NewzIntel.com

Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI Security: Blanchard Woman Sent to Federal Prison for 22 Months, Ordered to Pay $727,300 in Restitution for Filing Fraudulent PPP Loan Application

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    OKLAHOMA CITY – SHERI LYNN VICKERY, 40, of Blanchard, has been sentenced to serve 22 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $727,300 in restitution for making a false statement to a financial institution, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

    According to public record, from April 2020 through December 2021, Vickery worked as an office manager for Coil Chem LLC, a chemical manufacturing company based in Washington, Oklahoma. On April 7, 2020, Vickery submitted an application for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) on behalf of Coil Chem. The PPP was a COVID-19 pandemic relief program that provided forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses. The Indictment alleges that Vickery inflated Coil Chem’s total payroll costs and misrepresented what the PPP loan proceeds would be used for, ultimately causing $727,300 to be transferred into Coil Chem’s operating bank account. Vickery then used the proceeds for impermissible purposes, including to pay off a family member’s personal debts.

    On September 10, 2024, Vickery pleaded guilty, and admitted she knowingly submitted a PPP loan application that contained false representations.

    At the sentencing hearing on June 16, 2025, U.S. District Judge Jodi W. Dishman sentenced Vickery to serve 22 months in federal prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, and ordered Vickery to pay $727,300 in restitution. In announcing the sentence, the court noted the nature and circumstances and seriousness of the offense.

    This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Barry prosecuted the case.

    Reference is made to public filings for additional information.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New statistics on banking and mortgage loans by corporate size

    Source: Danmarks Nationalbank

    Large corporations have the highest outstanding nominal amount per corporation 

    In addition to the total outstanding nominal amount, the statistics include distributional figures for each corporation size category calculated per borrower, which here corresponds to one company (one CVR number). In the 1st quarter of 2025, small corporations had the largest outstanding nominal amount, totaling to kr. 645 billion. Of this, 78 per cent is mortgage credit debt, making it by far the largest component of small corporations’ banking and mortgage debt. In contrast, for large corporations, approximately two-thirds of their banking and mortgage debt consists of bank loans.

    A few large corporations pull up the average

    There are the most borrowers in the group of small corporations. For small corporations, the average outstanding nominal amount is kr. 8.9 million in the 1st quarter of 2025. This is in line with the median, which is one of several distributional figures included in the new statistics. In comparison, a large corporation has an average outstanding nominal amount of nearly kr. 258 million. For large corporations, the average banking and mortgage debt is considerably higher than the median. This difference indicates a large variation in banking and mortgage debt among large corporations, where a few with very large debts pull the average up in relation to the median.

    Explore the new details in the table in the Statbank

    The new table expands the statistics for banking and mortgage lending based on microdata with a more detailed grouping of loans to corporations (non-financial corporations supplemented by self-employed individuals). The corporations are grouped hierarchically by sector and then by size.

    Banking and mortgage credit based on microdata is a statistical area that is continuously developed. The new detailed data can be found in the table DNMUVS. Read more about the methodologies and table contents in Sources and method on Danmarks Nationalbank’s website.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UKCIF funded programme fosters entrepreneurship, job creation and resilience in coastal communities in Belize

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UKCIF funded programme fosters entrepreneurship, job creation and resilience in coastal communities in Belize

    The FCDO funded a comprehensive technical assistance programme in Belize, through the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF).

    AHC Alistair White

    Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) supported under the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF) took centre stage at the Buy Belizean Expo on 14 June. The event in Dangriga Town gave them the opportunity to showcase their products and services after months of targeted assistance.

    Their participation was the culmination of a comprehensive technical assistance programme funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK FCDO), as part of the wider UKCIF Coastal Highway Upgrading Project. The initiative was implemented in partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF), the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH), and the Belize Trade & Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE).

    The Coastal Highway Upgrading Project is financed by a £26 million (US$32 million) grant from the UK FCDO and a US$34.5 million (£28 million) loan from the CDB, along with counterpart funding from the Government of Belize. Together, these investments aim to strengthen infrastructure and economic resilience in coastal communities.

    The initiative has supported the formalisation of 80 Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the training of 59 business owners in the coastal communities of Gales Point and Mullins River Villages – double the original target.

    BELTRAIDE has played a key role in equipping MSMEs with skills in business development and formalisation. For the entrepreneurs and businesses supported through the UKCIF programme – including those benefiting from BELTRAIDE’s training, the Buy Belizean Expo marked a pivotal milestone. It offered a platform to tap into new economic opportunities, expand market access, and experience the real-world impact of strategic investment in sustainable livelihoods.

    During the event, 21 MSMEs which had participated in the formalisation and training activities delivered by BELTRAIDE, alongside support agencies, highlighted their vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and economic resilience fostered through this initiative.

    The new acting British High Commissioner to Belize, Alistair White, spoke at the event, noting that,

    The UK is proud to support this expo, which brings to life some of our major aims through the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund – increasing opportunities and improving people’s lives.

    Elbert Ellis, portfolio manager in the Caribbean Development Bank’s Social Sector Division, spoke on behalf of the bank, praising the project’s training of female entrepreneurs. He noted,

    CDB’s commitment to supporting women-led enterprises is reflected at this Expo and overall Project, with 43 of the 80 newly formalized MSMEs being female-owned, helping to build a more inclusive business environment in Belize.

    Mr. Ishmael Quiroz, Executive Director of BELTRAIDE, said,

    At BELTRAIDE, we believe that small businesses are the cornerstone of Belize’s economic future. This Expo is a powerful reflection of what happens when capacity-building meets opportunity. The MSMEs on showcase here today have not only formalised their operations but are now positioned to thrive in larger markets, showcasing the success of strategic partnerships and community empowerment.

    amilah Cardona, P.Eng., Project Engineer in the MIDH’s Project Execution Unit, added,

    The work of the MIDH extends beyond building roads. We strongly believe that incorporating additional measures within these projects enhances the livelihoods and well-being of those communities directly impacted by the project and ensures that the benefits are widely shared and sustainable.

    This Buy Belizean Expo marked a significant accomplishment in the journey of supporting livelihoods along the Coastal Highway through the UKCIF Programme, celebrating community empowerment, equitable economic development, and the transformative impact of strategic partnerships.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Cambodia: Government allows slavery and torture to flourish inside hellish scamming compounds – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International

    • Amnesty visits more than 50 scamming compounds in 18-month long research
    • Testimony from survivors details human trafficking, slavery and forced labour affecting thousands
    • Findings point towards state complicity in abuses carried out by Chinese criminal gangs.

    The Cambodian government is deliberately ignoring a litany of human rights abuses including slavery, human trafficking, child labour and torture being carried out by criminal gangs on a vast scale in more than 50 scamming compounds located across the country, Amnesty International said in a new report published today: (ref. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa23/9447/2025/en/ )

    Survivors interviewed for the report, “I Was Someone Else’s Property”, believed they were applying for genuine jobs but were instead trafficked to Cambodia, where they were held in prison-like compounds and forced to conduct online scams in a billion-dollar shadow economy defrauding people around the world.

    “Deceived, trafficked and enslaved, the survivors of these scamming compounds describe being trapped in a living nightmare – enlisted in criminal enterprises that are operating with the apparent consent of the Cambodian government,” Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnes Callamard said.

    “Jobseekers from Asia and beyond are lured by the promise of well-paid work into hellish labour camps run by well-organized gangs, where they are forced to scam under the very real threat of violence.

    “Amnesty’s research reveals the horrifying magnitude of a crisis the Cambodian authorities are not doing enough to stop. Their failures have emboldened a criminal network whose tentacles extend internationally, with millions of people impacted by the scams.”

    Amnesty’s findings suggest there has been coordination and possibly collusion between Chinese compound bosses and the Cambodian police, who have failed to shut down compounds despite the slew of human rights abuses taking place inside.

    ‘High salary and swimming pool’

    In the most comprehensive documentation yet of the issue, Amnesty’s 240-page report identified at least 53 scamming compounds in Cambodia and interviewed 58 survivors of eight different nationalities, including nine children. Amnesty also reviewed the records of 336 other victims of Cambodian compounds. Those interviewed had either escaped from compounds, been rescued or had a ransom paid by their families.

    The interviewees’ testimony gives a detailed insight into a sprawling, violent criminal operation that is taking place often with the full knowledge of the Cambodian authorities, whose woefully ineffective – and at times corrupt – response to the scamming crisis demonstrates its acquiescence and points towards state complicity in the human rights abuses taking place.

    One survivor, *Lisa, who was 18 and looking for work during a break from school in Thailand when she was trafficked, said: “[The recruiters] said I would work in administration… they sent pictures of a hotel with a swimming pool… the salary was high.”

    Instead, Lisa was taken across a river at night into Cambodia, where she spent 11 months held against her will by armed security guards and forced to work on scams. When she tried to escape, she was severely beaten.

    “There were four men… three of them held me down while the boss hit me on the soles of my feet with a metal pole… They told me that if I don’t stop screaming, they’re going to keep hitting [me] until I stop,” she said.

    ‘They kept beating [them] until their body was purple’

    As part of its 18-month long research, Amnesty International visited all but one of the 53 scamming compounds located in 16 towns and cities across Cambodia, as well as 45 similar sites also strongly suspected to be scamming compounds. Many of the buildings were formerly casinos and hotels repurposed by criminal gangs – mostly from China – after Cambodia banned online gambling in 2019.

    Compounds appeared designed to keep people inside, with features such as surveillance cameras, barbed wire around perimeter walls and large numbers of security personnel, often carrying electric shock batons and in some cases firearms. Survivors reported that “escape was impossible”.

    Most victims had been lured to Cambodia by deceptive job advertisements posted on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram. After being trafficked, survivors said they were forced to contact people using social media platforms and begin conversations aimed at defrauding them. These included fake romances or investment opportunities, selling products that would never be delivered, or building trust with victims before financially exploiting them – known as “pig-butchering”.

    All but one of the survivors interviewed were victims of human trafficking, while everyone had been subjected to forced labour under the threat of violence. In 32 cases, Amnesty International concluded the survivors were victims of slavery as defined under international law, with compound managers exerting a level of control over them that amounted to de facto ownership. Survivors also reported being sold into compounds or witnessing the sale of other people. Many others were told they owed a debt to the compound which they had to work to repay.

    Forty of the 58 survivors interviewed had suffered torture or other ill-treatment – almost always carried out by compound managers. Some compounds had specific rooms – often known as “dark rooms” – which were designated places for torture of people who did not or could not work or meet work targets, or who contacted the authorities.

    Survivors frequently mentioned deaths inside the compounds or nearby; one survivor described hearing a body hitting the roof of a building. Amnesty International also confirmed the death of a Chinese child inside a compound.

    Survivor *Siti described seeing a Vietnamese person beaten by compound bosses for around 25 minutes. He said: “They just keep beating [the Vietnamese person] until their body was…purple…then [using] the electric baton. Beat the Vietnamese until he can’t scream, can’t get up…then the boss tell me that they wait until another compound want to buy him.”

    Of the nine children interviewed, five were subjected to torture or other ill-treatment. *Sawat, a 17-year-old Thai boy, was beaten by several managers before being told he would be stripped and forced to jump off the building.

    Cambodian government’s glaring failures

    Amnesty International’s report found that the Cambodian government has failed to adequately investigate widespread human rights abuses at scamming compounds despite being repeatedly made aware of them.

    “The Cambodian authorities know what is going on inside scamming compounds, yet they allow it to continue. Our findings reveal a pattern of state failures that have allowed criminality to flourish and raises questions about the government’s motivations,” Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director Montse Ferrer said.

    The government has claimed to be addressing the scamming crisis through its National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCT) and a number of ministerial task forces, which have overseen a series of police “rescues” of victims from compounds. However, more than two thirds of the scamming compounds identified in the report continued to operate even after police raids and “rescues”. At one compound in Botum Sakor, human trafficking has been widely reported by media and police have intervened multiple times to rescue victims, yet the site remains open.

    Police failings stem from their collaboration or coordination with compound bosses. For example, in many of the “rescues”, instead of entering the compounds and investigating, police would simply meet a manager or security guard at the gate, where they would be handed the individual(s) who had called in for help. Business then continued as usual.

    In other instances, several survivors said they were punished with beatings after their secretive efforts to contact police for help were somehow uncovered by bosses. One Vietnamese survivor told Amnesty International that police “work for the compound and will report requests for help back to the compound bosses”.

    Those “rescued” from compounds were often subsequently detained in immigration detention centres in poor conditions for months at a time – the Cambodian authorities having failed to recognize them as victims of human trafficking and provide them with the support required under international law.

    Meanwhile, the authorities have targeted others speaking out about scamming compounds. Several human rights defenders and journalists working on the issue have been arrested, while the news outlet Voice of Democracy was closed in 2023 in apparent retaliation for its reporting on the scamming crisis.

    Amnesty International sent its findings to the NCCT, which responded by sharing vague data on interventions at compounds, none of which clarified whether the state has identified, investigated or prosecuted individuals for human rights abuses other than deprivation of liberty. It also did not respond to Amnesty International’s list of scamming compounds or suspicious locations.

    “The Cambodian government could put a stop to these abuses, but it has chosen not to. The police interventions documented appear to be merely ‘for show’,” Montse Ferrer said.

    “Cambodia’s authorities must ensure no more jobseekers are trafficked into the country to face torture, slavery or any other human rights abuse. They must urgently investigate and shut down all scamming compounds and properly identify, assist and protect victims. Slavery thrives when governments look away.”

    Survivors interviewed for Amnesty International’s report were from China, Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Taiwan and Ethiopia, but Amnesty International also had access to records of hundreds of others who are nationals of India, Kenya, Nepal and the Philippines among many more.

    Background

    Under international human rights law, the Cambodian state has a duty to ensure that no one is held in slavery or servitude or required to perform forced labour. It is obligated to protect children from economic exploitation and must prevent, prohibit, investigate and prosecute acts of torture. The Cambodian government must also effectively investigate, prosecute and adjudicate trafficking whether committed by governmental or non-state actors; it must identify trafficking victims and provide remedy; and it must implement measures to ensure that “rescue” operations of trafficked persons do not further harm their rights and dignity.

    *All survivors using pseudonyms for security reasons

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Announcement on Open Market Operations No.121 [2025]

    Source: Peoples Bank of China

    Announcement on Open Market Operations No.121 [2025]

    (Open Market Operations Office, June 26, 2025)

    The People’s Bank of China conducted reverse repo operations in the amount of RMB509.3 billion through quantity bidding at a fixed interest rate on June 26, 2025.

    Details of the Reverse Repo Operations

    Maturity

    Rate

    Bidding Volume

    Winning Bid Volume

    7 days

    1.40%

    RMB509.3 billion

    RMB509.3 billion

    Date of last update Nov. 29 2018

    2025年06月26日

    MIL OSI China News –

  • Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla orbiting Earth, to dock today at space station

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on his way to create history by becoming the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla, along with three others from the US, Poland, and Hungary, is expected to dock at the orbiting laboratory at 7 a.m.EDT (4.30 p.m. IST).

    Lucknow-born Shukla launched to the ISS at 2:31 a.m. EDT (12 noon IST), from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, aboard a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket.

    “The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying four Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew members is orbiting Earth and on its way to the International Space Station after launching from Kennedy Space Center at 2:31 a.m. EDT on Wednesday,” NASA shared in an update.

    Dragon is carrying Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu.

    It “will dock to the Harmony module’s space-facing port at 7 a.m. on Thursday,” NASA added.

    After 41 years, India now will have an astronaut in space. Shukla will also be the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma’s flight in 1984.

    In his message on the way to the ISS, Shukla said, “Namaskar, my dear countrymen! What a ride! We are back in the space once again after 41 years. It’s an amazing ride. We are revolving around the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometres per second.”

    “This is not my journey alone, but I am carrying the Indian flag with me, and this is the journey of India’s human space flight,” Shukla added.

    He is carrying carrot halwa, moong dal halwa and mango nectar with him to satiate his cravings for home-made food in space.

    The Axiom-4 Mission is not just a scientific feat but a testament to India’s rising stature as a global technology powerhouse. It reinforces the nation’s capability to lead space innovation, promote sustainability, and contribute meaningfully to global missions.

    Once aboard the ISS, Shukla will conduct pioneering experiments related to food and space nutrition.

    These experiments, developed under a collaboration between ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA, aim to enhance understanding of sustainable life-support systems, a crucial aspect of future long-duration space travel.

    The research will also study the effects of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae — a nutrient-rich, high-potential food source for future space missions. The experiment will evaluate key growth parameters and examine transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic changes in different algal species in space compared to their behaviour on Earth.

    –IANS

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK trade envoy visit strengthens trade ties with Costa Rica

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK trade envoy visit strengthens trade ties with Costa Rica

    UK trade envoy visits Costa Rica to boost trade ties and engage with British businesses.

    Ambassador Ben Lyster-Binns; Trade Envoy Jess Morden MP; Costa Rican Trade Minister Manuel Tovar and Sara Wheeler MBE, UK Trade Envoy Senior Relationship Manager.

    The UK trade envoy to Central America, Jessica Morden MP, undertook her first official visit to Costa Rica from 11 to 13 June 2025. The visit aimed to strengthen the UK Costa Rica trade relationship, reinforce UK commercial interests, and highlight the UK’s global leadership on climate resilience and sustainable finance.

    During her programme, the trade envoy met with key government officials, business leaders and representatives from British companies to explore new opportunities to advance trade and investment. This included a meeting with Costa Rica’s Minister of Foreign Trade, Manuel Tovar, where she reaffirmed the UK’s support for Costa Rica’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The UK formally became a member of CPTPP in December 2024.

    The trade envoy also engaged with British companies operating in Costa Rica to gain insight into the investment landscape and identify opportunities for growth. A meeting with the British-Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce provided further perspective on the Chamber’s role in supporting UK businesses interests in the country.

    The trade envoy visited UK firms Smith & Nephew and AstraZeneca, to discuss how the Department for Business and Trade could continue to support their growth in Costa Rica. She concluded her visit with a stop at Country Day School, part of the UK-headquartered Nord Anglia Education group, touching on how the UK could support the delivery of British educational excellence in Costa Rica.

    Speaking at the King’s Birthday Party reception in San José, the trade envoy said:

    This visit offers me a valuable opportunity to further strengthen our extensive trade and investment ties, and to engage with many of you who are so passionate about the opportunities to boost bilateral prosperity.

    The UK Government’s number one mission is clear: economic growth. Our new industrial and trade strategy reflects this priority – grounded in long-term stability, a renewed commitment to free and fair trade, and a pro-business approach.

    The United Kingdom’s trade envoy programme is a network of parliamentarians integral to supporting the government’s growth mission by providing additional international trade and investment support to ministers.

    They play a crucial role in supporting the Department for Business and Trade’s growth priorities, in particular through helping deliver the industrial and trade strategies and attracting foreign direct investment to every region in the UK.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Kenyan President Urges Restraint as New Protests Rise

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    NAIROBI, June 26 (Xinhua) — Kenyan President William Ruto called for calm and restraint after protests erupted in major cities of the east African country on Wednesday.

    “I call on all citizens to renounce violence and the destruction of public property. We have only one Kenya to build and its progress depends on our collective restraint,” Ruto said.

    While the Kenyan government has not yet released any casualty figures, local media reported that the chaos left two people dead, dozens of others injured and millions of dollars’ worth of property destroyed.

    Protests broke out in various cities, with thousands of people taking to the streets holding placards and chanting songs.

    According to local Citizen TV channel, one person was killed after police opened fire on protesters in Matuu town in Machakos county, while a student was killed in Molo town in Nakuru county.

    The protests were reported to coincide with a year in which Kenyans expressed their opposition to the Finance Bill 2024 through mass demonstrations, which eventually forced Ruto to scrap the bill.

    “We are here to remember those who died in 2024. It’s been a year since the protests began. People are still being kidnapped. It seems like nothing has changed,” said Cyril Kadome, one of the protesters.

    Business has been suspended in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, as well as other major cities including Nyeri, Eldoret, Machakos, Mombasa, Kakamega, Narok, Kajiado and Kisii. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • E-Commerce to drive India’s $1 trillion digital opportunity by 2030: report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s online commerce sector, which stood at $30 billion in 2020, is projected to grow tenfold to $300 billion by 2030, playing a pivotal role in shaping the country’s $1 trillion digital economy, according to a new report released on Thursday.
     
    The report by Bessemer Venture Partners highlights that online commerce is no longer a niche sector catering to a select few but has evolved into a dominant force within India’s retail ecosystem, serving an expanding and diverse consumer base.
     
    “India presents a $1 trillion digital opportunity. The emergence of multiple consumer marketplaces, platforms, and new-age brands over the past decade reflects the growing aspirations of a rising India. This makes us exceptionally optimistic about the potential for many more consumer-focused ventures to emerge,” said Anant Vidur Puri, Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners.
     
    According to the report, a “tailwind trifecta”—comprising rising internet penetration, evolving demographics, and supportive policy reforms—has laid the foundation for this growth. Going forward, the continued evolution of commerce marketplaces, content platforms, and consumer behavior will drive the next wave of innovation and opportunity.
     
    Quick Commerce: A New Retail Frontier
    India’s booming online commerce landscape has recently seen the rise of quick commerce (q-commerce), reshaping consumer expectations around delivery speed and convenience. Platforms like BigBasket, Blinkit, Swiggy, and Zepto are leading the charge, validating the demand for ultra-fast delivery models.
     
    The report also points to the emergence of verticalised q-commerce, with startups such as Snabbit, Swish, and Slikk targeting niche consumer needs, further diversifying the sector.
     
    D2C Brands and the Rise of Aspirational Consumers
    India’s direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands are increasingly serving a mass-premium audience—consumers seeking high-quality, affordably priced, and innovative products. These brands are capitalizing on rising demand for goods that align with modern lifestyles and preferences.
     
    Content, Microtransactions, and Monetisation Trends
    The report also underscores a “content revolution” in India, driven by growing demand for entertainment, education, and gaming content. With shorter attention spans and a wide range of accessible content across languages, genres, and price points, user engagement is surging.
     
    Short-form video platforms, in particular, have seen 3.6X growth in daily active users over the past five years, competing directly with mainstream digital platforms.
     
    Monetisation models are also shifting. The rise of UPI-based microtransactions, including virtual tipping and autopay subscriptions, is enabling new revenue streams for content platforms. This segment is expected to reach $1.5 billion by 2029, marking a significant shift from ad-based models to more diversified income strategies.
     
    Wellness and Health-Driven Consumption on the Rise
    Spending on organic food, protein supplements, fitness gadgets, preventive healthcare, and wellness services is on the rise. Health-focused food and beverage (F&B) consumption has increased from 11% to 16% of total F&B spending, with brands quickly adapting to this evolving demand, the report noted.
     
    —IANS

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: British Embassy Manila Celebrates the King’s Birthday 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    British Embassy Manila Celebrates the King’s Birthday 2025

    The British Embassy Manila hosted the King’s Birthday Party on 17 June to celebrate the 77th birthday of King Charles III.

    British Ambassador Laure Beaufils (right) and Incoming Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro (left) toast to the health of HM King Charles III and to the prosperity of the Filipino people.

    Nearly 600 guests including dignitaries from the Philippine Government, diplomatic missions, business leaders, and notable figures from the education, arts, sports, health, and civil society sectors attended the reception, which showcased the best of British   food, drink, culture, and tradition.

    The programme opened with the singing of the British and Philippine national anthems by renowned Filipino performing artist Carla Guevarra Laforteza. 

    Before the symbolic cutting of cake, British Ambassador Laure Beaufils led the celebratory toast to His Majesty, King Charles III. She stated:

    The UK and the Philippines are like-minded countries looking in the same way and pulling in the same direction, with shared values and shared outlook on the world. We believe in freedom, human dignity, the rule of law, democracy, and we believe that international law and the Rules-Based International System are the scaffolding that hold our world together.

    The celebration comes at a significant time in UK-Philippine bilateral relations, following the signing of the Joint Framework of Enhanced Partnership earlier this year. This agreement established a comprehensive roadmap for cooperation across political, economic, maritime, science and technology, and climate environment cooperation – reflecting the deepening strategic alignment between the two nations.

    Incoming Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Maria Theresa Lazaro remarked:

    Our Enhanced Partnership, launched in 2021 and its Joint Framework, signed in March this year, provides great promise to our sectoral cooperation. It allows to deliver respective gains that will further underscore practical cooperation between our agencies and promote our shared values in the region.

    The event also commemorated the culmination of Ambassador Beaufils’ posting in the Philippines. She noted:

    I know that UK-Philippines relationship will continue to thrive and grow in the years ahead – and while I may no longer be the UK ambassador to the Philippines, I will forever be an ambassador for the Philippines.

    The reception which was hosted by Filipino British actress Bela Padilla also featured a parade of waiters, serving signature dishes and drinks from Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill Philippines. Musical performances inspired by British West End Musicals by Carla Guevarra Laforteza together with performer Gian Magdangal, and acclaimed Filipino musical director Rony Fortich concluded the formal ceremonies.

    This year’s King’s Birthday Party has been organised with the support of the following: San Miguel Corporation; PRU Life UK; BAE Systems; Shell Philippines; VFS; Standard Chartered; Pandiman; HSBC; BPI; BDO; Unilever. And in kind, Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill Philippines, Diageo, Emperador Distilleries, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and Jollibee Foods Corporation with samplings by English Tea Shop, Hattingley Valley and British Chamber of Commerce.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: EIT master’s graduate comes full circle after starting studies offshore

    Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

    12 minutes ago

    When Vanessa Santos first studied with EIT through a screen in the Philippines, she never imagined she would one day be sitting in one of those classrooms in person as the guest speaker.

    The EIT graduate returned to EIT’s Auckland campus this month to speak to students in the Sustainable Organisations course that helped reshape her career direction and reignite a lifelong passion.

    Vanessa Santos returned to EIT to speak to current students after graduating with a Master of Digital Business two years ago.

    Vanessa began her Master of Digital Business in May 2021, studying online during the COVID-19 pandemic while borders remained closed.

    After arriving in New Zealand in October 2022 with her husband Jeffrey, she completed her studies on-campus and graduated the following year.

    “Just two years ago, I was one of those students, uncertain whether a mid-career pivot into sustainability was even possible. Being invited back to speak felt like a full circle moment.”

    The 41-year-old’s path to sustainability wasn’t a straight one. With a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a background in human resources for IHG Hotels and Resorts, Vanessa initially worked in the corporate sector in the Philippines before shifting to freelance work with US-based clients in e-commerce, podcast production and various other digital projects.

    “I’ve always been interested in tech. If I hadn’t gone into HR, I probably would’ve studied IT. Freelancing allowed me to explore that while building a flexible, remote career.”

    She first visited New Zealand in 2012 with her husband and friends.

    “We thought it would be a great country to live in. Our same friends actually moved here five years later and encouraged us to join them, but at the time we weren’t quite ready.”

    Years later, a webinar about study options in New Zealand changed everything.

    “EIT was one of the featured institutions. I was impressed by what they presented. I also had a friend who studied at EIT, so I thought, why not?”

    It was during her studies at EIT that her passion for sustainability moved from personal lifestyle to professional goal. A paper on sustainable organisations, led by Associate Professor Dr Pii-Tuulia Nikula, became a turning point.

    “She’s very inspiring. When she taught the class, it rekindled my passion for environmental sustainability and that’s when I thought that I wanted to try and pursue a career in sustainability.”

    In February 2024, Vanessa joined Reclaim, New Zealand’s largest privately owned processor of recyclable materials, in a part-time communications role to help mark the organisation’s 50th anniversary.

    She is now working full-time at the company as a Sustainability Advisor in Auckland.

    Returning to EIT to share her story with current students felt “pretty special”.

    “Back then, I didn’t know if I’d find work in a new country or if I could ever break into sustainability. To be able to stand there now, as someone who’s done it, it felt pretty special.”

    Vanessa encouraged students not to be afraid of change or late pivots. “It’s never too late to pursue your passion.”

    Associate Professor Dr Pii-Tuulia Nikula, School of Business, said: “It’s incredibly rewarding to see our EIT graduates step into professional sustainability roles and return to share their insights as guest speakers”.

    “Vanessa’s experience is a testament to the transformative power of education. I’m humbled to have mentored her on this journey and look forward to celebrating her continued professional success in the years to come.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: BPX Authorised to Operate UK Regulated Marketplace for Traditional and Tokenised Securities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BPX is pleased to announce that it is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to operate as a Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF), Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM), Cryptoasset Exchange and Custodian Wallet Provider.

    With these institutional grade regulatory permissions in place, BPX is developing a fully integrated marketplace to support the entire lifecycle of a security. This includes issuance, trading and collateralised lending of traditional dematerialised and tokenised securities, alongside settlement and custody of tokenised securities.

    BPX is also the only FCA-authorised trading venue to have passed Gate 1 of the Bank of England and FCA’s Digital Securities Sandbox (DSS).

    BPX now enters its next phase: preparing for live operations and welcoming institutional participants to connect in anticipation of its first transaction.

    BPX’s mission is to enhance access and liquidity for Issuers and Investors in investment funds and digital assets. Its distributed ledger technology enabled platform enables efficient tokenisation at scale, broadening investment opportunities, unlocking new liquidity sources, and facilitating capital access.

    Dr. Robert Barnes, BPX Co-CEO, said: “Our vision is a marketplace of best practice, modernised for institutions, offering access through a single connection to a broader range of hard-to-access alternative assets, such as infrastructure and real estate investment funds, whether traditional or tokenised—available for issuance, trading, and use as collateral.”

    Ali Celiker, Co-CEO, added: “Our comprehensive regulatory permissions and integrated market infrastructure strongly position us to advance our mission: enhancing access and liquidity for issuers and investors, while leading the transformation of capital markets from legacy systems to tokenised workflows—firmly anchored in regulatory compliance and driven by innovation.”

    == ends ==

    Media Contact:

    Tina Kane
    tina.kane@therealizationgroup.com
    +44(0)7887947329

    About Us

    BPX is a regulated marketplace and infrastructure provider that aims to enhance access and liquidity for Issuers and Investors in Investment Funds and Digital Assets. Initial operations in the UK will focus on RWA-based funds, for example, real estate and money market funds, with expansion plans to other fund types and alternate investment products within a multi-jurisdiction UK and UAE offering.

    BPX is authorised by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to operate as both a Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF) and an Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM). In May, BPX was added to the UK’s Cryptoasset register, becoming only the third entity to receive approval in 2025, further strengthening its position at the intersection of the law, capital markets, and distributed ledger technology. Additionally, BPX has successfully passed Gate 1 of the Bank of England/FCA Digital Securities Sandbox (DSS) and is currently progressing its Gate 2 application. 

    Through this combination of permissions, BPX will optimise the end-to-end investment and securities lending lifecycle for Issuers and Investors.

    BPX is headquartered in London, with an entity established at the DIFC Innovation Hub in the UAE to support future expansion plans.

    Learn more: www.bpx.exchange

    Notes to Editors

    • 14 Jan 25 – Approved at Gate 1 of Bank of England/FCA Digital Securities Sandbox (DSS) –
      • The DSS was established to support the government’s objective of digitalising the UK’s financial market infrastructure. The DSS provides a regulated, live environment for exploring emerging technologies—particularly distributed ledger technology (DLT)—in the issuance, trading, and settlement of financial securities within the UK
    • FCA authorisations
      • 27 March 2025 – Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF)
      • 27 March 2025 – Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM)
      • 29 May 2025 – Cryptoasset Exchange and Custodian Wallet Provider
    • Target audience:  Capital market participants such as;
      • Investment, Pension, hedge and mutual funds. sovereign wealth funds, wealth managers, private banks, insurance companies, family offices.
    • Legal-first, digital-first architecture, establishing standards in digital assets, innovating in cooperation with industry and regulators.
    • Single connection to fully integrated, hybrid marketplace for:
      • Traditional dematerialised and tokenised securities
      • Digital twinning of traditional securities, and digital-native securities
      • Exchange and OTC workflows for issuance, trading and securities lending
      • Execution to post-trade (e.g. notary, asset-servicing, settlement)
      • Interoperability with existing workflows.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nasdaq and QCP Set New Standard of Capital Efficiency by Connecting Canton Network to Nasdaq Calypso

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) today announced it has facilitated end-to-end margin and collateral workflows on the Canton Network, connecting the blockchain-based technology to Nasdaq Calypso. The use case was developed in partnership with QCP, Primrose Capital Management and Digital Asset, to demonstrate that the integration of on-chain capabilities alongside existing institutional workflows enhances collateral mobility across all asset classes for institutional market participants.

    Nasdaq Calypso is the leading technology platform used by financial institutions to seamlessly manage risk, margin, and collateral needs in an integrated environment. Its technology is uniquely positioned to serve the evolving demands of both traditional finance and emerging digital markets. Through the partnership on this use case, Nasdaq Calypso will expand its capabilities to support automated 24/7 margin and collateral management across a full spectrum of assets, including crypto derivatives, fixed income, exchange-traded derivatives, and over-the-counter derivatives.

    With this partnership, the companies are seeking to mature and scale the next generation of digital asset infrastructure. The use case represents a proof point that leveraging blockchain-based technology for collateral management allows financial institutions to meet the demands for real-time capital efficiency in an always-on financial ecosystem. It enables financial institutions to allocate capital more efficiently by mobilizing and redeploying previously locked up collateral across markets.

    Melvin Deng, CEO of QCP, said: “Partnering with a global technology leader like Nasdaq is a testament to our commitment to building the next generation of institutional-grade market infrastructure. This isn’t just a technological milestone, it’s a paradigm shift for capital efficiency. Automating collateral management on-chain allows us to offer our clients enhanced security, better pricing, and the ability to deploy capital 24/7 across both traditional and digital assets. QCP played a pivotal role in shaping the product design and market integration and will support Nasdaq on developing a new suite of OTC spot and derivatives products, setting a new standard for what’s possible in institutional digital assets.”

    Yuval Rooz, Co-Founder & CEO of Digital Asset, said: “This milestone with Nasdaq, QCP, and Primrose shows how Canton can meaningfully enhance institutional workflows. By automating margin and collateral processes on chain, firms gain real-time efficiency and control while maintaining data confidentiality through configurable privacy settings. It’s a major step toward harmonizing traditional and digital markets on a trusted, interoperable infrastructure.”

    Linus Ong, Chief Investment Officer, Primrose Capital Management, said: “Primrose operates at the intersection of quantitative trading and digital asset innovation. This integration empowers our fund to align our portfolio management and real-time risk management with institutional-grade on-chain infrastructure. It brings the discipline of quant finance to a 24/7 digital market.”

    Enhancing trust in the infrastructure and networks that underpin the digital asset ecosystem will also be critical to the long-term development of the asset class.

    Magnus Haglind, Head of Marketplace Technology, Nasdaq, said: “Capital market infrastructure and the emerging digital asset ecosystem are on the cusp of a generational shift as they converge with faster settlement and 24- hour trading, driving a new operational paradigm for market participants. Financial institutions need to improve real time risk management and mobilize collateral to optimize capital and liquidity deployment. We are excited to work with our clients to deliver improved capital efficiency through this innovative solution.”

    Through a comprehensive suite of digital asset products and services, Nasdaq is committed to supporting the evolution of the digital asset ecosystem by helping to drive resilience and integrity across the market.

    Nasdaq plans to advance its existing digital asset capabilities across its suite of capital market solutions, helping to drive institutional adoption of digital assets. Around the world, Nasdaq’s technology is used by 97% of global systematically important banks, half of the world’s top 25 stock exchanges, 35 central banks and regulatory authorities, and 3,800+ clients across the financial services industry. As a scaled platform partner, Nasdaq draws on deep industry experience, technology expertise, and cloud managed service experience to help financial services companies solve their toughest operational challenges while advancing industrywide modernization.

    About Nasdaq

    Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a leading global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions, and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on X @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com.

    Media Contacts: 

    Andrew Hughes; +44 (0)7443 100896; Andrew.Hughes@nasdaq.com  
    Camille Stafford; +1 (234) 934 9513; Camille.Stafford@nasdaq.com

    -NDAQG-

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:  

    Information set forth in this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Nasdaq cautions readers that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “will”, “can” and other words and terms of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to the benefits of Nasdaq’s digital asset margin management technology. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond Nasdaq’s control. These risks and uncertainties are detailed in Nasdaq’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q which are available on Nasdaq’s investor relations website at http://ir.nasdaq.com and the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Nasdaq undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Tryg A/S – Q2 2025 pre-silent newsletter

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Tryg will conduct pre-close analyst calls and meetings starting on 26 June, ahead of the Q2 2025 results, which will be released on 11 July. This newsletter aims to inform capital market participants of the key factors influencing the company’s recent financial performance.

    Insurance revenue growth

    Tryg maintains a balanced distribution of insurance revenue across the Scandinavian countries, with approximately 50% of revenue generated in Denmark, 30% in Sweden, and 20% in Norway. In Q2 2024, Tryg reported insurance revenue of DKK 9,545m.

    The commercial segment will experience a smaller spillover effect into 2025 of the derisking of the corporate portfolio carried out in 2024. In general, the group revenue development remains in line with recent development. Tryg reported a growth measured in local currencies of 3.7% in Q1 2025.

    When converting earnings from local currencies to DKK, Tryg’s reporting currency, the expected average value of SEK 100 is DKK 68.5 (64.5 Q2 2024), and NOK 100 is DKK 64.5 (64.2 Q2 2024).

    Claims environment

    Underlying claims development
    Tryg operates a stable business and recent trends in underlying performance should thus be considered reliable indicators for short-term trends. The Group’s underlying claims ratio was 66.8% in Q2 2024. At the capital markets day (CMD) on 4 December 2024, Tryg mentioned that it expects a broadly stable to slightly improving underlying performance in the new strategy period towards 2027. In Q1 2025, the Group underlying claims ratio improved 30 basis points and the Private underlying claims ratio improved 10 basis points.

    Weather claims
    For Q2, normalised weather claims amount to 10% of the annual DKK 800m guidance, equating to DKK 80m. As a reminder, the annual expectation for weather claims is split as follows (in percentages terms): 40% in Q1, 10% in Q2, 20% in Q3 and 30% in Q4. At the time of writing, weather claims expectations for the quarter remain in line with the guidance for the second quarter of the year.

    Large claims
    On an annual basis, Tryg provides guidance for large claims amounting to DKK 800m, evenly distributed across quarters. Occasionally, information about large claims may be available in mass media or local press.

    Interest rates development
    For Q2, it is expected an approximate discount rate of 2.5%. The discounting percentage was reported at 2.3% in Q1 2025.

    Run-off expectations towards 2027
    At the 2024 CMD, Tryg stated a long-term run-off expectation of ~2% towards 2027.

    Investment activities

    Tryg has divided its investment activities into a match portfolio (approx. DKK 46bn at Q1 2025) and a free portfolio (approx. DKK 16bn as per Q1 2025). As announced at the 2024 CMD, the free portfolio was derisked during Q4 2024 and now mainly consists of Scandinavian covered bonds and government bonds (approx. DKK 12bn) and the real estate portfolio (approx. DKK 3bn). As a rule of thumb, the return on bonds can be modelled with the following Bloomberg tickers, 50% NYKRCMB2 and 50% NYKRCMG2. For the real estate portfolio, a normalised annual return of 6.5% is assumed. The buyback program of DKK 2bn started in December will impact the size of the free portfolio accordingly over the quarter.

    The return of the match portfolio mainly consists of the return on premium provisions, which is expected at DKK 75m per quarter with the current level of interest rates.

    Additionally, the line ‘Other financial income and expenses’ is guided at DKK -90m per quarter and mainly consists of costs related to currency hedges, general balance sheet items and costs related to running the investment operation.

    Other income and costs

    Other income and costs are originally guided between DKK -350m and DKK -370m on a quarterly basis. This is primarily driven by amortisation of intangibles related to the RSA Scandinavia acquisition. The intangibles are booked in SEK and converted to DKK (the reporting currency of Tryg). The SEK strengthening experienced this year (while positive for the insurance service result and thus the overall Group result) impacts this line negatively, and therefore an additional FX-related impact of approx. DKK 15m should be added to the original guidance.

    Number of shares

    At the end of Q1 2025, Tryg reported 607,059,826 outstanding shares. In the second quarter, Tryg bought back a total of 4,091,106 shares, thus lowering the number of outstanding shares during the quarter. The DKK 2bn share buyback programme ended on 19 June 2025.

    Outlook statement from annual report 2024

    Tryg reported an insurance service result, adjusted for the more favourable-than-normal large and weather claims outcome, of around DKK 7.2bn in 2024 and it is now targeting its highest ever insurance service result of DKK 8.0-8.4bn in 2027. The insurance service result is expected to increase gradually throughout the strategy period.

    As announced in the newsletter dated March 2025, please note that 2024 financials have been restated due to changed inflation hedging. The newsletter can be found here: https://tryg.com/en/downloads-2025

    Tryg will publish the Group’s Q2 results for 2025 on 11 July 2025 at around 7:30 CET.

    Conference call

    Tryg will host a conference call on the day of the release at 10:00 CET. CEO Johan Kirstein Brammer, CFO Allan Kragh Thaysen, CTO Mikael Kärrsten and SVP Gianandrea Roberti will present the results in brief, followed by a Q&A session.

    The conference call will be held in English.

    Date 11 July 2025
    Time 10:00 CET
    Dial-in numbers +45 (DK) 78 76 84 90

    +44 (UK) 203 769 6819

    +1 (US) 646 787 0157
    Pin code       560768

    You can sign up for an e-mail reminder on tryg.com. The conference call will also be broadcast on this site. An on-demand version will be available shortly after the conference call has ended.

    All Q2 2025 material can be downloaded on tryg.com shortly after the time of release.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Underwriting Auction for sale of Government Securities for ₹36,000 crore on June 27, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Government of India has announced the sale (issue/ re-issue) of Government Securities, as detailed below, through auctions to be held on June 27, 2025 (Friday).

    As per the extant scheme of underwriting commitment notified on November 14, 2007, the amounts of Minimum Underwriting Commitment (MUC) and the minimum bidding commitment under Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) auction, applicable to each Primary Dealer (PD), are as under:

    (₹ crore)
    Security Notified Amount MUC amount per PD Minimum bidding commitment per PD under ACU auction
    New GS 2028 6,000 143 143
    6.33% GS 2035 30,000 715 715

    The underwriting auction will be conducted through multiple price-based method on June 27, 2025 (Friday). PDs may submit their bids for ACU auction electronically through Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) System between 09:00 A.M. and 09:30 A.M. on the day of underwriting auction.

    The underwriting commission will be credited to the current account of the respective PDs with RBI on the day of issue of securities.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/593

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: As one of Shakespeare’s least performed plays, Coriolanus is startlingly relevant under Trump 2.0

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kirk Dodd, Lecturer in English and Writing, University of Sydney

    Brett Boardman/Bell Shakespeare

    Coriolanus is one of Shakespeare’s least performed plays; perhaps because the hero is so pugnacious and classist, impressive in his strident vehemence, but lacking the vulnerability of a Macbeth or Othello.

    Set in the turbulent early Roman Republic (490s BC) – about 450 years before Caesar’s death – the play follows the glorious rise of Gnaeus Marcius Coriolanus, a terrifying war machine on the battlefield who could carve his way through enemy regiments.

    According to one site, the play has not been professionally staged outside the United Kingdom since 2000. This is only the second time Bell Shakespeare has performed Coriolanus, with their other production staged 29 years ago, in 1996.

    Directed by Peter Evans and starring Hazem Shammas, this Coriolanus delivers Shakespeare’s most consciously political play with an explosive energy that charts the hero’s psychological downfall.

    Published as a tragedy in the 1623 First Folio, Coriolanus can loosely be described as a history play. But it is more commonly recognised as one of Shakespeare’s Roman plays, alongside Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, and Titus Andronicus.

    War and exile

    Renamed “Coriolanus” after the town he most recently conquered (Corioli), occupied by the arch enemies of Rome (the Volsci), Coriolanus is a devoted son to his fiercely ambitious “tiger mum” Volumnia (Brigid Zengeni).

    Shakespeare was never shy about the feats of his warrior protagonists, describing Coriolanus’ ability as a war machine most memorably as:

    His sword, Death’s stamp,
    Where it did mark, it took; from face to foot
    He was a thing of blood, whose every motion
    Was timed with dying cries. Alone he entered
    The mortal gate o’ th’ city, which he painted
    With shunless destiny; aidless came off
    And with a sudden reinforcement struck
    Corioles like a planet.

    But Coriolanus, who was brought up to win every contest, is also an upper-class patrician, dismissively scornful of the common people’s plebeian rights in the burgeoning Roman Republic.

    Hazem Shammas as Coriolanus is a force to be reckoned with.
    Brett Boardman/Bell Shakespeare

    Coriolanus’s absolute refusal to flatter the plebeians – and so refusing their political influence – ignites a brutal conflict between populism and elitism that results in the people’s sway.

    Coriolanus is exiled from Rome, the very homeland he fought so valiantly to protect.

    Incensed, Coriolanus joins forces with Rome’s greatest enemy, the Volscian Aufidius (Anthony Taufa) and marches against Rome. This forces Coriolanus to confront his own loyalties to his formidable mother and to doting wife Virgilia (Suzannah McDonald), with tragic consequences.

    Wonderful performances

    Evans has loosely set this production in Europe in the mid-1990s, following the fall of the Berlin Wall, though this creates a vibe more than a direct correlation to events.

    Evans also designed the set, making dynamic use of a traverse stage that forces audiences to see each other across the divide. This enhances the sense of a sprawling populous while prompting reflections on our own political milieu. Audiences are told as they enter whether they will sit on the “plebeian” or “patrician” side: a fun ploy, but perhaps unnecessary.

    Stealing the show is a wonderful performance by Peter Carroll as Menenius, a sagely Roman senator who uses his charm and political tact to mediate between the patricians and the plebeians. Carroll brings great irony to the role, using eye-rolls and tutting even as he attends dutifully to the new political expectations of the tribunes.

    Peter Carroll as Menenius steals the show in a wonderful performance.
    Brett Boardman/Bell Shakespeare

    The tribunes Sicinius (Matilda Ridgway) and Brutus (Marco Chiappi) are performed as shabbier left-wing agitators pitched against the conservative patricians in formal dark suits (costumes by Ella Butler). This makes familiar the political and class tensions, and the layers and dramatic dimensions explored by Shakespeare.

    Zengeni brings tremendous heart to Coriolanus’s mother, Volumnia. She is especially good at applying a tiger mother’s pressure of unrelenting standards. There is no doubt that the shining elitism of her son was roughly forged by her sharp expectations.

    Shammas as Coriolanus is a force to be reckoned with. His rigid athleticism perfectly suits the superman heroics of this Roman warrior. His unabashed gesticulations are a welcome contribution to the sense of the lines he delivers.

    The shabby dress of the tribunes pitches them against the conservative patricians in formal dark suits.
    Brett Boardman/Bell Shakespeare

    Following a scene that ends with one of Coriolanus’s unleashed tirades against the plebeians, Shammas’ performance is so dynamic, and his invective so rigorously conveyed, it seems to remain on stage after he exits.

    A timeless tale

    There is some reluctance to physically depict the pitched battle of Corioli, which falls a bit flat and misses an opportunity to heighten the dramatic stakes. But this production does very well to animate the complex political and familial drivers that compel Coriolanus toward his inevitable end.

    As President Trump drops f-bombs because his real bombs did not make people do his bidding, this rare Shakespeare play becomes timeless.

    There has always been need to explore the tragic consequences of leaders who subjectively refuse the offers of diplomacy. Bell Shakespeare’s choice of scheduling war plays this season offers countless ways to reflect on our own world, and the populations of real people connected to the decisions of those in power.

    Coriolanus is at the The Neilson Nutshell, Sydney, until July 19, then touring to Melbourne.

    Kirk Dodd 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. As one of Shakespeare’s least performed plays, Coriolanus is startlingly relevant under Trump 2.0 – https://theconversation.com/as-one-of-shakespeares-least-performed-plays-coriolanus-is-startlingly-relevant-under-trump-2-0-257548

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by SITI at Innovation and Technology Scholarship 2025 Award Presentation Ceremony (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Speech by SITI at Innovation and Technology Scholarship 2025 Award Presentation Ceremony (English only)    
         Since its inception in 2011, the Innovation and Technology Scholarship has reached an exciting milestone – its 15th year, nurturing up to 375 I&T young talents so far. We have witnessed countless Scholarship alumni growing into leaders or experts in their respective fields. Their journeys are a testament to how far drive and determination can take us and I am sure that their stories will inspire more young people to dream big and keep striving.
     
         Hong Kong enjoys a unique advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world, converging global innovation resources, including high-calibre talent. With staunch support of our motherland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed to developing Hong Kong into an International I&T Centre. Tangible progress is already underway. Over the past two years, we have attracted over 200 I&T enterprises with high potential and representativeness to set up or expand their businesses here. Furthermore, the construction of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone is in full swing. Expecting move-in from the second half of this year, the Park will serve as a bridgehead for I&T collaboration between the Mainland and Hong Kong.   
         Before closing, I would like to thank the Scholarship’s organiser, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, and the sponsors, the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Innovation and Technology Commission, as well as members of the two Scholarship Selection Committees, and mentors from all sectors of society for your unfailing support in the past 15 years in nurturing talent together.
     
         As the video we just watched concludes, Let’s Make Change For Good! Together, we can shape a future where innovation uplifts lives and empowers generations to come. Thank you very much.
    Issued at HKT 13:22

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Central Asian media praises modern agriculture in Xinjiang

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) — “The enormous scientific and technological power behind a single grain is amazing. It is the ‘golden key’ to food security. We applaud Xinjiang’s agriculture!” Arkady Gladilov, deputy editor-in-chief of the Slovo Kyrgyzstana newspaper, said Tuesday in Changji City, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

    On Tuesday, 23 media representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkey visited Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to see and appreciate the achievements of local modern agriculture, according to the Zhongxinshe News Agency (China News).

    The delegation visited the innovative laboratory of the company “Jiushenghe Seed Industry Co., Ltd.”, where they got acquainted with the selection capabilities of the enterprise. The journalists visited the Research and Development Center in the field of seed production and inspected modern processing workshops, witnessing the process of breeding high-quality varieties of corn, wheat, cotton and the operation of fully automated production lines.

    According to the company’s director, relying on the advantages of the national breeding base in Changji, the enterprise has established cooperation in demonstrating and promoting seeds of elite varieties with a number of Central Asian countries, which in turn will effectively contribute to increasing the yield of local agricultural crops per unit area.

    A. Gladilov noted that Xinjiang is accelerating the implementation of agricultural science achievements and is working to create a unified platform for agro-technological developments focused on Central Asian countries. This will contribute to the modernization of the agro-industrial complex of Central Asian states, and the future in this direction is promising.

    The media also visited the Xinjiang Agricultural Expo Zone, where they were immersed in a realistic picture of the “farm of the future.” In the pavilions, they saw a bountiful harvest of tomatoes grown using hydroponic technology, and also watched how the Internet of Things systems monitored and automatically adjusted lighting, temperature, humidity, water and fertilizer supply in greenhouses in real time.

    The delegation representatives unanimously stated that the scale of implementation and effectiveness of smart agriculture in Xinjiang exceeded expectations. This experience is extremely important for the transformation of Central Asian farms. Xinjiang is not only a key corridor linking China with Central Asia, but also an important partner in promoting the region’s agricultural modernization. Xinjiang’s advanced practices, from key breeding technologies to intelligent field management models, deserve in-depth study. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: TGS Webcast Details for Q2 2025 Presentation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Oslo, Norway (26 June 2025) – TGS, a leading global provider of energy data and intelligence will release its Q2 2025 results at approximately 07:00 a.m. CEST on 17 July 2025. CEO Kristian Johansen and CFO Sven Børre Larsen will present the results at 09:00 a.m. CEST.

    The presentation is webcasted live. Access and registration for webcast attendees are available by copying and pasting the link below into your browser, or use the link on the front page of www.tgs.com:

    https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/hegnarmedia/20250717_2/

    The Q2 2025 earnings release and presentation will be available on www.newsweb.no and www.tgs.com.

    For more information, visit TGS.com (http://www.tgs.com) or contact: 

    Bård Stenberg, VP IR & Communication

    Mobile: +47 992 45 235

    E-mail: investor@tgs.com

    About TGS

    TGS provides advanced data and intelligence to companies active in the energy sector. With leading-edge technology and solutions spanning the entire energy value chain, TGS offers a comprehensive range of insights to help clients make better decisions. Our broad range of products and advanced data technologies, coupled with a global, extensive and diverse energy data library, make TGS a trusted partner in supporting the exploration and production of energy resources worldwide. For further information, please visit www.tgs.com (https://www.tgs.com/).

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Recognition for 40-year contribution to strong food safety culture and sector

    Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

    New Zealand Food Safety congratulates Professor Phil Bremer for scooping this year’s Significant Contribution to Food Safety Award at New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology’s Food Industry Awards last night (25 June 2025).

    In addition to his roles as Professor of Food Science at University of Otago and Chief Scientist New Zealand Food Safety and Scientific Research Centre (NFSSRC), Professor Phil Bremer is also an active member on several industry steering groups.

    “We are delighted to present Professor Bremer with the award,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

    “With more than 40 years of contributions to the food safety sector, Professor Bremer has made a significant contribution to food safety science, publishing more than 200 academic papers.

    “His work has helped build effective food safety culture, industry best practice, equipment and processing technology, product and packaging development, and science and research.”

    Among his many achievements are leading the development of a guide to prevent contamination of infant formula with Cronobacter, a lethal bacterium for infants under 6 months of age.

    “New Zealand dairy companies now benefit from this resource, which helps to ensure the safety of infant formula for the youngest consumers, at home and abroad,” says Mr Arbuckle.

    “Professor Bremer has made an immense contribution to the quality and breadth of food safety science in New Zealand, and to the strength of the wider food safety sector, with a number of leadership roles in New Zealand food safety associations and societies across his 40-year career. He also passes on his knowledge undertaking significant post-graduate supervision.”

    Mr Arbuckle says New Zealand Food Safety’s ongoing support of the award is an important opportunity to celebrate champions of food safety culture, research and applications in food production.

    “We applaud Professor Bremer, all 2025 award nominees and past winners whose contributions and commitment support New Zealand’s world-class food safety system,” says Mr Arbuckle.

    Previous winners of the Significant Contribution to Food Safety Award include Dr Pierre Venter (2024) and Dr Rob Lake (2023).

    See our website for more information.

    Significant Contribution to Food Safety Award

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Income from leasing of real property

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    Item

    Activity

    Responsibility

    Purpose

    4

    Repairs and maintenance (R&M)

    Receipts to be retained and maintained (by property) for all R&M expenditure. Where repairs are managed through the property manager, receipts to be furnished, downloaded and stored.

    R&M expenditure will be recorded in the Excel spreadsheet entitled ‘Rental property financial accounts” and be referenced to the relevant property, within 3 days of payment of the invoice. Accumulated totals should be maintained within the spreadsheet.

    Bill Bookkeeper

    Ensure records of Mr Simple’s investments in real property are not lost in the event primary information sources are compromised.

    5

    Interest expense

    Documentation regarding any external financing obtained to acquire or improve real property assets is to be retained. Documentation should include points explaining:

    • the date the finance was obtained
    • the purpose of obtaining finance
    • how the finance was applied, and
    • the applicable interest rate or other terms upon which the finance was obtained.

    Interest expenses are recorded in the Excel spreadsheet entitled ‘Rental property financial accounts’. Accumulated totals should be maintained within the spreadsheet.

    Bill Bookkeeper as informed by Simple groups lawyers or tax agents

    Support the John Simple property trust’s claim for interest deductions that are associated with the debt funding of its property portfolio (where and when required).

    6a

    Depreciation (Division 40)

    On initial acquisition of real property, a tax depreciation schedule will be obtained from a qualified valuer or quantity surveyor.

    Bill Bookkeeper and Simple group’s tax agents/advisors

    To help ensure that the John Simple property trust is using the correct tax cost bases when determining the amount it can claim as capital allowance

    6b

    The costs of existing and new depreciable assets held by the John Simple Property Trust are to be recorded on an Excel spreadsheet entitled ‘tax fixed asset register’ that includes:

    • a description of the asset
    • the date asset was ready for use
    • a calculation of the assets tax cost
    • the method and rate of depreciation applied to the asset
    • the capital allowance claim for the year
    • the assets closing cost.

    For purpose of calculating depreciation, use the Commissioner’s effective lives for depreciating assets guidance as published each year in the ATO’s Taxation Ruling.

    For all new depreciable capital assets that are acquired, receipts are to be maintained and referenced against the tax fixed asset register (including low value pools).

    Bill Bookkeeper and Simple group’s tax agents/advisors

    To support the John Simple property trust’s claim for capital allowance deductions in the year of income in which the claim is made.

    6c

    Where depreciable assets are disposed of, the tax fixed asset register will record:

    • the date of the disposal
    • sale price
    • the balancing income/loss recognised on disposal.

    Bill Bookkeeper and Simple group’s tax agents/advisors

    To help ensure that gains or losses on disposal of depreciable capital assets by the John Simple property trust are calculated correctly for tax purposes.

    7a

    Capital works (Division 43)

    Upon acquisition of an existing real property asset that’s not vacant land, a determination will be made about the percentage rate at which capital works deductions can be claimed.

    On initial acquisition of an existing real property, a tax depreciation or capital works schedule will be obtained from the property’s previous owners or obtained from a qualified quantity surveyor.

    Upon incurring new expenditure on capital works, a determination will be made about the percentage rate at which capital works deductions can be claimed.

    Note: Generally, the Simple group acquires assets for which the 2.5% rate is applied.

    Bill Bookkeeper and Simple group’s tax agents/advisors

    Ensure that the John Simple property trust’s is eligible to claim capital works deductions in respect to a particular property, the cost base by reference to which capital works deductions can be claimed and the percentage to be used when claiming capital works deductions each year.

    7b

    For new capital works, receipts should be retained and referenced against the tax fixed asset register.

    Details of new capital works are recorded on an Excel spreadsheet entitled ‘tax fixed asset register’ that includes a

    • description of the capital works
    • date the capital works were completed
    • cost of the capital works
    • percentage deduction rate applied (for example 2.5%)
    • deduction claimed for the year
    • closing balance of unclaimed construction expenditure at year end.

    Any complex issues concerning the application of, or calculations required by Division 43, should be escalated to the Simple group’s tax advisors.

    Bill Bookkeeper and Simple group’s tax agents/advisors

    Substantiate capital works deductions for the year. Help ensure compliance with the Simple group’s record keeping obligations.

    Support the John Simple property trust’s claim for capital works deductions.

    Accessing sophisticated levels of advice helps ensure complex issues with capital works claims are treated correctly.

    8

    Other expenses

    A list has been (or should be) prepared and retained that outline and explains typical expenses incurred by the John Simple property trust in the course of its property leasing activities.

    Accounting expenses should be recorded (by property) in the Excel spreadsheet entitled ‘Rental property financial accounts for the year ended 30 June 20XX’, within 3 days of the supplier invoice being received. Accumulated totals should be maintained within the spreadsheet.

    Bill Bookkeeper

    Ensuring typical expenses associated with each property portfolio are understood and explained – for succession planning.

    Support John Simple property trust’s claims for allowable deductions.

    9

    Prepaid expenses

    Where eligible expenditure has been prepaid, maintain records of prepayments. Prepare an accompanying note that explains the nature of the prepaid expenditure and relevant time period to which the expenditure relates (more or less than 12 months).

    Bill Bookkeeper

    Help with preparation of the John Simple property trust’s draft tax reconciliation.

    Support John Simple property trust’s claims for allowable deductions.

    10

    Before forwarding information to the Simple group’s tax agent, review the following spreadsheets and resources against a sample of documentation to sense check that income and expenses have been captured and correctly recorded.

    • Real Property Investment Register
    • List of typical expenses
    • Tax and accounting fixed asset register

    Bill Bookkeeper

    Helping ensure that Mr Simple’s income and expense disclosures are complete.

    11

    At least 4 weeks before the due date for lodgment of the John Simple property trust’s tax return, provide the Simple group’s tax agent with:

    • a summary narrative about the John Simple property trusts typical and atypical activities during the year
    • real property investment register
    • the property manager’s end of financial year summary statement for each property investment
    • excel rental property financial accounts
    • tax and accounting fixed asset registers
    • related source documents as required by the tax agent
    • notes concerning any prepaid expenses.

    Bill Bookkeeper

    Ensuring the John Simple property trust’s tax return is lodged on time.

    Helping the tax agent with the process of preparing the John Simple property trust’s tax return.

    MIL OSI News –

  • Indian stock market opens higher, all eyes on US reciprocal tariff deadline

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The domestic benchmark indices opened higher on Thursday amid mixed global cues, as buying was seen in the metal, auto, and financial services sectors in early trade.

    At around 9:26 a.m., the Sensex was trading 239.27 points, or 0.29 per cent, higher at 82,994.78, while the Nifty added 84.20 points, or 0.33 per cent, to reach 25,328.95.

    According to analysts, with a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, global markets are in risk-on mode. However, since the reciprocal tariff issue remains unresolved, a sustained rally may be difficult.

    Nifty Bank was up 41.50 points, or 0.07 per cent, at 56,662.65 in early trade. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was trading at 58,993.20 after gaining 111.50 points, or 0.19 per cent. The Nifty Smallcap 100 index stood at 18,785.05, up 57.20 points, or 0.31 per cent.

    Technically, the price action also traced an inside day, indicating that the possibility of a large, single-day trending move is rising, experts said.

    Meanwhile, in the Sensex pack, BEL, Eternal, Tata Motors, PowerGrid, Maruti Suzuki, Tata Steel, L&T, Bajaj Finserv, Bharti Airtel, and Titan were the top gainers. On the other hand, Tech Mahindra, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Trent, and ICICI Bank were among the top losers.

    Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers on June 25, offloading equities worth ₹2,427.74 crore. Meanwhile, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) remained buyers, purchasing equities worth ₹2,372.96 crore.

    In the Asian markets, Japan, China, Bangkok, and Jakarta were trading in the green, whereas Seoul and Hong Kong were in the red.

    In the previous trading session, the Dow Jones in the US closed at 42,982.43, down 106.59 points, or 0.25 per cent. The S&P 500 ended with a slight loss of 0.02 points at 6,092.16, while the Nasdaq closed at 19,973.55, up 61.02 points, or 0.31 per cent.

    —IANS

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kustoff Honors Frederick W. Smith, Founder of FedEx, on House Floor

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN) honored the founder, chairman, and CEO of FedEx Corporation, Frederick W. Smith, on the Floor of the House of Representatives. 
     

    Click here for a downloadable link to his speech.

    Remarks as prepared:

    Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Frederick W. Smith. Who left us this past Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the age of 80. 
     
    Mr. Speaker, if I were to stand and speak at this podium all day, I would barely be able to scratch the surface of Fred Smith’s extraordinary life, his influence on the country and the world, and his profound impact on the City of Memphis. 
     
    To many people, Fred Smith will likely be remembered as a titan of industry and the founder of FedEx. To my constituents, he will be remembered as a champion for the City of Memphis. Personally, I will remember Fred Smith as a man who loved his country and devoted his life to the American dream. 
     
    Born in Marks, Mississippi and raised in Memphis, he was very proud of his country. Fred Smith was a true patriot – serving honorably as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam. After that service, he returned home with a bold idea – a company that could deliver packages overnight around the world. Fred Smith turned that idea into a global enterprise: revolutionizing international supply chains, transforming how businesses operate, and changing how people connect. 
     
    Fred Smith not only directed and dominated the modern logistics industry, he created it. For more than 50 years after the conception of FedEx, he continued to lead it. 
     
    Today, FedEx operates in over 220 countries, but its heart and headquarters remain in Memphis, Tennessee. Through FedEx, Fred Smith turned Memphis into a global logistics hub – driving economic growth across the region, while employing tens of thousands of Tennesseans. Today, the FedEx world hub at Memphis International Airport is one of the busiest and largest cargo airports in the world. FedEx is the largest Fortune 500 company in the state of Tennessee. 
     
    Fred Smith’s commitment to Memphis went far beyond business. In fact, upon Fred’s passing on Saturday, former Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said, “Fred Smith was the most significant Memphian in history. He gave them a fair shot at their American dream and his philanthropic work helped support countless organizations”. 
     
    Thanks to Fred Smith, Memphis acquired the NBA’s Grizzlies in 2001 when he committed to purchasing the naming rights for the future home of the basketball team: the FedExForum. Two years ago, when the University of Memphis was ambitiously pursuing stadium upgrades for the football team, Fred Smith and his family committed $50 million to help the school achieve its financial goals. 
     
    Fred and Dianne Smith, and the Smith family, have donated to so many worthwhile causes in the Memphis area, including the world-class Memphis Zoo. Memphians can also thank Fred Smith for saving the FedEx St. Jude Golf Championship when it lost its previous title sponsor. 
     
    Yesterday, when discussing the life of Fred Smith, I talked with my good friend, Chris Richards. She was the General Counsel at FedEx and a close advisor to Fred Smith. A little over 25 years ago, Fred came to Chris with an idea he told her she would not like. He wanted FedEx to be involved in a major motion picture in which the plot involved crashing a FedEx plane. Fred thought that the script for “Cast Away” was a great read and could be a good movie that benefited the company.
     
    As FedEx’s lead attorney, Chris told Fred there had never been an airline who willingly participated in a movie where they gave permission to crash their plane. Chris advised against all of it, but Fred wanted to think outside the box. He signed off on the idea. He was really impressed with the production staff and the movie star, Tom Hanks. That would be important years later. 
     
    At the request of former Senator Bob Dole, Fred became involved in the creation and fundraising of a World War II memorial to honor and remember our nation’s Greatest Generation. Fred would become a major factor in getting that memorial constructed. It would cost a lot of money to raise and build such a monument, but as a result of that movie, Fred turned to his friend, Tom Hanks, for his help and public support to help raise funds for the memorial. Indeed, that movie ended up being good for FedEx, and in turn, good for the World War II memorial and our nation. 
     
    With his passing, we honor and celebrate a lifetime of inspiring service and leadership. 
     
    We celebrate a Marine, a Memphian, and a really good man.
     
    To Dianne and the entire Smith family, Roberta and I mourn with you. 
     
    To our nation, we lost an innovator, a job creator, a trailblazer, and a leader. 
     
    We are all better off for the remarkable life that he led. 
     
    With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back.
     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kustoff Statement Regarding the Passing of FedEx Founder Fred Smith

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)

    Memphis, TN. — Tonight, Rep. David Kustoff (TN-08) released the following statement regarding FedEx founder Fred Smith’s passing.

    “Before building one of the most influential companies in modern history, Fred Smith served his country with honor as a U.S. Marine Corps officer in Vietnam. After returning home, he continued his service by profound investment in our state and the great city of Memphis.

    It is hard to fully capture the impact he had on our city. His work and philanthropy touched every corner of Memphis. He invested in our children, our schools, our sports, and our future. Fred Smith gave hope to the people of Memphis because he believed so deeply in our potential.

    I had the privilege of working with Fred Smith on many issues over the years. Ultimately, every effort was to further the best interests of our community. He never stopped showing up for Memphis. Fred Smith was a friend to all. He was a builder and a leader. I have no doubt that his legacy will live on forever.

    Roberta and I mourn his passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with Diane and the Smith family.”

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Kelly questions Secretary Kennedy’s decision to reverse COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for pregnant women, children

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (Il-02) forcefully questioned Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. today as he appeared before the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee. She challenged his guidance change, announced through a video on X, ending COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for pregnant women and children.

    “It is clear that Health Secretary Kennedy received no serious input from medical experts in his unilateral decision to reverse COVID-19 vaccine recommendations,” said Rep. Kelly. “What concerns me is his lack of care for the consequences of his decision. Pregnant women are especially vulnerable to COVID – we saw that firsthand just a couple years ago when maternal deaths spiked during the pandemic.  Vaccines are safe, effective, and the best medicine to prevent outbreaks.”

    “Secretary Kennedy’s actions are proof that he is not fit for the job,” continued Rep. Kelly. “To the American people, take what Secretary Kennedy said to heart: do not take medical advice from him.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow — a city of youth: how the capital supports young entrepreneurs

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Moscow is a city of youth. In the capital, all areas for a comfortable and productive life are regularly developing – from education and career to leisure and self-realization. According to the Federal Tax Service andDepartment of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development of the City of Moscow, more than a quarter of individual entrepreneurs (IE) in the capital are young people under 35. Among company managers, their share is about 17 percent.

    Youth entrepreneurship is becoming an important part of the Moscow economy. Business representatives under 35 are increasingly developing their businesses, using the capital’s support measures to achieve this goal. They receive active assistance from the city at the start and a real opportunity to turn their enterprise into a successful company.

    Support by surety

    One of the most popular instruments remains surety Moscow Guarantee FundThey significantly simplify access to the necessary financing and make it possible to obtain it even without sufficient collateral, especially in such capital-intensive areas as manufacturing and construction.

    In the first five months of 2025, for companies managed by executives under 35, the volume of financing attracted under the fund’s guarantee amounted to 1.3 billion rubles. This is 32 percent more than in the same period of 2024. Then the amount reached 983 million rubles. The data indicate an increase in trust in support tools and the active participation of young entrepreneurs in the development of Moscow business.

    The majority of the funds raised were directed towards the development of production projects – 43 percent of the total volume. Another 22 percent went to the trade sector, 12 percent to construction, and the remaining 23 percent was distributed among companies in other industries.

    Young Entrepreneurs: Success Stories

    Anton Ivanov, the founder of a Moscow company that produces sportswear under its own brand, has used the support of the Moscow Guarantee Fund twice. This allowed him to increase turnover and expand production. In two years, the company’s revenue has grown almost fourfold – from 66 to 289 million rubles.

    Another striking example is a company that produces nut butters and bars under its own trademarks. Since 2022, entrepreneur Yuliana Nikolaeva has regularly received support from the Moscow Guarantee Fund to attract the necessary financing, which has allowed the business to grow fourfold – without interrupting production or reducing product quality.

    The city provides young entrepreneurs not only with financial but also non-financial assistance. Thus, 14-year-old Lyudmila Sukhova, the owner of a playroom in one of the capital’s shopping centers, received support. Her interest in working with children was supported by her parents, who in the fall of 2024 helped her acquire a business and obtain the status of an individual entrepreneur. Specialists of the State Budgetary Institution “Small Business of Moscow” (MBM) consulted Lyudmila. They told her about tax regimes, reporting and existing support measures, and also helped her obtain the status of a social entrepreneur. Now the playroom is regularly visited by an average of 25 children or more every week.

    Andrey Archakov is an 18-year-old general director of a film company, a screenwriter and a director. Having started with dubbing at the age of 11, he has already shot two historical short films and registered an individual entrepreneurship to work on a full-length film. MBM specialists helped him with registration, documents and choosing a tax regime. Andrey is currently studying at the All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S.A. Gerasimov and is working on a new film and a project based on a book by Sergei Lukyanenko.

    “Made in Moscow” as an opportunity to make a name for yourself

    The Made in Moscow project also provides free support to young entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs can participate in industry exhibitions and large-scale city projects, such as “Summer in Moscow” and “Winter in Moscow”. And also to receive information support through special projects in the media and social networks. This allows them to place their products on the shelves of art pavilions and tell a wide audience about themselves in the media.

    The brand of high-tech clothing by 20-year-old Andrey Kolosov has become one of the examples of successful business development with the help of the Made in Moscow project. Andrey created the first batch of brand T-shirts with a grant of 50 thousand rubles, and then began to increase production capacity. Now his products can be purchased at the Green Market pavilion on Bolotnaya Square. The entrepreneur regularly participates in city events and demonstrates consistently high sales. The company’s income has grown from 50 thousand rubles in 2022 to three million rubles in 2024.

    In addition, in the “Green Market” and in the art pavilion “Bus of Beauty” you can find products of the brand, whose founder is 25-year-old Daria Yakovleva. The entrepreneur creates stylish accessories from velvet – cosmetic bags, folders for laptops and convenient shoppers. Thanks to the “Made in Moscow” project, the brand has already reached a new audience, increased recognition and increased revenue by 1.5 times.

    17-year-old businessman Dmitry Kalinin creates unique, hand-painted T-shirts. His brand’s products are distinguished by an exclusive pattern on each item. In the summer of 2024, his income reached 200 thousand rubles, which significantly exceeded the previous figure of 60 thousand rubles. In winter, the brand’s products could be found as part of the Winter in Moscow project at the Magic Market site on Bolotnaya Square.

    City of Opportunities

    Moscow is a city of youth. The capital offers wide opportunities for its development, creative self-expression, comfortable life and interesting leisure. The city has created the appropriate infrastructure, thousands of events of different scale and focus are held.

    In honor of Youth Day, themed events will be held at more than 250 city venues. As Sergei Sobyanin reported earlier, the flagship event will be festival, which will take place on June 28 and 29 at Bolotnaya Square. You can find more detailed information and a map with all city events on the portal “Youth of Moscow”.

    More information about opportunities for young residents of the capital can be found on the portal “Youth of Moscow” and its pages in social networks.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155821073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Entrepreneurs help SVO fighters as part of the Summer in Moscow project

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the shopping malls on the site of the large-scale city project “Summer in Moscow” on Tverskaya Square, you can buy unusual interior items – hand-made chests and caskets, vintage comics, jewelry and antique cutlery, and then treat yourself to delicious donuts.

    All participants, displaying their goods and treats on the shelves, have one thing in common: they help special military operation (SMO) fighters.

    Together with other vintage collectors, businessman Sergey is part of a volunteer group. For two years now, they have been helping the Valuysky Central District Hospital in the Belgorod Region, Kherson hospitals, doctors of the 810th Marine Brigade, the 25th Guards Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, the 3rd Motorized Rifle Division, and other units.

    The items collected by caring like-minded people included radios and monitors, medicines, medical products and bandages, as well as funds transferred to purchase everything necessary. The team’s ideological inspirer Marina directly contacts the fighters and doctors. She also deals with issues of storage and transportation of humanitarian parcels.

    In the shopping chalet No. 7, Sergey has put vintage and antique jewelry on the shelves, as well as tableware: teapots, samovars, forks, spoons, plates, dishes and much more, and has also put out foreign comics from the last century. However, he expects visitors not only to shop.

    “Anyone who wishes can, in addition to money, bring boots, socks, bed linen and underwear to our trading house for the soldiers who are currently undergoing treatment in hospitals. It is important that the items are new, in packaging and with price tags – this is necessary to comply with sanitary standards, which must be followed for the speedy recovery of servicemen. I will definitely pass on all this and give feedback,” the entrepreneur shared.

    Chests and sweets

    The owner of the chest workshop, Sergey, not only produces unusual furniture that will decorate any interior and give it a truly Russian flavor, but also regularly sends funds to the needs of military personnel.

    According to the businessman, the first time he and his comrades financially helped the fighters was at the beginning of last autumn. After that, they continued to transfer the necessary amounts to the official account of the charity fund.

    Maxim, a representative of the donut company that you can try right now at the Moscow Seasons site on Tverskaya Square, said that he and his colleagues began providing comprehensive assistance this year.

    The entrepreneurs launched their own production in the city of Zhukov (Kaluga Region). The local administration helped them cooperate with other business owners, and now together they are preparing huge loads for shipment to the front and to new regions of Russia.

    “For the last two orders, we bought wheels for KamAZ vehicles, and delivered repair parts, hinges and door handles to Mariupol. We buy humanitarian aid, each one their own part, so that we get a whole truck, and then we deliver everything to the fighters,” said Maxim.

    He added that the business expanded thanks to participation in city festivals — the team started by selling donuts in shopping chalets. Now the sweets can be found in grocery chains, but the entrepreneurs continue to delight guests of the Moscow Seasons venues with donuts.

    Many of the participants of Moscow festivals not only collect humanitarian aid from the first days of the SVO, but also independently deliver cargo to the front, and also help volunteer organizations. In addition, entrepreneurs give military personnel and residents of new regions products of their own manufacture (canned goods, warm clothes, toys, etc.).

    More information about the activities of the capital’s Department of Trade and Services is available in the official telegram channel.

    Project “Summer in Moscow”— the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports events are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. “Summer in Moscow” is being held for the second time, and the new season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155856073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: What program was prepared at the Summer in Moscow venues on June 27–29

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The capital is hosting a large-scale project called “Summer in Moscow”. City residents and tourists are invited to join various master classes, see unusual performances and concerts, exciting circus shows, play chess, table tennis, bocce and many other games. This is only a small part of what you can do in the coming days. We tell you how to spend your leisure time interestingly on June 27, 28 and 29.

    Rock, Paper, Scissors Championship

    A large-scale championship in the game is taking place at the project sites “Rock, Paper, Scissors”Every day children and adults can compete on Tverskoy Boulevard.

    On June 27, the competition will be held on Admirala Rudneva Street (building 8), and on June 28, on Vvedenskogo Street (building 28). The venues will be open from 15:00 to 20:00. The final in the South-West Administrative District will be held on June 29 at 12:00 on Dmitry Donskogo Boulevard (building 11).

    Public talks, yoga, master classes and much more at the summer club “Moscow”

    There is a summer club on Tverskoy Boulevard “Moscow”, where residents and visitors of the capital of all ages can find something to do to their liking – from rock climbing and yoga to master classes and retro games.

    Beauty events will be dedicated to the theme of the graduation party. The space of two pop-up stores will be occupied by two Russian brands. Three beauty trucks will also be operating on the site. Gifts, discounts, raffles and product presentations have been prepared for guests.

    On June 27, from 19:00 to 20:00, a ceremony will be held in the rotunda. public talk, where beauty blogger Yulia Bay will talk about makeup trends and share tips on how to incorporate fashionable solutions into everyday looks. From 12:00 to 21:00, there will also be a presentation of products from brands occupying beauty trucks, as well as personal consultations with a technologist on hair condition.

    On June 28, a ceremony will be held in the rotunda public talk with perfumer Ivan Yakimov. He will share how to choose a natural scent according to your mood. In addition, a test bar of the capital brand’s products and a photo zone with a red carpet will be open all day.

    On June 29 from 19:00 to 20:00 there will be a public talk with a TV presenter and a make-up artist Rishey Krylova, which will tell about new shades of eyeshadow of one brand and show how to apply them. Guests will be able to test the products and ask questions. At 17:00 and 20:00 Moscow brands will hold final drawings. On the same day, consultants will hold presentations of brands.

    From floral still lifes to watercolor sketches: let’s go to an art studio

    On Passionate Boulevard Professionals will teach anyone over the age of six to paint sketches and floral still lifes using various artistic techniques.

    On June 27 from 3:00 pm to 7:45 pm and on June 28 from 1:00 pm to 7:45 pm, guests will paint a bouquet using dry pastel technique, a watercolor sketch, wild flowers with gouache using the alla prima technique, and an acrylic flower still life.

    “Literary Boulevard”, art pavilion “Raketa” and more

    Meeting, dedicated to children’s writer Nikolai Nosov, will be held on June 27 at the Literary Boulevard site. The organizers will talk about the author’s biography, his work in film and animation, and will also read the story “Cucumbers”, based on a true story. Parents will recall cartoons based on the writer’s works, and children will make bookmarks with characters from his books at a master class. The meetings take place on a specially equipped podium and last about an hour. The beginning is at 19:00, admission is free.

    In addition, on the same day, master classes will be held in the Raketa art pavilion of the Made in Moscow project on Rozhdestvenka Street. Guests will be able to collect puzzles and mosaics, and also with the help of the author’s coloring books provided by the Moscow brand, learn more aboutthe importance of family traditionsOn June 29, there will be a class on assembly here. Su-26 aircraft. Free admission.

    On June 27, the Green Market pavilion of the Made in Moscow project on Bolotnaya Square will host master class on design. From 18:00 to 19:00, guests will be able to learn the basics of modeling and create three-dimensional structures. Admission to both events is free.

    Circus divertissements

    City residents and tourists will enjoy exciting shows with the best circus artists of Russia. In the landscape park “Yuzhnoye Butovo” the artists of the Great Moscow Circus will show bright numbers, in Izmailovsky Park the show “Striped Flight” will take place, and in the cinema park “Moskino” the program “Algerian Lions” will take place.

    Performances at all three venues start at the same time: on June 27 at 19:00, and on June 28 and 29 at 14:00 and 18:00. Admission is paid and is not included in the ticket price to the Moskino Cinema Park. You can find out more about the events and buy tickets atofficial website.

    Update your wardrobe and see a mini-performance at the Leto department store

    The department store of Russian designers “Leto” will be open on Revolution Square. Everyone will be able not only to try on clothes they like and update their wardrobe, but also to listen to lectures, take part in master classes and even watch performances.

    So, on June 28 from 16:00 to 17:30 there will be a lecture where they will tell you how to invest in your reputation and name forincreasing media coverage. And on June 29 from 16:00 to 17:30 they will hold a lecture on the topic “The works of I. Shmelev. For the writer’s birthday”, and at 20:00 – a mini-performance.

    Festival of urban sports

    On the sites festival of urban sports In the open air you can play checkers, chess, table tennis, bocce and many other games.

    Everyone is welcome on June 28 and 29 from 11:00 to 21:00 in the parks of the Northern River Terminal, Sosenki, Pechatniki, 850th Anniversary of Moscow, Fili, near the Bolshoy Gorodskoy Pond, as well as in the Troparevo recreation area and the public space on Akademika Yangelya Street. Admission is free.

    Family Sports Games – From Arm Wrestling to Trampolines

    There will be events in different parts of the city family sports games. Free admission. On Saturday, June 28, from 11:00 to 15:00, visitors to the rotunda on General Karbyshev Boulevard (12) will enjoy fun starts, trampoline jumping, fitness exercises, a sports riddle contest, and attractions.

    In the Fili Children’s Park on Bolshaya Filevskaya Street (9), participants will be able to take part in tournaments and master classes in arm wrestling, strength testing, kettlebell lifting, and tug-of-war. The events will be held from 16:00 to 20:00.

    At the same time, an exciting sports relay race awaits guests at the Avangard stadium on Entuziastov Highway (33). Participants will have to go through an obstacle course of trampolines of varying difficulty, and cope with strength and endurance tasks.

    In the M.P. Sudakov Square on 40th Anniversary of October Avenue (40) from 16:00 to 20:00 there will be master classes and tournaments in board games. Here you can compete in table hockey, giant tavrels, and also join an open chess tournament.

    In addition, Muscovites and tourists will enjoy tournaments, competitions and fun relay races: throwing a projectile at a target, pillow fights and jumping in sacks. The events will take place at the site near the district center “Meeting Place “Baku”” on Usievich Street (house 12) from 16:00 to 20:00.

    On Sunday, June 29, you can play giant tic-tac-toe, Tetris, Rubik’s cube, and bowl in the rotunda on General Karbyshev Boulevard (12). Guests are welcome from 11:00 to 15:00.

    At the Avangard stadium, tournaments and master classes in arm wrestling, strength testing, kettlebell lifting and tug-of-war will be held from 16:00 to 20:00. And at the site near the regional center “Meeting Place “Baku”” at the same time, there will be fitness exercises, a sports quiz and fun starts, trampolines and attractions will be working.

    In the recreation area “Troparevo” from 16:00 to 20:00 everyone will be offered to play table hockey, giant tavrels and chess. On the site in the Academic Park on Dmitry Ulyanov Street (property 9a, building 1) you can go on a sports family route, play mini-golf, giant Jenga, jump on trampolines, and also take part in football and fitness relay races.

    Theatrical walking tour, noble games and karaoke with live music

    A theatrical walking tour will be held in the Trubetskoy estate park “Customs and Morals of Old Moscow”. Guests will take part in a discussion with Ivan Turgenev’s characters and see an interactive mini-performance based on Leo Tolstoy’s diaries. Admission is free. Participants are expected on June 28 from 11:00 to 22:30.

    In the museum-reserve “Kuzminki-Lyublino” a master class will take place “Noble accessories. Fans”. On June 28 from 12:00 to 14:00, everyone will be able to create an exquisite fan together with professionals. The class will be organized next to the stage.

    On this day, the Kuzminki-Lyublino Museum-Reserve will also host noble games: biryulki, croquet, badminton, serso, gorodki, and lapta. The events are planned from 12:00 to 19:00 with breaks. In addition, a retro studio will be open in the Kuzminki estate from 12:00 to 19:00, and a concert will be held at 18:30.

    In the summer cinema of the Mitino landscape park, everyone can join karaoke with live music. In a cozy atmosphere in the open air, everyone will perform their favorite songs together with professional musicians on June 28 from 19:00 to 20:30.

    Films, concerts, exhibitions and performances in Zaryadye Park

    As part of the project “Cinema Summer in Zaryadye” For Youth Day, viewers will see two films separated by 20 years. June 28 — Oksana Bychkova’s romantic melodrama “Piter FM” (2006). This is a story about how a random coincidence can change the fate of two people at a crossroads in life. June 29 — Karen Shakhnazarov’s social drama “Courier” (1986) about growing up and making choices. Free admission.

    In addition, the IV festival will be held in Zaryadye Park on June 28 and 29 “New Classics”. This year it is dedicated to the musician, avant-garde composer, innovator Alexander Mosolov. Guests will enjoy concerts on the large and experimental stages. An interactive exhibition “Music of Machines” will be organized, where curators have collected modern musical instruments. Everyone will be able to create an improvisational composition. The main premiere event of the festival will be the plastic performance “Yul”. Admission to all festival venues is free, registration is required for the performance.

    From decorating a movie plate to a musical quest: the program of the Moskino cinema park

    For young guests cinema park “Moskino” On June 28 and 29 from 12:00 to 19:00, the educational center will host master classes on decorating a movie plate, a movie clapperboard, and a felt hat. The class is fee-based. In addition, children will be able to paint a felt headdress, making an unusual decoration for it using colored markers, paints, and colored paper. Participation in the master class is fee-based.

    From 11:00 to 19:00, guests are invited to take part in the exciting quest “In the Rhythm of the Cinema Park”. Everyone will be able to immerse themselves in the musical culture of jazz, rock and roll, blues and swing, learn about these popular musical genres and their history, become part of one of the dance teams and perform on stage. The best teams will compete in a dance battle in front of the audience. Participation is included in the ticket price to the cinema park.

    Jazz musicians will perform in the Gonzaga Theatre setting. On June 28 at 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM and on June 29 at 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM, the Kors band cover band will perform on stage, and from 6:00 PM to 6:40 PM, a concert by jazz vocalist Eteri Beriashvili will take place. On the central square from 12:00 PM to 6:30 PM, the Las Aventuras drum group will professionally play on iron tanks. These events can be attended with an entrance ticket to the cinema park.

    Festival “Youth Day”

    Youth Day will be celebrated in Moscow on June 28 and 29. At the festival’s flagship venue — Bolotnaya Square — young musical groups and popular artists will perform. Experts will conduct career consultations and help to decide on a future profession. In addition, everyone will be offered to create magnets and join artistic plein airs.

    Also, as part of the Youth Day festival, two sites dedicated to patriotism, as well as volunteering and charity, will operate in the Muzeon Arts Park.

    Thus, on the rollerdrome on Bolotnaya Square on June 28 from 12:10 to 16:10 there will be a show called “Memory Diary”. The ice theater team led by Petr Chernyshev and Tatyana Navka will perform. And from 19:00 to 23:00 the groups “Gradusy” and “Komnata Kultury” will take to the stage, as well as DJs Groove and Nejtrino.

    On June 28 and 29, from 12:00 to 19:00, the Kreativ site will host master classes on creating magnets, and from 12:30 to 14:30, there will be a plein air, where participants will paint urban landscapes under the guidance of experienced artists. In addition, on June 28, guests will be treated to master classes on generative design, decorating sunglasses, DJing, customizing T-shirts, and many other activities.

    Visitors to the Career site will be able to take part in an interactive game where they need to guess encrypted professions. The sessions will be held on June 28 from 12:00 to 13:30 and from 15:45 to 19:00. On the same day, from 12:00 to 13:30 and from 15:45 to 19:00, everyone is offered career consultations from experts of the Moscow Government Career Development Center.

    On June 29 at 1:45 p.m. the lecture “How to leave your job and create an environmentally friendly startup” will begin, and at 2:45 p.m. the lecture “How to get an internship at a top company without leaving home” will begin.

    On both days, June 28 and 29, you can play mini-golf, take part in cyber hockey and football tournaments in the Sport hub, and also try to create music using voice commands or text requests to the neural network on the Neural Network platform.

    The full program of the Youth Day festival can be found on the portal “Youth of Moscow”.

    Tournament “Heroes of the Chessboard. Moscow”

    On June 29 from 12:00 to 16:00 the next competitions of the tournament “Heroes of the Chessboard. Moscow” will take place. To participate you need registration.

    An open series of blitz chess tournaments is taking place at40 sites all over the city.

    Noble promenade, retro studio and master class in Izmailovsky Park

    From 12:00 to 19:00 Muscovites and tourists are invited to take part noble promenade through the picturesque Izmailovsky Park in the company of the hospitable hosts of the estate. Participants will discuss literature and listen to romances with a guitar. The hosts of the estate will also tell about the rules of etiquette and teach fashionable secular dances of the 19th century. Guests are expected on the alley of the Big Circle (house 7).

    In addition, from 12:00 to 19:00, Izmailovsky Park will be open retro studio. Here you can feel like a 19th century nobleman in a luxurious historical costume. And from 12:00 to 14:00 you can take part in a master class “Noble accessories. Brooches”.

    Performance “Ershov. Beyond the mountains, beyond the forests”

    In the amphitheater in the Polytech Museum Park as part of the festival “Theatre Boulevard” On June 29 at 14:00 there will be a performance “Ershov. Beyond the Mountains, Beyond the Forests”. The musical and dramatic performance by director Yuri Pechenezhsky is inspired by the poetry of Pyotr Ershov and his fairy tale “The Little Humpbacked Horse”. The story of a boy who believed in fairy tales since childhood and one day decided to make up his own will be told together with the artists by the musicians of the folklore ensemble “Komon”. Admission is free. Spectators aged 18 and over are invited.

    Project “Summer in Moscow”— the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports programs are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. “Summer in Moscow” is being held for the second time, and this season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155854073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Education – Te Pūkenga 2024 Annual Report shows $122 million turnaround in two years

    Source: Te Pukenga

    Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) has released its 2024 Annual Report, showing a $122 million turnaround within the two years it has existed as a single entity, and the first surplus for the organisation.
    The report shows a surplus of $16.6 million at the end of 2024, a $54.5 million (144%) improvement on the 2023 deficit of $37.9 million, and a $121.7 million (116%) improvement on the 2022 deficit of $105 million.
    Revenue has grown $68.4 million (5%) compared to 2023, and $188 million (15%) compared to 2022. Te Pūkenga Chief Executive Gus Gilmore acknowledged the hard work of staff (kaimahi) in achieving the results amid a tough economic climate as well as uncertainty for the institute.
    “Against a background of immense change and uncertainty, Te Pūkenga had a strong year. With 226,645 learners, including 90,919 trainees and apprentices, outcomes continued to improve, with course completion, including 10,828 trainees and apprentices completing their programmes and 45,146 graduating. We also had strong domestic and international enrolments for our Institutes of Technology and Polytechnic (ITP) divisions and increased our net promoter score.
    “The financial result, showing a 144% improvement on the previous year, is the outcome of focusing on addressing financial performance through an intensive cost savings exercise across all divisions, structural changes, vacancy management, lease reduction, property sales and programme rationalisation,” said Mr Gilmore.
    Ākonga satisfaction increased to over 93% following a strong focus on improving learner support. For example, a partnership with Health New Zealand, with an investment of $4.1 million, saw more than 12,500 learners access mental health services – a 71% increase from 2023. Course completion rates across all priority groups – Māori, Pasifika and disabled learners – also showed an increase in 2024.
    Te Pūkenga also developed major commercial partnerships with national employers and international partners. Amongst the highlights are a successful partnership with Apple, which included the development of the Hangarau Matihiko (digital technology) micro-credential, training for 50 teachers in 12 Te Tai Tokerau schools, and more than 2,200 ākonga supported in strengthening their digital skills.
    A memorandum of arrangement was signed with the Centre for International People-to-People Exchange (CCIPE) from China to establish the New Zealand – China Vocational Cooperation and Development Alliance. It seeks to promote vocational education in both countries through talent cultivation, cross credits, student exchanges, and academic visits.
    Te Pūkenga also achieved many successful work-based training initiatives including the Connexis-run Girls with Hi-Vis (GWHV), seeking more women apprentices which last year co-hosted 36 events with employers, attracting more than 650 students from 98 schools. It was also the second year that events were co-hosted with BCITO for industry experience days onsite with companies in the civil infrastructure, electrical supply, water industries, building and construction sectors, and at some of the country’s major infrastructure projects.
    Plumbing, Gasfitting, and Drainlaying (PGD) programmes were updated by EarnLearn to better align with industry demands and improve outcomes for employers and learners. Meanwhile Primary ITO achieved a 96% completion rate in its programme to develop a skilled and qualified workforce for Whakatōhea Mussels new farm and processing facility in Ōpōtiki with many of the learners securing full-time jobs afterwards.
    Research revenue exceeded expectations by 38% – $12.02 million compared to the target of $8.73 million, demonstrating the continued strength of rangahau and research within Te Pūkenga. The 2024 ITP Rangahau and Research Symposium, the largest and most diverse research event delivered by Te Pūkenga, attracted more than 275 submissions, representing the work of over 500 kairangahau (researchers) across diverse areas of rangahau and research, including Pacific research.
    “Looking back on the year 2024, our kaimahi can be very proud of the outcomes achieved for our learners and employers, and a good financial result for the sector during a time of significant change. We thank kaimahi for their continued commitment and manaakitanga even as they have faced uncertainty about their own futures.”
    Year-to-date 2025 results show good growth on domestic and international enrolments for ITP divisions, while work-based learning divisions have seen an expected softening because of current market conditions.
    “There are still some hard decisions that need to be made this year to support the financial viability of individual divisions for their transition into new entities.
    “As we prepare for disestablishment, our focus remains on ensuring learners, employers, and kaimahi are well supported while we continue to deliver quality vocational education and training,” says Mr Gilmore.
    You can read the report here: 2024 Annual Report
    In summary, in 2024 Te Pūkenga network had:
    • 226,645 learners including 90,919 trainees and apprentices
    • 45,146 graduates
    • 10,828 trainees and apprentices completed programmes
    • 24,136 employers provided vocational education in partnership with Te Pūkenga
    • 74.4% of Māori learners completed their courses and 82% of all courses were completed, up from 81% in 2023
    • 93% ākonga satisfaction rate, up from 90%
    • 6,875 international student EFTs, ahead of the 2024 target of 5,315
    • 8,908 kaimahi (staff) FTE
    • Employers Net promoter Score (NPS) of 33 in 2024 up from 28 in 2023.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Transport Sector – Freight companies need flexibility to end unworkable employment relationships

    Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

    Transporting New Zealand is backing a proposed law change that could make it easier for freight companies to part ways with unsafe drivers.
    If enacted, the Employment Relations (Termination of Employment by Agreement) Amendment would enable employers to initiate protected conversations for the purpose of ending an employment agreement by settlement.
    Under the Bill, an employee would have to agree to have the conversation and cannot be coerced into signing anything. Simply having the discussion is not, on its own, grounds for a personal grievance claim.
    “The current employment dispute resolution process in New Zealand is marked by costly delays, says chief executive Dom Kalasih.
    “In high-risk industries like freight transport, we cannot afford to wait when it comes to dismissing a hazardous driver.”
    He says terminations are rare in the industry and usually occur for exceptional reasons, such as drug use, repeated speeding or logbook breaches.
    “This is a public safety issue,” Kalasih says.
    The advocacy group cited examples from members who have faced long, costly processes to dismiss drivers who have failed drug tests or showed up to work impaired.
    “This Bill provides a way to avoid unnecessary delays and expenses associated with working through the entire process, when the ultimate result is the same – termination of employment.”
    Speaking to the Education and Workforce select committee on Wednesday, Kalasih said the current framework imposes unreasonable costs and delays on employers and employees alike.
    Currently, parties are waiting up to three months to have their cases mediated by MBIE before it can even progress to the Employment Relations Authority. The vast majority of cases are already resolved by financial settlement.
    The industry association is satisfied that the protections in the Bill and the voluntary nature of protected negotiations are adequate safeguards against abuse of the framework by bad-faith employers.
    Kalasih says similar legislation has been in place in the UK since 2013 and has been running smoothly there.
    “Transporting New Zealand does not condone workplace bullying or non-compliance with the law,” Kalasih says.
    “The Bill must ensure that employees are given adequate time to seek independent advice and that any pre-termination negotiations can still be used as evidence if they have involved coercion, discrimination or dishonesty.”
    About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
    Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter-regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country.
    Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –