Slovenia Earns 9 Michelin Stars This Year: Hiša Franko Retains Three Stars, Milka Receives Two; A New Green Star for Hotel Plesnik; Three New Special Awards Introduced

Slovenia Earns 9 Michelin Stars This Year: Hiša Franko Retains Three Stars, Milka Receives Two

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LJUBLJANA, Slovenia, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Slovenian gastronomy has once again achieved exceptional success, which reflects the Slovenian Tourist Board’s continued efforts to promote the country as a world-class gastronomic destination. The prestigious MICHELIN Guide, the most influential brand in the culinary world, has for the sixth consecutive year highlighted the best Slovenian restaurants. The 2025 edition includes 72 restaurants, nine more than last year. Twelve Michelin stars shine on the Slovenian map this year. Hiša Franko retained the highest distinction of three Michelin stars. Restaurant Milka has also kept two stars, while seven other restaurants each earned one Michelin star. For the first time, the Michelin Guide also awarded three special distinctions in Slovenia: the Young Chef Award, Service Award, and Sommelier Award. Twelve restaurants received the Bib Gourmand designation. The Green Michelin Star was awarded to nine restaurants.

The MICHELIN Guide Slovenia has once again awarded Hiša Franko led by Ana Roš with three Michelin stars and a Green Star for sustainability. Ana Roš is the eighth female chef in the world to earn three stars, and one of only two women worldwide to hold this unique combination of accolades.

For the third consecutive year, Restaurant Milka, with chef David Žefran, retained its two-star status. Seven restaurants earned one Michelin star:

COB – Chef Filip Matjaž
Dam – Chef Uroš Fakuč
Gostilna pri Lojzetu – Chef Tomaž Kavčič
Grič – Chef Luka Košir
Hiša Denk – Chef Gregor Vračko
Hiša Linhart – Chef Uroš Štefelin
Pavus – Chef Marko Pavčnik

For the first time, the MICHELIN Guide Slovenia introduced three special awards:

  • Young Chef Award: Awarded to Filip Matjaž (COB)
  • Sommelier Award: Awarded to Anže Kristan (Gostilna pri Lojzetu)
  • Service Award: Awarded to Jan Sinčič (Salicornia)

Nine Slovenian restaurants now proudly hold a Green Michelin Star. Newly awarded this year is the restaurant at Hotel Plesnik.

Other recipients are:

Galerija okusov – Chef Marko Magajne
Gostilna Krištof – Chef Uroš Gorjanc
Gostilna Repovž – Chef Grega Repovž
Grič – Chef Luka Košir
Hiša Franko – Chef Ana Roš
Hiša Linhart – Chef Uroš Štefelin
Gostilna Mahorčič – Chef Ksenija Krajšek Mahor
Špacapanova hiša – Chef Ago Špacapan

For more insights and highlights, read the press release here.

Explore the complete 2025 MICHELIN Guide selection.

Contacts: [email protected]

A photo: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/83dc7421-34be-40c5-90f0-be99fd2c2bd9

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1001102371

Zoom unveils Virtual Agent 2.0 to power smarter, autonomous customer support via next-gen agentic AI

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zoom Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) today introduced Zoom Virtual Agent 2.0, the next evolution of the company’s self-service virtual agent. Now powered by agentic AI, Zoom Virtual Agent delivers smarter, autonomous self-service experiences across chat and voice channels.

“With the next generation of Zoom Virtual Agent, we’re ushering in a new era of intelligent, proactive customer support, taking customers from frustration to building true connections with brands,” said Chris Morrissey, General Manager of Zoom CX. “Through the agentic AI skills built into its core, Zoom Virtual Agent doesn’t just respond — it takes action on behalf of customers, managing complex inquiries with HD-quality neural voices, significantly minimizing the need for agent escalation. These advanced capabilities transform routine support interactions into exceptional customer experiences.”

Unlike traditional chatbots, the upgraded Zoom Virtual Agent can now autonomously complete complex tasks like processing returns, updating accounts, or booking appointments. With advanced reasoning, memory, and context-aware conversations, it delivers seamless, brand-aligned interactions without requiring human intervention.

The upgraded Zoom Virtual Agent is built to meet the rising demand for fast, accurate, and seamless self-service across channels. In 2025, 85% of customer service leaders plan to explore or pilot customer-facing conversational generative AI solutions, driving the acceleration of intelligent automation adoption.

Self-service benefits both customers and businesses

The new Zoom Virtual Agent can help deliver premium customer service experiences while driving efficiency in CX organizations by combining natural, fluid, and highly scalable automation with proactive reasoning to autonomously solve complex, end-to-end customer scenarios.

  • Reduce costs and drive revenue: Increase self-service containment with autonomous resolution of complex end-to-end tasks; reduce abandonment with a virtual agent that can understand context across interactions to deliver accurate, personalized support; and repurpose agent staffing to focus on growth.
  • Improve CX efficiencies: Drive self-service efficiency with customers by delivering accurate resolutions, even for complex requests, and increase the customer lifetime value.
  • Deliver exceptional customer experiences: Improve ESAT and CSAT scores with reduced resolution times and reduced escalations; boost brand voice with customized tone and language capabilities; and free human agents to focus on deeper engagement and higher-value customer interactions.

Built to meet rising customer expectations and the demand for scalable, intelligent automation, Zoom Virtual Agent integrates natively with Zoom Contact Center and leading platforms like Salesforce, ServiceNow, Zendesk, Microsoft Dynamics, and Genesys Cloud.

The next gen Zoom Virtual Agent with agentic AI is now available. For more details on how Zoom Virtual Agent can unlock more meaningful customer engagement with agentic AI self-service, read the Zoom blog and visit the Zoom website to learn more.

About Zoom

Zoom’s mission is to provide an AI-first work platform for human connection. Reimagine teamwork with Zoom Workplace — Zoom’s open collaboration platform with AI Companion that empowers teams to be more productive. Together with Zoom Workplace, Zoom’s Business Services for sales, marketing, and customer experience teams, including Zoom Contact Center, strengthen customer relationships throughout the customer lifecycle. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ:ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California. Get more information at zoom.com.

Contact:
Lacretia Nichols
[email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9467627

Bitget Opens Doors for Syrian Users Enabling Full-Service Suite of Products

Bitget Opens Doors for Syrian Users Enabling Full-Service Suite of Products

Bitget Opens Doors for Syrian Users Enabling Full-Service Suite of Products

Bitget Opens Doors for Syrian Users Enabling Full-Service Suite of Products

VICTORIA, Seychelles, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has now enabled onboarding of Syrian citizens on the platform. This comes following the recent suspension of OFAC sanctions. Syrian citizens and residents can now register on the platform, complete identity verification, and access the full suite of services—ranging from P2P and spot trading to futures and yield-generating products.

This update holds particular significance for a country that has faced prolonged conflict, economic isolation, and limited access to reliable financial systems. In the absence of stable banking infrastructure, crypto has strong real-life use cases, as a tool for survival, growth, and connectivity to the broader world. The adoption of crypto in Syria shows a deeper truth about the role of crypto in places where traditional systems have failed or aren’t accessible either.

With this, Syrian users now have access to all major Bitget features, including peer-to-peer (P2P) trading with local currency support, spot and futures markets, copy trading, and Bitget Earn products that enable passive income on crypto holdings. The mobile app and web platform also offer multi-language support and 24/7 security monitoring to ensure safe transactions. Educational content, trading tools, and customer assistance are readily available to guide new users at every step.

Bitget’s decision to welcome Syrian users stems from a focused strategy to support real use cases in regions where crypto is vital. The inclusion of Syria signals intent to enable access where it is most urgently needed.

“At Bitget, the priority is clear—reach those who need crypto the most. Our platform is built to serve individuals navigating unstable economies, restricted banking, or political uncertainty. Extending access to Syrian users is part of a larger effort to deliver impactful financial tools where they make the greatest difference,” said Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget.

Bitget remains focused on expanding access in regions where crypto plays a critical role in everyday life. For Syrian users, Bitget will play an important role in actively maintaining safe, efficient, and user-friendly channels for participation in crypto. Resources will be allocated to support regional engagement, improve accessibility, and ensure users in Syria are equipped to navigate the cryptospace with industry-leading products and best-in-class tools.

Effective immediately, Syrian users can now begin their journey with full platform functionality.

To sign up, please visit here.

About Bitget

Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin priceEthereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a leading non-custodial crypto wallet supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens. It offers multi-chain trading, staking, payments, and direct access to 20,000+ DApps, with advanced swaps and market insights built into a single platform. Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

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

For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

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

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/16978e0d-1c0f-49bc-83eb-007e71f08762

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1001102339

From Talent to Success: Axi Select Announces Fourth Pro M Trader, Now Managing $1 Million USD of Axi Funds

FROM TALENT TO SUCCESS: AXI SELECT ANNOUNCES FOURTH PRO M TRADER, NOW MANAGING $1 MILLION USD OF AXI FUNDS

 

FROM TALENT TO SUCCESS: AXI SELECT ANNOUNCES FOURTH PRO M TRADER, NOW MANAGING $1 MILLION USD OF AXI FUNDS

SYDNEY, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Following the recent announcements that three Axi Select traders reached the top milestone of the program, leading online FX and CFD broker Axi has proudly announced the promotion of its fourth overall – Pro M trader: Looi Sook Yen from Asia.

This breakthrough reflects the broker’s ongoing commitment to empower ambitious and talented traders through a program that is designed to unlock and maximise their full trading and profit potential.

Louis Cooper, Chief Commercial Officer at Axi, shares his excitement for the program’s latest success, noting “We’re proud to see our program continue to elevate traders, helping them trade and improve their trading skills all the way to the top. Since launching Axi Select in 2023, we’ve been confident in its ability to harness the talent of all traders to new heights – regardless of gender or experience level. Today, we celebrate a landmark moment: our fourth Pro M trader and the first woman to reach the program’s top stage and secure a $1M allocation. Ms. Looi demonstrated outstanding skill, talent, and discipline – and with the right tools and support, she now manages $1M of Axi funds.

A few months ago, Axi Select announced its first three $1M funded traders: Francisco Quesada Godines, Daniel Gutiérrez Viñas, and 21-year-old trader, Kayan Freitas. The program offers traders the opportunity to access capital funding up to $1,000,000 USD and earn up to 90% of their profits, as well as the advantage to join the program with zero registration or monthly fees*. Moreover, Axi Select uses a Standard or a Pro live account, unrestrictive trading conditions, an exclusive trading room, and more. Recently, the broker was recognised with the ‘Best Funded Trader Programme’ award by the ADVFN International Financial Awards, and, among others, was honoured by Finance Feeds with the ‘Most Innovative Proprietary Trading Firm’ award.

The Axi Select program is only available to clients of AxiTrader Limited. CFDs carry a high risk of investment loss. In our dealings with you, we will act as a principal counterparty to all of your positions. This content is not available to AU, NZ, EU and UK residents. For more information, refer to our Terms of Service. *Standard trading fees apply.

Watch announcement video here.

About Axi

Axi is a global online FX and CFD trading company, with thousands of customers in 100+ countries worldwide. Axi offers CFDs for several asset classes including Forex, Shares, Gold, Oil, Coffee, and more.

For more information or additional comments from Axi, please contact: [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/da30a690-7ae0-4ccb-b753-b387e16c7313

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1001102257

DRT-Sand: The First Step of Civilization in the Desert, Powered by Nanotechnology

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 June 2025 – As the construction industry faces material shortages and climate-driven infrastructure needs, an unexpected resource is gaining importance: desert and sea sand. Once considered unsuitable, this abundant material is now reimagined through advanced technology as a high-performance input with transformative potential.

 

 

 

In response to this opportunity, Thailand’s Doctor T Company Limited—a recognized leader in nanotechnology innovation across multiple industries—has announced a strategic expansion into advanced construction materials. The company’s latest breakthrough, DRT-Sand, is engineered for new growth opportunities across dry-sand regions worldwide, where harsh environmental conditions and infrastructure needs intersect. Designed for flexibility, DRT-Sand also works with ocean sand, expanding its relevance in coastal and dry regions.

Amid a global shortage of high-quality river sand and rising construction demand, DRT-Sand introduces a proprietary nanofilm-coated desert sand substrate. This breakthrough transforms previously unusable sand into a water-resistant, dust-proof, and weather-tolerant material ideal for cement mixes or use with alternative binders. It addresses the escalating “sand crisis” while aligning with Doctor T’s commitment to sustainability.

DRT-Sand offers a platform for scalable, sustainable infrastructure in desert regions. It enables the construction of roads, pathways, blocks, and water basins—without the environmental cost of river sand extraction or the logistical burden of imported cement. It can also be made into sand-colored paint for harsh environments. By leveraging local resources, DRT-Sand reduces construction costs and opens pathways for desert economies to emerge as global suppliers of high-value building materials.

Doctor T is launching projects across MENA with local partners to demonstrate performance in water management, rural connectivity, and low-carbon civil works.

DRT-Sand exemplifies our vision to turn overlooked resources into strategic assets,” said Mr.Thiti Jirawatcharakorn, CEO of Doctor T. “We’re proud to lead with sustainable solutions that meet real-world needs.”

For investors, this initiative blends ESG value with material innovation, creating a new revenue stream alongside Doctor T’s TPoxy and synthetic-wood (VoidWood) segments, which generate over 85% of revenue. Doctor T targets pilot deployments in late 2025, rollout in 2026, and global scaling by 2027–2028.

Doctor T invites strategic investors, distributors, and partners to support deployment and commercialization. Interested parties should contact Doctor T to explore partnership opportunities and help shape the future of sustainable infrastructure.

Learn more: http://www.drt.co.th/products-drt-sand/