NewzIntel.com

Category: Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: RBI imposes monetary penalty on The Laxmi Vishnu Sahakari Bank Ltd., Ichalkaranji, Maharashtra

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated July 14, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹20,000.00 (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) on The Laxmi Vishnu Sahakari Bank Ltd., Ichalkaranji, Maharashtra (the bank) for non-compliance with certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Loans and advances to directors, their relatives, and firms / concerns in which they are interested’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

    The statutory inspection of the bank was conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2024. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions. After considering the bank’s reply to the notice, oral submissions made during the personal hearing and additional submissions made by it, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charge against the bank was sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:

    The bank had sanctioned a loan to one of its directors.

    This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. Further, imposition of monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2025-2026/731

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: RBI imposes monetary penalty on Sarvodaya Nagrik Sahakari Bank Ltd., Himatnagar, Dist. Sabarkantha, Gujarat

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated July 11, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹3.00/- lakh (Rupees Three Lakh only) on Sarvodaya Nagrik Sahakari Bank Ltd., Himatnagar, Dist. Sabarkantha, Gujarat (the bank) for non-compliance with certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Comprehensive Cyber Security Framework for Primary (Urban) Cooperative Banks (UCBs) – A Graded Approach’ and ‘Harmonisation of Turn Around Time (TAT) and customer compensation for failed transactions using authorised Payment Systems’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and Section 30(1) read with Section 26(6) of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.

    The statutory inspection of the bank was conducted by the RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2024. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions. After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charges against the bank were sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:

    The bank had failed to:

    1. conduct Vulnerability Assessment (VA) and Penetration Testing (PT) of its internet facing mobile application as per the prescribed periodicity; and

    2. provide compensation for certain failed IMPS and UPI transactions, which were not auto-reversed within the prescribed timeline.

    This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2025-2026/732

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: RBI imposes monetary penalty on Sarvodaya Nagrik Sahakari Bank Ltd., Himatnagar, Dist. Sabarkantha, Gujarat

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated July 11, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹3.00/- lakh (Rupees Three Lakh only) on Sarvodaya Nagrik Sahakari Bank Ltd., Himatnagar, Dist. Sabarkantha, Gujarat (the bank) for non-compliance with certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Comprehensive Cyber Security Framework for Primary (Urban) Cooperative Banks (UCBs) – A Graded Approach’ and ‘Harmonisation of Turn Around Time (TAT) and customer compensation for failed transactions using authorised Payment Systems’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and Section 30(1) read with Section 26(6) of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.

    The statutory inspection of the bank was conducted by the RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2024. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions. After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charges against the bank were sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:

    The bank had failed to:

    1. conduct Vulnerability Assessment (VA) and Penetration Testing (PT) of its internet facing mobile application as per the prescribed periodicity; and

    2. provide compensation for certain failed IMPS and UPI transactions, which were not auto-reversed within the prescribed timeline.

    This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2025-2026/732

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: RBI imposes monetary penalty on The Mandvi Nagrik Sahakari Bank Limited, Mandvi, Dist. Surat, Gujarat

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBl) has, by an order dated July 11, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹2.00/- lakh (Rupees Two Lakh only) on The Mandvi Nagrik Sahakari Bank Limited, Mandvi, Dist. Surat, Gujarat (the bank) for non-compliance with the certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Management of Advances – UCBs’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

    The statutory inspection of the bank was conducted by the RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2024. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions. After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charge against the bank was sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:

    The bank had failed to ensure end-use of funds with respect to a loan sanctioned by it.

    This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2025-2026/733

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Apple News+ introduces Emoji Game

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Apple News+ introduces Emoji Game

    UPDATE July 17, 2025

    Available today, Emoji Game is an original puzzle that challenges Apple News+ subscribers to use emoji to complete short phrases.

    Today, Apple News+ debuted Emoji Game, an original puzzle that challenges subscribers to use emoji to complete short phrases. Emoji Game is now available in English for Apple News+ subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.1

    “Emoji Game is the perfect addition to the Apple News+ suite of word and number puzzles, turning the emoji we use every day into a brainteaser that’s approachable and fun,” said Lauren Kern, editor-in-chief of Apple News.

    Emoji Game challenges players to use a selection of emoji — including Genmoji created using Apple Intelligence — to fill in the blanks of three short phrases using as few moves as possible. Each phrase is accompanied by a clue, which the user can choose to reveal, but that will count toward the player’s total number of moves. Results can be tracked on Game Center leaderboards, or shared with friends and family through Messages, Mail, social media, or other platforms. Subscribers can access daily and archived Emoji Game puzzles in the Puzzles section of the Apple News app. Apple News+ subscribers will also be able to access Emoji Game this fall through the Apple Games app, an all-new destination designed to help players jump back into the games they love, find their next favorite, and have more fun with friends. Emoji Game joins existing Apple News+ puzzles like crossword, crossword mini, Quartiles, and sudoku.

    Apple News+ provides subscribers with access to content from more than 400 top publications, including an expansive selection of local publications like the recently added Tampa Bay Times, The Minnesota Star Tribune, and The Washington Post. In addition to Apple News+ Puzzles, subscribers also get access to a dedicated Sports section featuring content about users’ favorite teams from local and national publications, as well as a newly introduced Food section, which offers subscribers access to tens of thousands of recipes and culinary stories from top food publishers.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: From 17.1 mm to 8.9 mm: The Galaxy Z Fold’s Journey to Becoming 48% Thinner

    Source: Samsung

     
    Unveiled at Galaxy Unpacked 2025 in New York on July 9, Galaxy Z Fold7 is 48% thinner than the original Galaxy Fold. While overall thickness[1] declined by 29% across the first six generations — from Galaxy Fold in 2019 to Galaxy Z Fold6 in 2024 — a significant 26% reduction was achieved in just the past year. This streamlined design reflects Samsung Electronics’ continued advancements in hinge engineering and product design, delivering a more refined user experience.
     
    To highlight this milestone, Samsung Newsroom explores how the Galaxy Z Fold series has redefined thinness in foldable smartphones from 2019 to today.
     

     

     
     
    Making its debut in 2019, Galaxy Fold was Samsung’s first device to introduce the concept of foldable smartphones. With a maximum folded thickness[2] of 17.1 mm and a maximum unfolded thickness of 7.6 mm, the device offered the public its first look at foldable display technology. This revolutionary form factor ushered in a new mobile experience, allowing users to enjoy a widescreen display from the palm of their hand.
     
     

     
    Introduced in 2020, Galaxy Z Fold2 featured the Hideaway Hinge — consisting of more than 60 internal components for smoother, more flexible folding. The precision-engineered hinge integrated seamlessly into the device’s body, reducing the maximum folded thickness to 16.8 mm and the maximum unfolded thickness to 6.9 mm.
     

     
    Released in 2022, Galaxy Z Fold4 brought notable improvements in both weight and thickness. The gear-based hinge was replaced with a linear movement mechanism, reducing internal components and resulting in a maximum folded thickness of 15.8 mm and an unfolded thickness of 6.3 mm. This redesign offered a sleeker profile and improved ergonomics while maintaining the device’s robust performance.
     

     
    In 2023, Galaxy Z Fold5 introduced the Flex Hinge, an innovative hinge mechanism with four drive shafts that enabled the display to curl inward in a water-drop shape, replacing the traditional Hideaway Hinge. This advancement enabled the two halves of the phone to close more evenly, minimizing the screen crease and eliminating the gap when folded. The result was a more compact form factor, with a folded thickness of 13.4 mm and an unfolded thickness of 6.1 mm.
     

     
    Unveiled in 2024, Galaxy Z Fold6 delivered an even slimmer silhouette — just 12.1 mm when folded and 5.6 mm when unfolded. Featuring a refined structure and design of a symmetrical dual rail hinge, the device could be folded flat or opened to various angles between 75 and 115 degrees for greater versatility. This streamlined build further enhanced portability and everyday usability.
     

     
    Now the thinnest Galaxy Z Fold ever, Galaxy Z Fold7 embodies years of design evolution. With a folded thickness of just 8.9 mm and an unfolded thickness of 4.2 mm, the device sets a new standard for slim foldables. At the core is the Armor FlexHinge — a new structural innovation that fuses advanced materials with an optimized design for superior durability and compactness. While the cover display of the Galaxy Z Fold6 measures 6.3 inches (158.9 mm), the Galaxy Z Fold7’s cover display extends to 6.5 inches (164.8 mm) to increase usability when the device is folded. The main display[3] also spans 8.0 inches (203.1 mm) when unfolded, offering an 11% larger screen area than its predecessor — the biggest in the Z Fold series to date.
     
    With each new generation, the Galaxy Z Fold series has advanced in both form and function — reducing thickness while expanding what’s possible in a mobile device. At the heart of this progress is Samsung’s continuous innovation in hinge technology. As the Galaxy Z Fold series pushes the boundaries of smartphone design, Samsung remains committed to unlocking transformative experiences with next-generation engineering and a foldable form factor like never before.
     
    [1]Unfolded thickness is measured from the main display to the rear glass. Folded thickness is measured from the cover display to the rear glass.
    [2]Maximum folded thickness refers to the thickest point of the device when it is folded shut, which is at its hinge.
    [3]Measured diagonally, the Galaxy Z Fold7’s main display size is 203.1 mm in the full rectangle; actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung in Partnership with Ocule IT Utilise Enterprise Development Bootcamp to Drive Economic Growth & Job Creation

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung is delivering the second phase of the Enterprise Development Bootcamp, while its partner Ocule IT is participating for the first time – providing support and expertise as part of this initiative. This transformative programme designed to prepare small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) participants for investment funding, with the ultimate aim of driving economic growth and job creation.
     
    This Bootcamp which was piloted last year is a critical component of Samsung’s R280-million worth Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP) and aims to equip entrepreneurs with the essential skills and knowledge needed to meet investor requirements and effectively approach the market. It is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs with experience in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) field with innovative ideas and, this also includes start-ups and established enterprises aiming to scale or overcome challenges.
     
    This bootcamp is an intensive training programme and focuses on areas that include business management, financial planning and pitching to investors; designed to empower young entrepreneurs, particularly those from underserved communities, with skills and knowledge to launch and grow their businesses. Sponsored by Samsung, this EEIP transformative initiative is prioritising alumni’s from the Ocule IT Electronics Technician/Artisan programme.
     
    This programme is part of Samsung’s broader commitment to foster SME development and digital skills development in South Africa – leveraging local talent and expertise. Importantly, it is closely aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP) and black economic empowerment goals that are designed to transform the country’s economy by empowering Black South Africans – fostering a more equitable and inclusive society.
     
    Sanele Gcumisa, Managing Member of Ocule IT explained: “The launch of this Ocule IT and Samsung Enterprise Development initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs for investment readiness. This structured support seeks to ensure that participants are fully prepared to secure the needed funding to grow their businesses. This initiative underscores Ocule IT and Samsung’s commitment to foster entrepreneurship and drive economic growth by empowering businesses with business tools to become investor-ready.”
     
    This bootcamp focuses on fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment – empowering a diverse range of participants who already have a foundation in the electronics sector, while also enhancing the programme’s relevance and effectiveness. The programme provides training in areas that are relevant to starting and scaling a business, such as business planning, marketing and financial management.
     
    In particular, the structure of the Bootcamp involves a week-long intensive training session with masterclasses and opportunities to pitch business ideas for seed funding. The programme features a comprehensive five-day boot camp which took place the week of 07 – 11 July 2025 and will now be followed by a four-month incubation process that involves intensive mentoring.
     

     
    During this period, participants will work on creating a professional data room – a critical tool that potential funders and investors use to evaluate businesses. Also, this programme will provide a direct financial contribution of R500,000 to support participants in their entrepreneurial journey and take their businesses to the next level.
     
    A highlight of the initiative is the Pitch and Polish session, scheduled for the end of October 2025, where nine out of fifteen participants will have the opportunity to win cash prizes. These top performers are then divided into three categories, each comprising an average of five participants. The top three winners in the various tiers will be selected from each category, resulting in a total of nine winners. Following the Pitch and Polish session, the nine winners will undergo three months of monitoring as they submit their business plans and financials to potential funders and investors.
     
    Nicky Beukes, Samsung South Africa EEIP Project Manager said: “For us at Samsung, this programme’s impact goes beyond mere investment – it is there to offer financial support to Electronics Technician Programme alumni as well as innovative ideas to start a business and those who already have established enterprises but require additional assistance. The Bootcamp offers a comprehensive programme designed to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of alumni and this, allows participants to gain access to seed funding, mentorship and business development workshops.”
     
    This holistic approach ensures that participants are equipped not only with financial resources but also with the strategic insights and practical skills necessary to succeed in the competitive electronics industry. With this programme, Samsung is able to provide successful entrepreneurs with access to its supply chain, potentially creating further business opportunities.
     
    Gcumisa added: “Because effective public, private partnerships (PPPs) are crucial to both our company and Samsung, we are also in the process of engaging with the KwaZulu-Natal Growth fund and Sefda including other business partners. Also, the plan is to have additional partners presenting in October closer to the Pitch and Polish stage to give final advice. All such activities will occur in the last quarter; however, the final details will be shared in due course. For now, the focus is to ensure that learners are presented with material that they can use to prepare for the Pitch and Polish.”
     
    This valuable initiative aligns with Samsung’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, skills development and positive social impact in the country. In essence, the Samsung EEIP ED Bootcamp provides a platform for ICT entrepreneurs to gain the skills, knowledge and support they need to thrive and contribute to the South African economy.
     
    Beukes concluded: “Our commitment to sustainable development in collaboration with Ocule IT ensures that the initiative contributes to long-term positive impacts on the local community. By empowering young entrepreneurs, the programme contributes to local economic participation and creates a more inclusive and innovative society.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung in Partnership with Ocule IT Utilise Enterprise Development Bootcamp to Drive Economic Growth & Job Creation

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung is delivering the second phase of the Enterprise Development Bootcamp, while its partner Ocule IT is participating for the first time – providing support and expertise as part of this initiative. This transformative programme designed to prepare small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) participants for investment funding, with the ultimate aim of driving economic growth and job creation.
     
    This Bootcamp which was piloted last year is a critical component of Samsung’s R280-million worth Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP) and aims to equip entrepreneurs with the essential skills and knowledge needed to meet investor requirements and effectively approach the market. It is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs with experience in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) field with innovative ideas and, this also includes start-ups and established enterprises aiming to scale or overcome challenges.
     
    This bootcamp is an intensive training programme and focuses on areas that include business management, financial planning and pitching to investors; designed to empower young entrepreneurs, particularly those from underserved communities, with skills and knowledge to launch and grow their businesses. Sponsored by Samsung, this EEIP transformative initiative is prioritising alumni’s from the Ocule IT Electronics Technician/Artisan programme.
     
    This programme is part of Samsung’s broader commitment to foster SME development and digital skills development in South Africa – leveraging local talent and expertise. Importantly, it is closely aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP) and black economic empowerment goals that are designed to transform the country’s economy by empowering Black South Africans – fostering a more equitable and inclusive society.
     
    Sanele Gcumisa, Managing Member of Ocule IT explained: “The launch of this Ocule IT and Samsung Enterprise Development initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs for investment readiness. This structured support seeks to ensure that participants are fully prepared to secure the needed funding to grow their businesses. This initiative underscores Ocule IT and Samsung’s commitment to foster entrepreneurship and drive economic growth by empowering businesses with business tools to become investor-ready.”
     
    This bootcamp focuses on fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment – empowering a diverse range of participants who already have a foundation in the electronics sector, while also enhancing the programme’s relevance and effectiveness. The programme provides training in areas that are relevant to starting and scaling a business, such as business planning, marketing and financial management.
     
    In particular, the structure of the Bootcamp involves a week-long intensive training session with masterclasses and opportunities to pitch business ideas for seed funding. The programme features a comprehensive five-day boot camp which took place the week of 07 – 11 July 2025 and will now be followed by a four-month incubation process that involves intensive mentoring.
     

     
    During this period, participants will work on creating a professional data room – a critical tool that potential funders and investors use to evaluate businesses. Also, this programme will provide a direct financial contribution of R500,000 to support participants in their entrepreneurial journey and take their businesses to the next level.
     
    A highlight of the initiative is the Pitch and Polish session, scheduled for the end of October 2025, where nine out of fifteen participants will have the opportunity to win cash prizes. These top performers are then divided into three categories, each comprising an average of five participants. The top three winners in the various tiers will be selected from each category, resulting in a total of nine winners. Following the Pitch and Polish session, the nine winners will undergo three months of monitoring as they submit their business plans and financials to potential funders and investors.
     
    Nicky Beukes, Samsung South Africa EEIP Project Manager said: “For us at Samsung, this programme’s impact goes beyond mere investment – it is there to offer financial support to Electronics Technician Programme alumni as well as innovative ideas to start a business and those who already have established enterprises but require additional assistance. The Bootcamp offers a comprehensive programme designed to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of alumni and this, allows participants to gain access to seed funding, mentorship and business development workshops.”
     
    This holistic approach ensures that participants are equipped not only with financial resources but also with the strategic insights and practical skills necessary to succeed in the competitive electronics industry. With this programme, Samsung is able to provide successful entrepreneurs with access to its supply chain, potentially creating further business opportunities.
     
    Gcumisa added: “Because effective public, private partnerships (PPPs) are crucial to both our company and Samsung, we are also in the process of engaging with the KwaZulu-Natal Growth fund and Sefda including other business partners. Also, the plan is to have additional partners presenting in October closer to the Pitch and Polish stage to give final advice. All such activities will occur in the last quarter; however, the final details will be shared in due course. For now, the focus is to ensure that learners are presented with material that they can use to prepare for the Pitch and Polish.”
     
    This valuable initiative aligns with Samsung’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, skills development and positive social impact in the country. In essence, the Samsung EEIP ED Bootcamp provides a platform for ICT entrepreneurs to gain the skills, knowledge and support they need to thrive and contribute to the South African economy.
     
    Beukes concluded: “Our commitment to sustainable development in collaboration with Ocule IT ensures that the initiative contributes to long-term positive impacts on the local community. By empowering young entrepreneurs, the programme contributes to local economic participation and creates a more inclusive and innovative society.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New TV Commercial for Samsung SOS+ Service Goes Live

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung South Africa is proud to announce the release of its brand-new television commercial showcasing the recently launched Samsung SOS+ service, powered by AURA.
     
    The commercial brings to life the vital role that Samsung SOS+ plays in providing fast, reliable emergency assistance when it matters most. With a light-hearted and yet compelling story that shows exactly what the service does, the ad highlights how Samsung continues to use innovation to protect and empower its users.
     
    Viewers across South Africa can expect to see the commercial airing on major broadcast channels and across digital platforms. It’s a powerful reminder that help is now closer than ever – all at the touch of a button of the latest Galaxy A Series (A56, A36 and A26) smartphones, which exclusively offer the 12-month emergency assist subscription service for free.
     
    “We’re excited to share this campaign with the public,” said Kgomotso Mannya, Chief Marketing Officer for Samsung Africa. “The commercial reflects the real-world value of Samsung SOS+, and we hope it encourages more people to activate and use this life-enhancing service.”
     
    Keep an eye out, and experience how Samsung is empowering consumers with security, and peace of mind through Samsung SOS+.
     
    For more information, visit Samsung.com.
     

     

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: “We want even more proportionality”

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    Ms Wiens, the Solvency II review, which entered into force at the end of January, simplifies several requirements for small insurers. Why is it important for regulation to be proportionate?

    The German insurance sector is quite diverse. We have large groups, but also smaller regional providers. In addition, the risk profiles of the undertakings vary considerably. Complex undertakings with a wide range of risks are more likely to have the organisational resources and staff required to cope with the complex requirements of Solvency II. Smaller providers, on the other hand, can quickly get overwhelmed. Regulation needs to take this into account. It should be appropriate for the undertaking’s size and risk profile. That’s what we mean when we talk about proportionality. If we bear this in mind, we can keep things proportionate, avoid excessive bureaucracy and maintain market stability.

    But proportionality isn’t a new topic in European insurance supervision, is it?

    The introduction of Solvency II already gave proportionality a major boost in insurance supervision, including in our supervisory practice at BaFin. For example, we have published three versions of MaGo, our circular on the “Minimum requirements under supervisory law on the system of governance of insurance undertakings”: one for undertakings that are subject to the Solvency II Directive, one for smaller insurers that are still subject to the Solvency I rules, and one for institutions for occupational retirement provision. There was no question, though, that we want even more proportionality – and the review has made it possible.

    What are the most important simplifications resulting from the review for smaller, less complex insurance undertakings?

    First of all, we now have legal clarity about which undertakings are eligible for specific simplifications, which is crucial. In future, this category will include all insurers that meet the criteria to be considered small and non-complex undertakings, or “SNCUs”. This clarity helps us immensely in our work and enhances transparency throughout Europe.

    Starting in 2027, SNCUs will have an easier time calculating capital requirements using the standard formula. Under certain conditions, these undertakings will be allowed to use simplified calculations for immaterial risk modules – meaning for certain risks that are of minor importance to the undertaking – for a maximum of five years. If they meet certain criteria, SNCUs may also designate a single internally responsible person for multiple key functions. In addition, they can allow one person to hold a dual role both as a member of the management board and as the internally responsible person for a key function. This is a major step forward for European supervisory practice. In Germany, we have long made it possible to combine key functions and management board positions. We at BaFin were pioneers on this topic.

    Where do you still see potential to allow for more proportionality?

    For us, proportionality means more than just simplifying specific requirements for SNCUs. It is a fundamental principle of supervision that applies on a broader scale. Hence, we as supervisors have many options for taking a proportionate approach. For example, other insurers that are not classified as SNCUs can in principle also take advantage of general simplifications beyond the SNCU framework without having to obtain approval. The decisive factor is still the respective risk profile, which we assess on an individual basis.

    What is BaFin doing to further embed proportionality in regulation?

    The European Commission is currently working on the Level 2 legislative acts of the Solvency II review. This involves specifying the criteria that non-SNCUs need to fulfil in order to take advantage of the simplifications. In this context, we aim to help make these criteria – and their implementation – as simple and unbureaucratic as possible. Even when working on Level 1, that is to say the Solvency II Directive itself, we advocated raising the thresholds at which the Directive applies. And we succeeded. In the future, Solvency II will no longer apply to some undertakings that still fall under it today. This also means that, starting in 2027, they will no longer be subject to the requirements of DORA, the Regulation on digital operational resilience in the financial sector. It is important to me that we find a pragmatic and unbureaucratic solution for these undertakings. We will therefore refrain from taking any supervisory measures if these insurers do not fulfil the DORA requirements during the transitional period until the Solvency II amendments are transposed into German law.

    Wherever possible, we want to make greater use of the opportunities for principle-based supervision provided by Solvency II, particularly in Pillar II, in order to achieve greater consistency in this area. A more principle-based approach means giving greater weight to the supervisor’s individual appraisal. And that will require us to engage in closer dialogue with the insurance undertakings.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Home Price Growth Moderates in Second Quarter

    Source: Fannie Mae

    WASHINGTON, DC – Single-family home prices increased 4.1 percent from Q2 2024 to Q2 2025, down from the previous quarter’s year-over-year growth pace of 5.0 percent, according to the latest reading of the Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTCQB) Home Price Index (FNM-HPI) . The FNM-HPI is a national, repeat-transaction home price index measuring the average, quarterly price change for all single-family properties in the United States, excluding condos. This continues the general moderation in home price growth observed since the start of 2024. On a quarterly basis, home prices rose 0.3 percent and 2.0 percent in Q2 2025 on a seasonally adjusted and non-seasonally adjusted basis, respectively.

    The FNM-HPI is produced by aggregating county-level data to create both seasonally adjusted and non-seasonally adjusted national indices that are representative of the whole country and designed to serve as indicators of general single-family home price trends. The FNM-HPI is publicly available at the national level as a quarterly series with a start date of Q1 1975 and extending to the most recent quarter, Q2 2025. Fannie Mae publishes the FNM-HPI approximately mid-month during the first month of each new quarter.

    The full FNM-HPI data sets and a description of the methodology are available on Fannie Mae’s Data and Insights page: https://www.fanniemae.com/data-and-insights.

    Fannie Mae’s home price estimates are based on preliminary data available as of the date of index estimation and are subject to change as additional data become available. Opinions, analyses, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views of Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research (ESR) Group included in these materials should not be construed as indicating Fannie Mae’s business prospects or expected results, are based on a number of assumptions, and are subject to change without notice. How this information affects Fannie Mae will depend on many factors. Although the ESR Group bases its opinions, analyses, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views on information it considers reliable, it does not guarantee that the information provided in these materials is accurate, current or suitable for any particular purpose. Changes in the assumptions or the information underlying these views could produce materially different results. The analyses, opinions, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views published by the ESR Group represent the views of that group as of the date indicated and do not necessarily represent the views of Fannie Mae or its management.

    About the ESR Group
    Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research Group, led by Chief Economist Mark Palim, studies current data, analyzes historical and emerging trends, and conducts surveys of consumers and mortgage lenders to provide forecasts and analyses on the economy, housing, and mortgage markets.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Minecraft summer updates include streaming home for movie, new features and rewards in-game

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Minecraft summer updates include streaming home for movie, new features and rewards in-game

    Minecraft’s latest game drop isn’t just focused on what’s under your feet, but what’s above your head. Chase the Skies introduces the happy ghast, a new rideable mob that lets you take to the air alone or with friends. While exploring the Nether, you can now come across a dried ghast – return it to the Overworld, then hydrate it with water, and you’ll net yourself a ghastling, who will then grow into your new flying mount after you’ve waited long enough, or fed it enough snowballs. Just make sure you also have a ghast harness to use your smiley new ride! 

    Chase the Skies also introduces a number of new features, from craftable saddles, to new Amos Roddy music tracks, to a player locator bar to help make playing with friends that little bit easier, and even the ability to leash multiple mobs together like you’re the Overworld’s strangest dog walker. Why not leash a boat to your new happy ghast and help carry even more players through the skies? 

    Vibrant Visuals – Out Now for Compatible Minecraft: Bedrock Edition Devices 

    One of the biggest shifts in Minecraft history is here – Vibrant Visuals transforms the look of the Bedrock Edition, retaining the game’s iconic style while adding improved graphical elements – directional lighting, volumetric fog, pixelated shadows and reflections, and much more. 

    It’s a truly stunning change, turning Minecraft into the game you’ve always imagined in your head (but, if you like the original look, you can always switch back!). You can read all about the upgrade on Xbox Wire, but trust me, you really should play it for yourself. 

    Vibrant Memories Camera Add-On – Out Now for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition 

    Want to make the most of those Vibrant Visuals vistas? The Vibrant Memories camera add-on (available in the Minecraft Marketplace) introduces multiple features to let you take the perfect shot – from saving camera angles, to changing the weather, or controlling time itself. Each shot will be saved to your personal album, and you can even add music to capture the perfect mood. 

    Realms Plus – New Content Available Now 

    Realms Plus subscribers can now add Chase the Skies and Vibrant Visuals content to their own personal servers – and there are also new Marketplace drops included in your subscription. 

    The One Slime Block Adventure world by Mush Co throws you into an adventure featuring 5 unique boss battles, 6 dimensions, and a lot of slime, from enemies to weaponry. Meanwhile the Aquaculture add-on by Team Metallurgy will turn you into the ultimate angler, adding 60 new underwater creatures, rare equipment, new cooking mechanics, and more. Both are included as part of Realms Plus. 

    A Minecraft Movie – Now Streaming on HBO Max  

    This year’s blockiest buster is available to stream now. After becoming a phenomenon in theaters, with an HBO Max subscription, you can now watch ‘A Minecraft Movie’ at home.  

    Join Garrett (Jason Momoa), Dawn (Danielle Brooks), Natalie (Emma Myers), and Henry (Sebastian Hansen) – four misfits who are pulled through a portal to Minecraft’s Overworld as you’ve never seen it before. After meeting Steve (Jack Black), they’ll need to harness the power of creativity to repel a Piglin invasion and return to the real world. 

    Whether it’s your first time venturing into the live-action Overworld, or you already know all the words to Steve’s Lava Chicken, it’s easier than ever to watch. 

    Steve’s Lava Chicken Remix Music Disc and Dennis Painting – Out Now 

    Speaking of Steve’s Lava Chicken, you’ve got two new ways of listening to the song inspired by the movie. It’s available to stream now, and in Minecraft. Get your blocky hands on a music disc that will let you play the song from your jukebox. 

    Plus, pay tribute to man’s (well, Steve’s) best friend by crafting a new painting of Dennis, the pale wolf hero of ‘A Minecraft Movie’. 

    Claim Your Community Challenge Rewards 

    In its latest Community Challenge, Mojang asked the Minecraft community to work together to spawn 50 million happy ghasts in Creative mode, and feed snowballs to 1 million ghastlings in Survival mode – and you delivered! As your reward, every Bedrock Edition player can now access the Ghast Rider Floatie and the Happy Ghast Pilot Gear in the Dressing Room, while every Java Edition player can download the Ghast Riding Swimmer and Happy Ghast Pilot skins here. 

    Minecraft

    Microsoft Studios

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 2004

    ★★★★★

    $19.99 $15.99

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    CREATE Build whatever you can imagine in your own infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough. EXPLORE Discover biomes, resources and mobs, and craft your way through a world filled with surprises in the ultimate sandbox game. SURVIVE Experience unforgettable adventures as you face mysterious foes, traverse exciting landscapes, and travel to perilous dimensions. PLAY TOGETHER Have a blast with friends, whether you’re sitting on the same couch in split screen or miles apart in cross-platform play for console, mobile and PC. Connect with millions of players on community servers or subscribe to Realms Plus to play with up to 10 friends on your own private server. EXPERIENCE MORE Get creator-made add-ons, thrilling worlds, and stylish cosmetics on Minecraft Marketplace. Subscribe to Marketplace Pass (or Realms Plus) to access 150+ worlds, skin & textures packs, and more – refreshed monthly.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Protecting customers from Octo Tempest attacks across multiple industries

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Protecting customers from Octo Tempest attacks across multiple industries

    In recent weeks, Microsoft has observed Octo Tempest, also known as Scattered Spider, impacting the airlines sector, following previous activity impacting retail, food services, hospitality organizations, and insurance between April and July 2025. This aligns with Octo Tempest’s typical patterns of concentrating on one industry for several weeks or months before moving on to new targets. Microsoft Security products continue to update protection coverage as these shifts occur. 

    To help protect and inform customers, this blog highlights the protection coverage across the Microsoft Defender and Microsoft Sentinel security ecosystem and provides security posture hardening recommendations to protect against threat actors like Octo Tempest.

    Get ahead of threat actors with integrated security solutions from Microsoft Defender

    Overview of Octo Tempest 

    Octo Tempest, also known in the industry as Scattered Spider, Muddled Libra, UNC3944, or 0ktapus, is a financially motivated cybercriminal group that has been observed impacting organizations using varying methods in their end-to-end attacks. Their approach includes: 

    • Gaining initial access using social engineering attacks and impersonating a user and contacting service desk support through phone calls, emails, and messages.
    • Short Message Service (SMS)-based phishing using adversary-in-the-middle (AiTM) domains that mimic legitimate organizations.
    • Using tools such as ngrok, Chisel, and AADInternals.
    • Impacting hybrid identity infrastructures and exfiltrating data to support extortion or ransomware operations.  

    Recent activity shows Octo Tempest has deployed DragonForce ransomware with a particular focus on VMWare ESX hypervisor environments. In contrast to previous patterns where Octo Tempest used cloud identity privileges for on-premises access, recent activities have involved impacting both on-premises accounts and infrastructure at the initial stage of an intrusion before transitioning to cloud access. 

    Octo Tempest detection coverage 

    Microsoft Defender has a wide range of detections to detect Octo Tempest related activities and more. These detections span across all areas of the security portfolio including endpoints, identities, software as a service (SaaS) apps, email and collaboration tools, cloud workloads, and more to provide comprehensive protection coverage. Shown below is a list of known Octo Tempest tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) observed in recent attack chains mapped to detection coverage.

    Tactic  Technique  Microsoft Protection Coverage (non-exhaustive) 
    Initial Access  Initiating password reset on target’s credentials  Unusual user password reset in your virtual machine; (MDC) 
    Discovery  Continuing environmental reconnaissance  Suspicious credential dump from NTDS.dit; (MDE)
    Account enumeration reconnaissance; (MDI)
    Network-mapping reconnaissance (DNS); (MDI)
    User and IP address reconnaissance (SMB); (MDI)
    User and Group membership reconnaissance (SAMR); (MDI)
    Active Directory attributes reconnaissance (LDAP); (MDI) 
    Credential Access,  Lateral Movement  Identifying Tier-0 assets  Mimikatz credential theft tool; (MDE)
    ADExplorer collecting Active Directory information; (MDE)
    Security principal reconnaissance (LDAP); (MDI)
    Suspicious Azure role assignment detected; (MDC)
    Suspicious elevate access operation; (MDC)
    Suspicious domain added to Microsoft Entra ID; (MDA)
    Suspicious domain trust modification following risky sign-in; (MDA) 
    Collecting additional credentials  Suspected DCSync attack (replication of directory services); (MDI)
    Suspected AD FS DKM key read; (MDI) 
    Accessing enterprise environments with VPN and deploying VMs with tools to maintain access in compromised environments  ‘Ngrok’ hacktool was prevented; (MDE)
    ‘Chisel’ hacktool was prevented; (MDE)
    Possibly malicious use of proxy or tunneling tool; (MDE)
    Possible Octo Tempest-related device registered (MDA) 
    Defense Evasion, Persistence  Leveraging EDR and management tooling  Tampering activity typical to ransomware attacks; (MDE) 
    Persistence, Execution  Installing a trusted backdoor  ADFS persistent backdoor; (MDE) 
    Actions on Objectives  Staging and exfiltrating stolen data  Possible exfiltration of archived data; (MDE)
    Data exfiltration over SMB; (MDI) 
    Deploying ransomware  ‘DragonForce’ ransomware was prevented; (MDE)
    Possible hands-on-keyboard pre-ransom activity; (MDE) 
    Note: The list is not exhaustive. A full list of available detections can be found in the Microsoft Defender portal. 

    Disrupting Octo Tempest attacks  

    Disrupt in-progress attacks with automatic attack disruption:
    Attack disruption is Microsoft Defender’s unique, built-in self-defense capability that consumes multi-domain signals, the latest threat intelligence, and AI-powered machine learning models to automatically predict and disrupt an attacker’s next move by containing the compromised asset (user, device). This technology uses multiple potential indicators and behaviors, including all the detections listed above, possible Microsoft Entra ID sign-in attempts, possible Octo Tempest-related sign-in activities and correlate them across the Microsoft Defender workloads into a high-fidelity incident. 

    Based on previous learnings from popular Octo Tempest techniques, attack disruption will automatically disable the user account used by Octo Tempest and revokes all existing active sessions by the compromised user. 

    While attack disruption can contain the attack by cutting off the attacker, it is critical for security operations center (SOC) teams to conduct incident response activities and post-incident analysis to help ensure the threat is fully contained and remediated.  

    Investigate and hunt for Octo Tempest related activity:
    Octo Tempest is infamously known for aggressive social engineering tactics, often impacting individuals with specific permissions to gain legitimate access and move laterally through networks. To help organizations identify these activities, customers can use Microsoft Defender’s advanced hunting capability to proactively investigate and respond to threats across their environment. Analysts can query across both first- and third-party data sources powered by Microsoft Defender XDR and Microsoft Sentinel. In addition to these tables, analysts can also use exposure insights from Microsoft Security Exposure Management.  

    Learn more about Microsoft Security Exposure Management

    Using advanced hunting and the Exposure Graph, defenders can proactively assess and hunt for the threat actor’s related activity and identify which users are most likely to be targeted and what will be the effect of a compromise, strengthening defenses before an attack occurs.  

    Proactive defense against Octo Tempest 

    Microsoft Security Exposure Management, available in the Microsoft Defender portal, equips security teams with capabilities such as critical asset protection, threat actor initiatives, and attack path analysis that enable security teams to proactively reduce exposure and mitigate the impact of Octo Tempest’s hybrid attack tactics.

    Ensure critical assets stay protected 

    Customers should ensure critical assets are classified as critical in the Microsoft Defender portal to generate relevant attack paths and recommendations in initiatives. Microsoft Defender automatically identifies critical devices in your environment, but teams should also create custom rules and expand critical asset identifiers to enhance protection.  

    Take action to minimize impact with initiatives 

    Exposure Management’s initiatives feature provides goal-driven programs that unify key insights to help teams harden defenses and act fast on real threats. To address the most pressing risks related to Octo Tempest, we recommend organizations begin with the initiatives below: 

    • Octo Tempest Threat Initiative: Octo Tempest is known for tactics like extracting credentials from Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) using tools like Mimikatz and signing in from attacker-controlled IPs—both of which can be mitigated through controls like attack surface reduction (ASR) rules and sign-in policies. This initiative brings these mitigations together into a focused program, mapping real-world attacker behaviors to actionable controls that help reduce exposure and disrupt attack paths before they escalate.
    • Ransomware Initiative: A broader initiative focused on reducing exposure to extortion-driven attacks through hardening identity, endpoint, and infrastructure layers. This will provide recommendations tailored for your organization.  

    Investigate on-premises and hybrid attack paths

    Security teams can use attack path analysis to trace cross-domain threats—like those used by Octo Tempest—who’ve exploited the critical Entra Connect server to pivot into cloud workloads, escalate privileges, and expand their reach. Teams can use the ‘Chokepoint’ view in the attack path dashboard to highlight entities appearing in multiple paths, making it easy to filter for helpdesk-linked accounts, a known Octo target, and prioritize their remediation.  

    Given Octo Tempest’s hybrid attack strategy, a representative attack path may look like this: 

    Recommendations 

    In today’s threat landscape, proactive security is essential. By following security best practices, you reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of adversaries like Octo Tempest. Microsoft recommends implementing the following to help strengthen your overall posture and stay ahead of threats: 

    Identity security recommendations 

    Endpoint security recommendations 

    • Enable Microsoft Defender Antivirus cloud-delivered protection for Linux.
    • Turn on Microsoft Defender Antivirus real-time protection for Linux.
    • Enable Microsoft Defender for Endpoint EDR in block mode to block post breach malicious behavior on the device through behavior blocking and containment capabilities.
    • Turn on tamper protection that essentially prevents Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (your security settings) from being modified.
    • Block credential stealing from the Windows local security authority subsystem: Attack surface reduction (ASR) rules are the most effective method for blocking the most common attack techniques being used in cyber-attacks and malicious software.
    • Turn on Microsoft Defender Credential Guard to isolate secrets so that only privileged system software can access them.

    Cloud security recommendations 

    • Key Vaults should have purge protection enabled to prevent immediate, irreversible deletion of vaults and secrets.
    • To reduce risks of overly permissive inbound rules on virtual machines’ management ports, enable just-in-time (JIT) network access control. 
    • Microsoft Defender for Cloud recommends encrypting data with customer-managed keys (CMK) to support strict compliance or regulatory requirements. To reduce risk and increase control, enable CMK to manage your own encryption keys through Microsoft Azure Key Vault.
    • Enable logs in Azure Key Vault and retain them for up to a year. This enables you to recreate activity trails for investigation purposes when a security incident occurs or your network is compromised.
    • Microsoft Azure Backup should be enabled for virtual machines to protect the data on your Microsoft Azure virtual machines, and to create recovery points that are stored in geo-redundant recovery vaults.

    Microsoft Defender

    Comprehensive threat prevention, detection and response capabilities for everyone.

    Explore security solutions

    ​​To learn more about Microsoft Security solutions, visit our website. Bookmark the Microsoft Security blog to keep up with our expert coverage on security matters.

    Also, follow us on Microsoft Security LinkedIn and @MSFTSecurity on X for the latest news and updates on cybersecurity. 

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: From student to startup: 23-year-old Zülal Tannur shows how Microsoft is a partner in possibility

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: From student to startup: 23-year-old Zülal Tannur shows how Microsoft is a partner in possibility

    When most people think of Microsoft, they think of products—Windows, Azure, Office. But for some of us, Microsoft has become something far greater: a foundation for growth, a partner, and a constant force behind bold, world-changing visions.

    Just ask Zülal Tannur, the 23-year-old founder behind From Your Eyes and NeuroVision AI Tech Inc., and the 2025 EMEA Winner of the Microsoft Women Power Awards.

    An award typically granted to women with 15+ years of executive leadership, this recognition breaks tradition—and reflects something much more powerful than experience alone. It highlights what happens when fearless student innovators are met with intentional support, deep mentorship, and global belief in their ideas.

    • At 18: Named one of Microsoft’s youngest global tech leaders.
    • At 21: Founded FROM YOUR EYES, a company dedicated to redefining accessibility through AI-based perception systems.
    • At 22: Became the Imagine Cup World Champion, earning $100,000 in funding and a mentorship session with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
    • By 23: Scaled her second company, NeuroVision AI Tech Inc., from Türkiye to Silicon Valley—powered by AI, Azure, and unstoppable vision.

    Zülal’s story is more than inspiring—it’s evidence of what’s possible when Microsoft doesn’t just cheer from the sidelines but walks alongside founders as they build, scale, and redefine industries.

    • Smart Mobility: Embedding artificial vision into next-generation vehicles.
    • Urban Perception Infrastructure: Designing edge-first AI systems that help cities and machines “see.”
    • Federated Intelligence: Moving beyond centralized AI toward more secure, adaptable, and inclusive systems.

    Their work represents the leading edge of accessibility, AI, and mobility innovation—and Microsoft has been a strategic partner every step of the way.

    From the Imagine Cup to Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, from GitHub for Startups to one-on-one mentorship from Satya Nadella himself—Zülal’s experience reveals the depth of Microsoft’s commitment to student innovators turned startup leaders.

    This isn’t just about giving students a platform. It’s about giving them:

    • Capital to scale early-stage technologies
    • Mentorship from global leaders who’ve built transformative companies
    • Credibility through recognition and awards that open doors
    • Community via programs like the Partner Network and Startups Founders Hub

    Zülal says it best:

    “As a blind, young, and female founder, having people truly see the vision behind what you build isn’t always easy. But Microsoft Imagine Cup saw it — and amplified it. It was our big bang: our first investment, the catalyst that took us global. From FROM YOUR EYES to founding NeuroVision AI Tech in the U.S., we’ve built a team that’s now 60% international and partnered with giants like NVIDIA. Imagine Cup didn’t just support us — it believed in what we could become.”

    Her journey is proof that when student founders are met with intentional partnership—not just encouragement—they can go from early vision to global impact.

    Zülal leads two AI companies focused on accessibility, vision, and mobility. She also happens to be the world’s first blind Technology Ambassador.

    Her story proves that innovation isn’t always born in boardrooms. Sometimes, it begins in student dorms. In hackathons. At virtual competitions. And with a relentless belief that technology should make the world more inclusive, not less.

    As Zülal puts it:

    “This isn’t about where we’ve been. It’s about where we’re going—and how far we’re willing to see.“

    Microsoft didn’t just watch her journey. They invested in it. Believed in it. And became the kind of partner that doesn’t just back startups—they help build them.

     

    Are you an early stage student founder?

    Sign up here to be notified when Imagine Cup 2026 launches later this year.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Microsoft introduces new training framework that enhances human-LLM collaboration

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Microsoft introduces new training framework that enhances human-LLM collaboration

    Large language models (LLMs) can solve complex puzzles in seconds, yet they sometimes struggle over simple conversations. When these AI tools make assumptions, overlook key details, or neglect to ask clarifying questions, the result can erode trust and derail real-world interactions, where nuance is everything.

    A key reason these models behave this way lies in how they’re trained and evaluated. Most benchmarks use isolated, single-turn prompts with clear instructions. Training methods tend to optimize for the model’s next response, not its contribution to a successful, multi-turn exchange. But real-world interaction is dynamic and collaborative. It relies on context, clarification, and shared understanding.

    User-centric approach to training 

    To address this, we’re exploring ways to train LLMs with users in mind. Our approach places models in simulated environments that reflect the back-and-forth nature of real conversations. Through reinforcement learning, these models improve through trial and error, for example, learning when to ask questions and how to adapt tone and communication style to different situations. This user-centric approach helps bridge the gap between how LLMs are typically trained and how people actually use them.  

    This is the concept behind CollabLLM (opens in new tab), recipient of an ICML (opens in new tab) Outstanding Paper Award (opens in new tab). This training framework helps LLMs improve through simulated multi-turn interactions, as illustrated in Figure 1. The core insight behind CollabLLM is simple: in a constructive collaboration, the value of a response isn’t just in its immediate usefulness, but in how it contributes to the overall success of the conversation. A clarifying question might seem like a delay but often leads to better outcomes. A quick answer might appear useful but can create confusion or derail the interaction.

    Figure 1. Diagram comparing two training approaches for LLMs. (a) The standard method lacks user-agent collaboration and uses single-turn rewards, leading to an inefficient conversation. (b) In contrast, CollabLLM simulates multi-turn user-agent interactions during training, enabling it to learn effective collaboration strategies and produce more efficient dialogues.

    CollabLLM puts this collaborative approach into practice with a simulation-based training loop, illustrated in Figure 2. At any point in a conversation, the model generates multiple possible next turns by engaging in a dialogue with a simulated user.

    Figure 2: Simulation-based training process used in CollabLLM

    The system uses a sampling method to extend conversations turn by turn, choosing likely responses for each participant (the AI agent or the simulated user), while adding some randomness to vary the conversational paths. The goal is to expose the model to a wide variety of conversational scenarios, helping it learn more effective collaboration strategies.

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    To each simulated conversation, we applied multiturn-aware reward (MR) functions, which assess how the model’s response at the given turn influences the entire trajectory of the conversation. We sampled multiple conversational follow-ups from the model, such as statements, suggestions, questions, and used MR to assign a reward to each based on how well the conversation performed in later turns. We based these scores on automated metrics that reflect key factors like goal completion, conversational efficiency, and user engagement.

    To score the sampled conversations, we used task-specific metrics and metrics from an LLM-as-a-judge framework, which supports efficient and scalable evaluation. For metrics like engagement, a judge model rates each sampled conversation on a scale from 0 to 1.

    The MR of each model response was computed by averaging the scores from the sampled conversations, originating from the model response. Based on the score, the model updates its parameters using established reinforcement learning algorithms like Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) or Direct Preference Optimization (DPO).

    We tested CollabLLM through a combination of automated and human evaluations, detailed in the paper. One highlight is a user study involving 201 participants in a document co-creation task, shown in Figure 3. We compared CollabLLM to a baseline trained with single-turn rewards and to a second, more proactive baseline prompted to ask clarifying questions and take other proactive steps. CollabLLM outperformed both, producing higher-quality documents, better interaction ratings, and faster task completion times.

    Figure 3: Results of the user study in a document co-creation task comparing CollabLLM to a baseline trained with single-turn rewards.

    Designing for real-world collaboration

    Much of today’s AI research focuses on fully automated tasks, models working without input from or interaction with users. But many real-world applications depend on people in the loop: as users, collaborators, or decision-makers. Designing AI systems that treat user input not as a constraint, but as essential, leads to systems that are more accurate, more helpful, and ultimately more trustworthy.

    This work is driven by a core belief: the future of AI depends not just on intelligence, but on the ability to collaborate effectively. And that means confronting the communication breakdowns in today’s systems.

    We see CollabLLM as a step in that direction, training models to engage in meaningful multi-turn interactions, ask clarifying questions, and adapt to context. In doing so, we can build systems designed to work with people—not around them.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung EEIP Calls for Eligible ICT Enterprises to Apply for the ED Programme

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) has opened its third call, inviting all suitable, black-owned ICT and Service Centre SMMEs to apply for participation in this year’s Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP) for Enterprise Development (ED).
     
    Samsung’s R280-million worth EEIP, which was launched in 2019, has managed to demonstrate considerable success since its inception. In its six years of sustained success, this year represents the 3rd edition of the programme and seeks to continue making a measurable difference to the socio-economic development of black South Africans. This year’s call follows two successful cycles and forms part of Samsung’s broader commitment to the ICT sector, SMME development and the government’s Vision 2030.
     

     
    Nicky Beukes, Samsung EEIP Project Manager said: “This programme has in the last few years seen great success and has also had a positive impact in the lives of entrepreneurs in the ICT space. As part of our transformation objectives, our EEIP programme continues to contribute to the sustainable development goals of the National Development Plan (NDP).”
     
    Importantly, through Samsung’s collaboration with the DTIC – these partners remain committed to making a positive contribution to broader economic growth and, to continue playing a significant role in both job creation as well as sustainable entrepreneurship opportunities within South Africa.
     

     
    Beukes added: “And together with the DTIC, we have in the last few years re-affirmed our commitment to ICT development and economic transformation which are aligned to South Africa’s Vision 2030. This third edition of EEIP and its success to date, is a clear indication that Samsung’s significant investment in SMME development is yielding tangible results.”
     
    This third, consecutive call to all black-owned SMEs in the ICT and Service Centre space across South Africa is a great opportunity for the country’s ICT SMMEs to grow and shape the future of their businesses through this Samsung ED Programme.
     

     
    For more information on how to respond to the call and apply, please see link: www.samsung.com/za/local-programme/ed-programme/
     

    Main Page:  Samsung EEIP | Enterprise Development | Samsung South Africa
    Application form: Samsung EEIP Application for Enterprises | Samsung South Africa

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Staff Guidance Note on The Implementation of The IMF Strategy for Fragile and Conflict-Affected States (FCS)

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    Preview Citation

    Format: Chicago

    Staff Guidance Note on The Implementation of The IMF Strategy for Fragile and Conflict-Affected States (FCS), (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2023) accessed July 16, 2025

    Summary

    This note provides operational advice and information to help staff implement the IMF Strategy for Fragile and Conflict-Affected States (FCS) approved by the Executive Board on March 9, 2022. Topics covered include (i) the new IMF FCS classification methodology, which is aligned with that of the World Bank; (ii) the preparation of Country Engagement Strategies (CES) that will be rolled out across FCS to ensure that Fund engagement is appropriately tailored to country-specific manifestations of fragility and/or conflict; (iii) advice on tailoring the thematic focus of Article IV consultations and Fund analytics to FCS, as well as on the prioritization, design, and implementation of capacity development (CD) projects in fragile contexts; (iv) guidance on making full use of the flexibilities of the lending toolkit; (v) guidance on engaging in specific FCS situations, including building accountable institutions to exit fragility, cases of rising fragility risks, active conflict, post-conflict, and addressing the impact of external shocks and spillovers; and (v) strengthening partnerships with humanitarian, development, and peace actors, in accordance with the Fund’s mandate. Dedicated annexes provide additional information on the CES process, addressing good governance in FCS, program design, and country examples of Fund engagement in FCS.

    Subject: Monetary policy, Political economy

    Keywords: Absorptive capacity, Balance of payments, Capacity development, Conflict, Country engagement strategies, Fragile and conflict-affected states, Fragility, Governance, Inclusive growth, Macroeconomic policy, Partnerships, Political economy, Surveillance

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Integrating interactivity with Minecraft Education: A fun approach to learning coding and AI

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Integrating interactivity with Minecraft Education: A fun approach to learning coding and AI

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Sanction Update (1)

    Source: Isle of Man

    Financial Sanctions: Haiti

     

    The Authority has been notified that the Isle of Man Treasury, Customs and Immigration Division has recently published new and updated information regarding the above Sanction regimes.

    News Releases advising details of the updates to the above Sanctions regimes can be read on the IOM Government website (www.gov.im/news) at:

    Financial Sanctions: Haiti

    https://www.gov.im/news/2025/jul/09/financial-sanctions-haiti/

     

    Copies of extant Sanctions Notices, are available free of charge over the Internet from the Sanctions and Export Control page on the website of the Isle of Man Treasury, Customs and Immigration Division located at: https://www.gov.im/categories/tax-vat-and-your-money/sanctions-and-export-control

    Any queries regarding the above, or any Sanctions related matter should be addressed to the Isle of Man Treasury, Customs and Immigration Division, Sanctions Officer  on telephone number +44 (0) 1624 648109 or by email to sanctions@gov.im

     

    To receive regular updates about sanctions, including updates to the UK Sanctions List, you can subscribe to the RSS feed for sanctions & Excise news releases by copying and pasting this URL:

     

    https://gov.im/categories/tax-vat-and-your-money/sanctions-and-export-control/news/RssCategorisedNews

     

     into your RSS feed reader or Microsoft Outlook RSS feeds folder. You can also view our guidance on how to use RSS Feeds.

     

    The UK Treasury operate an ‘alert’ system to provide email updates as and when changes to sanctions are introduced.  Licenceholders may consider it very prudent to avail themselves of this service if they do not already have relevant notification processes in place. 

     

    This service can be found at   Subscribe to Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation updates

     

    FSA Ref: News/ENF/14/2025 – 2025

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Sanction Update (1)

    Source: Isle of Man

    Financial Sanctions: Haiti

     

    The Authority has been notified that the Isle of Man Treasury, Customs and Immigration Division has recently published new and updated information regarding the above Sanction regimes.

    News Releases advising details of the updates to the above Sanctions regimes can be read on the IOM Government website (www.gov.im/news) at:

    Financial Sanctions: Haiti

    https://www.gov.im/news/2025/jul/09/financial-sanctions-haiti/

     

    Copies of extant Sanctions Notices, are available free of charge over the Internet from the Sanctions and Export Control page on the website of the Isle of Man Treasury, Customs and Immigration Division located at: https://www.gov.im/categories/tax-vat-and-your-money/sanctions-and-export-control

    Any queries regarding the above, or any Sanctions related matter should be addressed to the Isle of Man Treasury, Customs and Immigration Division, Sanctions Officer  on telephone number +44 (0) 1624 648109 or by email to sanctions@gov.im

     

    To receive regular updates about sanctions, including updates to the UK Sanctions List, you can subscribe to the RSS feed for sanctions & Excise news releases by copying and pasting this URL:

     

    https://gov.im/categories/tax-vat-and-your-money/sanctions-and-export-control/news/RssCategorisedNews

     

     into your RSS feed reader or Microsoft Outlook RSS feeds folder. You can also view our guidance on how to use RSS Feeds.

     

    The UK Treasury operate an ‘alert’ system to provide email updates as and when changes to sanctions are introduced.  Licenceholders may consider it very prudent to avail themselves of this service if they do not already have relevant notification processes in place. 

     

    This service can be found at   Subscribe to Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation updates

     

    FSA Ref: News/ENF/14/2025 – 2025

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Members Connect 2025 Unfolds on a Global Stage in New York

    Source: Samsung

    On July 8 (local time), Samsung Electronics hosted Samsung Members Connect 2025 in New York City, welcoming over 70 Samsung Members Stars selected from 17 countries around the world.
     
    Samsung Members is a pre-loaded app and all related activities that provide access to a variety of Galaxy-related news, benefits and community activities. Within the app’s community, highly active users who consistently share high-quality content and engage with others are selected as Samsung Members Stars (hereinafter “Members”).
     
    At the July 2025 Samsung Members Connect, Members were among the first to get hands-on with the newly unveiled Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy Z Flip7 and the next evolution of Galaxy AI.
     
    Through a series of curated programs, they captured and shared their real-time experiences — offering authentic insights with their local communities. Teaming up with influencers from #TeamGalaxy, Members co-created content that showcased the energy and excitement of the moment.
     
    Their shared journey is now live on Samsung Newsroom. Let’s take a look.
     
     
    Orientation Kicks Off Connections Between Members
    The event commenced with a Members Orientation, where participants introduced their past activities within the Samsung Members community. Members overcame language and cultural differences, laying the groundwork for future collaboration.
     
    ▲ Samsung Members engaging and getting to know one another.
     
     
    A Broader Experience Unfolds at Galaxy Unpacked 2025
    One of the most anticipated highlights of the event was Galaxy Unpacked 2025, held in Brooklyn. Members attended in person, being among the very first to experience the Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy Z Flip7 and the latest AI innovations.
     
    The event showcased Samsung’s vision for multimodal Galaxy AI — technology that understands user intent, responds seamlessly and delivers truly personalized experiences. It marked another step forward in Galaxy AI’s evolution into a trusted companion in everyday life.
     
    ▲ Members attending and experiencing Galaxy Unpacked 2025 firsthand.
     
    ▲ Members in a hands-on session with the products at the Experience Zone after Galaxy Unpacked 2025.
     
    Samsung Members Stars Florencia Danloy (Argentina) said, “The Galaxy Z Fold7, which I first experienced in New York, featured a much slimmer and more refined professional design. I could immediately feel the difference the moment I held it in my hand.
     
    Following Galaxy Unpacked 2025, participants visited the Galaxy Experience Space, where they engaged in hands-on activities featuring AI-based multitasking and Google Gemini Live — presented in creative ways inspired by Korean culture.
     
    Sophia Hwang, EVP and Head of Retail team, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics, said, “We hope you’ll take this opportunity to experience the innovation of our latest Galaxy products throughout the Galaxy Experience Space and share your insights with Samsung Members communities around the world.”
     
    ▲ Members exploring the Galaxy Experience Space.
     
    ▲ Group photo taken after EVP Sophia Hwang’s welcoming speech.
     
     
    Members and #TeamGalaxy Shape Stories Together
    The workshop brought Members and #TeamGalaxy together for a meaningful exchange of Galaxy knowledge and content creation insights. Drawing on their individual strengths, they collaborated on the next day’s group mission — discussing Galaxy’s new features, planning storylines and selecting key New York landmarks that would best capture their creative messages.
     
    ▲ Members and #TeamGalaxy planning their content shoot together.
     
     
    An ‘Epic Tour’ With the New Galaxy Devices in New York
    Set against the urban backdrop of New York City, the ‘Epic Tour’ offered Members a chance to creatively experience the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7.
     
    From creatively reinterpreting Broadway posters using AI to capturing unique moments at city landmarks with FlexCam, Members brought their ideas to life. Each team worked on concept planning, real-time filming and editing — culminating in compelling content co-produced with #TeamGalaxy.
     
    Samsung Members Stars Darshan Kiran Jaiswal (India) said, “The magic of Galaxy AI goes beyond editing — it truly feels like having a creative partner right in your pocket!”
     
    ▲ Members and #TeamGalaxy working together on their mission.
     
    At the Gala Night, Members enjoyed a meaningful evening set to live jazz and framed by the New York skyline. Members viewed creative group photos co-created with #TeamGalaxy during the Epic Tour mission. A live vote selected the best shot, adding a fun highlight to the evening.
     
    ▲ Sharing the group mission photos from the Epic Tour at Gala Night.
     
    Over four inspiring days, Samsung Members Connect 2025 gave Members a unique opportunity to dive deep into the Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy Z Flip7 and the next chapter of Galaxy AI. More than just a product showcase, it was a global platform for connection — strengthening the bond between Members and the brand.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Apple lands record-breaking 81 Emmy Award nominations with Severance leading

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Apple lands record-breaking 81 Emmy Award nominations with Severance leading

    July 15, 2025

    PRESS RELEASE

    Apple lands record-breaking 81 Emmy Award nominations, with Severance leading as this year’s most-nominated series and The Studio becoming the most-nominated freshman comedy in history

    Global phenomenon Severance scores 27 nominations for hit second season, including Outstanding Drama Series and nine performance category nominations

    Breakout comedy The Studio sweeps with 23 nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series, making history with the most nominations for a freshman comedy and most overall acting nominations this year

    Apple TV+ leads as the only network to land multiple title nominations across Outstanding Comedy and Drama Series categories, as The Studio, Severance, Slow Horses, and Shrinking land top program nominations, alongside Apple’s first-ever Outstanding Television Movie nod for The Gorge

    Apple also lands the most acting nominations of any network or studio this year, with 31 performance nods total

    Apple Originals honored with nominations across 14 titles, including Severance, The Studio, Slow Horses, Shrinking, Presumed Innocent, The Gorge, Bad Sisters, Dope Thief, Disclaimer, Pachinko, Your Friends & Neighbors, Dark Matter, Deaf President Now!, and Bono: Stories of Surrender

    CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA Apple TV+ today earned a record-breaking 81 Emmy Award nominations across 14 hit Apple Original titles for this year’s 77th Emmy Awards. Severance became this year’s most-nominated series with 27 nominations, and The Studio made history as the most-nominated freshman comedy series with 23 nominations in total. Additionally, with top program nominations for drama (Slow Horses) and comedy (Shrinking), Apple TV+ became the only network to have multiple titles nominated in the Outstanding Comedy and Drama Series categories. Apple also landed the most acting nominations of any network or studio this year, with 31 performance nods total.

    “Everyone at Apple is celebrating the talent, creativity, and hard work of all of our Emmy nominees this morning,” said Zack Van Amburg, Apple’s head of Worldwide Video. “Severance and The Studio have exceeded our wildest expectations in earning the most nominations for both drama and comedy series, alongside the phenomenal Shrinking and Slow Horses. These shows have connected deeply with audiences around the world, and we’re incredibly appreciative to the Television Academy for recognizing the breadth of storytelling that has been an honor for us to champion. We send our warmest congratulations to all of today’s nominees.”

    “This record-breaking year is a milestone for Apple, and we’re especially proud of the continued impact our outstanding series nominees — Severance, The Studio, Shrinking, and Slow Horses — are having on global culture,” said Jamie Erlicht, Apple’s Head of Worldwide Video. “These nominations honor bold storytelling, exceptional performances, and remarkable craftsmanship, and we’re deeply grateful to the Television Academy for recognizing these visionary creators.”

    Severance dominates as the most-nominated series this year, with 27 overall nominations, including Outstanding Drama, Outstanding Lead Actor for Adam Scott, Outstanding Lead Actress for Britt Lower, Outstanding Directing for Ben Stiller and Jessica Lee Gagné, Outstanding Writing for Dan Erickson, alongside recognition for outstanding performances by Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, John Turturro, Patricia Arquette, Jane Alexander, Gwendoline Christie, and Merritt Wever, as well as nods across several craft categories.

    As the most-nominated freshman comedy series in history, in addition to Outstanding Comedy, The Studio scores Outstanding Lead Actor, Directing, and Writing for Seth Rogen; Outstanding Supporting Actor for Ike Barinholtz; and Outstanding Supporting Actress for Kathryn Hahn and Catherine O’Hara. It also earned five of the six nominations in the Outstanding Guest Actor category, including first-ever acting nominations for directors Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard, alongside Bryan Cranston, Dave Franco, and Anthony Mackie, plus an Outstanding Guest Actress nomination for Zoë Kravitz.

    In its sophomore season, Apple’s beloved Shrinking nabs its first-ever nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series, and Harrison Ford is recognized with his first Emmy Award nomination for his celebrated performance in the series. Jason Segel nabs Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy, alongside Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress nominations for Michael Urie and Jessica Williams, respectively.

    Following last year’s Emmy Award win for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, Slow Horses lands nominations for Outstanding Drama, Outstanding Lead Actor for Sir Gary Oldman, Outstanding Directing for Adam Randall, Outstanding Casting, and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for Will Smith.

    Apple Original Films’ The Gorge lands the first Outstanding Television Movie nomination for Apple TV+, as Apple Original documentaries Deaf President Now! and Bono: Stories of Surrender are also recognized.

    Apple TV+ series stars lead with the most performance nominations overall, earning 31 acting category nominations, including 10 top acting nominations for acclaimed performances in The Studio, nine nominations for the stars and guest stars of Severance, and four nominations each for performances in Shrinking and Presumed Innocent. Dope Thief star Brian Tyree Henry also scores a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, as Sir Gary Oldman lands his second nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Slow Horses, and Sharon Horgan is recognized with her second nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for the BAFTA Award-winning Bad Sisters.

    The nominations were announced today by the Television Academy, and the winners will be unveiled at the Creative Arts ceremonies on September 6 and 7, and the Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony on September 14, 2025.

    To date, Apple Original films, documentaries, and series have earned 580 wins and 2,761 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy Ted Lasso and historic Oscar Best Picture winner CODA.

    In total, Apple scores 81 Emmy Award nominations, including:

    Severance (27)

    • Outstanding Drama Series
    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Adam Scott
    • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Britt Lower
    • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Zach Cherry
    • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Tramell Tillman
    • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: John Turturro
    • Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Patricia Arquette
    • Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: Jane Alexander
    • Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: Gwendoline Christie
    • Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: Merritt Wever
    • Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: Jessica Lee Gagné
    • Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: Ben Stiller
    • Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: Dan Erickson
    • Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary Program (One Hour or More)
    • Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score)
    • Outstanding Casting For A Drama Series 
    • Outstanding Choreography For Scripted Programming 
    • Outstanding Cinematography For A Series (One Hour)
    • Outstanding Picture Editing For A Drama Series (X3)
    • Outstanding Title Design
    • Outstanding Music Supervision
    • Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour)
    • Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour)
    • Outstanding Special Visual Effects In A Single Episode
    • Outstanding Stunt Performance

    The Studio (23)

    • Outstanding Comedy Series
    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Seth Rogen
    • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Ike Barinholtz
    • Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Kathryn Hahn
    • Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Catherine O’Hara
    • Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: Bryan Cranston
    • Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: Dave Franco
    • Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: Ron Howard
    • Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: Anthony Mackie
    • Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: Martin Scorsese
    • Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: Zoë Kravitz
    • Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg
    • Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Heck, Alex Gregory, Frida Perez
    • Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Program (Half-Hour)
    • Outstanding Casting For A Comedy Series
    • Outstanding Cinematography For A Series (Half-Hour)
    • Outstanding Contemporary Costumes For A Series
    • Outstanding Picture Editing For A Single Camera Comedy Series
    • Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling 
    • Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score)
    • Outstanding Music Supervision
    • Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (Half-Hour)
    • Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (Half-Hour) And Animation

    Shrinking (7)

    • Outstanding Comedy Series
    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Jason Segel
    • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Harrison Ford
    • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Michael Urie
    • Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Jessica Williams
    • Outstanding Casting For A Comedy Series
    • Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (Half-Hour) And Animation

    Slow Horses (5)

    • Outstanding Drama Series
    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Gary Oldman
    • Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: Will Smith
    • Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: Adam Randall
    • Outstanding Casting For A Drama Series

    Presumed Innocent (4)

    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Jake Gyllenhaal
    • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Bill Camp
    • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Peter Sarsgaard
    • Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Ruth Negga

    Disclaimer (2)

    • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Cate Blanchett
    • Outstanding Cinematography For A Limited Or Anthology Series or Movie

    Bad Sisters (1)

    • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Sharon Horgan

    Dope Thief (1)

    • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Brian Tyree Henry

    The Gorge (2)

    • Outstanding Television Movie
    • Outstanding Sound Editing For A Limited Or Anthology Series, Movie Or Special

    Deaf President Now! (2)

    • Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special
    • Outstanding Directing For A Documentary/Nonfiction Program: Nyle DiMarco, Davis Guggenheim

    Pachinko (2)

    • Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Period or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More)
    • Outstanding Cinematography For A Series (One Hour)

    Your Friends & Neighbors (1)

    • Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music

    Bono: Stories of Surrender (1)

    • Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork For A Special

    Dark Matter (1)

    • Outstanding Title Design

    Nominees for Outstanding Commercial (2)

    • “Heartstrings” — Apple AirPods Pro
    • “Flock” — Apple Privacy

    Severance
    In Severance, Mark Scout (Adam Scott) leads a team at Lumon Industries, whose employees have undergone a severance procedure that surgically divides their memories between their work and personal lives. This daring experiment in “work-life balance” is called into question as Mark finds himself at the center of an unraveling mystery that will force him to confront the true nature of his work … and of himself. In season two, Mark and his friends learn the dire consequences of trifling with the severance barrier, leading them further down a path of woe.

    The Studio
    In The Studio, Seth Rogen stars as Matt Remick, the newly appointed head of embattled Continental Studios. As movies struggle to stay alive and relevant, Matt and his core team of infighting executives battle their insecurities as they wrangle narcissistic artists and craven corporate overlords in the ever-elusive pursuit of making great films. With their power suits masking their never-ending sense of panic, every party, set visit, casting decision, marketing meeting and award show presents them with an opportunity for glittering success or career-ending catastrophe. As someone who eats, sleeps and breathes movies, it’s the job Matt’s been pursuing his whole life, and it may very well destroy him.

    Shrinking
    Shrinking follows a grieving therapist who starts to break the rules and tell his clients exactly what he thinks. Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people’s lives … including his own.

    Slow Horses
    This darkly funny espionage drama follows a team of British intelligence agents who serve in a dumping ground department of MI5 due to their career-ending mistakes. Led by their brilliant but irascible leader, the notorious Jackson Lamb (Academy Award winner Sir Gary Oldman), they navigate the espionage world’s smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces.

    Presumed Innocent
    Presumed Innocent is an eight-episode limited series starring and executive produced by Jake Gyllenhaal, hailing from David E. Kelley and executive producer J.J. Abrams and based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name by Scott Turow. Starring Gyllenhaal in the lead role of chief deputy prosecutor Rusty Sabich, the series takes viewers on a gripping journey through the horrific murder that upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office when one of its own is suspected of the crime. The series explores obsession, sex, politics, and the power and limits of love, as the accused fights to hold his family and marriage together. The star-studded ensemble cast of the thriller also includes Ruth Negga, Bill Camp, Elizabeth Marvel, Peter Sarsgaard, O-T Fagbenle and Renate Reinsve.

    Disclaimer
    Disclaimer is a gripping psychological thriller in seven chapters, starring Academy Award winners Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline. Written and directed by five-time Academy Award winner Alfonso Cuarón, “Disclaimer” is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Renée Knight. Acclaimed journalist Catherine Ravenscroft (Blanchett) built her reputation revealing the misdeeds and transgressions of others. When she receives a novel from an unknown author, she is horrified to realize she is now the main character in a story that exposes her darkest secrets. As Catherine races to uncover the writer’s true identity, she is forced to confront her past before it destroys her life and her relationships with her husband Robert (Sacha Baron Cohen) and their son Nicholas (Kodi Smit-McPhee). The ensemble cast includes Lesley Manville, Louis Partridge, Leila George and Hoyeon, and features Indira Varma as the narrator.

    Bad Sisters
    Bad Sisters season two returns to follow the lives of the Garvey sisters played by Sharon Horgan as Eva, Anne-Marie Duff as Grace, Eva Birthistle as Ursula, Sarah Greene as Bibi and Eve Hewson as Becka. Two years after the “accidental death” of Grace’s abusive husband, the close-knit Garvey sisters may have moved on, but when past truths resurface, the ladies are thrust back into the spotlight, suspicions are at an all-time high, lies are told, secrets revealed and the sisters are forced to work out who they can trust.

    Dope Thief
    Based on Dennis Tafoya’s book Dope Thief, the series follows long-time Philly friends and delinquents who pose as DEA agents to rob an unknown house in the countryside, only to have their small-time grift become a life-and-death enterprise, as they unwittingly reveal and unravel the biggest hidden narcotics corridor on the Eastern Seaboard.

    The Gorge
    Two highly-trained operatives (Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy) are appointed to posts in guard towers on opposite sides of a vast and highly classified gorge, protecting the world from an undisclosed, mysterious evil that lurks within. They bond from a distance while trying to stay vigilant in defending against an unseen enemy. When the cataclysmic threat to humanity is revealed to them, they must work together in a test of both their physical and mental strength to keep the secret in the gorge before it’s too late.

    Pachinko
    Epic in scope and intimate in tone, the story begins with a forbidden love and crescendos into a sweeping saga that journeys between Korea, Japan and America to tell an unforgettable story of war and peace, love and loss, triumph and reckoning.

    Your Friends & Neighbors
    After being fired in disgrace, a hedge fund manager still grappling with his recent divorce, resorts to stealing from his neighbors’ homes in the exceedingly affluent Westmont Village, only to discover that the secrets and affairs hidden behind those wealthy facades might be more dangerous than he ever imagined.

    Deaf President Now!
    The story of the greatest civil rights movement most people have never heard of. Deaf President Now! recounts the eight days of historic protests held at Gallaudet University in 1988 after the school’s board of trustees appointed a hearing president over several very qualified Deaf candidates. After a week of rallies, boycotts and protests, the students of Gallaudet University triumph as the hearing president resigns and beloved dean Dr. I. King Jordan becomes the university’s first Deaf president. The protests marked a pivotal moment in civil rights history, with an impact that extended well beyond the Gallaudet campus, and paved the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Deaf President Now! features exclusive interviews with the five key figures of the movement, including the DPN4 — Jerry Covell, Bridgetta Bourne-Firl, Tim Rarus and Greg Hlibok — alongside I. King Jordan, as well as archival and scripted elements. The film also incorporates an experimental narrative approach called Deaf Point of View, using impressionistic visual photography and intricate sound design to thrust the audience into the Deaf experience.

    Bono: Stories of Surrender
    Bono: Stories of Surrender is a vivid reimagining of Bono’s critically acclaimed one-man stage show, Stories of Surrender: An Evening of Words, Music and Some Mischief… As he pulls back the curtain on a remarkable life and the family, friends and faith that have challenged and sustained him, he also reveals personal stories about his journey as a son, father, husband, activist and rock star. Along with never-before-seen, exclusive footage from the tour, the film features Bono performing many of the iconic U2 songs that have shaped his life and legacy.

    Dark Matter
    Hailed as one of the best sci-fi novels of the decade, Dark Matter is a story about the road not taken. The series will follow Jason Dessen (played by Joel Edgerton), a physicist, professor and family man who — one night while walking home on the streets of Chicago — is abducted into an alternate version of his life. Wonder quickly turns to nightmare when he tries to return to his reality amid the mind-bending landscape of lives he could have lived. In this labyrinth of realities, he embarks on a harrowing journey to get back to his true family and save them from the most terrifying, unbeatable foe imaginable: himself.

    All programs are currently streaming on Apple TV+.

    Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all your favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut.

    About Apple TV+ Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone; iPad; Apple TV; Apple Vision Pro; Mac; popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL, and others; Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices; Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation, and Xbox gaming consoles; and at tv.apple.com, for $9.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.1About Apple Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV+. Apple’s more than 150,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth and to leaving the world better than we found it.

    1. For more information, visit apple.com/tvpr and see the full list of supported devices.

    Press Contacts

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform initiative steps up experience-sharing, reviews subsidy impacts

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform initiative steps up experience-sharing, reviews subsidy impacts

    Ambassador Clare Kelly of New Zealand, coordinator of the FFSR initiative, summarized the progress made on the three key pillars of the initiative’s work in 2025. Noting the strong interest in experience-sharing under the third pillar — “identifying and addressing harmful fossil fuel subsidies” — she encouraged participating members to continue exchanging ideas and to draw lessons from others’ reforms and complementary strategies to address social and developmental challenges.
    As part of the dedicated discussion on fossil fuel reforms, the Philippines shared its experiences on energy market and fossil fuel subsidy reform, including in support of the transition to sustainable energy solutions, while aligning with development priorities. The World Bank presented two new databases that enable users to track changes in retail fuel prices and related subsidy policies across countries in a timely manner. These tools are designed to support global efforts to address challenges associated with fuel pricing and subsidies, particularly in the context of volatile market conditions.
    In further discussions under the third pillar, co-sponsors examined the trade and environmental impacts of fossil fuel subsidies passed through to emissions-intensive industries. The International Energy Agency (IEA) presented its latest energy investment report, which indicated that fossil fuel subsidy support to industry had remained constant, despite a significant global shift towards increased clean energy investment.
    The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shared key findings from a recent study on the implications of government support for aluminium smelting and steelmaking. The study concludes that reforming such support offers a cost-effective way to reduce emissions while freeing public resources for more sustainable uses. The WTO Secretariat also presented a 2024 working paper on the trade effects of carbon pricing policies, which contains analysis of the potential impacts of different carbon pricing policies, including removal of fossil fuel subsidies, on comparative advantage in carbon-intensive industries.
    Co-sponsors thanked members and stakeholders for the valuable insights shared, which underscored the importance of strengthening fossil fuel subsidy reform through collective efforts. They emphasized the persistent scale and impact of fossil fuel subsidies, even amid increasing investment in clean energy. The empirical evidence presented confirmed that such subsidies distort comparative advantages and global trade, reinforcing the relevance of the FFSR initiative’s focus on subsidy reform. Co-sponsors also proposed ways to improve the understanding and classification of different types of fossil fuel subsidies.
    Under the first pillar — “Enhanced transparency” — several co-sponsors, including Colombia, Norway and Switzerland, provided updates on their respective efforts to compile information on fossil fuel subsidies and related reforms as part of their recent or upcoming Trade Policy Reviews. The WTO Secretariat presented data from members’ questions and answers related to fossil fuel subsidies and their reform, based on 18 Trade Policy Reviews conducted in 2024 and 2025. The findings reflect increased transparency on the topic, in part as a result of the non-exhaustive list of sample questions to be asked at TPRs adopted by the FFSR initiative co-sponsors at MC13.
    Under the second pillar — “Crisis support measures” — the coordinator highlighted ongoing efforts to compile information on temporary fossil fuel support measures introduced during the 2022–2023 energy crisis, with the aim of developing a practical set of guidelines to help members design any future such measures effectively. Co-sponsors reaffirmed the usefulness of the work on planned guidelines to help ensure that such measures remain targeted, transparent and temporary.
    In conclusion, Ambassador Kelly noted that the next FFSR meeting, scheduled for 2 October 2025, will continue to promote experience-sharing and maintain a focus on the three core pillars of the work programme.
    The FFSR initiative seeks to achieve the rationalization, phasing-out or elimination of harmful fossil fuel subsidies through the use of existing mechanisms or the development of new pathways to reform. It encourages WTO members to share information and experiences to advance discussions at the WTO. More information about the FFSR initiative is available here.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: DG thanks 2024 Young Trade Leaders, group issues report on youth attitudes to trade

    Source: WTO

    Headline: DG thanks 2024 Young Trade Leaders, group issues report on youth attitudes to trade

    The Young Trade Leaders Programme was launched in 2024 to bring young people closer to the work of the WTO. Over the past year, the group have developed their trade expertise, organized a range of activities in their home countries on key trade issues, and highlighted emerging trade priorities for young people.
    Recognizing their input, the Director-General urged the outgoing cohort to continue their important engagement at all levels as they further their careers. She also encouraged the group to share their expertise with the new cohort and help build a global network of enthusiastic young trade leaders.
    The Global Youth Consultations Report on Trade issued by the group presents the outcomes of a series of regional consultations led by the 2024 WTO Young Trade Leaders, with over 100 young people across six continents articulating their priorities, insights and recommendations for international trade policy.
    Despite the varied geographical and socio-economic background of the participants in the consultations, a common narrative emerged in the report: trade can be a tool to address the world’s evolving challenges.
    Read the report here.
    About the Young Trade Leaders programme
    The Young Trade Leaders Programme aims to foster a better understanding of the WTO’s work and international trade among young people.  
    More information on the programme is available here.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Merchandise trade posts strong growth in Q1 ahead of tariff hikes

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Merchandise trade posts strong growth in Q1 ahead of tariff hikes

    The new tariffs announced by the United States on 2 April at the start of the second quarter were widely anticipated, allowing importers to move purchases forward to avoid paying higher duties at a later date. Trade volume growth in the first quarter was above projections issued in the WTO’s Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report on 16 April, both for the Secretariat’s baseline forecast of 2.7% for 2025, which assumed a continuation of policies in place at the start of the year, and the adjusted forecast of ‑0.2% assuming policies in place on 16 April.
    Since then, a variety of trade agreements and trade measures have nudged the adjusted forecast up and down slightly, but as of mid-June merchandise trade growth for the year was still expected to be basically flat at 0.1%.
    Chart 1: World merchandise trade volume and value, 2019Q1-2025Q1Indices, 2019=100

    Sources: WTO and UNCTAD for merchandise trade volume, WTO for merchandise trade value.Note: Merchandise trade volume refers to the average of exports and imports, while merchandise trade value refers to exports in current US dollar terms.  SA indicates a seasonally-adjusted data series while NSA denotes non-seasonally-adjusted data.
    Meanwhile, the US dollar value of world merchandise trade — as measured by non-seasonally-adjusted exports — was up 4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting strong growth in volume terms and declining prices (Chart 1). The value of trade in the first quarter was down compared to the previous quarter due to regular seasonal variation, but seasonally-adjusted figures continued to rise.
    There were significant disparities across regions in merchandise trade volume growth in the first quarter, especially on the import side (Chart 2). North America recorded the strongest quarter-on-quarter import growth of any region by far at 13.4%, followed by Africa at 5.1%, South and Central America and the Caribbean at 3.6%, the Middle East at 3.0%, Europe at 1.3%, and Asia at 1.1%. The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), including certain associate and former member states, was the only region to record a decline in the first quarter at -0.5%.  On the export side, the Middle East recorded the strongest quarter-on-quarter growth at 6.3%, followed by Asia at 5.6%, South America at 3.2%, Africa at 2.5%, Europe at 1.9% and North America at 1.8%. The CIS region also registered an export decline of -1.0% in the first quarter.
    Chart 2: Merchandise export and import volumes by region, 2019Q1 – 2025Q1Seasonally-adjusted indices, 2019=100

    a     Refers to South and Central America and the Caribbean.b     Refers to Commonwealth of Independent States, including certain associate and former member states.Source: WTO and UNCTAD estimates.
    Merchandise trade developments in value terms during the first quarter of 2025
    Chart 3 shows year-on-year growth in the US dollar value of world merchandise trade by broad product category in the first quarter.1 The strongest performance was in office and telecom equipment (+16% year-on-year), followed by chemicals (+12%) and clothing (+7%). Among the product categories shown, only automotive products (-4%), fuels and mining products (-4%; of which: fuels -7%) and iron and steel (-3%) decreased in value terms. While fuel prices changed little compared with the same quarter in the previous year, prices for metals and minerals (excluding gold & silver) were 8% higher.
    Chart 3: Year-on-year merchandise trade growth by product in the first quarter of 2025% change in US$ values

    a Includes electrical machinery, non-electrical machinery and power generating equipment.Source: WTO for total merchandise exports, WTO Secretariat estimates for products.
    Africa had the strongest merchandise export growth of any region in value terms in the first quarter, up 9% year-on-year (Chart 4). The increase was led by gold, ores, cocoa, and copper, while fuel shipments declined. It was followed by Asia (up 5%, led by precious metals and machinery) and South and Central America (up 4%, with increases in precious metals, ores and coffee/tea, and declines in fuels, oil seeds, and cereals). Among WTO regions, only the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)2 saw its exports decline (-6%).
    Chart 4: Merchandise trade growth by regions in the first quarter of 2025% change in US$ values

    a  Refers to South and Central America and the Caribbean.b Refers to Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), including certain associate and former member states.Source: WTO.
    On the import side, strong year-on-year increases were observed in North America (+19%) and South America (+12%). Regarding North America, imports of machinery, precious metals and pharmaceuticals showed marked increases, while vehicle imports dropped slightly. South America saw particularly strong imports of machinery, articles of iron and steel, and vehicles, while imports of fuel fell. Asia’s first quarter merchandise imports increased the least amongst the regions (1%), apart from the 0.1% decline in the CIS region. Asia saw strong import growth for gold and iron ore while imports of vehicles fell. In line with the world trend, Asian imports of fuels also declined year-on-year, while imports of integrated circuits rose.
    Monthly merchandise trade developments
    Monthly merchandise trade statistics in value terms are available for many countries into the second quarter of 2025.  These data show evidence of import demand starting to slow after the first quarter surge. This is illustrated by Chart 5, which shows year-on-year growth in the US dollar value of merchandise exports and imports in 2025 for selected economies in the first quarter, plus partial data for the second quarter (April-May or the latest available month).
    For example, imports of the United States were up 25% in the first quarter but only 1% in the first two months of the second quarter.  For the year to date (Jan-May), US imports were up 15%.  On the export side, shipments from China were up 6% year-on-year in both Q1 and Q2, but other Asian economies saw export growth accelerate (e.g. India, down 4% year-on-year in Q1 but up 9% in April).
    These latest quarterly and monthly merchandise trade statistics and other data can be downloaded from the WTO’s online database at stats.wto.org.
    Chart 5: Merchandise export and import growth of selected economies, Jan.-May 2025year-on-year % change in US$ values

    a  April-June.b  April.Source: National customs statistics accessed through Trade Data Monitor (TDM).

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  • MIL-OSI Economics: Zambia formally accepts WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Zambia formally accepts WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

    DG Okonjo-Iweala said: “Turning the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies into real benefits for people and the planet is a global endeavour, and I am grateful to Zambia, as a landlocked country, for stepping up and doing its part. With Zambia’s ratification, we are now closer than ever to adding the Agreement to the WTO rulebook and only six ratifications away from breaking new ground in protecting livelihoods, food security and restoring marine fish stocks.”
    Ambassador Luambia said: “Zambia is very pleased to be part of the first 105 signatories and part of the 111 ratifications that will bring the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies into force. As a landlocked country, Zambia understands the importance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies in sustaining marine fish stocks and promoting fair trade to support livelihoods, particularly for those in small scale fishing. Zambia believes that the entry into force of this Agreement will further strengthen the rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization at the centre.”
    Formal acceptances from two-thirds of WTO members are required for the Agreement to enter into force — representing 111 members. The list of the 105 WTO members which have deposited their instruments of acceptance with the WTO is available here.
    At the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) held in Geneva in June 2022, ministers adopted by consensus the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, setting new, binding, multilateral rules to curb harmful fisheries subsidies. The Agreement prohibits subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, for fishing overfished stocks, and for fishing on the unregulated high seas.
    Ministers also recognized the needs of developing economies and least-developed countries by establishing a fund to provide technical assistance and capacity-building to help governments that have formally accepted the Agreement to implement the new obligations.
    The Fish Fund launched a Call for Proposals on 6 June, inviting developing economies and LDCs that have ratified the Agreement to submit requests for project grants aimed at helping them implement the Agreement. The WTO Fish Fund portal can be found here.
    WTO members also agreed at MC12 to continue negotiating on remaining fisheries subsidies issues. The objective is to find consensus on additional provisions to further strengthen the disciplines on fisheries subsidies.
    Information for members on how to accept the Protocol of Amendment is available here.

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  • MIL-OSI Economics: MCAPS Start for Partners: Accelerating growth and innovation together

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: MCAPS Start for Partners: Accelerating growth and innovation together

    Earlier this year, Microsoft celebrated its 50th anniversary, a journey powered by our partners from day one. As we begin the new fiscal year, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your bold innovation, trusted collaboration, and customer obsession. FY25 was one of the most transformative years in our history, and you made it possible.

    At MCAPS Start for Partners, we outlined the next chapter of opportunity powered by AI: customizable agents, copilots, and a new class of AI-first organizations we call Frontier Firms. These are next-generation organizations that blend AI-powered solutions with human leadership to operate with agility, scale, and value creation. These firms are not just adopting AI; they are redesigning their business models, workflows, and cultures around it. 
     

    FY26 priorities and solution areas

    As we look ahead to FY26, our focus is on translating this AI-powered vision into actionable priorities for our partners. To do this, we have made the decision to evolve our go-to-market approach around three solution areas, a strategic shift grounded in what customers are asking for and what’s resonating most in the market. 
     

     
     

    • AI Business Solutions: Scale Copilot across every device and role and drive strong execution in Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365.
    • Cloud & AI Platforms: Lead with Frontier AI innovations and accelerate cloud migrations and modernization.
    • Security: Strengthen and secure the cyber foundation.

    These solution areas are designed to mirror how customers think about their business challenges, making it easier for Microsoft and our partners to align solutions to those needs. They also provide a scalable, repeatable framework for how we engage across industries, segments, and geographies, enabling more consistent execution and deeper impact.

    As a partner-first company, our partner ecosystem is an extension of our sales organization, and this alignment deepens our unified approach to engaging customers. 
     

    Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program

    The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program continues to be the primary way we engage and invest in our partner ecosystem. The program brings everything together across the whole of the partner lifecycle, including onboarding, skilling, go-to-market, co-selling, and incentives.

    Our commitment is to make the AI Cloud Partner Program a home for all partner types and to be agile to keep up with the innovation we are bringing to market, as well as customer demand. FY26 represents another record year of investment in the program, supporting partners with market-leading capability across their journey. 
     

    Expanded program benefits

    The program is designed to deliver value across every stage of the partner journey, offering targeted benefits that support growth and innovation.

    For software development companies, key offerings include access to the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, which enables partners to build, publish, and scale well-architected software solutions.

    To further support software partners, Microsoft is increasing Azure credits for those participating in Marketplace Rewards or who hold certified software designations. These benefits unlock valuable resources such as technical consultations, access to AI Foundry, GitHub and GitHub Copilot, exam vouchers, and additional rewards tied to marketplace performance.

    For services partners, we are expanding our benefits offerings by including the latest Microsoft products, increasing Copilot seats, and introducing tools like Copilot Studio, Dragon Copilot, and Microsoft 365 E5 Security. Based on partner feedback, the company is also enhancing benefit delivery through Modern Benefit Provisioning in Partner Center.

    In FY26, partners will also gain more flexibility by being able to combine or split their benefit packages across multiple tenants, enabling them to support operations in various global locations. 
     

    Skilling for the future and becoming customer zero

    Capability is the new currency. Skilling is one of the most important steps partners can take to earn designations, build trust, and accelerate differentiation. And becoming their own customer zero by using Microsoft AI solutions within their organization is what separates partners who lead from those who follow. With fast-moving tech cycles, staying skilled and hands-on is no longer optional; it is essential.

    In FY25, over three million learners upskilled across the Microsoft solution areas, with half of them in AI, Copilot, and Fabric. In FY26, we are expanding this momentum with additional opportunities:

    • Agentic AI skilling: hands-on technical training to skill partners to design and deploy intelligent agent solutions using Copilot Studio and Azure AI Foundry.
    • Hackathon-based training: enabling partners to build IP, earn certifications, and deliver revenue-generating AI engagements.
    • Regional in-person workshops and AI roadshows: providing immersive, peer-based skilling experiences.
    • CSP certification weeks and a Skilling in a Box initiative for distributors, scaling pre-sales and sales skilling to thousands of resellers.

    We encourage every partner to become customer zero and use the very tools they bring to market. This builds credibility, deepens insight, and increases their ability to guide customers through transformation. When their teams are hands-on with AI, the customer experience improves.

    Skilling is the engine behind that impact, and we are here to support partners every step of the way. Learn more about current skilling opportunities. 
     

    Unlocking growth through designations

    Designations and specializations remain key to how we showcase partner capabilities both to customers and internally across Microsoft’s field organization. In FY26, we are launching several new recognitions, including a Copilot specialization (launching this month), a Distributor designation, a Support designation, and a Sovereign Cloud specialization.

    In the second half of FY26, we will introduce two new device-driven designations in the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program. These are focused on unlocking commercial Windows growth, especially in SMB.

    • One designation recognizes OEM partners building modern, hybrid-ready Windows devices.
    • The second is for partners selling and deploying Windows Commercial devices, including Copilot+ PCs, with value across the full deployment lifecycle.

    These designations are focused on supporting the Windows 10 refresh cycle, accelerating Microsoft 365 adoption, and building trusted relationships through secure, AI-ready devices.

    We have also expanded SMB pathways for Security and Azure designations, with nearly 9,000 partners already achieving designations through these new routes. 
     

    Incentives to fuel growth

    We are also significantly increasing our investment across the business:

    • Enterprise Customer Investment Funds will grow ~20% year over year (YOY), enabling partners to deliver more AI design wins, migrations, and Copilot deployments.
    • In AI Business Solutions, we have increased Copilot funding by 50%, reflecting strong momentum and broadening accessibility across the workforce.
    • Microsoft 365 incentives are increasing by double digits.
    • Azure outcome-based incentives are up 70% YOY, rewarding partners for expanding workloads, driving seat growth, and deepening solution adoption.
    • We are strengthening our CSP incentives with a ~20% YOY increase to reward growth through new customer acquisition, upselling new workloads, and expanding existing relationships. To align our investments with our FY26 growth ambitions, we’re pulling forward the effective date of these incentives to July 1. This shift ensures a fast start to the year, enabling partners to accelerate execution, capture opportunity earlier, and drive measurable impact from day one. We’re structuring this opportunity to foster a more predictable and profitable environment as partners deliver strategic customer solutions.
    • We are also investing 15% more in Security, an increase from a significant investment base, to empower partner-led engagements that protect customers and open new business opportunities.

    Be sure to download our CSA incentives playbooks for guidance on the customer opportunity across each solution area, along with the resources available at each stage of customer engagement to help partners capture that opportunity.

    The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program is the engine that fuels our ecosystem. We are committed to continual investment, flexibility, and shared success so that our program evolves in lockstep with our technology and the market. 
     

    Seizing the segment opportunity

    Across customer segments, we see real momentum and value creation through Microsoft’s AI platform, especially through Copilot and agents. Organizations are using AI to reshape how work gets done, reduce costs, and unlock net-new value.

    Microsoft estimates, based on IDC data, that in the small and medium enterprise (SME) segment, the total addressable market (TAM) will reach $777 billion by FY26 for organizations with fewer than 3,000 employees. This spans over 400 million organizations globally. Our Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partners are playing a critical role as trusted advisors, with SMB and corporate seller-partner co-sell deals up significantly year over year.

    In the enterprise segment, partners are leading large-scale AI and cloud transformations across a $592 billion TAM by reimagining customers’ core business processes and accelerating their journey toward fully agent-operated workflows.

    Across both segments, Copilot is emerging as a strategic differentiator for partners. The data is clear: those who deploy Copilot internally and become their own customer zero see greater customer success and faster revenue growth. By using the same tools they bring to market, partners can deliver more authentic demos, demonstrate real business outcomes, and guide customers with confidence. If you have not started your internal Copilot journey, now is the time. 
     

    Looking ahead

    AI is reshaping businesses, industries, and entire economies. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to define the future together, and Microsoft is dedicated to being a wholly committed partner along the way.

    • If you missed the MCAPS Start for Partners keynote or want to revisit key announcements, I encourage you to watch the keynote on demand.
    • Watch the breakout sessions on July 15 or check back on July 17 for a link to the recorded experience.
    • We also invite you to attend our upcoming MCI Partner sessions dedicated to assisting partners with questions related to new and/or existing incentive offers in MCI.
    • Join us for Microsoft Partner FY26 GTM Kickoff event on July 22 to learn about the go-to-market (GTM) priorities and initiatives planned for FY26 across Microsoft Business Applications and Modern Work.
    • Register for a Cloud & AI Platforms FY26 partner playbook walkthrough for systems integrators. Sign in to Teams and register for a morning or evening session.
    • Find out more about Azure Accelerate, our new holistic offering that brings together Azure Migrate and Modernize, Azure Innovate, and Cloud Accelerate Factory.

    The opportunity ahead is immense, and we are building the platform, programs, and incentives to enable you to deliver market-leading capability and customer success through our partnership.

    Thank you for all you have accomplished and all we will achieve together in FY26!

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New research: AI could make breast cancer screening more accurate and easier

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: New research: AI could make breast cancer screening more accurate and easier

    At Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab, we’ve been working with partners at the University of Washington, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and other institutions to explore whether artificial intelligence can help bring greater clarity, accuracy, and trust to breast cancer screening. 

    This week, our joint research team released the results of a new study published in Radiology, detailing a promising AI approach that aims not just to detect cancer—but to do so in a way that radiologists can trust and patients can understand. 

    The challenges with current breast cancer screening 

    Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. In the United States alone, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Early detection through screening is the most powerful tool available to save lives, with a 20% to 40% reduction in mortality for women aged 50-69—yet it remains an imperfect science. 

    Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is among the most sensitive screening tools available, especially for women at higher risk. But for all its sensitivity, MRI comes with serious trade-offs: high rates of false positives, significantly increased anxiety for patients, and unnecessary biopsies. The problem is especially acute for the nearly 50% of women who have dense breast tissue—a condition that not only increases the risk of breast cancer but also makes it harder to detect abnormalities through traditional imaging methods like mammograms. 

    Too often, these challenges translate into a troubling equation: more scans, more uncertainty, and more follow-up procedures that turn out to be unnecessary. In fact, only a small fraction—less than 5%—of women undergoing breast MRI screening are ultimately diagnosed with cancer. 

    A smarter model, built for the real world 

    The model—called FCDD (Fully Convolutional Data Description)—is based on anomaly detection rather than standard classification. That’s an important shift. Instead of trying to learn what every possible cancer looks like, the model learns what normal breast scans look like and flags anything that deviates.

    This approach is particularly effective in real-world screening settings where cancer is rare and abnormalities are highly varied. Across a dataset of over 9,700 breast MRI exams, the model was tested in both high- and low-prevalence scenarios—including realistic screening populations where just 1.85% of scans contained cancer.

    Here’s what we found:

    • Improved accuracy in low-prevalence populations: FCDD outperformed traditional AI models in identifying malignancies while dramatically reducing false positives. In screening-like settings, it achieved double the positive predictive value of standard models and cut false alarms by more than 25%.
    • Exceptional explainability: Unlike most AI models, FCDD doesn’t just give a “yes” or “no”—it generates heatmaps that visually highlight the suspected tumor location in the two-dimensional MRI projection. These explanation maps matched expert radiologist retrospective annotations with 92% accuracy (pixel-wise AUC), far exceeding other models.
    • Generalizability across institutions: Without retraining, the model maintained high performance on a publicly available external dataset and an independent internal dataset, suggesting strong potential for broader clinical adoption.

    Making AI impactful, not just impressive 

    This model is more than a technical achievement. It’s a step toward making AI useful in clinical workflows—providing triage support, reducing time spent on normal cases, and focusing radiologists’ attention where it matters most. By improving specificity at high sensitivity thresholds (95–97%), the model could help reduce unnecessary callbacks and biopsies, easing emotional and financial burdens for patients. 

    Importantly, the code and methodology have been made open to the research community. You can explore the project here: GitHub Repository, and the paper here.

    As with all AI in healthcare, the path to impact requires more than algorithms. It requires trust. Trust is built not only by performance metrics but also by transparency, interpretability, and a clear understanding of the clinical context in which these tools are deployed. 

    Where we go from here 

    We still have work ahead. The model will need to be tested prospectively in larger, diverse clinical populations. But the results are promising—and they mark an important shift in how we think about the role of AI in medicine. Rather than asking doctors to trust a black box, we’re building models that shine a light on what they see and why. 

    “We are very optimistic about the potential of this new AI model, not only for its increased accuracy over other models in identifying cancerous regions but its ability to do so using only minimal image data from each exam. Importantly, this AI tool can be applied to abbreviated contrast-enhanced breast MRI exams as well as full diagnostic protocols, which may also help in shortening both scan times and interpretation times,” said Savannah Partridge, Professor of Radiology at the University of Washington and senior author of the study. “We are excited to take the next steps to assess its utility for enhancing radiologist performance and clinical workflows.” 

    AI will not replace radiologists. But with the right design and oversight, it can give them sharper tools and clearer signals to increase confidence in evaluating difficult cases.  

    Breast cancer is a global challenge. With AI, we have a chance to detect it earlier, reduce unnecessary interventions, and ultimately save more lives. That is a future worth building toward—one pixel, one scan, and one breakthrough at a time. 

    Tags: AI, AI for Good

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  • MIL-OSI Economics: Great to see how San Francisco is equipping its employees with Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat. Thank you, Daniel Lurie for leading the way!

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Great to see how San Francisco is equipping its employees with Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat. Thank you, Daniel Lurie for leading the way!

    Today we officially gave AI technology to 30,000 city employees, giving them tools to better serve the people of San Francisco. San Francisco is the global home of AI, and now, we’re putting that innovation to work for the people of this city. Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat is powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o gives our city workers a powerful, secure new tool to save time and work more effectively. AI is transforming every aspect of our city and our world—and my administration is building a government that reflects the innovative spirit of our city.

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  • MIL-OSI Economics: Arab Republic of Egypt: 2025 Article IV Consultation, Fourth Review Under the Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility, Requests for Waivers of Nonobservance and Modification of Performance Criteria and Request for an Arrangement Under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Egypt

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept. “Arab Republic of Egypt: 2025 Article IV Consultation, Fourth Review Under the Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility, Requests for Waivers of Nonobservance and Modification of Performance Criteria and Request for an Arrangement Under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Egypt”, IMF Staff Country Reports 2025, 186 (2025), accessed July 15, 2025, https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229014700.002

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