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Category: Switzerland

  • MIL-OSI: Infomaniak democratises email encryption for all its users, free of charge

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Following the launch of my kSuite, its free package designed to offer a sovereign email service and online workspace, the Swiss cloud provider Infomaniak has taken another step forward: email encryption is now available to all its users. This protection can be activated with a single click at the time of sending and works with any email provider, enabling sensitive data sent (research and development, health, finance, etc.) to be protected in full compliance with the FADP and the GDRP – all without technical complexity.

    Email encryption for everyone: simple, secure, 100% Swiss

    As of today, Infomaniak’s 3 million users can send encrypted emails via the Infomaniak Mail web interface. This additional security is available free of charge to all users, including 100% free my kSuite accounts. These offer a 20 GB email address, 15 GB for documents and photos and an online office suite compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

    “We have developed this additional security to meet the growing data protection requirements in sensitive sectors such as research, healthcare, finance and law. ” explains Marc Oehler, CEO of Infomaniak.

    Thanks to this new feature, professionals can now share sensitive data such as pay slips, medical documents or banking information in full compliance with Swiss and European data protection requirements.

    Robust encryption without complexity

    Infomaniak has developed an encryption system based on recognised standards (OpenPGP, ECC, AES-256-GCM), with a sovereign architecture hosted entirely in Switzerland. Encryption is activated in a single click when writing an email.

    1. The user writes their message as usual via the Infomaniak Mail web interface (https://ksuite.infomaniak.com/mail). If they wish, they can activate encryption with a single click before sending.
    2. The message is first transmitted via a secure HTTPS connection to the Infomaniak servers. At this stage, it is not yet encrypted, but it is already protected against interception.
    3. Once received, the content of the message is automatically encrypted by Infomaniak’s servers before being sent, including attachments up to 25 MB. The encrypted message is then sent via SMTP and stored encrypted on the mail servers.
    4. For Infomaniak recipients, everything is automatic: once logged in to their account, the user can read the message. The server automatically decrypts the content with a passphrase unique to each mailbox. For external recipients, a password is defined by the sender and sent separately to the recipient, who will be able to read the message via Infomaniak’s secure email interface without needing to have an account.

    Unlike end-to-end encryption systems that can lead to loss of access to data, Infomaniak strikes the right balance between robust security and continuity of access. Private keys never leave Infomaniak’s infrastructure. Passphrases that protect keys are never stored in clear text and are only decoded on the fly during an authenticated session. In the event of an unauthorised access attempt, even with the IMAP password of a compromised email address, the content of the encrypted messages remains protected by the two-factor authentication of the Infomaniak account.        

    A thriving ecosystem

    Infomaniak’s messaging service continues to evolve with the introduction of features that simplify everyday life, such as emoji reactions for responding to emails in a single gesture and a sovereign AI assistant for writing, correcting or rephrasing messages fluently, while fully respecting confidentiality.

    As far as kSuite – Infomaniak’s sovereign collaborative suite – is concerned, progress is just as ambitious. Contextual sovereign AI (RAG type) has recently made it possible to translate, summarise and query documents in kDrive. Already in the test phase, the next step will make it possible to query all files in a folder with the aim of extending this capability to all documents belonging to a user, thus facilitating instant access to information.

    To facilitate the migration of companies from Microsoft 365, kDrive Pro and kSuite Entreprise now include Microsoft Online – hosted exclusively in Infomaniak’s sovereign infrastructures. This allows teams to continue to collaborate online on Office documents using advanced features in Excel, Word or PowerPoint, while maintaining full control of their data in the heart of Europe.

    In the coming months, email encryption will be available on the Infomaniak Mail mobile app. Two important developments are also in the pipeline: the ability to reply to an encrypted email sent to an external provider such as Gmail or Outlook directly from Infomaniak’s secure reading interface, and PGP compatibility with other encrypted email services.

    The MIL Network –

    June 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Infomaniak democratises email encryption for all its users, free of charge

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Following the launch of my kSuite, its free package designed to offer a sovereign email service and online workspace, the Swiss cloud provider Infomaniak has taken another step forward: email encryption is now available to all its users. This protection can be activated with a single click at the time of sending and works with any email provider, enabling sensitive data sent (research and development, health, finance, etc.) to be protected in full compliance with the FADP and the GDRP – all without technical complexity.

    Email encryption for everyone: simple, secure, 100% Swiss

    As of today, Infomaniak’s 3 million users can send encrypted emails via the Infomaniak Mail web interface. This additional security is available free of charge to all users, including 100% free my kSuite accounts. These offer a 20 GB email address, 15 GB for documents and photos and an online office suite compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

    “We have developed this additional security to meet the growing data protection requirements in sensitive sectors such as research, healthcare, finance and law. ” explains Marc Oehler, CEO of Infomaniak.

    Thanks to this new feature, professionals can now share sensitive data such as pay slips, medical documents or banking information in full compliance with Swiss and European data protection requirements.

    Robust encryption without complexity

    Infomaniak has developed an encryption system based on recognised standards (OpenPGP, ECC, AES-256-GCM), with a sovereign architecture hosted entirely in Switzerland. Encryption is activated in a single click when writing an email.

    1. The user writes their message as usual via the Infomaniak Mail web interface (https://ksuite.infomaniak.com/mail). If they wish, they can activate encryption with a single click before sending.
    2. The message is first transmitted via a secure HTTPS connection to the Infomaniak servers. At this stage, it is not yet encrypted, but it is already protected against interception.
    3. Once received, the content of the message is automatically encrypted by Infomaniak’s servers before being sent, including attachments up to 25 MB. The encrypted message is then sent via SMTP and stored encrypted on the mail servers.
    4. For Infomaniak recipients, everything is automatic: once logged in to their account, the user can read the message. The server automatically decrypts the content with a passphrase unique to each mailbox. For external recipients, a password is defined by the sender and sent separately to the recipient, who will be able to read the message via Infomaniak’s secure email interface without needing to have an account.

    Unlike end-to-end encryption systems that can lead to loss of access to data, Infomaniak strikes the right balance between robust security and continuity of access. Private keys never leave Infomaniak’s infrastructure. Passphrases that protect keys are never stored in clear text and are only decoded on the fly during an authenticated session. In the event of an unauthorised access attempt, even with the IMAP password of a compromised email address, the content of the encrypted messages remains protected by the two-factor authentication of the Infomaniak account.        

    A thriving ecosystem

    Infomaniak’s messaging service continues to evolve with the introduction of features that simplify everyday life, such as emoji reactions for responding to emails in a single gesture and a sovereign AI assistant for writing, correcting or rephrasing messages fluently, while fully respecting confidentiality.

    As far as kSuite – Infomaniak’s sovereign collaborative suite – is concerned, progress is just as ambitious. Contextual sovereign AI (RAG type) has recently made it possible to translate, summarise and query documents in kDrive. Already in the test phase, the next step will make it possible to query all files in a folder with the aim of extending this capability to all documents belonging to a user, thus facilitating instant access to information.

    To facilitate the migration of companies from Microsoft 365, kDrive Pro and kSuite Entreprise now include Microsoft Online – hosted exclusively in Infomaniak’s sovereign infrastructures. This allows teams to continue to collaborate online on Office documents using advanced features in Excel, Word or PowerPoint, while maintaining full control of their data in the heart of Europe.

    In the coming months, email encryption will be available on the Infomaniak Mail mobile app. Two important developments are also in the pipeline: the ability to reply to an encrypted email sent to an external provider such as Gmail or Outlook directly from Infomaniak’s secure reading interface, and PGP compatibility with other encrypted email services.

    The MIL Network –

    June 17, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: The 2025 Sydney Film Festival reminded me: there is nothing like a bunch of strangers assembling in the dark

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ari Mattes, Lecturer in Communications and Media, University of Notre Dame Australia

    Redux Redux. Sydney Film Festival

    In an era of the atomisation of viewing practices through streaming, increasingly short, self-produced videos for TikTok and YouTube, and the reduction of all audiovisual material to “content” for various “platforms”, there is something refreshing about a bunch of strangers assembling in a dark room to collectively watch a giant screen with massive sound.

    In other words, going to the movies.

    And there’s no better place to see films limited in mainstream release than at film festivals. The standard of the films screening at this year’s Sydney Film Festival was exceptional, and it is difficult to select a top five out of the 40 or so I managed to see. But here goes!

    Sirât

    Produced by Pedro Almodovar, writer-director Oliver Laxe’s Sirât, which recently won the Jury Prize at Cannes, follows middle-aged Luis (Sergi López) as he travels with his son Esteban (Bruno Núñez Arjona) and their dog Pipa looking for his estranged daughter in the desert rave scene. They team up with a group of ravers and set off across Southern Morocco towards the next party.

    Early on, there are some hints that things are awry on a broader scale – the military break up the opening doof, and we hear, at one point, World War III has broken out.

    And as the film unfolds, things take a turn for the worse, with a litany of tragedies – increasingly absurd – afflicting the members of the group. The vaguely futuristic world of the opening crystallises into something much more terrifying than the kind of shrill cinematic post-apocalypticism we’ve become used to through films like Fury Road.

    What begins as a kind of paean to raving – replete with bass-thumping speakers (cranked in theatres to eardrum pounding loudness), a “cool” crew of trippers, and an emphasis on the free lives of the ravers (played by real-life party-goers) – rapidly descends into a wild existential nightmare. And the idea that life is a kind of free consumerist party for westerners is viciously dismembered in the second half: we are all refugees in this era.

    Sirât is a masterpiece. Its stunning 16mm film images (courtesy of cinematographer Mauro Herve) are complemented by exceptional sound design by Laia Casanova, a majesty of image and sound demanding to be experienced in a cinema.

    Somebody

    Written and directed by Lee Jung-chan and Kim Yeo-jung, the South Korean film Somebody is a puzzling, intense psycho drama about precociously evil child So-hyun (Gi So-yoo) and the pressures this places on her single mother Yeong-eun (Kwak Sun-young).

    An unsettling horror thriller, the film also plays like a study of the evil child archetype. It works through the genre’s cliches, unpicking them while eschewing the usual evil-kid scares in favour of looking at the complex interplay between and ambiguity around the image of child as brat/evil and mother as caring/enabler.

    In the first half, the point of view oscillates between an image of the child as evil and the child as scared. In the second half, the evil child has grown up, and we follow her towards the film’s brutal (and unexpected) ending.

    And this is where Somebody excels. It taps into the fear of parents that their children are alien parasites – who is this stranger now living off me? – but also the difficulties for children in feeling isolated and scared.

    Somebody is a deeply sad and troubling film, buoyed by excellent performances from adults and children alike. In real life, the idea that a kid would be born evil is preposterous, but it’s a movieland cliché that works. Somebody addresses this idea with a genuinely impressive vision.

    Harvest

    Athina Rachel Tsangari’s Harvest is a melancholic, elegiac film set in a rural community in Scotland in the Middle Ages. When the economic harmony of the village is disrupted by the advent of a new noble, three wandering strangers are mercilessly scapegoated, despite the efforts of villager Walter Thirsk (Caleb Landry Jones, in a beautifully understated performance) to protect them.

    Despite the turmoil it depicts, the film unfolds as gently as the familiar rhythms of the seasons.

    Cinematographer Sean Price Williams’ 16mm images are uncannily beautiful, supported by an astonishing score and sound design from Nicolas Becker.

    This fable about the ravages of modernity (recalling Vincent Ward’s The Navigator) – of the violence of calendar time as it overcomes the time of the harvest – is exceptional in every respect.

    Not much happens. It’s a slow-moving, brooding film, and it would not be nearly as compelling seen on a small screen. But for those of us willing to make a trip to the movies, Harvest is immensely satisfying.

    Redux Redux

    Part of the eternally rousing Freak Me Out strand of the program from film critic Richard Kuipers, Kevin and Matthew McManus’ Redux Redux is the kind of high concept film that could easily depend too much on its ingenious conceit (a woman travels throughout the multiverse repeatedly avenging the murder of her daughter) and forget about the stuff that actually makes films work (coherent, striking visual design, immersive sound and compelling performances).

    But Redux Redux gets everything right, maintaining its iron grip on the viewer from the opening title card to the closing credits. Michaela McManus – sister of the writer-directors – is brilliant as the grieving, vengeful mother, playing the part with a staid intensity that never tips into hysteria or melodrama.

    There are some funny moments – the amusingly lowbrow design of the multiverse machine, for example. But the film never feels like it plays too hard for laughs. Paul Koch’s synth music and sound design are richly atmospheric without coming off as trite, and perfectly support the crisp, economical cinematography of Alan Gwizdowski.

    The most impressive thing about the film is the effortlessness with which the story feels like it develops throughout – even though the plot, on the surface, involves the same thing being repeated ad nauseam.

    Unlike, for example, in the case of the multiverse-themed Everything Everywhere All at Once, Redux Redux never comes across as self-indulgent, clever for its own sake. It never feels like anything other than a compulsively watchable – and immensely pleasurable – revenge thriller.

    Alpha

    Writer-director Jan-Willem van Ewijk’s Alpha begins as a lightly comedic intergenerational social satire.

    Thirty-something Rein (Reinout Scholten van Aschat), a Dutch snowboarder in the Swiss alps, clashes with his movie-star father, Gijs (Gijs Scholten van Aschar), when Gijs visits him. Gijs flirts with Rein’s girlfriend, asks inappropriate questions about race, and parties with his son’s friends, all the time escalating the stakes, becoming increasingly overbearing and competitive.

    It’s funny and familiar fare, treading similar terrain to a Ruben Östland film, and it’s well-done. Pairing a real life father and son is a casting act of genius, adding both pathos and authenticity to their competition.

    Similar to Sirât, Alpha takes a sudden turn at the mid-way point. Father and son are trapped in an avalanche. It becomes a race against time as son tries to rescue father in a gruelling battle for survival.

    Its brutal second half completely detonates the entire scaffold of our pleasure from the first half. Testament to the craft of van Ewijk (and the talent of the stars), this radical change in tone never feels incoherent or contrived.

    By the end of Alpha, the petty dick-swinging of father and son from the first half – and the energetic (and well-shot) skiing footage – becomes nothing before the austere, cold majesty of the mountains looming over and entrapping them.

    Alpha is a masterclass in audience manipulation. A truly devastating experience for the viewer.

    Other notable films – and one dud!

    There were too many excellent films to note them all. Some include master auteur Christian Petzold’s Mirrors No. 3, a film – typical of Petzold – of people haunted by ghosts of lives lost and faded desires, an understated film which – again, customary for Petzold’s work – has an enigmatic air one can’t quite put one’s finger on.

    Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent was another standout: a fun, rollicking romp for cinephiles about political machinations in Brazil in the 1970s.

    Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon, a biopic of American songwriter Lorenz Hart, had a charmingly goofy affect, as did Vie Privée, a breezy French thriller starring Jodie Foster as a psychoanalyst caught up in a mystery.

    Olmo, which could easily have made the top five, is a charming coming of age odyssey about a Mexican-American 14-year-old going to a party with his crush. The Love That Remains is a stunningly shot, surreal comedy about the trials and tribulations of an Icelandic family.

    As per usual, some exceptional documentaries screened. Joh: The Last King of Queensland made by Kriv Stenders (better known for narrative works like Red Dog), is a formally compelling study of the reign of Australia’s longest serving premier.

    The Raftsmen is an uplifting crowd-pleaser about the expedition from Ecuador to Australia that captivated the public’s attention in 1973. The film is built around an exceptional archive of contemporaneous 16mm footage shot by the rafters.

    Lowland Kids, produced by Darren Aronofsky, is a carefully observed documentary about a community in Louisiana forced to relocate because of climate change. This tender film counterpoints the grim reality of global warming with the individual disappointments of the characters’ personal lives.

    The only truly execrable film I saw was Michel Franco’s Dreams, a hokey, profoundly dumb film masquerading as something cutting edge (wow – there’s sex, and the camera doesn’t move much), cashing in on topical problems in the United States. Worst of all – and despite ballet sequences, which are always good to watch – it’s a very ugly film.

    Given the mediocre quality of much contemporary Hollywood cinema, one dud out of 40 isn’t too bad!

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

    – ref. The 2025 Sydney Film Festival reminded me: there is nothing like a bunch of strangers assembling in the dark – https://theconversation.com/the-2025-sydney-film-festival-reminded-me-there-is-nothing-like-a-bunch-of-strangers-assembling-in-the-dark-259032

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    June 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Banking: RM of BTS Becomes Samsung Art TV Global Ambassador

    Source: Samsung

    ▲ RM, a global icon and a widely respected art connoisseur, has become the official face of Samsung Art TVs. As an ambassador, he will share his commentary on artwork via Samsung Art Store, inviting users and fans to explore the world of art through his unique lens. (Photo courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC)
     
    Samsung Electronics today announced RM of 21st century pop icons BTS as the official ambassador for Samsung Art TVs.1 The appointment is one of RM’s official activities following his highly anticipated return from mandatory military service in Korea.
     
    As a globally recognized art connoisseur, RM has made headlines for his deep appreciation of the arts, including visits to leading museums and his private collection of contemporary artwork. Now, in his role as Samsung Art TV ambassador, RM will bring his distinctive voice and passion for visual art to Samsung TV users around the world.
     
    “RM’s passion for art and culture deeply resonates with our vision to make art more accessible through technology,” said Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics. “We’re thrilled to welcome him as the ambassador for Samsung Art TVs, and we believe his voice will inspire a new generation to explore the world of art in meaningful, personal ways.”
     

     
    Samsung Art TVs, known for their fusion of advanced display technology and artistic expression, serve as immersive platforms where art comes to life. Through Samsung Art Store2 — a subscription-based service featuring over 3,500 high-resolution artworks in 4K — users can now enjoy curated content with insights from RM himself. His personal reflections and commentary on select works will be accessible directly on Samsung Art Store, providing fans and art enthusiasts with a unique window into his aesthetic sensibilities.
     
    “As someone who finds deep inspiration and comfort in art, I’m honored to partner with Samsung to share my journey and love for visual creativity,” said RM. “Through this collaboration, I hope more people can connect with art in their everyday lives — just like I do.”
     
    As part of his new role, RM will appear at Art Basel, which is one of the world’s premier international art fairs and is held in Basel, Switzerland. There, he will host a special session to share his thoughts on contemporary art, collecting and the cultural significance of visual storytelling. Highlights from this event, including exclusive insights and behind-the-scenes moments, will be published on the Samsung Global Newsroom.
     
    RM’s partnership with Samsung Art TVs sets the stage for a new dialogue between art, technology and global pop culture. Through this collaboration, Samsung continues to elevate its commitment to making world-class art more accessible and personal — now with RM as the bridge between fans and the art world.
     
    For more information, visit www.samsung.com.
     
     
    About RM of BTS
    RM (Kim, Namjun) is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, music producer and the leader of 21st century pop icons BTS. His discography includes solo mixtapes RM (March 2015) and mono. (October 2018), as well as solo albums Indigo (December 2022) and Right Place, Wrong Person (May 2024), which showcase his remarkable versatility across genres. As a creative powerhouse and avid art enthusiast, RM is renowned for crafting profound lyrics often inspired by various art forms. His flexible and philosophical approach to music and ability to push creative boundaries with cutting-edge collaborations has led him to work with a diverse range of artists, including Erykah Badu, Anderson .Paak, Lil Nas X, HONNE, Mahalia, and more. On May 24, 2024, RM released his critically-acclaimed second solo album Right Place, Wrong Person.
     
     
    1 Samsung Art TVs include MICRO LED, The Frame, The Frame Pro, Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED and QLED models starting from Q7F and above.
    2 Samsung Art Store is an art subscription service available on Samsung Art TVs, including The Frame, NEO QLEDs and QLEDs. Currently available in 117 countries around the world, Samsung Art Store offers over 70 partners and 3,500 artworks in 4K quality. Through Samsung Art Store, subscribers can enjoy artwork from world-class galleries and masters at home and use it to create new interior designs every day.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    June 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Swiss Government Fails to Act on “Nagorno-Karabakh Peace Forum” – CSI

    Source: Christian Solidarity International (CSI)

    CSI supports the Swiss sponsored peace negotiations between the Azerbaijani Government and representatives of the forcibly displaced Armenian Christian population of Nagorno Karabakh as required by the Swiss parliament. However, the Council of Ministers angered Swiss parliamentarians by tacitly accepting Azerbaijan’s ethno-religious cleansing of Nagorno Karabakh and refusing to communicate with representatives of the expelled population.

    Responding to questions by Lower House member Erich Vontobel (EDU), the Swiss Federal Council, headed this year by Karin Keller-Suter, stated on June 10 that “the Foreign Ministry is currently unable to plan the organization of a forum” as mandated by Parliamentary Motion 24.4259. The government cited Azerbaijan’s refusal to acknowledge the existence of the ethnically and religiously cleansed Nagorno-Karabakh and its rejection of a peace forum aimed at enabling the return of the 120,000 forcibly displaced Armenian Christians. Thus, the government made future Swiss monitoring and mediation efforts contingent on the consent of the very regime responsible for the expulsion.

    The response sparked strong criticism in Parliament. Lawmakers had explicitly tasked the government with “enabling open dialogue between Azerbaijan and representatives of the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians” to negotiate conditions for the safe return of the displaced. The Federal Council is ignoring the core of Parliament’s mandate: giving those affected a voice in the peace process.

    At the end of May, 19 members of the Swiss Parliament established the cross-party Committee “Swiss Peace Initiative for Nagorno-Karabakh” for the purpose of supporting the Swiss government’s mandate to initiate a peace forum between Azerbaijan and the representatives of the displaces population of Nagorno Karabakh with a view to creating conditions for their safe an dignified return.

    Committee Co-Chair Stefan Müller Altermatt (Mitte) declared: The Council of Ministers must not be satisfied with a ‘no’ from Baku. Switzerland must now demonstrate that it is serious about its role as a neutral mediator.” Müller-Altermatt reminded the Swiss Foreign Ministry that Nagorno Karabakh remains on the agenda of the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) and offers proven mechanisms to support such a forum at the international level – mechanisms that it should actively use.

    The displacement of 120,000 Karabakh Armenians in autumn 2023 represents a clear violation of international humanitarian law. “Switzerland, as the depositary state of the Geneva Conventions, cannot turn a blind eye when an entire people is expelled from their homeland. Otherwise, we lose our credibility,” warns Committee Co-Chair Erich Vontobel, demanding: “The Federal Council must fulfil its parliamentary mandate!”

    “CSI cannot accept that a state that has committed religio-ethnic cleansing can place a veto on Switzerland or any other state engaging in peaceful dialogue with representatives of a forcibly displaced community”, stated CSI’s International President Dr. John Eibner. He furthermore pledged that CSI will continue to press for Azerbaijan to engage in constructive dialogue with representatives of the expelled Armenian Christian population about their return to Nagorno Karabakh with fundamental human rights guaranteed.

    Christian Solidarity International (CSI) is a Christian human rights organization promoting religious liberty and human dignity.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    June 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Footage released of man wanted in connection to an attempted rape

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives have released CCTV footage of a man they wish to speak to following an attempted rape in Finchley on Wednesday, 11 June.

    A woman in her 30s reported that a man seriously sexually assaulted her at a cinema in Finchley Road, NW3 at around 15:45hrs. She is currently being supported by specialist officers.

    The man can be seen leaving the venue following the incident – walking south down Finchley Road towards Swiss Cottage.

    He is described as in his 50s and approximately 5ft 6ins tall, with a slim build. He has dark hair on the sides of his head and was captured on CCTV wearing a black North Face coat and glasses.

    Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley, leading the Met’s investigation, said: “We are steadfast in our commitment to take those who pose the biggest threat off our streets, so women and girls in London can feel safe going about their daily lives.

    “This horrific attack happened in the middle of the day in a busy establishment – highlighting the brazen and opportunistic nature of the offender.

    “It is really important we find this man as soon as possible.

    “If you have any information to share – particularly if you were in Finchley Road, NW3 on Wednesday afternoon – please contact us on 101 immediately and quote 5365/11JUN.”

    MIL Security OSI –

    June 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: “Resilience isn’t enough”: why the growth of women’s football could lead to player burnout

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Helen Owton, Lecturer in Sport and Fitness, The Open University

    Millie Bright (Chelsea Fcw) of England shooting to goal during the 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup in France Jose Breton- Pics Action/Shutterstock

    Women’s football has exploded onto the global stage. Record-breaking crowds, major sponsorships, elite athletes and huge media deals have transformed the sport into a fast-growing spectacle. Its rise may be inspiring, but behind the success, many players are struggling with the growing physical and mental demands of the modern game.

    As the game becomes faster and more physically intense, players are expected to deliver top performances across crowded domestic seasons, international tournaments and growing commercial commitments.

    Recovery windows are shrinking, while the pressure to remain at peak performance only grows. Physiotherapists have already warned that many female players face burnout, overtraining and a rising risk of injuries due to inadequate rest and recovery time.

    With growing visibility also comes increasing scrutiny. Female players now live under the spotlight of social media, where they are expected not only to perform, but to lead, inspire and remain endlessly positive – often while facing online abuse.

    Chelsea and England star Fran Kirby has spoken openly about the criticism she has received about her body, especially after injuries or illness when she wasn’t at peak fitness.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    “I get called fat all the time,” she has said, highlighting how online abuse adds another layer of psychological strain that isn’t always visible, but can be deeply harmful.

    Mental health is increasingly part of the conversation around women’s football, but real support remains patchy. After the tragic suicide of Sheffield United’s 27-year-old midfielder Maddy Cusack in 2023, the FA commissioned a report into mental health support across the Women’s Super League (WSL).

    More players are speaking publicly about the pressures of anxiety, burnout and emotional distress, but access to professional psychological care still depends largely on the resources of individual clubs.

    For some players, the psychological toll deepens even further after injury. One study found that professional female footballers are nearly twice as likely to experience psychological distress after undergoing surgery. Yet mental health support during injury recovery remains inconsistent across the WSL.

    Millie Bright’s story offers a recent example. The Chelsea and England defender missed much of the 2023-24 season due to injury and, in 2025, withdrew from the England squad citing burnout. She eventually underwent knee surgery and chose to prioritise her rehabilitation over international duty, highlighting the difficult choices players face when balancing physical and emotional wellbeing.

    Governing bodies and clubs have a crucial role to play in safeguarding players’ wellbeing. Yet Uefa has come under fire for putting commercial growth ahead of player welfare with its expansion of the women’s Champions League into the new “Swiss model” format.

    Instead of facing three opponents twice, teams will now play six different teams during the league phase, splitting those matches home and away. While the extra fixtures may boost visibility and revenue, they also add to an already punishing schedule, heightening the risk of fatigue, injury and burnout for players who are already stretched to the limit.

    Financial security remains another major challenge. Some WSL players reportedly earn as little as £20,000 a year, forcing many to juggle full-time jobs or academic studies alongside football.

    For mothers in the game, the demands are even higher, as they manage childcare, training, travel and recovery with little institutional support. Maternity policies remain inconsistent, and many players face intense pressure to return quickly to peak form after pregnancy.

    Extraordinary resilience

    Despite these enormous challenges, female players continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience, paving the way for the next generation. But as a 2024 Health in Education Association report notes, resilience alone isn’t enough. Without proper investment in both physical and mental health services, the long-term wellbeing and careers of these athletes remain at risk.

    While mental toughness is often celebrated, research shows that resilience depends heavily on the support structures available. In the WSL, access to mental health care and sports psychology varies dramatically between clubs.

    The FA has announced plans to make wellbeing and psychology roles mandatory in WSL licensing, which is a positive step. But for many players, consistent, high-quality support remains far from guaranteed.

    There is no doubt that women’s football has finally gained the attention it deserves. But progress must not come at the cost of player welfare. A sustainable future for the sport means investing not just in performance, but in protection: standardised access to physiotherapy, sport psychology and wellbeing professionals for all players, across all clubs.

    If the game truly wants to thrive long-term, it must create a culture where players aren’t just expected to perform, but are supported to rest, recover and speak openly about their mental health – without fear, stigma or consequence.

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

    – ref. “Resilience isn’t enough”: why the growth of women’s football could lead to player burnout – https://theconversation.com/resilience-isnt-enough-why-the-growth-of-womens-football-could-lead-to-player-burnout-258432

    MIL OSI Analysis –

    June 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Athene Announces Key Leadership Appointments Aligned with Five-Year Growth Plan

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company Veteran Grant Kvalheim Named Chief Executive

    Jim Belardi Named Executive Chair, Will Continue to Serve as CIO

    Mike Downing and Sean Brennan Named Co-Presidents of Athene USA

    WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Athene, the leading retirement services company and subsidiary of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO), announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Grant Kvalheim as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2025. Kvalheim, a 14-year veteran of Athene, most recently served as President, with responsibility for running the company’s U.S. operations, as well as growth initiatives. Jim Belardi, Co-founder, was named Executive Chairman and will remain Chief Investment Officer.

    Athene also announced that Mike Downing and Sean Brennan will be elevated to Co-Presidents of Athene USA. Downing will continue to serve as Athene’s Chief Operating Officer while Brennan will serve as Athene’s Chief Commercial Officer. Downing and Brennan will build upon Athene’s significant growth to date and drive plans to increase financial security for individuals and serve as a solutions provider to corporations.

    These appointments represent a natural evolution in Athene’s leadership and are aligned with the company’s ambitious five-year growth plan as announced at its 2024 Investor Day. To capitalize on the significant market opportunities ahead and drive growth, the company continuously works to elevate and align leaders both in senior leadership and next generation roles.

    Belardi said, “There is no one better positioned than Grant to lead the company through its next phase of growth. Grant, Mike and Sean have been instrumental to Athene’s tremendous success to date, and our market leadership directly reflects their efforts to grow our business by expanding distribution, creating best-in-class product offerings and establishing us as a partner of choice. My partnership with Grant has been critical to Athene’s success and I am pleased it will continue.”  

    Kvalheim said, “There is a massive opportunity ahead for Athene, driven by the growing retirement crisis in the U.S. and the need for guaranteed lifetime income. I look forward to leading Athene as our team meets this unprecedented need by expanding market share, prioritizing innovation, entering new markets and accelerating growth in the defined contribution channel. Athene is uniquely positioned to help an even greater number of people build remarkable retirements.”

    Kvalheim joined Athene in 2011 and has served as President since April 2022, leading its U.S operating companies with a focus on growing organic origination. Prior to joining Athene, Kvalheim was Co-President of Barclays Capital where he grew the European investment grade credit business into a leading global credit franchise across both securitized and non-securitized credit products. Prior to joining Barclays, he held senior executive positions in the investment banks of Deutsche Bank and Merrill Lynch.

    Since joining Athene in 2015, Downing has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Actuary and was elevated to Chief Operating Officer in January 2022. Before joining Athene, Downing held senior executive roles at The Allstate Corporation from 2008-2015. Previously, Downing was a Senior Partner at Aon Hewitt, leading the International Consulting practice following assignments in the UK and Switzerland.

    Brennan joined Athene in 2017 and has served as an Executive Vice President since 2020, with responsibility for various retirement services and reinsurance efforts. Prior to joining Athene, he served as Global Pensions Director for Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., and previously spent 14 years with Mercer, most recently as Partner in its Financial Strategy group.

    About Athene

    Athene is the leading retirement services company with over $380 billion of total assets as of March 31, 2025, and operations in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, and Japan. Athene is focused on providing financial security to individuals by offering an attractive suite of retirement income and savings products and also serves as a solutions provider to corporations. For more information, please visit www.athene.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains, and certain oral statements made by Athene’s representatives from time to time may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results, events and developments to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, such statements. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of Athene’s management and the management of Athene’s subsidiaries. Generally, forward-looking statements include actions, events, results, strategies and expectations and are often identifiable by use of the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “might,” “should,” or “continues” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements within this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future growth prospects and financial performance. Although Athene management believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties related to Athene’s forward-looking statements, see its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which can be found at the SEC’s website www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements described herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results, events or developments referenced herein will occur or be realized. Athene does not undertake any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results.

    Contact:

    Jeanne Hess
    VP, External Relations
    +1 646 768 7319
    jeanne.hess@athene.com

    The MIL Network –

    June 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Enphase Energy Rolls Out IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase, Delivering Three-Phase Backup Across More European Countries

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FREMONT, Calif., June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENPH), a global energy technology company and the world’s leading supplier of microinverter-based solar and battery systems, today announced the launch of its most powerful and versatile battery yet, the IQ® Battery 5P™ with FlexPhase, for customers in Spain, Portugal, France, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase is an all-in-one AC-coupled system that delivers reliable backup power and supports both single-phase and three-phase applications, providing unmatched flexibility to meet diverse home energy needs. Enphase also launched the IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase in Poland, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland earlier this year.

    The IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase starts at 5 kWh of capacity and can be configured up to 70 kWh. Each 5 kWh battery delivers continuous power of up to 3.84 kW in single-phase configuration and 1.28 kW per phase in three-phase configuration. The new battery can be configured to meet the needs of each homeowner, offering grid-tied support or backup power. It is designed to discharge up to two times the maximum continuous power for three seconds, enabling the operation of high-power devices during a grid outage when paired with the IQ® System Controller 3 INT. The IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase comes with an industry-leading 15-year warranty in Spain, Portugal, France, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

    “Following recent blackouts in Spain, the need for reliable home energy solutions has never been higher,” said Miguel Rico Benitez, CEO at HogarSolar, a Platinum level installer of Enphase products in Spain. “There’s a growing urgency for reliable home energy solutions – and the IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase offers the performance and resilience households need now more than ever.”

    “The IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase is a major step forward for energy storage in France,” said Thomas Poncet, owner of IdeeSys, an installer of Enphase products in France. “With powerful backup capabilities, scalable capacity, and long-term reliability, it’s exactly the kind of smart, future-ready technology our customers are looking for.”

    “Belgian homeowners are increasingly looking for smart, future-ready energy systems that can adapt to their unique needs,” said Kristof Lassaut, CEO of K.L. Green Energy, an installer of Enphase products in Belgium. “The IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase delivers outstanding flexibility, whether it’s single-phase or three-phase, and brings the kind of long-term reliability our customers trust. And now, with the IQ System Controller available, homeowners can also get reliable backup power for added peace of mind.”

    “Adaptability is everything for Dutch homeowners when it comes to home energy, and the IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase delivers just that,” said Paul Cortvriend, owner of Savo Solar Systemen, an installer of Enphase products in the Netherlands. “We love that the battery accommodates both single-phase and three-phase systems, letting us customize the perfect backup solution for each home. Enphase continues to lead the industry with innovations like this.”

    “The IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase was engineered to meet the growing demand for resilient, scalable home energy solutions across Europe,” said Sabbas Daniel, senior vice president of sales at Enphase Energy. “We’re excited to continue expanding access to our most powerful battery yet – bringing reliable, high-performance storage to more homeowners and helping accelerate Europe’s transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy future.”

    For more information about the IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase, please visit the Enphase website for Spain, Portugal, France, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium (French and Dutch), and the Netherlands.

    About Enphase Energy, Inc.

    Enphase Energy, a global energy technology company based in Fremont, CA, is the world’s leading supplier of microinverter-based solar and battery systems that enable people to harness the sun to make, use, save, and sell their own power — and control it all with a smart mobile app. The company revolutionized the solar industry with its microinverter-based technology and builds all-in-one solar, battery, and software solutions. Enphase has shipped approximately 81.5 million microinverters, and approximately 4.8 million Enphase-based systems have been deployed in over 160 countries. For more information, visit https://investor.enphase.com.

    ©2025 Enphase Energy, Inc. All rights reserved. Enphase Energy, Enphase, the “e” logo, IQ, IQ8, and certain other marks listed at https://enphase.com/trademark-usage-guidelines are trademarks or service marks of Enphase Energy, Inc. Other names are for informational purposes and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements related to the expected capabilities and performance of Enphase Energy’s technology and products, including safety, quality, and reliability. These forward-looking statements are based on Enphase Energy’s current expectations and inherently involve significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements as a result of such risks and uncertainties including those risks described in more detail in Enphase Energy’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other documents filed by Enphase Energy from time to time with the SEC. Enphase Energy undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations, except as required by law.

    Contact:

    Enphase Energy

    press@enphaseenergy.com

    This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

    The MIL Network –

    June 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Enphase Energy Rolls Out IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase, Delivering Three-Phase Backup Across More European Countries

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FREMONT, Calif., June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENPH), a global energy technology company and the world’s leading supplier of microinverter-based solar and battery systems, today announced the launch of its most powerful and versatile battery yet, the IQ® Battery 5P™ with FlexPhase, for customers in Spain, Portugal, France, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase is an all-in-one AC-coupled system that delivers reliable backup power and supports both single-phase and three-phase applications, providing unmatched flexibility to meet diverse home energy needs. Enphase also launched the IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase in Poland, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland earlier this year.

    The IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase starts at 5 kWh of capacity and can be configured up to 70 kWh. Each 5 kWh battery delivers continuous power of up to 3.84 kW in single-phase configuration and 1.28 kW per phase in three-phase configuration. The new battery can be configured to meet the needs of each homeowner, offering grid-tied support or backup power. It is designed to discharge up to two times the maximum continuous power for three seconds, enabling the operation of high-power devices during a grid outage when paired with the IQ® System Controller 3 INT. The IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase comes with an industry-leading 15-year warranty in Spain, Portugal, France, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

    “Following recent blackouts in Spain, the need for reliable home energy solutions has never been higher,” said Miguel Rico Benitez, CEO at HogarSolar, a Platinum level installer of Enphase products in Spain. “There’s a growing urgency for reliable home energy solutions – and the IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase offers the performance and resilience households need now more than ever.”

    “The IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase is a major step forward for energy storage in France,” said Thomas Poncet, owner of IdeeSys, an installer of Enphase products in France. “With powerful backup capabilities, scalable capacity, and long-term reliability, it’s exactly the kind of smart, future-ready technology our customers are looking for.”

    “Belgian homeowners are increasingly looking for smart, future-ready energy systems that can adapt to their unique needs,” said Kristof Lassaut, CEO of K.L. Green Energy, an installer of Enphase products in Belgium. “The IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase delivers outstanding flexibility, whether it’s single-phase or three-phase, and brings the kind of long-term reliability our customers trust. And now, with the IQ System Controller available, homeowners can also get reliable backup power for added peace of mind.”

    “Adaptability is everything for Dutch homeowners when it comes to home energy, and the IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase delivers just that,” said Paul Cortvriend, owner of Savo Solar Systemen, an installer of Enphase products in the Netherlands. “We love that the battery accommodates both single-phase and three-phase systems, letting us customize the perfect backup solution for each home. Enphase continues to lead the industry with innovations like this.”

    “The IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase was engineered to meet the growing demand for resilient, scalable home energy solutions across Europe,” said Sabbas Daniel, senior vice president of sales at Enphase Energy. “We’re excited to continue expanding access to our most powerful battery yet – bringing reliable, high-performance storage to more homeowners and helping accelerate Europe’s transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy future.”

    For more information about the IQ Battery 5P with FlexPhase, please visit the Enphase website for Spain, Portugal, France, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium (French and Dutch), and the Netherlands.

    About Enphase Energy, Inc.

    Enphase Energy, a global energy technology company based in Fremont, CA, is the world’s leading supplier of microinverter-based solar and battery systems that enable people to harness the sun to make, use, save, and sell their own power — and control it all with a smart mobile app. The company revolutionized the solar industry with its microinverter-based technology and builds all-in-one solar, battery, and software solutions. Enphase has shipped approximately 81.5 million microinverters, and approximately 4.8 million Enphase-based systems have been deployed in over 160 countries. For more information, visit https://investor.enphase.com.

    ©2025 Enphase Energy, Inc. All rights reserved. Enphase Energy, Enphase, the “e” logo, IQ, IQ8, and certain other marks listed at https://enphase.com/trademark-usage-guidelines are trademarks or service marks of Enphase Energy, Inc. Other names are for informational purposes and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements related to the expected capabilities and performance of Enphase Energy’s technology and products, including safety, quality, and reliability. These forward-looking statements are based on Enphase Energy’s current expectations and inherently involve significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements as a result of such risks and uncertainties including those risks described in more detail in Enphase Energy’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other documents filed by Enphase Energy from time to time with the SEC. Enphase Energy undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations, except as required by law.

    Contact:

    Enphase Energy

    press@enphaseenergy.com

    This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

    The MIL Network –

    June 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Opens Ninety-First Session in Geneva

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women this morning opened its ninety-first session, hearing a statement from a representative of the Secretary-General and adopting its agenda and programme of work for the session.  During the session, the Committee will review the reports of Afghanistan, Botswana, Chad, Ireland, Mexico, San Marino and Thailand, and adopt concluding observations on the reports of Fiji, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu, which it reviewed during a technical cooperation session held in Fiji in April.

    Andrea Ori, Chief of the Groups in Focus Section, Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Representative of the Secretary-General, said he was pleased to announce the opening of the session, after the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights was able to confirm it only last month due to the ongoing liquidity crisis affecting the United Nations.

    Mr. Ori said this year marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 of 31 October 2000, a landmark document that recognised the disproportionate impact of conflicts on women and girls and the crucial role of women in conflict prevention, conflict management and sustainable peace efforts.

    Noting with concern that some 120 conflicts were currently affecting civilians and communities worldwide, and that women and girls were primarily targeted by gender-based violence as a tactic of war, Mr. Ori commended the Committee on its work to update general recommendation 30, which provided authoritative guidance to States parties on concrete measures to ensure that women’s rights were protected before, during and after conflict.

    Mr. Ori also announced with regret that the global funding crisis was affecting the Committee’s work directly. Due to the lack of funding, the Office of the High Commissioner was planning and operating under the assumption that no Committee would have a third session.

    He concluded by thanking the Committee for its unwavering commitment and dedication to advancing women’s rights and wished it a successful and productive session.

    Nahla Haidar, Committee Chairperson, said that the Committee was meeting in one of the most challenging times for the multilateral system, amidst devastating conflicts, a weakening of the rule of law, and scarce resources.  Human rights mechanisms needed to be protected more than ever for the benefit of all stakeholders.

    During the meeting, the Chair and Committee Experts discussed the activities they had undertaken since the last session.  Bandana Rana, on behalf of Brenda Akia, Committee Rapporteur and Chairperson of the Pre-Sessional Working Group, and Jelena Pia-Comella, Committee Rapporteur on follow-up to concluding observations, also briefed the Committee on their work.

    The Committee’s ninety-first session is being held from 16 June to 4 July.  All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage. 

    The Committee will next meet at 3 p.m. this today, Monday, 16 June, with the representatives of national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations of Mexico, Thailand and Ireland, whose reports will be reviewed this week. 

    Opening Statement

    ANDREA ORI, Chief of the Groups in Focus Section, Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Representative of the Secretary-General, said he was pleased to announce the opening of the session, after the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights was able to confirm it only last month due to the ongoing liquidity crisis affecting the United Nations.  The Committee’s pre-sessional working group, scheduled to be held after this session, and the sessions of both Optional Protocol Working Groups directly preceding this session were cancelled due to lack of funding.

    This year marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 of 31 October 2000, a landmark document that recognised the disproportionate impact of conflicts on women and girls and the crucial role of women in conflict prevention, conflict management and sustainable peace efforts, reflecting international human rights norms.

    Some 120 conflicts were affecting civilians and communities worldwide, and women and girls were primarily targeted by gender-based violence, in particular sexual violence, as a tactic of war to humiliate, dominate, instil fear in, and displace communities.  Situations of insecurity, organised violence and armed conflicts exacerbated pre-existing gender inequalities and placed women and girls at an increased risk of gender-based violence.  Mr. Ori commended the Committee on its work to update general recommendation 30 on women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations, which provided authoritative guidance to States parties on concrete measures to ensure that women’s rights were protected before, during and after conflict, and highlighted the importance of women’s meaningful participation in conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuilding.

    Mr. Ori welcomed that the Committee’s Chair would participate in the first panel of the 2025 annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women at the fifty-ninth session of the Human Rights Council, to be held on 24 June 2025 under the theme “Gender-based violence against women and girls in conflict, post-conflict and humanitarian settings”.  The second panel of the Council’s annual full-day discussion would focus on the theme “Commemoration of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy focusing on overcoming barriers to women’s leadership in peace processes”.  

    Mr. Ori said the global funding crisis was affecting the Committee’s work directly.  It was highly likely that, for those treaty bodies with three annual sessions, the Office of the High Commissioner would not be able to secure the funding to hold their third session.  The Office was therefore planning and operating under the assumption that no Committee would have a third session. The Office had received only 73 per cent of its approved regular budget in 2025, and 87 per cent of its approved regular budget in 2024. 

    The United Nations Office at Geneva’s conference services had also adopted cash conservation measures, which would impact the conference support provided to the United Nations human rights treaty bodies, with an overall reduction of 10 per cent.  With further reduction of the allotment, the mandated activities of treaty bodies would be even more affected in 2025 than in 2024. This would impact the treaty bodies’ ability to hold dialogues with States parties and to take decisions on individual communications, resulting in further delays and backlogs, and the Office was obliged to significantly reduce treaty body capacity building activities. 

    All this caused real damage to predictability, which was so important for States, civil society organizations and rights-holders to engage with treaty bodies.  Given the overall reduction in funds and availability of support services, “business as usual” was no longer possible and the treaty bodies needed to plan on “doing less with less”.

    The thirty-seventh annual meeting of Chairpersons of human rights treaty bodies was able to meet in Geneva from 2 to 6 June.  The Chairs dedicated the meeting to the liquidity crisis, which was affecting the very existence of treaty bodies, and to discussing what could be done to increase predictability under the current financial and human constraints. 

    Mr. Ori said he was aware that the Committee had a heavy programme ahead for the next three weeks, including constructive dialogues with eight States parties, the consideration of several individual communications, and the adoption of an addendum to general recommendation 30 on women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations.  He concluded by thanking the Committee for its unwavering commitment and dedication to advancing women’s rights and wished it a successful and productive session.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said that more than 123 million people were currently displaced worldwide due to conflict situations, the majority of whom were women and children.  What could be the role of the United Nations in the future if it could not prevent these conflicts?

    Another Committee Expert asked why tens of countries were not providing the funds they had promised to provide. Was the United Nations considering reassessing its priorities to ensure that the Committee could hold three sessions each year?

    A Committee Expert said that the members of the Committee did not take the current situation lightly.  It was a grand shame and a disgust.  How could Member States let this happen?

    A Committee Expert said that reducing the activities of the treaty bodies would further silence them at this important moment.  Human rights systems needed to be reenforced, and this required resourcing.  How could this silencing be prevented?

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chairperson, said that it was unacceptable that the work of the treaty bodies was becoming less and less visible.  The Committee hoped that something would happen that would allow it to hold its third session in September.

    Responses by the Representative of the Secretary-General

    ANDREA ORI, Chief of the Groups in Focus Section, Human Rights Treaties Branch, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Representative of the Secretary-General, said the Office of the High Commissioner shared the Committee’s concerns. This was a turning point in multilateralism and in international law.  There were more than 120 conflicts in the world, the primary victims of which were women and children.  Authoritarian regimes were taking advantage of and working to weaken the multilateral system.

    Some 40 per cent of the United Nations’ regular budget depended on two States.  If one of those States decided not to pay its dues, that shook the entire Organization.  This was a major factor in the instability of the United Nations system.  The Secretary-General was working to reform the system through the “UN80” initiative, looking for solutions that kept it functioning with limited resources.

    The UN80 initiative was focused on reform.  This was an opportunity to reform the whole system rationally, to allow it to meet the challenges of today.  As part of the initiative, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights was merging and regionalising its functions.  The Office was thinking optimistically but planning for the worst. It needed to be proactive rather than reactive and consider alternatives to stabilise the human rights system. The Committee also needed to consider alternative ways of carrying out its activities and reviewing States parties. Together, the Office and the Committee could find solutions for the challenges they faced by taking proactive decisions.

    Statements by Committee Experts

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chairperson, said that the Committee had taken decisions to increase the production of lists of issues prior to reporting.  The United Nations system needed to not be reactive, and UN80 needed to implement thoughtful rather than patchwork reforms.

    The Committee was meeting in one of the most challenging times for the multilateral system, amidst devastating conflicts, a weakening of the rule of law, and scarce resources.  Human rights mechanisms needed to be protected more than ever for the benefit of all stakeholders.

    Since the last session, the number of States parties that had ratified the Convention had remained at 189.  On 15 May 2025, San Marino accepted the amendment to article 20, paragraph one of the Convention concerning the Committee’s meeting time, bringing the total number of States parties having accepted the amendment to 82.  A total of 126 States parties to the Convention were currently required to accept the amendment for it to enter into force.  The number of States parties that had ratified the Optional Protocol remained at 115, but Estonia was in the process of ratification.

    Ms. Haidar said she was pleased to inform that since the last session, Afghanistan, Australia, Cyprus and Guinea-Bissau had submitted their periodic reports to the Committee.  The interim government of Syria had decided to withdraw the combined third and fourth periodic reports that had been submitted by the previous regime and submit a new report under the traditional reporting procedure.  The total number of States parties that had opted out from the simplified reporting procedure since the 2022 decision to make the simplified reporting procedure the default procedure remained at 13. 

    The Committee adopted its agenda and programme of work for the session, and Ms. Haidar and Committee Experts discussed the activities they had undertaken since the last session. 

    BANDANA RANA, on behalf of BRENDA AKIA, Committee Rapporteur and Chair of the Pre-Sessional Working Group, introduced the report of the pre-sessional Working Group for the ninety-first session, which met from 28 October to 1 November 2024 in Geneva.

    The Working Group prepared lists of issues and questions in relation to the reports of Botswana, Cabo Verde, Czech Republic, El Salvador and Lesotho, in addition to lists of issues and questions prior to the submission of the reports of Equatorial Guinea, Libya and Malta under the simplified reporting procedure.  The pre-sessional Working Group had the reports of these States parties, except for those of Equatorial Guinea, Libya and Malta, to be submitted in response to the respective lists of issues prior to reporting.  It further had before it the general recommendations adopted by the Committee; draft lists of issues and questions and lists of issues prior to reporting prepared by the Secretariat; and other pertinent information, including concluding observations of the Committee and other treaty bodies.  In preparing the lists, the Working Group paid particular attention to the States parties’ follow-up to the concluding observations of the Committee on their previous reports.  The Working Group benefited from written and oral information submitted by entities of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations, as well as by national human rights institutions.  The lists of issues and questions and lists of issues prior to reporting adopted by the Working Group were transmitted to the States parties concerned.

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chairperson, said that, in light of the backlog of State party reports pending consideration by the Committee accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee had decided to postpone the consideration of the States parties referred to in the report of the pre-sessional Working Group to future sessions, with the exception of Botswana.  The Committee instead decided to, during the present session, consider the reports of Afghanistan, Botswana, Chad, Ireland, Mexico, San Marino and Thailand, and adopt concluding observations on Fiji, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu, following country exchanges held during the Pacific technical cooperation session in Suva, Fiji from 7 to 11 April 2025.

    JELENA PIA-COMELLA, Committee Rapporteur on follow-up to concluding observations, briefed the Committee on the status of the follow-up reports received in response to the Committee’s concluding observations.  She said that at the end of the Committee’s ninetieth session, follow-up letters outlining the outcomes of assessments of follow-up reports were sent to Belgium, Gambia, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland.  Reminders were sent to Honduras, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Ukraine, as their follow-up reports were scheduled for consideration at the ninetieth session but had not been received.  Ukraine’s report had since been received and would be scheduled for assessment by the Committee at its ninety-second session in October 2025.

    For the present session, the Committee would consider follow-up reports from Finland and Georgia, both received on time; Bahrain and Norway, received with a one-month delay; Armenia, with more than two months’ delay; and Mongolia, Namibia and the United Arab Emirates with more than five months’ delay.  Reminders regarding the submission of follow-up reports would be sent to Costa Rica, Hungary and Mauritania.

    ___________

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    CEDAW25.011E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    June 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation signs an agreement with the Federation of Egyptian Industries, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, and 10 business councils and associations to expand the services provided through the Hub for Advisory, Finance & Investment for Enterprises platform across governorates


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    During the activities of the “Development Finance to Foster Private Sector-Led Growth & Jobs” conference, organized by the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, signed an agreement with the Federation of Egyptian Industries, the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, the Confederation of Egyptian European Business Associations (CEEBA), the Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce, the Egyptian-African Businessmen’s Association, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, the Egyptian-Japanese Business Council, the Swiss-Egyptian Business Association, the British Egyptian Business Association, the Egyptian Businessmen’s Association, the Egyptian Junior Business Association, and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Egypt.

    The agreement aims to enhance the benefit of private sector companies across Egyptian governorates whether large, small, medium, micro-enterprises, or startups from the financial and non-financial services and the direct and indirect mechanisms available through the “Hafiz” platform for financial and technical support to the private sector, through the Federation of Industries, business associations, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, and their branches in the various governorates.

    Commenting on the agreement, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized that the agreement comes within the framework of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation’s keenness as the entity responsible for setting and following up on the implementation of Egypt’s sustainable economic development strategies and ensuring alignment with “Egypt Vision 2030” to promote inclusive development by encouraging partnerships between the public and private sectors and activating the role of the “Private Sector Participation Unit” in integrating the efforts of the private sector within the state’s development priorities, especially in improving the business environment, supporting SMEs, and enhancing sectoral integration.

    H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat explained that through these agreements, the Ministry is working to maximize the private sector’s benefit from the Hub for Advisory, Finance & Investment for Enterprises, by facilitating the access of companies that are members of the chambers to the platform and taking full advantage of the available services and financing opportunities, furthermore holding a series of meetings organized by the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, through the private sector participation unit with international development partners, to promote ongoing dialogue and communication with the business community and relevant stakeholders.

    The Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation launched the Hub as one of the innovative mechanisms to advance the agenda of private sector empowerment by easing access to development financing and technical services. The platform was designed as an integrated digital portal that connects development partners, implementing agencies, government entities, and the business community of all categories including large corporations, SMEs, micro enterprises, and startups. The platform was developed as a strategic tool within the Ministry’s efforts to enhance economic diplomacy and mobilize finance for sustainable development.

    Through the Hub for Advisory, Finance & Investment for Enterprises, more than 90 financial and technical support services are made available by 44 bilateral and multilateral development partners. The platform has made notable progress, with the number of services increasing from 62 at its launch in December 2023 to over 90 today, and has attracted nearly 18,000 users from the private sector and entrepreneurial community. The platform’s database includes over 700 companies that have benefited from support services, and more than 1,000 tenders and development initiatives funded by development partners in Egypt and more than 80 other countries providing tangible opportunities for expansion and access to regional and international markets.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    June 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: 21Shares Expands Nasdaq Stockholm Offering with Five New Crypto ETP Listings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New listings reflect growing demand for regulated crypto investment products in the Nordic region

    Zurich, 16 June 2025 – 21Shares AG, one of the world’s largest issuers of cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs), today announced the crosslisting of five additional products on Nasdaq Stockholm, further solidifying its presence in the Nordic region and reinforcing its commitment to providing investors with regulated, transparent, and simple access to digital assets.

    The newly listed products include:

    • 21Shares Uniswap ETP (Ticker: AUNI)
    • 21Shares Avalanche ETP (Ticker: AVAX)
    • 21Shares Bitcoin Gold ETP (Ticker: BOLD)
    • 21Shares Solana Core Staking ETP (Ticker: CSOL)
    • 21Shares Ethereum Core ETP (Ticker: ETHC)

    These products join an existing suite of 21Shares products already available on Nasdaq Stockholm: the 21Shares Bitcoin ETP (ABTC), 21Shares Ethereum ETP (AETH), 21Shares Solana ETP (ASOL), 21Shares XRP ETP (AXRP), and 21Shares Bitcoin Core ETP (CBTC).

    “Our continued expansion in the Nordic region reflects the increasing demand from both retail and institutional investors for diversified and cost-effective crypto exposure,” said Mandy Chiu, Head of Financial Product Development at 21Shares. “By offering a broader selection of single-asset and thematic crypto ETPs, we’re empowering investors to build more customised and resilient portfolios through a familiar exchange environment.”

    “We are pleased to welcome the expansion of 21Shares’ product suite on Nasdaq Stockholm. These newly listed ETPs reflect the kind of innovation that is shaping the future of financial markets. As the ETP market continues to grow, we remain committed to modernising access to investment opportunities and supporting greater transparency,” said Helena Wedin, Head of ETF & ETP, Nasdaq European Markets.

    With this expansion, 21Shares now offers 10 ETPs on Nasdaq Stockholm, spanning large-cap cryptocurrencies, innovative index strategies, and staking-enabled products. All products are fully collateralised and traded in a regulated, liquid format, providing an easy gateway to digital assets without the need to manage wallets or custody directly. With annual fees ranging from 0.21% to 2.50%, these products are some of the most cost-efficient in the market.

    With listings across Europe that include Euronext Paris, Euronext Amsterdam, London Stock Exchange, and SIX Swiss Exchange, 21Shares is the largest and most diversified crypto ETP provider in the region.

    For more information on 21Shares’ full product suite, visit www.21shares.com.

    Notes to editors

    About 21Shares

    21Shares is one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange traded product providers and offers the largest suite of crypto ETPs in the market. The company was founded to make cryptocurrency more accessible to investors, and to bridge the gap between traditional finance and decentralized finance. 21Shares listed the world’s first physically-backed crypto ETP in 2018, building a seven-year track record of creating crypto exchange-traded funds that are listed on some of the biggest, most liquid securities exchanges globally. Backed by a specialized research team, proprietary technology, and deep capital markets expertise, 21Shares delivers innovative, simple and cost-efficient investment solutions.

    21Shares is a member of 21.co, a global leader in decentralized finance. For more information, please visit www.21Shares.com.

    Media Contact
    Matteo Valli
    matteo.valli@21shares.com

    DISCLAIMER

    This document is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities of 21Shares AG in any jurisdiction. Neither this document nor anything contained herein shall form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any offer or commitment whatsoever or for any other purpose in any jurisdiction. Nothing in this document should be considered investment advice.

    This document and the information contained herein are not for distribution in or into (directly or indirectly) the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which the distribution or release would be unlawful.

    This document does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. The securities of 21Shares AG to which these materials relate have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will not be a public offering of securities in the United States. Neither the US Securities and Exchange Commission nor any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States has approved or disapproved of an investment in the securities or passed on the accuracy or adequacy of the contents of this presentation. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

    Within the United Kingdom, this document is only being distributed to and is only directed at: (i) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”); or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”); or (iii) persons who fall within Article 43(2) of the Order, including existing members and creditors of the Company or (iv) any other persons to whom this document can be lawfully distributed in circumstances where section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply. The securities are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

    Exclusively for potential investors in any EEA Member State that has implemented the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) is made available on the Issuer’s website under www.21Shares.com.

    The approval of the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) should not be understood as an endorsement by the SFSA of the securities offered or admitted to trading on a regulated market. Eligible potential investors should read the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) and the relevant Final Terms before making an investment decision in order to understand the potential risks associated with the decision to invest in the securities. You are about to purchase a product that is not simple and may be difficult to understand.

    This document constitutes advertisement within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 and the Swiss Financial Services Act (the “FinSA”) and not a prospectus. The 2024 Base Prospectus of 21Shares AG has been deposited pursuant to article 54(2) FinSA with BX Swiss AG in its function as Swiss prospectus review body within the meaning of article 52 FinSA. The 2024 Base Prospectus and the key information document for any products may be obtained at 21Shares AG’s website (https://21shares.com/ir/prospectus or https://21shares.com/ir/kids).

    ###

    The MIL Network –

    June 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: 21Shares Expands Nasdaq Stockholm Offering with Five New Crypto ETP Listings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New listings reflect growing demand for regulated crypto investment products in the Nordic region

    Zurich, 16 June 2025 – 21Shares AG, one of the world’s largest issuers of cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs), today announced the crosslisting of five additional products on Nasdaq Stockholm, further solidifying its presence in the Nordic region and reinforcing its commitment to providing investors with regulated, transparent, and simple access to digital assets.

    The newly listed products include:

    • 21Shares Uniswap ETP (Ticker: AUNI)
    • 21Shares Avalanche ETP (Ticker: AVAX)
    • 21Shares Bitcoin Gold ETP (Ticker: BOLD)
    • 21Shares Solana Core Staking ETP (Ticker: CSOL)
    • 21Shares Ethereum Core ETP (Ticker: ETHC)

    These products join an existing suite of 21Shares products already available on Nasdaq Stockholm: the 21Shares Bitcoin ETP (ABTC), 21Shares Ethereum ETP (AETH), 21Shares Solana ETP (ASOL), 21Shares XRP ETP (AXRP), and 21Shares Bitcoin Core ETP (CBTC).

    “Our continued expansion in the Nordic region reflects the increasing demand from both retail and institutional investors for diversified and cost-effective crypto exposure,” said Mandy Chiu, Head of Financial Product Development at 21Shares. “By offering a broader selection of single-asset and thematic crypto ETPs, we’re empowering investors to build more customised and resilient portfolios through a familiar exchange environment.”

    “We are pleased to welcome the expansion of 21Shares’ product suite on Nasdaq Stockholm. These newly listed ETPs reflect the kind of innovation that is shaping the future of financial markets. As the ETP market continues to grow, we remain committed to modernising access to investment opportunities and supporting greater transparency,” said Helena Wedin, Head of ETF & ETP, Nasdaq European Markets.

    With this expansion, 21Shares now offers 10 ETPs on Nasdaq Stockholm, spanning large-cap cryptocurrencies, innovative index strategies, and staking-enabled products. All products are fully collateralised and traded in a regulated, liquid format, providing an easy gateway to digital assets without the need to manage wallets or custody directly. With annual fees ranging from 0.21% to 2.50%, these products are some of the most cost-efficient in the market.

    With listings across Europe that include Euronext Paris, Euronext Amsterdam, London Stock Exchange, and SIX Swiss Exchange, 21Shares is the largest and most diversified crypto ETP provider in the region.

    For more information on 21Shares’ full product suite, visit www.21shares.com.

    Notes to editors

    About 21Shares

    21Shares is one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange traded product providers and offers the largest suite of crypto ETPs in the market. The company was founded to make cryptocurrency more accessible to investors, and to bridge the gap between traditional finance and decentralized finance. 21Shares listed the world’s first physically-backed crypto ETP in 2018, building a seven-year track record of creating crypto exchange-traded funds that are listed on some of the biggest, most liquid securities exchanges globally. Backed by a specialized research team, proprietary technology, and deep capital markets expertise, 21Shares delivers innovative, simple and cost-efficient investment solutions.

    21Shares is a member of 21.co, a global leader in decentralized finance. For more information, please visit www.21Shares.com.

    Media Contact
    Matteo Valli
    matteo.valli@21shares.com

    DISCLAIMER

    This document is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities of 21Shares AG in any jurisdiction. Neither this document nor anything contained herein shall form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any offer or commitment whatsoever or for any other purpose in any jurisdiction. Nothing in this document should be considered investment advice.

    This document and the information contained herein are not for distribution in or into (directly or indirectly) the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which the distribution or release would be unlawful.

    This document does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. The securities of 21Shares AG to which these materials relate have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will not be a public offering of securities in the United States. Neither the US Securities and Exchange Commission nor any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States has approved or disapproved of an investment in the securities or passed on the accuracy or adequacy of the contents of this presentation. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

    Within the United Kingdom, this document is only being distributed to and is only directed at: (i) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”); or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”); or (iii) persons who fall within Article 43(2) of the Order, including existing members and creditors of the Company or (iv) any other persons to whom this document can be lawfully distributed in circumstances where section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply. The securities are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

    Exclusively for potential investors in any EEA Member State that has implemented the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) is made available on the Issuer’s website under www.21Shares.com.

    The approval of the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) should not be understood as an endorsement by the SFSA of the securities offered or admitted to trading on a regulated market. Eligible potential investors should read the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) and the relevant Final Terms before making an investment decision in order to understand the potential risks associated with the decision to invest in the securities. You are about to purchase a product that is not simple and may be difficult to understand.

    This document constitutes advertisement within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 and the Swiss Financial Services Act (the “FinSA”) and not a prospectus. The 2024 Base Prospectus of 21Shares AG has been deposited pursuant to article 54(2) FinSA with BX Swiss AG in its function as Swiss prospectus review body within the meaning of article 52 FinSA. The 2024 Base Prospectus and the key information document for any products may be obtained at 21Shares AG’s website (https://21shares.com/ir/prospectus or https://21shares.com/ir/kids).

    ###

    The MIL Network –

    June 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: 34/2025・Trifork Group: Weekly report on share buyback

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company announcement no. 34 / 2025
    Schindellegi, Switzerland – 16 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:

            Number of shares        Average purchase price (DKK)        Transaction value (DKK)
    Total beginning 106,074 87.65 9,297,085
    9 June 2025     Market closed
    10 June 2025 1,385 93.67 129,733
    11 June 2025 1,700 93.92 159,664
    12 June 2025 1,900 96.94 184,186
    13 June 2025 1,900 98.40 186,960
    Accumulated 112,959 88.15 9,957,628

    A detailed overview of the daily transactions can be found here: https://investor.trifork.com/trifork-shares/

    Since the share buyback program was started on 4 March 2025, the total number of repurchased shares is 112,959 at a total amount of DKK 9,957,628.
    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 344,975 treasury shares, corresponding to 1.7%. The total number of registered shares in Trifork is 19,744,899. Adjusted for treasury shares, the number of outstanding shares is 19,399,924.

    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.

    Attachment

    • CA_34_25_Buyback

    The MIL Network –

    June 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: WISeKey Appoints Rolf Gobet to its Strategic Advisory Committee

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WISeKey Appoints Rolf Gobet to its Strategic Advisory Committee

    Geneva – June 16, 2025 – WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY), a leading global cybersecurity, blockchain, and IoT company, today announced the appointment of Rolf Gobet to its Strategic Advisory Committee.

    Mr. Gobet brings over three decades of experience in managing complex public-private projects, as he has held several leadership roles across Europe. As part of HP’s EMEA e-government group, which focuses on providing technological solutions and services to public sector organizations in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, Mr. Gobet led the implementation of the world’s first internet voting solution, an achievement made possible through a close collaboration with WISeKey. This initiative set a global benchmark for digital trust and innovation in democratic processes.

    Mr. Gobet also played a key role in the development of TOSA, the world’s first fully electric bus system that charges on the go without using overhead contact lines. This groundbreaking project was delivered through a public-private partnership involving major players, including multinational ABB, a global technology leader in electrification and automation, acquired by Hitachi in 2022. His ability to bring together stakeholders from government, industry, and academia has made him a recognized leader in technology-led transformation.

    In French-speaking Switzerland, Mr. Gobet helped establish clusters of excellence, including the GAIN cluster, which unites aerospace companies in a collaborative innovation ecosystem. For more than 10 years, he directed the Office for the Promotion of Industries and Technologies (OPI), where he supported the economic development of companies ranging from startups to global enterprises. Mr. Gobet holds a master’s degree from the University of Lausanne.

    “We are honored to welcome Rolf to our Strategic Advisory Committee,” said Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of WISeKey. “His pioneering achievements, deep public-private experience, and unique vision for sustainable and inclusive innovation make him a valuable asset to WISeKey’s global mission.”

    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 Investor Contacts

    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

    The MIL Network –

    June 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: WISeKey Appoints Rolf Gobet to its Strategic Advisory Committee

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WISeKey Appoints Rolf Gobet to its Strategic Advisory Committee

    Geneva – June 16, 2025 – WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY), a leading global cybersecurity, blockchain, and IoT company, today announced the appointment of Rolf Gobet to its Strategic Advisory Committee.

    Mr. Gobet brings over three decades of experience in managing complex public-private projects, as he has held several leadership roles across Europe. As part of HP’s EMEA e-government group, which focuses on providing technological solutions and services to public sector organizations in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, Mr. Gobet led the implementation of the world’s first internet voting solution, an achievement made possible through a close collaboration with WISeKey. This initiative set a global benchmark for digital trust and innovation in democratic processes.

    Mr. Gobet also played a key role in the development of TOSA, the world’s first fully electric bus system that charges on the go without using overhead contact lines. This groundbreaking project was delivered through a public-private partnership involving major players, including multinational ABB, a global technology leader in electrification and automation, acquired by Hitachi in 2022. His ability to bring together stakeholders from government, industry, and academia has made him a recognized leader in technology-led transformation.

    In French-speaking Switzerland, Mr. Gobet helped establish clusters of excellence, including the GAIN cluster, which unites aerospace companies in a collaborative innovation ecosystem. For more than 10 years, he directed the Office for the Promotion of Industries and Technologies (OPI), where he supported the economic development of companies ranging from startups to global enterprises. Mr. Gobet holds a master’s degree from the University of Lausanne.

    “We are honored to welcome Rolf to our Strategic Advisory Committee,” said Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of WISeKey. “His pioneering achievements, deep public-private experience, and unique vision for sustainable and inclusive innovation make him a valuable asset to WISeKey’s global mission.”

    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 Investor Contacts

    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

    The MIL Network –

    June 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Samsung and Art Basel Unveil Largest Art Basel Collection to Date on Samsung Art Store

    Source: Samsung

    ▲ Hedi Mertens’s Gruppo di quadrati sulla base di un quadrato (1966) shown on Neo QLED by Samsung.
     
    Samsung Electronics, the Official Art TV of Art Basel, today announced the launch of the Art Basel in Basel (ABB) Collection, an exclusive curation of digital art available across Samsung TVs with Samsung Art Store.1 Representing the most extensive Art Basel collection to date, the ABB Collection introduces 38 curated works from globally renowned artists and galleries — marking a new milestone in Samsung and Art Basel’s mission to bring world-class art to a wider audience.
     
    The ABB Collection stands apart for its emphasis on diversity, with works that span continents, mediums and voices. For the first time, the collection features representation from an Africa-based gallery, deepening the global reach and cultural richness of the Samsung x Art Basel initiative. Some of this collection will be displayed at the Art Basel, from June 19-22, at Messe Basel in Switzerland.2
     
     
    A Curated Vision of Global Expression
    Handpicked from over 100 submissions, the 38 pieces in the ABB Collection were carefully curated with a focus on artist diversity, medium variety and geographic representation. The collection celebrates both emerging talent and established visionaries, aligning with Art Basel’s dedication to championing contemporary art from all corners of the world.
     
    Highlights include:
     

    Roméo Mivekannin, “Young woman with peonies after Frédéric Bazille” (2023): A compelling reimagining of classical portraiture from a postcolonial perspective.
    Basim Magdy, “An Intergalactic Messenger Teleported us to a Cave Settlement Ruled by Shared Compassion and Humility” (2022): A vibrant exploration of utopian futurism.
    Zandile Tshabalala, “Pink Blossoms” (2024): A powerful portrait celebrating Black femininity and nature.
    Antonia Kuo, “Willo” (diptych) (2024): A striking dual-panel composition that fuses digital manipulation with analog techniques.

     
    The collection also includes works by iconic names such as Jo Baer, Kibong Rhee and Lynn Hershman Leeson, further enriching the visual and thematic depth of this year’s selection.
     
     
    ArtCube: An Interactive Hands-on Experience at Art Basel
    ▲ Jo Baer’s Untitled (1961-1962) shown on Neo QLED by Samsung.
     
    To further highlight the intersection of art and technology, Samsung will present an interactive lounge titled ArtCube3 at Art Basel. This immersive showcase will demonstrate how The Frame, MICRO LED and Neo QLED 8K redefine digital art experiences by displaying artwork — including selections from the Art Basel Collection — with breathtaking detail and depth.
     
    ArtCube invites visitors to engage with the Samsung Art Store’s exclusive collections and freely experience the premium picture quality. Visitors can also make customized portraits of moving art pieces only available through ArtCube’s tailored curation. In addition to the ArtCube lounge experience, Samsung will host a series of panel discussions featuring influential voices from the contemporary art scene, sparking conversations around technology’s expanding role in artistic expression and accessibility.
     
     
    Strengthening a Cultural Partnership
    Samsung and Art Basel have partnered to introduce curated digital collections that began with the 2024 Art Basel Miami Beach, 2025 Art Basel Hong Kong, and now includes the 2025 Art Basel in Basel. Artworks from Art Basel Hong Kong, launched in March, have gained global popularity among Art Store users, ranking them in top 10 most-viewed art pieces.4 This ongoing collaboration highlights the shared vision of expanding the role of displays as vibrant platforms for storytelling and artistic dialogue.

     
    “With the launch of a new collection in the Samsung Art Store for Art Basel in Basel 2025, we’re thrilled to offer our global audiences new ways to engage with our show,” said Maike Cruse, Director of Art Basel in Basel. Our global partnership with Samsung extends the visitor experience beyond the Messe and into people’s homes — creating new entry points to discover the exceptional artists and galleries that define our flagship fair in Basel.”
     
     
    Completing a Unique Art Experience on Samsung Art TVs
    ▲ Lynn Hershman Leeson’s Seduction (1985) shown on Neo QLED 8K by Samsung.
     
    Samsung Art Store offers the best way to transform your TV and elevate your home decor with the perfect piece of art for every season, holiday and mood. You can choose from 3,500+ works of art spanning over 800 artists, including the ABB Collection.
     
    Spanning the Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED, QLED, The Frame and The Frame Pro, which are powered by Samsung Vision AI for AI-enhanced picture and sound, Samsung Art Store is newly available across the Samsung 2025 TV lineup. These TV models also come with new personalized features that bring users closer to all the shows, movies and sports they love. Across the lineup, Samsung offers more ways than ever to transform TV screens into personalized art galleries.
     
    The Art Basel in Basel Collection is now available exclusively on the Samsung Art Store to all Samsung Art TV users.
     
    For more information, visit www.samsung.com.
     
     
    About Art Basel
    Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Basel, Art Basel today stages the world’s premier art shows for Modern and contemporary art, sited in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong and Paris. Defined by its host city and region, each show is unique, which is reflected in its participating galleries, artworks presented, and the content of parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions for each edition. Art Basel’s engagement has expanded beyond art fairs through new digital platforms including the Art Basel App and initiatives such as the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report and the Art Basel Awards. Art Basel’s Global Lead Partner is UBS. For further information, please visit artbasel.com.
     
     
    1 Samsung Art TV includes MICRO LED, The Frame, The Frame Pro, Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED and QLED models starting from Q7F and above.
    2 Event is open to the public from June 19-22, after VIP opening from June 16-18.
    3 Samsung Lounge ‘ArtCube’ is in Halle 1, the main exhibition floor inside Messe Basel.
    4 The information provided is based on the results collected during April 2025.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    June 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Police appeal for information after reported attempted rape

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives have released an image of a man they wish to speak to following an attempted rape in Finchley on Wednesday, 11 June.

    A woman in her 30s reported that a man seriously sexually assaulted her at a cinema in South Hampstead at around 15:45hrs. She is currently being supported by specialist officers.

    The man, pictured, is believed to have left the venue following the incident – walking towards Swiss Cottage.

    The man is described as in his 50s, approximately 5ft 6”, with a slim build. He has dark hair on the sides of his head and was captured on CCTV wearing a North Face coat and glasses following the alleged offence on Wednesday, 11 June.

    The investigation team are looking to hear from anyone who believes they saw – or know – this man. Those with information should contact 101, quoting investigation reference 5365/11JUN.

    MIL Security OSI –

    June 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Banking: The WTO welcomes students to 23rd John H. Jackson Moot Court Finals

    Source: World Trade Organization

    The John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition is a simulated hearing under the rules of the WTO dispute settlement system involving exchanges of written submissions and adversarial hearings before panelists on international trade law issues. The competition is organized by the European Law Students’ Association (ELSA). The WTO has been a technical supporter of the competition since its inception in 2002.

    This year, 65 student teams from 35 WTO members competed in the Regional Rounds, including South and West Asia, East Asia and Oceania, Africa, the Americas (North, South, and the Caribbean), and Europe. Nineteen teams competed in the South and West Asia Round, 12 teams were represented in the East Asia and Oceania Round, 11 teams participated in the African Round, eight teams competed in the All-American Round, and 18 teams took part in the two European Regional Rounds. From these 65 teams, 24 qualified for the Final Oral Round, representing a wide global participation from 15 WTO members: Belgium, Canada, China, Colombia, Germany, India, Kenya, the Netherlands, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei, the United Kingdom, and the United States.  

    DDG Ellard opened the Final Oral Round and welcomed the students to the WTO on 10 June. In her opening remarks, DDG Ellard emphasized the importance of the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition to capacity building by training students in international trade law, legal writing, and oral advocacy skills. DDG Ellard noted that her own experience participating in moot court as a law student showed her “the immense value of the experience you have embarked on in the development of knowledge, skills, and life-long friendships and connections.” DDG Ellard noted that Jackson Moot alumni can be found working in governments, academia, think tanks, law firms, and the WTO Secretariat.

    DDG Ellard congratulated Mr Marios Tokas of the Geneva Graduate Institute and Mr Panagiotis Kyriakou of the law firm Archipel, authors of this year’s moot problem. She noted that the topic of the case the students have been debating “demonstrates our challenge in addressing modern day problems — such as digital transfer of data, protection of consumer privacy, and regulation of competition (or anti-trust).” She drew the students’ attention to the ongoing work in the WTO on digital technologies and trade and e-commerce-related issues. “These efforts underscore the vision that even as trade evolves the rules-based approach with the WTO at its centre must continue to be the way forward with the economic rule of law,” she said.

    Noting that the international trade community supports the competition, DDG Ellard thanked all the sponsors and WTO staff members who contributed to the organization of the competition and wished teams the best of luck.

    The students also had the opportunity to meet DG Okonjo-Iweala on 13 June and heard from her how much the WTO looks forward to welcoming the students each year not only to the competition, but to the community of international trade law.

    During this week, teams are competing against each other before panels of WTO law experts. The grand final of the competition will take place on Saturday, 14 June, and will be livestreamed here.

    Share

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    June 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Bulgaria is joining the euro in January – and not everyone is pleased

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Yuxiang Lin, Doctoral Researcher, Centre for Russian, European and Eurasian Studies, University of Birmingham

    The EU has given the green light for Bulgaria to join the euro from January 1 2026. This huge step towards European integration comes just six months after Bulgaria became a full member of Schengen area, within which people can move freely across borders.

    However, while rapprochement moves apace at the top level, euroscepticism shows little sign of abating at the grassroots level in Bulgaria, or in national party politics.

    Protests calling for Bulgaria to stick with its national currency have sprung up in both capital city Sofia and in several towns around the country. A May poll showed that 38% of Bulgarians were against the euro and only 21% agreed that the switch should go ahead in January.

    Others wanted to wait a few years. In a similar poll in January, 40% of respondents said they never wanted Bulgaria to join the euro.

    Anti-euro protests tend to be associated with the Bulgarian nationalist political parties. The most influential of these, Vazrazhdane, has become increasingly popular and won 13.63% in the most recent parliamentary elections in October 2024. It had won just 2.45% in elections held in April 2021.

    Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007. When, in December 2021, I interviewed a former spokesman for the political party NDSV (National Movement Simeon II), which was in government from 2001 to 2009, they said Bulgarians had very high expectations ahead of becoming part of the bloc.

    They had thought it would take just a few years for Bulgaria to be as economically developed as Switzerland, and that their standard of life would soar. The dream was that Bulgaria to become the so-called “Switzerland of the Balkans”, as both countries have similar population size and a similar touristic appeal.

    The EU has channelled €16.3 billion into Bulgaria since the country joined EU, particularly for infrastructure development. However, a year of fieldwork has shown me that Sofia has been the main benefactor of this investment.

    Small municipalities and rural communities have not felt the benefit as clearly. Among the €16.3 billion, Sofia received €3.1 billion and Plovdiv received €0.8 billion.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Whereas Sofia gets new metro lines during recent years, citizens in some municipalities still struggle with basic public services for survival. Nearly 15% of the country’s population struggles with regular quality water supply.

    The imagined “European” standard of life has not yet reached small municipalities and rural areas. Europe still feels far away.

    Becoming part of the EU has given opportunities to Bulgarian citizens to work and live abroad in European countries. Official figures show 861,054 Bulgarian citizens lived in other EU countries in 2022. Recently a total of 74% of young people in Bulgaria are considering more or less seriously the idea of emigrating abroad.

    However, the trend of young people working abroad in Europe has caused brain drain and has partially contributed to the decreasing population of Bulgaria, which fell from 7.68 million before it joined the EU in 2006 to 6.44 million in 2024.

    According to a research analyst at a Sofia-based non-governmental organisation who I interviewed recently, many Bulgarian parents hope that their children working abroad in Europe will return to work in Bulgaria, because jobs for migrants abroad tend not be for high-skilled workers.

    Accession to the eurozone is more likely to benefit Sofia-based people who do business abroad rather than older people living local lives in small municipalities or rural areas. Younger and working people have already been shown to be the ones who benefited most from European integration in Bulgaria and Romania in the first place.

    That said, support for EU membership has been rising recently.

    Holding a coalition together

    Despite euroscepticism, European integration is one of the few issues that unites Bulgaria’s fragile coalition government – although not all political parties agree with joining the eurozone.

    Bulgaria held seven parliamentary elections between April 2021 and October 2024. It therefore has been a surprise that amid the political turmoil, the coalition government that was formed in October 2024 has survived. A very important motivational source here is unity on the question of Europe.

    But with mixed results so far and with meaningful levels of opposition the joining the euro, Bulgaria’s government will have to be careful about the potential for eurosceptic movements to grow as they have in several other EU nations.

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

    – ref. Bulgaria is joining the euro in January – and not everyone is pleased – https://theconversation.com/bulgaria-is-joining-the-euro-in-january-and-not-everyone-is-pleased-258626

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    June 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The End of Light Goods Vehicle Acquired Rights

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    The End of Light Goods Vehicle Acquired Rights

    Since May 2022, transport companies and couriers using vans and car and trailers over 2.5 tonnes to transport goods in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland have needed a Standard International Goods Vehicle Operator Licence and have a designated transport manager.

    Over the past year the Office of the Traffic Commissioner has been working with the 293 operators who relied on a transport manager that holds an Acquired Rights Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) for light goods vehicles.

    As the certificate could only be used to satisfy the professional competence requirements on an operator’s licence until 20 May 2025, it was important that they had a suitably qualified person specified on their operator’s licence before this date. Without it, their operator’s licence is at risk of revocation.

    The transport manager is a vital part of a transport company. They are responsible for helping to ensure that all goods and passengers reach their destinations safely. They ensure drivers have a valid licence and do not speed or break the drivers’ hours rules, vehicles are taxed and insured, have a valid MOT, are properly maintained and are loaded safely and the vehicle operator does not break safety rules.

    Gaining the CPC can take up to a year and the majority of those with acquired rights have spent the time and effort gaining the CPC qualifications they need. Some operators have appointed new, already qualified transport managers. Some no longer need the licence and have surrendered them, but for around 90 operators, licence revocation is now immanent, jeopardising their businesses through inaction.

    If you would like to know how to become a transport manager, visit https://www.gov.uk/become-transport-manager

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    Updates to this page

    Published 13 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    June 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Second Central Asian regional simulation-based training strengthens joint response to human trafficking

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: Second Central Asian regional simulation-based training strengthens joint response to human trafficking

    Labour inspectors inspect a construction site as part of the simulation. (OSCE) Photo details

    Over 130 practitioners from Central Asia and Türkiye gathered this week at Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, for a five-day regional simulation-based training exercise on combating trafficking in human beings.
    The training was opened by Nurlanbek Azygaliev, Vice Speaker of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic, who emphasized during his opening remarks that, “platforms created by the OSCE, especially simulation trainings, have become not just a place for training, but a real tool for establishing partnership, trust and interaction.”
    Throughout the week, participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan took part in an immersive “learning-by-doing” training that reflected real-world human trafficking scenarios. Set in a complex, multi-country fictional environment, the simulation focused on trafficking for sexual and labour exploitation, as well as forced criminality.  Participants worked through realistic cases involving the recruitment, transport, and exploitation of vulnerable individuals including children, persons with disabilities, and undocumented migrants. They were tasked with carrying out joint multi-agency and cross-sectorial investigations, applying standard operating procedures to identify presumed victims, and delivering victim-centered assistance and protection, especially for those facing multiple, overlapping risks.
    “With our simulations, we aim to break down silos and foster a spirit of cooperation in your joint efforts to combat human trafficking. True progress can only be achieved when law enforcement, civil society, prosecutors, asylum authorities, labour inspectors, and social workers work hand in hand” said Kari Johnstone, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings during the closing ceremony today.
    The exercise was organized by the OSCE Programme Offices in Bishkek and the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, in close co-operation with the Migration and Human Trafficking Council under the Speaker of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Interior of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Ministry of Labour, Social Care and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic as well as OSCE Field Operations in Central Asia. 
    The event was made possible thanks to support from the governments of Germany, Ireland, Italy, France, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, and Switzerland, as well as the United States Mission to the OSCE. The training also benefited from the expertise and financial support of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and the Prague Process Secretariat.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    June 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Temenos named best-selling core banking provider for 20th consecutive year by IBS Intelligence

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GRAND-LANCY, Switzerland, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Temenos (SIX: TEMN), a global leader in banking technology, today announced it has been recognized as the #1 best-selling software provider in 13 categories in the IBSi Sales League Table (SLT) 2025.

    Temenos ranked #1 for core banking for the 20th consecutive year, while also topping the table for categories covering digital, payments, wealth and Islamic banking. The results highlight the breadth of Temenos’ leadership as the banking technology provider of choice across multiple product segments.

    The IBS Intelligence Annual Sales League Table is an annual benchmarking exercise, which is now in its 24th year and is based on the number of new customer contracts signed in a calendar year. The SLT is recognized as the barometer for financial technology providers’ sales performance across the banking industry.

    Jean-Pierre Brulard, CEO, Temenos, said: “I’m delighted to see Temenos top the rankings in 13 different categories in the IBSi Sales League Table, highlighting the strength and breadth of our market-leading capabilities. Being named the number one core banking software provider globally for 20 years in a row reflects both our customer-centric focus and relentless investment in innovation. As we continue to lead banking forward with the launch of game-changing Generative and Agentic AI capabilities, the advanced functionality, agility and scalability of our solutions makes Temenos a compelling choice for banks of all sizes around the world.”

    Temenos ranked #1 In the IBSi SLT 2025 across the following 13 categories:

    • Universal Banking – Core
    • Digital Banking and Channels
    • Payments – Retail
    • Private Banking and Wealth Management
    • Risk Management
    • Treasury and Risk Management
    • Digital Only Banks
    • Datawarehouse & BI
    • Islamic Banking – Universal Banking – Core
    • Islamic Banking – Risk Management
    • Islamic Banking – Payments – Retail
    • Islamic Banking – Wholesale Banking Treasury
    • Islamic Banking – Digital Banking and Channels

    With its market-leading core banking suite and best-in-class modular solutions, Temenos offers financial institutions choice, flexibility and a proven path to banking modernization – underpinned with cloud-native architecture, and embedded AI. Trusted by over 950 core banking clients and over 650 digital clients around the world, Temenos software can be deployed on-premises, in the cloud, or as SaaS.

    Investing around 20% of revenues in R&D, Temenos continues to enhance its capabilities. Recent innovations include the launch of a Gen AI Copilot to help financial institutions design, launch, test and optimize financial products faster, as well as an FCM AI Agent that can help banks significantly reduce false positives in sanctions screening.

    Nikhil Gokhale, Director – Research & Digital Properties at IBS Intelligence, commented: “The 2025 edition of the IBSi Sales League Table reflects the growing maturity of digital transformation across the global banking industry. With sustained investment in modern core platforms, intelligent digital channels, and real-time payments, banks are clearly prioritizing agility, scale, and customer experience. Temenos has once again demonstrated exceptional global leadership, with standout performance in Core, Digital, Payments, and Risk. On behalf of IBSi, I extend my congratulations to the Temenos team for consistently being at the forefront of innovation and execution. The SLT continues to serve as a trusted benchmark for momentum in banking technology worldwide.”

    Recognition in the IBSi SLT is the latest industry accolade for Temenos, which was also named a Leader in the 2024 IDC MarketScapes for Digital Core Banking Platforms in North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific and in the Forrester Wave™: Digital Banking Processing Platforms, Q4 2024.

    The MIL Network –

    June 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Meets the Olympic Spirit: Dreaming of a New Future Through Technology and Sport With the IOC

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics’ global flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, took the spotlight at a global gathering of changemakers hosted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland — where innovation, sport and social impact converged.
     
    From June 3 to 5, as a Worldwide Mobile and Computing Equipment Partner of Olympic & Paralympic, Samsung participated in the first Olympism365 Summit: Sport For A Better World at the IOC headquarters to showcase its Solve for Tomorrow vision of empowering youth through education and technology — highlighting stories from around the world that demonstrate how the program is helping young people tackle real-world challenges in their communities.
     
    Over three days, the event brought together more than 250 representatives from 100 organizations — across the Olympic Movement, United Nations agencies, development and financing institutions, civil society, for-purpose business, safe sport community and IOC Young Leaders working together — to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through sport.
     
    ▲ IOC President Thomas Bach delivers a keynote at the IOC Youth Summit.
     
    Held as part of the Olympism365 Summit, the IOC Youth Summit provided a platform for IOC Young Leaders to contribute their perspectives, collaborate on innovative solutions and help shape the future of sport for development — offering a vital contribution to the Olympism365 strategy focused on building a better world through sport.
     
    During the summit, Ramneek Kaur Ahluwalia, the 2022 winner of the United Kingdom’s Solve for Tomorrow program, spoke about how the experience shaped her personal growth.
     
    “What started off as a challenging lived experience of being isolated, vulnerable and stereotyped when using a white cane, quickly fueled the evolution of award-winning MyVision,” she said. “Thanks to the amazing Samsung Solve for Tomorrow mentors who helped me utilize the design thinking process and technical expertise to create a truly life-changing device.”
     
    She shared her journey developing MyVision, a smart assistive device designed to help people with congenital visual impairments. Drawing from her own experience with visual impairment, Ramneek described how Solve for Tomorrow helped her to grow — and outlined her ongoing efforts to expand her dream realized through Solve for Tomorrow into broader educational and career opportunities for others with similar challenges.
     
    ▲ Ramneek Kaur Ahluwalia shares her journey with IOC Young Leaders.
     
    The event also provided opportunities to engage with IOC officials and other Young Leaders from around the world. Ramneek met with Sherief Kholeif, a United Kingdom-based IOC Young Leader, to discuss sports programs for marginalized youth in Scotland and exchanged ideas with participants on the social impact of combining sport and technology.
     
    Building on its participation in the Olympism365 Summit and the IOC Youth Summit, Samsung plans to strengthen its collaboration with the IOC by designating “Social Change Through Sport & Technology” as one of the global themes for Solve for Tomorrow 2025. In doing so, the company will continue to support young people worldwide in developing creative, practical ideas to drive positive change in their communities.
     
    “It was a pleasure to meet Ramneek, one of Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow ambassadors at the IOC Youth Summit,” said Kholeif. “Her innovative and thoughtful ideas are inspiring. It is encouraging to see Samsung paving the way for young students around the world who believe in creating a more accessible and inclusive future through innovation. I hope the Solve for Tomorrow program continues to create meaningful opportunities for my fellow Young Leaders, and that together we can make a difference by combining technology and sport.”
     
    ▲ (From left) Sherief Kholeif and Ramneek Kaur Ahluwalia
     
    Notably, the “Social Change Through Sport & Technology” theme was selected through a public vote held during the Olympic Games in Paris last year. The theme reflects growing global concerns around sustainability and sport, encouraging young people to develop innovative solutions that demonstrate the positive social and environmental impact of sport.
     
    ▲ Ramneek Kaur Ahluwalia joins IOC Young Leaders for a group photo.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    June 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Terranet’s rights issue oversubscribed

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, NEW ZEALAND, HONG KONG, JAPAN, SINGAPORE, SOUTH AFRICA, SOUTH KOREA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL OR WOULD REQUIRE REGISTRATION OR ANY OTHER MEASURES. PLEASE REFER TO IMPORTANT INFORMATION AT THE END OF THE PRESS RELEASE.

    Terranet AB (“Terranet” or the “Company”) has completed the rights issue of units, consisting of shares of series B and warrants of series TO9 B, which the Board of Directors decided on April 16, 2025, and was approved by the Annual General Meeting on May 23, 2025 (the ‘Rights Issue’). The outcome shows that 10,349,896 units were subscribed for with unit rights, corresponding to approximately 74.6 percent of the Rights Issue. In addition, the Company has received subscription applications for 4,704,934 units, corresponding to approximately 33.9 percent of the Rights Issue, for subscription without unit rights. In total, 15,054,830 units were subscribed for with unit rights and subscription applications, corresponding to approximately 108.5 percent of the Rights Issue. The Rights Issue is thus oversubscribed and will raise approximately SEK 15 million before issue costs. No underwriting commitments will be utilised.

    Outcome of the Rights Issue
    The subscription period in the Rights Issue ended on June 11, 2025. The outcome shows that 10,349,896 units were subscribed for with unit rights, corresponding to approximately 74.6 percent of the Rights Issue. Furthermore, the Company has received subscription applications to subscribe for 4,704,934 units without unit rights, corresponding to approximately 33.9 percent of the Rights Issue. Thus, 15,054,830 units were subscribed for with and without unit rights, corresponding to approximately 108.5 percent of the Rights Issue. The Rights Issue is thus oversubscribed, and no underwriting commitments will be utilised.

    Each unit in the Rights Issue consists of twelve (12) B-shares and three (3) warrants of series TO9 B. In total, 13,880,714 units will thus be allocated, corresponding to 166,568,568 newly issued B-shares and 41,642,142 warrants of series TO9 B.

    Through the Rights Issue, the Company will receive approximately SEK 15 million before issue costs. Upon full utilisation of all warrants of series TO9 B within the framework of the offered units, the Company may receive an additional maximum of approximately SEK 15.1 million.

    Comment from Lars Lindell, CEO
    “We are very pleased that so many shareholders have chosen to exercise their subscription rights and thereby shown their confidence in the company and its future development. Through the proceeds we receive from the issues, we will be able to take significant steps in both product and business development and lay the foundation for the commercialization of BlincVision.”

    Allocation of units subscribed without unit rights
    Allotment of units subscribed for without unit rights has been made in accordance with what is stated in the information memorandum published by the Company on May 26, 2025, in connection with the Rights Issue. Notice of such allotment will be announced separately through a settlement note. Nominee-registered shareholders will receive notification of allotment in accordance with instructions from the respective nominee.

    Shares and share capital
    Through the Rights Issue, and after registration of the Second Directed Issue announced by the Company through a press release on April 16, 2025, the number of shares in the Company will increase by 166,568,568 B-shares from 1,471,519,182 shares (1,084,463 A-shares and 1,470,434,719 B-shares) to 1,638,087,750 shares, and the share capital will increase by SEK 1,665,685.68, from SEK 14,715,191.82 to SEK 16,380,877.50. The dilution effect, after registration of the Second Directed Issue, amounts to 10.2 percent in the Rights Issue.

    In the event that all attached warrants of series TO9 B are fully exercised for subscription of new B-shares in the Company, the number of shares in the Company will increase by an additional 83,729,677 B-shares, from 1,638,087,750 shares (1,084,463 A-shares and 1,637,003,287 B-shares) to 1,721,817,427 shares, and the share capital will increase by an additional SEK 837,296.770, from SEK 16,380,877.500 to SEK 17,218,174.270. The dilution effect, if all warrants of series TO9 B are exercised, amounts to 4.9 percent.

    Warrants of series TO9 B
    Each warrant of series TO9 B entitles the holder to subscribe for one (1) new B-share in the Company. One (1) warrant of series TO9 B entitles the holder to subscribe for one (1) B-share in the Company at a subscription price of SEK 0.18 (corresponding to 200 percent of the subscription price per B-share in the Directed Issues and the Rights Issue). Application for subscription of B-shares with the support of warrants of series TO9 B will take place during the period from December 1, 2025, up to and including December 15, 2025. The warrants are intended to be admitted to trading on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market.

    Paid subscribed units (“BTU”)
    Trading in BTU (paid subscribed units) will take place on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market until June 30, 2025, or until the conversion of BTUs into B shares and warrants of series TO9 B, which will take place after the Rights Issue has been registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office. Registration with the Swedish Companies Registration Office is expected to take place during week 26, 2025.

    Compensation to underwriters
    In connection with the Rights Issue, two (2) external investors have provided underwriting commitments corresponding to 99.8 per cent of the Rights Issue. For underwriting commitments made, underwriting compensation of 12 percent of the underwritten amount is paid in the form of newly issued units. In total, a maximum of 1,661,774 new units may be issued as underwriting compensation to the underwriters.

    Advisers
    Mangold Fondkommission AB is the financial advisor to Terranet in connection with the Rights Issue. Eversheds Sutherland Advokatbyrå AB is the legal advisor to the Company in connection with the Rights Issue.

    For more information, please contact:
    Dan Wahrenberg, CFO
    E-mail: dan.wahrenberg@terranet.se

    This information is such that Terranet AB is required to make public in accordance with the EU’s Market Abuse Regulation (MAR). The information was made public by the Company’s contact person above on June 13, 2025, at 08:00 CET.

    About Terranet AB (publ) 

    Terranet’s goal is to save lives in urban traffic. The company develops innovative technical solutions for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Autonomous Vehicles (AV). Terranet’s anti-collision system BlincVision laser scans and detects road objects up to ten times faster than any other ADAS technology available today.
    The company is headquartered in Lund, with offices in Gothenburg and Stuttgart. Since 2017, Terranet has been listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market (Nasdaq: TERRNT-B).

    Follow our journey at: www.terranet.se

    Certified Adviser to Terranet is Mangold Fondkommission AB.

    Important information
    The release, announcement or distribution of this press release may, in certain jurisdictions, be subject to restrictions. The recipients of this press release in jurisdictions where this press release has been published or distributed shall inform themselves of and follow such restrictions. The recipient of this press release is responsible for using this press release, and the information contained herein, in accordance with applicable rules in each jurisdiction. This press release does not constitute an offer, or a solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities in Terranet in any jurisdiction, neither from Terranet nor anyone else.

    This press release does not constitute or form part of an offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States. The securities referred to herein may not be sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There is no intention to register any securities referred to herein in the United States or to make a public offering of the securities in the United States. The information in this press release may not be announced, published, copied, reproduced or distributed, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, within or into Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, Singapore, South Africa, the United States or in any other jurisdiction where such announcement, publication or distribution of the information would not comply with applicable laws and regulations or where such actions are subject to legal restrictions or would require additional registration or other measures than what is required under Swedish law. Actions taken in violation of this instruction may constitute a crime against applicable securities laws and regulations.

    Attachment

    • Press release – Outcome Rights Issue

    The MIL Network –

    June 13, 2025

  • Israel hits Iran nuclear facilities, missile factories; Tehran vows revenge

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Israel launched widescale strikes against Iran on Friday, saying it targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders and that this was start of a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

    Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions including at the country’s main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, while Israel declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile and drone strikes.

    Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards corps said its top commander, Hossein Salami, was killed and state media reported the unit’s headquarters in Tehran had been hit. Several children had been killed in a strike on a residential area in the capital, it said.

    “We are at a decisive moment in Israel’s history,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded video message.

    “Moments ago Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”

    Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement that Israel had “unleashed its wicked and bloody” hand in a crime against Iran and that it would receive “a bitter fate for itself”.

    An Israeli military official said Israel was striking “dozens” of nuclear and military targets including the facility at Natanz in central Iran. The official said Iran had enough material to make 15 nuclear bombs within days.

    The United States said it had no part in the operation, which raises the risk of a fresh escalation in tensions in the Middle East, a major oil producing region.

    Alongside extensive air strikes, Israel’s Mossad spy agency led a series of covert sabotage operations inside Iran, Axios reported, citing a senior Israeli official. These operations were aimed at damaging Iran’s strategic missile sites and its air defence capabilities.

    Iranian state media reported that at least two nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were killed in Israeli strikes in Tehran.

    Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was closed until further notice, and Israel’s air defence units stood at high alert for possible retaliatory strikes from Iran.

    “Following the pre-emptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and UAV (drone) attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate time frame,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.

    Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said tens of thousands of soldiers had been called up and “prepared across all borders”.

    “We are amidst a historic campaign unlike any other. This is a critical operation to prevent an existential threat, by an enemy who is intent on destroying us,” he said.

    Israeli Minister Gideon Saar was holding “marathon of calls” with counterparts around the world regarding Israel’s attack on Iran, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

    U.S. “NOT INVOLVED”

    U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and that the United States was hoping to get back to the negotiating table, in an interview with Fox News after the start of the Israeli air strikes on Iran.

    “We will see,” Fox News reporter Jennifer Griffin quoted Trump as saying in a post on X.

    Trump would convene a meeting of the National Security Council on Friday morning, the White House said. He had said on Thursday an Israeli strike on Iran “could very well happen” but reiterated his hopes for a peaceful resolution.

    The U.S. military is planning for the full range of contingencies in the Middle East, including the possibility that it might have to help evacuate American civilians, a U.S. official told Reuters.

    Iran’s armed forces spokesperson said Israel and its chief ally the United States would pay a “heavy price” for the attack, accusing Washington of providing support for the operation.

    While the U.S. tried to distance itself from Israel’s military operation, an Israeli official told public broadcaster Kan that Israel had coordinated with Washington on Iran.

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was not involved in the strikes and Tel Aviv had acted unilaterally for self-defence.

    “We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said in a statement.

    “Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,” he added.

    The State Department issued an advisory saying that all U.S. government employees in Israel and their family members should “shelter in place until further notice”.

    The attacks triggered sharp falls in stock prices in Asian trade on Friday, led by a selloff in U.S. futures, while oil prices jumped as investors scurried to safe havens such as gold and the Swiss franc.

    U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned any military escalation in the Middle East, said deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq.

    “The Secretary-General asks both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford,” Haq said.

    NUCLEAR TALKS

    U.S. and Iranian officials were scheduled to hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran’s escalating uranium enrichment programme in Oman on Sunday, according to officials from both countries and their Omani mediators.

    A U.S. official said those talks were still scheduled to proceed despite the Israeli attack.

    The Israeli military said on Friday that it was forced to act based on new intelligence information showing that Iran was “approaching the point of no return” in the development of a nuclear weapon.

    “In recent months, this program has accelerated significantly, bringing the regime significantly closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon,” it said in a statement, without disclosing the purported evidence.

    A source familiar with U.S. intelligence reports said there had been no recent change in the U.S. intelligence assessment that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon and that Khamenei had not authorised the restarting of the nuclear weapons programme that was shuttered in 2003.

    (Reuters)

    June 13, 2025

  • Oil soars more than 9% after Israel strikes Iran, rattling investors

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Oil prices surged more than 9% on Friday, hitting their highest in almost five months after Israel struck Iran, dramatically escalating tensions in the Middle East and raising worries about disrupted oil supplies.

    Brent crude futures LCOc1 jumped $6.29, or 9.07%, to $75.65 a barrel by 0315 GMT after hitting an intraday high of $78.50, the highest since January 27. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 was up $6.43, or 9.45%, at $74.47 a barrel after hitting a high of $77.62, the loftiest since January 21.

    Friday’s gains were the largest intraday moves for both contracts since 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine, causing energy prices to spike.

    Israel said it targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders on Friday at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

    “This has elevated geopolitical uncertainty significantly and requires the oil market to price in a larger risk premium for any potential supply disruptions,” ING analysts led by Warren Patterson said in a note.

    Several oil traders in Singapore said it was still too early to say if the strike will affect Middle East oil shipments as it will depend on how Iran retaliates and if the U.S. will intervene.

    “It’s too early to tell but I think the market is worried about shutting off of the Strait of Hormuz,” one of the traders said.

    MST Marquee senior energy analyst Saul Kavonic said the conflict would need to escalate to the point of Iranian retaliation on oil infrastructure in the region before oil supply is materially impacted.

    He added that Iran could hinder up to 20 million barrels per day of oil supply via attacks on infrastructure or limiting passage through the Strait of Hormuz, in an extreme scenario.

    Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel will receive “harsh punishment” following Friday’s attack that he said killed several military commanders.

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday called Israel’s strikes against Iran a “unilateral action” and said Washington was not involved while also urging Tehran not to target U.S. interests or personnel in the region.

    “Iran has announced an emergency and is preparing to retaliate, which raises the risk of not just disruptions but of contagion in other neighbouring oil producing nations too,” said Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at Phillip Nova.

    “Although Trump has shown reluctance to participate, U.S. involvement could further raise concerns.”

    In other markets, stocks dived in early Asian trade, led by a selloff in U.S. futures, while investors scurried to safe havens such as gold and the Swiss franc.

    (Reuters)

    June 13, 2025

  • Israel strikes Iran nuclear facilities, missile factories

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Israel said it targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders on Friday at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

    Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions including at the country’s main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, while Israel declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile and drone strikes.

    Iranian state television reported that Hossein Salami, the chief of the elite Revolutionary Guards corps, had been killed and the unit’s headquarters in Tehran had been hit. Several children had been killed in a strike on a residential area in the capital, it said.

    “We are at a decisive moment in Israel’s history,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded video message.

    “Moments ago Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”

    Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement that Israel had “unleashed its wicked and bloody” hand in a crime against Iran and that it would receive “a bitter fate for itself”.

    An Israeli military official said Israel was striking “dozens” of nuclear and military targets including the facility at Natanz in central Iran. The official said Iran had enough material to make 15 nuclear bombs within days.

    The United States said it had no part in the operation, which raises the risk of a fresh escalation in tensions in the Middle East, a major oil producing region.

    Alongside extensive air strikes, Israel’s Mossad spy agency led a series of covert sabotage operations inside Iran, Axios reported, citing a senior Israeli official. These operations were aimed at damaging Iran’s strategic missile sites and its air defence capabilities.

    Iranian state media reported that at least two nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were killed in Israeli strikes in Tehran.

    Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was closed until further notice, and Israel’s air defence units stood at high alert for possible retaliatory strikes from Iran.

    “Following the pre-emptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and UAV (drone) attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate time frame,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.

    Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said tens of thousands of soldiers had been called up and “prepared across all borders”.

    “We are amidst a historic campaign unlike any other. This is a critical operation to prevent an existential threat, by an enemy who is intent on destroying us,” he said.

    Israeli Minister Gideon Saar was holding “marathon of calls” with counterparts around the world regarding Israel’s attack on Iran, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

    U.S. “NOT INVOLVED”

    U.S. President Donald Trump would convene a meeting of the National Security Council on Friday morning, the White House said.

    Iran’s armed forces spokesperson said Israel and its chief ally the United States would pay a “heavy price” for the attack, accusing Washington of providing support for the operation.

    An Israeli official told Israel public broadcaster Kan that Israel had coordinated with Washington on the strikes.

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio however said the United States was not involved and Tel Aviv had acted unilaterally for self-defence.

    “We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said in a statement.

    “Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,” he added.

    The State Department issued an advisory saying that all U.S. government employees in Israel and their family members should “shelter in place until further notice”.

    The attacks triggered sharp falls in stock prices in early Asian trade on Friday, led by a selloff in U.S. futures, while oil prices jumped as investors scurried to safe havens such as gold and the Swiss franc.

    NUCLEAR TALKS DEADLOCKED

    U.S. and Iranian officials were scheduled to hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran’s escalating uranium enrichment program in Oman on Sunday, according to officials from both countries and their Omani mediators. But the talks have appeared to be deadlocked.

    Trump said on Thursday an Israeli strike on Iran “could very well happen” but reiterated his hopes for a peaceful resolution.

    A source familiar with U.S. intelligence reports said there has been no recent change in the U.S. intelligence assessment that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and that Khamenei has not authorised the restarting of the nuclear weapons program that was shuttered in 2003.

    Even so, U.S. intelligence had indicated that Israel was preparing a strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

    The U.S. military was planning for the full range of contingencies in the Middle East, including the possibility that it might have to help evacuate American civilians, a U.S. official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

    (Reuters)

    June 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health and Business – Ora Pharm targets growing Europe market for medicinal cannabis in trade mission

    Source: Ora Pharm

    Launches collective solution to meet needs of European customers
    Leading medicinal cannabis company Ora Pharm heads to Europe this week as part of a unique trade mission to promote New Zealand pharmaceutical products based on cannabis in the fast-growing European market.
    “European Cannabis Week is a huge opportunity to showcase New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis industry and promote what we do well,” said Ora Pharm Chief Executive and founder Zoe Reece.
    The NZTE trade mission to European Cannabis Week takes Ora Pharm and other companies to the world’s largest cannabis expo in Berlin and to the Cannabis Europa Conference in London.
    “We want to show the European market that Ora Pharm is uniquely placed to solve the issues it faces from fragmented supply, inconsistent quality and problems reliably meeting demand. What Ora Pharm does is unite our growers under a single export-focused platform, which allows us to coordinate supply and produce high quality pharmaceutical products consistently.”
    Ora Pharm currently contracts about two thirds of the licensed New Zealand cannabis cultivators.
    “Ora Pharm can be a one-stop shop for European customers – we aim to give them confidence that we can provide the quality products they need, tailored to the preferences of their patients, and at scale given our partnership with growers.
    “Complying with regulations is critically important and New Zealand’s regulatory framework is modelled on EU-GMP – the regulatory framework that ensures medicines are safe, effective, and of high quality so that should also help build confidence in our products.”
    Germany is the leading market for medicinal cannabis with forecast growth of over 26% (compound annual growth). In the first nine months of 2024 Germany imported nearly 40 tonnes of medicinal cannabis, and New Zealand made up just 0.6% of that. Demand is also growing strongly in the UK, Switzerland and Poland.
    “Right now, European producers can’t keep up with demand. New Zealand with its enviable reputation for high quality agricultural and horticultural products is well placed to take advantage of that and build a long-term trading relationship.”
    Zoe Reece will be delivering a keynote address at the BvCW Expert Conference in Berlin.
    “This trade mission will position the industry well for future growth. I can’t wait to tell our great medicinal cannabis story.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    June 13, 2025
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