Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Interaction between Polytechnic University and Russian-Armenian University: Digest of Events

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade of SPbPU and the Institute of Economics and Business of the Russian-Armenian University (RAU) have joined forces to conduct annual International Student Scientific Conference. This event, continuing the tradition cooperation, has become an important platform for discussing current scientific research by young people and strengthening academic ties between universities.

    On the first day of the conference, participants of the Higher School of Industrial Management (HSIM) of IPMEiT, together with the Department of Management and Business of the Russian Agrarian University, discussed interdisciplinary research issues covering such areas as management in conditions of uncertainty, sustainable urban development, digital marketing and logistics in business, and problems of decarbonization in industry.

    The participants were addressed with welcoming speeches by the Director of the Higher School of Industrial Management Olga Kalinina, the Head of the Department of Management and Business of the Russian Agrarian University Arzik Suvaryan and the Deputy Director for Research Work of Students of the Institute of Industrial Management and Technology Svetlana Shirokova.

    Arzik Suvaryan expressed confidence in the need to strengthen cooperation: We see how these events inspire students and teachers to new scientific achievements. I am sure that next year we will again surprise the participants with new achievements.

    The conference became a real platform for generating ideas. We were able not only to present our research, but also to receive valuable recommendations from colleagues. The discussion on the application of qualimetric models in risk management of real estate construction in the mountainous areas of the Republic of Armenia was especially useful, – shared his impressions 4th-year student of the HSE “Construction Management” program Artem Androsov.

    The Higher School of Public Administration (HSPA) of IPMEiT held a section on “Public Administration and Economic Security” jointly with the Department of Economics and Finance of the Russian-Armenian University. Participants discussed topics such as improving public administration in the field of environmental education, the impact of economic crime on regional security, as well as the balance of socio-economic development of regions and issues of IT audit and digital currencies.

    The speakers presented the results of their research, and we were able to discuss current topics in the field of public administration and economic security. The discussion on the influence of the shadow economy and environmental education was especially interesting, commented HSSU postgraduate student Natalia Kulkaeva.

    The section “Sustainable Development of Socioeconomic Systems in the Context of Digitalization”, organized by the Higher School of Engineering and Economics (HSE), featured more than fifteen scientific reports on the digitalization of the economy, innovative development of regions, greening of industry, as well as the introduction of digital solutions in logistics, trade and small business. Particular attention was drawn to the presentations of students, which examined the prospects for international trade, the internationalization of the yuan, cooperation between Russia and China, as well as the strategy for sustainable development of Egypt until 2030.

    The conference gave me inspiration and new ideas. It was very interesting to hear the presentations of colleagues and discuss current topics in economics. I recommend it to everyone! – noted VIES student Dong Yiqun, studying in the program “World Economy and International Economic Relations”.

    As part of the international annual student scientific conference of the Russian-Armenian University, Associate Professor of the Higher Engineering Physics School of SPbPU Maxim Vinnichenko gave a plenary report to postgraduate students, students and, importantly, schoolchildren of the RAU.

    In his report, he emphasized: By measuring the intensity of light passing through a sample, we can obtain important information about its optical properties. In this way, we can diagnose a wide variety of materials – both solids and liquids, including biological media such as blood or saliva. For example, studies have been conducted to determine the presence of COVID-19 by spectral characteristics. This is a clear example of the connection between science and medicine.

    The associate professor also noted that laser radiation can be used, for example, to assess blood flow velocity.

    In some areas of the body where there are no bones and the skin is thin enough – for example, on the wrist or palm – you can illuminate it with a powerful green or red laser and visually observe how much light passes through the tissue. This data allows you to roughly estimate the speed of blood flow in the veins, – said Vynnychenko.

    Also, at the site of the Armenian University, Maxim Vinnichenko held open lectures on the course “Optical properties of semiconductors and nanostructures”, which were listened to with great interest by senior and postgraduate students of the RAU in the field of “Electronics and Nanoelectronics”.

    Colleagues from RAU highly appreciated the quality of the students’ reports and came up with an initiative to develop cooperation aimed at popularizing science among students, publishing articles and holding joint youth events and conferences on a regular basis.

    The best reports were awarded with certificates of participation, and all submitted articles will be published in the conference collection. The joint conference of SPbPU and RAU continues to prove that science is not only research, but also a dialogue that unites minds and cultures for the sake of the future.

    Polytechnics also took part in the International scientific and practical conference “Current issues of personality psychology: identity and adaptation”. SPbPU was represented by the director of the Higher School of Social Sciences Anastasia Lisenkova, associate professor of the Higher School of Linguistics and Pedagogy Lyudmila Luchsheva, head of the educational and project art laboratory “ArtPolyLab” of the State Institute of Geography Maria Kukushkina.

    Anastasia Lisenkova presented a report entitled “Liquid Privacy: Forced Publicity of Digital Identity”, where she revealed the features of the digital era and their impact on self-identification. Lyudmila Luchsheva presented a report entitled “Dynamics of Attitudes and Motivation of Teachers’ Professional Activity”. Maria Kukushkina presented a study entitled “The Structure of Social Representations of Kindergarten Directors on the Psychological Safety of the Educational Environment”, emphasizing the role of management decisions in creating a comfortable environment for children, and held a master class entitled “My Professional Path” dedicated to career trajectories in psychology and pedagogy.

    Participation in the conference allowed us to exchange experiences in conducting current research and to outline new areas of cooperation in the fields of psychology, sociology and other humanities.

    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.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-Evening Report: View from The Hill: Ley says Liberals must ‘meet the people where they are’, but how can a divided party do that?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    Cynics point out that when a party turns to a woman leader, it is often handing her a hot mess. That’s certainly so with the federal Liberals, now choosing their first female leader in eight decades.

    For the Liberals, and for Sussan Ley, 63, this is a bittersweet milestone. The odds are overwhelmingly against her chances of taking the Liberals from opposition to government.

    Given Labor’s massive majority, it will be virtually impossible for the Liberals to regain office in under two terms (when Ley would be in her late 60s). The way these things go, there’s likely to be more than one opposition leader in the next half dozen years.

    Most immediately, Ley has to put the meagre talent pool available to best use. This is not just fitting the right people into the right spots but containing ambitions and discontents.

    Peter Dutton didn’t have to look over his shoulder in three years. Ley will be constantly glancing behind. Given the closeness of the vote, and his personality, Angus Taylor is unlikely to regard the result as closing the book. But for the moment, he said on Tuesday, “We must unify […] I will contribute the best way I can to help get us back in the fight.”

    Jacinta Price, after defecting from the Nationals in a bid to become deputy to Taylor, has had her hopes of dramatic advancement dashed. In the end, she didn’t even contest the deputyship. She said later she was “disappointed” Taylor was not elected. Talked up by the conservative base, she may also find her new Liberal kennel more flea-ridden than her previous fairly-comfy Nationals one. Certainly Price, used to running her own race, will require careful management. She told Sky on Tuesday night she looked forward to “robust debate” in the party room.

    Over coming days, there’ll be the opposition’s pain-filled policy overhaul. The nearly evenly divided leadership vote (29-25), in which the moderates supported Ley and the conservatives backed Taylor, highlights differences over policy.

    A large cloud hangs over the controversial nuclear policy. Some will want to ditch it entirely; others will argue it should be recalibrated. A complication is that Ted O’Brien, the new deputy, was its main architect.

    More seriously, the commitment to net zero emissions reduction by 2050 will be on the table.

    Ley told her joint news conference with O’Brien: “There won’t be a climate war. There will be sound and sensible consultation”. That sounds like wishful thinking. It certainly goes against the Coalition’s history.

    While there are some Liberal critics of net zero, this is particularly a debate for the Nationals, among whom there will be a strong push to ditch the commitment.

    Within the Coalition, the Nationals will have greater clout because they held almost all their seats. What they do on climate policy will substantially affect the joint party room. But will there be pressure to break the Coalition?

    Especially challenging for Ley – and at present looking almost impossible – is how the Liberals manage to appeal to two vital constituencies, women and younger voters. Many professional women in what were once solid Liberal areas have gone off to the teals. The under-50s have comprehensively rejected the Liberals.

    Ley said: “We have to have a Liberal Party that respects modern Australia, that reflects modern Australia, and represents modern Australia. And we have to meet the people where they are.”

    That’s exactly right, if the Liberal Party is to be successful. But the reality is that the party, as things stand, appears incapable of “meeting the people where they are.”
    The fundamental problem is that these constituencies – younger voters and women – are increasingly progressive in their politics, but the Liberals are not.

    It’s not as if Ley, when deputy leader, didn’t make an effort with women. After the 2022 election, she embarked on a “women’s listening tour”. But such efforts didn’t work, and the Liberals then further alienated women with the working-from-home debacle..

    Pitching to women in future will require the Liberals to consider whether they should swallow their objection to quotas for female candidates – and that will encounter fierce resistance.

    The Liberals need to thread the needle between the so-called “leafy” urban areas they must win back and the outer suburbs that Dutton thought, wrongly, could take him to power.

    Ley is a centrist and a pragmatist. She told her news conference she believed government “is ultimately formed in a sensible centre”.

    She will probably be able to navigate issues such as “welcome to country” and the flag better than Dutton, and she said that at the Liberal Party meeting “I committed to my colleagues that there would be no captain’s calls”.

    She has changed her views on issues, ranging from her previously strong support for the Palestinians (she was in the parliamentary friends of Palestine) to her opposition to the live sheep trade (she had a private member’s bill in 2018 restricting these exports).

    A massive problem Ley will confront is the weak and in parts feral Liberal organisation, which is a federation of states. Variously, these divisions are riven by factionalism, depleted, and incompetent, or all of those. In contrast, Labor excels in its ground game at elections. Ley won’t be able to drive the needed reform, and the party lacks the strong figures in the organisation to do so.

    Few people want to join political parties these days, and when a party is on the ropes, the traffic is the other way. This gives the ideologues and factional players even more power over candidate selection, often with bad outcomes.

    Adding to their organisational challenges, the Liberals will also have to find a new federal director, with Andrew Hirst, who has been in the post since 2017, expected to move on.

    When Ley was young she put an extra “s” in her name. She describes it as a joke in her rebellious youth. She told journalist Kate Legge in 2015, “I read about this numerology theory that if you add the numbers that match the letters in your name you can change your personality. I worked out that if you added an “s” I would have an incredibly exciting, interesting life and nothing would ever be boring.“

    However it turns out, her time as opposition leader won’t be boring.

    Michelle Grattan 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. View from The Hill: Ley says Liberals must ‘meet the people where they are’, but how can a divided party do that? – https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-ley-says-liberals-must-meet-the-people-where-they-are-but-how-can-a-divided-party-do-that-256460

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Robert Aderholt Announces Staff Additions in Washington Office

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

    Washington, D.C. — Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) today announced a staff promotion and two new additions to his Washington, D.C. office: Stone Griffin has been promoted to Policy Analyst, Lucy Allen will join as Press Assistant, and Sam Chance is now serving as Staff Assistant.

    “Each of these individuals brings unique experience, energy, and a heart for service that reflects the values of Alabama’s Fourth District,” said Congressman Aderholt. “I’m proud to welcome Lucy and Sam to our team and to see Stone continue to grow in his new role.”

    Stone Griffin, a native of Winchester, Virginia and graduate of the University of Virginia, previously served as Staff Assistant in Congressman Aderholt’s office. His prior experience includes working for Representatives Greg Pence and Jen Kiggans.

    “It’s an honor to continue serving Congressman Aderholt and our constituents in this new capacity,” said Griffin. 

    Lucy Allen, originally from Florence, Alabama, will officially join the office as Press Assistant following her graduation from Auburn University in May, where she is completing a degree in Public Relations. She previously interned in Congressman Aderholt’s Washington office, where she gained firsthand experience with legislative operations, constituent communications, and Capitol tours.

    “I am grateful to be joining Congressman Aderholt’s staff,” said Allen. “Starting as an intern last summer and now being part of the team full-time feels really special. Everyone on staff is hardworking and passionate, and I’m excited to learn from them while serving the district I grew up in.”

    Sam Chance, a native of Arab, Alabama and graduate of Samford University, joins the office as Staff Assistant. He brings experience from both legal and nonprofit sectors, including roles at Heninger Garrison Davis, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, and Pine Cove Ranch. At Samford, he served on the Student Judiciary Council and graduated cum laude with a degree in Business Administration.

    “Being in this office has already been such a blessing,” said Chance. “I have seen firsthand how our staff consistently goes above and beyond, and I am excited to learn from them. I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to serve my home district.”

    These additions reflect Congressman Aderholt’s continued commitment to building a team that provides responsive, thoughtful service to the people of Alabama’s Fourth District.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • World’s first commercial-scale e-methanol plant opens in Denmark

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The world’s first commercial-scale e-methanol plant began operations in Denmark on Tuesday, with shipping giant Maersk set to buy part of the production as a low-emission fuel for its fleet of container ships.

    The shipping sector is under pressure to find new sources of fuel after a majority of countries gave their backing to measures to help meet the International Maritime Organization’s targets towards elimating carbon emissions by 2050.

    So far zero-emission shipping fuels, such as green ammonia and e-methanol, which are produced using renewable energy, have tended to be more expensive than conventional fuel largely because they are not produced at scale.

    Located in Kasso in southern Denmark, the new plant, which has cost an estimated 150 million euros ($167 million), will produce 42,000 metric tons, or 53 million litres, of e-methanol per year, its joint owners Denmark’s European Energy and Japan’s Mitsui 8031.T said.

    Maersk will be a major customer. It operates 13 dual-fuel methanol container vessels that can be powered with fuel oil and with e-methanol and has ordered another 13 of the vessels.

    It said, the plant’s annual production is enough to power one large 16,000 container vessel sailing between Asia and Europe.

    For the smaller Laura Maersk, the world’s first dual-fuel container ship, with a capacity of more than 2,100 twenty-foot equivalent units, requires only 3,600 tons of fuel per year.

    The Laura Maersk was scheduled to fuel near Kasso on Tuesday.

    Traditional methanol is typically produced from natural gas and coal.

    The Kasso plant will make e-methanol using renewable energy and CO2 captured from biogas plants and waste incineration.

    Maersk said one of the biggest challenges of switching to sustainable fuel was cost, and it is researching green fuel technologies and more efficient shipping to make the process cheaper.

    “When you look at the production from Kasso, it is of course just a literal drop in the ocean, so we need to scale up and we need to bring costs down,” Emil Vikjar-Andresen, head of European Energy’s Danish Power-to-X team, said in a webinar.

    In addition to its use in shipping, e-methanol can replace fossil methanol in plastic production, meaning it can supply other Danish companies.

    Drugmaker Novo Nordisk and toymaker Lego will use e-methanol from the plant for making injection pens and plastic bricks respectively.

    Excess heat generated from the e-methanol production will be used to heat 3,300 households in the local area.

    (Reuters)

  • Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to review central schemes in Raipur, attend housing program in Ambikapur

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, will review the implementation of central government schemes in Chhattisgarh during his visit to Raipur on Tuesday.

    According to an official release by the Ministry of Rural Development, the Union Minister will conduct the review meeting at the Naya Raipur Secretariat. Prior to the meeting, he will participate in a plantation drive on the Secretariat premises.

    Following the review, Chouhan is scheduled to visit Ambikapur, where he will take part in the “Mor Awas Mor Adhikar” program at the PG College ground.

    As the Chief Guest of the event, the Union Minister will distribute house keys to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) and PM Janman schemes. He will also lay the foundation stone (bhoomi pujan) for housing units to be constructed under these schemes and distribute sanction letters to new beneficiaries.

    A key highlight of the program will be the Grih Pravesh ceremony for 51,000 new homeowners under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. In addition, self-help group members and Lakhpati Didis who have demonstrated exemplary contributions in rural development will be felicitated.

    The event will be presided over by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. Other dignitaries attending as special guests include Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu, Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Sharma and Arun Sao, and Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh. Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary, Agriculture Minister Ram Vichar Netam, Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, and Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Rajwade will also be present.

  • MIL-OSI China: Livestreaming plays key role in growth

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

    A woman sells Hanfu via livestreaming in Ancailou Township of Caoxian County, east China’s Shandong Province, July 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Livestreaming e-commerce, the practice of promoting products via live online broadcasts, has played a vital role in bolstering the growth of consumption and expanding employment, serving as an important force driving China’s high-quality economic development, a new report said.

    According to a report released by the research institute of the China International Electronic Commerce Center, a livestreaming room can generate more than 30 new occupations and create a large number of jobs in the upstream and downstream of industrial chains.

    These new professions include livestreaming hosts, video analysts, video editors and cost assessors, while new jobs related to the operation of livestreaming rooms include the selection of products, video script planning, content production and data traffic allocation.

    Based on the survey from short video platform Kuaishou, among the enterprises that have been continuously conducting livestreaming marketing, over 70 percent of new customers come from livestreaming e-commerce and the speed of product innovation after livestreaming sessions has doubled, the report noted.

    This indicates that livestreaming e-commerce has become a significant driving force for enterprises to acquire new users and promote industrial innovation.

    The report pointed out that by leveraging cutting-edge digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data, livestreaming has offered consumers an interactive, immersive and real-time shopping experience, and an increasing number of brands are starting their own livestreaming activities on platforms to forge a stronger emotional connection with shoppers.

    “E-commerce via livestreaming has not only profoundly changed consumers’ shopping habits, but also injected new impetus into the country’s economic growth,” said Zhai Weibin, deputy head of the China International Electronic Commerce Center.

    The report highlighted the significant role of livestreaming e-commerce in contributing to regional economic growth, driving industrial transformation and upgrades, supporting rural vitalization and expanding sales channels for agricultural products.

    Li Yongjian, a researcher at the National Academy of Economic Strategy under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said livestreaming e-commerce can help narrow the income gap between urban and rural residents, as research shows that if the gross merchandise value or GMV of fresh food increases by 1 percent during the livestreaming sessions, the per capita disposable income of rural residents will increase by 0.03 percent.

    Data from market consultancy iResearch showed that the revenue of China’s livestreaming e-commerce sector reached 5.8 trillion yuan ($803.3 billion) last year, with the compound annual growth rate reaching 18 percent between 2024 and 2026.

    Experts said short-video platforms are doubling down on efforts to expand their presence in livestreamed shopping, with online traffic shifting from traditional e-commerce platforms to video-sharing apps.

    Meanwhile, the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence has become a new engine bolstering the high-quality development of the livestreaming e-commerce sector, and is reshaping the landscape of the industry given that the technology has significantly improved operational efficiency, reduced labor costs and lifted purchasing conversion rates, the report said.

    The report stated that through data analysis and algorithm recommendations, AI can precisely match the goods or services that consumers are most interested in and predict their demand, providing data support for the design and production of new products.

    Livestreaming featuring AI-powered virtual hosts has also emerged as a new trend. Global consultancy Forrester said more business-to-consumer brands are using virtual hosts to attract digital-savvy and novelty-seeking young consumers, as they cost less than human talent and reduce risks such as celebrity scandals.

    “Livestreaming could allow hosts to interact with customers in real time and answer their queries immediately, which will greatly improve people’s shopping experiences and lure more shoppers to purchase online,” said Chen Tao, an analyst with internet consultancy Analysys in Beijing.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-Evening Report: It’s a hard job being environment minister. Here’s an insider’s view of the key challenges facing Murray Watt

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University

    Australia’s new environment minister, Murray Watt, is reported to be a fixer. That’s good, because there’s a lot to fix.

    Being environment minister is a hard gig. It often requires difficult choices between environmental and economic priorities. In cabinet, the minister is often up against a phalanx of ministers with economic portfolios and overriding political imperatives such as jobs and growth. I saw this repeatedly over the 16 years when I held senior leadership roles in environment departments at territory and federal levels.

    In Labor’s first term, this tension played out again. Former environment minister Tanya Plibersek came to the role with big ideas. To that end, she tried to make Australia’s national environment laws fit for purpose and introduce a federal environmental protection agency (EPA).

    A cumbersome approach to consultation didn’t help, but ultimately it was development concerns led by big mining companies and West Australian Premier Roger Cook that saw the reform can kicked down the road. Perversely, the only legal reform we saw was an amendment to protect not a threatened species, but the salmon farms threatening it.

    Now it’s Watt’s turn. He has a reputation for getting things done and may drive a bargain to get some version of the EPA through. But that’s only one piece of the reform jigsaw and he’ll have to return to the mammoth task of reforming Australia’s national environment laws. He will have to push back against efforts by the Greens in the Senate to broaden the agenda to include climate and forests, and weather opposing pressures from industry and environment groups.

    Stalled reforms

    Watt’s largest challenge will be to revive the stalled Nature Positive Plan. This was the government’s response to the 2020 Samuel Review, which found Australia’s natural environment and iconic places were declining and under increasing threat, while national environmental laws were no longer fit for purpose.

    Samuel’s solution was groundbreaking: create new, legally enforceable national environmental standards to deliver better environmental protection. Last term, Labor committed to introducing the standards, reforming laws and introducing an EPA. Unfortunately, Plibersek ran out of time and most of the reforms were put on the backburner.

    Plibersek pitched an independent EPA as a tough cop on the beat, but it wasn’t independent enough for many environmentalists.

    Industry didn’t like it either. WA miners used their influence to attack the EPA for being unaccountable. Their lobbying worked and the EPA was pushed back. As one mining figure told the Australian Financial Review: “The heat [industry pressure] was no one’s first preference; it was just required because there was no other way to influence the actual policymaking.”

    Miners and other big businesses are likely worried the proposed independent EPA would reduce their influence. At present, the environment minister has near-complete discretion over approvals. Much of this discretion — and the political influence associated with it — would disappear with an independent EPA making decisions based on national environmental standards.

    More challenges are looming. Here are two:

    Gas extraction on the North West Shelf

    Watt will soon have to decide on Woodside’s application to expand gas extraction off Australia’s northwest coast. If approved, the North West Shelf Extension Project would be Australia’s largest resource project. Environmentalists hate it, describing it as a climate bomb. The WA government approved it last year.

    If Watt follows the pattern of his predecessors, we can expect to see the development approved subject to numerous conditions, pitched as strict environmental safeguards. Despite such safeguards applying to operations in Australia, the real damage done by the project will be global, not local, as the gas will be burned overseas.

    Murray-Darling Basin Plan

    The delayed ten-year review of the Murray-Darling basin plan is due in 2026. It will reopen old wounds. The basic problem is there’s not enough water for both the environment and irrigators.

    When the draft plan was first released in 2010, angry irrigators burned a copy of it. The government backpedalled furiously, eventually approving a plan with a lot less water returned to the environment. Experts say the plan hasn’t actually helped the environment.

    Watt is a former agriculture minister and will have insight into both sides. But he’ll need the wisdom of Solomon to come up with a successful approach.

    It’s hard to fix systems

    Making environmental headway is downright hard. The underlying problem is that politics is about trade-offs, but nature doesn’t negotiate. Nature is a system of systems, and if we take too much from it those systems begin to break down – usually irreversibly.

    In previous decades, governments often dealt with environmental problems by creating national parks and World Heritage areas. If only things were still that simple.

    Peter Burnett is affiliated with the Biodiversity Council, an independent expert group founded to provide evidence-based solutions to Australia’s biodiversity crisis.

    ref. It’s a hard job being environment minister. Here’s an insider’s view of the key challenges facing Murray Watt – https://theconversation.com/its-a-hard-job-being-environment-minister-heres-an-insiders-view-of-the-key-challenges-facing-murray-watt-256465

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI: The Stock Exchange of Thailand Expands Strategic Partnership with Nasdaq to Modernize Capital Market Ecosystem

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK and BANGKOK, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) today announced an expanded strategic technology partnership aimed at modernizing Thailand’s capital markets. The collaboration focuses on strengthening market resilience and integrity while aligning with global standards and leveraging Nasdaq’s AI capabilities.

    SET will promote the adoption of Nasdaq’s risk and surveillance platforms within its member community to help drive consistent infrastructure across its market ecosystem. The initiative builds on SET’s own deployment of Nasdaq’s advanced surveillance and risk technology with the goal of enhancing systemwide efficiency, transparency, and risk management. SET seeks to benefit from the community-wide benefits of common market infrastructure as well as Nasdaq’s ongoing investment to modernize, standardize, and strengthen its platform capabilities, application architecture, APIs, AI integration, and product development.

    “The Stock Exchange of Thailand plays a vital role supporting sustainable growth and attracting capital investment in Thailand and the broader Southeast Asia region,” said Tal Cohen, President of Nasdaq. “Our expanded technology partnership with SET supports their continued modernization journey to enhance the liquidity, transparency and integrity of their market, thereby fostering trust and investor confidence in the financial ecosystem.”

    “Resilience and integrity are essential to vibrant capital markets, attracting international investment,” said Asadej Kongsiri, President of the Stock Exchange of Thailand. “By adopting Nasdaq’s advanced risk and surveillance solutions and promoting them across our member community, we’re strengthening the foundation for prudent risk management, capital efficiency, and investor trust. This integrated approach enhances our ability to detect market abuse, monitor high-frequency trading and short-selling activities, and reinforce Thailand’s leadership position in ASEAN’s capital markets.”

    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.

    “Our relentless focus on R&D reinforces our ability to elevate tech modernization across global capital markets,” said Magnus Haglind, Head of Marketplace Technology at Nasdaq. “This expanded partnership reflects our ability to establish deep strategic relationships across an extensive suite of mission-critical solutions and we’re excited to work with SET to strengthen the resilience and integrity of Thailand’s capital market ecosystem.”

    SET and Nasdaq will also work together to innovate and unlock new opportunities to serve clients across the region, drawing on SET’s deep market expertise, proven client-centric solutions, and strong technical capabilities—further reinforcing the companies’ deep technology partnership.

    Together, SET and Nasdaq are laying the foundation for a robust, future-ready capital market ecosystem to further enhance Thailand’s position as a regional innovation leader and financial hub.

    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.

    About Stock Exchange of Thailand

    The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is among the most liquid exchanges in ASEAN, providing a full range of investment products including equities, world-class trading and post-trade infrastructure, and technology services. Going forward, SET’s vision “To Make the Capital Market ‘Work’ for Everyone” is aligned with the aim to support strong economic growth and competitiveness. Globally and regionally, SET has also actively coordinated with other exchanges to boost investment opportunities and capital market growth potential. Moreover, SET puts strong emphasis on sustainable growth by promoting listed companies’ business models that care for environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.

    Media Contacts: 

    Andrew Hughes; +44 (0)7443 100896; Andrew.Hughes@nasdaq.com  
    Camille Stafford; +1 (234) 934 9513; Camille.Stafford@nasdaq.com
    Arada Therdthammakun; +66 (0) 2009 9483; ARADA@set.or.th

    -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”, 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 technology partnership with SET. 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: Quadient and Nuvei Sign New Partnership to Enhance Cloud Payment Capabilities for Businesses Globally

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • The partnership supports seamless, secure payments through Quadient’s AR and AP solutions for businesses across North America, the UK and Europe

    Quadient (Euronext Paris: QDT), a global automation platform powering secure and sustainable business connections, and Nuvei, a leading global payments company, today announced a strategic technology partnership to enhance cloud payment capabilities for businesses globally. Through this partnership, Nuvei’s advanced payment processing technology is now integrated into Quadient’s cloud-based Accounts Receivable (AR) and Accounts Payable (AP) automation solutions, providing businesses of all sizes across North America, the UK, and Europe with a unified platform to manage B2B payments more efficiently, securely, and at scale.

    With the integration of advanced global payments capabilities, Quadient is tackling a major challenge in the fast-evolving $120 trillion global B2B payments ecosystem, where more than half of small and midsize businesses still rely on fragmented systems to manage financial transactions1. Quadient now offers a unified, scalable cloud-based platform that automates AR and AP across multiple currencies, payment methods and regions.

    By integrating capabilities such as customer onboarding, pay-ins and payouts, and risk management, Quadient helps businesses navigate the complexities of cash flow management, align payment terms, and transition from manual, fragmented processes to streamlined digital workflows.

    “We’re excited to be able to offer our customers globally a solution that goes beyond just automating payments. We’re empowering businesses to modernize and take control of their financial processes,” said Chris Hartigan, chief solution officer, Digital, Quadient. “With our cloud platform, we’re helping businesses streamline workflows, gain deeper financial insights, and build stronger relationships with customers and suppliers, driving efficiency and sustainable growth to succeed in an increasingly digital and regulated marketplace.”

    Philip Fayer, Nuvei Chair and CEO, added: “Nuvei B2B technology partners, such as Quadient, provide customers with full-stack, enterprise-grade solutions that optimize payments and deliver a superior payment experience. By integrating our advanced payment processing technology into Quadient’s cloud platform, we’re enabling businesses to seamlessly manage transactions across multiple currencies and payment methods through a single, unified solution. We look forward to supporting Quadient as it empowers its customers with customized solutions to accelerate their growth.”

    About Quadient®
    Quadient is a global automation platform powering secure and sustainable business connections through digital and physical channels. Quadient supports businesses of all sizes in their digital transformation and growth journey, unlocking operational efficiency and creating meaningful customer experiences. Listed in compartment B of Euronext Paris (QDT) and part of the CAC® Mid & Small and EnterNext® Tech 40 indices, Quadient shares are eligible for PEA-PME investing. For more information about Quadient, visit http://www.quadient.com/en/

    About Nuvei
    Nuvei is a global leader in B2B payments. It offers modern, future-proof technology that empowers customers to accept frictionless payment methods, unlock new revenue opportunities, and enhance the value of existing software —all in one seamless solution. For more information, visit www.nuvei.com.

    Media Contacts
    Joe Scolaro, Quadient
    Global Press Relations Manager
    +1 203-301-3673
    j.scolaro@quadient.com

    Alex Hammond, Nuvei
    Alex.hammond@nuvei.com

    1 Pymnts.com market intelligence

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    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: RIBER secures a major order for an MBE 412 cluster system in Australia

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RIBER secures a major order for an MBE 412 cluster system
    in Australia

    Bezons (France), May 13, 2025 – 8:00am (CET) – RIBER, the global leader for Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) equipment for the semiconductor industry, announces the sale of a research MBE 412 cluster platform with an automatic wafer transfer system to a leading Australian research laboratory.

    The Western Australia Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF WA Node), based at the University of Western Australia, is the only research center in the country with expertise and device fabrication capabilities for infrared (IR) sensors, including high density imaging focal plane arrays.

    To advance its research in IR technologies and to support the development of sovereign IR sensor capabilities in Australia, the ANFF WA Node has placed an order for a new RIBER MBE 412 system. This dual chamber cluster platform will play a key role in long-term R&D efforts and is expected to significantly enhance the laboratory’s capabilities.

    Specially designed for research on next-generation infrared imaging devices, the MBE 412 system is fully automated, supports wafers up to 7 x 7 cm, and is equipped with RIBER’s Crystal XE software for state-of-the-art uniformity performance. To meet the customer needs, the system is also Hg-compatible, enabling the growth of HgCdTe (mercury cadmium telluride, MCT) structures. All components – including equipment, pumps, and effusion cells – have been customized to comply with the lab’s specific requirements, with comprehensive technical and process support provided.

    The system will be installed in 2026 in a new laboratory at the University of Western Australia, adjacent to an existing MBE system.

    Annie Geoffroy, Chairwoman and CEO of RIBER commented: “We are proud to continue supporting our long-standing partners. This order placed 36 years after the acquisition of a first RIBER 32P system – still in operation today – illustrates the enduring trust in our technology. The MBE 412 platform, equipped with the latest innovations, reaffirms our commitment to delivering high-performance, reliable, and safe MBE solutions tailored to the evolving needs of research institutions.

    About RIBER

    Founded in 1964, RIBER is the global market leader for MBE – molecular beam epitaxy – equipment. It designs and produces equipment for the semiconductor industry and provides scientific and technical support for its clients (hardware and software), maintaining their equipment and optimizing their performance and output levels. Accelerating the performance of electronics, RIBER’s equipment performs an essential role in the development of advanced semiconductors that are used in numerous applications, from information technologies to photonics (lasers, sensors, etc.), 5G telecommunications networks and research, including quantum computing. RIBER is a BPI France-approved innovative company and is listed on the Euronext Growth Paris market (ISIN: FR0000075954).
    www.riber.com

    Contacts

    RIBER
    Annie Geoffroy | tel: +33 (0)1 39 96 65 00 | invest@riber.com
    Justine Dauvisis | tel: +33 (0)6 67 93 38 40 | communication@riber.fr  

    ACTUS FINANCE & COMMUNICATION
    Cyril Combe | tel: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 36 | ccombe@actus.fr

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-Evening Report: The US and China have reached a temporary truce in the trade wars, but more turbulence lies ahead

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Draper, Professor, and Executive Director: Institute for International Trade, and Jean Monnet Chair of Trade and Environment, University of Adelaide

    Defying expectations, the United States and China have announced an important agreement to de-escalate bilateral trade tensions after talks in Geneva, Switzerland.

    The good, the bad and the ugly

    The good news is their recent tariff increases will be slashed. The US has cut tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to 30%, while China has reduced levies on US imports from 125% to 10%. This greatly eases major bilateral trade tensions, and explains why financial markets rallied.

    The bad news is twofold. First, the remaining tariffs are still high by modern standards. The US average trade-weighted tariff rate was 2.2% on January 1 2025, while it is now estimated to be up to 17.8%. This makes it the highest tariff wall since the 1930s.

    Overall, it is very likely a new baseline has been set. Bilateral tariff-free trade belongs to a bygone era.

    Second, these tariff reductions will be in place for 90 days, while negotiations continue. Talks will likely include a long list of difficult-to-resolve issues. China’s currency management policy and industrial subsidies system dominated by state-owned enterprises will be on the table. So will the many non-tariff barriers Beijing can turn on and off like a tap.

    China is offering to purchase unspecified quantities of US goods – in a repeat of a US-China “Phase 1 deal” from Trump’s first presidency that was not implemented. On his first day in office in January, amid a blizzard of executive orders, Trump ordered a review of that deal’s implementation. The review found China didn’t follow through on the agriculture, finance and intellectual property protection commitments it had made.

    Unless the US has now decided to capitulate to Beijing’s retaliatory actions, it is difficult to see the US being duped again.

    Failure to agree on these points would reveal the ugly truth that both countries continue to impose bilateral export controls on goods deemed sensitive, such as semiconductors (from the US to China) and processed critical minerals (from China to the US).

    Moreover, in its so-called “reciprocal” negotiations with other countries, the US is pressing trading partners to cut certain sensitive China-sourced goods from their exports destined for US markets. China is deeply unhappy about these US demands and has threatened to retaliate against trading partners that adopt them.

    A temporary truce

    Overall, the announcement is best viewed as a truce that does not shift the underlying structural reality that the US and China are locked into a long-term cycle of escalating strategic competition.




    Read more:
    Why Trump fails to understand China’s trade war tactics, and what his negotiators should be reading


    That cycle will have its ups (the latest announcement) and downs (the tariff wars that preceded it). For now, both sides have agreed to announce victory and focus on other matters.

    For the US, this means ensuring there will be consumer goods on the shelves in time for Halloween and Christmas, albeit at inflated prices. For China, it means restoring some export market access to take pressure off its increasingly ailing economy.

    As neither side can vanquish the other, the likely long-term result is a frozen conflict. This will be punctuated by attempts to achieve “escalation dominance”, as that will determine who emerges with better terms. Observers’ opinions on where the balance currently lies are divided.

    Along the way, and to use a quote widely attributed to Winston Churchill, to “jaw-jaw is better than to war-war”. Fasten your seat belts, there is more turbulence to come.

    Where does this leave the rest of us?

    Significantly, the US has not (so far) changed its basic goals for all its bilateral trade deals.

    Its overarching aim is to cut the goods trade deficit by reducing goods imports and eliminating non-tariff barriers it says are “unfairly” prohibiting US exports. The US also wants to remove barriers to digital trade and investments by tech giants and “derisk” certain imports that it deems sensitive for national security reasons.

    The agreement between the US and UK last week clearly reflects these goals in operation. While the UK received some concessions, the remaining tariffs are higher, at 10% overall, than on April 2 and subject to US-imposed import quotas. Furthermore, the UK must open its market for certain goods while removing China-originating content from steel and pharmaceutical products destined for the US.

    For Washington’s Pacific defence treaty allies, including Australia, nothing has changed. Potentially difficult negotiations with the Trump administration lie ahead, particularly if the US decides to use our security dependencies as leverage to wring concessions in trade. Japan has already disavowed linking security and trade, and their progress should be closely watched.

    The US has previously paused high tariffs on manufacturing nations in South-East Asia, particularly those used by other nations as export platforms to avoid China tariffs. Vietnam, Cambodia and others will face sustained uncertainty and increasingly difficult balancing acts. The economic stakes are higher for them.

    They, like the Japanese, are long-practised in the subtle arts of balancing the two giants. Still, juggling ties with both Washington and Beijing will become the act of an increasingly high-wire trapeze artist.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. The US and China have reached a temporary truce in the trade wars, but more turbulence lies ahead – https://theconversation.com/the-us-and-china-have-reached-a-temporary-truce-in-the-trade-wars-but-more-turbulence-lies-ahead-256448

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • Indian markets open in negative, experts say will remain volatile

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Indian equities opened on a tepid note on Tuesday, following a strong rally witnessed in the previous session.

    The early weakness was attributed to profit booking as the markets attempted to stabilize recent gains. However, the indices soon pared losses and turned positive, reflecting underlying investor confidence.

    The benchmark indices started marginally lower, with the Nifty 50 opening at 24,864.05, down by 60.65 points or 0.24 per cent, while the BSE Sensex slipped by 180.30 points or 0.22 per cent to begin the day at 82,249.60.

    According to market experts, Monday’s strong rally was driven by high net-worth individuals (HNIs), while participation from foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) and domestic institutional investors (DIIs) remained subdued. If institutional buying picks up alongside HNI interest, markets could see a broader turnaround.

    Ajay Bagga Banking and Market Expert told ANI “Indian markets surged, though the FPI and DII numbers were muted, which means that non institutional buying was the major prop for the Indian markets. This morning futures are tepid but if the buying is coming from domestic retail and domestic HNI prop desks, then it should continue”.

    In sectoral performance, Nifty Pharma led the gains with a rise of 1.2 per cent, while Nifty PSU Bank also traded in the green. On the other hand, most other sectoral indices were in the red, with Nifty IT declining by more than 1 per cent.

    On the global front, markets were surprised by a trade deal between China and the United States that resets their economic relationship. Once again, U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach of “shock, awe, negotiate and deal” was seen in action.

    While there had been intense speculation and strong rhetoric since January 20, the final outcome appeared to be more subdued, changing little in terms of strategic direction but opening the door for fresh negotiations.

    Akshay Chinchalkar, Head of Research, Axis Securities said “The nifty jumped 3.8 per cent yesterday, In doing so, the benchmark also confirmed a so-called bullish flip above the 200-day moving average, a signal which has proven to produce short-term positive returns. Support now sits between 24650 and 24700, while 25000 is key psychological resistance. Time-wise, 15th May +/- one trading day is an important marker.

    (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the Daily Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction held on May 13, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 1-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 25,000
    Total amount of bids received (in ₹ crore) 5,401
    Amount allotted (in ₹ crore) 5,401
    Cut off Rate (%) 6.01
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 6.01
    Partial Allotment Percentage of bids received at cut off rate (%) NA

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/308

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Peter Stefanovic, First Edition, Sky News

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    Peter Stefanovic:

    Thank you. Well, the Prime Minister will swear in his new team this morning, which features some familiar faces and some new ones as well. One of those maintaining his role is the federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers who joins us live from Canberra now. Treasurer, congratulations on your re‑election. Thank you for your time this morning.

    So you’ll be sworn in, then you do your morning stretches; you’re off and running. What’s the first thing you want in the kit bag in term?

    Jim Chalmers:

    Good morning, Pete. We’ve been off and running really, more or less since the day after the election. I think I got my first briefing from the Treasury Secretary at 6:45 am on the Sunday after the election. And that’s because a big focus for us is managing all of this global economic uncertainty that you and Tom just ran through a moment ago, not just on markets, but in the global economy more broadly.

    We’ve been working hard since the election was resolved a couple of Saturdays ago. I’m looking forward to getting sworn in today, and I’m particularly grateful to the PM for this opportunity, but also for the chance to work with some really terrific people who will be sworn in to the Treasury portfolio today.

    Stefanovic:

    Yeah.

    Chalmers:

    Clare O’Neil, Anne Aly, Daniel Mulino, Andrew Leigh, a lot of intellectual horsepower in those colleagues, a lot of energy, enthusiasm and talent, and so I’m looking forward to working with them.

    Stefanovic:

    Okay. What’s the one thing, the first thing that you want to achieve this term?

    Chalmers:

    We’ve got a number of priorities – first of all managing that uncertainty, also we’ve got a major focus on productivity, we need to make our economy more productive over time. I think in the most specific sense we’ve got to build more homes.

    I’ll work closely with Clare O’Neil to make sure that the billions of dollars that we’re investing as part of our broad and ambitious housing policy builds more homes in our communities right around Australia. So that’s a top priority as well.

    Stefanovic:

    Okay. Business leaders, they’re not letting you settle in, Treasurer. Some are already miffed that you’d need 2 more terms to boost productivity. Is that timeframe a worst case scenario for you or are you just trying to give some wriggle room?

    Chalmers:

    A couple of things about that. I don’t think anyone’s surprised to read in The Australian that Chris Corrigan has a different view on productivity to the Labor government.

    I’ve had some really terrific engagement with major business leaders in the last week or 2 about our focus on productivity. Overwhelmingly people want to work with us on it.

    The point that I’ve made is that productivity is a challenge which has been a feature of our economy for some decades, and it will take more than a couple of years to turn around. I think that’s just a realistic way of being upfront with people, that we can make our economy productive. It’s not one of those areas where you can just flick a switch and all of a sudden the economy is as productive as with want it to be. The problem’s been there for a couple of decades, the worst decade for productivity growth was the decade to 2020, the worst decade in the last half century or more.

    We’ve got a lot of work to do and that will take time, and I think that’s understood in the business community, and I’m going to work closely with business, with unions, with the community more broadly to do what we can this term to make our economy more productive over time.

    Stefanovic:

    Okay. Will you still go after unrealised gains in $3 million plus super accounts?

    Chalmers:

    We haven’t changed our policy on that. I know that that’s been a focus of some of the commentary since the election. I don’t think it’s particularly newsworthy that we haven’t changed our policy on that. We’ve made it clear that it’s a very modest change, it only affects 0.5 per cent of people with balances over $3 million.

    It’s still concessional tax treatment, just a little bit less concessiona. And it’s an important way that we fund some of our other priorities – including strengthening Medicare or providing income tax cuts, helping with the cost‑of‑living and building more homes. It’s an important part of our budget, we haven’t changed our approach to it. We know that there are elements of the media that are very focused on it, but we haven’t made a change there.

    Stefanovic:

    Well, I mean it’s just the idea of taxing something that hasn’t happened yet, which I think is a legitimate concern. But recent modelling by AMP found it’s not just retirees with over $3 million super, in the long run more and more Gen Z workers will be affected if it’s not indexed. Is that your calculation?

    Chalmers:

    A couple of things about that. First of all, on unrealised gains, there are other parts of the superannuation system where that is calculated, that’s a common misunderstanding which is repeated too frequently. And the second point about the long run, 30 or 40 years away, that assumes that there are never any changes to the threshold.

    There are a number of areas in our tax system where thresholds aren’t indexed, where they are changed from time to time by governments, and I would expect that to be the case again.

    It would be a strange assumption to assume that in the next 30 or 40 years nobody ever changes the threshold. That doesn’t happen in other parts of the tax system, and it wouldn’t happen in this part of the tax system over a period that long.

    Stefanovic:

    You just mentioned that you got some key appointments now in your brains trust, if you like. You’ve got, you know, Dan Mulino, Andrew Charlton as well is another one. How collaborative do you expect those economic discussions to be now?

    Chalmers:

    Perfectly collaborative, and ‘brains trust’ is a good way to describe them. I’m surrounded by brainiacs in the Treasury portfolio team, and I’m really excited about that.

    Mulino is an absolute gun, Andrew Leigh – experience, intellectual horsepower, Clare O’Neil similarly, Anne Aly is going to bring a real dynamism to the small business portfolio. We get to work closely with Katy Gallagher and with the Cabinet more broadly, and I couldn’t be happier with the team that Anthony has appointed, and I’m going to work really closely with them.

    I’ve already met with Dan Mulino, I’ve already met with Andrew Leigh, I’ve had discussions with a number of colleagues, and we’re looking forward to getting cracking.

    Stefanovic:

    But if they were to say to you, ‘Hey, Treasurer, taxing unrealised gains, there’s going to be a lot of blow‑back here, people are worried about the long‑term’, would you change course on that, or would you still plough ahead?

    Chalmers:

    I think I’ve answered this question already, Pete, you’ve come back to it for a second dig, but I’ve explained to you why we’re doing it.

    Stefanovic:

    No, but I’m just wondering if there’s more consternation behind the scenes, you know, would you change course at all in terms of that collaborative approach?

    Chalmers:

    It’s not something that you should anticipate, it’s not something that we’re considering or planning, for all of the reasons I ran through comprehensively a moment ago when you asked me the first time.

    Stefanovic:

    All right. US and China have paused their trade war for now, Treasurer. What’s your reaction to that, and what hope does that give you in terms of a reprieve for us?

    Chalmers:

    It’s a really welcome development, and I think the whole world is hopeful that this augurs well for the resolution of this effectively trade war between the 2 biggest economies in the world.

    But we have to be realistic about it as well – there’s still a lot of unpredictability, a lot of volatility and a lot of uncertainty in the global economy. This is not resolved, it’s been paused, in welcome ways, and you can see that the markets have reacted to that as Tom ran through with you a moment ago.

    These are welcome developments, they are good developments, but the situation is not resolved yet, and if you think about the concerns that we have for the impact of trade wars on the Australian economy, we are especially exposed to a trade war between the US and China. If you look at the analysis that we have done really the biggest part of our concern is the impact on the Chinese economy flowing through to our own economy. So we welcome these developments.

    Stefanovic:

    Okay.

    Chalmers:

    These are good developments, but we need to temper our expectations because there are a lot of issues still unresolved.

    Stefanovic:

    All right. Just a final one here, I know we’re squeezed for time, but – and this is not your problem – but the Libs’ leadership is up today in a couple of hours’ time. Have you got a thought on that this morning?

    Chalmers:

    Look, I haven’t given it a lot of thought – I think the 2 people that are up for election today shows that the Liberals haven’t learned a thing from the debacle which was their election campaign.

    Whoever wins the battle of the duds today, the Liberal Party will still be the party of lower wages, higher income taxes and nuclear reactors. And Sussan Ley and Angus Taylor, they should be asking their colleagues for forgiveness, not for their votes.

    You know, these 2 are 2 of the 3 people most responsible for the Liberal Party’s failure at the election, failure over the last 3 years to come up with anything that resembles a credible, coherent –

    Stefanovic:

    Okay.

    Chalmers:

    – economic policy, and so I find it bizarre that the Liberal Party members are being asked to choose between 2 of the worst performers in the Opposition over the last 3 years.

    Stefanovic:

    All right. Treasurer, I know we’re squeezed for time but thank you for your time this morning as always. We’ll chat again soon.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI: Coop Pank AS results for April 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Coop Pank’s financial results in April 2025:

    • In April, number of the bank’s clients increased by 1,700 and number of active clients decreased by 100. By the end of the month number of clients reached 214,400 and number of active clients reached 101,600. Over the year, customer base has grown by 12%. 
    • Volume of the bank’s customer deposits decreased by 107 million euros in April. The reduction in deposit volume was a deliberate step, as an additional 250 million euros was raised in March through the issuance of covered bonds. By the end of the month, the bank’s deposits reached 1.81 billion euros. Deposits of corporate customers decreased by 74 million euros and deposits of private customers decreased by 5 million euros. The volume of deposits attracted from international platforms decreased by 28 million euros. Over the year, volume of bank deposits has grown by 4%.
    • The bank’s loan portfolio increased by 53 million euros and reached 1.87 billion euros by the end of month. Business loans increased by 39 million euros and home loans increased by 13 million euros. Leasing and consumer financing portfolios both increased by nearly 1 million euros. Over the year, loan portfolio has grown by 20%.
    • In April, the loan impairment cost was 0.8 million euros.
    • Compared to the first four months of last year, the bank’s net income decreased by 5% and expenses have increased by 2%.
    • In April, the bank earned net profit of 1.8 million euros. In the first four months of the year, the bank has earned a net profit of 9.7 million euros, that is 19% less than in the same period last year.
    • In April, Coop Pank’s return on equity was 10.3% and the cost-income ratio was 53%.

    Comment by Paavo Truu, Member of the Management Board and CFO of Coop Pank:

    “In April, Coop Pank issued a large volume of business and home loans, resulting in strong growth of the loan portfolio. Both the leasing and consumer finance portfolios also grew by nearly one million euros each. Since certain provisions must be made from the very first day for all loans, the rapid growth of the loan portfolio was the main reason for the larger amount of provisions booked in April.

    Despite the ongoing uncertainty in the economy, the quality of Coop Pank’s loan portfolio remains very strong.

    Due to rapid price increases and changes in the tax system, people have increasingly been purchasing used cars. In response, Coop Pank introduced a new leasing product in April, specifically designed for financing the purchase of used vehicles.

    Conscious reduction of deposit volume is linked to the successful international covered bond issuance – in March, Coop Pank completed its first issuance of four-year covered bonds in the amount of 250 million euros. Thanks to this, the bank now has access to a long-term and stable funding source, which allows for a partial reduction in the volume of more expensive term and foreign deposits now and going forward.”

    More detailed financial reports of Coop Pank are available at:  https://www.cooppank.ee/en/financial-reports

    Coop Pank, based on Estonian capital, is one of the five universal banks operating in Estonia. The number of clients using Coop Pank for their daily banking reached 214,400. Coop Pank aims to put the synergy generated by the interaction of retail business and banking to good use and to bring everyday banking services closer to people’s homes. The strategic shareholder of the bank is the domestic retail chain Coop Eesti, comprising of 320 stores.

    Additional information:
    Paavo Truu
    CFO
    Phone: +372 5160 231
    E-mail: paavo.truu@cooppank.ee

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: LHV Group results in April 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    April was a month of excellent results and strong deposit growth for LHV. The consolidated loan portfolio of LHV Group grew by EUR 77 million, and the total amount of deposits increased by EUR 727 million in April. The volume of funds managed by LHV decreased by EUR 4 million over the month. Payments related to financial intermediaries amounted to 6.5 million in April.

    AS LHV Group earned EUR 10.8 million in net profit in April. By subsidiary, AS LHV Pank earned a net profit of EUR 10.1 million, LHV Bank Ltd EUR 83 thousand, AS LHV Kindlustus EUR 319 thousand and AS LHV Varahaldus EUR 68 thousand. The return on equity attributable to the shareholders of LHV Group was 19.1% and the financial plan remains.

    The number of customers in LHV Pank increased by 2,800 in April. While the loan portfolio of the bank grew by EUR 53 million, the volume of deposits increased by EUR 574 million – strong growth compensated for the downturn of the previous quarter. EUR 41 million of the increase in deposits came from retail customers and EUR 212 million from corporate customers (partially temporary deposits). In addition, platform deposits were increased by EUR 120 million. The decrease in interest income continued in April due to the decline in Euribor. The level of credit quality was good, and in the coming months there may be an opportunity for a reduction in impairments.

    In April, Moody’s Ratings raised the ratings of LHV Pank’s covered bond programme and covered bond ratings to the highest Aaa level. In the annual survey organised by CV-Online, LHV has been recognised as one of the leading employers in the financial sector for the fifth consecutive year. In the overall top-of-mind assessment, LHV ranked second.

    The business volumes of LHV Bank operating in the United Kingdom continued to grow rapidly. The loan portfolio increased by EUR 24 million and the volume of deposits from the platforms increased by EUR 130 million over the month. Conditions are set for the upcoming direct raising of deposits. In April, the bank’s profit was impacted by the larger marketing expense for the soon-to-be-launched campaign for retail banking. In April, the equity capital of LHV Bank was increased by EUR 12 million and subordinated bonds were issued in the same amount.

    LHV Kindlustus signed new insurance contracts in the amount of EUR 3.7 million in April. Claims paid totalled EUR 2.1 million and 12,800 new claims were registered. The loss ratio of major insurance products remained at good level, ensuring good profitability for LHV Kindlustus.

    The profitability of LHV Varahaldus met the financial plan. The month was characterised by a tense time on the stock markets, while the pension funds managed by LHV were able to maintain their value. The larger funds, L and XL, declined by 0.4% and 0.3% respectively over the month, but have delivered year-to-date returns of 3.4% and 4.1%. Index funds performed more weakly, with LHV Pensionifond Indeks falling by 4.1% during the month.

    In April, AS LHV Group issued EUR 50 million worth of Tier 1 capital, which ensures sufficient capitalisation for the company’s growth and allowed the repurchase of AT1 bonds issued five years prior. Moody’s Investors Service reviewed LHV Group’s credit ratings at the end of the month, leaving them unchanged. LHV Group’s long-term issuer rating is Baa3 with a positive outlook.

    To access the reports of AS LHV Group, please visit the website at https://investor.lhv.ee/en/reports.

    LHV Group is the largest domestic financial group and capital provider in Estonia. LHV Group’s key subsidiaries are LHV Pank, LHV Varahaldus, LHV Kindlustus, and LHV Bank Limited. The Group employs over 1,150 people. As at the end of April, LHV’s banking services are being used by 468,000 clients, the pension funds managed by LHV have 113,000 active clients, and LHV Kindlustus protects a total of 176,000 clients. LHV Bank Limited, a subsidiary of the Group, holds a banking licence in the United Kingdom and provides banking services to international financial technology companies, as well as loans to small and medium-sized enterprises.

    Priit Rum
    Communications Manager
    Phone: +372 502 0786
    Email: priit.rum@lhv.ee 

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Jeito Capital leads EUR 132 million oversubscribed Series B financing in Azafaros to advance Phase 3 clinical programs of innovative therapies in rare inherited neuro-metabolic disorders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Jeito Capital leads EUR 132 million oversubscribed Series B financing in Azafaros to advance Phase 3 clinical programs of innovative therapies
    in rare inherited neuro-metabolic disorders

    • Proceeds will support two Phase 3 pivotal programs with nizubaglustat, lead asset in Niemann-Pick disease Type C disease and GM1/GM2 gangliosidoses, three forms of rare lysosomal storage disorders, as well as expanding Azafaros pipeline to other indications
    • The patient benefit drives Jeito’s mission. This investment in life threatening rare genetic disorders, affecting children and young adults illustrates Jeito’s commitment to accelerate the development of high-impact treatments for patients with high unmet needs

    Paris, France, May 13, 2025 – Jeito Capital (“Jeito”), a global leading independent Private Equity fund dedicated to biopharma, announces today it is leading an oversubscribed
    EUR 132 million Series B financing round in Azafaros, a clinical-stage company focused on developing disease-modifying therapeutics to offer new treatment options to patients with rare lysosomal storage disorders.

    The financing is led by Jeito Capital, and co-led by Forbion Growth, with participation from Seroba, Pictet Group and existing investors Forbion Ventures, Schroders Capital and BioGeneration Ventures.

    Rachel Mears, Partner, and Julien Elric, Senior Principal at Jeito Capital will join Azafaros’s Board of Directors as Board members.

    Founded in 2018 and built on scientific discoveries from Leiden University and Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Azafaros is led by a seasoned team of experts in rare disease drug development and commercialization. The company is developing a first-in-class dual-acting drug candidate to offer new treatment options to patients with lysosomal storage disorders, a group of severe rare genetic diseases that often cause progressive neurodegeneration and, in many cases, fatal outcomes. Its lead asset, nizubaglustat, has been awarded Orphan Drug Designation in both the US and Europe as well as Fast track status in the US.

    The financing will advance two Phase 3 programs with nizubaglustat, lead asset in Niemann-Pick disease Type C (NPC) disease and GM1/GM2 gangliosidoses as well as expanding Azafaros pipeline to other indications. The company expects to initiate both Phase 3 studies later this year.

    Dr. Rafaèle Tordjman, MD, PhD, Founder and CEO of Jeito Capital, said:
    This investment reflects Jeito’s commitment to accelerating the development of impactful therapies for patients with high unmet needs. Azafaros has the potential to develop new efficient, safe and tolerable therapeutic options for young patients suffering from progressive debilitating and even fatal rare metabolic disorders that generates very high expectations. We look forward to supporting the talented Azafaros team with our collective expertise to accelerate its pivotal clinical developments to go faster to patients.”

    Rachel Mears, Partner at Jeito Capital, added:
    “Azafaros has been impressive in its execution with nizubaglustat poised to begin Phase 3 clinical development and the potential to significantly improve the lives of NPC and GM1/GM2 patients. We are excited to support and accelerate the Azafaros team in this important next step in the Company’s clinical development journey. Leading this round further demonstrates Jeito’s commitment to making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives by pursuing much needed benefits for those suffering from rare diseases.”

    Stefano Portolano, Chief Executive Officer at Azafaros, concluded:
    “This successful Series B round marks a significant milestone for Azafaros, allowing us to accelerate the development of nizubaglustat and leverage our scientific understanding and competencies to bring additional candidates into development. The fact that we have been able to attract leading life sciences investors to join our existing strong group of specialist investors is a testament to the impressive accomplishments of the team and the large unmet medical need that currently exists for patients with these hugely debilitating neurological diseases. We look forward to bringing nizubaglustat to patients.”

    About Jeito Capital
    Jeito Capital is a global leading Private Equity fund with a patient benefit driven approach that finances and accelerates the development and growth of ground-breaking medical innovation. Jeito empowers and supports managers through its expert, integrated, multi-talented team and through the investment of significant capital to ensure the growth of companies, building market leaders in their respective therapeutic areas with accelerated patients’ access globally, especially in Europe and the United States. Jeito has built a diversified portfolio of clinical biopharmas with cutting-edge innovations addressing high unmet needs. Jeito Capital is based in Paris with a presence in Europe and the United States.
    For more information, please visit www.jeito.life or follow us on LinkedIn.

    About Azafaros

    Azafaros is a clinical-stage company founded in 2018 with a deep understanding of rare genetic disease mechanisms using compound discoveries made by scientists at Leiden University and Amsterdam UMC and is led by a team of highly experienced industry experts. Azafaros aims to build a pipeline of disease-modifying therapeutics to offer new treatment options to patients and their families. By applying its knowledge, network and courage, the Azafaros team challenges traditional development pathways to rapidly bring new drugs to the rare disease patients who need them. Azafaros is supported by Leading Healthcare investors including Jeito Capital, Forbion Growth, Seroba, Pictet Group and a syndicate of leading Dutch and Swiss existing investors including Forbion Ventures, BioGeneration Ventures (BGV), BioMedPartners, Asahi Kasei Pharma Ventures, and Schroders Capital.

    Contacts:

    Jeito Capital                                        
    Rafaèle Tordjman, Founder & CEO
    Jessica Fadel, EA
    Tel: +33 6 33 44 25 47

    Maior                                                ICR Healthcare
    Stéphanie Elbaz                                Mary-Jane Elliott / Davide Salvi / Kris Lam
    Tel: +33 6 46 05 08 07                        Jeito@icrhealthcare.com
    Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5700

                                                    Sean Leous
                                                    ICR Healthcare
                                                    sean.leous@icrhealthcare.com
    Tel: +1 (646) 866 4012

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Simply Safe & Suitable template Food Control Plan and the Food Notice: Food Service and Food Retail Business Food Control Plan templates issued under section 39

    Source: police-emblem-97

    Have your say

    New Zealand Food Safety invites you to submit feedback on the proposed changes to the:

    • Simply Safe & Suitable template Food Control Plan (FCP)
    • Food Notice: Food Service and Food Retail Business Food Control Plan templates issued under section 39.

    This consultation would be of particular interest to food businesses operating under the Simply Safe & Suitable template FCP, registration authorities, verifiers, and biltong manufacturers.

    A summary of the changes is on this page and full details are in the consultation documents.

    You can make submissions between 13 May and 1 June 2025. Submissions close at 11:59pm on 1 June 2025.

    Consultation document

    Draft Food Notice: Food Service and Food Retail Business Food Control Plan templates issued under section 39 [PDF, 386 KB]

    Only the affected parts of Simply Safe & Suitable are provided. Changes to wording are in yellow, except for the addition of the ‘Making biltong’ card:

    Draft Simply Safe & Suitable template Food Control Plan [PDF, 1.2 MB]

    Related documents

    Current Simply Safe & Suitable template Food Control Plan [PDF, 1.9 MB]

    Current Food Notice: Food Service and Food Retail Business Food Control Plan templates issued under section 39 [PDF, 308 KB]

    Summary of proposed changes to the Simply Safe & Suitable template FCP and the Food Notice [PDF, 280 KB]

    Proposed changes to the Simply Safe & Suitable template FCP

    We’re proposing to add the ‘Making biltong’ card as a specialist card to the Simply Safe & Suitable template FCP.

    New Zealand Food Safety has developed a biltong procedure that will allow biltong manufacturers to operate under a Simply Safe & Suitable template FCP rather than a custom FCP.

    Note: If you are manufacturing and selling biltong outside the scope of the procedure proposed to be added to the Simply Safe & Suitable template FCP, you will need to register a custom FCP with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). Activities out of scope of this biltong procedure include:

    • whole selling biltong (the ‘Making biltong’ card will only cover retail sale)
    • manufacturing other dried-meat snacks (for example, droëwors)
    • making biltong from other meat sources not mentioned in the ‘Making biltong’ card.

    Minor amendments are also proposed to other cards in the Simply Safe & Suitable template FCP. These are listed in our summary document.

    Proposed changes to the Food Notice

    For the Food Notice: Food Service and Food Retail Business Food Control Plan templates issued under section 39, New Zealand Food Safety is proposing to: 

    • remove reference to S39-00001 template FCP as New Zealand Food Safety no longer offers this
    • revoke the existing Schedule 1 which detailed the format of the S39-00001 template FCP
    • change the existing Schedule 2 to Schedule 1 which details the format of the S39-00004 template FCP
    • update the transitional requirements described in Clause 1.4
    • update Table 1 to reflect changes made.

    Making your submission

    Email your feedback on the proposed changes by 11.59pm on 1 June 2025 to foodactinfo@mpi.govt.nz

    You can also use our online survey to make a submission.

    While we prefer you email or use the online survey, you can post written submissions to:

    Food Act template project team
    New Zealand Food Safety
    Ministry for Primary Industries
    PO Box 2526
    Wellington 6140.

    Submissions are public information

    Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

    People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

    If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

    Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Media release: Australian oil and gas sector congratulates Opposition Leader Sussan Ley – Australian Energy Producers

    Source: Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association

    Headline: Media release: Australian oil and gas sector congratulates Opposition Leader Sussan Ley – Australian Energy Producers

    Australia’s oil and gas industry congratulates Sussan Ley on her appointment as Leader of the Opposition and Ted O’Brien on his appointment as Deputy Leader.

    Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch said the industry looked forward to working with the Coalition on policies that deliver more gas supply and investment to ensure Australian households and businesses have reliable and affordable energy.

    “Sussan Ley brings significant experience and leadership to this role and understands the critical role of natural gas in Australia’s economic and energy security,” Ms McCulloch said.

    “Similarly, as Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Ted O’Brien championed the role of gas in Australia’s long-term energy mix and advocated for the inclusion of gas in the Capacity Investment Scheme.”

    Ms McCulloch said industry welcomed the Coalition’s pre-election commitment to bring on more gas supply by streamlining environmental approvals, protecting critical energy projects from lawfare, including gas in the Capacity Investment Scheme, and supporting investment in gas infrastructure.

    Industry stands ready to work with both major parties to implement bipartisan policies that will:

    • Boost Australian gas supply to ease cost of living pressures
    • Restore Australia’s global competitiveness for investment
    • Deliver real emissions reductions with gas and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS)
    • Remain a reliable energy partner in our region

    “Australia has abundant gas resources, yet we face gas shortfalls this decade due to regulatory uncertainty, approval delays and policy interventions that have delayed new gas supply and damaged Australia’s investment competitiveness.

    “Addressing these risks must be a priority for the new Parliament,” Ms McCulloch said.

    Media contact: 0434 631 511

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI: Fast Payout Online Casinos: Find Out The Best Online Casino With Instant Payout! – By 7bit Casino

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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    For fiat currency users, 7Bit offers competitive processing times, with methods like PayID and Interac delivering payouts within 24 hours. Unlike traditional casinos that may delay withdrawals for days, 7Bit’s streamlined banking system minimizes wait times.

    This commitment to speed, combined with a user-friendly interface and robust security, solidifies 7Bit’s reputation as the best online casino for players seeking immediate access to their winnings. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a high roller, 7Bit’s instant withdrawal system ensures your funds are available when you need them.

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    Pros And Cons Of 7Bit Casino

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    Why Choose 7Bit Fast Payout Casino?

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    Promotions

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    Payment Options At 7Bit Casino

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    Crypto Payments

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    • Interac
    • PayID
    • Skrill/Neteller
    • Neosurf
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    Best Games At 7Bit Casino

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    Responsible Gambling Tools:

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    Support Resources:

    7Bit connects players with external support organizations for professional help, accessible via the responsible gambling page:

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    Transparency And Education

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    Promoting Safe Play

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    FAQs

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    Crypto withdrawals are processed in under 10 minutes, making 7Bit the fast payout online casino. Fiat withdrawals take 1–3 days, depending on the method.

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    Email: support@7bitcasino.com

    Disclaimer and Affiliate Disclosure

    Disclaimer

    Online gambling involves financial risk. Ensure you’re at least 19 years old and comply with the legal regulations in your area. Gamble responsibly, and always refer to 7Bit Casino’s official website for the most up-to-date terms, promotions, and payment options.

    General Disclaimer

    This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only, not legal or financial advice. Content is based on research and user reviews as of writing. No warranties are made, and users must verify information before acting.

    Casino and Gambling Disclaimer

    Online gambling carries risks and isn’t for everyone. Confirm you’re of legal gambling age in your jurisdiction. Gambling laws vary, and compliance is your responsibility. We don’t promote gambling; participation is at your risk. 7Bit Casino is a third-party platform, and we’re not liable for losses or disputes.

    Affiliate Disclosure

    This article may include affiliate links, earning us a commission at no cost to you for qualifying actions. These support our content. Our reviews are unbiased, and we recommend only valuable products.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/646e2335-c4fb-402a-8b56-c92d58745217

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/95172b07-9194-4b2c-aadd-e0e787a754e7

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: XRP News: Major ETF Update, Solana Price Prediction & Is Remittix Transforming Cross-Border Payments?

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Crypto platforms constantly work on improving their platforms to stay relevant in a rapidly changing marketplace. Developments like a potential XRP ETF and the future trajectory of assets like Solana make news daily. Amidst this, new crypto, Remittix, is carving out its niche, with its presale already gaining significant attention from investors eager to be part of a project revolutionizing how we think about global payments. Meanwhile, many are watching the latest XRP News for a breakthrough.

    Remittix – The best looking for the future?

    Remittix is a new crypto investment that is competing with established crypto platforms like XRP and Solana. While XRP has focused on improving cross-border payments, and Solana offers a fast and scalable network, Remittix aims to convert crypto to fiat for everyday global bank transfers.

    The cross-border payments market was valued at nearly $150 trillion in 2017 and is projected to exceed $250 trillion by 2027. Remittix is working to capture a share of this significant market by bridging the gap between the banking industry and blockchain technology

    How does Remittix work?

    Remittix empowers crypto holders by leveraging local payment networks and blockchain technology. Users enjoy the lightning speed of crypto transactions and the everyday convenience of fiat payments.

    A standout feature is the flat-fee structure for cross-border transfers, eliminating hidden FX and wire charges. What you send is what the recipient gets, offering a more cost-effective solution than traditional banks. Businesses can accept crypto payments from customers and settle these transactions in fiat to their nominated bank account. Merchant accounts also provide full control over crypto cash-outs in over 30 fiat currencies and 50+ cryptocurrency pairs.

    Simplicity is key: the recipient gets a standard bank transfer, often unaware it originated from a crypto payment. This makes Remittix different from XRP or Solana.

    XRP facilitates cross-border settlements

    XRP supports fast, reliable and low-cost international payments. Many financial institutions have explored XRP for its potential in cross-border settlements.

    XRP price prediction general

    The price of XRP has been volatile, especially when XRP news highlighted the legal battles of its parent company, Ripple. The platform’s potential for wider adoption, including talks of an ETF, helps make XRP a more attractive investment option.

    Image source: CoinGecko

    Solana – Fast and cheap

    Solana is a high-performance blockchain platform known for its speed, scalability, and low transaction fees. It supports decentralized applications (dApps) and marketplaces, aiming to overcome the throughput limitations that have challenged other blockchains. Solana’s rapidly growing ecosystem recently added a number of meme coins.

    Solana price prediction general

    Solana’s price predictions are optimistic, driven by its technological capabilities and expanding ecosystem. Analysts highlight its potential to host dApps and its efficient transactions. However, Solana has faced challenges with network stability, which could impact investor confidence and its price. Future growth for Solana depends on continued development and market adoption.

    Image source: CoinGecko

    Remittix price prediction

    Predicting the price for Remittix involves looking at its unique utility and presale structure. With a limited supply of 1.5 billion tokens and a phased presale where the token price increases with each block sold, early participation is incentivized.

    Given its solution for a multi-trillion dollar market and its clear advantages in speed, cost and accessibility for crypto-to-fiat transfers, a domain distinct from the primary focuses of XRP or Solana, Remittix has substantial growth potential. The strong foundation, including an audit from Solid Proof, bolsters confidence.

    Conclusion

    While the latest XRP News keeps the market watching and Solana continues to impress with its speed, Remittix is addressing a clear and pressing need in the financial world: making crypto seamlessly usable for global fiat payments. Its unique approach to combining crypto efficiency with fiat accessibility sets it apart.

    The Remittix presale is currently underway, offering a ground-floor opportunity to invest in a project with a clear vision and the technology to achieve it. With tokens selling fast and the price set to rise, this could be the best time to get involved.

    Remittix
    To buy Remittix, visit the official Remittix website.

    Media details:
    Company: Remittix
    Website: https://remittix.io/
    Contact Person: Bowen Higgins
    Email Id: B_Higgins@remittix.io
    Address:22 Washington Square N, New York, NY 10011, USA

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8a11dd7e-3d79-46ef-9774-8f75c2d6d61f

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/58b7957a-f04a-4faf-9870-c5a6685304e5

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b608a6ac-39aa-4344-a297-6db6658200c4

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-Evening Report: Physicists at the Large Hadron Collider turned lead into gold – by accident

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ulrik Egede, Professor of Physics, Monash University

    Sunny Young / Unsplash

    Medieval alchemists dreamed of transmuting lead into gold. Today, we know that lead and gold are different elements, and no amount of chemistry can turn one into the other.

    But our modern knowledge tells us the basic difference between an atom of lead and an atom of gold: the lead atom contains exactly three more protons. So can we create a gold atom by simply pulling three protons out of a lead atom?

    As it turns out, we can. But it’s not easy.

    While smashing lead atoms into each other at extremely high speeds in an effort to mimic the state of the universe just after the Big Bang, physicists working on the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland incidentally produced small amounts of gold. Extremely small amounts, in fact: a total of some 29 trillionths of a gram.

    How to steal a proton

    Protons are found in the nucleus of an atom. How can they be pulled out?

    Well, protons have an electric charge, which means an electric field can pull or push them around. Placing an atomic nucleus in an electric field could do it.

    However, nuclei are held together by a very strong force with a very short range, imaginatively known as the strong nuclear force. This means an extremely powerful electric field is required to pull out protons – about a million times stronger than the electric fields that create lightning bolts in the atmosphere.

    The way the scientists created this field was to fire beams of lead nuclei at each other at incredibly high speeds – almost the speed of light.

    The magic of a near-miss

    When the lead nuclei have a head-on collision, the strong nuclear force comes into play and they end up getting completely destroyed. But more commonly the nuclei have a near miss, and only affect each other via the electromagnetic force.

    The strength of an electric field drops off very quickly as you move away from an object with an electric charge (such as a proton). But at very short distances, even a tiny charge can create a very strong field.

    So when one lead nucleus just grazes past another, the electric field between them is huge. The rapidly changing field between the nuclei makes them vibrate and occasionally spit out some protons. If one of them spits out exactly three protons, the lead nucleus has turned into gold.

    Counting protons

    So if you have turned a lead atom into gold, how do you know? In the ALICE experiment, they use special detectors called zero-degree calorimeters to count the protons stripped out of the lead nuclei.

    They can’t observe the gold nuclei themselves, so they only know about them indirectly.

    The ALICE scientists calculate that, while they are colliding beams of lead nuclei, they produce about 89,000 gold nuclei per second. They also observed the production of other elements: thallium, which is what you get when you take one proton from lead, as well as mercury (two protons).

    An alchemical nuisance

    Once a lead nucleus has transformed by losing protons, it is no longer on the perfect orbit that keeps it circulating inside the vacuum beam pipe of the Large Hadron Collider. In a matter of microseconds it will collide with the walls.

    This effect makes the beam less intense over time. So for scientists, the production of gold at the collider is in fact more of a nuisance than a blessing.

    However, understanding this accidental alchemy is essential for making sense of experiments – and for designing the even bigger experiments of the future.

    Ulrik Egede 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. Physicists at the Large Hadron Collider turned lead into gold – by accident – https://theconversation.com/physicists-at-the-large-hadron-collider-turned-lead-into-gold-by-accident-256478

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI Video: POV: Can you handle the GRENADE course?

    Source: US Army (video statements)

    About the U.S. Army:

    The Army Mission – our purpose – remains constant: To deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt & sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the joint force.

    Interested in joining the U.S. Army?
    Visit: spr.ly/6001igl5L

    Connect with the U.S. Army online:
    Web: https://www.army.mil
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USarmy/
    X: https://www.twitter.com/USArmy
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usarmy/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-army
    #USArmy #Soldiers #Military #Shorts #Army

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaUaUlAe5ok

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Comment: China-US trade talks signal stability and certainty for global economy

    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, May 13 (Xinhua) — At the recent China-U.S. high-level meeting on economic and trade in Geneva, the two sides had frank, in-depth and constructive discussions on many issues, reaching a number of important agreements and making substantial progress.

    This was an important step towards resolving differences through equal dialogue and consultation, laying the foundation and creating conditions for further deepening cooperation.

    China and the United States together account for more than a third of global GDP, and their mutual trade accounts for about a fifth of global trade, making trade ties between the two countries a key player in the global economy. With the global economic recovery sluggish and geopolitical tensions rising, it is clear that maintaining channels of communication between Beijing and Washington is essential. The significant progress made reflects joint efforts to resolve differences and find common ground in a complex global environment.

    China has always taken a consistent and constructive approach to economic relations with the United States, seeking to return bilateral ties to the path of stable and healthy development through dialogue and consultation. It is encouraging that the United States has shown its willingness to participate in this process.

    But the damage already done cannot be ignored. Over the past month, Washington’s unilateral tariffs have seriously damaged the economies of not only China and the United States, but the entire world. American companies and consumers are forced to pay more, and inflationary pressures in the United States continue to rise.

    The global implications are even more alarming. US tariffs have disrupted global production and supply chains and undermined the rules-based multilateral trading system. International institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank have repeatedly warned that protectionism poses a serious threat to the global economic recovery. In this context, the recent round of talks between China and the US has provided a much-needed signal of stability and certainty.

    The positive results of the Geneva meeting confirm that the only effective way for major powers to resolve differences is through equal and constructive dialogue, not confrontation. Given the different national contexts and priorities, differences are inevitable. It is important that they be resolved on the basis of mutual respect for each other’s core interests and through continuous dialogue.

    No country will give up its legitimate rights to development in the face of unreasonable demands. Only through equal dialogue and consultation can the parties clearly state their concerns, clear up misunderstandings, and address the root causes of friction.

    Maintaining a stable, sustainable, and mutually beneficial economic relationship with China is in the interests of the United States itself. Decades of mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, services, and mutual investment have brought concrete benefits to businesses and people on both sides. Despite recent tensions, the foundation of common interests remains strong.

    China has consistently held that trade and economic disputes should be resolved through rational and respectful dialogue, rather than through pressure or threats. Unilateral coercion does not resolve problems, but only increases tensions, increases risks, and undermines the long-term interests of both sides.

    The meeting in Geneva is a positive step forward in bilateral trade and economic relations, which helps lay the foundation for continued dialogue.

    China is pleased to see dialogue resumed, but is fully prepared for the fact that resolving differences between the two countries will be long, complex and labor-intensive.

    Beijing and Washington should maintain the current momentum of dialogue, keep differences under control, build consensus and strengthen trust through equal consultations.

    More importantly, China and the US must take a longer-term perspective and a broader vision when approaching the world’s most important bilateral relationship, taking into account the fundamental well-being of their peoples and the overall picture of global peace and prosperity.

    Strengthening cooperation based on mutual benefit and resolving differences on the basis of mutual respect is not only the responsibility of China and the United States, but also what the international community expects from them. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU Startup Studio participants created a system of auto-censorship of video and audio on the Internet

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    Novosibirsk, May 13, 2025: Students Institute of Intelligent Robotics Nikita Zelenkov, Yan Komarevtsev and Ilya Trushkin of Novosibirsk State University, members of the NSU Startup Studio, created the ACMS Censor system, which automatically hides unwanted content in video and audio files. The new service is aimed at both ordinary users and content authors, as well as large media companies, online cinemas and video hosting sites. The project was curated by NSU IIR graduate Maxim Yemelyanov.

    According to the developers, the system automatically recognizes scenes with smoking, obscene language, signs of extremist materials and content 18. It automatically covers such fragments with a mosaic or “beeps” – without human intervention.

    — We are creating a solution that will allow publishing safe content that does not violate platform rules and legislation. Our system filters materials before publication so that authors do not have to do it manually, — said the team representative Ilya Trushkin.

    When starting this project, the developers carefully studied the market for the presence of similar services.

    — At the moment, we have not found similar solutions on the market. Most existing tools are limited to photo format, require manual moderation or simply notify about the presence of violating content. Our system goes further — it hides unwanted elements automatically, which simplifies publication and increases the security of content, — explained Ilya Trushkin.

    This solution may be of interest to media platforms that are primarily responsible for content. With the help of this service, they will be able to automatically bring third-party content that reaches them into compliance with legal requirements.

    The team is currently finalizing deployment setup and testing product integration. The service will be available in two versions: a free one for regular users and a commercial one for large companies. The free beta version will be publicly available on May 19. by link.

    The launch of the first versions of corporate solutions is planned for August. In this version, the system will be installed locally on the corporation’s servers and developers will not have access to it, which will increase the security of its use by the client company.

    The creators of the service also reported that they are open to partnership and are actively looking for investors to scale the project.

    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.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on May 09, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India


    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)

      Volume
    (One Leg)
    Weighted
    Average Rate
    Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 6,06,871.68 5.70 0.01-6.85
         I. Call Money 14,822.00 5.84 4.90-6.00
         II. Triparty Repo 3,92,344.05 5.79 5.70-6.00
         III. Market Repo 1,97,907.63 5.51 0.01-6.15
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,798.00 5.96 5.90-6.85
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 65.10 5.86 5.35-5.90
         II. Term Money@@ 1,045.00 5.70-6.18
         III. Triparty Repo 7,724.00 5.92 5.85-6.00
         IV. Market Repo 0.00
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo Fri, 09/05/2025 4 Tue, 13/05/2025 7,417.00 6.01
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (III) Long Term Operations^          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Fri, 09/05/2025 1 Sat, 10/05/2025 552.00 6.25
      Fri, 09/05/2025 2 Sun, 11/05/2025 0.00 6.25
      Fri, 09/05/2025 3 Mon, 12/05/2025 0.00 6.25
      Fri, 09/05/2025 4 Tue, 13/05/2025 0.00 6.25
    4. SDFΔ# Fri, 09/05/2025 1 Sat, 10/05/2025 2,04,212.00 5.75
      Fri, 09/05/2025 2 Sun, 11/05/2025 53.00 5.75
      Fri, 09/05/2025 3 Mon, 12/05/2025 3,414.00 5.75
      Fri, 09/05/2025 4 Tue, 13/05/2025 5,621.00 5.75
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -2,05,331.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo Fri, 02/05/2025 14 Fri, 16/05/2025 149.00 6.01
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (III) Long Term Operations^          
         (a) Repo Thu, 17/04/2025 43 Fri, 30/05/2025 25,731.00 6.01
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       8,709.21  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     34,589.21  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -1,70,741.79  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on May 09, 2025 9,32,300.52  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending May 16, 2025 9,41,653.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ May 09, 2025 7,417.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on April 18, 2025 2,02,749.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    ^ As per the Press Release No. 2025-2026/91 dated April 11, 2025.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2025-2026/307

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Global: Physicists at the Large Hadron Collider turned lead into gold – by accident

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Ulrik Egede, Professor of Physics, Monash University

    Sunny Young / Unsplash

    Medieval alchemists dreamed of transmuting lead into gold. Today, we know that lead and gold are different elements, and no amount of chemistry can turn one into the other.

    But our modern knowledge tells us the basic difference between an atom of lead and an atom of gold: the lead atom contains exactly three more protons. So can we create a gold atom by simply pulling three protons out of a lead atom?

    As it turns out, we can. But it’s not easy.

    While smashing lead atoms into each other at extremely high speeds in an effort to mimic the state of the universe just after the Big Bang, physicists working on the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland incidentally produced small amounts of gold. Extremely small amounts, in fact: a total of some 29 trillionths of a gram.

    How to steal a proton

    Protons are found in the nucleus of an atom. How can they be pulled out?

    Well, protons have an electric charge, which means an electric field can pull or push them around. Placing an atomic nucleus in an electric field could do it.

    However, nuclei are held together by a very strong force with a very short range, imaginatively known as the strong nuclear force. This means an extremely powerful electric field is required to pull out protons – about a million times stronger than the electric fields that create lightning bolts in the atmosphere.

    The way the scientists created this field was to fire beams of lead nuclei at each other at incredibly high speeds – almost the speed of light.

    The magic of a near-miss

    When the lead nuclei have a head-on collision, the strong nuclear force comes into play and they end up getting completely destroyed. But more commonly the nuclei have a near miss, and only affect each other via the electromagnetic force.

    The strength of an electric field drops off very quickly as you move away from an object with an electric charge (such as a proton). But at very short distances, even a tiny charge can create a very strong field.

    So when one lead nucleus just grazes past another, the electric field between them is huge. The rapidly changing field between the nuclei makes them vibrate and occasionally spit out some protons. If one of them spits out exactly three protons, the lead nucleus has turned into gold.

    Counting protons

    So if you have turned a lead atom into gold, how do you know? In the ALICE experiment, they use special detectors called zero-degree calorimeters to count the protons stripped out of the lead nuclei.

    They can’t observe the gold nuclei themselves, so they only know about them indirectly.

    The ALICE scientists calculate that, while they are colliding beams of lead nuclei, they produce about 89,000 gold nuclei per second. They also observed the production of other elements: thallium, which is what you get when you take one proton from lead, as well as mercury (two protons).

    An alchemical nuisance

    Once a lead nucleus has transformed by losing protons, it is no longer on the perfect orbit that keeps it circulating inside the vacuum beam pipe of the Large Hadron Collider. In a matter of microseconds it will collide with the walls.

    This effect makes the beam less intense over time. So for scientists, the production of gold at the collider is in fact more of a nuisance than a blessing.

    However, understanding this accidental alchemy is essential for making sense of experiments – and for designing the even bigger experiments of the future.

    Ulrik Egede 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. Physicists at the Large Hadron Collider turned lead into gold – by accident – https://theconversation.com/physicists-at-the-large-hadron-collider-turned-lead-into-gold-by-accident-256478

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Algernon Yau to attend APEC mtg

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau will depart Qatar for Jeju in Korea today to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting.

               

    With “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow” as its theme, those taking part in the APEC meeting, scheduled for May 15 and 16, will discuss topics under the three priorities of “Connect, Innovate, Prosper”.

     

    Mr Yau will participate in thematic sessions and meet trade ministers of other member economies to exchange views on issues of mutual interest on the sidelines of the MRT Meeting.

               

    He will return to Hong Kong on May 17. During his absence, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan will be Acting Secretary.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-Evening Report: From nuclear to nature laws, here’s where new Liberal leader Sussan Ley stands on 4 energy and environment flashpoints

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justine Bell-James, Professor, TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland

    Sussan Ley has been elected Liberal leader after defeating rival Angus Taylor in a party room vote on Tuesday. Now the leadership question is settled, the hard work of rebuilding the party can begin.

    In the wake of its election loss, the Coalition has foreshadowed a sweeping policy review. Where the Coalition lands on the contentious nuclear energy policy will be keenly watched.

    The majority Labor government is likely to easily push legislation through the lower house. However, the Senate numbers mean Labor needs backing from either the Greens or the Coalition to pass bills into law.

    So where does Ley stand on nuclear energy and other pressure points across the environment and energy portfolios? Ley’s stance on four key issues, including during her time as environment minister in the Morrison government, provides important insights.

    1. Nuclear power and gas

    The resounding Coalition election defeat suggest the prospects for nuclear power in Australia are now poor. But the Coalition’s nuclear policy may yet resurface, given the Nationals still support it.

    During the election campaign, Ley backed the Liberals’ call for nuclear power in Australia, arguing nuclear can provide a zero-emissions option that’s needed in the shift to renewables.

    In a 2023 speech, Ley suggested nuclear power had a big future in Australia, saying:

    The fact is the latest technology reactors in nuclear-powered submarines in operation today don’t need to be refuelled for 30 years. And the money being invested into research and development is only going to make these new nuclear technologies even better.

    Ley has also argued Australia needs to keep gas in the system for longer, rather than “trying to do everything with renewables”.

    2. The energy transition

    A second-term Labor government will further progress its existing energy policies, including measures to reach its target of 82% renewable energy in the the National Electricity Market by 2030.

    Ley has accepted the need for a renewable energy transition, but says it should be led by nuclear power and gas.

    She has suggested enormous wind turbines and large-scale solar farms are dominating the landscape in rural areas. She also claims renewable energy projects generate insurance risks because battery storage increases fire risks.

    Ley has consistently voted against increasing investment in renewable energy, and is likely to seek to ensure policy addresses rising energy prices and reliability.

    3. Nature law reform

    The Albanese government intends to complete reform of Australia’s federal environment laws, known collectively as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (or EPBC Act). Labor’s proposed reforms stalled in the Senate last term.

    The independent review that preceded the reform, led by Graeme Samuel, was initiated by the Morrison government under Ley, who served as environment minister from 2019 to 2022.

    An interim report from the Samuel review was released in July 2020. Ley seized on recommendations that suited her government’s agenda – notably, streamlining the environmental approvals process to speed up decisions on proposed developments. She vowed to start working on them even before the review was finalised, and before public comment on the draft was received.

    Ley put bills to parliament in August 2020 and February 2021 seeking to amend the laws. The first sought to hand powers for environmental approvals to the states. The proposal was criticised for lacking environmental safeguards.

    This prompted Ley to introduce a second bill which sought to ensure state agreements were monitored and audited. It also provided for new “national environmental standards” to guide approval decisions.

    But both bills lapsed before the 2022 election after failing to secure Senate support.

    National environmental standards were a key recommendation from the Samuel review, and also a centrepiece of Labor’s proposed reforms. However, Labor’s proposed standards were more robust and focused on outcomes.

    The bills Labor introduced to parliament in 2024 also sought establish Australia’s first national environment protection agency to carry out compliance and enforcement. This body would have had more power than Ley’s proposed commissioner.

    So while Labor’s proposed reform package was bolder, both Ley and her then Labor counterpart Tanya Plibersek’s proposals were comprised of similar ingredients. Given Ley has shown support for some elements of Labor’s reform package before, namely devolving powers to states and implementing standards, there may be some grounds for negotiation.

    4. Coal and climate change

    As environment minister, Ley welcomed the Coalition’s approval of the huge Adani coalmine in central Queensland. She also gave the green light to other coal projects. Plibersek took a similar approach to coal projects in her time as minister.

    In 2021, the Federal Court found Ley, as environment minister, owed a duty of care to future generations to avoid causing climate harm through her decisions. Ley successfully appealed the ruling.

    Separately, Ley has also claimed climate change is not part of the environment portfolio.

    When the Coalition reflects on the resounding defeat at the election, Ley’s hard stance on climate may soften.

    Finding common ground

    Ley brings a deeper understanding of nature law reform to the position of Liberal leader than her predecessor Peter Dutton. This raises the prospects for overhauling the EPBC Act this term.

    However, Ley’s priority is likely to be streamlining the environmental approval process rather than increasing protections afforded to threatened species and ecosystems.

    On the topic of gas playing a significant ongoing role in Australia’s energy mix, Ley will find many like minds in the Labor government.

    When it comes to the energy transition, much rests on the party room decision on whether to persist with a nuclear power policy. Nevertheless, with or without nuclear, Ley’s previous statements suggest she will continue to argue against wind and solar generation energy on cost and reliability grounds.

    Justine Bell-James receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, the Queensland Government, and the National Environmental Science Program. She is a Director of the National Environmental Law Association and a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists.

    Samantha Hepburn 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. From nuclear to nature laws, here’s where new Liberal leader Sussan Ley stands on 4 energy and environment flashpoints – https://theconversation.com/from-nuclear-to-nature-laws-heres-where-new-liberal-leader-sussan-ley-stands-on-4-energy-and-environment-flashpoints-256106

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Why China “Sees the Future”

    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

    If you came to Shanghai, which would you choose: Disneyland or Huawei’s Lianqiu Lake R&D Center?

    Not long ago, Thomas Friedman, a columnist for the American newspaper The New York Times, faced such a dilemma. In the end, he decided that Huawei’s research center was “the real world of the future” and went to Lianqiu Lake.

    What makes this research center so attractive? It is located in the pilot area of the Yangtze River Delta Ecological Integrated Development Demonstration Area. Its total investment exceeds 10 billion yuan, and it can accommodate tens of thousands of researchers and developers.

    According to Friedman, the favorable environment is “designed to attract the best Chinese and foreign talent in science and technology.” At a time when the global economy faces many uncertainties, the vitality and creativity of the center are especially attractive.

    It is not only Huawei that attaches importance to research and development and creates a favorable environment. In recent years, more and more companies have gradually moved towards the production of high-end products, intelligent products, and green products through technological innovation. In 2024, China’s total R&D expenditure exceeded 3.6 trillion yuan, the second highest in the world.

    In the face of increasingly fierce competition in science and technology, all industries are increasing investment in science and technology, intensifying research and development, demonstrating confidence in modernization and the future.

    It is this trend of transforming from the “world’s factory” to the “global innovation hub” that makes people pay more attention to the importance of China in the global innovation system.

    So it is not hard to understand Friedman’s sentiments: “Basically, the Lianqiu Lake R&D center is Huawei’s response to the US’s attempts to strangle the company.” China is actively innovating, boldly creating, openly accepting new things, and putting more effort into breakthroughs in advanced technologies and improving industrial quality.

    At the same time, foreign companies are also gaining confidence in China. From negotiations to signing a contract, it takes only six months; from the start of construction to completion, it takes only one and a half years… The speed of construction of Carlsberg’s production base in Foshan’s Sanshui District gives the company the opportunity to expand its business.

    The market is here, and in the face of the “small courtyards with high walls” policy, strength and will are important. By turning pressure into motivation, China is choosing to be more open, united, and energetic. Yiwu City in Zhejiang Province is a good example to watch. Those who have talked to Yiwu entrepreneurs have noticed that they do not complain, but discuss ways to solve problems.

    MIL OSI Russia News