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Lloyds Banking Group Expands Collaboration with Oracle to Support Tech Transformation

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UK financial services organisation adopts Oracle Database@Azure and Oracle Exadata Cloud@Customer to accelerate its migration to the cloud, helping it to deliver new products and capabilities faster

LONDON, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Oracle CloudWorld Tour — Lloyds Banking Group, one of the UK’s largest financial services organisations, has expanded its collaboration with Oracle to further strengthen its customer experience.

Under a multi-year agreement, Lloyds is advancing its multicloud strategy by moving its Oracle databases, which support its business functions and banking services, to Oracle Database@Azure. This strategic move allows Lloyds to run Oracle databases on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) deployed on Oracle Exadata within Microsoft Azure data centers.

Additionally, Lloyds is leveraging Oracle Exadata Cloud@Customer to operate a number of databases in its own data centres. With OCI’s unique distributed cloud, Oracle database services can be deployed inside Azure data centres or on-premises with equal capabilities and a consistent operating model. This flexibility enables Lloyds to serve its customers with enhanced speed and agility.

“As we focus on growth and diversifying our business, maximising our use of data across the Group becomes critical so that we can innovate and deliver new services faster for our customers,” said Joe Soule, CIO, Enabling Services, Lloyds Banking Group. “The ability to flexibly deploy Oracle databases on-premises or in the public cloud, in combination with Microsoft Azure through a multicloud approach, enables us to accelerate the pace at which we adopt digital technologies. This ensures we can support our customers with high-performing services and the best customer experience possible.”    

Working with Oracle, Lloyds has been able to speed up its transition to the cloud, helping deliver new products and capabilities to market faster, while boosting the performance, security, resilience, and availability of its services.

“Few sectors are evolving as rapidly as the financial services industry when it comes to cloud adoption,” said Richard Smith, executive vice president and general manager, EMEA Cloud Infrastructure, Oracle. “Lloyds is one of the companies at the forefront of this transition. By taking advantage of the industry’s most comprehensive and flexible approach to the cloud, Lloyds can streamline its migration to the cloud and enable more innovation for its customers.”

Multicloud Made for Customers
Oracle Database@Azure delivers all the performance, scale, and workload availability advantages of Oracle Database on OCI with the security, flexibility, and agility of Microsoft Azure. With Oracle Database@Azure, customers can move their on-premises Oracle databases to the cloud quickly, without the need to rearchitect or refactor their solutions. They can also securely build new low latency cloud-native applications using OCI and Azure technologies. Oracle Database@Azure is generally available in 14 regions around the world with 18 more regions planned to be available in the next 12 months.

About Oracle Distributed Cloud
Oracle’s distributed cloud delivers the benefits of cloud with greater control and flexibility. Oracle’s distributed cloud lineup includes:

Public cloud: Hyperscale public cloud regions serve any size of organization, including those requiring strict EU sovereignty controls. See the full list of regions here.Dedicated cloud: Customers can run all OCI cloud services in their own data centers with OCI Dedicated Region, while partners can resell OCI cloud services and customize the experience with Oracle Alloy. Oracle also operates separate U.S., UK, and Australian Government Clouds, and Isolated Cloud Regions for national security purposes. Each of these products provides a full cloud and AI stack that customers can deploy as a Sovereign Cloud.Hybrid cloud: OCI delivers key cloud services on-premises via Oracle Exadata Cloud@Customer and Compute Cloud@Customer and is already managing deployments in over 60 countries. Additionally, OCI Roving Edge Infrastructure, which consists of multiple configurations of ruggedized and portable high-performance devices, helps customers leverage remote AI inferencing at the edge.Multicloud: OCI is physically deployed within all the leading hyperscale cloud providers including AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, providing low latency, natively integrated Oracle Database services including Oracle Database@AWS, Oracle Database@Azure, Oracle Database@Google Cloud, and Oracle HeatWave on AWS. Oracle Interconnect for Microsoft Azure and Oracle Interconnect for Google Cloud allow customers to combine key capabilities from across clouds.

Additional Resources

Learn more about Oracle Database@AzureRead about Oracle Autonomous Database on Oracle Database@AzureLearn more about Oracle Database services, Oracle Autonomous Database, Oracle Exadata Database Service and Oracle Base Database ServiceLearn about innovating with Oracle and Azure

About Oracle
Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at oracle.com.

About Oracle CloudWorld Tour
Oracle CloudWorld Tour is Oracle’s global celebration of customers and partners. Join us to discover how to get the most business value from AI, explore ways to increase productivity and efficiency through automation, and learn more about our cloud infrastructure, database, and applications from the people that build and use them. For live keynotes, session details, news and more visit oracle.com/uk/cloudworld-tour/ or oracle.com/uk/news.

Trademarks
Oracle, Java, MySQL and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud company—ushering in the new era of cloud computing.

 

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Netflix Worldwide Exclusive Streaming Anime”The Summer Hikaru Died” Reveals Main Trailer and New Cast Members, Yumiri Hanamori, Wakana Kowaka, and Chikahiro Kobayashi

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-Unveils the Ending Theme Song ” Anata wa Kaibutsu(you are my monster)” performed by TOOBOE-

TOKYO, March 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CyberAgent, Inc. today has revealed the latest information at the special stage event for the TV anime “The Summer Hikaru Died” held today at AnimeJapan 2025, including the main trailer and additional cast announcements.

“The Summer Hikaru Died” is a hit horror manga series about an ordinary high school boy, Yoshiki, who experiences various mysterious incidents in his life with Hikaru, a mysterious being who imitates his best friend Hikaru Indou. The story of “whatever it is” and the boy’s madness has garnered significant attention, making it a must-see anime film.

Following the announcement of the anime adaptation in May 2024, there is considerable anticipation among fans in Japan and worldwide.

The animation will be directed by Ryohei Takeshita known as the director of “Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night” and CygamesPictures will be handling the animation production for the series.

In addition to the previously announced cast members Chiaki Kobayashi and Shuichiro Umeda, the new cast members Yumiri Hanamori, Wakana Kowaka, and Chikahiro Kobayashi made a surprise appearance on “The Summer Hikaru Died” special stage held today at AnimeJapan 2025. Furthermore, the main trailer, featuring the ending theme song “Anata wa Kaibutsu(you are my monster)” performed by TOOBOE was unveiled for the first time.

Comments from the new casts and the production staff who are responsible for the character designs have also been revealed.

Official website:https://hikanatsu-anime.com/
The main trailer:https://www.youtube.com/@hikaru_anime_en

The Main Promotional Video Revealed!

The main trailer for “The Summer Hikaru Died” has been released.

In this video, you can enjoy a sneak peek of the ending theme song “Anata wa Kaibutsu(you are my monster)” performed by TOOBOE, which is being revealed for the first time. Please look forward to the chilling blend of slice of life and the supernatural that defines this work.

New Cast Comments Arrived!

Yumiri Hanamori (Asako Yamagishi)

I’m Yumiri Hanamori, who will be playing the role of Asako Yamagishi in “The Summer Hikaru Died”.

The first time I read this work, I was greatly shocked that the story begins from the point where it didn’t make it in time.

In a place that shouldn’t have existed.

What if “something” very close to what didn’t make it appears in front of us?

What choice would we choose?

What will be awaiting them at the end of their summer?

I will do my best to play the role so that you can feel the atmosphere that sticks to your skin.

Thank you very much.

Wakana Kowaka (Rie Kurebayashi)

I’m Wakana Kowaka, who will be playing the role of Rie Kurebayashi.

I’m looking forward to seeing how this work, which is filled with various emotions, how it will be visualized.

And the Mie dialect! We are all working so hard to record it!

I want to do my best to play Rie Kurebayashi, who is close to Yoshiki and Hikaru and has kindness in her sternness.

Chikahiro Kobayashi (Tanaka)

When I read the original story, my heart was firmly grasped from the beginning!

The scene of “Summer” that everyone feels nostalgic for is mixed with the fear and wonder of not knowing what is happening.

It’s really interesting.

I’m very happy to be able to mix in with the atmosphere of this work…!

Let’s watch it together when summer comes!

Additional character information released!!

Asako Yamagishi (voiced by Yumiri Hanamori)

A classmate of Yoshiki. Since childhood, she has been able to “hear” things that ordinary people cannot. She is tall, lively, and intelligent.

Rie Kurebayashi (voiced by Wakana Kowaka)

A housewife who can “see” things that ordinary people cannot. She worries about Yoshiki, who is with a dangerous and terrifying presence, and warns him to stay away.

Tanaka (voiced by Chikahiro Kobayashi)

A man who seems to be investigating something for a certain company. He is always carefree and elusive. He has a hamster as his partner.

The ending theme song features the currently trending artist, TOOBOE!

Theme Song for the Ending

“Anata wa Kaibutsu(you are my monster)” by TOOBOE

Lyrics, Composition, and Arrangement by TOOBOE

Release: Summer 2025

TOOBOE( Ending theme song artist)

Hello, I’m TOOBOE, and I will be in charge of the ending theme song. In creating this piece, I delved deeply into the original story, contemplating how one might savor memories and promises upon realizing that the neighbor the one believed to be true isn’t actually who the one thought. The more I tried to understand Yoshiki’s feelings, the more pure, sorrowful, and cruel they became. The resulting song, “Anata wa Kaibutsu(you are my monster)” became a kind of forgiveness that I extended to the characters. I hope it can add a vibrant touch to this wonderful story. Thank you for your support.

TOOBOE Profile Information

A solo project led by the music creator “john,” TOOBOE is involved in a wide range of creative activities, including lyrics, composition, arrangement, singing, illustration, and video production. With a distinctive voice and catchy, addictive music, TOOBOE is a multi-artist who seamlessly traverses the modern music scene between the internet and J-POP. TOOBOE made a major debut with the release of the first single “SHINZOU(HEART)” in April 2022. The song “JOUZAI(TABLET),” released in November 2022, was featured as the ending theme for Episode 4 of the TV anime “Chainsaw Man.” Furthermore, the music video for “ITAINO ITAINO TONDEIKE” released in June 2024, has gained momentum worldwide, surpassing 20 million views on YouTube faster than ” SHINZOU(HEART)” and ” JOUZAI(TABLET),” both of which had already exceeded 20 million views.

Official Site: https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/tooboe/  

X:(TOOBOE): https://twitter.com/casablancalanca?s=20&t=AuMjmQ4Tq4j0bIfSzh5hNA 

(Official): https://twitter.com/tooboeofficial 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_tooboe/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/jhon-tooboe?lang=ja-JP 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9rPALOT-ZVc7VEXATYSNCA 

Additional Staff Comments Arrived!

Cast

Yoshiki Tsujinaka: Chiaki Kobayashi

Hikaru: Shuichiro Umeda

Asako Yamagishi: Yumiri Hanamori

Rie Kurebayashi: Wakana Kowaka

Tanaka: Chikahiro Kobayashi

Staff:

Original Work: Mokumokuren (Serialized in KADOKAWA’s “YOUNG ACE UP”)

Director /Series Composition: Ryohei Takeshita

Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Yuichi Takahashi

DORODORO Animator: Masanobu Hiraoka

Prop Design: Ryunosuke Oji

Sub Character Design: Mai Watanabe, Hiroko Seigan, Shoko Nagasawa

Art Setting: Shuhei Tada, Takeshi Takahashi, Yohihiro Sono

Art Director: Kohei Honda

Color Design: Naomi Nakano

Assistant Color Design: Yuko Koshida

3D Supervisor: Yoshinori Nakano

Director of Photography: Tomohiro Maeda

2D Design: Yusuke Nagara, Yuri Tsue

Editing: Kashiko Kimura

Sound Direction: Koji Kasamatsu

Sound Production: dugout

Music: Taro Umebayashi

Ending Theme Song “Anata wa Kaibutsu(you are my monster)” by TOOBOE

Animation Production: CygamesPictures

Staff comments

Yuichi Takahashi (Character Designer & Chief Animation Director)

Hikaru and Yoshiki may appear simple at first glance, but the breath and body temperature emanating from inside the characters can be felt thanks to the overwhelming persuasiveness and descriptive power of the original work.

The heat oozing out of the characters, and the reconstruction of the original character modeling, which seems to depict that as well, was a challenge that had never been attempted before. We hope that we were able to reproduce the body temperature of the characters that we felt from the original work.

Masanobu Hiraoka (DORODORO Animator)

I am always thinking about how to express the unique and unsettling atmosphere of “The Summer Hikaru Died” in terms of the artwork.

In particular, the depiction of “DORODORO” with a heterogeneous presence is one of the important elements that accentuate the eeriness of this work.

The viscosity and weight of the movement, as well as the unpleasantness of the spread of the “DORODORO” were carefully considered in order to leave a strong impression on the audience.

We made sure that the disturbing nature of the original work and the horror that lurks within its beauty could be expressed in the images.

I hope you will enjoy the “distorted beauty” that only a film can capture.

Taro Umebayashi (Music)

I am very honored to be involved in Mokumokuren’s “The Summer Hikaru Died” which is loved by so many fans.

I am working on the music for the animation directed by Ryohei Takeshita so that I can contribute to the expression of the work in any way I can.

Follow “The Summer Hikaru Died” for the latest news and announcements:

Official website: https://hikanatsu-anime.com/ 

Official X : https://x.com/hikaru_anime_en

Netflix Title Page: https://www.netflix.com/title/81948057

About “The Summer Hikaru Died”

“The Summer Hikaru Died” is a hit horror manga series about an ordinary high school boy, Yoshiki, who experiences various mysterious incidents in his life with Hikaru, a mysterious being who imitates his best friend Hikaru Indou. The story of “whatever it is” and the boy’s madness has garnered significant attention, making it a must-see anime film.

Following the announcement of the anime adaptation in May 2024, there is considerable anticipation among fans in Japan and worldwide.

Introduction

In a certain village

Since their childhood, they have grown up together.

Yoshiki and Hikaru, childhood friends.

the sun shining down on them

the chirping sound of a cryptotympana facialis

Ice cream on the way home

Laughing over trivial things

One day in summer, no different from any other day

…… You’re not Hikaru after all, are you?

Half a year ago, Hikaru went missing in the mountains.

A week later, he came back on a whim.

The voice, the figure, the thing that looked like Hikaru

What was stirring inside…

“Hikaru is no longer with us. …… if that’s the case.”

Starting the days with “something” in the form of a friend,

The “same as usual” everyday life.

But at the same time…

Strange incidents begin to plague the village.

Falling into the unknown “something”

The curtain rises on a coming-of-age horror story.

Work Information

Original story: Based on the comic “The Summer Hikaru Died” by Mokumokuren, originally serialized in the YOUNG ACE UP published by KADOKAWA

Director/Series Composition : Ryohei Takeshita

Character Design/Chief Animation Director :Yuichi Takahashi

DORODORO Animator : Masanobu Hiraoka

Animation Production :CygamesPictures

Copyright :©Mokumokuren/KADOKAWA/The Summer Hikaru Died Partners

Copyrights must be indicated when posting or using the image materials.

Original work information

Title :”The Summer Hikaru Died”

Author :Mokumokuren

Previously published: Volumes 1-5 (Kadokawa Comics A)

Available on YenPress

https://yenpress.com/series/the-summer-hikaru-died

 

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SOURCE CyberAgent,Inc.

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Chengdu Unleashes Industry Opportunities at 2025 World Conference on Cultural Industry

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CHENGDU, China, March 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A report from National Business Daily:

Chengdu, a city celebrated for its deep cultural roots, showcased its growing prowess in creative industries at the 2025 World Conference on Cultural Industry, held March 21-22. Themed “Culture Leadership in Urban Vitality and Innovation”, the event attracted industry leaders, government officials, and creative professionals from around the world, highlighting Chengdu’s efforts to blend culture with cutting-edge technologies and innovation.

The two-day conference explored thriving creative industries such as gaming, animation, film, and design, providing a platform for collaboration through industry matchmaking, site visits, and cultural events. The opening ceremony featured speeches from international delegates, including a representative from South Yorkshire, U.K., alongside perspectives from Greater Manchester and Liverpool officials on urban creative strategies.

Industry experts offered detailed insights into trends driving digital creativity, while a signing ceremony cemented partnerships in various sectors of cultural industry. Local media group presented a series of local projects, underscoring the city’s contributions to innovation in digital media and storytelling.

During the conference, a standout moment came as the U.K. delegation toured two of Chengdu’s leading digital creative parks. Discussions with park managers and companies centered on product exports and potential cross-border collaborations. That evening, a Sino-U.K. cultural promotion dinner spotlighted opportunities in film, music, art, design, and sports, with several initial agreements taking shape during one-on-one talks.

On March 22, participants visited Chengdu’s iconic landmarks, experiencing the city’s rich heritage and vibrant creative spirit firsthand. The tours reinforced Chengdu’s appeal as a place where tradition meets modern innovation, leaving a strong impression on attendees.

The conference bolstered Chengdu’s connections with global creative industries, positioning it as an increasingly influential player in the international cultural and technological landscape while fueling its ongoing development ambitions.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2647187/Conference_Scene.jpg

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IDC Overseas, Ltd. Announces Expiration and Results of Exchange Offer of its Outstanding 9.0% Notes due 2026

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TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, March 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — IDC OVERSEAS, LTD. (the “Company” or “IDC”) announced today that its offer to exchange (the “Exchange Offer”) any and all of its outstanding 9.0% Notes due 2026 (ISIN: XS2590265471; Common Code: 259026547) (the “Existing Notes”) for an equal amount of its new 9.0% Notes due 2030 (the “New Notes”) has expired in accordance with its terms at 4:00 p.m. London time on March 21, 2025.  An aggregate principal amount of $144,940,000 of Existing Notes have been validly tendered for exchange, representing 96.63% of the outstanding Existing Notes.  The Company has accepted for exchange all of the Existing Notes tendered.  The Company expects the settlement date of the Exchange Offer to be on or about March 26, 2025

General

BCP Securities, Inc. is acting as exclusive dealer manager for the Exchange Offer. D.F. King Ltd. has been appointed as the information agent and exchange agent for the Exchange Offer. The complete terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer are described in the exchange offer memorandum, copies of which may be obtained by Eligible Holders by contacting (i) BCP Securities, Inc. at jharper@bcpsecurities.com or (ii) D.F. King Ltd. at +44 20 7920 9700 or idc@dfkingltd.com. For more information, visit https://clients.dfkingltd.com/idc.

The New Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the securities laws of any state of the United States or other jurisdiction, and may not be offered or sold within the United States, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Accordingly, the New Notes are being offered and sold only to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act (“Eligible Holders”).

This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the New Notes nor an offer to purchase Existing Notes. The Exchange Offer was made solely by means of the exchange offer memorandum.

About the Company

IDC was founded in 1995 and has evolved from a consulting firm to an investment bank, to a multi-fund platform for strategic investments. IDC operates its business through four offices located in Miami, Guatemala City, Madrid and Copenhagen, providing a global platform and local knowledge for sourcing transactions and raising capital for different funds and a network divided into six verticals. IDC’s purpose is to be a transformation agent, ultimately making a positive impact and changing the lives of people through its investments and proprietary projects. As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s assets under management were US$2.1 billion.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements relate to our future prospects, developments and business strategies and are identified by our use of terms and phrases such as “believe,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “strategy” and similar terms and phrases, and may include references to assumptions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on numerous assumptions and that our actual results of operations, including our financial condition and liquidity may differ materially from (and be more negative than) those made in, or suggested by, any forward-looking statements contained in this release. In addition, even if our results of operations, including our financial condition and liquidity and the development of the industry in which we operate, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this release, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information or future events or developments. More detailed information about these and other factors is set forth in the exchange offer memorandum.

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SOURCE IDC Overseas, Ltd.

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