic solutions to patients worldwide. Nuclidium is committed to expanding the reach and efficacy of radiotheranostics, including addressing critical unmet medical needs in oncology and women’s health.
2 FDA Approves Pluvicto/Locametz for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. J Nucl Med. May 2022;63(5):13n.
3 Keam SJ. Piflufolastat F 18: Diagnostic First Approval. Mol Diagn Ther. Sep 2021;25(5):647-656. doi:10.1007/s40291-021-00548-0
4 Heo YA, Jadvar H, Calais J, et al. Flotufolastat F 18: Diagnostic First Approval Appropriate Use Criteria for Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen PET Imaging. Mol Diagn Ther. Jul 13; Jan 2023;63(1):59-68. doi:10.1007/s40291-023-00665-y10.2967/jnumed.121.263262
5 Hennrich U, Eder M. [(68)Ga]Ga-PSMA-11: The First FDA-Approved (68)Ga-Radiopharmaceutical for PET Imaging of Prostate Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). Jul 23 2021;14(8)doi:10.3390/ph14080713
6 Basaco Bernabeu T, Fani M, et al. 61Cu-PSMA–Targeted PET for Prostate Cancer: From Radiotracer Development to First-in-Human Imaging. JNM. Sep 2024, 65 (9) 1427-1434. doi: https://doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.123.267126
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Paris Saint-Germain, Botafogo, Inter Miami and Palmeiras reached the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 on Monday while Atletico Madrid was eliminated on goal difference.
Porto and Al Ahly also bowed out after a frenetic 4-4 draw in New Jersey, where Wessam Abou Ali struck a hat trick for the Egyptian side.
In Pasadena, Botafogo progressed despite a 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in sweltering heat at the Rose Bowl. Needing to win by at least a three-goal margin to advance, the Spanish club dominated for long periods but struggled to find a way past the Brazilian side’s low defensive block.
Antoine Griezmann finally broke Botafogo’s resistance three minutes from time when he capitalized on lax defending to sweep a first-time effort past goalkeeper John Victor after Julian Alvarez’s cross.
But it proved too little too late as the Colchoneros were sent packing from the tournament.
“The team did what was needed to get to the next stage,” Botafogo’s former Manchester United defender Alex Telles said after the match.
“Some people said we were only here to see Mickey Mouse at Disneyland, but we’ve made it out of the group of death. It shows the work done by this incredible group of players.”
Botafogo, which finished second in Group B, will meet Brazilian rivals Palmeiras in the next round at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said he was disappointed but not concerned by his team’s early exit.
“We have the feeling of frustration at not being able to progress,” the Argentine said. “We are calm. We are more than clear about what needs to be improved and this helps us to do so. I’m proud of the work that the players have done. We gave absolutely everything we have. We won two games out of three. And sadly, we are out.”
In Seattle, Paris Saint-Germain comfortably secured its passage to the next stage with a 2-0 victory over Seattle Sounders.
The European champions opened the scoring in the 35th minute when Vitinha’s long-range effort deflected in off teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Achraf Hakimi doubled the lead just after the hour, controlling Bradley Barcola’s cross before rifling a shot past Swiss goalkeeper Stefan Frei.
PSG will vie for a place in the quarterfinals against Inter Miami in Atlanta on Sunday.
“We want to go as far as possible, and I think the players are ready,” PSG manager Luis Enrique told a post-match news conference. “The real competition starts now, and it will be very difficult.”
In Miami, Brazil’s Palmeiras recovered from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw with Inter Miami.
Tadeo Allende handed Inter Miami the lead with a clinical finish following a counterattack before Luis Suarez made it 2-0 by dancing around Bruno Fuchs and firing a shot past goalkeeper Weverton.
But the Sao Paulo-based club lifted its intensity and Paulinho pulled a goal back by slotting home from 10 yards after Allan’s layoff. The equalizer came three minutes from time when Mauricio pounced on a loose ball and smashed a rising effort beyond Oscar Ustari.
“We weren’t able to play the way we wanted to in the first half but in the second half we regained our fighting spirit,” Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira said.
“Our first objective is now completed. Now we can rest, recuperate and prepare for the knockout phase.”
In Monday’s other match, Abou Ali’s fine solo performance was not enough to earn Al Ahly a spot in the next round as the Egyptian side drew 4-4 with Porto, which also exited the tournament.
Abou Ali netted in the 15th minute before converting from the penalty spot just before halftime and adding a third goal shortly after the restart.
Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane was also on target for the Cairo-based side while Rodrigo Moura, William Gomes, Samu Aghehowa and Pepe scored for the Portuguese outfit.
Both teams managed only two draws each from their three group fixtures.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) wrapped up Saturday with the Golden Goblet Awards, where the Kyrgyzstani film “Black Red Yellow” won best feature and three Chinese films took top honors in the main competition.
Director Aktan Arym Kubat (center) accepts the best feature film award for “Black Red Yellow” at the Golden Goblet Awards ceremony in Shanghai, June 21, 2025. [Photo courtesy of SIFF Organizing Committee]
“Black Red Yellow,” directed by Aktan Arym Kubat, follows a master weaver’s forbidden romance with a horse herder, which ends in silent separation and an unfinished carpet — until its unveiling years later stirs old memories.
“This is a glorious moment for Kyrgyz cinema,” Kubat said in his acceptance speech. He said carpets are an inseparable part of traditional culture and daily life in Kyrgyzstan and noted that the award also marks the birth of his grandson. “Black Red Yellow” was the festival’s closing film.
Chinese filmmaker Cao Baoping won best director for the comedy crime drama “One Wacky Summer,” a decade after earning the same honor for “The Dead End” at SIFF. Cao said the new film, with its dark humor, is sharper, funnier and more down-to-earth than his previous works.
Chinese filmmaker Cao Baoping holds his best director trophy for the comedy crime drama “One Wacky Summer” at the Golden Goblet Awards ceremony in Shanghai, June 21, 2025. [Photo courtesy of SIFF Organizing Committee]
The film continues the lighter, comic direction Cao first explored with his 2006 debut, “Trouble Makers.” Set in Tianjin at the turn of the century, “One Wacky Summer” follows a small-time thug who, trapped in debt, impulsively kidnaps his nephew in a failed extortion plot, sparking family feuds and criminal chaos.
Cao thanked SIFF for recognizing his work for the second time in 10 years, saying it “shows the festival’s encouragement for artistic persistence, as well as its diversity and inclusiveness.”
Wan Qian won best actress for her role as a desperate killer posing as a caregiver in Wang Tong’s “Wild Nights, Tamed Beasts.” The film weaves together themes of elder care, love and crime, delivering a stark examination of human nature and morality.
Wan Qian accepts the best actress award for “Wild Nights, Tamed Beasts” at the Golden Goblet Awards ceremony in Shanghai, June 21, 2025. [Photo courtesy of SIFF Organizing Committee]
“Turns out there really is a dawn after the wild night,” Wan said on stage. “I’m deeply grateful to the team behind ‘Wild Nights, Tamed Beasts.’ Your professionalism made the film remarkable. As we emerge from the long night and the light shines on us, I hope it’s not just me who is seen, but everyone behind me — because they are the ones truly holding up this trophy.”
“Wild Nights, Tamed Beasts” also won the jury grand prix, an award it shared with the Japanese film “On Summer Sand” by Shinya Tamada.
Director Qiu Sheng (center) holds the outstanding artistic achievement award for “My Father’s Son” at the Golden Goblet Awards ceremony in Shanghai, June 21, 2025. [Photo courtesy of SIFF Organizing Committee]
“My Father’s Son,” a co-production between China and France, received the outstanding artistic achievement award. Director Qiu Sheng said the film is a tribute to his late father, who died in 2005.
Additional major awards went to Portuguese actor Jose Martins, who won best actor for “The Scent of Things Remembered.” Korek Bojanowski and Katia Priwieziencew received best screenplay for the Polish film “Loss of Balance,” and Markus Nestroy was awarded best cinematography for “You Believe in Angels, Mr. Drowak?”
Director Bian Zhuo jumps as he and producer Zhang Jie receive the Asian New Talent best feature film award for “As the Water Flows” at the Golden Goblet Awards in Shanghai, June 21, 2025. [Photo courtesy of SIFF Organizing Committee]
In the Asian New Talent section, “As the Water Flows” by Bian Zhuo won best feature film, while Liryc Dela Cruz of the Philippines took best director for “Where the Night Stands Still.” Best actor went to Chinese actor Shi Pengyuan for “Water Can Go Anywhere” while Indian actress Meenakshi Jayan won best actress for “Victoria.” Prabath Roshan earned best cinematography for Sri Lanka’s “Riverstone,” with Lalith Rathnayake and Nilantha Perera sharing best scriptwriter.
In other sections, the Spanish film “Constanza” won best documentary, while “The Songbirds’ Secret,” a France-Switzerland-Belgium co-production, took best animation. The Chinese film “Crow” won best live-action short, and the Russian-Kazakh film “Son” was named best animated short.
This year’s Golden Goblet Awards received a record 3,900 submissions from 119 countries and regions. The main jury was chaired by Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore, best known for “Cinema Paradiso.”
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Right beside the Louvre in Paris, a limited-edition Mona Lisa-inspired collectible toy known as Labubu was fueling a buying frenzy at a store of Chinese toy giant Pop Mart.
Also, in Times Square, New York, the fiery-wheeled Ne Zha appeared on a giant screen earlier this year, kicking off a wave of overseas screenings of this Chinese animated hit.
Additionally, at the ongoing Expo 2025 in Osaka, China-chic interactive experiences such as a Wukong with artificial intelligence (AI) at the China Pavilion have attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors within just a month of its opening.
Notably, an increasing number of creative and diverse Chinese cultural products have become global sensations in recent times. Empowered by this trend, China’s cultural presence abroad is undergoing a paradigm shift while unveiling a youthful image, with many overseas audiences expressing admiration for how “cool” the country is becoming.
LABUBU’S GLOBAL REACH
At the Pop Mart store in K11 Art Mall in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in south China, long queues form regularly. Thai tourist Bonn patiently followed the crowd and finally secured her shopping fix after nearly 30 minutes of waiting. During her trip to Hong Kong, she had spent around 3,000 Hong Kong dollars (about 382 U.S. dollars) on merchandise.
“Wherever I go, I always visit the local Pop Mart to stock up,” Bonn said. She especially adores the cute Labubu character and has collected hundreds of differently costumed figurines since getting hooked last year.
“I dress the figurines up and even take them traveling with me,” she added.
Recently, this sharp-toothed, rabbit-eared forest sprite has gained global popularity. Stores frequently sell out, while prices surge in secondary markets. According to Pop Mart, thanks to original IPs like Labubu, the company’s overseas revenue in the first quarter of 2025 had surged by 475 to 480 percent year on year.
Created by a Hong Kong artist and blending Nordic mythology with Chinese design, Labubu has struck a global emotional chord. Thai authorities labeled it an “Amazing Thailand Experience Explorer,” its theme song was sung on the streets of Barcelona, and it was even “invited” to attend Milan Fashion Week.
“Great intellectual properties (IPs) have the power to transcend cultures,” said Chen Xiaoyun, vice president of Pop Mart International Group Limited, adding that the company is committed to creating IPs with diverse aesthetics and gathering global creativity.
“The export of such new mass culture shows the world what a ‘Cool China’ looks like, while offering universal appeal that resonates through cultural creativity,” wrote Zhang Yiwu, a professor at Peking University.
TECH-DRIVEN CULTURAL INNOVATION
The video game “Black Myth: Wukong” is another recent cultural phenomenon from China that is yielding international acclaim. Not long after the game was released, a reaction clip posted by British gaming streamer “itsjavachip” went viral, as she was moved to tears by the emotional storyline of Bajie in the game, earning her a fanbase of Chinese followers.
Last month, “itsjavachip” was invited to China to visit the production set of another original martial arts-themed Chinese game. At the studio, she learned martial arts moves, donned a black outfit and experienced wire-assisted motion capture firsthand.
Calling it an “absolutely amazing” experience, she said that playing a character in the game would be a dream come true.
Employing cutting-edge simulation technologies, “Black Myth: Wukong” immerses players in scenes such as ancient buildings in Shanxi and the picturesque landscapes of the Jiangnan region. As of the end of last year, the game had sold 28 million copies worldwide, generating over 9 billion yuan (about 1.24 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue within five months of its release.
In 2024, domestically developed Chinese games generated actual overseas sales revenue of more than 18.55 billion U.S. dollars, marking a year-on-year increase of 13.39 percent. The success of Chinese games abroad highlights the dual driving forces of traditional culture and intelligent digital technology.
In the realm of traditional culture, digitization is also breaking geographical barriers and becoming a “digital window” helping global audiences to better understand China.
As of May this year, the Palace Museum had digitized about 52 percent of its collection; the flying apsaras of Dunhuang “dance gracefully” on the screen through digital technology; the Zenghouyi chime bells are “struck” in a digital world…
“I can directly scan artifacts and learn relevant information through it,” said Italian blogger Massimo, who couldn’t help but exclaim while holding the AR guide at Henan Museum.
Such “coolness” can help China’s content industry attract a wider global audience, said Kevin Kelly, founding executive editor of Wired magazine.
FROM CONNECTION TO CO-CREATION
Through China’s cultural exports, global audiences are not only able to connect and empathize with their content, but are also co-creating something even bigger.
British web fiction writer JKSManga was initially a devoted reader of Eastern fantasy web novels such as “Soul Land.” A few years ago, he registered on WebNovel, an online literature platform under China Literature Limited, and started writing his own works. His breakout series “My Vampire System” has garnered over 73 million reads and has been adapted into multiple formats.
For JKSManga, being urged by readers to update his stories is a source of great joy. He describes the writing process as a form of social interaction, a sharing based on shared values.
As of November last year, WebNovel had around 6,000 translated Chinese web novels and was home to nearly 450,000 overseas authors and 680,000 original works by overseas authors.
Hou Xiaonan, CEO and president of China Literature Limited, said that online literature has become a global cultural phenomenon, not only because of the global spread of Chinese IP, but also thanks to the globalization of the Chinese IP model itself.
Meanwhile, Ye Xiu, protagonist of the popular Chinese web novel “The King’s Avatar,” was recently “invited” by Swiss authorities to serve as a “travel ambassador,” offering fans an innovative immersive experience.
Wei Pengju, senior researcher at the Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing, said China’s cultural trade has evolved into a hybrid export model of “digital content + IP operations + technological services,” and that Chinese cultural exports have entered a new phase highlighting content, empowered by technology, and featuring co-creation.
Via such cultural interactions, with wider opening up, broader innovation and deeper cooperation, China stands ready to share with the rest of the world an ever-cooler China.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry took over the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from Thomas Bach on Monday during a handover ceremony at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry (L) receives the key from outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach during a president handover ceremony at Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland, June 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
The 41-year-old former Olympic swimming champion, now the IOC’s 10th president, is the first woman and the first African to lead the global sports body in its 131-year history.
Outgoing President Bach paid tribute to IOC founder Pierre de Coubertin during the ceremony.
“Today is a day of gratitude. Today is a day of confidence. Today is a day of joy,” said Bach.
“There are many emotions I feel in this moment – but most of all, I feel gratitude. Gratitude, above all, to our beloved founder Pierre de Coubertin – whose body rests just a stone’s throw from here, and whose heart lies in ancient Olympia. To him we owe everything.”
Bach added: “I am sure, he is watching us today from his Olympic heights, with that familiar smile, and that he feels content to see his – our – Olympic Movement flourishing, true to his vision and more relevant than ever.”
WISeKey’s Subsidiaries WISeSat and SEALSQ Launch New Satellite with SpaceX, Enabling the First-Ever DePIN from Space and Advancing Quantum-Safe Space Communications
SEALSQ and WISeSat are setting the foundation for a new generation of cyber-resilient, quantum-ready space systems, redefining global digital trust from orbit
Geneva, Switzerland, June 23, 2025 –WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY), a leading global cybersecurity, blockchain, and IoT company, today announces that its subsidiary WISeSat.Space SA (“WISeSat”), has successfully launched its latest generation satellite WISeSat 3 aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Transporter-14 mission, June 23 at 23:18 CEST from Vanderberg, California. This mission represents a breakthrough in space-based cybersecurity and decentralized infrastructure, marking the first satellite to embed Quantum RootKey from SEALSQ’s Corp. (Nasdaq: LAES) (“SEALSQ”), another subsidiary of WISeKey.
The new satellite includes cutting-edge technology enabling SEALCOIN token exchanges directly from space, in collaboration with Hedera. Of note, SEALCOIN AG, also a subsidiary of WISeKey, focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform. This innovation establishes the world’s first Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) launched from orbit, transforming the role of satellites in decentralized finance and secure digital identity.
Simultaneously, the mission is a pivotal step forward in securing space communications through the implementation of post-quantum cryptography (PQC). PQC is critical for protecting satellite communications against future threats posed by quantum computers, which are expected to render current encryption methods like RSA obsolete. Ensuring data integrity and confidentiality is essential in the space environment, and PQC delivers quantum-resistant algorithms that can be integrated into existing systems, allowing for a seamless transition and protection from both current and emerging risks.
This satellite architecture supports the integration of PQC within a hybrid framework that enables secure communication between orbital and ground-based infrastructure. By embedding PQC algorithms directly into satellite hardware, the cryptographic processing is isolated from critical systems, thus enhancing security and minimizing vulnerabilities. This approach also allows for secure key generation, distribution, and management, essential functions for trusted data exchange between satellites and Earth stations.
The cryptographic algorithms being tested onboard follow the latest standards under development by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), ensuring that the technology is aligned with global efforts to future-proof digital infrastructure. With this mission, WISeSat and SEALSQ are demonstrating how PQC can not only be deployed in terrestrial networks, but also extended into orbit, safeguarding critical communications for years to come.
Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of WISeKey, commented: “This launch is not only a milestone for decentralized infrastructure in space, but also a strategic move toward making space communications quantum-resilient. By embedding PQC and enabling blockchain-based tokenization from orbit, we are reshaping the way cybersecurity, finance, and space technology converge.”
Representing WISeSat at the launch was David Fergusson, Board Director of WISeKey, and Executive Managing Director, M&A at Generational Equity. Joining Mr. Fergusson, as a guest of WISeKey was Jon Templeman, CEO of Savior Products and a pioneer in battery technology. Mr. Templeman’s latest innovation is an industry-disruptive ‘shock and vibration management system’ for application to all vehicles–from automobiles to rockets, increasing life-span and reducing material costs.
Mr. Fergusson commented, “WISeSat’s groundbreaking innovation, pioneering the advancement of post-quantum cryptography, continues to set precedent for the future of trusted communication and data transmission. And it’s an honor to be joined at this historic launch by Jon Templeman, a pioneer in his own right, whose advancements in battery technology will be transformative for companies like WISeSat.”
The latest satellite launch forms part of a growing WISeSat constellation that delivers sovereign, secure, and scalable satellite services for IoT, digital identity, and trusted data transmission. The launch strengthens Europe’s capabilities in space and cybersecurity, promoting technological independence and leadership in the age of quantum computing.
About WISeKey
WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.
Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.
Disclaimer This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FinSa’s predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.
Press and InvestorContacts
WISeKey International Holding Ltd Company Contact: Carlos Moreira Chairman & CEO Tel: +41 22 594 3000 info@wisekey.com
WISeKey Investor Relations (US) The Equity Group Inc. Lena Cati Tel: +1 212 836-9611 lcati@theequitygroup.com
WISeKey’s Subsidiaries WISeSat and SEALSQ Launch New Satellite with SpaceX, Enabling the First-Ever DePIN from Space and Advancing Quantum-Safe Space Communications
SEALSQ and WISeSat are setting the foundation for a new generation of cyber-resilient, quantum-ready space systems, redefining global digital trust from orbit
Geneva, Switzerland, June 23, 2025 –WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY), a leading global cybersecurity, blockchain, and IoT company, today announces that its subsidiary WISeSat.Space SA (“WISeSat”), has successfully launched its latest generation satellite WISeSat 3 aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Transporter-14 mission, June 23 at 23:18 CEST from Vanderberg, California. This mission represents a breakthrough in space-based cybersecurity and decentralized infrastructure, marking the first satellite to embed Quantum RootKey from SEALSQ’s Corp. (Nasdaq: LAES) (“SEALSQ”), another subsidiary of WISeKey.
The new satellite includes cutting-edge technology enabling SEALCOIN token exchanges directly from space, in collaboration with Hedera. Of note, SEALCOIN AG, also a subsidiary of WISeKey, focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform. This innovation establishes the world’s first Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) launched from orbit, transforming the role of satellites in decentralized finance and secure digital identity.
Simultaneously, the mission is a pivotal step forward in securing space communications through the implementation of post-quantum cryptography (PQC). PQC is critical for protecting satellite communications against future threats posed by quantum computers, which are expected to render current encryption methods like RSA obsolete. Ensuring data integrity and confidentiality is essential in the space environment, and PQC delivers quantum-resistant algorithms that can be integrated into existing systems, allowing for a seamless transition and protection from both current and emerging risks.
This satellite architecture supports the integration of PQC within a hybrid framework that enables secure communication between orbital and ground-based infrastructure. By embedding PQC algorithms directly into satellite hardware, the cryptographic processing is isolated from critical systems, thus enhancing security and minimizing vulnerabilities. This approach also allows for secure key generation, distribution, and management, essential functions for trusted data exchange between satellites and Earth stations.
The cryptographic algorithms being tested onboard follow the latest standards under development by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), ensuring that the technology is aligned with global efforts to future-proof digital infrastructure. With this mission, WISeSat and SEALSQ are demonstrating how PQC can not only be deployed in terrestrial networks, but also extended into orbit, safeguarding critical communications for years to come.
Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of WISeKey, commented: “This launch is not only a milestone for decentralized infrastructure in space, but also a strategic move toward making space communications quantum-resilient. By embedding PQC and enabling blockchain-based tokenization from orbit, we are reshaping the way cybersecurity, finance, and space technology converge.”
Representing WISeSat at the launch was David Fergusson, Board Director of WISeKey, and Executive Managing Director, M&A at Generational Equity. Joining Mr. Fergusson, as a guest of WISeKey was Jon Templeman, CEO of Savior Products and a pioneer in battery technology. Mr. Templeman’s latest innovation is an industry-disruptive ‘shock and vibration management system’ for application to all vehicles–from automobiles to rockets, increasing life-span and reducing material costs.
Mr. Fergusson commented, “WISeSat’s groundbreaking innovation, pioneering the advancement of post-quantum cryptography, continues to set precedent for the future of trusted communication and data transmission. And it’s an honor to be joined at this historic launch by Jon Templeman, a pioneer in his own right, whose advancements in battery technology will be transformative for companies like WISeSat.”
The latest satellite launch forms part of a growing WISeSat constellation that delivers sovereign, secure, and scalable satellite services for IoT, digital identity, and trusted data transmission. The launch strengthens Europe’s capabilities in space and cybersecurity, promoting technological independence and leadership in the age of quantum computing.
About WISeKey
WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.
Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.
Disclaimer This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FinSa’s predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.
Press and InvestorContacts
WISeKey International Holding Ltd Company Contact: Carlos Moreira Chairman & CEO Tel: +41 22 594 3000 info@wisekey.com
WISeKey Investor Relations (US) The Equity Group Inc. Lena Cati Tel: +1 212 836-9611 lcati@theequitygroup.com
We know surprisingly little about the lives of children in ancient Egypt.
And what records we do have about them often concern the lives of the elite – the young king or the children of senior officials. They are more prominent in surviving material evidence, especially funerary art. Infant mortality rates were high in ancient Egypt.
As a result, much of the work in Egyptology on representations of childhood in ancient Egypt is dominated by evidence for the lives of boys and young adult men.
But what were the lives of ordinary girls like in ancient Egypt? And how did they make their way in a deeply patriarchal culture?
Finding hieroglyphic words for girls
An initial problem in studying girls’ lives in ancient Egypt is answering the question: who was a girl in ancient Egypt?
Chronological age was not always recorded by ancient Egyptians in their letters or inscriptions.
Instead, more general words and hieroglyphic signs tended to accompany images of men, women and children to indicate their social roles.
These words and signs were only loosely associated with biological development.
Hieroglyphic words for infants and small children, for instance, could be marked with an image of a small, seated child – sometimes with a finger held to its mouth.
Among the words used to describe young girls – talking, walking, and participating alongside adults in their work – was sheriyt.
This is the word often found in ancient accounting documents recording payments of wages, indicating a girl-child worker. They are distinguished from older women in these documents, although it is difficult to know precisely how young they might have been.
In this way, written administrative records and archaeological evidence reveals girls of many social classes were integrated into economic production from an early age.
Payment for work
Elephantine, a town at Egypt’s southern frontier near modern-day Aswan, provides a unique window into the urban life of some girls who worked in textile workshops during the ancient Egyptian Middle Kingdom, which dates approximately 2030–1650 BCE.
First published in 1996, archaeologists found a ceramic bowl repurposed as a writing surface in a house in the densely packed urban settlement.
The excavators initially dated the bowl to the reign of King Amenemhat III, who ruled almost 3,800 years ago. However, based on the style of writing and the types of names listed, some scholars have also dated it earlier. It contains lists of payments of provisions of grain for textile workers over the course of a month.
What makes this document so important is that it names at least 18 child workers. Of these, 11 are girls, clearly marked with the Egyptian word sheriyt, working alongside 28 adult women.
The list shows adult women in this workshop received between 50–57 heqat (around 240–274 litres) of grain – although it’s not entirely clear if this was a one-off payment, a payment per month, or something else. The girls earned smaller but still significant wages of 3–7 heqat (around 14–34 litres).
Some other adult women seem to have also received comparable provisions to the girls, although without further information it is difficult know their social status or age.
This document not only confirms that girls received payment for their labour. It also suggests a structured apprenticeship system where young girls (and boys) worked alongside experienced craftswomen.
Archaeological evidence suggests textile production occurred both within homes and in dedicated workshops.
Evidence from the excavations at Elephantine suggests homes had several rooms with multiple purposes, including courtyards, entrance vestibules, kitchens with ovens (recognisable by blackened walls and ash deposits), and possible stairs leading to roof spaces.
Privacy would have been limited. Daily life would have included close interaction with animals, as evidenced by attached animal pens.
More recently, close to the house where the provision list was discovered, archaeologists found needles, spindles, shuttles, and remains of pegs for a large loom.
These were found both inside houses and in the courtyards attached to them.
It’s hard to know what exactly these buildings were for; they probably served multiple purposes.
Lives shaped by class and legal status
Not all girls at Elephantine had the same experience of life. The town’s position at Egypt’s southern frontier in this period meant it was home to diverse populations, which included migrants, enslaved people and transitory workers.
A letter dating to the reign of King Amenemhat III documents some families, including women and children, arriving at Elephantine seeking work during a famine in their home region.
This evidence can be compared to a legal document from the same time period but from another Egyptian town, El Lahun. This document mentions the purchase and transfer of enslaved women and infants who are called Aamut, referring to a region in West Asia. The document shows they have been given new Egyptian names.
These documents remind us factors such as class and legal status have always profoundly shaped girls’ lives.
Valuing the work of girls
Accessing the everyday thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of many ancient people, especially children, is challenging for historians. We don’t, for instance, have a wealth of personal diaries from ancient Egypt to learn about girls’ interior lives.
But what’s clear is that girls were not merely passive participants in society. They were active economic contributors, who often received formal compensation for their work.
Historians must always look beyond elite contexts to incorporate diverse evidence types – administrative documents, archaeological remains, and artistic representations – to construct a more complete picture of ancient lives.
Julia Hamilton 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.
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June 23, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Division of Market Oversight today issued a no-action letter extending the no-action position of CFTC Letter No. 22-14 concerning certain swap reporting requirements of Part 45 and Part 46 of the CFTC’s regulations.
The letter applies to certain non-U.S. swap dealers and non-U.S. major swap participants established in Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, Switzerland or the United Kingdom, that are not part of an affiliated group in which the ultimate parent entity is a U.S. swap dealer, U.S. major swap participant, U.S. bank, U.S. financial holding company or U.S. bank holding company.
DS627: Canada — Measures on Certain Products of Chinese Origin
China submitted its second request for the establishment of a dispute panel with respect to the surtax measures imposed by Canada on certain products of Chinese origin, including electric vehicles and steel and aluminium products. Canada had said it was not ready to accept China’s first request for the panel at a DSB meeting on 23 May.
China said it considers Canada’s measures inconsistent with provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). It added that it was open to constructive discussions and remains committed to resolving the dispute.
It is unfortunate that China has included in its panel request claims related to certain solar products, critical minerals, semiconductors, permanent magnets and natural graphite imported from China, Canada said, noting that there are no Canadian surtax measures on these products. China has therefore failed to identify the specific measures at issue as required under the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU), Canada said.
Canada said its surtax measures on electric vehicles and steel and aluminium products are justified under the GATT and that it was fully prepared to defend these measures. Canada remains committed to maintaining constructive dialogue with China even as the dispute moves to the panel stage, it added.
The United States said that China responded to the surtaxes by imposing countermeasures in the form of additional duties on Canadian agricultural and fishery products.
The DSB agreed to the establishment of the panel.
Australia, the European Union, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Norway, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and the United States reserved their third-party rights to participate in the proceedings.
DS636: China — Additional Import Duties on Certain Agricultural and Fishery Products from Canada
Canada submitted its second request for the establishment of a dispute panel with respect to the additional import duties imposed by China on certain Canadian agricultural and fisheries products. China had said it was not ready to accept Canada’s first request for the panel at a special DSB meeting on 5 June.
Canada said the import duties imposed by China represented a unilateral determination and trade countermeasures contrary to WTO rules. Canada moreover said that as the dispute concerns perishable goods, the case should be treated as urgent as provided by the DSU. Canada remains committed to maintaining constructive dialogue with China even as the dispute moves to the panel stage, it added.
China replied that it regretted Canada’s decision to seek the establishment of a panel and opposed Canada’s claim that DSU provisions on urgency apply to this case. China said it will defend itself in the proceedings and is confident that its measures will be found consistent with WTO rules. It added that it remained open to engagement with Canada.
The United States reiterated that the measures at issue are countermeasures imposed by China in response to Canadian measures China is challenging in DS627.
The DSB agreed to the establishment of the panel.
Australia, the European Union, India, Japan, Norway, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States and Viet Nam reserved their third-party rights to participate in the proceedings.
Appellate Body appointments
Colombia, speaking on behalf of 130 members, introduced for the 88th time the group’s proposal to start the selection processes for filling vacancies on the Appellate Body. The extensive number of members submitting the proposal reflects a common interest in the functioning of the Appellate Body and, more generally, in the functioning of the WTO’s dispute settlement system, Colombia said.
The United States said it does not support the proposed decision and noted its longstanding concerns with WTO dispute settlement that have persisted across US administrations. The United States emphasized that the dispute settlement process was meant to help members resolve specific disputes without creating new rules that alter rights and obligations under the covered WTO agreements. The US reiterated that fundamental reform of WTO dispute settlement is needed and that it will reflect on the extent to which it is possible to achieve such a reformed WTO dispute settlement system.
More than 20 members took the floor to comment, one speaking on behalf of a group of members. Several members urged others to consider joining the Multi-party interim appeal arrangement (MPIA), a contingent measure to safeguard the right to appeal in the absence of a functioning Appellate Body.
Colombia, on behalf of the 130 members, said it regretted that for the 88th occasion members have not been able to launch the selection processes. Ongoing conversations about reform of the dispute settlement system should not prevent the Appellate Body from continuing to operate fully, and members shall comply with their obligation under the Dispute Settlement Understanding to fill the vacancies as they arise, Colombia said for the group.
Dispute settlement reform
The DSB Chair, Ambassador Clare Kelly (New Zealand), said that the General Council (GC) Chair Ambassador Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) had informed members in a 6 June communication that, regarding dispute settlement reform, his consultations have confirmed readiness to preserve and build on the progress already made, and to advance only when the time is ripe to make meaningful progress on key unresolved issues with the engagement of all delegations.
The GC Chair also indicated that both the DSB Chair and the GC Chair will be closely monitoring the situation and will revert to members at the appropriate time. The DSB chair added that her door is open to delegations wishing to further discuss the matter.
Surveillance of implementation
The United States presented status reports with regard to DS184, “US — Anti-Dumping Measures on Certain Hot-Rolled Steel Products from Japan”, DS160, “United States — Section 110(5) of US Copyright Act”, DS464, “United States — Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Measures on Large Residential Washers from Korea”, and DS471, “United States — Certain Methodologies and their Application to Anti-Dumping Proceedings Involving China.”
The European Union presented a status report with regard to DS291, “EC — Measures Affecting the Approval and Marketing of Biotech Products.”
Indonesia presented its status reports in DS477 and DS478, “Indonesia — Importation of Horticultural Products, Animals and Animal Products.”
Next meeting
The next regular DSB meeting will take place on 25 July 2025.
Indosuez Wealth Management plans to acquire the“Wealth Management” clients of the BNP Paribas Group in Monaco
Indosuez Wealth Management, the wealth management subsidiary of the Crédit Agricole Group, announces that its entity in Monaco, CFM Indosuez, has signed an agreement to acquire the Wealth Management clients of the BNP Paribas Group subsidiary in Monaco.
This acquisition would enable Indosuez Wealth Management to assert its leading position on the Monegasque market in which it has been present since 1922.
The BNP Paribas Group’s Wealth Management clients in Monaco will benefit from continuity in the support they receive. They will benefit from the local presence of experts with recognised know-how. They will have access to one of the most comprehensive services on the market, resulting in particular from the universal nature of CFM Indosuez’s offer in the Principality and its position as a leading bank. They will also be able to continue to benefit from an international network, multiple financing capabilities, expertise in corporate finance, fund servicing and management, as well as the solidity of Crédit Agricole, the 9th largest bank in the world. This transaction is complemented by a strategic business partnership with the BNP Paribas Group to provide long-term support to its clients with Wealth Management needs in Monaco.
For Jacques Prost, Chief Executive Officer of Indosuez Wealth Management: “This acquisition would strengthen our position in Monaco with ultra-high net worth clients (UHNW). Indosuez is pursuing its growth strategy in a sector undergoing consolidation and is a major player in wealth management in Europe.”
Mathieu Ferragut, CEO of CFM Indosuez Wealth Management and Deputy CEO of Indosuez Wealth Management, adds: “We are delighted to welcome the Wealth Management clients of BNP Paribas Group’s Monaco subsidiary. This strengthens our position as Monaco’s leading bank and number one employer. We will work together to make this acquisition a success for both clients and employees.”
Françoise Puzenat, Head of Monaco at BNP Paribas says: “We are delighted with the agreement reached with CFM Indosuez, a recognised player in the market and with all the assets needed to ensure the best possible continuity of service for our clients and the employees who join them. The sale of the Wealth Management business in Monaco is part of our strategic decision to refocus our local activities on a single platform. BNP Paribas will continue to develop its domestic commercial banking business line in Monaco, which includes corporate banking, private banking and retail banking.”
The finalisation of the transaction remains subject to the prior approval of the relevant supervisory authorities, and is expected to be completed during the first half of 2026.
The impact on Crédit Agricole S.A.’s CET1 ratio would be limited.
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Indosuez Wealth Management contacts
Indosuez Group: Jenny Sensiau I jenny.sensiau@ca-indosuez.com I +33 7 86 22 15 24
Indosuez Wealth Management is the global wealth management brand of the Crédit Agricole Group, the world’s 9th largest bank by balance sheet (The Banker 2024). For over 150 years, Indosuez Wealth Management has been helping major private clients, families, entrepreneurs and professional investors to manage their private and professional assets. The bank offers a customised approach enabling each of its clients to preserve and develop their wealth in line with their aspirations. Its teams offer a continuum of services and offers that include advisory, financing, investment solutions, fund servicing, and technology and banking solutions. Indosuez Wealth Management employs more than 4,500 people in 16 territories around the world: in Europe (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Monaco, Spain and Switzerland), Asia-Pacific (Hong Kong SAR, New Caledonia and Singapore), the Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) and Canada (representative office). With €215 billion in client assets at the end of December 2024, Indosuez Wealth Management is one of Europe’s leading wealth management companies. Find out more at ca-indosuez.com
About CFM Indosuez Wealth Management
The Indosuez Wealth Management network is embodied in Monaco through CFM Indosuez Wealth Management, the leading bank in the Principality. Its roots go back to 1922, the year it was founded by a number of prominent Monegasque families, some of whom are still shareholders, alongside the majority shareholder (70%), the Crédit Agricole Group. With the largest trading room in Monaco and 5 branches in the region, its teams, comprised of nearly 400 highly specialised employees, combine their knowledge of the Principality’s international environment with the vast expertise and opportunities of the international network of Indosuez Wealth Management and the Crédit Agricole Group. In addition to Wealth Management, its leading activity, CFM Indosuez Wealth Management serves all clients, whether private, institutional, corporate or professional. CFM Indosuez is also the leading bank in Corporate Finance in Monaco. In 2024, CFM Indosuez was named best bank in the Principality by international magazine Global Finance for the eighth consecutive year. Find us at cfm-indosuez.mc
About BNP Paribas in Monaco
BNP Paribas Wealth Management is a leading global private bank and the largest private bank in the Eurozone with €469 billion in assets under management as of March 2025. Present in 3 regions (Europe, Asia and the Middle East), it employs more than 6,700 professionals who support individuals, entrepreneurs and large families in protecting, growing and passing on their assets. The bank aims to build a sustainable future by combining its expertise and reach with its clients’ influence and desire to make an impact. Find us on https://wealthmanagement.bnpparibas/fr.htm
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: Albanian Parliament launches e-Legislation Portal with OSCE and Swiss support
Head of OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Michel Tarran, speaking at today’s event aimed at launching Albanian Assembly’s e-Legislation portal. (OSCE/Elton Tahirllari) Photo details
On 23 June 2025, in an important milestone for Albania’s legislative process, the Assembly of Albania launched the e-Legislation Portal, created through a project of the OSCE Presence in Albania with funding from the Swiss government.
The Portal, developed in line with the international Akoma Ntoso standard, is designed to allow real-time search and access to consolidated legislative documents. It enhances internal workflow, supports more effective and transparent law-making and contributes to informed decision-making in the Assembly. The e-Legislation Portal is also a stepping stone towards the country’s full transition to the e-Legislation system by 2028.
Addressing the launching event attended by dignitaries and officials from institutions involved in the law-making process, Speaker of Parliament Elisa Spiropali praised the initiative as an important step towards a unified and standardized legislative process across institutions in Albania, where Parliament leads. “With this platform, we are opening a new chapter in the way we draft, discuss, and adopt laws,” she announced. “We have built a crucial tool for modernizing and digitizing the parliamentary process of law-making, thereby significantly contributing to the democratic transformation of society. The portal represents a direct and concrete response to the challenge of swiftly transforming the Albanian Parliament into one that meets the rigorous standards of EU member state parliaments.” The Speaker expressed gratitude to the OSCE Presence for its continued partnership with the Assembly and to the Swiss Embassy for its contribution and financial support.
“By embracing e-Legislation, Albania joins a growing number of countries that have adopted these systems and positions itself as a regional leader in digital legislative reform,” said Ambassador Michel Tarran, Head of the OSCE Presence. “Looking ahead, the long-term success of the e-Legislation process depends on full ownership by the Parliament, as a clear testament to the sustainability of this reform and its integration into the institutional fabric of Albania’s legislative system,” he added.
The event included a demonstration of the Portal’s functionalities. It currently hosts over 300 laws processed in the Akoma Ntoso format. Although currently in a testing phase, the Portal is accessible at: e-legjislacioni.parlament.al, where users can explore its features and contribute to its ongoing improvement. Content development will continue under the direction of the Assembly, with support from the OSCE Presence, as needed.
The initiative is part of the OSCE Presence’s project “e-Legislation support for Albania” (2023–2025), funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation. The OSCE Presence continues to support the Albanian Parliament in areas including law-making, legislative reform, capacity building, electoral processes, civic engagement, gender equality and good governance.
LONDON, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Llyodstern.com, a tech company based in London, is changing how businesses work online. The company has built a simple platform that helps people make better business decisions without all the usual headaches.
Making Business Easier
Llyodstern created the platform that lets businesses access different markets around the world. It doesn’t matter if you’re running a small shop or a big company – their tools are designed to be easy to use for everyone.
Their system almost never stops working. It’s up and running 99.99% of the time, so you can really rely on it when you’re busy. You won’t have to stress about the website going down when you’re trying to do something important.
“We just wanted to build something that actually helps people,” says someone from the company. “Most platforms are either too confusing or too basic. We tried to make something right in the middle.”
Wide Range of Business Opportunities
Through their platform, users can explore over 3,000 different business opportunities. This includes regular company stocks, things like gold and oil, different currencies, and even newer digital stuff like Bitcoin and Ethereum. They have more than 60 different digital options to choose from.
You can also keep track of big market indicators like the S&P 500 and NASDAQ. Even smaller businesses can get involved in markets that used to be only for big companies.
Multiple Ways to Access the Platform
People like to work in different ways, so Llyodstern gives you options. They have a phone app so you can check things while you’re out and about. Perfect for busy people who can’t always be at their computer.
If you want more detailed charts and analysis, they give you all the advanced tools. But if you just want something simple, their WebTrader works right in your web browser – no need to download anything.
Help with Retirement Planning
Llyodstern teamed up with a company called EBROKING to help people manage their retirement money. This partnership makes it easier for people to handle their own retirement funds and gives them access to special bank accounts that work together smoothly.
It’s especially helpful because it takes care of a lot of the boring paperwork stuff automatically.
Safe and Secure
The company follows strict rules and is watched over by financial authorities in Switzerland and works with Interactive Brokers. This means your money and information are protected by the same rules that banks have to follow.
They also have security systems running 24/7 to watch for any problems and help you avoid them before they happen.
Global Reach, Local Support
Llyodstern gets that businesses today are global. That’s why they’ve made sure their customer support speaks many languages and that their platform works for different regions. They cover big markets in Europe, America, and Asia, so you can really think big, even if you’re operating right where you are.
Their support team is always ready to help, whether you’re new or have some tough questions. They just want to make sure you’re getting the best out of the platform.
Smart Ways to Handle Risks
One thing Llyodstern really shines at is managing risk. Their platform has these great tools that help you spot potential problems and make smarter choices. Instead of leaving you to figure things out on your own, the system actually guides you and gives you early warnings when the market starts shifting.
This approach means businesses can stay ahead of problems, rather than just reacting once things go wrong.
Steady Growth, Dependable Service
While a lot of tech companies try to grow super fast, Llyodstern has taken a different route. They’re all about steady, sustainable growth so they never have to cut corners on the service their current clients get. Plus, they test new features really carefully before putting them out there, making sure everything works perfectly from day one.
This careful way of doing things has built a lot of trust with their clients. Many have been with the company for years and often tell others about them.
About Llyodstern
Llyodstern.com is a digital company from London that makes tools to help businesses manage their operations in today’s world. They work with all sorts of clients, from people just starting their own business to very large companies, giving them easy and reliable ways to find business chances all over the globe.
Llyodstern cares about security, staying compliant, and supporting their customers. That’s why they’ve become a trusted partner for businesses looking to grow and make smarter decisions in today’s connected world.
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Disclaimer: This press release is provided by Llyodstern. The statements, views, and opinions expressed are solely those of the provider and do not necessarily reflect those of this media platform or its publisher. Any names or brands mentioned are used for identification purposes only and remain the property of their respective owners. No endorsement or guarantee is made regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct independent research and consult qualified professionals. The publisher is not liable for any losses, damages, or legal issues arising from the use or publication of this content.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
ULAN BATOR, June 23 (Xinhua) — The 2025 FIBA 3×3 World Championship kicked off in Mongolia’s capital on Monday.
The ninth edition of this prestigious basketball tournament will feature 20 men’s and 20 women’s teams from countries such as China, Mongolia, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and the United States. They will compete for the right to become world champions.
The competition, which runs until Sunday, promises exciting basketball matches with the best teams and players battling for glory. –0–
Commercial airlines around the world on Monday were weighing how long to suspend Middle East flights as a conflict which has already cut off major flight routes entered a new phase after the U.S. attacked key Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran vowed to defend itself.
The usually busy airspace stretching from Iran and Iraq to the Mediterranean has been largely empty of commercial air traffic for 10 days since Israel began strikes on Iran on June 13, as airlines divert, cancel and delay flights through the region due to airspace closures and safety concerns.
New cancellations of some flights by international carriers in recent days to usually resilient aviation hubs like Dubai, the world’s busiest international airport, and Qatar’s Doha, show how aviation industry concerns about the region have escalated.
However, some international airlines were resuming services on Monday.
Leading Asian carrier Singapore Airlines, which described the situation as “fluid”, was set to resume flying to Dubai on Monday after cancelling its Sunday flight from Singapore.
Similarly, Flightradar24 departure boards show British Airways, owned by IAG, was set to resume Dubai and Doha flights on Monday after cancelling routes to and from those airports on Sunday.
Air France KLM cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh on Sunday and Monday.
With Russian and Ukrainian airspace also closed to most airlines due to years of war, the Middle East had become a more important route for flights between Europe and Asia. Amid missile and air strikes during the past 10 days, airlines have routed north via the Caspian Sea or south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Added to increased fuel and crew costs from these long detours and cancellations, carriers also face a potential hike in jet fuel costs as oil prices rise following the U.S. attacks.
AIRSPACE RISKS
Proliferating conflict zones are an increasing operational burden on airlines, as aerial attacks raise worries about accidental or deliberate shoot-downs of commercial air traffic.
Location spoofing and GPS interference around political hotspots, where ground-based GPS systems broadcast incorrect positions which can send commercial airliners off course, are also a growing issue for commercial aviation.
Flightradar24 told Reuters it had seen a “dramatic increase” in jamming and spoofing in recent days over the Persian Gulf. SkAI, a Swiss company that runs a GPS disruption map, late on Sunday said it had observed more than 150 aircraft spoofed in 24 hours there.
Safe Airspace, a website run by OPSGROUP, a membership-based organisation that shares flight risk information, noted on Sunday that U.S. attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites could heighten the threat to American operators in the region.
This could raise additional airspace risks in Gulf states like Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, it said.
In the days before the U.S. strikes, American Airlines suspended flights to Qatar, and United Airlines and Air Canada did the same with flights to Dubai. They have yet to resume.
While international airlines are shying away from the region, local carriers in Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq are tentatively resuming some flights after widespread cancellations.
Israel is ramping up flights to help people return home, and leave. The country’s Airports Authority says that so-called rescue flights to the country would expand on Monday with 24 a day, although each flight would be limited to 50 passengers.
From Monday, Israeli airlines will start to operate outbound flights from Israel, the authority said.
Israeli airline El Al on Sunday said it had received applications to leave the country from about 25,000 people in about a day.
Company announcement no. 35 / 2025 Schindellegi, Switzerland – 23 June 2025
Trifork Group: Weekly report on share buyback
On 28 February 2025, Trifork initiated a share buyback program in accordance with Regulation No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and Council of 16 April 2014 (MAR) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052, (Safe Harbour regulation). The share buyback program runs from 4 March 2025 up to and including no later than 30 June 2025. For details, please see company announcement no. 7 of 28 February 2025.
Under the share buyback program, Trifork will purchase shares for up to a total of DKK 14.92 million (approximately EUR 2 million). Prior to the launch of the share buyback, Trifork held 256,329 treasury shares, corresponding to 1.3% of the share capital. Under the program, the following transactions have been made:
Since the share buyback program was started on 4 March 2025, the total number of repurchased shares is 122,459 at a total amount of DKK 10,886,082. On 25 March, 25 April and 23 May 2025, 4,370 shares acquired through the share buyback program were utilized for the Executive Management’s monthly fixed salary, representing a change from cash payment to payment partly in shares (refer to company announcement no. 1 of 21 January 2025). On 1 April 2025, 19,943 shares acquired through the share buyback program were utilized to serve the RSU plan of Executive Management and certain employees.
With the transactions stated above, Trifork holds a total of 354,475 treasury shares, corresponding to 1.8%. The total number of registered shares in Trifork is 19,744,899. Adjusted for treasury shares, the number of outstanding shares is 19,390,424.
Investor and media contact Frederik Svanholm, Group Investment Director, frsv@trifork.com, +41 79 357 73 17
About Trifork Trifork (Nasdaq Copenhagen: TRIFOR) is a pioneering global technology company, empowering enterprise and public sector customers with innovative digital products and solutions. With 1,215 professionals across 71 business units in 16 countries, Trifork specializes in designing, building, and operating advanced software across sectors such as public administration, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, energy, financial services, retail, and real estate. The Group’s R&D arm, Trifork Labs, drives innovation by investing in and developing synergistic, high-potential technology companies. Learn more at trifork.com.
Company announcement no. 35 / 2025 Schindellegi, Switzerland – 23 June 2025
Trifork Group: Weekly report on share buyback
On 28 February 2025, Trifork initiated a share buyback program in accordance with Regulation No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and Council of 16 April 2014 (MAR) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052, (Safe Harbour regulation). The share buyback program runs from 4 March 2025 up to and including no later than 30 June 2025. For details, please see company announcement no. 7 of 28 February 2025.
Under the share buyback program, Trifork will purchase shares for up to a total of DKK 14.92 million (approximately EUR 2 million). Prior to the launch of the share buyback, Trifork held 256,329 treasury shares, corresponding to 1.3% of the share capital. Under the program, the following transactions have been made:
Since the share buyback program was started on 4 March 2025, the total number of repurchased shares is 122,459 at a total amount of DKK 10,886,082. On 25 March, 25 April and 23 May 2025, 4,370 shares acquired through the share buyback program were utilized for the Executive Management’s monthly fixed salary, representing a change from cash payment to payment partly in shares (refer to company announcement no. 1 of 21 January 2025). On 1 April 2025, 19,943 shares acquired through the share buyback program were utilized to serve the RSU plan of Executive Management and certain employees.
With the transactions stated above, Trifork holds a total of 354,475 treasury shares, corresponding to 1.8%. The total number of registered shares in Trifork is 19,744,899. Adjusted for treasury shares, the number of outstanding shares is 19,390,424.
Investor and media contact Frederik Svanholm, Group Investment Director, frsv@trifork.com, +41 79 357 73 17
About Trifork Trifork (Nasdaq Copenhagen: TRIFOR) is a pioneering global technology company, empowering enterprise and public sector customers with innovative digital products and solutions. With 1,215 professionals across 71 business units in 16 countries, Trifork specializes in designing, building, and operating advanced software across sectors such as public administration, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, energy, financial services, retail, and real estate. The Group’s R&D arm, Trifork Labs, drives innovation by investing in and developing synergistic, high-potential technology companies. Learn more at trifork.com.
Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Iran/Israel
Security Council/Afternoon
Ukraine
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Peacekeeping
Switzerland
Children and Armed Conflict
World Refugee Day
Sudan
Sri Lanka
International Days
Guests on Monday
IRAN/ISRAEL
Speaking to the Security Council this morning, the Secretary-General urged Israel and Iran to give peace a chance and warned Council members that we are not drifting toward crisis – we are racing toward it.
He said that the Non-Proliferation Treaty is a cornerstone of international security and Iran must respect it. The only way to bridge the trust gap with Iran, he added, is through diplomacy to establish a credible, comprehensive and verifiable solution – including full access to inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Mr. Guterres warned that the only thing that is predictable is that the consequences of continuing this conflict are unpredictable.
Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, told the Council that the scope and scale of attacks in Iran and Israel continue to widen, with grave consequences for civilians in both countries. The intensifying cycle of attacks and counterattacks has resulted in hundreds of civilian casualties, including fatalities, in both Iran and Israel.
She added that we are teetering on the edge of a full-blown conflict and a humanitarian crisis. International humanitarian law must be respected, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution in attack.
Ms. DiCarlo said that we welcome the talks between the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, the UK, and Iran in Geneva today. We strongly encourage such efforts. We must pursue every possible opportunity to de-escalate, to cease the hostilities, to settle disputes by peaceful means, she said.
Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, told the Council that attacks on nuclear sites in Iran have caused a sharp degradation in nuclear safety and security there. Though they have not so far led to a radiological release affecting the public, there is a danger this could occur, he said.
Mr. Grossi said that he is ready to travel immediately and to engage with all relevant parties to help ensure the protection of nuclear facilities and the continued peaceful use of nuclear technology in accordance with the Agency mandate, including by deploying Agency nuclear safety and security experts wherever necessary.
SECURITY COUNCIL/AFTERNOON
At 3:00 p.m., the Security Council will reconvene for a briefing on Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine. Miroslav Jenča, the Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas, and Edem Wosornu, the Director of Operations and Advocacy at OCHA, are expected to brief Council members.
UKRAINE
On Ukraine, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that today, attacks in the cities of Kharkiv and Odesa killed and injured civilians, including children and first responders. This is according to local authorities. Homes, education facilities and utility pipelines were also damaged. Additional casualties were reported in the regions of Donetsk, Kherson, and Dnipro. In Odesa and Kharkiv, humanitarian organizations, supporting local responders, provided hot meals, emergency shelter and psychosocial support.
Meanwhile, an inter-agency humanitarian convoy today delivered vital aid to the community of Bilozerka in the region of Kherson, in the south of the country. The supplies included hygiene items, bed linen, kitchen sets, first aid kits and a charging station. The area remains under constant shelling, and thousands of residents need humanitarian aid. This was the second humanitarian convoy to reach front-line areas of the Kherson region this week. Our humanitarian colleagues note that some 9.4 million Ukrainians are still displaced inside the country or abroad—more than four years since the full-scale invasion and over a decade into the war that began in 2014. This includes 5.6 million refugees globally, according to the UN Refugee Agency. The International Organization for Migration says that another 3.8 million people remain internally displaced.
Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=20%20June%202025
Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Iran/Israel
Security Council/Afternoon
Ukraine
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Peacekeeping
Switzerland
Children and Armed Conflict
World Refugee Day
Sudan
Sri Lanka
International Days
Guests on Monday
IRAN/ISRAEL
Speaking to the Security Council this morning, the Secretary-General urged Israel and Iran to give peace a chance and warned Council members that we are not drifting toward crisis – we are racing toward it.
He said that the Non-Proliferation Treaty is a cornerstone of international security and Iran must respect it. The only way to bridge the trust gap with Iran, he added, is through diplomacy to establish a credible, comprehensive and verifiable solution – including full access to inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Mr. Guterres warned that the only thing that is predictable is that the consequences of continuing this conflict are unpredictable.
Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, told the Council that the scope and scale of attacks in Iran and Israel continue to widen, with grave consequences for civilians in both countries. The intensifying cycle of attacks and counterattacks has resulted in hundreds of civilian casualties, including fatalities, in both Iran and Israel.
She added that we are teetering on the edge of a full-blown conflict and a humanitarian crisis. International humanitarian law must be respected, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution in attack.
Ms. DiCarlo said that we welcome the talks between the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, the UK, and Iran in Geneva today. We strongly encourage such efforts. We must pursue every possible opportunity to de-escalate, to cease the hostilities, to settle disputes by peaceful means, she said.
Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, told the Council that attacks on nuclear sites in Iran have caused a sharp degradation in nuclear safety and security there. Though they have not so far led to a radiological release affecting the public, there is a danger this could occur, he said.
Mr. Grossi said that he is ready to travel immediately and to engage with all relevant parties to help ensure the protection of nuclear facilities and the continued peaceful use of nuclear technology in accordance with the Agency mandate, including by deploying Agency nuclear safety and security experts wherever necessary.
SECURITY COUNCIL/AFTERNOON
At 3:00 p.m., the Security Council will reconvene for a briefing on Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine. Miroslav Jenča, the Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas, and Edem Wosornu, the Director of Operations and Advocacy at OCHA, are expected to brief Council members.
UKRAINE
On Ukraine, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that today, attacks in the cities of Kharkiv and Odesa killed and injured civilians, including children and first responders. This is according to local authorities. Homes, education facilities and utility pipelines were also damaged. Additional casualties were reported in the regions of Donetsk, Kherson, and Dnipro. In Odesa and Kharkiv, humanitarian organizations, supporting local responders, provided hot meals, emergency shelter and psychosocial support.
Meanwhile, an inter-agency humanitarian convoy today delivered vital aid to the community of Bilozerka in the region of Kherson, in the south of the country. The supplies included hygiene items, bed linen, kitchen sets, first aid kits and a charging station. The area remains under constant shelling, and thousands of residents need humanitarian aid. This was the second humanitarian convoy to reach front-line areas of the Kherson region this week. Our humanitarian colleagues note that some 9.4 million Ukrainians are still displaced inside the country or abroad—more than four years since the full-scale invasion and over a decade into the war that began in 2014. This includes 5.6 million refugees globally, according to the UN Refugee Agency. The International Organization for Migration says that another 3.8 million people remain internally displaced.
Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=20%20June%202025
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jeffrey Fields, Professor of the Practice of International Relations, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
People observe fire and smoke from an Israeli airstrike on an oil depot in Tehran, Iran, on June 15, 2025. Stringer/Getty Images
The two countries have been particularly hostile to each other since Iranian students took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in November 1979, resulting in economic sanctions and the severing of formal diplomatic relations between the nations.
Some of the major events in U.S.-Iran relations highlight the differences between the nations’ views, but others arguably presented real opportunities for reconciliation.
In 1951, the Iranian Parliament chose a new prime minister, Mossadegh, who then led lawmakers to vote in favor of taking over the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, expelling the company’s British owners and saying they wanted to turn oil profits into investments in the Iranian people. The U.S. feared disruption in the global oil supply and worried about Iran falling prey to Soviet influence. The British feared the loss of cheap Iranian oil.
President Dwight Eisenhower decided it was best for the U.S. and the U.K. to get rid of Mossadegh. Operation Ajax, a joint CIA-British operation, convinced the Shah of Iran, the country’s monarch, to dismiss Mossadegh and drive him from office by force. Mossadegh was replaced by a much more Western-friendly prime minister, handpicked by the CIA.
Demonstrators in Tehran demand the establishment of an Islamic republic. AP Photo/Saris
1979: Revolutionaries oust the shah, take hostages
After more than 25 years of relative stability in U.S.-Iran relations, the Iranian public had grown unhappy with the social and economic conditions that developed under the dictatorial rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
Iranian students at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran show a blindfolded American hostage to the crowd in November 1979. AP Photo
In October 1979, President Jimmy Carter agreed to allow the shah to come to the U.S. to seek advanced medical treatment. Outraged Iranian students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on Nov. 4, taking 52 Americans hostage. That convinced Carter to sever U.S. diplomatic relations with Iran on April 7, 1980.
Two weeks later, the U.S. military launched a mission to rescue the hostages, but it failed, with aircraft crashes killing eight U.S. servicemembers.
The shah died in Egypt in July 1980, but the hostages weren’t released until Jan. 20, 1981, after 444 days of captivity.
An Iranian cleric, left, and an Iranian soldier wear gas masks to protect themselves against Iraqi chemical-weapons attacks in May 1988. Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images
The U.S. was concerned that the conflict would limit the flow of Middle Eastern oil and wanted to ensure the conflict didn’t affect its close ally, Saudi Arabia.
U.S. officials moderated their usual opposition to those illegal and inhumane weapons because the U.S. State Department did not “wish to play into Iran’s hands by fueling its propaganda against Iraq.” In 1988, the war ended in a stalemate. More than 500,000 military and 100,000 civilians died.
1981-1986: US secretly sells weapons to Iran
The U.S. imposed an arms embargo after Iran was designated a state sponsor of terrorism in 1984. That left the Iranian military, in the middle of its war with Iraq, desperate for weapons and aircraft and vehicle parts to keep fighting.
The last shipment, of anti-tank missiles, was in October 1986. In November 1986, a Lebanese magazine exposed the deal. That revelation sparked the Iran-Contra scandal in the U.S., with Reagan’s officials found to have collected money from Iran for the weapons and illegally sent those funds to anti-socialist rebels – the Contras – in Nicaragua.
At a mass funeral for 76 of the 290 people killed in the shootdown of Iran Air 655, mourners hold up a sign depicting the incident. AP Photo/CP/Mohammad Sayyad
Either during or just after that exchange of gunfire, the Vincennes crew mistook a passing civilian Airbus passenger jet for an Iranian F-14 fighter. They shot it down, killing all 290 people aboard.
The U.S. called it a “tragic and regrettable accident,” but Iran believed the plane’s downing was intentional. In 1996, the U.S. agreed to pay US$131.8 million in compensation to Iran.
1997-1998: The US seeks contact
In August 1997, a moderate reformer, Mohammad Khatami, won Iran’s presidential election.
U.S. President Bill Clinton sensed an opportunity. He sent a message to Tehran through the Swiss ambassador there, proposing direct government-to-government talks.
Shortly thereafter, in early January 1998, Khatami gave an interview to CNN in which he expressed “respect for the great American people,” denounced terrorism and recommended an “exchange of professors, writers, scholars, artists, journalists and tourists” between the United States and Iran.
However, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei didn’t agree, so not much came of the mutual overtures as Clinton’s time in office came to an end.
In his 2002 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush characterized Iran, Iraq and North Korea as constituting an “Axis of Evil” supporting terrorism and pursuing weapons of mass destruction, straining relations even further.
Inside these buildings at the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran, technicians enrich uranium. AP Photo/Vahid Salemi
That was a violation of the terms of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which Iran had signed, requiring countries to disclose their nuclear-related facilities to international inspectors.
One of those formerly secret locations, Natanz, housed centrifuges for enriching uranium, which could be used in civilian nuclear reactors or enriched further for weapons.
Starting in roughly 2005, U.S. and Israeli government cyberattackers together reportedly targeted the Natanz centrifuges with a custom-made piece of malicious software that became known as Stuxnet.
An excerpt of the document sent from Iran, via the Swiss government, to the U.S. State Department in 2003, appears to seek talks between the U.S. and Iran. Washington Post via Scribd
In May 2003, senior Iranian officials quietly contacted the State Department through the Swiss embassy in Iran, seeking “a dialogue ‘in mutual respect,’” addressing four big issues: nuclear weapons, terrorism, Palestinian resistance and stability in Iraq.
Hardliners in the Bush administration weren’t interested in any major reconciliation, though Secretary of State Colin Powell favored dialogue and other officials had met with Iran about al-Qaida.
When Iranian hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was elected president of Iran in 2005, the opportunity died. The following year, Ahmadinejad made his own overture to Washington in an 18-page letter to President Bush. The letter was widely dismissed; a senior State Department official told me in profane terms that it amounted to nothing.
After a decade of unsuccessful attempts to rein in Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the Obama administration undertook a direct diplomatic approach beginning in 2013.
Iran, the U.S., China, France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom signed the deal in 2015. It severely limited Iran’s capacity to enrich uranium and mandated that international inspectors monitor and enforce Iran’s compliance with the agreement.
In return, Iran was granted relief from international and U.S. economic sanctions. Though the inspectors regularly certified that Iran was abiding by the agreement’s terms, President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in May 2018.
2020: US drones kill Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani
At the time, the Trump administration asserted that Soleimani was directing an imminent attack against U.S. assets in the region, but officials have not provided clear evidence to support that claim.
Hamas’ brazen attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, provoked a fearsome militarized response from Israel that continues today and served to severely weaken Iran’s proxies in the region, especially Hamas – the perpetrator of the attacks – and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
2025: Trump 2.0 and Iran
Trump saw an opportunity to forge a new nuclear deal with Iran and to pursue other business deals with Tehran. Once inaugurated for his second term, Trump appointed Steve Witkoff, a real estate investor who is the president’s friend, to serve as special envoy for the Middle East and to lead negotiations.
Negotiations for a nuclear deal between Washington and Tehran began in April, but the countries did not reach a deal. They were planning a new round of talks when Israel struck Iran with a series of airstrikes on June 13, forcing the White House to reconsider is position.
On June 22, in the early morning hours, the U.S. chose to act decisively in an attempt to cripple Iran’s nuclear capacity, bombing three nuclear sites and causing what Pentagon officials called “severe damage.” Iran vowed to retaliate.
This story has been updated to reflect the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites on June 22, 2025.
Jeffrey Fields receives funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Schmidt Futures.
