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Category: Commerce

  • MIL-OSI Security: Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Amassing Another Cache of Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Joseph Gallo, 80, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Juan R. Sanchez to 10 years in prison, five years of supervised release, $12,750 in restitution, and $10,000 in additional special assessments, for possessing thousands of images and videos of child pornography.

    In March of last year, the defendant was charged by information with possession of child pornography as a second-time child sex offender. He pleaded guilty in July, admitting that, over a period of more than three years, he had amassed a collection of more than 18,000 images depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

    At the time Gallo committed these crimes, he was already a registered sex offender under Megan’s Law, attending court-ordered sex offender treatment, and serving a sentence of supervised county probation, following his 2015 prosecution in Bucks County for similar offenses.

    “Gallo learned nothing from his first conviction and again started seeking out those abhorrent images,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Consumers of child pornography like him perpetuate the exploitation and trauma of innocent victims, which my office, HSI, and our partners simply won’t abide. We’ll continue to hold accountable collectors of child sexual abuse material, because protecting kids everywhere is paramount.”

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit projectsafechildhood.gov.

    The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rotella.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Cornyn Applauds Nominees Tasked with Enacting Pres. Trump’s Economic Agenda

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) expressed his support for President Trump’s nominees chosen to help implement his economic agenda, including Scott Bessent at the Department of the Treasury, Howard Lutnick for Secretary of Commerce, and Russ Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.
    “These three gentlemen bring a wealth of experience and expertise, and I have no doubt that America will be better off with them at the helm, assisting President Trump during his administration.”
    “We all remember the tragic story of 9/11, what happened that day. More than two-thirds of Cantor Fitzgerald’s employees—Howard Lutnick’s company—including his own brother, were killed that day.”
    “In the midst of this personal tragedy and with the future uncertain, Howard picked up the pieces and rebuilt Cantor Fitzgerald. This is a man unlike most men, a person of heroic character.”
    “Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Scott Bessent in the Senate Finance Committee on which I serve.”
    “Mr. Bessent rightly noted last week that China has one of the most unbalanced economies in the history of the world, and they’re using their surpluses to fund their military machine to modernize and threaten the peace.”
    “Mr. Bessent is going to be a great partner because he understands how the economy works and how it’s intertwined with our national security.”
    “Finally, I had the pleasure of speaking once again to Russ Vought, who was formerly the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, a job he held previously under President Trump during his first administration. Mr. Vought led the OMB then, and so he’s had extensive experience to build on in President Trump’s second term.” 
    “It’s no secret that the American people were profoundly disappointed at the Biden administration’s handling of the U.S. economy, but I have no doubt that with President Trump, Howard Lutnick, Scott Bessent, and Russ Vought on President Trump’s team, we will be in good shape to get the economy and our national security back on track.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Meets with SBA Nominee Kelly Loeffler

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) met today with former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), whom President Trump has nominated to lead the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Please see photo below.

    This image is in the public domain, but those wishing to do so may credit the Office of U.S. Senator John Cornyn.
    Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Judiciary, Intelligence, Foreign Relations, and Budget Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $6 Million for Targeted Economic Development Projects in Maine

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Angus King announced that 10 state and local agencies and organizations throughout Maine have been awarded a total of $6,121,792 through the Northern Border Regional Commission’s (NBRC) Catalyst Program and Forest Economy Program. This funding will support projects aimed at strengthening economic opportunity in communities across five Maine counties.

    “From replacing aging infrastructure to expanding child care availability and resources for business development, these targeted investments will strengthen the local economies of numerous communities in Maine,” said Senators Collins and King. “We are proud to support the NBRC, which continues to play a vital role in creating jobs, expanding economic opportunities, and laying a strong foundation for long-term growth across our state.”

    Specifically, the funding is allocated as follows:

    • Dover-Foxcroft Water District (Piscataquis County) – $1,000,000: To replace and relocate the Dover-Foxcroft water main, which is approximately 100 years old and does not reach a developing commercial area of the town.
    • Danforth Water District (Washington County) – $1,000,000: To replace a 4,500-foot failing and unlined iron water main serving households and businesses throughout downtown Danforth.
    • Town of Greenville (Piscataquis County) – $1,000,000: To construct a new childcare center on the Greenville Consolidated School campus that will provide more than 30 additional childcare slots.
    • Loring Development Authority of Maine (Aroostook County) – $1,000,000: To construct an anaerobic digester to produce biofuel from organic material, while enhancing the development of the Loring Commerce Centre in Limestone.
    • Maine TREE Foundation (Kennebec County) – $998,925: To scale the Maine TREE Foundation’s six-week summer Forestry Immersion Program for Maine high school students.
    • City of Bangor (Penobscot County) – $500,000: To support the Central Kitchen, a shared-use commercial kitchen incubator for start-up businesses to prepare, package, and market local food products.
    • Passamaquoddy Tribe (Washington County) – $250,000: To rehabilitate the Eastern Surplus Superfund Site and the Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative site, and restore and rewild N’tolonapemk, an ancestral Passamaquoddy village on the shores of Meddybemps Lake through improvements to fish passage and re-establishment of an alewife run at Meddybemps Lake.
    • City of Presque Isle (Aroostook County) – $240,000: To upgrade the commercial kitchen at The Forum—a year-round, multi-use building—to allow the city to expand the number and types of events possible at the venue.
    • City of Augusta (Kennebec County) – $82,867: To renovate the HVAC system at the Buker Community Center’s Child Care Center, allowing the Center to avoid scaling back their hours of operation due to extreme weather conditions.
    • RSU 38 (Kennebec County) – $50,000: To develop a driving range for commercial driver licensing, decreasing the training cycle from four months to three.

    The NBRC was established by Congress in 2008, with Senator Collins’ and King’s support, to fund a broad range of development projects in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York aimed at alleviating economic distress and encouraging private sector job creation.

    Senators Collins and King were instrumental in establishing the Forest Opportunity Roadmap (FOR/Maine) Initiative, an industry-led initiative that is helping to diversify the state’s wood products businesses, attract investments, and develop greater economic prosperity for rural communities impacted by mill closures. The FOR/Maine Initiative was funded in part by the Economic Development Assessment Team (EDAT) requested by the Senators in 2016 in order to create strategies for job growth and economic development in Maine’s rural communities. The EDAT recommended the development of new markets for Maine’s forest resources, including the strengthening of existing forest products manufacturing, the attraction of investment in emerging technology, and the utilization of forest products residuals in CHP biomass plants, microgrids, modern thermal systems, and new forest products development.

    In 2023, Senator Collins introduced and Senator King co-sponsored a bill to reauthorize and strengthen the NBRC.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy, Shaheen Reintroduce Bill to Help Small Businesses Lower Costs, Fight Inflation 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) reintroduced the Helping Small Businesses to Hedge Risk and Insure against Volatile Expenses (Helping Small Businesses THRIVE) Act. The bill would direct the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to create a new program that helps small businesses lock in the cost of commodities, like gasoline or lumber, in order to protect against the future volatile price of energy and other expenses. 
    “Small businesses are the first to be hurt by high inflation costs,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Let’s give small businesses in Louisiana the tools to create jobs, expand operations, and compete with large companies.” 
    “In the Granite State and across America, small businesses are the bread and butter of our economy – but for too many entrepreneurs, inflation and volatile expenses harm their ability to grow and maintain their businesses,” said Senator Shaheen. “Our bipartisan bill would level the playing field so that small businesses can better compete with big corporations and create good-paying jobs in our communities. I urge my colleagues to support this effort so we can keep costs under control and help small businesses thrive for generations.” 
    To help lower costs for small businesses, the Helping Small Businesses THRIVE Act would give them the cost-certainty, time, and confidence to build and grow their endeavors. The bipartisan legislation would direct SBA to create a program that would allow small businesses to hedge their cost exposure from commodities, like diesel or electricity. The program would offer small businesses options for how to lock in their prices going forward – with a focus on inputs that already have liquid markets and technical assistance to help businesses take full advantage of the program. Along with that guidance, SBA would conduct outreach to small businesses to ensure they are aware of the program and can benefit from it. 
    The program would first start to lock in costs for gasoline, diesel, and up to three additional commodities, with special attention given to standard utilities like natural gas or electricity. Additional commodities and utilities whose costs could be locked in could be added to the program after surveys and feedback from small businesses to assess which products would be most beneficial to them. Eligible small businesses would exclude traders and financial businesses to ensure this program focuses on small businesses and is not a tool for speculators. 
    Large businesses already protect themselves from inflation by locking in costs through hedging transactions. The Helping Small Businesses THRIVE Act gives small businesses the ability to access those same tools to protect against the volatile price of gasoline and other expenses. 
    A one pager on the bill is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA, State, USDA Team to Host Agriculture Recovery Fairs

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA, State, USDA Team to Host Agriculture Recovery Fairs

    FEMA, State, USDA Team to Host Agriculture Recovery Fairs

    HICKORY, N.C. – One-day Agriculture Recovery Centers are planned to help North Carolina farmers recover from Helene damage. The first locations are set for Buncombe, Henderson, McDowell and Watauga counties. Additional events are planned for Ashe, Avery, Burke, Mitchell and Yancey counties. All are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.The walk-through events will provide information on addressing agricultural or rural needs not covered by standard programs offered by FEMA or the state, and offer opportunities for farmers, ranchers, nursery owners, vineyards, honeybee growers and fish producers to meet with agricultural officials to learn about assistance available. The centers have specifically trained representatives of FEMA; the U.S. Department of Agriculture; North Carolina Department of Commerce; North Carolina Department of Agriculture; U.S. Small Business Administration; local Farm Service Agency officials; and other government agencies to assist agricultural workers with their recovery needs.  Please bring evidence of ownership, or photos of damaged or lost tools and equipment, along with estimated replacement costs to expedite your application. Learn more here: Help for Self-Employed.  Jan. 27 – McDowell County                                     McDowell Technical Community College Universal Manufacturing Center634 College DriveMarion, NC 28752Jan. 28 – Henderson County Dana Community Center2879 Upward RdFlat Rock, NC 28731 Jan. 30 – Buncombe County Asheville–Buncombe Technical Community CollegeIvy Building9 Genevieve CircleAsheville, NC 28801Jan. 31 – Watauga County Watauga Agricultural Conference Center(Winter Farmer’s Market)252 Poplar Grove RoadBoone, NC 28607
    joseph.arbid
    Thu, 01/23/2025 – 23:21

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ex-high street chief to keep Britain working with review into business support for disabled and long-term sick

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A new “Keep Britain Working” review has been launched today [Friday 24 January] to explore how to urgently support people with long-term illnesses or disabilities back into work, and to stay in work.

    • Independent review led by former John Lewis boss, Sir Charlie Mayfield, officially underway.
    • Review to investigate how government and businesses can work together to support ill and disabled people into work, boost living standards and grow the economy as part of Plan for Change.
    • Intervention comes as government is expected to publish major health and disability benefit reforms this Spring.

    Former chairman of John Lewis Partnership, Sir Charlie Mayfield, will lead the Keep Britain Working Review to investigate the factors behind spiralling levels of inactivity, and how government and businesses can work together to turn this around, to get Britain working again. 

    The review will be the first of its kind, and following the launch of the Get Britain Working White Paper, will be one part of the government’s Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth in partnership with businesses, drive up prosperity and raise living standards across the UK.

    With over a third of working age people reporting a long-term health condition and around a quarter classed as disabled, the latter group being three times more likely to be not in work or looking for work, the scale of the challenge is stark.

    Beginning today, the review will move at pace concluding in the Autumn, with Sir Charlie Mayfield meeting businesses and health and disability organisations across the country to identify the scale, trends, obstacles and opportunities for companies when recruiting and retaining ill and disabled people. 

    This phase will conclude in Spring with a report based on the findings from his conversations with company bosses, employees who have been supported to stay in work, and organisations who help those out of work, to inform wider engagement. Recommendations to the government are expected later this year.

    This will be part of the government’s plan to boost employment by breaking down barriers to opportunity and improving people’s living standards through work and life-changing support, building on the latest data this week showing real earnings have increased by 2.5% on the year.

    Sir Charlie Mayfield, who was also Chair of the British Retail Consortium and Chair of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, said: 

    Losing people from the workforce because of ill-health or disability is bad for many of the individuals, for the businesses employing them, and for the wider economy.

    It’s a growing problem for us all and it’s one that’s more likely to be resolved by business and government working together.

    I’m looking forward to engaging closely with businesses, government departments and the many organisations committed to improving our performance here.

    The review, which will identify measures to help ill and disabled people get into work and stay in work, comes ahead of significant reforms to health and disability benefits expected in the Spring. 

    Work and Pensions Secretary, Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP, said: 

    Millions of people have been left without support to get into work and on at work, and completely held back from reaching their potential for far too long, and the record-high cost of long-term sickness benefits is evidence of that fact.

    That’s why I am pleased to have Sir Charlie leading this review, bringing a wealth of experience and helping us to get people into work, and most importantly keep them in work, so we can boost living standards and get our economy growing.

    Business and Trade Secretary, Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, said: 

    It isn’t right that too many businesses are missing out on the people they need, while those who want to work can’t because of long-term sickness. 

    Solving this problem is one of the greatest challenges facing the labour market, with years of poor support blocking those with great talent from helping drive our economy forward.

    The government is on the side of working people and is unashamedly pro-business. That’s why this review will be critical in getting businesses the people they need to unlock their full potential.

    Rain Newton-Smith, CEO of the CBI, said: 

    Lower rates of employment for people with long-term health conditions or disabilities is a tragic waste of potential that holds back economic growth and impacts on well-being. 

    It denies people the opportunity to improve their personal financial security through work and prevents businesses from using their valuable skills and experience to grow the economy. 

    Sir Charlie’s review is a welcome opportunity for business and government to co-design solutions that have a real impact.

    This business engagement is part of the government’s Get Britain Working White Paper which is currently progressing the biggest employment reforms in a generation so the UK can reach an ambitious 80% employment rate. 

    As part of the plan, Jobcentre’s are to change their focus from monitoring and managing benefit claims to skills and careers, mental health support will be expanded to reduce waiting lists in areas with the highest levels of economic inactivity, and mayors will be empowered to join up local work, health and skills support to tackle the root causes of inactivity in their areas.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: 5 ways that AI modernization is transforming trade financing

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: 5 ways that AI modernization is transforming trade financing

    The newest wave of business and operating model transformation in corporate banking is underway in one of the oldest domains of international commerce: trade finance. Underpinning the great majority of global commerce, trade finance provides the financial instruments and products for importers and exporters to conduct business reliability and with minimum risk. Long underinvested in, trade finance is now undergoing rapid and fundamental change, thanks to the advent of cloud and AI technologies. 

    Helping banks and other financial institutions modernize and take full advantage of cloud and AI technologies is central to our work at Microsoft Cloud for Financial Services. We offer a secure, compliant, scalable infrastructure tailored to support financial services and unlock new benefits and opportunities. 

    Microsoft Cloud for Financial Services

    Unlock business value and deepen customer relationships

    How data became the third leg of bank business models 

    From its inception, banking has always been a business of data—its movement and processing, and the insights derived therefrom.  

    As financial intermediaries, banks survived for centuries based on data at the heart of a two-sided business model: taking deposits (liability ledger) and making loans (risk assets). Profit was the lucrative spread between these two pillars. Business cycles and financial crises have come and gone but this fundamental model has not changed. 

    Technology has been integral to data management since the rudiments of data processing automation and Management Information System (MIS) dashboards. The rise of the modern real-time data economy, however, completely alters the environment in which banks operate.  

    Retail banking was first to transform by monetizing fragmented data in correlation with context and other factors. That beginning marked a signpost to a new space where the value of insights became the third important leg of bank business models. With the power of AI and the simplicity of natural language copilots, we are at the start of a new epoch which marks a profound transformation in banking. 

    Developing this trajectory, it is clear that Business-to-Business (B2B) flows contain much richer datasets to be monetized across a broader spectrum of economic activity, from local Main Street to global supply chains. Corporate banking is the epicenter of this next wave of B2B value creation through its main business lines: working capital management, payments and transaction banking, and, in particular, trade finance.  

    Unlocking B2B data insights is driving banking transformation 

    Trade finance is a natural starting place for bank modernization. It is unusually rich in untapped B2B details, it is super relevant to a bank’s overall commercial banking proposition, and it offers the most easily addressed “low hanging fruit” for return on investment (ROI) due to the prevalence of so many manual processes. 

    Note that this near-term upside should not be confused with the industry’s longer-term policy agenda on “trade digitization,” which focuses on transitioning from traditional, paper-based processes to digital formats. Global bodies such as the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT), the International Trade and Forfaiting Association (ITFA), and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) will, in due course, develop legal frameworks that facilitate this transition. But before that, there is a clear business case within banks to adopt currently available new technologies in a race to transform client experience, improve operating efficiency, and gain marketplace advantage from B2B data insights. 

    Banks are naturally rich in B2B data as a consequence of their existing franchises and the daily flow of transactions through their processing systems. Yet, insights from the graph of these non-linear B2B relationships languish trapped and untapped in legacy silos. With this in mind, Microsoft has been leading the development of new AI-focused technologies for knowledge workers in today’s modern banking environment. These include natural language copilots, starting with Microsoft 365 Copilot, custom copilots built with Microsoft Copilot Studio, and Agentic AI for more complex tasks. Concurrently, solutions like Microsoft Fabric can unify data for analysis and action from disparate sources irrespective of the technical environments in which they sit.  

    Microsoft’s data tools unlock data insights and help make trade finance processes more efficient and accessible. Importantly, they are all designed with the same security, compliance, and content entitlements that are already established within banks, so getting started is easier. 

    A benefits-driven roadmap for trade finance modernization 

    The roadmap that banks are adopting for trade finance modernization follows five simple steps, starting with the basics of helping colleagues do their work better: 

    1. Generative AI copilots can transform operations and drive new efficiencies in many powerful ways. For example, copilots can help front-office trade sales and relationship managers identify new financing opportunities when advising clients. Natural language queries can convert a daunting amount of manual research into simple and repeatable investigative questions. A client’s Annual Report, 10-K filings, and other sources can be analyzed in real time with opportunities summarized for action.
      Microsoft’s Financial Meeting Prep on Microsoft Teams, launched with LSEG, shows the simplicity of how this could work in trade finance. Financial Meeting Prep helps organize more effective meetings through a single view of all relevant content. It drives better meeting outcomes and improves engagement, job satisfaction, and revenue growth. By the same token, trade finance product managers can transform how they conduct research in developing and managing new products with Copilot for project. Mundane tasks, like generating monthly product performance reports, can be automated with conversational copilots that are embedded in familiar tools like Copilot in Excel and Copilot for Power BI. This provides all users with proactive drilldown capabilities to discover desired insights without reversion to a lot of manual rework.
    2. Improved internal collaboration can be achieved with modern office tools. Many banks have legacy processes designed for linear workflows—for example, sending credit applications as email attachments to multiple stakeholders for approval. This process is cumbersome, often involving a lot of back and forth to reconcile a “golden truth” of client exposure sourced from multiple systems. Redesigning these team workflows with modern technology like Copilot Pages provides a single, persistently updated canvas that allows for multiparty interactive collaboration that integrates all relevant data.  
    3. Operational efficiencies can be greatly enhanced with AI. Consider Letters of Credit processing, a mainstay of classical trade finance which remains paper-based to this day, with literally billions of pieces of paper circulating between parties at any given time. Banks must examine all these documents for compliance—a costly effort requiring a skilled workforce. To ease this burden, Microsoft partners leverage Azure technologies to automate much of the work, freeing bank staff to deal with exceptions rather than the bulk of mundane examination. Microsoft Document Intelligence Read Optical Character Recognition (OCR) dematerializes trade documents while AI algorithms spot compliance issues, detect signs of trade-based money laundering (TBML), and meet other requirements to complete a transaction before payment. The result is improved quality and profitability, as well as new data insight APIs from digitized trade documentation. The next wave of this process will apply semi-autonomous Agentic AI that further understands context and can complete multiple assignments digitally. 
    4. Knowledge Management tools using natural language can advance the effectiveness of staff and banking operations. Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) technology will reason over a bank’s broad SharePoint catalogue of material and surface only relevant information for a given request. This will be especially useful in training bank staff who are not familiar with the day-to-day technicalities of trade finance. For example, legal documentation can be surfaced as needed for each appropriate use case. In certain circumstances, this could be extended as curated material directly to clients. Using natural language copilots can simplify how staff and clients learn and understand trade finance, which historically has been a specialized field.  
    5. Customer service tools can enhance the customer experience. One of the greatest areas for improvement with natural language processing and copilots is client service problem resolution. Agent-first workflow tools, such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Contact Center, immeasurably improve efficiency by putting all the facts at an agent’s fingertips. Accessing a bank’s catalogue of products, an agent can also upsell solutions while reducing time spent on “swivel chairing” between different systems. These tools can also be designed to enable client self-help functions that reduce mundane repetitive calls to the bank, like status of a shipment or payment. Client queries with an agent can be in written form, spoken through Interactive Voice Response (IVR), or conversed with an avatar.  

    Get started on your modernization journey 

    Trade finance AI is not just for big banks that finance global supply chains. In fact, the impact of AI automation could be greater for regional and smaller banks where skilled staff are fewer and transactions are less frequent, but where client needs require receivables discounting, performance bonds, or other working capital assistance. Moreover, increasing demand for trade financing by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing nations is a significant driver of market growth.  

    The benefits of modernization impact banks of every size and geography. To help understand how your organization can explore the new opportunities, begin by engaging with your Microsoft representative. They can help develop strategies and solutions that deliver immediate and long-term benefits to meet your bank’s unique needs.

    Empower your organization with Microsoft Cloud for Financial Services

    Peter Hazou

    Director of Business Development, Financial Services, Microsoft

    Peter Hazou is Directory of Business Development at Microsoft, responsible for corporate and commercial banking. A career banker, he was the EMEA Regional Head of GTB at HSBC and the CEEMEA Regional Head for GTS at Citigroup, and previously served as Head of Strategy for transaction banking at UniCredit in Milan. He began his career in New York as a credit officer at Manufacturers Hanover Trust.

    See more articles from this author

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Grassley Introduce Bill To Crack Down On Prescription Drug Advertisements, Boost Price Transparency

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    January 23, 2025
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, today introduced the bipartisan Drug-price Transparency for Consumers (DTC) Act, a bill that would require price disclosures on advertisements for prescription drugs in order to empower patients and reduce Americans’ colossal spending on medications.  The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that prescription drugs advertised directly to consumers accounted for 58 percent of Medicare’s spending on drugs between 2016 and 2018, while a 2023 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that two-thirds of advertised drugs offered “low therapeutic value.”  By requiring direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements for prescription drugs to include a disclosure of the list price, patients can make informed choices when inundated with drug commercials and pharmaceutical companies may reconsider their pricing and advertising tactics.  In recent years, the pharmaceutical industry has sued to keep the prices of their drugs out of their TV advertisements.
    “Pharmaceutical advertising is a uniquely American phenomenon that contributes to the astronomical cost of prescription drugs. With billions of dollars in targeted spending, patients are bombarded with commercials for the latest ‘wonder-drug’ but kept in the dark about one crucial factor—price.  This practice of pushing patients toward the most expensive drugs drives up the cost of health care while undermining the role of doctors.  A healthy dose of transparency is the prescription Big Pharma needs,” Durbin said.  “Senator Grassley and I have introduced the DTC Act to shine light on the real costs of medications in these outrageous commercials.”
    “Knowing what something costs before buying it is just common sense,” Grassley said.  “Disclosing the list price of prescription drugs in advertisements is a no-nonsense way to empower health care consumers to make informed decisions about their care.  It also spurs competition, which leads to lower prescription drug costs.”
    Each year, the pharmaceutical industry spends $6 billion in DTC drug advertising to fill the airwaves with ads, resulting in the average American seeing nine DTC ads each day.  Studies show that these activities steer patients to more expensive drugs, even when a patient may not need the medication or a lower-cost generic is available.  Studies show that patients are more likely to ask their doctor, and ultimately receive a prescription, for a specific drug when they have seen ads for it.  For these reasons, most countries have banned DTC prescription drug advertising—the United States and New Zealand are the only industrialized nations to permit this practice.
    Additionally, a Kaiser survey found that 88 percent of Americans support this price disclosure policy for advertisements.
    Below are some key findings from the GAO report:
    Two-thirds of pharma’s spending between 2016 and 2018 on DTC ads ($12 billion out of $18 billion total) was concentrated on just 39 drugs.  During this period, these advertised drugs accounted for 58 percent of Medicare’s spending on drugs ($320 billion out of $560 billion). 
    In 2019, Humira had $500 million in DTC advertising, contributing to $2.4 billion in Medicare costs.
    Among the top 10 drugs with the highest cost to Medicare, four were also in the top 10 for advertising spending (Humira, Eliquis, Keytruda, Lyrica).
    Cosponsors of the DTC Act include U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Peter Welch (D-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).
    The DTC Act is endorsed by AARP, American Medical Association, American Hospital Association, American Academy of Neurology, American College of Physicians, Patients for Affordable Drugs Now, and Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing.
    For years, Durbin and Grassley have advanced legislative proposals to require pharmaceutical companies to disclose the list prices of their prescription drugs when choosing to run DTC advertisements, including passing a bipartisan amendment through the Senate in 2018. 
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense Contractor Executive Pleads Guilty to Bribery Scheme Involving $100 Million in Government Contracts

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Russell Thurston, a former executive vice president at Cambridge International Systems, Inc., a defense contractor headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting that he participated in a bribery scheme with other Cambridge employees and former Naval Information Warfare Center employee James Soriano.

    According to Thurston’s plea agreement, Cambridge – acting through Thurston and multiple other Cambridge employees – gave various things of value to Soriano, including expensive meals at restaurants in San Diego; a ticket to the 2018 Major League Baseball All Star Game held at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.; and a job at Cambridge for Soriano’s friend, Liberty Gutierrez. According to Gutierrez’s plea agreement, Gutierrez did minimal work at Cambridge and gave Soriano $2,000 a month from her Cambridge salary.

    In return, Soriano, acting in his position as a contracting officer’s representative at Naval Information Warfare Center, influenced the procurement process to ensure that Cambridge was awarded two large task orders. Soriano further ensured that Cambridge was able to capture a steady stream of government funds by influencing a series of projects on those task orders to be approved. According to Cambridge’s plea agreement, as a result of the conspiracy, the government obligated more than $32 million on one of the task orders and over $100 million on the other.

    Soriano also allowed Cambridge employees to draft various procurement documents for him, even when Cambridge was competing for contracts against other bidders. Thurston and Soriano also worked together to remove document properties so that other government employees would not know of Cambridge’s involvement in drafting the documents.

    According to Thurston’s plea agreement, Thurston received periodic pay bonuses from Cambridge – which totaled between $150,000 and $250,000 – based on the profits Cambridge received from the bribery conspiracy.

    Thurston is scheduled to appear before U.S. District Judge Todd W. Robinson for sentencing on April 11, 2025.

    “The integrity of our nation’s procurement system relies upon the honest dealing of government contractors,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. “This guilty plea shows a commitment to that principle by holding accountable a defendant who repeatedly bribed a government employee to benefit himself at the expense of others.”

    “This investigation clearly established Mr. Thurston’s guilt and his plea is a positive step toward accountability for his role in the crime,” said Bryan D. Denny, Special Agent in Charge for the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Western Field Office. “DCIS remains committed to working jointly with the United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to investigate and deter public corruption within the Department of Defense.”

    “Mr. Thurston’s actions directly undermined the Department of Defense contracting process that ensures our warfighters get the best gear for their missions while ensuring our taxpayer dollars are responsibly allocated,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “Our men and women in uniform volunteer to put their lives on the line in defense of the United States and they deserve better than to be put at unnecessary risk. IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to partnering with fellow law enforcement agencies to protect our servicemembers from this sort of corruption.”

    “Using a position of public trust as a means to inequitably grant access to federal programs for personal gain will not be tolerated,” said SBA OIG’s Western Region Special Agent in Charge, Weston King. “Our Office will remain relentless in the pursuit of those who seek to exploit SBA’s vital economic programs. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and commitment to seeing justice served.”

    Cambridge was separately charged and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery in 24-cr-00759-TWR. Cambridge was ordered to forfeit the $1,672,102.23 in profits it obtained from the bribery conspiracy and pay a $2.25 million fine.

    Soriano was charged as a co-defendant and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and fraud and false statement in filing a tax return in 24-cr-0341-TWR. Soriano was also separately charged and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery in 23-cr-2282-TWR. Soriano is next scheduled to appear before U.S. District Judge Todd W. Robinson for sentencing on May 9, 2025.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick C. Swan, Katherine E.A. McGrath, and Carling E. Donovan.

    DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 24-cr-0341-TWR-2                         

    Russell Thurston                                             Age: 52                                   Mt. Pleasant, SC

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Conspiracy to Commit Bribery – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 371

    Maximum penalty: Five years in prison; maximum $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the offense, whichever is greatest

    INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

    Defense Criminal Investigative Service

    Naval Criminal Investigative Service

    Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General

    Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation

    Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General

    If you have information regarding fraud, waste, or abuse relating to Department of Defense personnel or operations, please contact the DoD Hotline at 800-424-9098. 

                                                                                   

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: China willing to promote stable economic relations with US

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China is willing to work with the United States to promote stable, healthy and sustainable economic and trade relations, based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

    “Tariff measures are not conducive to the interests of either China or the United States, nor to the rest of the world,” said He Yadong, the spokesperson for the ministry, during a regular press conference. He made the remarks in response to a question about the possible 10 percent tariff increase imposed by the Trump administration on Chinese imports starting Feb. 1.

    Answering a question about TikTok, He said China has always respected and safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises, and opposed actions that violate the basic principles of the market economy and harm the legitimate interests of enterprises.

    “We hope that the United States will listen more to the voices of enterprises and the public, and provide a fair and just business environment for companies from all countries, including Chinese enterprises,” He said.

    China hopes the United States will take more actions conducive to bilateral economic and trade cooperation and the well-being of the people in both countries, He added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Mainland official visits Taiwan business people, compatriots ahead of Spring Festival

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The Chinese mainland’s top Taiwan affairs official has extended festive greetings to representatives of the Taiwan business community ahead of the Spring Festival, and reaffirmed the mainland’s commitment to deepening cross-Strait integrated development and delivering benefits to Taiwan compatriots.
    Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks during his visit to Taiwan enterprises and cross-Strait exchange events with nearly 400 Taiwan businesspeople and compatriots in Shenzhen, a technology hub in southern China, and Xiamen, a coastal city located near Taiwan, from Tuesday to Thursday.
    Song learned about the business operations and development of Taiwan enterprises and listened to their opinions and suggestions. He emphasized that the mainland will continue to refine policies and mechanisms to promote cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, while further advancing cross-Strait integrated development.
    The shared values of peace, harmony and the pursuit of a better life among people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait remain the foundation of the development of cross-Strait relations, Song said.
    He expressed the hope that Taiwan compatriots will uphold the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, firmly oppose “Taiwan independence” separatism and external interference, and work together to expand cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and achieve integrated development.
    “The warm atmosphere of Spring Festival brings a sense of comfort. The mainland’s support for Taiwan enterprises and compatriots has given those from Taiwan and Taiwan-funded businesses in Fujian greater confidence to continue their investments and support the cross-Strait integrated development,” said Wu Chia-ying, executive vice president of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland. Wu attended a cross-Strait exchange event celebrating Spring Festival in Xiamen, east China’s Fujian Province, on Thursday.
    Designated as a demonstration zone for cross-Strait integrated development, Fujian saw 920,000 trips by Taiwan compatriots in the past year, and 8,817 trips were operated on direct routes between Fujian’s coastal areas and Kinmen and Mazu, transporting over 1.37 million passengers, marking year-on-year increases of 67.2 percent and 78.8 percent, respectively.
    In 2024, the mainland achieved its primary goals for economic and social development, shaping new advantages for cross-strait economic cooperation and providing new opportunities for Taiwan compatriots and businesses to deepen their engagement in the mainland, Song said.
    Last year, 7,941 Taiwan-funded companies were newly opened on the mainland, and the trade volume across the Strait reached 292 billion U.S. dollars, up 9.4 percent year on year, according to the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs.
    Guangdong Province, where Shenzhen is located, serves as the front line of China’s reform and opening up and is geographically close to Taiwan. It has become one of the first destinations for Taiwan compatriots and businesses venturing into the mainland.
    “Most of the Taiwan businesses in Guangdong were engaged in manufacturing in the past. But now they can leverage their advantages to make forays in the service industry, semi-conductors and artificial intelligence here,” said Jeff Chen, president of the Dongguan Taiwanese Business Association.
    Guangdong is a representative example of Taiwan businesses seeking success on the mainland. Official statistics reveal that by the end of 2024, Guangdong had introduced nearly 35,000 Taiwan enterprises, involving more than 94 billion U.S. dollars of investment.
    Hsu Fu-hsien, president of the Taiwanese association in Shenzhen, who also manages a manufacturing company, has been settled in Shenzhen for 35 years. “I benefited a lot from the reform and opening up in the 1990s. We are now keeping in pace with the times to invest more in automation and innovation,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Source of the Founder’s Aspirations: Meichi and the 250-year Plan

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Source of the Founder’s Aspirations: Meichi and the 250-year Plan

    The Basic Business Philosophy guides Panasonic Group employees in striving to contribute to progress in society. At CES 2025, the opening keynote highlighted the founder Konosuke Matsushita’s recognition of the true mission of a company, and his grand vision to fulfill it. In this article, an epic anecdote demonstrates the thought of the founder, who announced the true mission of his business during a time of material scarcities.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Expressing Firm Determination to Solve Global Environmental Problems and Promote Business Transformation Using AI

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Expressing Firm Determination to Solve Global Environmental Problems and Promote Business Transformation Using AI

    He introduced the example of Panasonic HX, which efficiently supplies renewable energy by controlling the coordination of pure hydrogen fuel cells, solar cells, and storage batteries using an advanced energy management system while responding to changes in electric power demand and weather conditions. This solution is already in operation at the Kusatsu site in Japan and a manufacturing site in the UK, and it will be deployed in an office building in Munich, Germany, this spring.
    Kusumi also spoke about the OASYS residential central air conditioning system to be released in the US market, which air conditions and ventilates an entire house using a combination of a mini split air conditioner, an energy recovery ventilator, and transfer fans using a DC motor-driven ventilation system. He pointed out that it is at least 50% more energy efficient*1 than conventional air-conditioning systems.
    ＊1: Conventional air-conditioning systems use a heat pump cooling system (14.2 SEER2) and a gas furnace (80% AFUE) for houses that are performance-compliant with IECC 2015. OASYS uses Panasonic’s mini split air conditioners and transfer fans for both cooling and heating functions in houses that are performance-compliant with OASYS-required specifications (estimated by converting gas energy consumption to electricity).
    In recent years, electric vehicles (EVs) have taken the spotlight for their contribution to reducing CO2 emissions. Regarding automotive cylindrical lithium-ion batteries that support the widespread use of EVs, Kusumi mentioned that Panasonic has supplied a total of 15 billion cells to power over 3 million EVs. He also introduced the 2170 cell with the world’s highest energy density,*2 the high-capacity 4680 cell, whose mass production will begin soon, and the company’s collaboration with major carmakers. Furthermore, he mentioned the partnership with Redwood Materials Inc. in the US for the purchase of recycled cathode active materials and copper foil. JB Straubel, CEO of Redwood Materials, joined Kusumi and offered words of encouragement, “Panasonic is an incredible leader when it comes to technology and their commitment to sustainability.”
    ＊2: As of January 8, 2025, survey by Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd.
    Upcoming issues will introduce key figures engaged in Panasonic HX, OASYS, and the automotive cylindrical lithium-ion battery business.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI China: Home appliances retail sales surge in December 2024

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Retail sales of home appliances in China’s businesses whose operating income reaches a certain scale surged by 39.3 percent year on year in December, backed by the country’s trade-in program, according to the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Thursday.

    The growth rate went up by 17.1 percentage points from that in November 2024, the MOC said, citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics.

    Businesses whose operating income reaches a certain scale refers to wholesalers with an annual main business turnover of at least 20 million yuan (about $2.79 million), retailers with that reaching 5 million yuan, and accommodation and catering businesses with that of at least 2 million yuan.

    In December, the retail sales of consumer goods rose 3.7 percent year on year, while that of the whole year climbed 3.5 percent from 2023, contributing 44.5 percent of the country’s economic growth, the data showed.

    Retail sales of services marked rapid growth to climb 6.2 percent year on year, 3 percentage points faster than retail sales of consumer goods, the data also showed.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Toronto ETO celebrates Year of Snake at joint reception with HKTB (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (Toronto ETO) welcomed over 120 guests and friends to celebrate the Year of the Snake together at a spring reception jointly hosted with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (Canada) (HKTB) on January 23 (Toronto time) in Toronto. Business, cultural, academia and community partners came together and learned about the latest developments of Hong Kong on its economic and cultural fronts.

         In her welcoming speech at the reception, the Director of the Toronto ETO, Ms Emily Mo, said that Hong Kong achieved a series of encouraging results in 2024.

         “We shone brightly on the world stage,” she said. “Hong Kong is recognised as the world’s freest economy and the third-largest international financial centre. It has risen two places to fifth in world competitiveness, and re-entered the top 10 for talent competitiveness. The city continues to maintain the world’s top position in investment environment, international trade, business legislation, and air freight volume.”

         The International Monetary Fund Executive Board just published a Staff Report today acknowledging Hong Kong’s economic recovery and resilient financial system. The Report recognised that Hong Kong’s economy is on a path of gradual recovery, reaffirmed Hong Kong’s status and function as an international financial centre and recognised that Hong Kong’s financial system remains resilient, supported by robust institutional frameworks, ample room for policy buffers, and the smooth functioning of the Linked Exchange Rate System.

         Looking ahead to the Year of the Snake, Ms Mo added that Hong Kong will better leverage its unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” arrangement. The city will continue to be a “super-connector” and “super value-adder,” bridging traditional and emerging markets and creating opportunities for global investors, including Canadian businesses. 

         At the reception, the Senior Manager of Marketing and Public Relations of the HKTB, Mr Jorge Lee, shared with participants the HKTB’s achievements in 2024 and tourism publicity initiatives in 2025.

         “In 2024, Hong Kong welcomed almost 45 million travellers, with 1.2 million visitors from North America. For our Canada market, over 320,000 Canadians visited Hong Kong last year, reflecting an impressive year-on-year growth rate of nearly 50 per cent. We introduced unique offerings centred around iconic events with our trade partners, bringing Canadians closer to Hong Kong’s vibrant culture. To our trade partners, we extend our deepest gratitude to and appreciation for their continued collaboration.

         “In the coming years, visitors to Hong Kong can expect a vibrant and evolving destination that seamlessly blends its ‘East-meets-West’ cultural identity with sustainable tourism initiatives. Hong Kong will continue to showcase distinctive experiences by integrating culture, art, sports, nature, and mega events, appealing to diverse interests.”

         This year, the Toronto ETO invited internationally renowned Hong Kong sand artist Hoi Chiu to showcase his skills at the spring reception. Through sand and his exquisite technique, the artist told the traditional story of the Lunar New Year. His performance was a perfect fusion of skill, art, and storytelling, drawing the audience into an engaging narrative world.

         In closing, Ms Mo invited the guests to visit Hong Kong to experience its unique East-meets-West culture and seize the tremendous opportunities presented by Asia’s world city.

         The Toronto ETO and the HKTB will jointly host a spring reception in Vancouver on January 28, celebrating the Lunar New Year with local guests and friends.            

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump has called time on working from home. Here’s why the world shouldn’t mindlessly follow

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julia Richardson, Professor of Human Resource Management, Head of School of Management, Curtin University

    Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

    US President Donald Trump has called time on working from home. An executive order signed on the first day of his presidency this week requires all federal government departments and agencies to:

    take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person.

    There are a few different models of working from home. Strictly speaking, remote work is where employees work from an alternative location (typically their home) on a permanent basis and are not required to report to their office.

    This is distinct from “telework”, a hybrid model whereby employees work from home an agreed number of days each week. But it’s clear Trump wants to end telework too.

    Under guidelines released on Wednesday, federal agencies were given until 5pm local time on 24 January to update their telework policies to require all employees back in the office full-time within 30 days.

    Obviously, Trump can’t end working from home for everyone. Private organisations are allowed to set their own policies. But the US government is a seriously big employer, with more than 3 million employees.

    According to the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), about 10% of federal workers are fully remote. The impact of this order will be far-reaching.

    Trump abruptly pulls the rug

    The work-from-home movement was a profound global shift, brought on by the COVID pandemic. We’ve been living with it for five years.

    Federal workers who have been working remotely for an extended period are likely to have made significant life decisions based on their flexible working arrangements.

    Flexible working arrangements have been mainstream for years, influencing key life decisions for many people.
    Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

    It may have influenced where they bought a house, what school their children attend, and what their spouse or partner does for work.

    Trump’s order is likely to have a dramatic ripple effect on workers’ families and other life arrangements and responsibilities.

    True, federal heads of department and managers and supervisors will be allowed to make some exceptions – including for a disability, medical condition or other “compelling reason”.

    But the message is clear. What has been a growing but informal trend among some employers worldwide to “bring employees back into the office” is now being incorporated into US government policy.

    Why the backlash?

    Trump’s executive order reflects longstanding concerns among some employers and managers who think it is simply better to have employees in the office.

    They argue, among other things, that in-office work makes it easier to keep a close eye on performance, and supports more face-to-face collaboration. It also makes better use of often very expensive real estate.

    Amazon recently ordered all of its staff back into the office five days a week. Other surveys suggest many employers are planning a crackdown this year.

    City planners and businesses have also lamented the impact of remote and flexible working on restaurants, dry cleaners and coffee shops that rely on trade from commuters.

    What might be lost?

    Some employees may actually welcome the return to the office, particularly those who prefer more social interaction and want to make themselves more visible.

    Visibility is often linked with more promotion and career development opportunities.

    Others will find the change jarring, and may lose a range of benefits they’ve grown used to.

    A 2023 report by policy think tank EconPol Europe found working from home had become most prevalent in English-speaking countries.

    It suggested strong support, saying:

    the majority of workers highly value the opportunity to work from home for a portion of their work week, with some placing significant importance on it.

    Many also wanted to work more days from home than their employers were willing to allow.

    A recent analysis by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) found that working from home had significantly increased workforce participation for two key groups: working mums and people with a disability or health condition.

    Many employees now prioritise flexible work arrangements, and some are willing to sacrifice part of their salary for the privilege.

    Work-from-home arrangements also offer individuals living in remote communities access to employment. That benefit goes two ways, allowing employers to tap into a bigger talent pool.

    Will Australia follow?

    Trump’s executive order could have big, immediate impacts on federal workers in the US, but it’s unclear whether there’ll be domino effects here. It would be unwise for the Australian government or major employers to adopt a blanket approach.

    Indeed, some multinational US firms with offices in Australia may get caught up in Trump’s return-to-office movement.

    In the short term, this forced change is unlikely to make its way to Australia. While social trends do travel between regions, each country has its own employment laws, customs and trends.

    Researchers have shown it can be difficult, and in some cases impossible, to transfer human resource practices between countries
    and across cultures.

    Australia’s geography may be a factor on remote work’s side. A complete ban would immediately have a negative impact on employment opportunities for talented workers in the regions.

    The key message for Australian employers and policy-makers is that the benefits of remote work aren’t just for employees.

    It can enhance an organisation’s performance, widening the talent pool to include not only those who live far away from the office, but also talented workers who may otherwise be excluded.

    Julia Richardson 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. Trump has called time on working from home. Here’s why the world shouldn’t mindlessly follow – https://theconversation.com/trump-has-called-time-on-working-from-home-heres-why-the-world-shouldnt-mindlessly-follow-248036

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: [Galaxy Unpacked 2025] Highlights From Galaxy Unpacked: A New Era of AI Integration

    Source: Samsung

    Galaxy Unpacked 2025 in San Jose, California, set the stage for the next wave of AI-powered experiences with Galaxy AI.
     
    On January 22, Samsung Electronics announced the release of the Galaxy S25 series, featuring significant hardware upgrades and ushering in a new era of AI-driven innovation. These advancements empower users to unlock new realms of creativity, forge deeper connections and streamline everyday tasks like never before.
     
    The Galaxy S25 series transcends the concept of a smartphone to become a platform for AI integration, with Galaxy AI set to redefine everyday experiences through personalized, meaningful and human-like interactions.
     

     
    ▲ TM Roh, President and Head of the MX Business at Samsung Electronics, delivers his keynote address at Galaxy Unpacked 2025.
     
    “The Galaxy S25 series has set a new standard of mobile AI innovation though an AI OS we built from the ground up,” said TM Roh, President and Head of the Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, during his keynote address. “Thanks to One UI 7 and its integrated AI agents, users can effortlessly enjoy a more personalized, intuitive and natural mobile experience than ever before.”
     
    Samsung Newsroom explored how the Galaxy S25 series is setting new standards with intuitive solutions that reshape the way people interact with technology.
     

    New Ways To Get Things Done: AI That Learns, Adapts and Delivers
    At the heart of the Galaxy S25 series is the evolution of its AI capabilities, powered by the next-generation One UI 7 operating system. This upgrade introduces advanced features designed to make tasks easy and intuitive. For example, the newly introduced Now Brief learns user routines and delivers customized information like exercise updates, translations, music and more, directly to the lock screen, eliminating the need to toggle between multiple apps.
     
    ▲ Drew Blackard, VP of Product Management at Samsung Electronics America, introduces the audience to the Galaxy S25 series’ many advanced Galaxy AI features.
     
    Another game-changing feature is AI Select, introduced for the first time on the Galaxy S25 series. Accessible through the Edge Panel, AI Select functions as a personal AI assistant, capable of summarizing lengthy articles in seconds or aiding in creative tasks like generating colorful images with Drawing Assist.
     
    With One UI 7, the Galaxy S25 series’ built-in multimodal AI recognizes natural language, images and text, enabling users to interact naturally and achieve more with minimal effort. This means its intelligent features can be triggered by simple voice commands. For instance, saying “My eyes are tired” prompts the Galaxy S25 series to activate the blue light filter, while “Find a photo of Max from last winter in a red coat, eating cake” searches the Gallery app to locate the desired image.
     

     
    ▲ Gallery Search (top) and the music recognition capability added to Circle to Search (bottom)
     
    Circle to Search has also been enhanced to identify music playing on-screen without needing to open a separate app.
     
    While watching YouTube videos, users can also issue voice commands like “List the place mentioned in this video and save it as a Note,” and Galaxy AI, powered by Google’s Gemini, seamlessly saves the location directly to Samsung Notes.
     
    ▲ Sissi Hsiao, VP at Google and GM for Gemini Experiences, discusses the collaboration between Samsung Electronics and Google.
     
    The Galaxy S25 series features a Personal Data Engine, developed in partnership with Oxford Semantic Technologies, which contextually understands user preferences and routines while safeguarding data. What’s more, the Galaxy S25 series adopts C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) standards, reinforcing transparency and trust and ensuring privacy remains a top priority in this AI-driven digital era.
     
    ▲ Jay Kim, EVP and Head of Customer Experience Office at Mobile eXperience Business, Samsung Electronics, explains the evolution of One UI into an integrated AI platform.
     
    Samsung continues to advance Galaxy AI through strategic partnerships with third-party app developers and AI solution providers, cementing its position at the forefront of secure AI innovation.
     
     
    New Ways To Play: Power, Performance and Visual Excellence
    The Galaxy S25 series is powered by the Snapdragon® 8 Elite for Galaxy processor (AP), delivering a significant leap in speed and efficiency. With 40% improved NPU performance, 37% enhanced GPU performance and 30% upgraded GPU performance compared to its predecessor, this processor drives the series’ advanced AI capabilities.
     
    ▲ Kareen Stephens, Senior Marketing Manager at Samsung Electronics America, explains how powerful the performance of Galaxy S25 series’ mobile AP is
     
    Designed with gamers in mind, the Galaxy S25 series opens up new possibilities for mobile gaming. ProScaler, a display feature that utilizes AI-powered algorithmic processing, reduces noise and enhances the clarity of on-screen visuals, enabling smoother, more immersive gameplay. Along with Vulkan and game engine optimizations, the series offers a 40% boost in Ray Tracing performance, raising the bar for mobile gaming visuals.
     
    Heat dissipation is another standout capability, with a vapor chamber roughly 40% larger than before.1 This advancement ensures more efficient heat management, even during intense gaming sessions.
     
    Additionally, the Galaxy S25 series offers longer battery life and faster charging. Wireless charging speeds have increased to 25W (up from 15W), and the charging time for the 5000mAh battery has been halved — from two hours to just one.
     
    The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts premium durability with a new glass-ceramic cover and a more robust display equipped with Corning® Gorilla® Armor 2.
     
    ▲ Spectators listen attentively to the speakers’ presentations during Galaxy Unpacked 2025
     

    New Ways To Create: Unlocking New Camera Possibilities With AI
    The Galaxy S25 series revolutionizes mobile photography with an upgraded ProVisual Engine that delivers unprecedented AI camera capabilities. AI learning has evolved to capture intricate details, from hair texture to the sparkle in one’s eyes, adding life-like vibrancy to every shot.
     
    ▲ Rachel Roberts, Senior Manager of Smartphone Product Management at Samsung Electronics America, discusses the ProVisual Engine and the Galaxy S25 series’ elite camera performance
     
    With improved AP performance, the series takes Nightography to new heights, creating clearer night photos. The Galaxy S25 Ultra also features the series’ first 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera, offering an expansive field of view for capturing stunning landscapes and group shots.
     
    Video creation is equally innovative with enhanced AI-powered video editing tools. The Audio Eraser feature, for example, eliminates distracting sounds from videos so users can capture special moments to perfection.
     

    New Ways To Stay Healthy: AI for Smarter Health Management
    Samsung Health leverages AI to track and analyze key health metrics, including sleep, heart health, diet and exercise, providing a comprehensive approach to well-being. Using these health measurements, it offers tailored insights to guide users to the best versions of themselves.
     
    ▲ Praveen Raja, VP and Head of Digital Health at Samsung Research America, highlights how Samsung Health has evolved into a personalized health management platform
     
    Moving forward, Samsung Health envisions providing users with end-to-end health solutions, enabling them to manage their health from the comfort of their home.
     
    Beyond physical health, Samsung Health also plans to support mental well-being with tools for stress and mental health management, and ultimately evolve into a holistic solution for both the body and mind.
     

    New Ways To Manage Homes: The Future of Smart Ecosystems
    Galaxy AI and SmartThings enhance home management through a connected smart ecosystem, driven by AI-powered automation and personalization. SmartThings and Bixby align home environments with daily routines, leveraging voice commands and wearable data to optimize convenience and deliver a personalized smart home experience.
     
    ▲ A demonstration of how Galaxy AI and SmartThings have come together to provide a seamlessly connected home management solution
     
    Advanced AI features from Galaxy AI and SmartThings extend home management to include the well-being of family members and pets. For example, these tools allow users to monitor their pets remotely while away and even keep them company by turning the TV on for them. Preparations for pet healthcare services, such as connecting users to pre-veterinarian consultation services, are underway as well.
     
    As one of the initial members of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, Samsung has partnered with the Alliance to support, develop and promote Matter, the connectivity standard for smart home and IoT devices, designed to ensure interoperability, accessibility and security across the smart home ecosystem.
     

    New Efforts for Sustainability: Embracing a More Circular Approach to the Latest Galaxy Smartphones
    Samsung continues to prioritize sustainability with initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact. The company aims to incorporate at least one recycled material in every module of every mobile product by 2030.2
     
    In addition, Galaxy S25 will be the first Galaxy smartphone to include recycled cobalt sourced from the batteries of previously used Galaxy devices through the Circular Battery Supply Chain with each Galaxy S25 battery featuring a minimum of 50% recycled cobalt.3 These efforts reflect Samsung’s broader goal of exploring how technology can do more for people and the planet, creating a balance between innovation and environmental responsibility.
     
    ▲ Cassie Smith, Senior Manager of Corporate Sustainability at Samsung Electronics America, highlights Samsung’s circular economy efforts
     
    Galaxy Unpacked 2025 came to an end with a teaser video offering a sneak peek of the slimmer but nonetheless powerful Galaxy S25 Edge, heightening the crowd’s expectations of what new innovations Samsung holds in store ahead.
     
    Watch the full replay of this January’s Galaxy Unpacked 2025 showcase in the video below. Stay tuned to Samsung Newsroom for complete coverage of the event and an in-depth look at how the Galaxy S25 series and Galaxy AI are shaping the future of mobile innovation.

     
    1 Based on Galaxy S25 Ultra model2During Samsung Galaxy Unpacked January 2024, we announced that we will incorporate at least one recycled material in every module of every mobile product by 2030. Samsung defines a module of a smartphone as the Antenna, Battery, Camera, Display, Mechanical Components, Motor, PBA/FPCB, Speaker, Wireless Charger Module and Packaging.3 A minimum of 25% of the Galaxy S25 battery is cobalt by weight, 50% of which is recycled cobalt.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Google should increase uptake of its Workspace platform with free AI, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Google should increase uptake of its Workspace platform with free AI, says GlobalData

    Posted in Technology

    Google has elevated its Workspace platform by offering AI capabilities for free to subscribers of Workspace Business and Enterprise plans. Previously, plan subscribers could purchase an add-on of AI features ranging from $20 to $30 per user per month. The list of capabilities includes the Gemini assistant within Google Workspace apps; the Gemini standalone app; and the NotebookLM Plus research assistant. The free AI offering should help Google increase the uptake of the platform says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Gregg Willsky, Principal Analyst, Enterprise Technology & Services at GlobalData, comments: “Google has significantly enhanced the value proposition for Workspace. Despite a nominal increase of $2 per user per month in the cost of the plans, the overall price tag has been substantially lowered while providing an inventory of meaningful AI features.”

    The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for AI. Rivals have been aligned in stuffing their team collaboration platforms full of AI features but have diverged when it comes to affixing a price tag to those features. Two paths have been taken – either charging an extra monthly per-user fee or including features as part of established subscriptions at no additional cost.

    Willsky continues: “So, the question becomes, should AI features cost extra or not? There is no easy answer and not necessarily a right or wrong one. Given the great expense of delivering AI features, it may be unsustainable to offer them for free. On the other hand, it is possible that the allure of receiving AI capabilities at no cost has spurred adoption of those platforms to such a degree that the extra subscription revenue more than makes up for the added expense.”

    Unfortunately, it’s not clear if hard data exists to support either scenario. What is clear is that AI is quickly being woven into the fabric of society. Soon, AI features will be regarded as ‘standard issue’ on team collaboration platforms and no longer worthy of commanding a premium. However, the costs incurred in providing them will remain.

    Willsky concludes: “Google’s announcement mirrors the most likely scenario – additional fees for AI will evaporate only to be baked into a higher platform subscription price. As the saying goes, there is no such thing as a free lunch.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Nike’s Q4 advertising strategy focuses on innovation, dedication, and inspiration to strengthen brand, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Nike’s Q4 advertising strategy focuses on innovation, dedication, and inspiration to strengthen brand, reveals GlobalData

    Posted in Business Fundamentals

    NIKE Inc’s (Nike) YouTube advertising campaigns spanning from October to December (Q4) of 2024 demonstrates a multifaceted approach to brand building, combining motivational storytelling, innovative product showcases, and cultural celebrations to engage a wide range of consumer segments. These campaigns, which feature themes of athletic dedication and playful nostalgic collaborations, emphasize Nike’s expertise in athletic apparel and footwear. By blending authentic, gritty visuals with compelling narratives, Nike strengthens its position in sports while highlighting its commitment to innovation, according to the Global Ads Platform of GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Sagar Kishor, Ads Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Nike’s advertising analysis highlights its strategic focus on creating campaigns that resonate deeply with both athletes and everyday consumers. By alternating between powerful messages of perseverance and showcasing cutting-edge product technology such as 3D-printing technology in Nike Air Max 1000, the company positions itself as both a source of inspiration and a provider of superior athletic gear. The brand’s strategic use of collaborations and endorsements further amplifies its reach, connecting with diverse communities through shared values of ambition, innovation, and cultural relevance.”

    Below are the key focus areas of Nike’s advertisements, revealed by GlobalData’s Global Ads Platform:

    Innovation and Technology: Nike showcases its commitment to cutting-edge design and technology in advertisements like the “Nike Air Max 1000: Behind the Design.” This ad provides a behind-the-scenes look at the 3D-printing technology used in the shoe’s creation, emphasizing the brand’s focus on pushing the boundaries of footwear innovation and providing superior comfort and responsiveness.

    Dedication and Perseverance: The “Winning Isn’t Comfortable” ad showcases everyday individuals pushing their limits, while the “It Only Takes Everything” ad featuring Rafael Nadal highlights the intense dedication of a top athlete, reinforcing Nike’s association with grit and determination. These campaigns inspire viewers by illustrating the sacrifices and efforts behind extraordinary achievements.

    Motivation and Inspiration: Nike’s campaigns inspire resilience and ambition, encouraging viewers to overcome challenges and push their limits. By emphasizing hard work, preparation, and perseverance, Nike reinforces its connection to self-belief, determination, and the pursuit of excellence in every aspect of life.

    Cultural Relevance and Nostalgia: Nike’s “Wu-Tang Forever | Dunk High” ad taps into cultural nostalgia by celebrating iconic hip-hop influences, specifically engaging Wu-Tang fans. Through playful imagery and exclusive appeal, it resonates with sneaker enthusiasts and music lovers, blending heritage with modern hype.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Adjustment in ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations in February 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (January 27) announced an adjustment to the auto-LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations from February 1 to February 28, 2025, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contracts for dedicated LPG filling stations.
          
         A department spokesman said that the adjustment on February 1, 2025, would reflect the movement of the LPG international price in January 2025, and the average movement of the latest Composite Consumer Price Index and Nominal Wage Index. The overall adjusted auto-LPG ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations would range from $3.71 to $4.63 per litre, amounting to a decrease of $0.01 to $0.04 per litre.
          
         The spokesman said that the auto-LPG ceiling prices were adjusted according to a pricing formula specified in the contracts. The formula comprises two elements – the LPG international price and the LPG operating price. The LPG international price refers to the LPG international price of the preceding month. The LPG operating price is adjusted on February 1 and June 1 annually according to the average movement of the Composite Consumer Price Index and the Nominal Wage Index. The latest year-on-year rates of change of the Composite Consumer Price Index and the Nominal Wage Index are +1.7% and +3.6% respectively.
          
         The auto-LPG ceiling prices for respective dedicated LPG filling stations in February 2025 are as follows:
     

    Location of
    Dedicated LPG Filling Station
    Auto-LPG
    Ceiling Price in
    February 2025 (HK$/litre)
    Auto-LPG
    Ceiling Price in
    January 2025 (HK$/litre)

    Kwai On Road, Kwai Chung
    3.71
    3.75

    Sham Mong Road, Mei Foo
    3.78
    3.81

    Wai Lok Street, Kwun Tong
    3.83
    3.86

    Cheung Yip Street, Kowloon Bay
    3.88
    3.91

    Ngo Cheung Road, West Kowloon
    3.89
    3.92

    Yuen Chau Tsai, Tai Po
    3.94
    3.97

    Tak Yip Street, Yuen Long
    4.05
    4.08

    Hang Yiu Street, Ma On Shan
    4.07
    4.10

    Marsh Road, Wan Chai
    4.08
    4.11

    Fung Mat Road, Sheung Wan 
    4.11
    4.13

    Yip Wong Road, Tuen Mun
    4.20
    4.23

    Fung Yip Street, Chai Wan 
    4.63
    4.64

     
         The spokesman said that the details of the LPG international price and the auto-LPG ceiling price for each dedicated LPG filling station had been uploaded to the EMSD website (www.emsd.gov.hk) and posted at dedicated LPG filling stations to enable the trades to monitor the price adjustment.
          
         Details of the pricing adjustment mechanism for dedicated LPG filling stations can also be viewed under the “What’s New” section of the department website at www.emsd.gov.hk/en/what_s_new/current/index.html.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Social security payments to be raised

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Social security payments to be raised
    Social security payments to be raised
    *************************************

         The Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced today (January 27) that starting from February 1 this year, the standard payment rates under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme as well as the rates of the Old Age Allowance (OAA), Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) (including OAA and OALA under the Guangdong Scheme and the Fujian Scheme) and Disability Allowance under the Social Security Allowance (SSA) Scheme will be raised.     An SWD spokesman said, “On December 6 last year, the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council gave approval for the Government to adjust the above rates upwards by 1.3 per cent with effect from February 1 this year in accordance with the established mechanism, i.e., on the basis of the year-on-year rate of change of the Social Security Assistance Index of Prices, benefiting around 1.6 million people in total.” The adjusted CSSA standard payment rates and the SSA rates of allowances are set out at Annex I.     The spokesman added, “Furthermore, taking into account the movement of the Consumer Price Index (A) rent index for private housing, the Government will raise the maximum rent allowance (MRA) under the CSSA Scheme by 0.2 per cent, also with effect from February 1 this year.” The adjusted MRA under the CSSA Scheme is provided at Annex II.     CSSA and SSA recipients may contact their respective social security field units or call the SWD hotline 2343 2255 for enquiries.

     
    Ends/Monday, January 27, 2025Issued at HKT 11:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s foreign investment, cooperation remain stable in 2024

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken on Sept. 2, 2024 shows the skyline of the central business district (CBD) at dusk in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s foreign investment and cooperation saw steady growth in 2024, an official with the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Sunday.

    The country’s non-financial outbound direct investment rose 10.5 percent year on year to $143.85 billion last year, with investments in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries increasing by 12.6 percent year on year, according to the official.

    Investments in leasing, business services, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail sectors drove the growth. The turnover of China’s foreign contracted projects totaled $165.97 billion in 2024, an increase of 3.1 percent year on year, the official said.

    In 2024, the number of workers dispatched abroad reached 409,000, a 17.9 percent increase year on year, with a total of 594,000 Chinese workers employed overseas by the end of the year.

    Non-financial investment in countries along the Belt and Road increased by 5.4 percent year on year to $33.69 billion last year, MOC data showed.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Emergency Measures to Provide Water Resources in California and Improve Disaster Response in Certain Areas

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
    Section 1.  Policy.  For weeks, residents of the Los Angeles area have watched raging fires consume their homes, belongings, beloved pets, and childhood memories.  Almost immediately, firefighters were unable to fight the blaze due to dry hydrants, empty reservoirs, and inadequate water infrastructure.  Today, at least 28 people have lost their lives and thousands more have lost everything else, with some damage estimates calculating hundreds of billions of dollars in damage.
    This tragedy affects the entire Nation, so it is in the Nation’s interest to ensure that California has what it needs to prevent and fight these fires and others in the future.  Therefore, it is the policy of the United States to provide Southern California with necessary water resources, notwithstanding actively harmful State or local policies.  And it is the policy of the United States to assist Americans in disaster areas through responsive policies that more effectively empower them to rebuild and regain their livelihoods.
    Sec. 2.  Overriding Disastrous California Policies.  (a)  The Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Agriculture shall expeditiously take all measures, consistent with all applicable authorities, to ensure adequate water resources in Southern California.  Each shall report to me within 15 days on all authorities, including emergency authorities, available to ensure, require, maintain, or use infrastructure necessary to fight and prevent massive wildfires in Southern California. 
    (b)  In particular, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce shall immediately take actions to override existing activities that unduly burden efforts to maximize water deliveries.  The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce shall consider actions including those consistent with the “No Action Alternative” in the Final Environmental Impact Statement issued November 15, 2024, by the Bureau of Reclamation on Long-term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project.
    (c)  The Secretary of the Interior, including through the Bureau of Reclamation, shall utilize his discretion to operate the CVP to deliver more water and produce additional hydropower, including by increasing storage and conveyance, and jointly operating federal and state facilities, to high-need communities, notwithstanding any contrary State or local laws.  The Bureau of Reclamation shall take all available measures to ensure that State agencies — including the California Department of Water Resources — do not interfere with the Bureau of Reclamation’s operation of the project to maximize water delivery to high-need communities or otherwise, including but not limited to the issuance of a new Record of Decision maximizing water deliveries and consistent with the 2020 Record of Decision.
    (d)  In accordance with section 6 of the Executive Order of January 20, 2025 (Declaring a National Energy Emergency), the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation, and in accordance with section 1536 of title 16 United States Code, shall expedite action related to any exemption under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq., for the Long-Term Operation of the CVP and the State Water Project for all applicable threatened and endangered species.
    (e)  The Secretary of the Interior shall promptly review, revise, or rescind any regulations or procedures specific to implementation of section 1536 of title 16 United States Code, as needed and consistent with applicable law, to conform with the plain meaning of the statute.
    (f)  The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce shall identify all ongoing or potential major water-supply and storage projects within the State of California for which they have joint responsibility under the ESA or individual responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.
    (g)  For each such project identified under subsection (f), the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce shall each designate one federal official to coordinate each agency’s respective NEPA and ESA compliance responsibilities. Within 30 days from the date of this order, each designated official shall identify any regulatory hurdles that unduly burden each respective water project, identify any recent changes in state or Federal law that may impact such projects from a regulatory perspective (including Public Law 118-5), and shall develop a proposed plan, for review by the Secretaries, to appropriately suspend, revise, or rescind any regulations or procedures that unduly burden such projects and are not necessary to protect the public interest or otherwise comply with the law.  In so doing, each designated federal official will coordinate and share all appropriate information that will enable improved efficiencies.  For the purposes of this order, “unduly burden” means to unnecessarily obstruct, delay, curtail, impede or otherwise impose significant costs on the permitting, utilization, transmission, delivery, or supply of water resources and water infrastructure.
    Sec. 3.  Ending the Subsidization of California’s Mismanagement.  (a) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) shall review all Federal programs, projects, and activities for all relevant agencies that impact land management, water availability, water supply, water storage and delivery, water infrastructure, and disaster preparedness and response.
    (b)  Within 30 days of the date of this order, to ensure that State and local jurisdictions promote sensible land management practices and reliable water supply for all Americans, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Commerce shall jointly report to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, regarding California State and local policies or practices inconsistent with sound disaster prevention and response.
    (c)  The Director of OMB, in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, shall recommend appropriate action to the President, regarding:
    (i)   any lack of compliance by California with the terms of existing Federal grants, contracts, or other financial assistance to States or localities; and
    (ii)  beneficial additional terms that may be added with respect to any future Federal programs, projects, or activities to ensure sound disaster prevention and response.
    Sec. 4.  Additional Actions to Help Los Angeles Families.  (a)  Housing Displaced Families.  The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Administrator of FEMA, shall expeditiously provide an Integrated Federal Housing Strategy and Implementation Plan to the Director of OMB and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs that expedites options for housing relief to survivors displaced by wildfires in California. 
    (b)  Expediting Waste Removal.  Within 5 days from the date of this order, to accelerate the rebuilding of areas devastated by the recent Los Angeles wildfires, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Administrator of FEMA, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall develop and execute a plan to expedite the bulk removal of contaminated and general debris.
    (c)  Effectively Using Grants to Improve Fire Preparedness.  The Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Administrator of FEMA, shall immediately implement a plan to enable the timely and appropriate use of Federal preparedness grants for the City of Los Angeles.  As of the date of this order, the city has yet to use the majority of its $213 million allotment that has accrued since fiscal year 2021.  These Federal preparedness grants shall not be used to support illegal aliens.  The Attorney General, in coordination with the FEMA Administrator, shall investigate the misuse of these grants by the City of Los Angeles and take appropriate action to address such misuse.
    Sec. 5.  Additional Actions to Help North Carolina Families.  (a)  Clearing Roads.  To accelerate rebuilding and community recovery, the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Administrator of FEMA, and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall immediately take all necessary and appropriate measures, including through direct assistance, loans, and other available means, to expedite roadway clearance or rebuilding, including the section of Interstate 40 in North Carolina that remains closed, and the repair or rebuilding of roads and bridges on private property in areas of North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene.
    (b)  Housing Displaced Families.  The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall immediately provide an Integrated Federal Housing Strategy and Implementation Plan to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs that expedites options for housing relief to survivors displaced by Hurricane Helene.
    Sec. 6. General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        January 24, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government to clean up communities with deposit return scheme for plastic bottles and cans

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Introduction of deposit return scheme will be a step forward in ending the throwaway society and cleaning up Britain

    The Government has today (Monday 27 January) pledged to end the throwaway society and clean up Britain, as it implements legislation for the deposit return scheme for drinks containers in England and Northern Ireland. 

    Once the scheme launches in October 2027, consumers will have a financial incentive to return empty containers to a collection point, such as at their local supermarket, so that the bottle or can will be recycled. 

    Used in more than 50 countries worldwide as a common-sense means of encouraging people to recycle more single-use bottles and cans, a DRS sees people being paid back for returning the container.  

    Countries such as Germany, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland have successfully implemented schemes, ensuring valuable materials are collected, recycled and made back into new drinks containers – a truly circular approach easily grasped by the public. The average return rate for European countries with a DRS is 90%, according to global eNGO Reloop, with Germany showing the best results at 98%. 

    Introducing such a scheme in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland is a simple yet hugely effective way of addressing problems with rubbish building up on our streets and in our rivers and oceans, while also ensuring the public gets money back on their bottle.  

    Across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, consumers buy an estimated 30 billion single-use drinks containers each year – including 12 billion plastic drinks bottles and 13 billion drinks cans. An estimated 6.5 billion single-use drinks bottles and cans per year go to waste rather than being recycled, with many ending up littered. Research from the Marine Conservation Society shows 97% of surveyed beaches were polluted with drinks-related items in 2023. 

    Encouraging everyone to get involved in recycling, the DRS will be introduced in October 2027, with 150ml to three-litre single-use drinks containers made from plastic and metal included in the scheme. 

    Delivering these reforms and driving investment in the recycling sector delivers on the Government’s Plan for Change through kickstarting growth, ensuring economic stability, greater efficiency, and jobs fit for the future. 

    Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said:

    This Government will clean up Britain and end the throwaway society.  

    This is a vital step as we stop the avalanche of rubbish that is filling up our streets, rivers and oceans and protect our treasured wildlife. Turning trash into cash also delivers on our Plan for Change by kickstarting clean growth, ensuring economic stability, more resilient supply chains, and new green jobs.

    Northern Ireland’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said:

    I have ambitious goals to protect our climate, drive green growth and reduce unnecessary waste. The creation of a Deposit Return Scheme plays a key part in delivering those goals.   

    The introduction of the new parliamentary regulations is a significant step in that process and signals our commitment to move forward together to make those ambitions a reality.

    New legislation for England and Northern Ireland has now come into force, enabling the appointment of the scheme administrator – known as the Deposit Management Organisation – in April 2025. This will be a not-for-profit, industry-led body responsible for the administration and day-to-day running of the scheme.    

    With Scotland’s own regulations also progressing, this marks a major step forward for the introduction of the scheme across the three nations.   

    The three governments will ensure the scheme is implemented effectively, working closely with businesses to provide the infrastructure and investment to make it a success.   

    Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive of environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, said:

    A Deposit Return Scheme really is a silver bullet that will get plastic drinks bottles and aluminium cans out of our parks, off our streets and away from our rivers and seas.  

    Depressingly we litter, burn or bury millions of drinks containers each and every day. This legislation will end all that, save the taxpayer millions in clean-up costs and give recycling a real shot in the arm.  

    Backed and paid for by producers, this method of retrieval and recycling is tried and tested the world over so at Keep Britain Tidy we are putting out the bunting that this government is committed to make it happen, for us all.

    Stephen Moorhouse, Vice President and General Manager of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners GB Business Unit, said:

    We’ve been supportive of launching a DRS across the UK for a number of years as they are a proven way of increasing recycling, reducing waste and tackling litter. Therefore, we welcome the clarity provided by the regulation for England and Northern Ireland and are encouraged by recent developments that will ensure an aligned scheme with Scotland, despite wider challenges around a UK-wide approach. 

    Delivering to the timelines will be challenging but achievable, and now is the time for industry to roll up its sleeves to create a well-designed system that works for businesses, shoppers and the environment.

    Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman said:  

    We are pleased to have certainty on the DRS regulations so local shops can start to prepare for October 2027 and our communities can realise the benefits of reduced litter and higher quality recycled materials.  

    Now the real work begins to make the deposit return scheme a success through cross-industry partnership and a planned network of return points that work for customers.

    Sandy Luk, Chief Executive at the Marine Conservation Society, said:

    Today marks a fantastic win for our seas, as MPs voted in favour of a deposit return scheme in England and Northern Ireland. With plans already in motion in Scotland and the Welsh Government exploring an ambitious scheme to include reuse, this is a great step towards schemes starting across the UK in October 2027.  

    Last year, 97% of surveyed UK beaches were polluted with bottles and cans, posing threat to marine life like seabirds and seals. Deposit return schemes will not only boost recycling and move us towards a circular economy where nothing is thrown away but also significantly reduce this kind of beach pollution.  

    We’re excited to support governments and industry in launching these schemes as soon as possible.

    Hitting this milestone is another big step forward for the Government’s collection and packaging reforms, which together will support 21,000 new jobs and stimulate more than £10 billion of investment in recycling over the next decade. 

    The action to clean up Britain doesn’t end there – there is more to come as the Government moves to ensure the throwaway society is ended for good.  

    Legislation has been laid to ban the sale of single-use vapes from 1 June 2025 and prevent the waste of precious resources – eNGO Material Focus estimates almost five million single-use vapes were either littered or thrown away in general waste every week in 2023.  

    In December 2024, the Government moved to stop recycling rates stagnating and the reliance on the burning of household waste by announcing that new waste incinerators will only receive planning approval if they meet strict new local and environmental conditions.  

    The Government has also announced that a £15 million government fund will help deliver thousands of tonnes of food from farms which would otherwise go to waste to those who need it most.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Online privacy policies can be 90,000 words long. Here are 3 ways to simplify them

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Andreotta, Lecturer, School of Management and Marketing, Curtin University

    Rokas Tenys/Shutterstock

    Think about the last app you downloaded. Did you read every word of the associated privacy policy? If so, did you fully understand it?

    If you said “no” to either of these questions, you are not alone. Only 6% of Australians claim to read all the privacy policies that apply to them.

    Don’t blame yourself too much, though. Privacy policies are often long – sometimes up to 90,000 words – and hard to understand. And there may be hundreds that apply to the average internet user (one for each website, app, device, or even car you use).

    Regular reviews are also required. In 2023, for example, Elon Musk’s X updated its privacy policy to include the possibility of collecting biometric data.

    For these reasons, some privacy scholars have argued that it’s nearly impossible for us to properly manage how our personal data are collected and used online.

    But even though it might be hard to imagine, we can regain control over our data. Here are three possible reforms to online privacy policies that could help.

    1. Visuals-based privacy policies

    One way to shorten privacy policies is by replacing some text with visuals.

    Recently, the Australian bank Bankwest developed a visual-style terms and conditions policy to explain one of its products. A consulting engineering company also used visuals in its employment contract.

    There is evidence that suggests this promotes transparency and helps users understand the contents of a policy.

    Could visuals work with online privacy policies? I think companies should try. Visuals could not only shorten online privacy policies, but also make them more intelligible.

    2. Automated consent

    Adding visuals won’t solve all the problems with privacy policies, as there would still be too many to go through. Another idea is to automate consent. This essentially means getting software to consent for us.

    One example of this software, currently being developed at Carnegie Melon
    University in the United States, is personalised privacy assistants. The software promises to:

    learn our preferences and help us more effectively manage our privacy settings across a wide range of devices and environments without the need for frequent interruption.

    In the future, instead of reading through hundreds of polices, you might simply configure your privacy settings once and then leave the accepting or rejecting of polices up to software.

    The software could raise any red flags and make sure that your personal data are being collected and used only in ways that align with your preferences.

    The technology does, however, raise a series of ethical and legal issues that will need to be wrestled with before widespread adoption.

    For example, who would be liable if the software made a mistake and shared your data in a way that harmed you? Furthermore, privacy assistants would need their own privacy policies. Could users easily review them, and also track or review decisions the assistants made, in a way that was not overwhelming?

    3. Ethics review

    These techniques may have limited success, however, if the privacy policies themselves fail to offer user choices or are deceptive.

    A recent study found that some of the top fertility apps had deceptive privacy policies. And in 2022, the Federal Court of Australia fined Google for misleading people about how it used personal data.

    To help address this, privacy policies could be subject to ethical review, in much the same way that researchers must have their work reviewed by ethics committees before they are permitted to conduct research.

    If a policy was found to be misleading, lacked transparency, or simply failed to offer users meaningful options, then it would fail to get approval.

    Would this really work? And who would be included in the ethics committee? Further, why would companies subject their policies to external review, if they were not required to do so by law?

    These are difficult questions to answer. But companies who did subject their polices to review could build trust with users.

    In 2022, the Federal Court of Australia fine Google for misleading people about how it used personal data.
    JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock

    Testing the alternatives

    In 2024, Choice revealed that several prominent car brands, such as Tesla, Kia, and Hyundai, collect people’s driving data and sell it to third-party companies. Many people who drove these cars were not aware of this.

    How might the above ideas help?

    First, if privacy polices had visuals, data collection and use practices could be explained to users in easier-to-understand ways.

    Second, if automated consent software was being used, and users had a choice, the sharing of such driving data could be blocked in advance, without users even having to read the policy, if that was what they preferred. Ideally, users could pre-configure their privacy preferences, and the software could do the rest. For example, automated consent software could indicate to companies that users do not give consent for their driving data to be sold for advertising purposes.

    Third, an ethics review committee may suggest that users should be given a choice about whether to share driving data, and that the policy should be transparent and easy to understand.

    Some car companies, such as Tesla, collect people’s driving data and sell it to third-party companies.
    Jure Divich/Shutterstock

    Benefits of being transparent

    Recent reforms to privacy laws in Australia are a good start. These reforms promise to give Australians a legal right to take action over serious privacy violations, and have a greater focus on protecting children online.

    But many of the ways of empowering users will require companies to go beyond what is legally required.

    One of the biggest challenges will be motivating companies to want to change.

    It is important to keep in mind there are benefits of being transparent with users. It can help build trust and reputation. And in an era where consumers have become more privacy conscious, here lies an opportunity for companies to get ahead of the game.

    Adam Andreotta 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. Online privacy policies can be 90,000 words long. Here are 3 ways to simplify them – https://theconversation.com/online-privacy-policies-can-be-90-000-words-long-here-are-3-ways-to-simplify-them-247095

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Yukon highlighted territory’s mineral potential at conferences in Vancouver

    Government of Yukon highlighted territory’s mineral potential at conferences in Vancouver
    jlutz

    This week, Premier Ranj Pillai, Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equity Directorate Jeanie McLean and Energy, Mines and Resources Minister John Streicker joined a delegation of representatives from the Government of Yukon, Yukon First Nations, the Yukon Geological Survey, the Yukon Mining Alliance, the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce, the Yukon Chamber of Mines and Yukon businesses to promote Yukon jobs and industry at the Association for Mineral Exploration’s Roundup (AME Roundup) conference and the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia.

    Cabinet Ministers and Government of Yukon officials highlighted the importance of industry and government working with Yukon First Nations communities and shared upcoming plans for investment in the territory’s economic development through an emphasis on infrastructure upgrades and modernizing legislation. The Government of Yukon attended the conferences to provide information about mineral development opportunities in the territory.

    Investments in strategic infrastructure play a pivotal role in supporting Yukon residents, businesses and the territory’s mining industry. Ministers emphasized Government of Yukon priorities including improving access to Yukon communities through the Yukon Resource Gateway program, ongoing work with the Government of Canada to connect the Yukon and British Columbia’s electricity grids, as well as recent successes including the now-completed Dempster Fibre Line project.

    At AME Roundup, Minister John Streicker led a panel discussion on how industry and governments at all levels must work together to support community safety so that Yukon communities can truly benefit from the economic opportunities that industry presents. Geologists from the Yukon Geological Survey presented the results of their fieldwork to the mineral and investment community.

    Minister McLean joined Doris Bill, former Chief of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation, and Gina Nagano, President and Community Safety Specialist at House of Wolf, to lead a vital panel discussion at The Gathering Place on the importance of community safety as a foundation for equitable participation in the mining and resources industry. The session highlighted the critical role of safety and other foundational conditions in fostering inclusive opportunities, with a focus on Yukon-led initiatives such as the Yukon’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit+ Strategy. Minister McLean emphasized the importance of creating safe and supportive communities to ensure all Yukoners, particularly Indigenous women and Two-Spirit+ individuals, can benefit from the territory’s economic development.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Wanting to ‘return to normal’ after a disaster is understandable, but often problematic

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Richardson, Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director, Te Puna Ako Centre for Tertiary Teaching and Learning, University of Waikato

    Media coverage of the recent fires in Los Angeles showed the heartbreaking damage in Pacific Palisades and elsewhere across Los Angeles County. People lost not only their houses but also the thriving communities of which they had been part.

    What was quickly apparent was the desire to rebuild. People often want their lives to bounce back from every crisis or disaster and to recreate what they have lost.

    And this points to a broader issue that emerges after many natural disasters. People want to rebuild and return to normal when, in the face of an increasingly volatile climate, the best option may be to adapt and change.

    There is a tension between a common understanding of personal resilience and the resilience of complex adaptive systems such as cities. People have a psychological and social need for stability and permanence, but all complex systems are resilient only because they adapt when forced to.

    In New Zealand, the same tension emerged in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. Ahead of the second anniversary of the devastating cyclone – and as Northland is battered, yet again, by severe weather and flooding – New Zealanders need to ask how we can balance our personal resilience and need for stability while also acknowledging the need for a managed retreat.

    The long history of fires in Los Angeles

    In his essay The Case for Letting Malibu Burn, writer Mike Davis outlines how fire is an inescapable part of Los Angeles history and how after each fire the city has always been rebuilt.

    Davis’ work focuses on Los Angeles but raises important questions about the future of all communities facing increasing risks from climate change.

    The repeated rebuilds in Los Angeles have created an expectation that the city will be rebuilt after every fire.

    But the city also has unique physical features that make such fires inescapable: the combination of the Santa Ana winds blowing from the desert with chaparral vegetation growing in the steep and dry canyons.

    Fire has always been a natural part of the cycle of regeneration in this landscape. What has changed is the encroachment of human dwellings at the foot of these hills and canyons, and into them. Between 1990 and 2020, nearly 45% of the homes built in California were placed in these high fire risk areas.

    Climate change is also making both localised rain events and droughts in the Los Angeles environs more extreme, creating larger and then drier fuel loads.

    From a systems perspective, a managed retreat from the areas of worst fire risk makes sense. The resilience of cities requires them to be adaptive.

    Yet adaptation in Los Angeles is largely not happening. After previous fires, rebuilding has generally occurred within six years and with minimal to no change in building design or placement. People have found comfort in the idea of “bouncing back” like a rubber ball.

    Pricing in the risk

    There is one group within this complex system which is actually adapting in the face of increasing climate change – in Los Angeles and elsewhere, including in New Zealand.

    Home insurers have drastically raised premiums in Los Angeles, or removed cover entirely from many homeowners, to cover ever-growing losses. The insurance bill for these recent fires is predicted to be US$30 billion and the frequency and cost of such climate disasters is increasing.

    Together, the 2023 Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle cost insurers more than NZ$3.5 billion. The cost of insurance in New Zealand rose by 14% in 2024, significantly outpacing general consumer price inflation.

    In system terms, increased insurance premiums represent some of the adaptive capacity of a community that insists on rebuilding in the face of increasing risks.

    In economic terms, you can also think of insurance premiums as a market signal which is pricing the ever-increasing risk of disaster into the cost of living in such fire or flood zones.

    Accepting risk or accepting change in NZ

    The approaching second anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle and the ongoing debate over managed retreat demonstrates the same tension in Aotearoa New Zealand between increasing climate risks and our very human need to rebuild and restore what we have lost.

    City and regional councils are facing questions about whether to build (or rebuild) in high-risk areas.

    But with two thirds of our population living in flood risk areas and both flood risks and insurance costs increasing, how many times can New Zealand rebuild in these risky areas?

    In the end, we need to remember that a crucial, and sometimes overlooked, element of psychological resilience is acceptance of change.

    In a world of accelerating climate change and related disasters this is increasingly the more realistic response.

    Anthony Richardson 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. Wanting to ‘return to normal’ after a disaster is understandable, but often problematic – https://theconversation.com/wanting-to-return-to-normal-after-a-disaster-is-understandable-but-often-problematic-247884

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Emissions reduction plan

    Source: Australian Department of Revenue

    Accountable Authority sign off

    The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) recognises it has a role to play in addressing climate change by implementing the Government’s Net Zero in Government Operations Strategy. We understand that our operations affect climate change, and we are committed to leading by example in the transition towards a low-carbon future.

    This Emissions Reduction Plan builds upon our agency’s previous targets and action plans to minimise our carbon footprint and contribute to the nation’s broader climate goals.

    Our plan reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in our environmental performance.

    As the Commissioner of Taxation, I am the Accountable Authority for the Australian Taxation Office listed entity, which is comprised of the ATO, the Tax Practitioner’s Board and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (the ACNC), including the ACNC Advisory Board.

    Through this plan, we pledge to:

    • substantially reduce our greenhouse gas emissions
    • improve energy efficiency across our operations
    • transition to renewable energy sources
    • promote sustainable practices in our operations
    • foster a culture of environmental responsibility among our staff.

    ‘The ATO is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2030. Together, we can create a more sustainable future for our nation and contribute to the global fight against climate change.’

    Rob Heferen
    Commissioner of Taxation
    Registrar of the Australian Business Register, Australian Business Registry Services, and
    Register of Foreign Ownership of Australian Assets.

    Acknowledgement of Country

    We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them, their cultures, and Elders past and present.

    We recognise the unique relationship Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to Country, culture, and community, and the important role this plays in us all walking together as Australians.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A new building of the St. Petersburg HSE has opened in the historic building of the Rope Shop

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    The famous monument of constructivism — the Rope Shop of the Krasny Gvozdilshchik Plant — has become the new building of the National Research University Higher School of Economics — Saint Petersburg. About four thousand students will study in the building on the 25th Line of Vasilievsky Island.

    Press service of the National Research University Higher School of Economics

    The grand opening ceremony of the new building, timed to coincide with Russian Students’ Day, took place on Saturday, January 25. The event was attended by government officials, members of the HSE – St. Petersburg Board of Trustees, industrial partners, students and teachers. The symbolic red ribbon was cut by the Minister of Education of the Russian Federation Sergey Kravtsov, Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg Vladimir Knyaginin, Rector of HSE Nikita Anisimov and Director of HSE – St. Petersburg Anna Tyshetskaya.

    The new educational space “Rope Workshop” is more than 20 thousand square meters of modern classrooms, coworking spaces, rooms for practical and project work, museum and exhibition spaces. The building will accommodate students of the joint School of Informatics, Physics and Technology with VK, the School of Design, as well as educational programs in the areas of “Media Communications”, “Sociology”, “State and Municipal Administration”.

    “Today is a significant event not only for St. Petersburg, but for our entire country — the opening of the new building of the Higher School of Economics. I would like to thank the government of St. Petersburg for the attention paid to the city’s education system. Today, the Higher School of Economics is one of the leading Russian universities. It has very high quality and standards of education, a very strong teaching staff and, accordingly, high competition for admission. I am sure that students from all regions of our country, as well as from other countries, will study in the new building of the university. It is important that the areas that will be presented here are very relevant and in demand by the leading sectors of the domestic economy,” emphasized the Minister of Education of the Russian Federation Sergey Kravtsov.

    Vice-Governor of Saint Petersburg Vladimir Knyaginin congratulated the students of the Saint Petersburg HSE on the holiday and noted the importance of integrating the educational space into the urban environment. “I am pleased that engineers, builders, designers, architects treated the heritage with care, and we really have a pearl of constructivism that will work for the city, for students, for all of us. The Higher School of Economics in Saint Petersburg is growing with such wonderful objects, and I am looking forward to the opening of the Patriotic Institute building. It seems to me that these will be two wonderful architectural masterpieces, newly opened to the city, its residents and tourists,” Vladimir Knyaginin noted.

    HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov emphasized that Russian Students’ Day is an important holiday for everyone, and celebrating it in St. Petersburg is especially symbolic, because it is here that the traditions of Russian education were formed. “Dear students, teachers, graduates, friends, honored guests! I sincerely congratulate you on our common holiday: St. Tatyana’s Day, Russian Students’ Day. The day when we open our hearts to the future. You, students, are our future. Of course, we pass on our experience, our knowledge, our opportunities to you, but the future is yours. The spirit of education has always lived and will live within the university walls. The traditions of this day were laid here, in the capital of the Russian Empire, in St. Petersburg, in the city where we are opening this building today. Remember – our university is always open for you 24/7, this is your home. Happy holiday!” HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov addressed the students.

    Director of the National Research University Higher School of Economics in St. Petersburg Anna Tyshetskaya congratulated those gathered on the occasion and noted that the opening of the building in the historic building of the Rope Workshop will become an incentive for the development of new areas. “Together with our partners, we are presenting a new approach to organizing the educational process. The key concept is the integration of the competencies of the Higher School of Economics and leading technology companies. In addition to standard classrooms and laboratories, we have created spaces that unite the educational and business environment. The new building will house an IT cluster, media communications, and design. In 2025, several new areas of training will open, including a program in architecture. Thus, a new technological and creative educational cluster is being formed on Vasilievsky Island,” emphasized Director of the National Research University Higher School of Economics in St. Petersburg Anna Tyshetskaya.

    The restoration of the famous constructivist monument, where the students of the HSE in St. Petersburg will study, was carried out by the Setl Group company. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the holding company, Maxim Shubarev, is a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Research University Higher School of Economics – St. Petersburg. “It is pleasant to realize that the restoration of the Rope Shop allowed us not only to return an iconic cultural heritage site to the city, but also, thanks to our long-standing partner, the Higher School of Economics, to fill its space with the spirit of science and education. The architectural monument has become an Alma Mater and today opened its doors to students of this respected educational institution. I hope that the amazing and rich history of this building will create a special atmosphere here that motivates knowledge, and will contribute to new discoveries, achievements and creative processes,” said Maxim Shchubarev.

    After the ceremony, HSE St. Petersburg Director Anna Tyshetskaya gave guests a tour of the Rope Workshop. The first floor of the educational space houses the workshops and studios of the School of Design. In 2025, the educational program “Architecture” will open here in partnership with leading design companies and museum institutions of the federal level.

    Part of the Rope Workshop space will be occupied by representative offices of industrial partners of the HSE St. Petersburg: VK, BIOCAD, t2, Yadro, 1C, Yandex, Gazprom Neft, Lesta Igri, RBC and others. The integration of the business environment into the educational process will allow students from the first year to work on real cases and tasks of leading Russian companies.

    As part of a strategic partnership with VK, a new School of Informatics, Physics and Technology will begin operating in 2025, where information systems developers, system architects, ML researchers and ML developers will be trained. The programs were designed under the guidance of leading experts from HSE – St. Petersburg and VK and will allow future specialists to gain relevant knowledge and practical business experience.

    In addition, in 2025, the new building will open the “Programming and Engineering of Computer Games” program. The leading game developer in the CIS, “Lesta Igri”, will act as an industrial partner. On the day of the opening of the Rope Workshop, the Director of Business Development of the group of companies, Gaukhar Aldyyarova, and the Director of the National Research University Higher School of Economics – St. Petersburg, Anna Tyshetskaya, signed an agreement on strategic partnership aimed at developing research activities and training specialists.

    The Yakov Chernikhov Museum of Architecture is located under the unique metal trusses of the Rope Shop. The cultural and educational space is being created to popularize Russian architecture and the legacy of Yakov Chernikhov, whose work is inextricably linked with Leningrad. It is planned to hold open educational events for residents of St. Petersburg and tourists on the museum site.

    After the tour of the new building, guests, students and teachers took part in a large-scale cultural and educational marathon. The celebration in honor of Russian Students’ Day was opened by musician, presenter and blogger Alexander Pushnoy. He moderated the discussion “Artificial Intelligence in Education, Creativity and Content”. VK and industry experts, designers, scientists, teachers and students of the HSE St. Petersburg discussed the role, application and benefits of AI in various professional fields. The event was broadcast exclusively on VK Video. About two thousand people will be able to attend master classes, lectures, expert discussions with leading representatives of science, business and the media sphere throughout the day.

    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 –