NewzIntel.com

Category: Entertainment

  • MIL-OSI USA News: WEEK 11 WINS: President Trump Unleashes Economic Prosperity

    Source: The White House

    It was another highly successful week for the American people as President Donald J. Trump continues his relentless pursuit of strength, prosperity, and peace — and lays the foundation for America to be the global powerhouse for generations to come.

    Here is a non-comprehensive list of wins in week 11:

    • Illegal crossings hit a stunning new record low — down 95% over last year.
      • The number of unaccompanied illegal immigrant children also reached a record low.
      • Los Angeles Times: “California-Mexico border, once overwhelmed, now nearly empty”
      • Bloomberg: “US-Bound Migration Plunges 99% Along Panama Jungle Route”
    • President Trump continued to rid our communities of illegal immigrant criminals.
      • The Trump Administration directed the successful arrests of three illegal immigrant MS-13 gang members in Florida, wanted on first-degree murder charges, and another high-ranking MS-13 member in New York, linked to 11 murders.
      • The Trump Administration directed the transfer of 17 violent illegal immigrant terrorists from the U.S. to El Salvador.
      • The Trump Administration, with state and local law enforcement, successfully arrested more than 40 individuals in a Texas operation targeting the brutal Tren de Aragua gang.
      • The Trump Administration deported an illegal immigrant “influencer” who infamously encouraged fellow illegal immigrants to become squatters.
      • Since taking office, the Trump Administration has arrested 113,000+ illegal immigrants, deported 100,000+ illegal immigrants, and released just nine illegal immigrants into the U.S. — a staggering 99.995% decrease over the same period last year under Biden.
    • President Trump implemented his bold plan for reciprocal trade as he seeks to reverse the decades of globalization that has decimated our industrial base.
      • Coalition for a Prosperous America: “A permanent, universal baseline tariff resets the global trade environment and finally addresses the destructive legacy of decades of misguided free-trade policies. President Trump’s decision to implement a baseline tariff is a game-changing shift that prioritizes American manufacturing, protects working-class jobs, and safeguards our economic security from adversaries like China. This is exactly the type of bold action America needs to restore its industrial leadership.”
      • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association: “For too long, America’s family farmers and ranchers have been mistreated by certain trading partners around the world. President Trump is taking action to address numerous trade barriers that prevent consumers overseas from enjoying high-quality, wholesome American beef.”
    • Americans saw early results of President Trump’s declaration that the days of economic surrender are over.
      • Nissan abandoned plans to eliminate a shift at its Tennessee production facility.
      • General Motors announced it will increase truck production at its Indiana assembly plant.
      • Guardian Bikes announced it will expand its production capacity and grow its U.S.-based investment.
      • Equipment giant JCB committed to doubling the size of its new U.S. manufacturing facility.
      • Ford Motor Company and Stellantis both announced they will offer U.S. consumers employee pricing on their vehicles.
    • President Trump continued to pursue peace through strength around the world.
      • President Trump deployed additional military assets to the Middle East as a warning to the Iranian regime.
      • The Trump Administration inked a $2 billion air defense deal with Poland.
      • President Trump secured a pledge from Finland to raise its defense spending to 3% of its GDP.
      • President Trump held a successful call with Egyptian President El-Sisi to discuss the immense progress the U.S. has made in eliminating Houthi terrorists.
      • President Trump had a “productive call” with Vietnamese leader To Lam, who expressed willingness to cut the country’s tariffs on U.S. imports.
    • President Trump’s economic agenda delivered more relief for Americans.
      • The latest jobs report shattered expectations for the second straight month — highlighted by massive private sector job growth, a spike in full-time employment, wage growth, and an expanding labor market.
      • CNBC: “Private companies added 155,000 jobs in March, more than expected”
      • Wholesale egg prices continued to drop, falling to an average price of $3 per dozen — or nearly 60% since January amid the Trump Administration’s efforts to combat the avian bird flu and repopulate the chicken supply.
    • President Trump secured the release of two U.S. citizens detained in Mexico.
    • President Trump signed an executive order to crack down on price gouging and ticket scalping in the entertainment industry.
    • President Trump established the United States Investment Accelerator to attract and facilitate billion-dollar investments in the U.S.
    • The Department of Energy unveiled plans to use thousands of acres of its land — including national laboratory campuses, nuclear sites, and former enrichment plants — to quickly develop data centers that will power the artificial intelligence revolution.
    • The Department of Energy removed additional regulatory barriers on liquefied natural gas exports.
    • The Department of the Treasury launched a new public-private partnership to safeguard the financial system against illicit activities by the Iranian regime and announced additional sanctions against Iran as part of the Trump Administration’s maximum pressure strategy.
    • The Department of the Treasury leveled new sanctions against financiers of the Sinaloa drug cartel, which has flooded our country with deadly fentanyl.
    • The Department of the Treasury announced additional sanctions against a network of Houthi terrorist facilitators.
    • The Department of the Treasury withdrew burdensome, duplicative climate-based financial risk guidelines from the banking industry.
    • The Department of the Interior announced its next oil and gas lease sale in the Gulf of America, fulfilling President Trump’s pledge to unleash American energy.
    • The Department of the Interior implemented President Trump’s executive order to enhance public safety, clean up lands, protect federal parks, and preserve historic monuments in the District of Columbia.
    • The Department of Health and Human Services launched a department-wide restructuring to realign with its core mission and save taxpayers billions of dollars.
    • The Department of Health and Human Services announced states can bar welfare recipients from using taxpayer dollars to purchase unhealthy soft drinks.
    • The Department of Labor announced it will return $1.4 billion in unused COVID funds back to the U.S. Treasury.
    • The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced a record number of new agent applications under its new leadership.
    • The Department of Justice dismissed a Biden-era lawsuit against common-sense, effective Georgia election law reforms.
    • The Department of Justice launched investigations into DEI initiatives at Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Los Angeles, and University of California, Irvine.
    • The Department of Justice said it will pursue the death penalty for the accused cold-blooded killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
    • The Environmental Protection Agency continued cutting wasteful spending, shuttering a politicized museum erected by the Biden Administration, consolidating office space, and eliminating duplicative grants and contracts — saving taxpayers tens of billions of dollars.
    • The Department of Defense directed a review of the military’s physical fitness standards to ensure it remains the strongest, most lethal fighting force on the planet.
    • The Department of Education and the Department of Justice launched a joint effort to ensure rapid investigations into violations of women’s civil rights.
    • The Department of Education issued a final warning to Maine over its ongoing refusal to comply with Title IX by forcing women to compete against men in athletics.
    • The Department of Education warned states with unlawful K-12 “diversity, equity, and inclusion” programs that they are at risk of losing federal funding.
    • The Department of Education encouraged state education officials to leverage federal funds to support school choice initiatives — a key part of President Trump’s education agenda.
    • The Department of Agriculture paused federal funding to Maine over its unlawful policies forcing women to compete against men in athletics.
    • The Department of Agriculture announced sweeping reforms to protect forests and boost domestic timber production.
    • The Department of Transportation announced an updated Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program, eliminating DEI and environmental justice requirements that prevented money from getting where it is needed.
    • The Department of Transportation continued making progress on the unprecedented backlog of unfulfilled grants left over by the Biden Administration.
    • The Department of Housing and Urban Development launched a streamlined website that efficiently provides vital information to Americans and saves taxpayers in the long run.
    • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services formally removed the option of a third gender on immigration paperwork, further restoring common sense to government.
    • Dr. Mehmet Oz was confirmed as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Matthew Whittaker was confirmed as the U.S. Ambassador to NATO — continuing the rapid pace at which President Trump’s nominees receive final approval.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Readout: Justice Department Hosts Roundtables to Address Competition Issues in the Entertainment Industry and Unfair Practices in the Labor Market

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division hosted two roundtables today to meet with key stakeholders and market participants to discuss competition issues in the entertainment industry and to identify harmful labor market conduct and how these impact American workers.

    In the first roundtable discussion, Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater convened members of Teamsters Local 25 and Local 804 and legal experts. Roundtable participants shared their personal stories and detailed ways that non-compete agreements, no poach agreements and other forms of unfair practices impact their livelihood. Legal experts, worker advocates and labor economists provided their insightful perspective and strategies to protect American workers.

    In the second roundtable discussion, Assistant Attorney General Slater heard from market participants, advocates and policymakers about unfair practices in the live entertainment market.  

    Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater meets with members of Teamsters Local 25 and Local 804
    Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater meets with market participants, advocates, and policymakers in the live entertainment market

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Readout: Justice Department Hosts Roundtables to Address Competition Issues in the Entertainment Industry and Unfair Practices in the Labor Market

    Source: United States Attorneys General 9

    The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division hosted two roundtables today to meet with key stakeholders and market participants to discuss competition issues in the entertainment industry and to identify harmful labor market conduct and how these impact American workers.

    In the first roundtable discussion, Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater convened members of Teamsters Local 25 and Local 804 and legal experts. Roundtable participants shared their personal stories and detailed ways that non-compete agreements, no poach agreements and other forms of unfair practices impact their livelihood. Legal experts, worker advocates and labor economists provided their insightful perspective and strategies to protect American workers.

    In the second roundtable discussion, Assistant Attorney General Slater heard from market participants, advocates and policymakers about unfair practices in the live entertainment market.  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Scarlet Sails graduation celebration won a prestigious award.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Graduation Celebration “Scarlet Sails”

    The Scarlet Sails Graduation Festival was recognized as the absolute winner of the XIII annual national award “Event of the Year”. The prestigious award was received in the nomination “Best Direction and Production of the Event” in the category “Innovative Solution of the Year”. The award ceremony took place at the Vladimir Mayakovsky Theater.

    The Scarlet Sails graduates’ festival, which has become a calling card not only for St. Petersburg but for all of Russia, has once again confirmed its uniqueness and significance. This award once again emphasizes the highest level of organization and creative work of the team.

    The Leningrad Graduation Ball appeared in 1968, and was discontinued in 1979. In 2005, on the initiative of Joint-Stock Bank “ROSSIYA”, the Government of St. Petersburg and Channel Five, the holiday was revived. A ship with scarlet sails reappeared in the waters of the Neva.

    All this time, Channel Five has been providing its live television broadcast without fail. For several years in a row, Channel Five’s team has been organizing a colorful water-pyrotechnic show. The main director is Mikhail Kolpakhchiev. The production of the concert part on Palace Square is provided by the event agency “ERA”. In 2024, Vladislav Kabanov and Maxim Akhtyamova acted as directors.

    Every year, the organizers of the legendary graduation try to surprise graduates and spectators, using innovative approaches and modern technologies. So last year, the stage complex used many technical means, lifting devices, platforms and suspended mechanisms, scenery hovering in the air, complex art objects. An unprecedented step by artists and designers is the high-altitude arrangement of multimedia screens and the creation of a wave-like non-linear form from them. This has never been done in the world before.

    The shape of the structure itself was more airy and open compared to previous years. A minimum number of walls were used. This allowed increasing the viewing angle to 270 degrees. The stage had the shape of a tree with a huge crown, with which various metamorphoses took place. The organizers paid special attention to the lighting component of the concert. The audience was presented with unusual experiments in the form of clear synchronization of computer graphics on LED panels and physical effects of light beams, as well as the work of pyrotechnic devices during the performance of Russian pop stars.

    The water-pyrotechnic show in the Neva River water area unfolded in ten locations. Under the salvoes of fireworks and a firefall, the audience, together with the heroes of the show, saw how true love is born and what power it has: it helps to overcome life’s trials. The culmination of the holiday was the appearance of the snow-white brig “Russia” with scarlet sails. A flock of dolphins gliding along the water, which accompanied the ship, added magic to the moment. They were flyboarders in luminous suits. During the final song “There are millions of us”, a crystal opened on the ship – a symbol of true love.

    In 2024, the festival was seen by almost 37 million people worldwide. The live broadcast of the water-pyrotechnic show on Channel Five took first place in the federal broadcast in the key audience of the channel “All 25-59” with a share of 11.4%. Over the past 17 years, the festival has been watched by a record number of Russian TV viewers – 7.7% aged 25 to 59. The water extravaganza was also broadcast by other federal channels. Its combined share on the air of four channels is 26.6% in the audience over 18 years old.

    The total television audience for the holiday in Russia and the CIS countries reached 25.5 million people.

    The fifth also broadcast the legendary graduation online on its website and official social media accounts. In 2024, the show was watched online by 11.3 million people, which is almost 12% more than in 2023.

    Reference*

    The Event of the Year award has been presented since 2011. During this time, it has gained an audience and fame among professionals in the event industry. The award traditionally identifies the best practices in Russia and covers all event formats, allows you to identify trendsetters and gives a well-deserved assessment of their achievements.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Pivotal Helix Wins Gold 2025 Edison Award

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., April 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pivotal, the market leader in light electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, today announced it was recognized with the prestigious Gold 2025 Edison Award in The Future of Personal Flight & Drive category for the Helix, its high-performance, cloud-connected personal aircraft.

    The Helix redefines personal mobility. Hop into the flight deck, power the props, tilt to take off straight up, then tilt back to cruise in this electric biplane. From the panoramic canopy to the ergonomic flight controls, every inch of the flight deck is designed for ease of use. By reducing complexity, Pivotal’s single-seat aircraft immerses the pilot in the wonder of flight, minimizes points of failure, and offers a high degree of safety.

    “We are honored to be recognized by the Edison Awards for Pivotal’s innovations in personal aviation. Like Edison and Ford, who transformed how people lived and moved in everyday life, we set out to make flight more accessible,” said Ken Karklin, CEO of Pivotal. “Our light eVTOL aircraft combine breakthrough electric propulsion and an unconventional architecture with simplified controls, opening the skies to more people than ever before.”

    “At Pivotal, we are driven by a relentless focus on excellence. Our mission is to bring safe, easy-to-fly eVTOL aircraft to market, transforming the future of personal aviation by rethinking and executing the art of possible,” added Karklin.

    “Pivotal’s Helix is a game-changing innovation in personal transportation, making the future of personal flight a reality right now. It’s the kind of forward-thinking solution that exemplifies the visionary work we recognize at the Edison Awards,” said Frank Bonafilia, CEO, Edison Awards.

    All nominations are reviewed by the Edison Awards Steering Committee with the final ballot being determined by an independent judging panel. The panel is composed of more than 3,000 senior business executives and academics from the fields of product development, design, engineering, science, marketing, and education, as well as past winners.

    About the Helix
    Ideal for recreation and short-hop travel, the Helix personal aerial vehicle takes off and lands on grass, asphalt, snow, ice—there’s no landing gear, just a keel strip. Fly-by-wire controls, a 270° view, and quiet operation allow pilots to become immersed in their natural surroundings. At the heart of this vehicle is a robust fault-tolerant design with triple modular redundancy for reliability and safety. As an ultralight aircraft, the Helix complies with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Regulation Part 103.

    About The Edison Awards
    Established in 1987, The Edison Awards™ recognize excellence in new product and service development, marketing, design, and innovation. Developed and maintained in the legacy of Thomas Edison, The Edison Awards™ “symbolize the persistence and excellence personified by Thomas Edison and his Menlo Park team, while also strengthening the human drive for innovation, creativity, and ingenuity.

    About Pivotal
    Pivotal designs, develops, and manufactures light eVTOL aircraft. An industry pioneer, Pivotal is renowned for the BlackFly, the first light eVTOL to be commercially available and delivered to customers in the United States. In October 2023, Pivotal introduced its next generation production aircraft, the Helix, and in January 2024 began sales of the Helix. The company’s distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable technology platform have been under continuous improvement for well over a decade, and today, Pivotal has the most mature technology in the light eVTOL category. Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal vehicles are designed for a wide range of consumer, public safety, and defense applications. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA. For videos and more information, visit https://pivotal.aero.

    Media Contact:
    Heidi Groshelle
    press@pivotal.aero

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8736958f-fbaf-4405-a56c-c2fcaed2a7bc

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sean Kingston and His Mother Convicted of Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MIAMI – Last week, Kisean Paul Anderson aka Sean Kingston and his mother, Janice Eleanor Turner, were convicted by a federal jury of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud, for their scheme to defraud luxury merchandise vendors of over $1,000,000 in property.

    From April 2023 to March 2024, Anderson reached out to his victims on a social media platform seeking to purchase valuable, high-end merchandise. After negotiating a deal, Anderson would invite the sellers to one, if not more, of his high-end homes in the Broward County area. During these meetings, he utilized his celebrity status to lull the victims into a false sense of security by promising to place his victims and their products in social media promos, or by name-dropping high-profile celebrities as potential referral clients. When payment was due for the merchandise, Anderson or his mother would text the victims fake wire receipts that had been obtained by Turner as purported payment for the luxury merchandise, which included a bullet-proof Escalade, watches and a 232-inch LED TV.

    When the funds never cleared, because the receipts were fake and no money had ever been transferred from legitimate accounts, the victims became suspicious, and despite numerous phone calls or text messages to Anderson and Turner, the victims were either never paid or only paid after filing a lawsuit or after law enforcement became involved. 

    A sentencing hearing for Anderson and Turner is set for July 11 before U.S. District Judge David Liebowitz. The defendants face up to 20 years in prison for each count.

    U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Rafael Barros of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Miami Field Office and Sheriff Gregory Tony of the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) made the announcement.

    USSS Miami and BSO investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marc Anton and Trevor Jones prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-60126.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Triumph Financial Announces Schedule for First Quarter 2025 Earnings Release and Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DALLAS, April 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Triumph Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: TFIN) today announced that it expects to release its first quarter financial results and management commentary after the market closes on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Upon filing, the financial results and commentary will be available on the Company’s website at tfin.com.

    Aaron P. Graft, Vice Chairman and CEO, and Brad Voss, CFO, will review the financial results in a conference call with investors and analysts beginning at 9:30 a.m. central time on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

    The live video conference option may be accessed directly through this link, https://triumph-financial-q1-2025-earnings.open-exchange.net/ or via the Company’s website at tfin.com through the News & Events, Events & Presentations links. Alternatively, a live conference call option is available by dialing 1-833-928-4610 (International: 1-800-456-1369) requesting to be joined to meeting ID 970 6106 3843 at the prompt. An archive of this conference call will subsequently be available at this same location, referenced above, on the Company’s website.

    About Triumph

    Triumph Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: TFIN) is a financial holding company focused on payments, factoring, intelligence and banking. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, its diversified portfolio of brands includes TriumphPay, Triumph, TBK Bank and LoadPay.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Investors are cautioned that such statements are predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. Triumph Financial’s expected financial results or other plans are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” and the forward-looking statement disclosure contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2025. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and Triumph Financial undertakes no duty to update the information.

    Source: Triumph Financial, Inc.

    Investor Relations:
    Luke Wyse
    Senior Vice President, Head of Investor Relations
    lwyse@tfin.com
    214-365-6936

    Media Contact:
    Amanda Tavackoli
    Senior Vice President, Director of Corporate Communication
    atavackoli@tfin.com
    214-365-6930

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Empowering Indian Startups: Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal Reaffirms Government’s Commitment at Startup Mahakumbh

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 04 APR 2025 9:57PM by PIB Delhi

    Following the grand inauguration of the Startup Mahakumbh on April 3, 2025, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, returned to Bharat Mandapam for a walk through of the mega exhibition on Day 2 of the event.

    Addressing the media during his walk through, the minister heaped lavish praise on the work of startups. “Having visited the exhibition, the flavor that I got–the taste of innovative work that our young men and women have created through their sheer tenacity, hardwork, spirit of enquiry, research and innovation–is music to one’s ears,” he added.  “You can see the work of world-class quality, experience the technologies created on energy efficiency, powering electronics, see the defence equipment that young startups are creating, and realise how fintech is becoming a source of empowerment for the common citizen…” he said, referring to his visit to Startup Mahakumbh as “truly an experience of a lifetime.”

    The second edition of Startup Mahakumbh features 10 thematic pavilions covering key industries such as AI, DeepTech & Cybersecurity, HealthTech & BioTech, AgriTech, Climate Tech, Incubators & Accelerators, D2C, FinTech, Gaming & Sports, B2B & Precision Manufacturing, Defence & Space Tech, and Mobility. Shri Piyush Goyal visited a number of exhibits showcasing groundbreaking innovations in Climate Tech, BioTech, AI, and DeepTech and more, ranging from intelligent air purifiers and EV tractors to AI-driven platforms for functional brain mapping and cutting-edge manufacturing drones for defense applications.

    Specially curated Startup Booths/Pods within each pavilion offer startups and organizations a platform to showcase their innovations to key stakeholders, including angel investors, venture capitalists, corporate and ecosystem-driven incubators, accelerators, government agencies, and international investors. Startup Mahakumbh features over 3,000 startups, 1,000+ investors and incubators, and 10,000+ delegates from 50+ countries, making it a prime opportunity for startups to pitch their businesses, build investor relationships, and secure crucial funding.
    The union minister emphasized that he was confident India would emerge as a global leader in innovation and technology-driven growth. “This is the base–the foundation–on which I am confident, India will foray in a very big way into the world of innovation. We will make our presence felt on the global stage. I go back extremely satisfied with the work done with our young startups. Young India is raring to go. And they are ready to capture the world,” he said. 

    A landmark moment in India’s fintech journey with the launch of the India Fintech Foundation was also witnessed in the esteemed presence of Shri Amitabh Kant, Shri Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, and Shri NS Vishwanathan, former deputy governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This initiative marks a significant step towards fostering a sustainable, innovative, and self-regulated fintech ecosystem in India.

    Shri Amardeep Bhatia, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade also engaged with startups from various sectors today at the Startup Mahakumbh. During the event, he also visited the startups showcased at the SCO Pavilion.

    Building on the success of the inaugural edition, which featured over 1,300 exhibitors and attracted more than 48,000 visitors, Startup Mahakumbh 2025 is one of India’s largest innovation and entrepreneurship events and promises an even bigger and more impactful platform for startups, investors, and industry leaders. The event witnessed a remarkable turnout, with a footfall of 107823 over two days.

    About Startup Mahakumbh

    Startup Mahakumbh is a first-of-its-kind event bringing together the entire startup ecosystem of India including startups, investors, incubators and accelerators, and industry leaders from several sectors. led by FICCI, ASSOCHAM, NASSCOM, TiE, IVCA and Bootstrap Foundation, and supported by GEM, SIDBI, ECGC, DPIIT and MeitY.

    The second edition of Startup Mahakumbh is set to make a grand return in 2025, building on the tremendous success of its inaugural edition. The flagship startup event was an extraordinary success, attracting over 50,000 business visitors engaging with 3000 exhibitors including finest startups, soonicorns, and unicorns, from 26+ states and 50+ countries. It also hosted 1000+ incubators and accelerators and 1000+ leading angel investors, VCs, and family offices.

    For more information, visit www.startupmahakumbh.org.

     

    ***

    Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas

    (Release ID: 2119100) Visitor Counter : 25

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Joint Declaration on the Establishment of India-Thailand Strategic Partnership

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 04 APR 2025 6:47PM by PIB Delhi

    During 03-04 April 2025, H.E. Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India paid an Official Visit to Thailand and participated in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, on the invitation of H.E. Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand. Prime Minister Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome by Prime Minister Shinawatra at the Government House in Bangkok.

    Acknowledging the deep civilisational, cultural, religious and linguistic bonds and 78 years of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Thailand, both leaders held wide ranging discussions on various areas of bilateral cooperation including defence and security, trade and investment, connectivity, science and technology, innovation, space, education, health, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. They also exchanged views on sub-regional, regional, and multilateral issues of mutual interest. Both leaders witnessed exchange of several MoUs covering various areas of cooperation. They also welcomed the establishment of an India-Thailand Consular Dialogue.

    Prime Minister Shinawatra and Prime Minister Modi also visited Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan to pay homage to the historic Reclining Buddha.

    Taking into consideration the existing cooperation and the potential for closer cooperation not only at the bilateral and regional levels but also in the global context in view of the rapidly evolving global geopolitical situation, the two leaders agreed to elevate the existing bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership. This marks a new chapter of enhanced partnership for realising the full potential of cooperation between the two countries.

    The Strategic Partnership is based on mutual commitment to strengthen bilateral relations for the continuing peace, stability and prosperity of the two countries and their respective regions. The Strategic Partnership will serve as an important foundation for the two countries to chart a future-oriented and mutually-beneficial path towards increasing opportunities, closer cooperation and to jointly respond to common challenges.

    The Strategic Partnership will build upon existing agreements and mechanisms of cooperation which encompass partnering in political, defence and security, trade and investment, connectivity, education, socio-cultural development and people-to-people exchanges, as well as other areas of mutual interest.

    In declaring this Strategic Partnership, the two leaders reaffirmed their shared interests in a free, open, transparent, rules-based, inclusive, prosperous and resilient Indo-Pacific region and reiterated their strong support for ASEAN Centrality. They also reaffirmed their commitment to exploring concrete activities to implement the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) for Peace, Stability and Prosperity in the Region through enhanced cooperation between the AOIP and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) including Thailand’s constructive role to co-lead the Maritime Ecology Pillar of the IPOI with Australia.

    In an effort to further broaden and deepen the relationship between the two countries, the two leaders agreed to the following:

    ­Political Cooperation

    Strengthen political engagement through regular high-level exchanges at the Leadership level, including on the sidelines of multilateral meetings with a view to discuss shared regional interests, as well as to address regional and global security challenges.

    Convene regular meetings between the Foreign Ministers and Senior Officials from respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs/External Affairs under existing mechanisms of Joint Committee for Bilateral Cooperation at the Foreign Ministers’ level and Foreign Office Consultations at the Senior Officials’ level.

    Promote regular Parliamentary exchanges between both countries.

    Defence and Security Cooperation

    Strengthen the existing mechanisms of defence cooperation, as well as to promote further collaboration between the defence sectors of the two countries, with particular emphasis on defence technology, defence industry, research, training, exchanges, exercises and capacity building including by establishing appropriate mechanisms.

    Enhance security cooperation through regular dialogues and exchanges between the respective security and law enforcement agencies/ organisations, also by including a Deputy National Security Adviser/ Secretary General level strategic dialogue between the Thai National Security Council and the National Security Council Secretariat of India, to address the increasingly challenging global and regional security environment and cooperate on both traditional and non-traditional security issues such as defence, maritime security, cybersecurity, counter terrorism, law enforcement issues and combating transnational organised crime like cyber-crimes, international economic crimes, anti-money laundering and human, drug, arms and wildlife trafficking, through exchange of information and intelligence, and sharing of best practices.

    Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation

    To organise regular meetings and exchanges between the respective Ministry of Commerce/Commerce & Industry under existing mechanism of the Joint Trade Committee between India and Thailand. It was also agreed to ensure annual meetings of existing mechanisms to promote trade and investment between the two countries; to facilitate trade and resolve market access issues with a view to strengthening both countries’ linkages to the global supply chain and to enhance the confidence of the private sectors of both countries; including through cooperation in harmonization, equivalence and Mutual Recognition of Standards of mutually agreed areas; and to prepare for new areas of trade and investment, especially in future-oriented industries, such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, digital technology, robotics, ICT, space technology, biotechnology, creative industry and startups.

    Welcome the increasing bilateral trade, which reached approximate US$ 15 billion in 2023-24 and seek to enhance sustainable bilateral trade to realise its full potential, through an expansion of economic linkages in potential areas. Promote sustainable trade in sectors such as value-added marine products, smartphones, electrical vehicles, food processing, petroleum products, auto components, services and pharmaceuticals.

    Promote trade facilitation and to deepen cooperation under the existing agreements and frameworks, including the Framework Agreement for Establishing Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Thailand and India and the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). Provide greater impetus to bilateral trade by exploring the establishment of local currency-based settlement mechanism.

    To support and expedite the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to make it more user-friendly, simple and trade facilitative for businesses, aiming to achieve substantial conclusion in 2025 and to strengthen supply chains between India and ASEAN Countries.

    Promote closer collaboration between the investment promotion agencies of the two countries, including the Board of Investment of Thailand and Invest India, to promote effective utilisation of existing investment policies and schemes, particularly those driving forward the vision of Ignite Thailand through Act East Policy and Make In India, as well as the utilisation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) & Industrial Corridors in both countries for increasing bilateral investment.

    Organise regular meetings on annual basis of the India-Thailand Joint Business Forum (ITJBF) to serve as the main mechanism for exchanges and the promotion of joint projects and collaboration between the private sectors of the two countries.

    Explore appropriate mechanisms to promote exchanges between entrepreneurs, SMEs, and startups. Keeping in mind the common strategic goals of capacity building and increased market access for India and Thailand startup ecosystems, both sides agreed to conduct startup related activities including mentorship programmes and expert sessions on sectors of mutual importance, focused investor pitching, business matchmaking with corporates and business associations, innovation challenges, integration of academic institutes in both countries and supporting cross-incubation models.

    Promote closer collaboration between the financial service providers in India and Thailand to facilitate trade, investment, and cross-border payments to strengthen economic and financial linkages between the two countries.

    Promote cooperation for sustainable economic growth, including Bio-Circular- Green Economy and Life Style for Environment, especially in the areas of renewable energy, and energy efficiency technologies, to meet both sides’ respective climate change goals.

    Connectivity

    Enhance all modes of connectivity such as physical, digital and financial between India and Thailand and strengthen regional linkages, including through expediting the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and its eastward extension, as well as the India, Myanmar and Thailand Motor Vehicles Agreement, strengthening regional maritime connectivity through coastal shipping and enhancing port-to-port connections and to encourage the civil aviation authorities of the two countries to continue engaging in discussions for enhancing air connectivity between both countries.

    Socio-cultural, Educational and People-to-People Exchanges

    Foster the positive momentum of people-to-people exchanges, as well as promote potential areas of tourism between the two countries.

    Strengthen mechanisms of cooperation between the Ministries responsible for education in both countries in order to promote educational cooperation, including through mutual recognition of qualifications, increased exchanges of scholarships for students pursuing university-level education in India and Thailand, to facilitate student exchanges, joint research and fellowships. Promote cooperation in skill development, English Language training, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Thai and Hindi Studies, and collaboration between educational and training institutions in both countries.

    Strengthen the links between the two countries through the deepening of cultural relations and cooperation, including in performing arts, exhibitions, seminars, conference, archaeology, archives, museums, research and documentation, and festivals as identified in the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP).

    Explore potential areas of collaboration in sports, such as sports integrity, sports governing bodies, sport sciences & research, sports industry, and sports tourism, as well as exchanges of experts and practitioners in areas of mutual interest.

    Promote closer collaboration between India and Thailand in establishing closer cooperation with the North Eastern Region (NER) of India and to increase exchanges, particularly in the areas of tourism, culture, education, vocation and technical cooperation.

    Strengthen cooperation between Ministries responsible for science and technology to address new challenges and create opportunities with increased exchanges and closer collaboration in science and technology, through joint research projects, workshops, and exchanges in priority areas such as agriculture, biotechnology, ICT and space technology.

    Promote closer cooperation between the two countries in the areas of health, medical products, as well as traditional medicine, including through increased exchanges of information, research and development, and human resource development.

    Establish exchanges and cooperation involved in women’s all-round development, including leadership, decision-making and vocational skills to enhance women entrepreneurship.

    Regional, Multilateral and International Cooperation

    Enhance cooperation between India and Thailand especially at the United Nations to promote constructive role of both sides on global issues of mutual concern and interest.

    Strengthen cooperation between India and Thailand within regional and sub-regional frameworks, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC), Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) and Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) and promote synergies and complementarities among these frameworks with the aim to comprehensively and effectively address regional and sub-regional challenges.

    Strengthen cooperation between Thailand and India in multilateral frameworks such as G77 and South-South Cooperation to jointly advocate the voice of developing countries.

    Jointly strengthen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established at the 19th ASEAN-India Summit to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations in 2022 in Phnom Penh and welcome India’s continued support for ASEAN Centrality and active cooperation in ASEAN-led mechanisms in the evolving regional architecture.

    Further strengthen cooperation under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) framework for enhancing socio-economic development and connectivity of the region, and further strengthen the centuries old civilisational ties.

    Promote the leading and proactive role of India and Thailand as founding members and the two largest economies of BIMSTEC in working towards a prosperous, resilient and open Bay of Bengal community, while capitalising on the commitment from the recent adoption of the BIMSTEC Charter as well as the unique character of BIMSTEC as a bridge between South and Southeast Asia. Strengthen BIMSTEC transport connectivity through implementation of the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity and related agreements, including the Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation.

    The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Prime Minister of the Republic of India agreed to task the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India to coordinate with relevant agencies to formulate a Joint Plan of Action towards the effective implementation of the Strategic Partnership.

     

    ***

    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2118985) Visitor Counter : 22

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Ministers of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Shri Sanjay Seth Celebrate Tribal Heritage at “Hamari Parampara Hamari Virasat” event in New Delhi, commemorating Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s 150th Birth Anniversary Year

    Source: Government of India

    Union Ministers of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Shri Sanjay Seth Celebrate Tribal Heritage at “Hamari Parampara Hamari Virasat” event in New Delhi, commemorating Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s 150th Birth Anniversary Year

    Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel Calls for Recording Tribal Traditions to Safeguard India’s Heritage; Urges Tribal Communities to Prioritize Education

    Posted On: 04 APR 2025 5:05PM by PIB Delhi

    A special event under the “Hamari Parampara, Hamari Virasat” program, held in conjunction with Sarhul Mahotsav 2025, by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), in collaboration with the Government of Jharkhand, marked a significant step in celebrating India’s indigenous heritage in New Delhi, today. The event, marking the 150th Birth Anniversary Year of Bhagwan Birsa Munda (Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh), celebrated tribal heritage at the national level. It was inaugurated by Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, and Shri Sanjay Seth, Union Minister of State for Defence, in the presence of Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, MoPR, Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, MoPR along with other key officials of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Government of Jharkhand along with over 560 tribal representatives from Jharkhand.  

    Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, in his address, emphasized the significance of preserving India’s tribal culture that encompasses their local languages, music, food, and traditions defining their rich heritage. He articulated that the recording and documentation of “Lok Bhasha, Bhoosha, Bhojan, Sangeet” is imperative for keeping the nation’s heritage alive for future generations. While commemorating the valour and sacrifice of Bhagwan Birsa Munda in his 150th birth anniversary year, Prof. Baghel particularly acknowledged the invaluable contributions of tribal communities in the struggle against British colonialism, especially in the fight to conserve essential resources of “Jal–Jangal–Jameen” (water, forest, land). He highlighted how Adivasis, being the most indigenous group, have played a crucial role in environmental protection. Prof. Baghel noted that the Adivasis’ environmental conservation efforts are not merely part of their legacy but are vital to the overall ecological health of mother earth. He commended the community’s profound connection to land and environment, which has enabled them to preserve natural resources across generations. “If we had learnt the values like respect for nature from the tribal way of living, problems like global warming, ecological imbalance and ozone depletion may not have become so serious”, added Prof. Baghel. He urged tribal communities to prioritize their children’s education, as it is the cornerstone for societal upliftment and progress.

     Shri Sanjay Seth, Union Minister of State for Defence, addressing the “Hamari Parampara Hamari Virasat” program, highlighted Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s inspiring legacy and appreciated the cultural awareness of Jharkhand’s tribal groups, that have immensely contributed to India’s rich cultural traditions. Referring to the Tribal Museum in Ranchi, established at the site where Bhagwan Birsa Munda was imprisoned during British rule, he stated that this museum serves as an inspiration center for future generations. Union Minister of State said “Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji inspires us to connect heritage with development. Taking forward this vision, the Sarhul festival organised in New Delhi gave a strong message to the nation – conserve Jal, Jangal aur Jameen. The contribution of the tribal community in preserving India’s civilizational values is unparallel. Sarhul reflects the belief that the closer we are to nature, the more joyful, energetic, and prosperous our lives become”.

    Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, emphasized the vital importance of preserving rich tribal cultural heritage that forms the backbone of India’s diverse traditions. He asserted, “Our tribal songs, music, folklore, and traditions are invaluable treasures. If we do not safeguard them, they risk fading away with time. It is not just our duty but a profound responsibility to protect and nurture these cultural legacies for future generations”. Shri Bharadwaj apprised that over 3,000 villages in Jharkhand, have pledged to actively participate in this campaign to safeguard their art, culture, and traditions. He called for accelerated efforts in Jharkhand to establish it as a model for other States, showcasing how cultural preservation can thrive through community engagement.

     

    The program also featured vibrant cultural performances, including traditional Mundari dance of the Santhali community and Munda tribal storytelling, alongside substantive discussions on the role of Gram Sabhas in heritage conservation, government initiatives for indigenous traditions, and insights from tribal leaders on grassroot governance and cultural preservation.

     

    About Hamari Parampara Hamari Virasat

     

    The “Hamari Parampara Hamari Virasat” initiative helps to integrate tribal heritage into the nation’s cultural and governance framework. Envisioned and supported by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, this campaign was launched by the Department of Panchayati Raj, Government of Jharkhand on 26th January 2025 and has already witnessed more than 3,000 villages pledging their dedication to preserving traditional self-governance and cultural legacy. The objective of “Hamari Parampara Hamari Virasat” is to preserve, enhance, and transmit to future generations the cultural heritage, folk songs, festivals, and worship practices integral to the traditional governance systems of various Scheduled Tribe communities in Scheduled Areas. The program aims to document the vibrant history and cultural practices of villages across Jharkhand. This initiative aligns closely with the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA Act), which empowers Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas to safeguard tribal customs, traditions, and self-governance. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has constituted a high-level committee to oversee the successful implementation of this initiative, ensuring that the traditional governance structures of Scheduled Tribes continue to thrive.

     

    ***

    Aditi Agrawal

    (Release ID: 2118876) Visitor Counter : 73

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival opens today (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The opening ceremony of the third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival (PCF) was held today (April 4) at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC). Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the PCF this year is themed “More Than Joy”. Audiences can appreciate how pop culture can be transmitted and transformed, and how integration and breakthroughs are possible in addition to joy and laughter.
     
         The Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan; and an actor of the opening film “The Banquet” (1991), Mr Eric Tsang, officiated at the opening ceremony.
     
         The opening programme, “Silhouette Resonance x The Banquet (1991)”, began after the ceremony. Pop singer Alfred Hui, a cappella choral theatre company Yat Po Singers, and beatboxer Heartgrey (Eric So) together with a live band performed songs from classic comedy films with fresh arrangements by renowned musician Ng Cheuk-yin. The digitally restored version of “The Banquet” (1991) was screened following the performance. Blending entertainment with cultural artistry, the audience was offered a fresh and inspiring perspective on the vibrancy of Hong Kong’s pop culture.
     
         Another highlight programme that kicks off the PCF is outdoor music carnival “ImagineLand 2025” to be held tomorrow (April 5) and on Sunday (April 6) at the HKCC Piazza, and the Central Lawn & Event Trellis of Salisbury Garden, the Avenue of Stars free of charge. Supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, “ImagineLand 2025” features both daytime and evening programmes, encompassing music, films, comics, and more.
     
        During “ImagineLand 2025”, “Go Beyond Concert”, “Comics Fun Experience Gallery” and “Funarts Corner” will be available during the day, while film programme “Movie Under the Stars” will be held at night. Over 35 musicians and artists from Hong Kong and eight countries and regions including the Mainland, Japan, Korea, the United States, Australia, France, the United Kingdom and Ukraine will perform on the three stages of “Go Beyond Concert”, showcasing boundless possibilities of music across the performances. Major line-ups of local artists include Ivana Wong, Joey Tang, Yatfung, Cloud, Ashley Lin, Pandora, Wan Pin Chu and more, performing mesmerising popular songs and original works.
     
         At “Comics Fun Experience Gallery”, Hong Kong comics and animation from different eras will be displayed to highlight the creativity of local artists with immersive photo-taking opportunities. The exhibition also features the works of local humourist cartoonists and explores how comics intertwine with the city’s pop culture. Workshops on art, music, and crafts will be available for the public at “Funarts Corner”. In the evenings, two comedies, “Table For Six” (2022) and “Forbidden City Cop” (1996)”, will be screened at “Movie Under the Stars” tomorrow and on Sunday respectively, allowing audiences to enjoy outdoor films while relaxing on the lawn.
     
         Other highlights include the “Laughter Double Bill: Hong Kong Comedy Film Spectacular” film screening programme; exhibitions “Comic Fun for All: The Magic of Hong Kong Comedy Comics” and “Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s”; concerts “The 2025 Fiesta of Music Office Bands, Choirs and Orchestras-Bands ‘The Animated Melodies – Our Nostalgic Memories’”, “Ko Shan Fest” and “Music & Laughs”, and more. To support the PCF’s theme of “More Than Joy”, the Hong Kong Public Libraries will also organise book displays and subject talks in a series of activities under the theme of “Happy Reading”.
     
    Several industry partners are also offering a range of events as part of the festival, which are not to be missed.
     
         Hong Kong’s pop culture has drawn inspiration particularly from humour, a constant trendsetter that has left a deep footprint on many aspects of the city’s rich and colourful pop cultural landscape. The PCF 2025, with more than 20 programmes, not only delights audiences with exciting performances and works but also offers insight into the development paths of Hong Kong’s pop culture along the line of “happiness”. By participating in these activities, audiences will be able to discover their own happiness.
     
         For more details, please visit the website: www.pcf.gov.hk, or call 2601 8703.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The hidden power of marathon Senate speeches: What history tells us about Cory Booker’s 25-hour oration

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Charlie Hunt, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Boise State University

    Sen. Cory Booker walks toward reporters after delivering a record-setting 25-hour speech for the U.S. Senate at the Capitol on April 1, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Win McNamee/Getty Images

    Democratic U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey made history on April 1, 2025, when he stood on the Senate floor and spoke for 25 hours and five minutes, delivering the longest floor speech in the history of the U.S. Senate.

    Booker’s speech detailed his concerns about President Donald Trump’s new executive orders, other policies and approach to government in his second term.

    “I rise tonight because silence at this moment of national crisis would be a betrayal of some of the greatest heroes of our nation. Because at stake in this moment is nothing less than everything that we brag about, that we talk about, that makes us special,” Booker said.

    Although Booker’s speech was not technically a filibuster, meaning a prolonged action at the Senate in order to delay or stop a vote on a legislative action, it was clearly a monumental physical achievement. Booker stood, wearing a black suit, for the entirety of his speech and did not pause to take bathroom or meal breaks.

    What does the subject matter of Booker’s speech, as well as his style of giving it, say about its potential effectiveness? Could it succeed where filibusters have failed?

    Many other long Senate speeches in history offer a variety of useful historical hints about the political significance of Booker’s record-breaking speech.

    U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina is kissed by his wife after talking for 24 hours and 18 minutes in opposition to the Civil Rights Act in August 1957.
    Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images

    Booker’s speech was a wide-ranging protest

    One unusual element of Booker’s oration is that it was not focused on just one narrow issue.

    Most of the lengthiest filibusters from across Senate history are focused on bills that cover important but specific issues. In 1953, Sen. Wayne Morse of Oregon, for example, set a record for the longest filibuster when he spoke for 22 hours and 26 minutes. Morse protested a bill involving the transfer of land and oil rights between coastal states and the federal government. The bill passed, despite Morse’s filibuster.

    Sen. Strom Thurmond, the South Carolina politician who broke Morse’s record just four years later, infamously – and unsuccessfully – protested the Civil Rights Act of 1957 with a 24-hour, 18-minute speech.

    Booker’s speech came in the midst of a vote to confirm Matthew Whitaker as the U.S. ambassador to NATO. Whitaker was confirmed shortly after Booker’s speech concluded.

    Booker and the procession of Senate colleagues who asked him questions referenced this and other appointments in their remarks. But Booker largely used the speech to build a much bigger case against the Trump administration, most notably that the administration had wrested from Congress much of its constitutionally mandated budgetary authority by extensively cutting federal staff, grants and spending without congressional approval.

    “These are not normal times in America,” Booker said toward the beginning of his address, “and they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate.”

    The rules and culture of the Senate have always been more lax when it comes to what congressional experts call “germaneness” – in other words, how relevant a Senator’s action is to whatever is being debated.

    For example, the Senate often allows nongermane amendments, meaning those that have little or nothing to do with the bill being debated. Booker leveraged that Senate tradition to make a larger point about what he called an ongoing “crisis” in American democracy.

    Booker stuck to the issues

    Booker may have covered a wide variety of areas in his speech, ranging from proposed Republican cuts to Medicaid to mass firings of federal workers, but there’s no question that he stayed focused on his critique of the Trump administration – a difficult task to stick to for 25 straight hours.

    Booker’s predecessors in the pursuit of Thurmond’s record have demonstrated this difficulty in keeping a marathon speech focused.

    For example, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas diverted from his argument when he gave a 21-hour, 19-minute speech protesting President Obama’s signature piece of legislation, the Affordable Care Act, in 2013.

    Cruz, who still serves with Booker in the Senate, took the opportunity to tell his young daughters a bedtime story on the Senate floor, reading aloud from Dr. Seuss’ children’s book “Green Eggs and Ham.”

    Louisiana Sen. Huey Long, meanwhile, shared recipes for southern fried oysters during his 1937 protest of the federal appointments process.

    Booker, on the other hand, almost uniformly kept his focus on his grievances against the Trump administration and used only notes designed to reinforce his central argument that Trump is not leading in the best interest of the country.

    According to an April 1 press release from Booker’s office, the senator drew from over 1,000 pages of prepared material assembled by his Senate aides, including stories from more than 200 Americans who had written to Booker protesting Trump’s actions.

    In many instances, Booker also spoke extemporaneously about the administration’s actions. At other times, his fellow senators broke in for a lengthy question, but even these kept the conversation, and Booker’s attention, focused on taking Trump — and occasionally Elon Musk – to task.

    In all instances, Booker used his speech to rally the public.

    “My voice is inadequate. My efforts today are inadequate to stop what they are trying to do,” he said at one point. “But we the people are powerful, and we are strong.”

    Sen. Cory Booker speaks on the Senate floor on April 1, 2025.
    Senate Television/Associated Press

    Lasting effects

    Of course, with few tangible results to show for lengthy Senate speeches, people might be tempted to view these long orations as little more than trivia or political theater.

    On some occasions, filibusters have made a legislative impact. Sen. Alfonse D’Amato of New York, for example, filibustered a budget bill in 1986 for nearly 23½ hours to protest an amendment that would have killed funding for a jet trainer plane manufactured in his state. His filibuster didn’t stop the bill entirely, but he did secure a concession that prolonged the project’s life.

    For the most part, however, lengthy filibusters throughout history have been largely fruitless efforts legislatively. Even so, the symbolism of these speeches, including Booker’s, can have effects on politics and representation that last beyond the legislation the senator is protesting.

    It’s difficult to know yet just how effective Booker’s efforts will be in motivating an anti-Trump coalition to stand up to the administration, either in Congress or among voters.

    But politically speaking, Booker’s timing was fortuitous – on April 2, the same evening Booker wrapped up his address, liberals secured a crucial Wisconsin Supreme Court seat in a high-turnout election, when Judge Susan Crawford beat Judge Brad Schimel. Schimel is a Trump supporter and received nearly US$20 million in donations from organizations supported by Musk.

    Democratic politicians also outperformed expectations in two special elections to the U.S. House in Florida, though they lost the races.

    Taken together with Booker’s herculean effort, these events could serve as a catalyst for Trump’s opponents to strike back in the coming months.

    The symbolic significance of Booker’s achievement has also not gone unnoticed. Booker, who is Black and reflected on ancestors who were both enslaved or enslavers in his speech, was himself mindful of the historical relevance.

    “To be candid, Strom Thurmond’s record always just really irked me,” Booker said after his speech in an interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow.

    “The longest speech on our great Senate floor was someone who was trying to stop people like me from being in the Senate.”

    If nothing else, Booker took that record from Thurmond and made it his own.

    Charlie Hunt does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The hidden power of marathon Senate speeches: What history tells us about Cory Booker’s 25-hour oration – https://theconversation.com/the-hidden-power-of-marathon-senate-speeches-what-history-tells-us-about-cory-bookers-25-hour-oration-253695

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Creators’ rights in the music industry and artificial intelligence – E-000528/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Article 50 of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act[1] establishes a number of transparency obligations for both providers and deployers of AI systems in relation to artificially generated or manipulated content, including artistic content.

    For instance, providers of AI systems that generate synthetic audio are required to ensure that the outputs are marked in a machine-readable format and detectable as artificially generated or manipulated.

    AI providers must use content authentication techniques, such as AI watermarking or metadata identification to label AI-generated music, making it distinguishable from human-generated content.

    Only AI systems that perform an assistive function for standard editing or do not substantially alter the input data, such as AI-powered music editing tools that make minor adjustments to existing music, are exempted from this obligation.

    The 2019 Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market (DSM Directive)[2] introduced a set of rules to ensure the fair remuneration of authors and performers when they license or transfer their rights for the exploitation of their works or other subject matter, including in the digital environment.

    The Commission will examine the application of these rules in the context of the review of the directive, which is due no sooner than 7 June 2026.

    Regarding the use of copyright-protected content in the training of AI models, the Commission is also committed to supporting the effective application of Article 4 of the DSM Directive, including the possibility for right holders to reserve their rights, as well as to facilitate the development of a licensing market for the use of protected works for AI purposes.

    • [1] Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence and amending Regulations (EC) No 300/2008, (EU) No 167/2013, (EU) No 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2018/1139 and (EU) 2019/2144 and Directives 2014/90/EU, (EU) 2016/797 and (EU) 2020/1828 (Artificial Intelligence Act).
    • [2] Directive (EU) 2019/790 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market and amending Directives 96/9/EC and 2001/29/EC, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/790/oj
    Last updated: 4 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Yale founders raise $3.1M in 14 days to build Series, the anti-Facebook

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Connecticut, April 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Social networking has become synonymous with chasing likes, followers, and vanity metrics – a system that began with Facebook in 2004 and has trained an entire generation to equate self-worth with numbers. Today, Series announces the launch of its AI-powered social platform that’s reinventing how college students connect, securing $3M in pre-seed funding to create a network built on meaningful relationships 

    The team raised $3.1M in funding for its pre-seed round led by Parable (former a16z investor, Anne Lee Skates) with participation from Pear VC, Tim Draper’s DGB.VC, 47th Street (Jaren Glover, ex-Robinhood), Radicle Impact, Uncommon Projects, and notable angels including the CEO of Reddit (Steve Huffman), the founder of GPTZero (Edward Tian), and others. 

    The funding journey reads like a startup fairy tale: just two weeks ago, co-founder Nathaneo Johnson posted a trailer on LinkedIn about Series that went viral in the college entrepreneurial community. After an initial Zoom call with Anne Lee Skates (who started her fund after leaving a16z), Johnson and co-founder Sean Hargrow – both juniors at Yale – immediately flew to Silicon Valley to begin fundraising. What happened next defied conventional startup timelines for college founders: they closed their round in just 14 days.

    Series founders: Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow. 

    Series is the first networking platform that uses AI Friends to make warm, double opt-in introductions across different networks. These AI Friends operate directly in iMessage and become personalized towards each user, making intros autonomously or on demand. Unlike existing platforms, Series creates connections only when there’s mutual value on both sides – eliminating the biases perpetuated by follower counts and engagement metrics. The platform requires a .edu email to join, creating a trusted ecosystem where students text their AI Friend about themselves and who they know, receiving a minimalist profile showcasing their warm network.

    “The problem of quantifying value online isn’t a recent development – it started with Facebook back in ’04. Not to say these platforms don’t build great communities, but they embody the narrative that online metrics equate to real world value” said Nathaneo Johnson, co-founder & CEO of Series. “We’re 6’5”, Black, and technical – a direct foil to the Harvard story. And that difference is the reason Series tells a new story of how people connect online.”

    Series’ revolutionary approach addresses a fundamental issue in modern social networking: people rely on biased guesswork and social proof to decide whom to connect with, and over time, making connections feels like charity. The company’s solution is an AI system that intelligently identifies potential matches based on genuine mutual benefit – no likes, followers, or vanity metrics – just smart, agentic networking where much of Gen Z already lives: iMessage.

    The company’s journey began with The Founder Series Podcast, where founders Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow interviewed Yale entrepreneurs, accumulating over 500k views. This evolved into a viral web chatbot that facilitated curated introductions based on mutual value, gaining immediate traction at Yale and Princeton. With the official launch of Series in 2025, the platform has already recorded over 32,000 messages sent and received by AI Friends.

    The platform’s ability to create natural human connections through AI has already resonated with early users: “I forgot it (the AI friend) wasn’t a real person. That was until I connected to a real person in the form of a minimalist profile my AI Friend (Oliver) had texted me. It was awesome,” reported Rich Zou, a student at Northeastern who uses Series for hosting hackathons.

    “Once we capture the college entrepreneurial market, we’ll expand to finance, dating, education, health, and more. All of these fields in the student space rely on trust, access, and social capital,” explained Johnson. “Our long-term vision is to become the largest and most accessible warm network for just about anything – one billion AI Friends in the next decade. Social connection is broken; we’re rebuilding it with AI that acts like a well-connected friend in your pocket making connections to who you need, when you need, IRL.”

    Ends

    Media images can be found here. 

    About Series
    Series is an AI social network that uses AI Friends to make double opt-in intros. The product operates directly in iMessage, calls, and other messaging platforms., and makes introductions based on users’ warm networks. Series has processed over 32,000 messages to date and aims to build the largest and most accessible warm network – starting with student entrepreneurs. Series is hiring for a number of roles. Please visit https://series.so/ for more information or follow via LinkedIn.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Stronger Together: UConn Health and UConn join Community in Advancing Wellness

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    At UConn Health, community isn’t just a word, it’s the foundation of everything we do. Whether it’s the connections between our patients and providers, the collaboration among our teams, or our commitment to serving those beyond our walls, community defines who we are. This month, we’re highlighting the ways in which our staff and departments comes together to support, uplift, and strengthen one another. From innovative partnerships to everyday moments of kindness, we celebrate the power of community in shaping a healthier future for all.

    Janel Simpson:, UConn Health Chief Administrative Officer, Jini Korcz, Adriana Lopez de Victoria, Farmington Links Board Member

    On Saturday, March 15, UConn Health and UConn faculty, staff, students and researchers, came together with community partners at the Black Family Wellness Expo, a vibrant annual event dedicated to promoting health and wellness in the Greater Hartford community hosted by the Artists Collective in Hartford. The expo, organized by the Farmington Valley and Greater Hartford Chapters of The Links Incorporated was co-sponsored by UConn Health’s Health Disparities Institute (HDI), the UConn School of Social Work, the Department of Public Health Sciences, and UConn’s Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP),

    Now in its second year of participation, HDI played a central role in the expo, not only through sponsorship but also in deepening institutional partnerships and collaboration with UConn Health and UConn that included the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), the Center on Aging, the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center, Public Health Sciences, Area Education Centers (AHEC), and InCHIP, among others.

    “Instead of having UConn and UConn Health departments scattered throughout the expo, we intentionally grouped UConn Health and UConn tables, allowing the community to see the multiple ways in which we engage and serve Connecticut residents, beyond health care delivery and education,” said Dr. Linda Sprague Martinez, HDI director and professor in the department of medicine.

    HDI also created an interactive engagement opportunity for attendees. This year at the expo, HDI engaged attendees by asking what makes for a great health care experience, and we heard overwhelmingly about the importance of the interpersonal aspects of care and engagement. Providers who take the time to really listen, are empathetic, and show compassion were common responses,” said Dr. Sprague Martinez. “Events like this are important opportunities for UConn Health to connect with community residents and our patients in a meaningful way.”

    “Events like the Black Family Wellness Expo create a space not only for direct engagement with community members but also for fostering connections with organizations that share HDI’s commitment to health equity and exploring ways to deepen collaboration through collective efforts that drive lasting impact,” said Trisha Pitter from the Health Disparities Institute who initiated the partnership with the Farmington Valley Links, Inc. to promote this year’s event as well as the 2025’s expo.

    JDH Diversity Council’s Role and Impact

    Community Wishing Tree

    As part of its mission to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the JDH Diversity Council played a key role in engaging attendees through interactive initiatives. Their presence included two tables: one focused on Human Resources, providing information about UConn Health career opportunities and workplace culture, and another featuring the “Community Wishing Tree,” an idea proposed by Elizabeth Haskell, sepsis nurse, were invited to share personal barriers to health care and their wishes for improvements in their community. The activity proved to be a meaningful way to amplify community voices and gather valuable insights that will be reviewed at an upcoming Diversity Council meeting.

    “For me, joining the Diversity Council was about helping to create a more inclusive and equitable health care environment, not just for patients, but for our faculty and staff as well,” said Cassandra Keola, administrative program coordinator. “It’s inspiring to see our work extend beyond the walls of our hospital and into the communities we serve.”

    “As a newer member of the Diversity Council, I was drawn to the opportunity to collaborate with a team dedicated to fostering growth in diversity, equity, and inclusion, both at an organizational level and as individuals. With 17 years of experience as a nurse, I have had the privilege of caring for patients from diverse backgrounds, which has reinforced the vital role that cultural awareness and inclusivity play in delivering equitable and effective health care. Being part of this council allows me to contribute to meaningful change and advocate for a more inclusive environment for both patients and staff,” said Eliza Rivera, population health manager.

    Collaboration Across UConn and UConn Health Departments

    Dr. Linda Barry, associate director of Health Disparities Institute, led the Alzheimer’s discussion and CT AHEC brought a team of Urban Health/AHEC Scholars and preceptors to provide health promotion education as well as screenings (oral health, blood pressure, blood glucose).  The CT AHEC team worked closely with partners from Charter Oak Community Health Center for community member handoffs for vaccinations, mental health, muscular skeletal and A1C screenings. In total more than 35 community members were seen by this interprofessional team.

    James “JJ” Odom, University Director of Buildings and Grounds at UConn Health, far left plays the drums during a musical performance

    Leslie Bell, administrative director in nursing administration and diversity council member, shared her experience: “The room was filled with people providing essential services and education. I had the opportunity to attend a UConn Health panel discussion on Alzheimer’s, which was both informative and impactful. There was such a strong presence of organizations committed to health and wellness; it was truly inspiring.”

    The event also facilitated networking opportunities among health care professionals. Bell was able to help connect a physician from Saint Francis Hospital with UConn Health’s ALS program to ensure continuity of care for a patient facing insurance challenges. This kind of real-time problem-solving exemplifies the council’s broader mission to bridge gaps in health care access and equity.

    Looking Ahead

    HDI’s ongoing partnership with the Farmington Valley Links will continue to shape future wellness initiatives, including the 2025 expo. HDI is co-sponsoring an upcoming Women’s Health event with the Farmington Valley Links, the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity, Aurora Foundation for Women and Girls, and InCHIP focused on intergenerational dialogues on menopause. Community events like the Black Family Wellness Expo create spaces for HDI to engage with residents, learn about priorities, and to build collaborations across UConn and with communities to promote health.

    In addition to participating in the Black Family Wellness Expo, the Diversity Council continues to lead and support various initiatives, such as ODI’s monthly “coffee break” discussions, cultural awareness events, and employee appreciation activities. Their ongoing efforts reinforce UConn Health’s dedication to an inclusive workplace and community engagement.

    Reflecting on the event’s success, Diversity Council members expressed enthusiasm for future collaborations and deeper community connections. “The sheer volume of interest in wellness and information was encouraging,” said one attendee. “Seeing so many people engaged and eager to learn reaffirms why events like this matter,” said Keola.

    By fostering dialogue, sharing resources, and strengthening partnerships, the Diversity Council continues to make a meaningful impact—both within UConn Health and throughout the communities it serves.

    The Black Family Wellness Expo was a powerful example of UConn and UConn Health’s institutional commitment to community engagement, health equity, and partnership. Through shared leadership, HDI and its collaborators are ensuring that UConn’s presence in the community is both impactful and enduring.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Alex and Shelby Nowak Strengthen ROTH’s Healthcare Investment Banking Division

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., April 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via IBN – Roth Capital Partners (“ROTH”), www.roth.com, is pleased to announce the strategic appointment of Alex Nowak, CFA, as Managing Director, Healthcare Investment Banking, and Shelby Nowak, Vice President, Healthcare Investment Banking. Both will focus on the medical devices, diagnostics, and life science tools industry. This dynamic addition reinforces ROTH’s commitment to delivering world-class investment banking services in the healthcare sector by coupling industry experience with capital market expertise.

    Alex Nowak, CFA brings over a decade of proficiency in healthcare capital markets, specializing in Medtech, Diagnostics, and Life Science Tools. His role at ROTH will build upon his proven ability to identify growth opportunities, foster strong investor-client relationships, and drive strategic company building. Previously, Alex was a Partner & Director of Healthcare Research at Craig-Hallum Capital Group, where he played a key role in growing the healthcare brand and identifying high-growth opportunities within the sector.

    Shelby Nowak joins ROTH with a diverse background in the medical device industry, where she managed FDA-regulated products from concept through commercialization. Her experience with companies such as Shockwave Medical, Medtronic, Reprise Biomedical, Vascular Solutions, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch positions her as a valuable asset to ROTH’s clients. Shelby will provide a unique industry-first perspective by actively engaging companies on strategy, company building, and client partnership.

    “Alex’s deep industry knowledge and strategic vision make him an excellent fit for ROTH. Additionally, Shelby’s comprehensive industry insight will be instrumental in enhancing our investment banking capabilities. We are confident that his leadership will enhance our healthcare practice, and her approach to client engagement and helping companies build their businesses aligns with our objectives, and we are excited to have both on board,” said Aaron Gurewitz, President and Head of Investment Banking at ROTH.

    Together, Alex and Shelby Nowak are poised to bolster ROTH’s healthcare investment banking division, ensuring continued success in helping clients navigate and excel in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.

    About ROTH

    ROTH is a relationship-driven investment bank focused on serving growth companies and their investors. Our full-service platform provides capital raising, high-impact equity research, macroeconomics, sales and trading, technical insights, derivatives strategies, M&A advisory, and corporate access. Headquartered in Newport Beach, California, ROTH is a privately held, employee-owned organization and maintains offices throughout the U.S. For more information, please visit www.roth.com.

    Investor Contact:

    ROTH
    Isabel Mattson-Pain
    Managing Director, Chief Marketing Officer
    949.720.7117, imattson-pain@roth.com
    ROTH – Member FINRA/SIPC – www.roth.com

    Media Contact:

    IBN
    Los Angeles, California
    www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com
    310.299.1717 Office
    Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Coface SA: Coface announces the publication of its 2024 Universal Registration Document

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Coface announces the publication of its 2024 Universal Registration Document

    Paris, 4 April 2025 – 17.45

    Communication setting out the arrangements for the supplying of the Universal Registration Document

    The Universal Registration Document of COFACE SA for 2024 (Document d’enregistrement universel 2024 in French) was filed with the French financial market authority (Autorité des marchés financiers – AMF) on April 3, 2025 under the number D.25-0227.

    Copies of the 2024 Universal Registration Document are available free of charge at COFACE SA, 1 Place Costes et Bellonte, 92270 Bois-Colombes, France as well as on the website of the Company at the following address:
    https://www.coface.com/investors/regulated-information/universal-registration-document.

    The 2024 Universal Registration Document includes the following information:

    • The 2024 Annual financial report;
    • The Report on corporate governance (attached to the management report);
    • The Statutory Auditors’ reports and the news release concerning their fees;
    • The description of the share buyback program;
    • The draft resolutions submitted to the vote of the Combined Shareholders’ Meeting of 14 May 2025;
    • The Sustainability Statement.

    CONTACTS

    ANALYSTS / INVESTORS
    Thomas JACQUET: +33 1 49 02 12 58 – thomas.jacquet@coface.com
    Rina ANDRIAMIADANTSOA: +33 1 49 02 15 85 – rina.andriamiadantsoa@coface.com

    MEDIA RELATIONS
    Saphia GAOUAOUI: +33 1 49 02 14 91 – saphia.gaouaoui@coface.com
    Adrien BILLET: +33 1 49 02 23 63 – adrien.billet@coface.com

    FINANCIAL CALENDAR 2025
    (subject to change)

    Q1-2025 results: 5 May 2025 (after market close)
    Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting: 14 May 2025
    H1-2025 results: 31 July 2025 (after market close)
    9M-2025 results: 3 November 2025 (after market close)

    FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    This press release, as well as COFACE SA’s integral regulatory information, can be found on the Group’s website: http://www.coface.com/Investors

    For regulated information on Alternative Performance Measures (APM), please refer to our Interim Financial Report for H1-2024 and our 2024 Universal Registration Document (see part 3.7 “Key financial performance indicators”).

    Regulated documents posted by COFACE SA have been secured and authenticated with the blockchain technology by Wiztrust.
    You can check the authenticity on the website www.wiztrust.com.
     

    COFACE: FOR TRADE
    As a global leading player in trade credit risk management for more than 75 years, Coface helps companies grow and navigate in an uncertain and volatile environment.
    Whatever their size, location or sector, Coface provides 100,000 clients across some 200 markets. with a full range of solutions: Trade Credit Insurance, Business Information, Debt Collection, Single Risk insurance, Surety Bonds, Factoring.
    Every day, Coface leverages its unique expertise and cutting-edge technology to make trade happen, in both domestic and export markets.
    In 2024, Coface employed ~5,236 people and registered a turnover of €1.84 billion.

    www.coface.com

    COFACE SA is listed in Compartment A of Euronext Paris
    ISIN: FR0010667147 / Ticker: COFA

    DISCLAIMER – Certain declarations featured in this press release may contain forecasts that notably relate to future events, trends, projects or targets. By nature, these forecasts include identified or unidentified risks and uncertainties, and may be affected by many factors likely to give rise to a significant discrepancy between the real results and those stated in these declarations. Please refer to chapter 5 “Main risk factors and their management within the Group” of the Coface Group’s 2024 Universal Registration Document filed with AMF on 3 April 2025 under the number D.25-0227 in order to obtain a description of certain major factors, risks and uncertainties likely to influence the Coface Group’s businesses. The Coface Group disclaims any intention or obligation to publish an update of these forecasts, or provide new information on future events or any other circumstance.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Guardians of The North Celebrates Season Three

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on April 4, 2025

    Today, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), alongside Creative Saskatchewan and Wavelength Entertainment, are celebrating the third season of the docuseries Guardians of the North, which was filmed in the province. 

    The docuseries follows wildland firefighters in Saskatchewan’s Indigenous and northern communities while they protect the people, property and resources of the north. 

    The season three premiere will air on April 8, 2025, at 10 p.m. CST on Citytv Saskatchewan. 

    The third season consists of six episodes that follows personnel from the SPSA as they respond to wildfires, carry out life-threatening rescues and investigate several suspicious fires possibly caused by arson. 

    “We are deeply grateful for all the northern responders who provide search and rescue, firefighting and emergency response services,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said. “This compelling docuseries highlights the dedication of these first responders and the collaborative effort between communities, agencies and resources to protect the people of Saskatchewan.”

    “The 2024 wildfire season presented significant challenges across North America, with Saskatchewan experiencing above-average fire activity,” Wavelength Entertainment Producer Chris Triffo said. “It has been humbling and inspiring to document the unwavering talent and dedication of those individuals who work to keep us and our communities safe. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Citytv Saskatchewan, Creative Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency for their invaluable partnerships in bringing these compelling stories to light.” 

    Guardians of the North receives funding from Creative Saskatchewan’s Feature Film and TV Production grant. The third season’s $286,666 investment is estimated to result in $952,449 of positive economic impacts for the province. 

    “Film is such a powerful export for our province,” Creative Saskatchewan CEO Erin Dean said. “Its unique ability to enhance our global presence also serves as a significant revenue-generator, driving economic growth and creating job opportunities within our community.” 

    The SPSA is a Treasury Board Crown that provides public safety services including fire safety training, investigation, emergency planning, response, recovery and emergency communications. The Agency operates Sask911, SaskAlert, the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program and the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre.

    Creative Saskatchewan is the economic development agency for Saskatchewan’s creative industries and the official film commission for the province. The agency’s investments propel creative entrepreneurs as they create, perform, innovate and export in their pursuit of commercial success.

    Wavelength Entertainment is a full-service production/distribution company with offices located throughout Canada. Wavelength is dedicated to the creation of smart, imaginative and entertaining content for global audiences, on all media platforms. The Emmy award winning team has worked together for over 20 years on programming that has been seen in 150 countries, 30 languages and hundreds of channels/platforms including Disney +, National Geographic, Netflix, Amazon, Discovery +, CBC, Rogers, History, Smithsonian, ID, HBO, TLC and A&E.

    For more information, please visit: https://www.wavelength-entertainment.com/guardians-of-the-north.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Barr, AI, Fintechs, and Banks

    Source: US State of New York Federal Reserve

    Good morning and thank you to the conference organizers for having me here today.1 It’s great to see such a diverse audience of fintech innovators, bankers, fellow regulators, and students. We all play a part in fostering responsible innovation. Responsible innovation requires a few things—having the optimism and curiosity to understand the potential benefits, the rigor and realism to identify the attendant risks, and the collective intent to find solutions to advance a safe and fair financial system.
    Today, I’d like to speak about responsible innovation in the context of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) in banking and how bank–fintech partnerships may accelerate the integration of the technology and banking. Earlier this year, I laid out two scenarios for Gen AI adoption—an incremental scenario where the technology primarily augments what humans do today, and a transformative scenario where we extend human capabilities with far-reaching consequences.2 Of course, these are hypotheticals, and elements of both scenarios will likely come to pass. But in either scenario, we should anticipate widespread productivity gains, particularly for banking.3
    Today, banks appear to be moving cautiously with their Gen AI use, which reflects the current state of the technology, as well as banks’ internal organizational structure and the highly regulated environment in which they operate. At the same time, Gen-AI offers enormous potential to significantly alter the business of banking, provided that the risks are managed appropriately. Given rapid advances in Gen AI every quarter, in the not-too-distant future, we may approach a point at which Gen AI becomes an imperative—a competitive necessity—in banking. To prepare for that point, it is useful for regulators and banks to think about the channels through which this competitive necessity may arise. Today, I want to focus on one of those channels, and that’s the bank–fintech relationship. Fintechs are well positioned to integrate Gen AI into their products and services, and banks have valuable data on customer behavior on which the Gen AI models can be optimized. Given these synergies, competition and cooperation between banks and fintechs will likely spur innovation and accelerate the integration of Gen AI into banking.
    Gen AI may have benefits for consumers and businesses through better, cheaper, and faster financial services; however, to harness the upsides of Gen AI, banks, fintechs, and regulators all have a role to play in helping to ensure that the risks are managed.
    Gen AI and BankingLet me begin with why Gen AI has such potential for the banking industry. The business of banking is data-driven—data underpin the decisions to set yields on deposits, underwrite and price credit products, and manage the attendant risks. While traditional forms of artificial intelligence have become essential in areas like fraud detection, Gen AI offers new possibilities for data analysis, taking into account a broader and more diverse set of data. Gen AI has benefits for document analysis, which could be applied to improve credit underwriting.
    Beyond data processing and analytics, Gen AI-powered chatbots are already helping assist in customer service. While we still breathe a sigh of relief when we connect to a real customer service representative, this paradigm may change—Gen AI has the potential to enable such high-quality and efficient customer engagement and correct answers that customers may come to prefer Gen AI agents to people. Gen AI chatbots can break down complex tasks into component parts, split up tasks between several AI agents, and help customers make informed decisions. They can also replicate the human touch—adapting to the level of sophistication of their customers, anticipating the customer’s needs, and being empathetic to the customer’s experience—perhaps better than some humans.4
    And moving to trading and capital markets, Gen AI-based analytic tools can build on existing algorithmic trading capabilities by harnessing an enormous knowledge base in both the public and private domains. These enhancements have the potential to enable decisions that are faster and more informed—although with some attendant risks as I’ve discussed previously.5
    Why Not Yet?Given the potential for Gen AI to enhance banking, why do we not see widespread integration of Gen AI enhanced products and services in banking to date? There are several factors contributing to our current state. Let me highlight some key reasons.
    Of course, one reason is that banks are being appropriately cautious in the highly regulated environment in which they operate. Beyond that, for some of these applications, the technology is not fully mature. For instance, Gen AI systems may still hallucinate, generating plausible sounding but inaccurate information. Relatedly, because Gen AI usually involves stochastic processes, answers can differ in response to the same query asked at different times or to similar queries. This is tough to square with the requirements of banking, where decisions must be well-controlled, numerically and legally precise, explainable, and replicable.
    Information security is another key concern. To the extent that a Gen AI-powered agent is accessing sensitive customer data and authorizing transactions, it becomes an attractive target for malicious actors.6 Further, as Gen AI models process vast amounts of data, there’s a risk that proprietary or customer information could be inadvertently included in the model’s outputs or responses, leading to legal violations and privacy breaches.
    Moreover, business processes at banks have not evolved to optimize Gen AI usage. Gen AI requires data and infrastructure to be effective. Many banks have existing tech debt, and their data storage is siloed and not optimized for firmwide analysis. Furthermore, there may be organizational practices that may make it hard to evolve existing processes to ones optimized by AI.
    The technological and organizational limitations are real. Nevertheless, I think it may be only a matter of time before the technology advances so that these are engineering, product design, and risk management challenges—rather than insurmountable problems. And with regard to the business process issues, I think fintechs have a real role to play in helping to accelerate responsible innovation by banks in this space.
    Features of Fintechs and BanksAs Gen AI technology continues to develop, there’s a good chance that fintechs will help drive widespread Gen AI adoption in financial services. There are a few reasons why this may be the case. First, fintechs are generally young companies with a clean tech stack and don’t have to integrate new technology into old infrastructure. This allows them to make the most of their data and continuously integrate the latest AI capabilities. Second, these firms have financial and time constraints. Early funding rounds provide limited time and resources to demonstrate outcomes and drive fintechs to find effective, quick solutions, which often involve creative uses of cutting-edge technology. Third, because fintechs usually start as a simple business idea and focus on moving one product to production, they can optimize their tech stack for a single outcome instead of balancing the interests of competing business lines.
    These attributes of fintechs can make them symbiotic with banks. Banks have deep customer data, and data are a key input to effective application of machine learning models, including large language models. Banks are also able to look across a range of business lines and use Gen AI to customize integrated sales strategies, and they have the scale to adopt global Gen AI solutions for compliance and risk management. And banks have existing customer relationships and mature control frameworks that form the basis of their credibility and trust.
    Another way to consider the relationship of fintechs and banks is as a race between speed and scale. Fintechs have the ability to operate at speed but start with no scale. Banks, on the other hand, move more slowly but have scale in terms of investment, consumer reach, and risk management. This creates the dynamic where fintechs must attempt to scale their market share quickly enough to overcome the scale and incumbent advantage of the banks.7
    Bank–Fintech Relationship as an Accelerant for AI AdoptionAnd this leads me to my next point—I believe that the bank–fintech relationship has the potential to accelerate adoption of Gen AI in financial services. This may come in the form of direct competition, with fintechs taking market share from banks for certain products, or banks crowding out fintechs by introducing better technology into their existing or new product lines. Such competition usually benefits consumers by providing more choice and better and cheaper products, provided that the risks are appropriately managed. It may also create competitive pressure and consumer demand that pushes banks to adopt Gen AI products and solutions more quickly.
    Alternatively, fintechs and banks may enter into a symbiotic relationship, forming collaborative partnerships where fintechs and banks merge their strengths. Examples of these partnerships may include banks purchasing or investing capital in fintechs with Gen AI products, or banks and fintechs entering into traditional vendor–client relationships.
    Responsibility for AI Risk ManagementThere’s one common theme in these scenarios: technology advances outside of the bank perimeter and rapidly enters the regulated sector. To get prepared for this moment, bank risk managers and regulators should become familiar with Gen AI trends and monitor developments outside the bank perimeter so that they are not caught off guard as this technology quickly enters the banking system.
    We have a shared role in creating the incentive structure to appropriately manage risks. To the extent banks are using Gen AI or offering Gen AI products and services, they have the responsibility to manage their risk, and should use their relationships to incentivize good risk management practices for fintechs.8 This means choosing fintech partners that provide transparency and clarity regarding the development of AI tools and have demonstrated appropriate control in deployment. There’s necessary tension here, as banks must understand the tools offered by their fintech partners for their own risk management, while fintechs may not want to share details they hold close—their secret sauce. With respect to Gen AI, it is important for fintechs and banks to tackle questions like who owns the customer data, and potential conflicts that may arise if a bank’s customer data are fed back into a fintech’s Gen AI model.
    Fintechs also have an important role to play in laying the groundwork for good risk management of Gen AI.9 As I’ve mentioned before, data quality and model training are critical to safe, sound, and fair use of these tools.10 Fintech developers should, for example, prioritize identifying biases in training data sets and monitoring outputs in order to prevent those biases from amplifying inequalities or mispricing risks. Moreover, fintechs should be aware of how banks manage risk, so that the fintech can adapt Gen AI solutions to be compatible with sound risk management approaches.
    And what should regulators do? As I’ve mentioned, regulators need to stay educated and informed on the technology, so that they understand the business case for deploying the technology and the attendant risks. They should review and update existing standards on model risk management, as appropriate, and engage in public–private forums where there are opportunities to work together. And they need to explore how and when to deploy the technology themselves, to remain in touch in the changing world and make reasoned judgments about how to supervise the use of Gen AI in the banking sector.
    These changes will require broad-based curiosity from regulators, fintechs, and banks—combined with education and investment—to create a culture of awareness on the opportunity and risks of the technology. Equally as important is leadership, to establish appropriate governance over AI and provide appropriate direction on priorities.
    ConclusionIn closing, successful integration of Gen AI into banking will require both creativity in adoption as well as getting the guardrails right. That’s not a zero-sum game. It’s an opportunity for all stakeholders—banks, fintechs, regulators, and consumers—to help to set the foundation for the benefits of the technology to be achieved and the risks to be effectively managed. In this way, we can help to be part of the sound and resilient financial system for all. Thank you.

    1. The views expressed here are my own and are not necessarily those of my colleagues on the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Open Market Committee. Return to text
    2. Michael S. Barr, “Artificial Intelligence: Hypothetical Scenarios for the Future,” speech at the Council on Foreign Relations, New York, February 18, 2025. Return to text
    3. See the SAS web page, Cashing In: Study Shows Banks Investing Big in GenAI, and It’s Paying Off, https://www.sas.com/en_us/news/press-releases/2024/october/generativeai-banking.html. Return to text
    4. J.W. Ayers, A. Poliak, M. Dredze, et al., “Comparing Physician and Artificial Intelligence Chatbot Responses to Patient Questions Posted to a Public Social Media Forum,” JAMA Internal Medicine, April 28, 2023;183(6):589–96, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2804309. Return to text
    5. Michael S. Barr, “Artificial Intelligence: Hypothetical Scenarios for the Future,” speech at the Council on Foreign Relations, New York, February 18, 2025. Return to text
    6. For instance, see NIST blog, “Technical Blog: Strengthening AI Agent Hijacking Evaluations,” January 17, 2025. Return to text
    7. And many fintechs have success, achieving significant scale in a relatively short period. Return to text
    8. See Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, SR letter 23-4, “Interagency Guidance on Third-Party Relationships: Risk Management” (June 7, 2023). Return to text
    9. See Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, SR letter 11-77, “Guidance on Model Risk Management.” Return to text
    10. Michael S. Barr, “Artificial Intelligence: Hypothetical Scenarios for the Future,” speech. Return to text

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: BAWAG Group: Annual General Meeting approves dividend of € 5.50 per share

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Today, BAWAG Group’s shareholders approved the proposal from the Management Board as well as the Supervisory Board for a dividend of € 5.50 per share for the 2024 financial year.

    The dividend will be paid out on April 11, 2025, ex dividend day will be April 8, 2025.

    Anas Abuzaakouk, CEO, presented at the Annual General Meeting: “This past year has been another record year for the Group. We delivered net profit of € 760 million, EPS of € 9.60, a return on tangible common equity (RoTCE) of 26%, and a cost-income ratio (CIR) of 33.5%. Our success is a testimony to the merits of being patient, disciplined, and making strategic decisions with a long-term perspective. We also completed two strategic acquisitions that will fundamentally change the contours of our business. Despite our record performance in 2024, I’m more excited about our prospects today than I have ever been as our our best years lie ahead!”

    In addition, the AGM elected following individuals as members of the Supervisory Board:

    • Pat McClanahan
    • Kim Fennebresque
    • Frederick Haddad
    • Veronika Heise-Rotenburg
    • Tamara Kapeller
    • Robert Oudmayer
    • Tina Reich
    • Ahmed Saeed

    Following the AGM, the newly constituted Supervisory Board elected Kim Fennebresque as the Chairman.

    Kim Fennebresque, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, continued: “I am deeply honored to have been nominated as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BAWAG Group. I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Supervisory Board members. With the addition of these talented individuals, we are bringing on a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and banking experience as we continue to grow the business and expand our footprint. Additionally, and on behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I would like to thank my predecessor Egbert Fleischer for his distinguished service. He provided great leadership to the entire Supervisory Board during his service. I would also like to express my gratitude to our outgoing Supervisory Board members for their dedication and contributions over the years. As for the Management Team, I am incredibly proud of their commitment and achievements since our IPO in 2017 and look forward to working together in the years ahead.”

    All resolution proposals of this year’s Annual General Meeting were approved with the required majority. The details of the Annual General Meeting are available on BAWAG Group’s website.

    BAWAG Group will report its Q1 2025 results on April 29, 2025.

    About BAWAG Group

    BAWAG Group AG is a publicly listed holding company headquartered in Vienna, Austria, serving more than 4 million retail, small business, corporate, real estate and public sector customers across Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Western Europe, and the United States. The Group operates under various brands and across multiple channels offering comprehensive savings, payment, lending, leasing, investment, building society, factoring and insurance products and services. Our goal is to deliver simple, transparent, and affordable financial products and services that our customers need.

    BAWAG Group’s Investor Relations website https://www.bawaggroup.com/ir contains further information, including financial and other information for investors.

    Forward looking statement

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” regarding the financial condition, results of operations, business plans and future performance of BAWAG Group. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could” and other similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic conditions, the regulatory environment, loan concentrations, vendors, employees, technology, competition, and interest rates. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements as actual results may differ materially from the results predicted. Neither BAWAG Group nor any of its affiliates, advisors or representatives shall have any liability whatsoever (in negligence or otherwise) for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this report or its content or otherwise arising in connection with this document. This report does not constitute an offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities and neither it nor any part of it shall form the basis of or be relied upon in connection with any contract or commitment whatsoever. This statement is included for the express purpose of invoking “safe harbor provisions”.

    Contact:

    Financial Community:
    Jutta Wimmer (Head of Investor Relations and Sustainability)
    Tel: +43 (0) 5 99 05-22474

    IR Hotline: +43 (0) 5 99 05-34444
    E-mail: investor.relations@bawaggroup.com

    Media:
    Manfred Rapolter (Head of Corporate Communications and Social Engagement)
    Tel: +43 (0) 5 99 05-31210
    E-mail: communications@bawaggroup.com

    This text can also be downloaded from our website: https://www.bawaggroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bennett Place State Historic Site Will Commemorate the End of Slavery and the Civil War in North Carolina with a Weekend of Events

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Bennett Place State Historic Site Will Commemorate the End of Slavery and the Civil War in North Carolina with a Weekend of Events

    Bennett Place State Historic Site Will Commemorate the End of Slavery and the Civil War in North Carolina with a Weekend of Events
    jejohnson6

    Bennett Place State Historic Site will commemorate the 160th anniversary of its Civil War surrender with two public programs on April 25-26. These programs mark the end of the 160th-anniversary commemorations of the American Civil War in North Carolina by North Carolina State Historic Sites.

    On Friday, April 25 from 7-9:30 p.m., the site hosts “The Promise of Peace: Slavery’s End in North Carolina,” which explores how Civil War surrenders helped ensure the end of slavery. Visitors learn more about the Bennett Place surrender negotiations and the experiences of enslaved women, men, and children who experienced freedom with the close of the Civil War. The historic site will be decorated with 1,324 luminaries, each representing 250 enslaved people, to visualize the 331,059 enslaved North Carolinians during the Civil War. Musician Shana Tucker will perform background music to help visitors reflect on the Civil War as the end of slavery in our state and nation. The April 25 program is free to the public.

    On Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., visitors are invited to attend “Uneasy Peace: Bennett Place Surrenders 160th Anniversary.” This living history program features historic interpreters dressed as Civil War soldiers and civilians. Visitors can learn more about the negotiations between U.S. General William T. Sherman and Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston at the Bennett farmhouse in April 1865. Visitors can also explore how the surrender and its aftermath impacted soldiers and civilians alike. The April 26 program costs $5 for adults and $2 for children, senior citizens, and military personnel. Tickets must be purchased on the day of the event. Cash is preferred, but cards are accepted. No refunds will be issued.

    About Bennett Place State Historic Site
    Once the home of James and Nancy Bennett, this 189-acre farm in the North Carolina Piedmont became the location of the largest surrender of Confederate soldiers in the American Civil War. Over the course of three days in April 1865, General William T. Sherman and General Joseph E. Johnston deliberated the terms of surrender and peace. Today, the Bennetts’ reconstructed farmhouse, kitchen, and smokehouse recall the lifestyle of an ordinary Southern farmer during the Civil War. Bennett Place State Historic Site is located at 4409 Bennett Memorial Rd., Durham, NC 27705.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Apr 4, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New park opens within former gasholder in Granton as part of major regeneration

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    A new public park officially opened in Edinburgh today as part of the £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront to become a new environmentally friendly coastal town.

    The Gasholder 1 Park sits within the completely restored gasholder with views over the Firth of Forth.

    Council Leader Jane Meagher was joined by Minister for Employment and Investment Tom Arthur, representatives from the main contractor McLaughlin & Harvey, as well as volunteers from Granton Hub and members of Pianodrome, Scran Academy and Craigyroyston Youth Football Club to mark the opening of the park ahead of a family fun day and ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday 5 April.

    A club member of the Craigroyston Youth Community Football Club will join the Council Leader to cut the ribbon and officially declare the park open for residents and visitors to enjoy for decades to come.

    The entrance of the park is marked with large Hollywood style lettering making it more visible for local people and others visiting to enjoy its open green space and play equipment. It has six different zones including three play areas with a wide range of play equipment. There is plenty of outdoor space to explore and an inner ring walk going round the outer edges of the frame with a range of places to sit and relax. An outdoor exhibition has also been created which showcases the history of Granton gasworks as well as the restoration process.  

    The 1.2 hectare park, set within the restored iconic gasholder frame, was created using £1.2 million from the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme. This work followed refurbishment of the frame as well as removal of the historic bell using funding from the UK Government.  The restored and repainted gasholder frame is also now a beacon of light in north Edinburgh as it is lit up permanently after dark.

     A new sculpture now also takes pride of place at the centre of the park, commissioned by the Council last year following input from the local community. Svetland Kondakova Muir designed the piece to portray one of the Firth of Forth’s most special visitors – the humpback whale – the recently completed artwork was put in place last week.

    Council Leader Jane Meagher said:

    The Gasholder 1 Park opening is a huge milestone reached for the £1.3bn Granton Waterfront project. It is really inspiring to look out over this important piece of coastal land for our Capital city and see these much needed homes and other facilities literally springing up out of the ground.

     The new park is a fantastic addition for local communities and the hundreds of new tenants including families who have recently moved into the homes we have built for social and mid-market rent in the area. Many of these are on land immediately surrounding the new park and I’m delighted to say that many more homes are being planned or under construction which will be ready for hundreds of new tenants in the next few years.

     The historic gasholder gives the new park a unique look and feel and it will also be seen for miles around as the restored frame is lit up after dark.

     This exciting opening follows the restoration of the former Granton Station building and the new public square also created to provide a sense of place for the local community which opened to great fanfare in March 2023. 

    I’m delighted to cut the ribbon on Saturday to open this exciting new space for the local community as well as the thousands of other visitors I’m sure it will attract from Edinburgh and beyond in the years to come.

     Investment Minister Tom Arthur said:

    We have contributed £1.2 million towards transformation of Granton’s Gasholder from a derelict site to a vibrant and accessible space for people to enjoy. 

    This is part of wider efforts to regenerate the Granton area, including a recent project supported by the Scottish Government to transform derelict industrial units at Granton Waterfront into communal spaces. 

    To help communities thrive, we are providing £62.15 million towards regeneration in 2025-26. This will support projects which revitalise green spaces, town centres and derelict sites to benefit people across Scotland.

    UK Government Minister for Local Growth, Alex Norris, said:  

    Having visited Granton earlier in the year, it is wonderful to see the new Gasholder 1 Park will be opening this week. This green space will really bring the community together, from young families to elderly residents and visitors to the City.  

     “The refurbishment of the derelict gas holder structure has provided a real beacon of light to Edinburgh, retaining its unique history and character, while wider transformation work is underway to Granton Waterfront. This is exactly the kind of collaboration and locally led growth we want to see all across Scotland and the UK in our mission to boost growth and renewal as part of our Plan for Change.

    Graham Brown, Senior Contracts Manager at McLaughlin & Harvey, said:

    Gasholder 1 Park was a unique restoration project to deliver for the City of Edinburgh Council. In deconstructing the old bell, refurbishing the listed steel structure, and repainting the frame, we have solved complex engineering challenges. The ribbon cutting ceremony is a brilliant opportunity for McLaughlin & Harvey to celebrate the vast civil engineering experience of our team as well as the success achieved in our collaboration with our client and supply chain partners.

    The family fun day will include

    • Community singalong with Pianodrome at 11am
    • Ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11.15am with Council Leader Jane Meagher
    • Family arts and craft activities
    • Penalty shoot-outs with Craigroyston Community Youth Football Club
    • Free ice cream
    • Free face painting
    • Exhibition stalls

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: “ARE WE THERE YET?” INDEX: Samsung Teams Up with Jordan Banjo to Reveal Nation’s Road Trip Frustrations Ahead of Easter Long Weekend

    Source: Samsung

    LONDON, UK – 3rd April 2025 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd – Whilst the Easter holidays promise adventure, for many families, this is quickly overshadowed by the boredom and frustration of long journeys.  
     
    Research conducted to launch Samsung’s latest tablet, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE, unveils a staggering 52% of families are planning journeys over the Easter weekend. The stats also reveal that on average, boredom strikes within just 43 minutes of a road trip. With the majority (43%) considering road trips to be journeys upwards of 2 hours, its clear entertainment becomes crucial before they’ve even reached the halfway point. 
     
    The infamous phrase, “Are we there yet?” reigns supreme as one of the top causes of frustration on a family road trip (33%), heard an average of five times during a journey lasting more than 50 miles. Samsung’s “Are We There Yet?” Index pinpoints families in the West Midlands as the most impatient – 44% hear “Are we nearly there yet?” before the hour is up. And, families in the East of England are most likely to ask this more than 10 times on a typical road trip.  
     
    But it’s not just the miles that are causing friction. Keeping younger passengers entertained (29%), unexpected road closures (38%) and complaints of boredom (35%) also play a big part. In fact, nearly a fifth (20%) admit that these frustrations cause at least two arguments per road trip. 
     
    Father of three and Diversity member, Jordan Banjo, says: “As a dad of three, ‘are we there yet’ is a familiar soundtrack in my car. It’s not about keeping the kids quiet; it’s about making those long drives fun for everyone. 
    “Tech like the new Galaxy Tab S10 FE has been a game-changer for us, turning ‘are we there yet?’ into ‘can I have a go’.” 
     
    In a bid to rescue families from travel woes, Samsung introduces the Galaxy Tab S10 FE as the ultimate travel companion, bringing much-needed entertainment to the whole family.  
     
    Annika Bizon, Mobile Experience VP of Product and Marketing Samsung UK&I, says: “Working out how to keep your children entertained in the car can be as stressful as planning a family trip itself. 
      
    “Parents often need technology like tablets to be an additional travel companion for long journeys, helping the entire family to beat both boredom and frustration – whether it’s getting creative with the S Pen, or exploring the Galaxy Tab S10 FE’s preloaded apps to encourage imagination and learning whilst on the move. 
      
    “It’s not about filling the time; it’s about enriching the journey for everyone in the car. The Galaxy Tab S10 FE is designed to do just that, turning challenging journeys into shared enjoyment.” 
     
    Top family road trip frustrations: 
     
    Unexpected road closures or heavy traffic 
    Complaints of boredom 
    Kids repeatedly asking, “Are we there yet?” 
    Struggling to keep younger children entertained 
    Sibling arguments and bickering 
    Motion sickness and travel sickness complaints 
    Frequent toilet stops 
    Poor mobile signal or no internet for entertainment 
    Snacks running out too soon or making a mess 
    Difficulty finding a suitable place to stop for food or breaks 
     
    Stats revealed that other annoying phrases heard by adults included ‘I need the toilet’ (16%), ‘I’m bored’ (13%) and ‘I’m hungry’ (10%).  
     
    When asked what would help improve the road trip experience, having an entertainment device (39%), plenty of snacks (50%) and frequent stops to take breaks (36%) topped the list. Of those who embarked on lengthy trips at least three times a year, 86% say access to Wi-Fi was crucial to the smooth running of a journey. This reached its highest point amongst Londoners, with 91% flagging online connection as an essential.  
     
    Jordan Banjo shares his top tips for keeping the boredom at bay on long car journeys: 
     
    Plan frequent stops: Little legs need breaks! We always plan regular stops to stretch, grab snacks, and let the kids burn off some energy. 
    Creative entertainment: The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE has been a game-changer for us. The S Pen allows my kids to draw and create, and we’ve found loads of educational apps that make learning fun. It stops the constant “Are we there yet?” questions. 
    Music and podcasts: A good playlist or family-friendly podcast can make a huge difference. Let everyone take turns choosing, or find something everyone can enjoy together. 
    Snacks and drinks: Pack plenty of healthy snacks and drinks to avoid hanger meltdowns. A well-fed family is a happy family! 
    Embrace the journey: Road trips are a chance to make memories. Try playing car games, telling stories, and enjoying the time together. 
     
    With 55% of Brits voting the tablet the top travel tech gadget, and 27% using tech to engage the family in a shared activity, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE is set to bring the whole family entertainment.  
     
    From the S Pen that allows for creative expression through drawing and note-taking, to a vast library of apps that can turn travel time into learning opportunities, the suite of features guarantees an engaging journey. And with a powerful processor and longer lasting battery life, you can do more for longer. 
     
    The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE, with its creative and entertainment capabilities, alongside 5G connectivity, ensures a smooth and enjoyable journey for all.  
     
    Discover the Galaxy Tab S10 FE: https://www.samsung.com/uk/tablets/galaxy-tab-s10-fe/buy/.     
     
    Additional stats: 
    40% of Brits combat frustration by loading up tablets with films, TV shows or games 
    This is followed by packing healthy snacks (34%), playing classic car games (32%), and setting challenges (28%) 
    48% of parents use tech to keep kids occupied quietly so parents can focus on driving 
    On average, families take two stops and have three arguments per road trip  

     
    Research carried out by One Poll on behalf of Samsung in March 2025, 1500 respondents, UK adults  

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: TODAY: Join us at 9:30 a.m. PT to learn about the latest Copilot news and innovations

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: TODAY: Join us at 9:30 a.m. PT to learn about the latest Copilot news and innovations

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: From block to blockbuster. Huge congrats to Mojang Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Legendary Entertainment on crafting something truly epic.

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: From block to blockbuster. Huge congrats to Mojang Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Legendary Entertainment on crafting something truly epic.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: First Western Financial, Inc. to Report First Quarter 2025 Financial Results on Thursday, April 24

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, April 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Western Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: MYFW), a financial services holding company headquartered in Denver, Colorado (“First Western”), announced today that it will release financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2025 after the markets close on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

    Management will hold a conference call at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time/12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, April 25, 2025, to discuss First Western’s financial results. Analysts and investors may participate in the question-and-answer session. The conference call will be webcast live on the News & Events page of First Western’s investor relations website.

    Participants on the conference call will need to click on the Telephone Access link provided below, register for the conference call, and then they will receive the dial-in number and a personalized PIN code.

    Conference Call and Webcast Information:

    Date: Friday, April 25, 2025

    Time: 10:00 a.m. MT / 12:00 p.m. ET

    Telephone Access: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI019349e043a94dc394d0159a3c41719d

    Webcast Access: A live webcast will be available on the News & Events page of First Western’s investor relations website. An archived version of the webcast will be available in the same location shortly after the live call has ended.

    About First Western Financial, Inc.

    First Western is a financial services holding company headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with operations in Colorado, Arizona, Wyoming, California, and Montana. First Western Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide a fully integrated suite of wealth management services on a private trust bank platform, which includes a comprehensive selection of deposit, loan, trust, wealth planning and investment management products and services. First Western’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “MYFW.” For more information, please visit www.myfw.com.

    Contacts:
    Financial Profiles, Inc.
    Tony Rossi
    310-622-8221

    MYFW@finprofiles.com
    IR@myfw.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: 2X Awarded on the Financial Times Americas’ Fastest Growing Companies 2025 List

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MALVERN, Pa., April 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 2X, a leader in subscription-based marketing as a service (MaaS), has been named to the Financial Times list of The Americas’ Fastest Growing Companies 2025. This prestigious award is presented by the Financial Times and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The awards list was announced on April 2, 2025, and can be viewed on the FT.com website.

    2X has been named to the Financial Times’ list of the America’s Fastest Growing Companies for the third time, earning the #102 spot for 2025—up from #114 in the 2024 edition. This consistent recognition underscores 2X’s rapid growth and sustained momentum in the dynamic B2B marketing services space.

    Over the past few years, 2X has experienced significant growth, driven by strategic investments, key acquisitions, and deep partnerships across the B2B marketing ecosystem. Backed by leading private equity firms Recognize and Insight Partners, 2X has expanded its capabilities and reach through the acquisition of growth services firm Intelligent Demand and a strategic investment in Get Levrg, which offers subscription-based marketing services for startups, founder-led, and venture-backed businesses. The company also partners with cutting-edge tech leaders like 6sense and Copy.ai to deliver next-generation marketing performance and capabilities. Today, 2X supports over 150 clients, including global brands like SAP, Ricoh, Docker, Hyland, Seismic, Qlik, and GoTo. By applying enterprise-grade frameworks, automation, and data-driven strategies, 2X empowers marketing organizations of all sizes to thrive in an increasingly competitive $100B B2B marketing services market.

    “We’re honored to be recognized by the Financial Times as one of the Americas’ Fastest Growing Companies for the third time—a milestone that reflects the continued trust of our clients, the strength of our team, and the power of the marketing-as-a-service model,” said Domenic Colasante, CEO of 2X. “This recognition underscores our mission to redefine how B2B companies scale revenue and marketing operations—by enabling them to subscribe to a tech-enabled, AI-forward execution model that drives efficiency, performance, and growth.”

    The Americas’ Fastest Growing Companies 2025 ranking identifies companies with the strongest revenue growth between the years 2020 and 2023. The creation of the ranking was based on the following criteria:

    • Revenue of at least US $100,000 generated in 2020
    • Revenue of at least US $1.5M generated in 2023
    • The company is independent (the company is not a subsidiary or branch office of any kind)
    • The company is headquartered in one of 20 American countries
    • Revenue growth was primarily organic between 2020 and 2023

    Statista publishes hundreds of industry rankings and company listings worldwide with high-profile media partners. This research and analysis is based on the success of statista.com, the leading data and business intelligence portal that provides statistics, relevant business data, and various market and consumer studies and surveys.

    About 2X

    2X is a leading B2B marketing-as-a-service firm that helps marketing leaders achieve greater impact while lowering costs through its managed services delivery model. Servicing over 150 clients including SAP, Ricoh, Docker, Hyland, Seismic, Qlik, and GoTo, 2X provides dedicated and highly skilled FTEs who specialize in marketing operations, MarTech management, campaign execution, content and creative production, and strategy consulting services. With more than 1,000 team members globally, 2X is backed by private equity firms Recognize and Insight Partners and has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in the US by Inc. and the Financial Times. For more information, visit 2X.marketing or follow us on LinkedIn.

    Media Contact
    Audree Hernandez
    JMAC PR for 2X
    2X@JMACPR.com  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What politicians could actually do about the issues raised in Adolescence

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Robert Lawson, Associate Professor in Sociolinguistics, Birmingham City University

    Mounir Taha/Shutterstock

    Netflix hit Adolescence has ignited conversations across the UK about contemporary masculinity, online radicalisation and violence against women and girls. It has also raised questions about the interventions needed at home, in schools and by the government to counter the seductive power of harmful content on social media.

    The series suggests the key to solving some of these issues is parents and teachers understanding the “manosphere”. This is a collection of websites, influencers and communities where men talk about “men’s issues”. But, as I’ve explored in my research, anti-women and anti-feminist sentiment also prevails.

    In an interview about the series, Adolescence writer Jack Thorne says:

    Jamie is not a simple product of the ‘manosphere’. He is a product of parents that didn’t see, a school that couldn’t care and a brain that didn’t stop him. Put 3,000 kids in the same situation and they wouldn’t do what he did. Yet spend any time on forums on 4chan or Reddit, spend any time on most social media platforms and you end up, quite quickly, in some dark spaces. Parents can try to regulate this, schools can stop mobile phone access but more needs to be done.

    Successive UK governments have attempted to counter online misogyny and violence against women and girls through legislation and public education schemes. But what would really work?

    Adolescence attaches much importance to language and emojis used by teens to obscure meaning, though there is undoubtedly some creative license behind the depictions of the emojis used to mean “incel” (involuntary celibate).

    But focusing on “slang parents and teachers need to know” is misguided. Every generation finds ways of talking about their lives in coded ways. And teen language is frequently tied to moral panics about what it potentially hides. Research has shown that regular, open and supportive conversations between parents and children are much more important.

    The role of schools

    The prime minister has suggested that Adolescence should be shown in schools. And Netflix has made the series available to secondary schools across the UK.

    In December 2024, education minister Bridget Phillipson announced new teaching guidance about incel culture and online misogyny. She argued that it was “vital to recognise the signs of these dangerous ideas as early as possible”.

    It’s encouraging to see the government take these issues seriously, but there are pitfalls. Teachers are under substantial pressure, struggling with workload and staffing. How many have the capacity to lead meaningful and supportive discussions, especially with limited training on these topics?

    Some research suggests that female teachers encounter explicit misogyny in their classrooms. This makes it even more difficult to facilitate conversations about gender and violence. Sessions on countering misogyny also pose the danger of alienating boys, making them feel like they are being vilified for the actions of other men and boys.



    Read more:
    Adolescence in schools: TV show’s portrayal of one boyhood may do more harm than good when used as a teaching tool

    Ultimately, interventions to reduce gender-based violence and misogyny need a “whole-school” approach that integrates gender equality across the curriculum, rather than isolating it within relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) classes. This content could also be covered in initial teacher training courses.

    Researchers have developed resources to challenge dangerous gender norms for use in schools, community groups and other forums. These include toolkits from Dublin City University, University of Liverpool and the MascNet research network, which focus on improving critical thinking, unpacking dominant ideas of masculinity and reflecting on different ways of being a man.

    My own work on A-level English curricula also offers suggestions. Improving digital literacy is key to helping young men identify the mechanisms of manipulation in the content they consume and resist the siren call of manosphere influences. This can encourage young men to rethink their assumptions about gender politics and masculinity, with the ultimate aim of reducing gender-based violence.

    Other discussions have focused on recruiting more male teachers and the importance of models of masculinity based on caring, empathy and emotional vulnerability. Again, these are appealing solutions, but the evidence that male role models improve outcomes for young people is mixed.

    Perhaps the trickiest debate concerns the regulation of media and technology. Adolescence writer Thorne has backed the UK following Australia’s approach to ban social media for under-16s, and some argue the government should ban smartphones for teenagers entirely. Experts say that such bans could do more harm than good.

    The UK’s new online safety laws may go some way to holding social media companies to account for moderating illegal or harmful content and algorithms through fines. This covers intimate image abuse, cyberflashing and some other forms of online misogyny, but there are likely to be gaps when it comes to male supremacist and manosphere content.

    And there are serious concerns about how the law will affect free speech and undermine privacy online.

    Investing in youth

    The problem with many of these strategies is that they fail to acknowledge the material reality of many young boys’ lives. There have been significant cuts over the past 20 years to youth provision, from clubs and community centres to mental health support.

    Boys’ prospects in terms of educational attainment and secure employment lag behind girls’. These inequalities become even more pronounced across regions and social classes, and won’t be solved by banning social media.

    Add to this disconnected communities and a potent combination of insecurity, precarity and frustrated expectation, it is no surprise that many young men find solace in an online world which gives them validation, belonging and a sense of community.



    Read more:
    Blaming absent dads for the crisis of masculinity is too simplistic – many men want to be more involved

    Thankfully, a number of organisations offer better solutions. Charities like Beyond Equality, the Manhood Academy, AndysManClub and Progressive Masculinity have provided outreach, mentoring and mental health provision for boys and young men across the UK for years.

    Similarly, the S.M.I.L.E-ing Boys Project supports boys from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities to develop their emotional intelligence, with positive outcomes in terms of navigating relationships and interpersonal conflict. Government investment would help these organisations reach more young men, alongside improving access for underserved communities.

    Adolescence has started some important conversations among parents, teens and politicians. But to make a difference in how young men navigate the world, how they deal with rejection, and how they negotiate the difficulties that life throws at them, these conversations need to be backed up with investment and concrete action.

    Robert Lawson is a Research Fellow in the Institute for Research on Male Supremacism.

    – ref. What politicians could actually do about the issues raised in Adolescence – https://theconversation.com/what-politicians-could-actually-do-about-the-issues-raised-in-adolescence-252978

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The women who shaped Sigmund Freud and a hero who can’t feel pain – what to watch, read and do this week

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Anna Walker, Senior Arts + Culture Editor

    Think of Sigmund Freud, the “father of psychoanalysis”, and a few images probably come to mind. A smouldering cigar. His small wire-frame glasses. And of course, his psychoanalytic couch – the divan his patients would lie on during sessions. While the couch has become an enduring symbol of Freud’s practice, and indeed for therapy more generally, few people know that it was originally a gift from one of his wealthy woman patients, Madame Benvenisti.

    It’s on show at London’s Freud Museum as part of the exhibition Women & Freud: Patients, Pioneers, Artists. Until May 5, the space will be packed with works that celebrate the women in Freud’s life.

    Throughout the exhibition, images, film footage and artworks are brought together to ask questions about the women of psychoanalysis. Whether they are patients, analysts, friends and family, or artistic inheritors of its legacy, the show offers much food for thought.

    Marie Bonaparte, great-grandniece to Napoleon, intervened to save Freud from the Nazis. She is remembered through previously undisplayed correspondence. Portuguese artist Paula Rego’s work speaks to Freud’s ideas about the family. And contributions to the wider field of psychoanalysis by American-born Maria Battle Singer, Britain’s first black psychoanalyst, are finally celebrated.

    Women & Freud: Patients, Pioneers, Artists is at the Freud Museum until May 5.



    Read more:
    Freud Museum exhibition uses art to explore the psychoanalyst’s often contradictory relationships with women

    The dance of death

    White Lotus Mondays have become a ritual in my household. If you’ve been watching season three, you probably have the same questions as me. Who is going to die? Who is going to kill them? And what on Earth is going on with those brothers?

    For most viewers, this season, set on the Thai island of Ko Samui, has been a slower burn than the previous one. And who isn’t missing Jennifer Coolidge’s unforgettable turn as the eccentric heiress Tanya McQuoid? But, for my money, series three has now more than earned our trust. The latest episode delivered confrontations, realisations and some jaw-dropping escalations.

    The trailer for the final episode of The White Lotus season three.

    As we head into Monday’s 90-minute final episode, we’ve been reflecting on the way the show’s creator Mike White has engaged with Buddhist philosophy. Brooke Schedneck, an expert in contemporary Buddhism and religious tourism in Thailand, explains what the show gets right and wrong about common Buddhist practices.

    White Lotus is streaming on Sky Atlantic and Now TV.



    Read more:
    What ‘The White Lotus’ gets wrong about the meaning and goals of common Buddhist practices

    One thing most of this season’s White Lotus characters have in common is a love for a good dance – whether neon-daubed at a full-moon party, dripping with sweat in a mega club or vibing on the decks of a super yacht.

    Thailand’s dance culture has its roots in a movement that began in dingy bars in the UK, before spreading to Ibiza, eastern Europe and finally Asia. We asked the experts behind new book Transatlantic Drift, which tracks the emergence, evolution and global spread of nightclubs, to explain the history of dance music and the spaces it’s enjoyed in. As they explain, from basements to beaches, dancefloors have always mirrored social change.

    Transatlantic Drift by Katie Milestone and Simon A. Morrison is out now.



    Read more:
    A brief history of dance music – from basements to beaches, dancefloors have mirrored social change

    The pain of uncertainty

    Another book on our reading lists this week is Embracing Uncertainty by entrepreneur Margaret Heffernan. As our world faces a perfect storm of environmental, societal and economic challenges, the need to support innovation and champion persistence has seldom felt greater. Heffernan’s book explores how writers, musicians and artists can thrive in our unpredictable world.

    We asked professor of cognitive neuroscience David Pearson for his take. He found Heffernan to be an engaging storyteller and thought the book’s hopeful and inspiring stories pointed the way to a more optimistic future.

    Embracing Uncertainty by Margaret Heffernan is out now.



    Read more:
    Embracing Uncertainty: what we can all learn from how artists thrive in an unpredictable world

    Jack Quaid – son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan – has quietly been making a name for himself as an actor to watch. I greatly enjoyed his work in Companion, an AI-gone-wrong thriller that deserved far more attention. And he showed his romcom chops in 2019’s wedding caper, Plus One.

    The trailer for Novocaine.

    Now he’s turning to another genre, action, as the lead in Novocaine. Quaid plays Nathan, a man who feels no pain and is on a mission to save the girl of his dreams from the bank robbers who have taken her hostage. He takes bullets without flinching, grabs a hot pan with his bare hands and fishes a gun from a deep frier – all without feeling a thing.

    As far as the movie goes, it’s a recipe for zany, if gory, fun. But in real life this condition, known as congenital insensitivity to pain, is far from a superpower. Pain may not feel nice, but it saves lives, as our medical expert explains.

    Novocaine is in cinemas now.



    Read more:
    Novocaine: the movie action hero with a real-life syndrome that makes him immune to pain

    – ref. The women who shaped Sigmund Freud and a hero who can’t feel pain – what to watch, read and do this week – https://theconversation.com/the-women-who-shaped-sigmund-freud-and-a-hero-who-cant-feel-pain-what-to-watch-read-and-do-this-week-253773

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why ChatGPT is a uniquely terrible tool for government ministers

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Deepak Padmanabhan, Senior Lecturer in AI, Queen’s University Belfast

    Shutterstock/Prachova Nataliia

    The news that Peter Kyle, secretary of state for science and technology, had been using ChatGPT for policy advice prompted some difficult questions.

    Kyle apparently used the AI tool to draft speeches and even asked it for suggestions about which podcasts he should appear on. But he also sought advice on his policy work, apparently including questions on why businesses in the UK are not adopting AI more readily. He asked the tool to define what “digital inclusion” means.

    A spokesperson for Kyle said his use of the tool “does not substitute comprehensive advice he routinely receives from officials” but we have to wonder whether any use at all is suitable. Does ChatGPT give good enough advice to have any role in decisions that could affect the lives of millions of people?

    Underpinned by our research on AI and public policy, we find that ChatGPT is uniquely flawed as a device for government ministers in several ways, including the fact that it is backward looking, when governments really should be looking to the future.

    1. Looking back instead of forward

    Where government ministers should ideally be seeking new, fresh ideas with a view to the future, the information that comes out of an AI chatbot is, by definition, from the past. It’s a very effective way of summarising what has already been thought of but not equipped to suggest genuinely new ways of thinking.

    ChatGPT responses are not based on all past equally. The ever-increasing digitisation over the years steers ChatGPT’s pattern-finding mechanism to the recent past. In other words, when asked by a minister to provide advice on a specific problem in the UK, ChatGPT’s responses would be more anchored in documents produced in the UK in recent years.

    And notably, in Kyle’s case, that means that not only will a Labour minister be accessing information from the past, but he’ll be advised by an algorithm leaning heavily on advice given to Conservative governments. That’s not the end of the world, of course, but it’s questionable given that Labour won an election by promising change.

    Kyle – or any other minister consulting ChatGPT – will be given information grounded in the policy traditions reflecting the Rishi Sunak, Boris Johnson, Theresa May and David Cameron eras. They are less likely to receive information grounded in the thinking of the New Labour years, which were longer ago.

    If Kyle asks what digital inclusion means, the answer is more likely to reflect what these Tory administrations think it means rather than thoughts of governments more aligned with his values.

    Amid all the enthusiasm within Labour to leverage AI, this may be one reason for them to distance themselves from using ChatGPT for policy advice. They risk Tory policy – one they so like to criticise – zombieing into their own.

    2. Prejudice

    ChatGPT has been accused of having “hallucinations” – generating, uncanny, plausible-sounding falsehoods.

    There is a simple technical explanation for this, as alluded to in a recent study. The “truth model” for ChatGPT – as for any large language model – is one of consensus. It models truth as something that everyone agrees to be true. For ChatGPT, its truth is simply the consensus of views expressed across the data it has been trained on.

    This is very different from the human model of truth, which is based on correspondence. For us, the truth is what best corresponds to reality in the physical world. The divergence between the truth models could be consequential in many ways.

    For example, TV licensing, a model that operates only within a few nations, would not figure prominently within ChatGPT’s consensus model built over a global dataset. Thus, ChatGPT’s suggestions on broadcast media policy are unlikely to substantially touch upon TV licensing.

    Besides explaining hallucinations, divergences in truth models have other consequences. Social prejudices, including sexism and racism, are easily internalised under the consensus model.

    Consider seeking ChatGPT advice on improving conditions for construction workers, a historically male dominated profession. ChatGPT’s consensus model could blind it from considerations important to women.

    The correspondence model of truth enables humans to continuously engage in moral deliberation and change. A human policy expert advising Peter Kyle could illuminate him on pertinent real-world complexities.

    For example, they might highlight how recent successes in AI-based diagnostics could help tackle distinct aspects of the UK’s disease burden in the knowledge that one of Labour’s priorities is to cut NHS waiting times.

    3. Pleasing narratives

    Tools such as ChatGPT are designed to give engaging, elegant narratives when responding to questions. ChatGPT managed this partly by weeding out bad quality text from its training data (with the help of underpaid workers in Africa).

    These poetic pieces of writing work well for engagement and help OpenAI to keep users hooked on their product. Humans enjoy a good story, and particularly one that offers to solve a problem. Our shared evolutionary history has made us story-tellers and story-listeners unlike any other species.

    But the real world is not a story. It is a constant swirl of political complexities, social contradictions and moral dilemmas, many of which can never be resolved. The real world and the decisions government ministers have to make on our behalf are complex.

    There are competing interests and irreconcilable differences. Rarely is there a neat answer. ChatGPT’s penchant for pleasing narratives stands at odds with the public policy imperative to address messy real-world conditions.

    The very features that make ChatGPT a useful tool in many contexts are squarely incompatible with the considerations of public policy, a realm that seeks to make political choices to address the needs of a country’s citizens.

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

    – ref. Why ChatGPT is a uniquely terrible tool for government ministers – https://theconversation.com/why-chatgpt-is-a-uniquely-terrible-tool-for-government-ministers-253294

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –