NewzIntel.com

Category: Entertainment

  • MIL-OSI China: Sharing their love of culture

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Golden threads dance between silver needles, threading vitality into the intricate snake-pattern embroidered fan in the warm sunlight in winter.

    As the vibrant colors bring the snake to life, Liu Xiaoyan, an embroidery master, weaves her heartfelt wishes for a prosperous Year of the Snake with each stitch.

    Liu was demonstrating her craft in a fun park in Greece on Jan 19, which is part of a cultural trip she and her team are on, called “Happy Spring Festival “organized by the Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchange Center to spread Chinese culture to the countries they travel to.

    The cultural celebration is an annual activity held since 2016 to celebrate the Chinese New Year with Chinese community in other countries as well as other local people wanting to discover more about Chinese traditional culture. This year’s activity included a series of events in Greece, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Turkiye, and Nigeria.

    In her display table, Liu presented over 40 exquisite and captivating embroidery pieces, ranging from garments and scrolls to smaller items such as brooches and earrings to display the enchantment of Chinese aesthetics. Passersby couldn’t help but stop and admire the works, with some excitedly trying their hands at creating their own embroidered fans.

    “We are happy for this,” said Nadia, a local woman who watched Liu’s performance in Athens, “The Chinese community in Athens is really vibrant and strong, and I hope you’re going to be healthy and happy throughout the Year of the Snake.”

    “My heartfelt thanks to you — both the artistic works and the food are amazing,” said a local man named Vassili, who was happy watching Liu’s performance and expressed his “Happy the Year of the Snake” congratulations to all.

    What Liu displayed at the exhibition is the art of Beijing embroidery, recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of the nation, to which she is inheritor and master of arts and crafts in Beijing. Liu’s family has had a long connection with the world of tailoring as four generations of her family worked as tailors, which brought her an early exposure to the craft of embroidery and naturally sparked her interest in Beijing embroidery, a form of classical Chinese royal embroidery that dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

    Characterized by exquisite details and auspicious patterns, the demanding techniques of Beijing embroidery are a time-consuming challenge. “It took me three months to embroider just one peony leaf at my first attempt,” Liu recalled.

    The skills needed to become an exceptional embroiderer, however, were not the only lessons Liu learned from several masters of Beijing embroidery over the course of 17 years.

    “My teachers always advised me not to limit myself to the needle and thread,” Liu recalled. “Instead, they encouraged me to think about how I could carry the essence of Chinese traditional culture into the modern era, ensuring this form of national intangible cultural heritage would continue to thrive.”

    In addition to mixing the popular snake motif for the New Year into embroidery works, such as fans, brooches, and earrings, Liu also experimented with traditional colors and techniques to convey grand messages of the times through these small pieces.

    Hitting new heights

    “Turquoise and lapis green are commonly used in traditional Chinese painting. With these two colors in this mountain-shaped brooch, I hope to convey our current pursuit of a better life and a cleaner environment,” Liu said, pointing to the brooch she was wearing.

    From Jan 18 to 28, during the “Happy Spring Festival” trip, Liu showcased her works in Greece and Italy. “For me, it’s not only an opportunity to show Chinese traditional culture, but also a way to inspire me to keep this intangible cultural heritage alive by learning the tastes of global audiences and the methods of my global counterparts,” Liu said.

    Organized jointly by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and local Chinese embassies, consulates and cultural centers, among other institutions, the “Happy Spring Festival” events feature a diverse array of activities such as display of Liu’s embroidery products, interactive activities with local audiences, Chinese New Year photo exhibitions, exhibitions of award-winning entries from the Global Zodiac Design Competition, and VR exhibitions of Beijing’s Central Axis that was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024, all showcasing the rich connotations of Chinese New Year culture.

    Another of the intangible cultural heritage practitioners taking part is Ha Xin, a fifth-generation inheritor of kite-making skills named after his family name, which, with a history of over 160 years, was included on the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2008. While all ordinary kite-making procedures are similar and involve making the different parts of the skeleton of the kite with bamboo, then gluing them together and covering the framework with paper, Ha’s kites are uniquely artistic as he invests a lot of time and energy into the drawing and design.

    For Ha, drawing is the gene of the kites he makes and he usually spends over 20 days drawing on a kite. His grandfather, the third-generation inheritor of the art, once said: “A kite might last only about 100 years but the drawing and design on it might exist much longer.”

    Ha’s drawings on the kite include birds, butterflies, goldfish and dragons. This time he has creatively designed kites with drawings of Dala horses in Sweden and moose of Norway, to convey China’s friendliness to the people of Scandinavian countries, which are his trip destinations.

    To make it interactive, Ha has also halfmade a large dragon kite and invited local audiences to participate in finishing the kite on-site. “By allowing locals to do it together, I hope they can enjoy the process and gain a love for the Chinese art of kites.”

    Expressive dance

    The Beijing Dance Academy also participated in this year’s activity. Zeng Ming, a teacher in its Department of Chinese Classical Dance, led a group of seven dancers to perform in Nigeria and Turkiye, showcasing the beauty of Chinese classical dance.

    Among the performances was Zeng’s solo dance titled Calligraphy and Painting. This piece is a fusion of two traditional Chinese art forms — calligraphy and classical dance. In the performance, Zeng held a calligraphy brush throughout, using the movements of writing as a form of expressive dance.

    The dance reflects the passion and flowing strokes of Chinese calligraphy. As the music progresses, the rhythm of the dance grows more intense, akin to the moment when ancient Chinese literati moved their brushes vigorously to express their inner passion with strokes powerful enough to penetrate the paper.

    Calligraphy and Painting is not only a celebration of Chinese calligraphy but also a vivid portrayal of the artistry and philosophy behind it, according to Zeng. By integrating the fluid motions of calligraphy with dynamic dance steps, Zeng’s performance embodies the harmony of body, mind, and spirit.

    The dance accentuates the elegance and intricate beauty of Chinese calligraphy, while also conveying its deep cultural significance, reflecting the Chinese literati spirit and profound historical roots of Chinese tradition.

    Through the performance, Zeng and his fellow dancers brought Chinese culture to international audiences, demonstrating how Chinese classical dance and calligraphy can transcend cultural boundaries and resonate with people worldwide. There are also dances in which the dancers manipulate long silk ribbons to resemble snake, through which they hope to wish the audiences a happy Year of the Snake.

    “I believe that in this overseas performance, we represent our country and demonstrate the grandeur and broadmindedness of China as a nation of etiquette,” Zeng said, “We want the audiences to see the spirit of the Chinese people and feel the depth of Chinese culture.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Long-term care insurance becoming more popular

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

    China is making strides in popularizing long-term care insurance, improving the quality of life for people who have lost the ability to perform daily activities and easing the burden on their families.

    The National Healthcare Security Administration recently announced that by the end of 2024, more than 180 million people were covered by long-term care insurance, with 2.6 million individuals receiving benefits. The program, which began its trial phase in 2016, now covers 49 cities, including Beijing and Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province.

    Long-term care insurance is designed to assist people who are unable to perform basic daily activities such as eating, bathing or dressing due to aging, injury, illness or mental deterioration. Participation in the insurance program is voluntary.

    Experts say the insurance is an important supplement to China’s existing social insurance system, which includes pension, healthcare, work-related injury, unemployment and maternity coverage.

    Local governments have pushed for broader implementation of long-term care insurance to address the aging population and improve the quality of life for impaired people.

    In Ningbo, Zhejiang province, the program expanded from 2017 to 2023, eventually covering the entire city. Hangzhou and Huzhou, two other cities in Zhejiang, fully implemented the program last month, allowing local residents to join for an annual payment of 90 yuan ($12.35).

    Before receiving benefits, insured individuals must undergo a scientific evaluation by professional workers to assess their abilities in areas such as mobility, eating, bathing, cognition and communication.

    Despite its progress, the expansion of long-term care insurance faces several challenges, including a shortage of certified long-term care workers and reluctance from some people to pay for the insurance.

    According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, China’s elderly population — people age 60 and above — reached 297 million by the end of 2023, and the proportion of these individuals who have lost the ability to perform basic living tasks has risen in recent years. It’s estimated that 46 million elderly people will lose such abilities by 2035, with the number rising to 58 million by 2050.

    However, the number of certified nursing workers remains around 500,000, while the demand for such workers is estimated to be 10 million, according to state broadcaster China Central Television.

    Li Yanqing, a 28-year-old nursing worker in Shanghai, said the demand for nursing talent will continue to increase due to the growing elderly population. She pointed out that issues such as low social recognition, low pay, physically demanding work and unclear career advancement have caused many colleagues to quit in recent years.

    “I plan to get the official certificate of long-term care worker,” Li said.

    Fan Weidong, an official with the National Healthcare Security Administration, said at a recent news conference that the administration is working to establish a long-term care insurance system that alleviates the financial burden on individuals and families.

    “The implementation of long-term care insurance has created about 300,000 jobs and attracted approximately 60 billion yuan in social and industrial investment,” Fan said. “We will continue exploring ways to involve commercial healthcare insurance and social organizations in expanding coverage, and encourage local authorities and companies to develop smarter, more digitalized services for people with impaired living abilities.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Different songs for different days: why it’s important to actively choose the music for your mood

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katrina McFerran, Professor and Head of Creative Arts and Music Therapy Research Unit; Director of Researcher Development Unit, The University of Melbourne

    New York Public Library

    Many of us take pleasure in listening to music. Music accompanies important life events and lubricates social encounters. It represents aspects of our existing identity, as well as our hopes and dreams. It expresses emotions that cannot be explained with words. Music also distracts us from boredom and difficulty and helps us escape into another world.

    Music seems to have a magical power: a wand to be waved that makes life feel better. But what if the power was not in the music itself? In fact, the power of music comes from our choices in what to listen to and the human agency we express in this act.

    It can be seen as a placebo effect where the music is endowed with special powers by our minds. The qualities of the music are important. But as with all art, it is how we uniquely perceive the song that makes our experience powerful.

    My research has shown most of us operate on autopilot when it comes to choosing music, often assuming previous music selections will have the same effect even under very different circumstances.

    Stepping out of autopilot and being more intentional in the songs we chose can move from hoping the music will make you feel good, to knowing it will and seeing how it does.

    Choose the right music for you

    The way we experience music is personal. There is no one song that is going to make everyone feel the same.

    Think about trying to pick a song to make you feel happy, or to listen to when you’re happy. If the power was in the musical qualities of the song itself, Pharrell Williams’ Happy might work. The song has several uplifting musical features: a simple but catchy melody; an energising rhythm emphasised by the singer clicking along; a lively tempo; and words that repeat the key idea.

    It’s similar to Psy’s Gangnam Style, Katrina and the Waves’ Walking on Sunshine or ABBA’s Waterloo.

    But just because these songs sound happy, do they make you feel happy? Would they make it into your personal top five pleasure-inducing tracks?

    Your song selections are different to your friends because of the personal associations you have with them, including your personal taste. That’s why AI can’t generate the right songs for you if you ask it for “happy songs”.

    You would be better off to start by looking at your own playlists and frequently played tracks to identify which ones actually make you feel good, personally.

    Understanding meaning

    It’s important to distinguish between pleasure-inducing tracks and meaningful songs.

    Meaningful songs are linked to a range of emotions, identities, histories and social connections – but only some of those are pleasure inducing. Others connect to poignant and beautiful feelings such as grief and loss, whether that is missing home or missing people and creatures we love. This poignancy is distinct from hedonism, which is happiness without negative affect.

    If you’re experiencing grief, for example, there may be a beauty in remembering your loved one, but it is connected to the pain of their absence. Choosing pleasure-inducing songs operates as an aesthetic distraction to take our mind away from the pain, which is a different (not necessarily worse or better) choice.

    Listening to sad songs when you feel low may help with emotional processing – but not always.
    Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock

    Sometimes meaning doesn’t come with a beautiful purpose. Like the love song that becomes the breakup song. Or the favourite artist whose death renders a song poignant rather than uplifting. Then the song may help with emotional processing, or it may not, it can just fulfil a desire for rumination – a thought we keep circling around without discharging the intensity or our perspective on it.

    It might seem obvious that these events will change the way we feel when we listen to a song. But it can be surprisingly difficult to let go of music we love.

    Sad songs can be enjoyable and/or a beautiful way of connecting to emotional experiences. But they can also intensify our negative emotions, which doesn’t always lead to resolution.

    Being conscious and intentional in music choices is important, especially if you’re tending to ruminate. During down times in life, it is worth checking in after listening to make sure the song is helping you process and resolve, and not just intensify and maintain a negative state you would rather leave behind.

    Finding what you love

    But most days you are safe to let your instincts guide you. After all, there’s nothing more pleasurable than spending time listening to a banger.

    In technical speak, we call these “preferred songs” – songs that might not be personally meaningful, or fill you with joy exactly, but they are just great tracks. Music you love, appreciate and rate.

    But even identifying preferred songs is still personal. Despite what many people think, it’s very difficult to get agreement about what makes a good song. But it’s not difficult to identify the songs that you think are great. In fact, it’s a super fun thing to do.

    Katrina McFerran has received funding from the Australian Research Council and the University of Melbourne to investigate this topic. She is a registered music therapist with the Australian Music Therapy Association.

    – ref. Different songs for different days: why it’s important to actively choose the music for your mood – https://theconversation.com/different-songs-for-different-days-why-its-important-to-actively-choose-the-music-for-your-mood-246233

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Different songs for different days: why it’s important to actively chose the music for your mood

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katrina McFerran, Professor and Head of Creative Arts and Music Therapy Research Unit; Director of Researcher Development Unit, The University of Melbourne

    New York Public Library

    Many of us take pleasure in listening to music. Music accompanies important life events and lubricates social encounters. It represents aspects of our existing identity, as well as our hopes and dreams. It expresses emotions that cannot be explained with words. Music also distracts us from boredom and difficulty and helps us escape into another world.

    Music seems to have a magical power: a wand to be waved that makes life feel better. But what if the power was not in the music itself? In fact, the power of music comes from our choices in what to listen to and the human agency we express in this act.

    It can be seen as a placebo effect where the music is endowed with special powers by our minds. The qualities of the music are important. But as with all art, it is how we uniquely perceive the song that makes our experience powerful.

    My research has shown most of us operate on autopilot when it comes to choosing music, often assuming previous music selections will have the same effect even under very different circumstances.

    Stepping out of autopilot and being more intentional in the songs we chose can move from hoping the music will make you feel good, to knowing it will and seeing how it does.

    Choose the right music for you

    The way we experience music is personal. There is no one song that is going to make everyone feel the same.

    Think about trying to pick a song to make you feel happy, or to listen to when you’re happy. If the power was in the musical qualities of the song itself, Pharrell Williams’ Happy might work. The song has several uplifting musical features: a simple but catchy melody; an energising rhythm emphasised by the singer clicking along; a lively tempo; and words that repeat the key idea.

    It’s similar to Psy’s Gangnam Style, Katrina and the Waves’ Walking on Sunshine or ABBA’s Waterloo.

    But just because these songs sound happy, do they make you feel happy? Would they make it into your personal top five pleasure-inducing tracks?

    Your song selections are different to your friends because of the personal associations you have with them, including your personal taste. That’s why AI can’t generate the right songs for you if you ask it for “happy songs”.

    You would be better off to start by looking at your own playlists and frequently played tracks to identify which ones actually make you feel good, personally.

    Understanding meaning

    It’s important to distinguish between pleasure-inducing tracks and meaningful songs.

    Meaningful songs are linked to a range of emotions, identities, histories and social connections – but only some of those are pleasure inducing. Others connect to poignant and beautiful feelings such as grief and loss, whether that is missing home or missing people and creatures we love. This poignancy is distinct from hedonism, which is happiness without negative affect.

    If you’re experiencing grief, for example, there may be a beauty in remembering your loved one, but it is connected to the pain of their absence. Choosing pleasure-inducing songs operates as an aesthetic distraction to take our mind away from the pain, which is a different (not necessarily worse or better) choice.

    Listening to sad songs when you feel low may help with emotional processing – but not always.
    Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock

    Sometimes meaning doesn’t come with a beautiful purpose. Like the love song that becomes the breakup song. Or the favourite artist whose death renders a song poignant rather than uplifting. Then the song may help with emotional processing, or it may not, it can just fulfil a desire for rumination – a thought we keep circling around without discharging the intensity or our perspective on it.

    It might seem obvious that these events will change the way we feel when we listen to a song. But it can be surprisingly difficult to let go of music we love.

    Sad songs can be enjoyable and/or a beautiful way of connecting to emotional experiences. But they can also intensify our negative emotions, which doesn’t always lead to resolution.

    Being conscious and intentional in music choices is important, especially if you’re tending to ruminate. During down times in life, it is worth checking in after listening to make sure the song is helping you process and resolve, and not just intensify and maintain a negative state you would rather leave behind.

    Finding what you love

    But most days you are safe to let your instincts guide you. After all, there’s nothing more pleasurable than spending time listening to a banger.

    In technical speak, we call these “preferred songs” – songs that might not be personally meaningful, or fill you with joy exactly, but they are just great tracks. Music you love, appreciate and rate.

    But even identifying preferred songs is still personal. Despite what many people think, it’s very difficult to get agreement about what makes a good song. But it’s not difficult to identify the songs that you think are great. In fact, it’s a super fun thing to do.

    Katrina McFerran has received funding from the Australian Research Council and the University of Melbourne to investigate this topic. She is a registered music therapist with the Australian Music Therapy Association.

    – ref. Different songs for different days: why it’s important to actively chose the music for your mood – https://theconversation.com/different-songs-for-different-days-why-its-important-to-actively-chose-the-music-for-your-mood-246233

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Ne Zha 2’ smashes box office records, becomes first non-Hollywood film to hit 1 bln USD

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    People walk past a poster of the animated feature “Ne Zha 2” at a cinema in Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, Feb. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

    Chinese animated blockbuster “Ne Zha 2” has shattered multiple box office records, becoming the first film to cross 1 billion U.S. dollars in a single market and the first non-Hollywood title to join the coveted billion-dollar club.

    The sophomore outing in the mythological franchise has also set a new record for all-time admissions in China, drawing over 160 million moviegoers, per data from ticketing platforms Maoyan and Beacon.

    Helmed by Yang Yu, known as Jiaozi, the film hit the big screen during the lucrative Chinese New Year frame on Jan. 29, surpassing 2017’s “Wolf Warrior 2” to become China’s most-watched film. Meanwhile, its total revenue (including presales) hit 8 billion yuan (about 1.12 billion U.S. dollars) by Sunday.

    In just eight days and five hours after its release, “Ne Zha 2” became China’s highest-grossing film of all time on Thursday, exceeding the 5.77 billion yuan record set by “The Battle at Lake Changjin.” A day later, it overtook “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” to become the highest-grossing film ever in a single market, reaching over 6.79 billion yuan (including presales) in China on Friday.

    A follow-up to the animated sensation “Ne Zha,” which grossed 5 billion yuan and topped the country’s box office charts in 2019, the sequel has captivated audiences with its breathtaking visuals, rich storytelling and deep cultural resonance.

    The record-breaking run makes “Ne Zha 2” not just a box office titan but a cultural phenomenon, further underscoring China’s ability to produce homegrown blockbusters that strike a chord with domestic audiences.

    Industry analysts are now watching closely to see if “Ne Zha 2” can sustain its momentum and set even higher benchmarks in the days ahead. Maoyan on Sunday night once again raised its domestic box office forecast for the film, now projecting it to surpass 12 billion yuan — up from its estimate of over 10.8 billion yuan just three days ago. This marks the first time a Chinese film has ever been expected to cross the 10-billion-yuan threshold.

    The sequel continues the story of the iconic character from Chinese mythology. Set after the events of the first film, it follows Nezha and Aobing as their souls are saved but their physical forms face dissolution. With the help of the immortal Taiyi Zhenren, who uses the Seven-Colored Lotus to reconstruct their bodies, the two heroes must face numerous challenges.

    Taking audiences on an emotional journey that blends action, humor and heart, “Ne Zha 2” alone accounted for half of what has amounted to a historic 2025 Spring Festival holiday box office total — a total which surpassed 9.5 billion yuan from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4.

    This robust performance marks a major win for China’s film industry, which faced a tough year in 2024, with box office revenues down 23 percent from 2023 and 34 percent from the pre-pandemic peak in 2019.

    In this context, the record-breaking success of “Ne Zha 2” is being hailed as a much-needed boost for the sector.

    People walk out of a movie screening room at a cinema in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, Feb. 3, 2025. (Photo by Peng Yikai/Xinhua)

    Maoyan analyst Lai Li described the film as a major milestone, particularly for China’s growing animation industry. “The success of ‘Ne Zha 2’ has set the tone for the year,” Lai said. “It highlights the incredible resilience and growth potential of China’s film market, and we’re excited to see how the rest of 2025 unfolds.”

    Beyond its domestic success, “Ne Zha 2” is poised to make waves internationally as a cultural bridge, offering global audiences a glimpse into China’s rich mythology and traditions.

    Jiaozi, who rose to fame following the success of “Ne Zha,” has emphasized that the international success of Chinese cinema depends on the intrinsic charm of the works themselves. “It’s about whether a script, a story and its characters can move audiences worldwide,” he said in a video interview. “These are not things that can be outsourced.”

    Jiaozi also shared the personal journey the “Ne Zha” films have taken him on, explaining how the series has evolved from his own passion into a broad cultural phenomenon.

    “The first step was creating something I loved, and domestic audiences loved it too,” he said. “Over time, I’ve worked to improve it, to refine my craft. I believe that one day, new ideas, deeper meanings, and new soul will emerge from it, and the whole world will be able to appreciate it.”

    His views have been echoed by film industry experts.

    Yin Hong, vice chairman of the China Film Association and a professor at Tsinghua University, attributes the film’s success to its sophisticated narrative layers.

    “The film’s reimagining of mythology, with its portrayal of demon-spirit duality, conflicts between magical and celestial realms, and struggles between heaven and the underwater world, creates a dramatic tension that works on multiple levels,” Yin told Xinhua.

    “It captures universal themes of childhood development, forming an Oedipal archetype that bridges individual and societal narratives,” Yin said, particularly praising the film’s subtle yet masterful storytelling.

    Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association, praised the film for its fusion of traditional Chinese mythology and modern storytelling, which makes it highly relatable to contemporary audiences.

    “The film proves that a good movie needs a compelling story, sharp storytelling, and well-developed characters,” Rao said, expressing hope that China will continue to produce high-quality films that engage audiences and draw more people to theaters.  

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: How to make your home more energy efficient to reduce running costs

    Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

    The City of Greater Bendigo is hosting an information session on Environmentally Sustainable Design which offers practical ways to make new and older homes more energy efficient.

    The session is taking place from 5pm (for a 5.15pm start) on Wednesday February 19 at the Banquet Room at The Capital, View Street, Bendigo.

    Registration is required to attend the event.

    This information session is suitable for people planning to build a new home and for existing homeowners who want to reduce energy wastage and lower running costs.

    Hear from experts about the options available to improve energy efficiency and what cost savings can be achieved.

    From May 1, all new homes built in Victoria must achieve a seven-star energy rating and this is achieved with Environmentally Sustainable Design.

    The information session MC will be City Manager Statutory Planning Ross Douglas, and you will hear from experts in the field:

    • Senior Project Manager Simon Disler from the City will explore the many energy efficiency measures that can be introduced into your home, how much it costs and the savings that can be achieved
    • Coordinator Greater Bendigo Climate Change Collaboration Ian McBurney from the City provides a real life example of how he made changes to his older California bungalow to become more energy efficient, resulting in lower running costs and smaller bills
    • Questions and answer session with attendees and experts

    Manager Strategic Planning Anthony Petherbridge said it was an invaluable session for homeowners planning to build a new home or seeking effective environmental improvements to an existing home.

    “With rising energy costs, this session offers many simple but cost-effective actions that can make your home more energy efficient,” Mr Petherbridge said.

    “Heating, cooling, hot water, appliances, cooking, lighting, home entertainment and the building itself all contribute to energy wastage.

    “With practical, and often simple actions, you can help reduce energy bills and improve the comfort of your home all year round. By using less energy, that benefits your household and the environment.”

    To register for the event, visit:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Best spots to enjoy Valentine’s Day in Auckland

    Source: Auckland Council

    Love is in the air this Valentine’s Day… and it’s in the water and on the land all across the Auckland region. This year Tāmaki Makaurau is more loved up than ever on 14 February with festivities, walks and outdoor spots that are perfect for expressing aroha. Whether you’re spending time with your romantic partner or are single and celebrating your love for life with friends and family, we’ve got you covered with these dreamy date ideas.

    Share your love for the outdoors with your loved ones by exploring Auckland’s parks and trails. The region’s world-class parks have recently been recognised in the Green Flag awards, with eight of the 38 winning parks in Australia and New Zealand coming from Tāmaki Makaurau. To stretch your legs on a longer hike, consider the Green Flag-winning Ātiu Creek Regional Park and Hunua Ranges Regional Park.

    There are also many great spots that are particularly picturesque for a sunrise or sunset stroll, including Maungawhau / Mt Eden and Maungauika / North Head. Coastal paths like Tāmaki Drive Coastal Path, Westhaven Path or St Heliers to Achilles Point Path are great waterfront options, and you could even finish your walk by enjoying fish and chips while admiring the view. To find more walks visit the Akl Paths website.

    The St Heliers to Achilles Point Path is a 30-minute walk offering views of Rangitoto and is a great spot for enjoying sunrises and sunsets.

    If you’re harbouring romantic feelings, get out on the water this Valentine’s Day. Adventurous couples can enjoy testing the waters of their relationship with a gentle paddleboard along Takapuna Beach, St Heliers Beach or French Bay. 

    The still waters of Takapuna Beach are ideal for paddleboarding.

    This year Valentine’s Day also coincides with the BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival. Celebrate the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake at the Manukau Sports Bowl on 13-16 February. More than 500 handcrafted lanterns will be on display at this free and family-friendly event which is typically held around the 15th day of the first Lunar month at the end of the Lunar New Year festivities.

    Wander down lantern boulevard to enjoy more than 500 lanterns at the BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival this Valentine’s Day.

    Take a romantic stroll through the ‘lantern boulevard’, grab some delicious food from the many stallholders, watch a cultural performance on the main stage and end the night at 9.50pm with the spectacular fireworks display.

    Please note that registration is now required for entry into the festival. Book your free tickets online.

    There’s a reason why ‘dinner and a show’ is a classic date night option. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to Auckland’s eateries, and enjoying theatre, comedy or a night of entertainment is a great way to make memories with your loved ones.

    Auckland Council supports many theatres through funding such as the Regional Arts and Culture grants programme. This Valentine’s Day there’s plenty on stage including queer cabaret show Leather Lungs: Shut Up & Sing at Q Theatre, queer poetic performance and musical soundscape In the Body at Basement Theatre and Little Red Riding Hood-inspired adults-only circus cabaret Devour at Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre.

    In The Body, written and performed Redwood Reider is a poetic performance and soundscape at Basement Theatre.

    For those that prefer the classics, The Taming of the Shrew is playing in Shakespeare in the Park at The PumpHouse. The performance takes place in the outdoor amphitheatre but if the weather turns rainy mid performance, the production moves inside the auditorium.

    Pack the picnic basket, fill the thermos, roll up the blanket and prepare your loved one’s favourite food to dine al fresco in one of Auckland’s parks this Valentine’s Day. There are more than 4000 parks to choose from, including secluded seaside spots such as Secret Cove, Charcoal Bay and Tawhitokino Regional Park (accessible at low tide), as well as gorgeous green spaces like Grey Lynn Park, Murphys Bush Reserve or Pukekawa / Auckland Domain.

    If you’re looking to show off your grill skills to your beloved then try Cornwallis, Maungarei Springs Wetland or Shepherds Park – to find other barbecues near you, search for ‘barbecue’ on Auckland Council’s Find a park or beach page.

    Barbecue facilities at Maungarei Springs Wetland is the perfect place for a Valentine’s Day picnic.

    To really make romance bloom combine your picnic with a walk through the sculpture trail at Sculpture in the Gardens at Auckland Botanic Gardens.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Three bags full: Sweet arrest in Pukekohe

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Three bags choco-block full of stolen items from a Pukekohe supermarket has landed one woman in court.

    Yesterday at about 2.45pm, officers were conducting a prevention patrol in the Tobin Street area when a member of the public alerted them to a woman allegedly taking a number of items from the supermarket.

    Counties Manukau South Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Matt Hoyes, says officers approached a woman matching the description and a search of some nearby bushes located three bags filled with items.

    “Officers found 10 tubs of mayonnaise, 13 bottles of shampoo and 66 blocks of chocolate stuffed inside the bags.

    “None of the items had been paid for and she was quickly taken into custody.”

    Inspector Hoyes says CCTV enquiries also assisted in the arrest.

    “Offending like this is a blight in our community and we’re pleased this alleged offender will be held to account for her actions.

    “We take these matters seriously and our staff will continue to target recidivist retail offenders.”

    Police continue to encourage the public to report offending as it happens by calling 111.

    Other matters can be reported after the fact by going online to https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 or calling 105.

    A 28-year-old woman will appear in Pukekohe District Court today charged with shoplifting.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Türkiye and Italy to celebrate Chinese New Year (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Türkiye and Italy to celebrate Chinese New Year (with photos)
    HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Türkiye and Italy to celebrate Chinese New Year (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) hosted Chinese New Year receptions in Istanbul and Izmir, Türkiye respectively on January 30 and 31, followed by Milan, Italy on February 6, to carry on its series of celebration activities for the Year of the Snake.            The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung emphasised in her welcoming remarks at the reception in Istanbul that Hong Kong remained as the prime gateway and super connector between China and the rest of the world, with our distinctive advantages under “One Country, Two Systems”.            “As an international financial, trade and shipping centre, and international hub for high caliber talents, we welcome more investors, innovators, start-ups and talents to make Hong Kong your partner and base for grapping the opportunities at both regional and global levels,” said Ms Yung.           Ms Yung highlighted that Hong Kong’s appeal as a global destination continues to grow. She also shared the good news of the reduction in liquor tax, and encouraged enterprises to take Hong Kong as a hub for global wine and liquor trade.            “We invite you to visit Hong Kong and indulge in its tempting gastronomic experience, complemented by high-quality wines and liquors,” added Ms Yung.            HKETO, Brussels took the opportunity to showcase Hong Kong’s unique East-meets-West culture. A cross-media performance fused with Chinese kung-fu, modern electronic music, comic and animation inspired by Hong Kong action movies was presented by the Hong Kong Arts Centre (Comix Home Base), showcasing the innovation and creativity of young artists in Hong Kong. The guests attending the reception in Milan were greeted by a delightful mix of Italian opera aria and Cantonese songs performed by an ensemble of talented Hong Kong musicians.           The receptions in Istanbul, Izmir and Milan brought together 400 guests, including officials from national governments, consulates and embassies, financial and business sectors, academia, cultural and creative sectors, media and the Chinese community, in Türkiye and Italy to mark the enduring friendship with Hong Kong. They were co-organised with Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

     
    Ends/Monday, February 10, 2025Issued at HKT 3:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Raksha Mantri to inaugurate Aero India 2025 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on February 10, 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Raksha Mantri to inaugurate Aero India 2025 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on February 10, 2025

    Showcasing air power, cutting-edge innovations & potential new global collaborations, the five-day event to provide thrust to the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047

    Aero India 2025 will advance our vision of a strong, capable, secure & self-reliant India: Shri Rajnath Singh

    Participation of over 900 exhibitors & 90 countries set to make it the biggest-ever Aero India till date; Approx. 30 Defence Ministers & over 100 OEMs to attend

    Domestic defence production expected to cross Rs 1.60 lakh crore by 2025-26, with exports touching Rs 30,000 crore mark: RM

    Posted On: 09 FEB 2025 6:21PM by PIB Delhi

    The 15th edition of Aero India, Asia’s biggest aerospace and defence exhibition, will be inaugurated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, Karnataka on February 10, 2025. With the broad theme of ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities’, the five-day extravaganza will showcase India’s aerial prowess and indigenous cutting-edge innovations alongside state-of-the-art products of global aerospace companies. In line with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision, the event will also provide a stage to forge international collaborations to fast-track the indigenisation process, thereby providing a thrust to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government’s resolve of making the country Viksit Bharat by 2047.

    Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on the eve of the event, Raksha Mantri described Aero India as a crucial platform, which will drive forward the Government’s vision of a strong, capable India, secure and self-reliant India. “Aero India is a platform that showcases the strength, resilience, and self-reliance of New India. It is not just crucial for India’s defence preparedness, but it also plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of our nation. It will demonstrate our defence capabilities and forge global partnerships. Our goal is to enhance collaboration in areas of common interest with our friendly nations, fostering deeper cooperation and shared progress. The event is not just a showcase of technology and innovation, but will also serve as a source of inspiration for our youth, fostering scientific temperament and a spirit of innovation,” he said.

    Organised in a total area of over 42,000 sq m and with the confirmed participation of over 900 exhibitors, including 150 foreign companies, the event is set to be the biggest-ever Aero India till date. Shri Rajnath Singh termed the participation of more than 90 countries as a testament to the growing global confidence in India’s aerospace and defence capabilities. “Defence ministers or representatives from about 30 countries have come to participate in this event. The presence of Air Chiefs and Secretaries from 43 countries further highlights the significance of this event – not just for India, but for the entire international defence community,” he said.

    Highlighting the transformation of the defence and aerospace sector in the recent years, Raksha Mantri asserted that, today, India is not only capable of designing and developing major platforms and equipment within India, it has also successfully established a vast supply chain within the country. “Advanced platforms like Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter Prachand and C-295 Transport Aircraft are now being produced in India. We have also taken a firm resolve to manufacture fifth-generation fighter aircraft within the country. From the advanced variants of the Agni missile, the Astra missile system, and the Pinaka missile system to the cutting-edge Hypersonic missile system and the Akash air defence system, we have built numerous success stories. These achievements have played a crucial role in strengthening our defence sector, making India more self-reliant and secure,” he said.

    Shri Rajnath Singh added that post corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board, the newly formed companies have started performing exceptionally well in defence production. “Under a well-considered and well-developed plan, we have actively worked to empower the private sector in the defence and aerospace industries. Today, India has a thriving private defence industry that has firmly established itself and is making significant contributions to our national security,” he said.

    Raksha Mantri expressed confidence that defence production, having crossed the record figure of Rs 1.27 lakh crore, will exceed Rs 1.60 lakh crore by the end of 2025-26. Defence exports, which touched the record figure of Rs 21,000 crore, he said, will surpass Rs 30,000 crore.

    Shri Rajnath Singh underlined the crucial role being played by the defence industrial sector in making India an economic super power. He stated that any breakthrough in the defence sector not only strengthens national security, but also impacts the economy. Technologies developed for defence applications promote innovation in the civil sector as well, leading to employment generation and economic development, he said. He termed Aero India a significant driver of economic strength, contributing to the overall growth and development of the economy. He expressed confidence that Aero India will be remembered as a historic milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global leader in the aerospace and defence sector.

    The 15thAero India will be held between 10thand 14thFebruary 2025. February 10thto 12thhave been reserved as business days, with 13th& 14thset as public days for people to witness the show. The event comprises Defence Ministers’ Conclave; CEOs Roundtable; inauguration of India & iDEX Pavilions; Manthan iDEX event; Samarthya Indigenisation event; Valedictory function; seminars; breath-taking airshows and an exhibition of aerospace companies.

    Defence Ministers’ Conclave

    With the aim to strengthen defence cooperation with friendly nations amidst a rapidly-evolving global security landscape, Raksha Mantri will host the Defence Ministers’ Conclave on February 11 in hybrid mode. The theme this year ‘Building Resilience through International Defence and Global Engagement (BRIDGE)’ underscores the importance of supply chain resilience and strategic collaboration in defence.

    The last edition witnessed the participation of 27 Defence Ministers and Deputy Defence Ministers alongside 15 Defence & Service Chiefs and 12 Permanent Secretaries. This year, the participation has expanded as representatives from more than 80 countries are likely to participate in the conclave. Approx. 30 Defence Ministers in addition to Defence/Service Chiefs and Permanent Secretaries from friendly nations will attend the event.

    The conclave will provide a crucial platform to address key aspects such as Defence capacity building through investment, joint ventures & co-production, Collaboration in R&D, training & technological advancements in AI & space, Maritime security cooperation and strategic partnerships.

    CEOs Roundtable

    CEOs Roundtable 2025 will be chaired by Raksha Mantri on February 10, on the theme ‘Enabling Defence Cooperation through Global Engagement (EDGE)’. Over 100 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have confirmed their participation in the event. These include 55 from 19 countries (USA, France, Russia, South Korea, UK, Japan, Israel & Brazil etc), 35 Indian (Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Forge Ltd, Adani Defence & Aerospace, Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd, BrahMos Aerospace & Ashok Leyland Defence) and 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). Shri Rajnath Singh had addressed over 73 CEOs of 28 Foreign OEMs and 45 Indian OEMs in the 2023 edition of the event.

    Major foreign OEMs including Airbus (France), Ultra Maritime (USA), GNT (South Korea), John Cockerill Defence (UK), Mitsubishi (Japan), Rafael Advance Defence System (Israel), Safran (France) and Liebherr Aerospace (France) are expected to highlight their future plans, Joint Ventures, collaborations, partnerships with Indian companies for production of spares parts, development of aero-engines, setting up of Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) facilities and establishment of R&D facilities etc.

    India Pavilion

    The India Pavilion will provide an opportunity to Indian Defence Industries to showcase their design, development, innovation and manufacturing capabilities. It will be inaugurated by Raksha Mantri on February 10. The grandeur show at India Pavilion would signify the ‘Flight of Self-Reliance’ which encapsulates India’s journey towards becoming a global aerospace and defence powerhouse.

    India Pavilion will be divided into five distinct zones displaying indigenous capabilities in aero aviation, land aviation and naval aviation, def-space and niche technologies domains.  More than 275 exhibits will be at display through various mediums, represented by complete defence ecosystem of the country which includes DPSUs, design houses, private corporates including MSMEs and start-ups. The Central Area exhibits will include a striking display of marquee platforms including Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, Combat Air Teaming System, Twin-Engine Deck-Based Fighter.

    iDEX Pavilion

     The iDEX Pavilion will be inaugurated by Raksha Mantri on February 10. It will showcase cutting-edge indigenously developed products and technologies, marking a significant milestone in India’s defence innovation journey. Leading innovators will display their indigenously-developed products spanning a wide-range of advanced domains including Aerospace, DefSpace, Aero Structures, Anti-drone systems, Autonomous Systems, Robotics, Communication, Cybersecurity, Surveillance & Tracking, Unmanned Ground Vehicles etc. The Pavilion will also feature a dedicated section highlighting the winners of Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme, showcasing their ground-breaking work in critical and niche technologies.

    iDEX has successfully onboarded over 600 start-ups and MSMEs, marking a significant milestone in fostering innovation. Furthermore, 40 prototypes developed under iDEX have received official clearance for procurement, with 31 procurement contracts worth Rs 1,560 crore already signed.

    Manthan

    Manthan 2025, the flagship annual defence innovation event, will be graced by Raksha Mantri on February 12. Organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence – Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO), the event will bring together stakeholders of the defence innovation ecosystem including innovators, industry leaders, academia, incubators, investors, thought leaders, senior government officials etc.

    Manthan will deliberate on emerging challenges and opportunities in the sector, with a focus on supporting defence start-ups and MSMEs, enhancing innovation capabilities, and fostering strategic collaborations within the defence ecosystem. It stands as a testament to the scale and speed of iDEX, showcasing the rapid strides made in defence innovation and the pivotal role of start-ups in transforming India’s defence capabilities.

    Samarthya

    On the success story of indigenisation and innovation in the defence sector, an Indigenisation event on the theme ‘SAMARTHYA’ will be held on February 12 alongside the Valedictory function which will be graced by Raksha Mantri. This event is first-of-its-kind during Aero India, as it will showcase India’s indigenous ingenuity in defence manufacturing by demonstrating some of the major items indigenised by DPSUs, DRDO and Services with the involvement of the private sector.

    Bilateral Meetings

    Bilateral meetings at the levels of Raksha Mantri/Raksha Rajya Mantri/Chief of Defence Staff/Service Chiefs/Defence Secretary/Secretary (Defence Production) will take place on the sidelines of Aero India 2025.

    Seminars

    A number of seminars on a variety of topics will be organised as part of Aero India 2025. On February 11, Raksha Mantri is scheduled to address a seminar organised by the Indian Air Force on the theme ‘Manned Unmanned teams for Aerial Warfare – concept to targeting’ and another organised by DRDO on the theme ‘DRDO Industry Synergy towards Viksit Bharat’.

    Other seminars on the themes – Mission DefSpace: From Vision to Reality – A Progress Report; Indigenous Development of Aerospace Materials: Strengthening India’s Self-Reliance; Transition to Aatmanirbhar Indian Naval Aviation 2047 and its associated ecosystem; Transformation of Maritime Aviation by Adopting Technological trends and Indigenisation; Aligning Technologies to Future Conflicts; and Investment Opportunities for Aerospace & Defence Manufacturers in Karnataka – will also be held as part of the event.

    Historic First – Su-57 and F-35 at Aero India

    For the first time in history, Aero India 2025 will witness the participation of two of the world’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft – the Russian Su-57 and the American F-35 Lightning II. It marks a milestone in global defence collaboration and technological advancement, offering aviation enthusiasts and defence experts an unparalleled prospect to witness these state-of-the-art warplanes.

     

    • Su-57: Russia’s premier stealth multirole fighter is designed for superior air superiority and strike capabilities. Equipped with advanced avionics, supercruise capability, and stealth technology, it is making its debut at Aero India 2025. Visitors can expect high-speed aerial manoeuvres and tactical demonstrations that highlight the fighter’s agility, stealth and firepower.

     

    • F-35 Lightning II: The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, the most widely-deployed fifth-generation fighter, integrates advanced stealth, unparalleled situational awareness and networked combat capabilities. Its presence at Aero India 2025 will enable visitors to witness the flagship of US Air Force.

     

    The inclusion of both the Su-57 and F-35 highlights India’s position as a key hub for international defence and aerospace collaboration. Aero India 2025 will provide a rare side-by-side comparison of Eastern and Western fifth-generation fighter technology, offering defence analysts, military personnel and aviation enthusiasts valuable insights into their respective capabilities.

     

    Visitor-Friendly Experience

    With key infrastructure upgrades and improved amenities, Aero India 2025 promises to be bigger, smoother and more visitor-friendly than ever before.

     

    • Enhanced Infrastructure & Traffic Management: Recognising past challenges, extensive improvements have been made to facilitate seamless entry, movement and connectivity and there has been close coordination between Ministry of Defence, Indian Air Force (IAF), various arms of Karnataka State Government like Bengaluru Traffic Police, BBMP, NHAI, and Namma Metro. Approach roads have been widened to optimise traffic flow around Air Force Station Yelahanka so as to ease congestion and improve movement around the venue.

     

    • Security and Emergency Preparedness: Red drone zones have been designated and published with countermeasures in place to tackle unauthorised drone activity. Rapid Mobile Units will be deployed strategically to provide quick assistance and emergency support. Continuous mock drills with multiple agencies are being conducted to ensure practical and implementable contingency plans.

     

    • Exhibitor & Visitor Experience Enhancements: To enhance the experience for exhibitors and business delegates, the exhibition area has been revamped with several key upgrades:

     

    • Expanded and better-ventilated exhibition halls to accommodate more exhibitors and visitors comfortably.
    • Improved seating and rest zones throughout the venue.
    • Additional food courts and refreshment kiosks, including Indira Canteens (at parking areas).
    • Lost and found counters and ATM kiosks for visitor convenience.
    • Multiple water points, medical aid posts, and a dedicated cardiac aid post for emergencies, including medical evacuation.

     

    • Multi-Layered Security Measures: Ensuring the safety of all attendees, a multi-layered security system is being deployed in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bengaluru Police, CISF, and Intelligence Agencies. Measures include:

     

    • Enhanced security protocols and faster access control.
    • An operational Command and Control Centre for real-time responses to security concerns.
    • 24/7 CCTV monitoring for situational awareness.
    • Dedicated screening zones for visitors, exhibitors, and VIPs.
    • Disaster management and fire safety committees to handle emergencies.

     

    • Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure: To address connectivity challenges, all telecom service providers are deploying temporary mobile towers and network boosters for uninterrupted communication. A dedicated Aero India 2025 mobile app has also been launched which will provide live updates, navigation assistance, and event scheduling. Secure digital communication channels have also been established for coordination among agencies. Additionally, provisions have been made to support increased electricity demands during the event while ensuring safety.

     

    • Airspace Management & Demonstrations: Aero India demonstrations and aircraft movements are a major highlight of Aero India 2025. In coordination with AAI and HAL, the Indian Air Force has structured a dedicated Airspace management plan including:

     

    • Temporary flight restrictions around Aero India Force Station Yelahanka to maintain safety during scheduled demonstrations.
    • Strategic Aircraft parking and refuelling plans for domestic and international participants.

     

    • Business and Innovation Support: The Aero India provides a platform for collaborations and to facilitate B2B, G2B interactions and hosting roundtable discussions to showcase technological advancements. Special focus will be given to supporting start-ups and MSMEs by providing them with a global platform to present indigenous innovations.

     

    • Sustainability Initiatives: Aero India 2025 is committed to sustainability and has incorporated several eco-friendly measures in its conduct like:

     

    • Reduced vehicle movement to minimise pollution and enhance pedestrian comfort.
    • Exclusive use of more than 100 E Karts for movement of visitors in the exhibition venue.
    • Comprehensive waste management, including increased recycling bins, waste segregation zones, and timely disposal of waste.

     

    With these multi-agency collaborations, Aero India 2025 is set to be one of the most well-coordinated and better organised editions to date.

     

    Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff & Secretary, Department of Military Affairs General Anil Chauhan, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka Dr Shalini Rajneesh, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, other senior officials of Ministry of Defence and industry leaders attended the curtain raiser press conference.

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    VK/SR/SPS/Savvy

    (Release ID: 2101170) Visitor Counter : 115

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Pariksha Pe Charcha

    Source: Government of India

    Pariksha Pe Charcha

    Empowering Students, Transforming Lives

    Posted On: 09 FEB 2025 12:21PM by PIB Delhi

    Examinations are often a source of stress for students and their families, but the “Pariksha Pe Charcha” (PPC) initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been transforming this narrative. Scheduled for 11 AM on February 10, 2025, this year’s PPC will once again serve as an interactive platform where the Prime Minister directly engages with students, teachers, and parents. Each edition of PPC highlights innovative approaches to tackle exam-related anxiety, fostering a celebratory attitude toward learning and life.

    The Record-Breaking PPC 2025

    The 8th edition of PPC, scheduled on 10 February 2025, has already set a new benchmark. With over 5 crore participation, this year’s program exemplifies its status as a Jan Andolan, inspiring collective celebration of learning This year, 36 students from all State and UT, have been selected from State / UT Board Government schools, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sainik School, Eklavya Model Residential School, CBSE and Navodaya Vidyalaya. Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025 will feature seven insightful episodes, bringing together renowned personalities from diverse fields to guide students on essential aspects of life and learning. Each episode will address key themes:

     

    • Sports & Discipline – M.C. Mary Kom, Avani Lekhara, and Suhas Yathiraj will discuss goal setting, resilience, and stress management through discipline.
    • Mental Health – Deepika Padukone will emphasize the importance of emotional well-being and self-expression.
    • Nutrition – Experts Shonali Sabherwal, Rujuta Diwekar, and Revant Himatsingka (Food Farmer) will highlight healthy eating habits, sleep, and overall well-being.
    • Technology & Finance – Gaurav Chaudhary (Technical Guruji) and Radhika Gupta will explore technology as a learning tool and financial literacy.
    • Creativity & Positivity – Vikrant Massey and Bhumi Pednekar will inspire students to cultivate positivity and manage negative thoughts.
    • Mindfulness & Mental Peace – Sadhguru will introduce practical mindfulness techniques for mental clarity and focus.
    • Stories of Success – Toppers from UPSC, IIT-JEE, CLAT, CBSE, NDA, ICSE, and past PPC participants will share how PPC shaped their preparation and mindset.

     

    A Journey Through the Years

     

     2024: Nationwide participation.

    The seventh edition of PPC, held on January 29, 2024, was expansive with 2.26 crore registrations on the MyGov portal, it reflects the program’s immense popularity and relevance. For the first time, 100 students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) participated, symbolizing the inclusivity of the initiative. The event was held in a town-hall format at Bharat Mandapam, ITPO, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, with approximately 3,000 participants, including students, teachers, parents, and winners of the Kala Utsav.

     

    Pariksha Par Charcha 2024

     

    2023: Widening Participation 

    The 6th Edition of PPC was conducted on 27 January 2023 at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India interacted with students, teachers and parents during this programme and gave his valuable suggestions/ inputs to all stakeholders. The programme was telecast live by many TV Channels and YouTube channels. 718110 students, 42337 employees and 88544 Parents viewed the live programme of PPC-2023. The interaction of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India with students, teachers and parents was inspiring, motivating thought-provoking for all.

    Pariksha Par Charcha 2023

     

    2022: The Revival of Physical Interactions

    5th Edition of PPC was conducted on 1st April 2022 at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India has interacted with students, teachers and parents in this programme and has given them his valuable suggestions/ inputs. 9,69,836 students, 47,200 employee and 1,86,517 parents viewed the live programme of Pariksha Pe Charcha-2022. The programme was telecast live by the many TV Channels and YouTube channel etc

    Pariksha Par Charcha 2022

    2021: The Virtual Connection

    In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fourth edition of PPC was held online on 7 April 2021. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the interaction continued to inspire students and their families. The focus shifted to resilience and adaptability, teaching life skills to help students navigate uncertain times.

    Pariksha Par Charcha 2021

     

    2020: Expanding Participation

    The unique Town Hall format of the event in which the Hon’ble Prime Minister directly interacted with school students at the Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi was held on 20th January, 2020.  The event broadened its scope with an online competition for students that received  2.63 lakh entries. Students from all over India and also Indian students residing abroad from 25 countries participated. The event highlighted the need to embrace challenges as stepping stones for success.

    Pariksha Par Charcha 2020

     

    2019: Growing Reach 

    On January 29, 2019, the second edition of PPC took place at the same venue, witnessing an even greater level of participation. The interaction, which lasted for over ninety minutes, saw students, teachers and parents relax, laugh, and repeatedly applaud the Prime Minister’s observations, which included a touch of humour and wit.

     

    Pariksha Par Charcha 2019

     

    2018: The Inaugural Interaction

    The first-ever Pariksha Pe Charcha was held on February 16, 2018, at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi. There were more than 2500 students from schools and colleges who were present in Talkatora Stadium of 16th February, 2018 for the interaction and more than 8.5 Crore students from across the country viewed or heard the programme on DD/TV Channels/ Radio Channels. The Prime Minister emphasized holistic development, resilience, and the importance of maintaining balance during exams. The event’s success set the tone for future editions.

     

    Pariksha Par Charcha 2018

     

    The Impact of Pariksha Pe Charcha

     

    Over the years, PPC has evolved into an opportunity aimed at transforming exam-related stress into positive energy. By addressing real questions and offering actionable solutions, Prime Minister Modi has bridged the gap between policy and practice, empowering students to thrive under pressure. The program’s inclusivity, digital reach, and innovative approaches ensure its continued success as a cornerstone of student engagement in India. With each passing year, PPC reinforces the message that exams are not the end but a beginning!

     

    References

    Annual report 2023-24 to 2018-19. https://www.education.gov.in/documents_reports?field_documents_reports_tid=All&field_documents_reports_category_tid=All&title=&page=1

    https://innovateindia1.mygov.in/#skip-main

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2092794

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2000010

    https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1561793

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2100184

    Click here to download PDF

    *****

    Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Madiha Iqbal

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mahakumbh 2025: 3-day International Bird Festival to be organized in Prayagraj from 16th February

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 08 FEB 2025 10:15PM by PIB Delhi

    Visitors to Mahakumbh 2025 will get the chance to witness a gathering of over 200 species of migratory and local birds, in a three-day International Bird Festival to be organized from February 16 to 18, in Prayagraj. With an aim of promoting environmental conservation and biodiversity, this event will offer a unique opportunity for nature lovers, ornithologists, and devotees to observe rare bird species and understand the importance of their conservation.

    The International Bird Festival will not only offer the chance to view birds but also raise awareness about bird conservation through various competitions and educational activities. The festival will include photography, painting, slogan writing, debates, and quiz competitions. Additionally, national and international ornithologists, environmentalists, and conservation experts will share their insights in technical sessions and panel discussions.

    Alok Kumar Pandey, the IT Head of the Forest Department, stated that people can contact WhatsApp number 9319277004 for more details about the festival. The main aim of this initiative is to inspire youth, nature enthusiasts, and devotees to focus on bird conservation and the protection of their natural habitats. The government will award prizes worth a total of ₹21 lakhs, ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹5 lakhs, to the winners of various competitions, making this event even more attractive.

    During the International Bird Festival, devotees will have the opportunity to observe rare birds like the endangered Indian Skimmer, Flamingo, and Siberian Crane. This event will also provide an opportunity for visitors to understand the importance of natural beauty and biodiversity. Thousands of migratory birds from over 10 countries, including Siberia, Mongolia, and Afghanistan, have arrived at the banks of the Ganga-Yamuna in Prayagraj, attracting tourists with their unique flights and group migration patterns.

    Arvind Kumar Yadav, DFO Prayagraj, mentioned that the festival will not only be for entertainment but will also play a crucial role in the campaign for environmental balance and biodiversity conservation. He emphasized that bird conservation helps maintain natural disaster management and ecological balance, and such events will help sensitize people to nature.

    In line with the Prayagraj Mela administration’s directive, a special eco-tourism plan has been prepared for the devotees. They will be able to experience bird watching and learn about the importance of natural habitats. Through bird walks and nature walks with experts, devotees will have the opportunity to understand birds’ behavior, migration journeys, and their role in the ecosystem closely.

    Moreover, cultural programs, street plays, art exhibitions, and other activities will raise awareness about bird conservation and environmental balance during the Mahakumbh. The goal of this event is not just to raise awareness among devotees but also to take steps toward the conservation of natural resources for future generations. Bird enthusiasts, researchers, scientists, and students will gain new knowledge about ornithology and conservation at the International Bird Festival. Various sessions will discuss bird migration, habitat protection, the impact of climate change, and scientific facts about their survival.

    This festival will send a strong message about biodiversity and environmental sustainability, both in India and internationally. Students’ participation in bird conservation activities will provide them with an opportunity to connect with nature and understand their responsibilities. The International Bird Festival, to be held during the Maha Kumbh 2025, will be a unique blend of Indian culture, nature appreciation, and scientific perspective. It will work to make devotees and tourists understand the importance of natural wealth, save biodiversity, and inspire sustainable development.

    *****

    AD/VM

    (Release ID: 2101092) Visitor Counter : 51

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  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Obituaries – In Loving Memory – the passing of Raymond Thompson MNZM

    Source: Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment Group

    Message: 9th February 2025 – Beloved, respected and cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, confidante, mentor, motivator, inspiration and guiding light, Ray passed away suddenly but peacefully in his sleep in Australia on January 15th, 2025.
    Ray had great respect and esteem for his friends and colleagues in the music, film & television entertainment industries, as well as the New Zealand wine industry (through Tirohana Estate), and a deep appreciation and love for the many fans around the world who were touched by his creative endeavours.
    A force of nature and larger than life, Ray’s passing is a catastrophic loss to his family and they respectfully ask for ongoing privacy during this very difficult time.
    A private family service has been held but it would mean a great deal if in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the non-profitable charity founded by Ray in New Zealand, the Cloud 9 Children’s Foundation ( https://withyoueverystepoftheway.com) which supports and assists children and teenagers (and their families) touched by Autism Spectrum Disorder.
    A writer, musician, producer, creator, viticulturist, philanthropist and dreamer, Ray’s legacy lives on in us all and his music, works and projects will live on. Ray’s beloved Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment will continue, as will Tirohana Estate in Martinborough.
    ‘You cannot ignore the whisper of mortality that inhabits every fading sunset’.
    Keep the Dream Alive.
    BIOGRAPHY AND OBITUARY – RAYMOND THOMPSON MNZM
    Raymond was a veteran of the television and film industries, where he began as a writer (having also had a career as a songwriter and musician). His first novel, The Number To Call Is… was a bestseller and achieved critical acclaim in 1979.
    As lead writer/script consultant he worked on several motion pictures and television series. His credits range from Hotshot to Squadron (for the BBC), Trainer to the icon series Howards Way (also for the BBC), which is regarded by many as one of Britain’s best loved drama series (and which regularly achieved the highest ratings during its six-year run).
    From 1989-1994 Raymond was also Head of Development for BBC Television Drama, and also retained as a consultant to the Controller of BBC Television Drama Series, where he had a production/creative liaison on a wide range of successful BBC titles – many of which are still being broadcast today.
    In 1994 Raymond founded the Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment Group in association with the Sanctuary Group PLC.
    Cloud 9 evolved to be of the most prolific independent production companies (with its titles being show in over 100 countries around the world) and helped contribute to the revitalisation of the Wellington entertainment industry (‘Wellywood’) by supporting and ushering in a new generation of talent in the Wellington and New Zealand television and film communities.
    In addition to being Chief Executive of the Cloud 9 Group, Raymond has also Executive produced Cloud 9’s portfolio of titles from inception to the current day- many of which Raymond also created.
    Credits include The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson, Return to Treasure Island, William Shatner’s A Twist in the Tale, The Enid Blyton Adventure Series, The Enid Blyton Secret Series, The Legend of William Tell, within Cloud 9’s Classic Collection in association with CLT-UFA.
    His numerous other credits include the iconic series The Tribe (5 seasons of 260 episodes), Atlantis High, Revelations -The Initial Journey, and The New Tomorrow (all created by Raymond).
    In 2000, Ray was the Founder and Chairman of The Cloud 9 Children’s Foundation, a non-profit charity which supports and assists families touched by Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder..
    In 2001 Raymond returned to his musical roots and composed the Spirit Symphony, which premiered at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington via a performance by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Kenneth Young). The symphony is performed in other parts of the world and has been released on CD (and digital release) worldwide. Raymond also composed many of the soundtracks of Cloud 9’s programming.
    In December 2002 Raymond was appointed an Adjunct Professor by Queensland University of Technology in the Creative Industries Faculty as a vehicle for guest lecturing, mentoring and to consult in both the private and public sector on the television and motion picture industries.
    In 2003 Raymond was honoured (along with Ray Bradbury) for the cult series, The Tribe, at the Dragoncon Festival in Atlanta, Georgia.
    In recognition of Raymond’s achievements, he was appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2003 Honours List in recognition of his services to television and entertainment.
    Raymond adjudicated at many festivals including BAFTA and was a member of the jury for the 2004 Emmy finalists.
    In 2005, Raymond acquired Tirohana Estate ( www.tirohanaestate.com) to pursue his hobby and love of premium wine and was a regular visitor to Martinborough in New Zealand and could often be found participating in each vintage, driving the tractor or ute, and enjoying a chat with diners and clients having a glass of Tirohana Estate’s wines.
    In 2011, Raymond released his memoir book ‘Keeping The Dream Alive’. Raymond was active in bringing together and overseeing the ‘continuing story’ of The Tribe through the official series of tie-in novels released by A.J. Penn from 2012 and the audiobooks (narrated by several members of the original cast of The Tribe). Raymond wrote and Executive Produced The Tribe video game that was released in 2022 (and has since been released in 2024 as an Apple iOS mobile version). ‘The Tribe Collector’s Edition Screenplay’ was released as a book (and eBook) in December 2022.
    Raymond was still heavily involved in philanthropy including his charity The Cloud 9 Children’s Foundation and as well as continuing to oversee Cloud 9’s ongoing activity with its catalogue of titles, was also busy writing original screenplays which he was actively developing in line with Cloud 9’s expansion into the motion picture industries.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Child hit by car Franmaree Road Newnham

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Child hit by car Franmaree Road Newnham

    Sunday, 9 February 2025 – 1:41 pm.

    Police are investigating an incident where a 4 year old boy ran onto the roadway, and was hit by a Gray Suzuki car at 6.40pm on Saturday 8 February 2025 in Franmaree Road, Newnham, Launceston.
    Prompt attendance by emergency services saw the child stabilised and taken to the Launceston General Hospital by Ambulance Tas.  Following this the child was airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital where he remains, critically injured but in a stable condition.
    Anyone who witnessed this incident, or has with dash cam or CCTV footage is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: St Lukes Symphony on the Waterfront-Devonport

    Source: Australia Government Ministerial Statements

    Thank you first of all to Dave Gough for the welcome to country in a tradition that is ancient as it is generous. Thank you very much for that earlier today. Thank you to the mayor Alison Jarmon who suggested that I come, and to my friend Senator Anne Urquhart who demanded that I be here. And now that I’m here I can see what the vision here in the north west is, you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

    Can I say when it comes to regional arts in Australia, right now, right here is the national capital of regional arts. No one else is doing it better than you are, no one. And that’s why we’ve got Kitty Taylor, one of your own on the board, that manages Creative Australia. That’s why if you go to the Paranaple just around the corner there and you watch the screen, about every half hour a work will come up, a visual work [inaudible] using some colonial paintings and putting images over the top of them. That work, is part of the National Gallery of Australia and when we were putting together the cultural policy we realised in our National Gallery in Canberra, at any point in time, 98 per cent of the work is in storage. And so we said, well hang on, if it’s the national collection, it ought to belong to the nation and so that work now, instead of being in storage being seen by no one, it’s in Devonport, around the corner on the screen of the Paranaple there, being seen by the community and being given life because the National Collection should belong to the entire nation, not just to Canberra.

    Can I finally just say how wonderful it is to have an event like this, where one of Australia’s greatest orchestras is available whether or not you’re somebody who walks inside a concert hall. Where you can hear one of Australia’s greatest orchestras by turning up to an event with your neighbours; where you can hear some of the greatest music ever written including some work that’s been composed just for now; that we can celebrate that as a community. The arts at its best is making sure that what’s inside galleries and what’s in concert halls, and what’s in theatres, and what’s in library, also reaches into every single part of the community.  Because our music should be the soundtrack to life in Australia and our arts should inspire everything that we do, and art and great music should not only be available based on whether or not you can afford it. It should be there, and celebrated by every single one of us. And it’s a pleasure to be doing exactly that  with you here tonight. Thank you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: A century in motion: how stop-motion films went from obscure ‘creature features’ to winning Oscars

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jack McGrath, Lecturer in Animation, University of Newcastle

    Netflix

    The 2025 Academy Awards could shape up to be a big one for stop-motion animation. Australian director Adam Eliott’s Memoir of a Snail (2024) has raked in a nomination for Best Animated Feature Film, alongside Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024).



    Read more:
    Overtly handmade and so very moving: Adam Elliot’s Memoir of A Snail is a stop motion triumph

    Coincidentally, this recognition comes in what is already an historic year for stop motion. A century ago, on February 8 1925, The Lost World hit cinemas. This film is widely considered the first feature-length stop-motion production, as well as the first “creature feature”.

    Audiences were captivated as they watched animated dinosaurs share the screen with live actors. The animators positioned and photographed miniature dinosaurs made of rubber, one frame at a time, to create moving sequences that accompanied full-scale shots with human actors.

    This method drew from earlier works such as Georges Méliès’s 1902 short film A Trip to the Moon (Le voyage dans la lune).

    Guillermo del Toro won the 2023 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film with Pinocchio.
    Netflix

    Dynamation: the beginnings

    After animating on The Lost World, stop-motion pioneer Willis O’Brien went on to animate King Kong (1933) and the lesser-known Mighty Joe Young (1949), where he mentored Ray Harryhausen.

    Harryhausen himself would later design and animate some of the most celebrated stop-motion sequences of all time, including the famous skeleton fight in Jason and the Argonauts (1963) and the fictional Rhedosaurus from The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953).

    The blend of animated miniatures and live actors become known as Dynamation, as Harryhausen pushed to create ever-more integrated and dynamic sequences in which animated puppets “interacted” with real actors.

    Back then it wasn’t possible to review animation as it was being shot; you could only see the puppet as it was in the moment. Sequences were shot on celluloid film, and animators had to wait for the film to develop before they could see the results.

    The famous skeleton fight in Jason and the Argonauts required Harryhausen to remember the movements of seven skeletons and line up a fight sequence with two pre-recorded actors, one frame at a time. He would often work for months before being able to review his work.

    In Eastern Europe, filmmakers such as Karel Zeman were also combining live action with miniature special effects and stop motion – extending a long history of Eastern European puppet theatre into cinema.

    In 1958, Zeman brought Jules Vernes’ whimsical vehicles and underwater worlds to the screen in his feature film Invention for Destruction (Vynález zkázy).

    Zeman’s work went on to influence famous animators such as Jan Švankmajer and Terry Gilliam.

    Invention for Destruction was later named The Fabulous World of Jules Verne. Zeman used a combination of puppetry, stop motion and live action effects for the film.
    IMDB

    Technology advances

    In the 1970s, Phil Tippet and others working at Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) – a studio founded by George Lucas – pushed the medium further through the development of “go-motion”.

    This invention used a custom-made control rig that precisely moved a puppet while it was being photographed – resulting in a subtle motion blur that emulated live-action movement.

    This technique allowed for more realistic animation and was used in productions such as Dragon Slayer (1981) and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980).

    In the 1980s, however, Star Wars began a trend towards photorealism and audiences became more scrutinising of visual effects. Harryhausen’s creatures in Clash of the Titans (1981) appeared especially hammy and outdated even for the time.

    The CGI scare

    In the early 90s, Phil Tippet and colleagues at ILM, in the pursuit of perfecting the craft, developed test dinosaur sequences for Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park (1993). Tippet animated the original test sequences in stop motion.

    Also at ILM, Dennis Muren was experimenting with a new kind of animation for creatures made entirely using computer software. These were the early days of computer-generated imagery (CGI).

    When Tippet saw an early Jurassic Park test of CGI dinosaur footage, he said to Steven Spielberg “I’m extinct”.

    Nonetheless, once it was decided the dinosaurs would be created with CGI, Tippet continued working on the film. He used a dinosaur-shaped physical rig, which allowed changes to the rig’s position to translate to CGI movements onscreen. Stop-motion animators were helpful in this process because “CGI animators” as we know them didn’t yet exist.

    Amid a CGI-induced scare, Tim Burton and Henry Selicks’ The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) became the first fully stop-motion animated feature to be produced by a major studio. This film proved stop motion could be achieved at a Hollywood scale.

    Stop motion took a backseat to CGI in the years that followed. Pixar’s Toy Story (1995), the world’s first fully CGI animated feature, cemented CGI as the way of the future.

    The only other noteworthy stop-motion cinematic release came at the turn of the century, when DreamWorks teamed up with Aardman Animations to produce Chicken Run (2000), following a number of successful stop motion shorts, starting with Wallace and Gromit’s A Grand Day Out in 1989.

    The comeback

    Eventually, innovations in digital cameras and motion control paved the way back to stop motion, giving us films such as Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) and The Corpse Bride (2005).

    Working on Coraline (2008), Laika studios introduced 3D printing technology for a sophisticated form of replacement animation, in which different body and facial pieces are swapped to create character movements and expressions.

    Traditionally, this technique was achieved by carving individual wooden models and swapping them out between capturing frames. This is how filmmaker George Pal made his Puppetoons films in the 1930s.

    Embracing new tech brought stop motion back onto the world stage, with studios such as Laika leading the charge. Since then, we’ve seen the release of features including ParaNorman (2012), The Boxtrolls (2014), Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), Missing Link (2019) and Guillermo del Toro’s Academy Award-wining Pinnoccio (2022).

    A new era of stop-motion features

    Despite huge developments in CGI, audiences still appreciate the painstaking work of bringing inanimate objects to life frame by frame.

    There are more stop motion films being made than ever before, with independent filmmakers and students creating quality sequences for a fraction of what it cost 30 years ago.

    Some directors use the medium for its connection with real materials, and out of respect for the art form. Phil Tippet spent more than 30 years on his stop motion feature Mad God (2021) – an experimental and intense horror magnum opus that embodies the materiality of stop motion.

    Wes Anderson says his approach to stop motion in Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) was “very much about bringing to life the [characters’] performance.”

    In Pinocchio (2022), Guillermo del Toro tells the touching story of a puppet, using real puppets, in which imperfection and human frailty are emphasised.

    We’re also seeing the return of stop-motion creature effects, such as with Disney’s Star Wars series Skeleton Crew (2024–25), in which live action is once again integrated with stop-motion puppets.

    The development of artificial intelligence (AI) is now pushing audiences and creators to question what they value in animation, cinema and art more generally.

    If AI could generate high-quality films with a stop-motion aesthetic, would we value them as much as those productions that were laboured over for years on end? The recent Oscar nominees may hold the answer.

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

    – ref. A century in motion: how stop-motion films went from obscure ‘creature features’ to winning Oscars – https://theconversation.com/a-century-in-motion-how-stop-motion-films-went-from-obscure-creature-features-to-winning-oscars-248008

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: Omnity Network Launches RichSwap, a Non-Custodial, Bridgeless Runes AMM DEX for DeFi on Bitcoin

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via IBN – RichSwap is the first AMM DEX for trustless on-chain runes trading without bridges, wrapping, custodians, off-chain software, or single points of failure. Transactions are executed completely on the Bitcoin network or rolled back in full, safeguarding users from extortion. Users retain full custody of their assets in their Bitcoin wallet without needing to deposit or withdraw to any platform.

    RichSwap has launched on the new Runes Exchange Environment (REE) from Omnity Network. REE marks the beginning of Bitcoin’s evolution into a programmable and decentralized financial platform. It’s a powerful toolkit for developing DeFi products directly on Bitcoin. REE’s Turing-complete compute environment offers developers the tools to replicate EVM, Solana and other common DeFi concepts on Bitcoin. Unlike competing solutions, REE needs no changes to Bitcoin core, no bridges to other blockchains, or any other extension of Bitcoin such as nonstandard opcodes.

    REE Makes BTCFi Verifiable, Trustable, and Standard

    Bitcoin is the world’s most secure and decentralized blockchain, but its limited programmability restricts its use in complex financial applications. Unlike account-based blockchains like Ethereum, Bitcoin operates on the UTXO (Unspent Transaction Output) model. Each transaction output is a unique reference, embracing the fungible properties of Bitcoin while introducing complexity in applications and data.

    Bitcoin’s UTXO model is integral for REE because REE uses Partially Signed Bitcoin Transactions (PSBTs), standardized via BIP-174 and BIP-370. Omnity’s Decentralized PSBT Signer (DPS) orchestrates PSBTs in a publicly verifiable manner. Transactions are executed completely or rolled back in full, making front-running impossible by design. Once a PSBT is signed, all transaction inputs and outputs are defined by the user and cannot be changed, even by REE itself.

    Users swapping on REE enjoy a 100x reduction in swap time while retaining custody of their assets throughout the process. Because there is no limit to the number of PSBTs bundled together or the rate of PSBT production, multiple trades per-user can occur securely within a single Bitcoin block.

    “DPS allows one user and multiple protocols to co-sign a transaction using PSBTs and broadcast it to the Bitcoin network. REE coordinates this multisig process,” said Louis Liu, Founder of Omnity. “I believe DPS is the best technical approach to achieving full programmability on Bitcoin layer 1.”

    RichSwap to be Open-Source Blueprint for Bitcoin Developers

    The new, optimized flexibility of the runes token standard allows developers to build innovative Bitcoin DeFi applications on REE, such as lending protocols, staking platforms, and stablecoin systems on Bitcoin. REE’s RichSwap AMM DEX is designed to be an open-source blueprint for BTCFi developers. By unifying the handling of Bitcoin and Bitcoin assets, RichSwap provides a tangible example of REE’s UTXO-based Exchange-Pool model presenting similarly to account-based blockchains.

    REE’s composability allows BTCFi protocols to share liquidity, asset pools, and other DeFi logic. This enables other protocols to benefit from the REE environment while bootstrapping liquidity directly from existing asset pools. Additionally, REE includes configurations for fee organization and revenue sharing. REE is driving the evolution of on-chain Bitcoin DeFi, facilitating broader adoption of PSBTs as a standard and runes as a recognized asset class.

    Omnity Network’s Runes Exchange Environment (REE) introduces a programmable execution toolkit for BTCFi as presented in RichSwap, Omnity’s non-custodial, bridgeless AMM DEX for the transparent and verifiable trading of Bitcoin runes. The Omnity Network is a suite of permissionless, noncustodial, on-chain Bitcoin products secured by ICP’s Chain Key cryptography and Multi-Party Computation (MPC) network of Bitcoin node operators. Its flagship product, the Omnity Hub, connects to 18 different blockchains with verifiable light clients supporting runes, fungible BTC, and BRC20 assets.

    Media Contact

    Suzanne Leigh
    Editor
    zan@oct.network
    Omnity Network

    Wire Service Contact:
    IBN
    Austin, Texas
    www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com
    512.354.7000 Office
    Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: 
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d50a0a3c-c886-4435-8b4b-a2517a31d95d

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Sam Nujoma personified Namibia’s struggle for freedom

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Henning Melber, Extraordinary Professor, Department of Political Sciences, University of Pretoria

    Sam Nujoma was an outstanding Namibian leader who personified more than anybody else the country’s liberation struggle history and independence. His death at the age of 95 marks the end of an era. But his legacy will live on.

    Together with Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, he was central in the foundation of the national liberation movement, South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo).

    Samuel (Sam) Shafishuna (“lightning”) Daniel Nujoma was born on 12 May 1929 at Etunda near Okahao in northern Namibia in today’s Omusati region, the eldest of 11 children. His childhood was devoted to helping care for his siblings, the family cattle and cultivating the land. From 1937 to 1943 he completed primary school at the Finnish Missionary School at Okahao.

    Namibia was then South West Africa, a former German colony, administered by apartheid South Africa since December 1920. Aged 17, he became a contract worker in the harbour town of Walvis Bay. From 1949 he worked as a cleaner at South African Railways in Windhoek. For most of his age group, contract labour in the settler economy was the only way out of subsistence agriculture.

    Like many of his generation, he became politically active in the organised contract labour movement. His upbringing and struggle for independence is presented in his autobiography Where Others Wavered. It has also been turned into a movie.

    Leading the struggle

    In 1959 Nujoma co-founded the Ovamboland People’s Organisation, marking a new chapter of organised resistance against settler-colonial rule. At the time, African residents in the capital Windhoek lived mainly in the so-called Old Location. It was close to the centre of town, while contract workers were accommodated in a separate compound.

    Their residents were supposed to relocate to a distant new township, Katutura. Protests against the forced removal escalated on 10 December 1959. Police opened fire, killing 11 and seriously wounding 44.

    This was a turning point in the organised resistance. Political activists faced increased repression. Nujoma left for exile in February 1960 to campaign internationally, not least at the United Nations in New York.

    In April 1960 the Ovamboland People’s Organisation became Swapo and Nujoma its first president. He remained in office until 2007. In 1967, Swapo resorted to armed resistance against the South African occupation.

    The organisation became the family and Nujoma its patriarch. As Raymond Suttner, a scholar and political analyst, observed:

    Any involvement in a revolution has an impact on conceptions of the personal.

    A warfare of more than 20 years cost thousands of lives. The military component played a big role in Swapo’s struggle history. This is illustrated in the movement’s official narrative To Be Born A Nation.

    While never trained for combat, Nujoma liked to pose as the military leader. Testimony to this is the dominant statue of the “unknown soldier” at the Heroes Acre, modelled as Nujoma.

    Just as enlightening is Nujoma’s autobiography, ending with independence on 21 March 1990. Its title Where Others Wavered is from one of his statements in the late 1970s:

    When the history of a free and independent Namibia is written one day, Swapo will go down as having stood firm where others have wavered: that it sacrificed for the sacred cause of liberation where others have compromised.

    As the Namibian political scientist André du Pisani has pointed out:

    (Nujoma’s account) brings into sharp relief the career of a formidable political activist who displayed enormous courage, determination and will to survive against considerable odds.

    Heading the state

    Nujoma was appointed Namibia’s first head of state by the Constituent Assembly. His initial term (1990-1995) was characterised by efforts to build the nation and foster reconciliation in a deeply divided settler colonial society.

    He accepted a constitutionally enshrined status quo when it came to the privileges of the white minority. Continued socioeconomic disparities under political majority rule signified a process in which political power was traded and transferred while fundamental social inequalities were guarded by the protection of existing property relations.

    When leaving office, he left a mixed record.

    During his second term (1995-2000), “reconciliation took a back seat, and a certain authoritarian tone emerged”, as the urban geographer and writer Bill Lindeke summarised on the 25th year of independence. This included, among other things, unilaterally dispatching troops in August 1998 to rescue his friend Laurent Desiré Kabila in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kabila’s government was under attack by rebels backed by Rwanda and Uganda. Nujoma took this decision as Commander in Chief of the army “in the national interest”, with nobody in the Cabinet being consulted or informed.

    In August 1999 Nujoma declared a first state of emergency when a failed secession in what was then called the Caprivi Strip came as a shock attack. The subsequent treatment of the suspected secessionists was anything but reconciliatory. It resulted in the country’s only political refugees so far.

    To allow Nujoma a third term in office (2000-2005), the National Assembly adopted a first constitutional amendment in late 1998. The justification was that his initial appointment was not based on a direct vote by the electorate. The clause was restricted to Nujoma.

    Handing over the torch

    There were doubts if Nujoma would vacate office. In 2004 he declared:

    One cannot ignore the call by the people, because the people are the ones who make the final decision.

    This fuelled speculations that he might be tempted to opt for a referendum, banking on an anticipated majority willing to grant him another term.

    Facing internal Swapo opposition, Nujoma opted for the party’s unity and announced his retirement at the end of his term. This paved the way for three candidates competing for his replacement.

    But, he was adamant that his long-time confidante Hifikepunye Pohamba would become his successor. A heavy-handed approach to bulldoze him through resulted in a break-away new party.

    Nujoma remained Swapo president until late 2007, provoking the question of his ‘presidential indispensability’.

    Pohamba was initially acting in Nujoma’s shadow. After his retirement as the head of state, the National Assembly awarded Nujoma the title “Founding Father of the Namibian Nation”. Ending his party presidency, Swapo named him “Leader of the Namibian Revolution”.

    In such a context retirement is a foreign word. One can leave office but remain a leader. Nujoma’s word and view counted in policy implementation – both at party and national government levels. Although his direct impact gradually subsided, he remained an iconic influencer.

    Achievements despite the limits to liberation

    Many leaders of African countries were shaped by resistance to colonial oppression. This was no romantic picnic, but required perseverance and tough decisions. It came at a cost. Military mindsets and strict hierarchies were fostering authoritarian tendencies.

    These are not the best ingredients for civilian rule. But achieving sovereignty elevated the struggle to new levels. Since the end of white minority rule and South African occupation, Namibian people are governed by those they elected democratically.

    Nujoma was on the commanding heights of Namibia’s liberation struggle for over half a century. He decided to retire as captain in time. Namibians owe it to him and others for paving the way for a democratic state guided by the rule of law.

    This is adequately symbolised in his statue erected at Windhoek’s Independence Museum. Dressed in civilian clothes, Nujoma proudly holds up the Namibian constitution. It might be the best visual recognition of all of his ultimate contribution to Namibian society.

    Since independence, the struggle for more equality continues by civil means. Tatekulu (big man) Sam Nujoma deserves credit for his role in this remarkably peaceful transition towards a multi-party democracy in which politically motivated violence rarely occurs. He will always have centre stage in Namibia’s hall of fame.

    Hamba Kahle (go well), tate Sam.

    Henning Melber is a member of SWAPO since 1974.

    – ref. Sam Nujoma personified Namibia’s struggle for freedom – https://theconversation.com/sam-nujoma-personified-namibias-struggle-for-freedom-158904

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Sam Nujoma personified Namibia’s struggle for freedom

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Henning Melber, Extraordinary Professor, Department of Political Sciences, University of Pretoria

    Sam Nujoma was an outstanding Namibian leader who personified more than anybody else the country’s liberation struggle history and independence. His death at the age of 95 marks the end of an era. But his legacy will live on.

    Together with Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, he was central in the foundation of the national liberation movement, South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo).

    Samuel (Sam) Shafishuna (“lightning”) Daniel Nujoma was born on 12 May 1929 at Etunda near Okahao in northern Namibia in today’s Omusati region, the eldest of 11 children. His childhood was devoted to helping care for his siblings, the family cattle and cultivating the land. From 1937 to 1943 he completed primary school at the Finnish Missionary School at Okahao.

    Namibia was then South West Africa, a former German colony, administered by apartheid South Africa since December 1920. Aged 17, he became a contract worker in the harbour town of Walvis Bay. From 1949 he worked as a cleaner at South African Railways in Windhoek. For most of his age group, contract labour in the settler economy was the only way out of subsistence agriculture.

    Like many of his generation, he became politically active in the organised contract labour movement. His upbringing and struggle for independence is presented in his autobiography Where Others Wavered. It has also been turned into a movie.

    Leading the struggle

    In 1959 Nujoma co-founded the Ovamboland People’s Organisation, marking a new chapter of organised resistance against settler-colonial rule. At the time, African residents in the capital Windhoek lived mainly in the so-called Old Location. It was close to the centre of town, while contract workers were accommodated in a separate compound.

    Their residents were supposed to relocate to a distant new township, Katutura. Protests against the forced removal escalated on 10 December 1959. Police opened fire, killing 11 and seriously wounding 44.

    This was a turning point in the organised resistance. Political activists faced increased repression. Nujoma left for exile in February 1960 to campaign internationally, not least at the United Nations in New York.

    In April 1960 the Ovamboland People’s Organisation became Swapo and Nujoma its first president. He remained in office until 2007. In 1967, Swapo resorted to armed resistance against the South African occupation.

    The organisation became the family and Nujoma its patriarch. As Raymond Suttner, a scholar and political analyst, observed:

    Any involvement in a revolution has an impact on conceptions of the personal.

    A warfare of more than 20 years cost thousands of lives. The military component played a big role in Swapo’s struggle history. This is illustrated in the movement’s official narrative To Be Born A Nation.

    Nujoma, centre, as the historic 1989 elections were announced. With him: Hage Geingob, left, Hidipo Hamutenya, Theo Ben Gurirab Moses Garoeb and a bodyguard. HENNING MELBER

    While never trained for combat, Nujoma liked to pose as the military leader. Testimony to this is the dominant statue of the “unknown soldier” at the Heroes Acre, modelled as Nujoma.

    Just as enlightening is Nujoma’s autobiography, ending with independence on 21 March 1990. Its title Where Others Wavered is from one of his statements in the late 1970s:

    When the history of a free and independent Namibia is written one day, Swapo will go down as having stood firm where others have wavered: that it sacrificed for the sacred cause of liberation where others have compromised.

    As the Namibian political scientist André du Pisani has pointed out:

    (Nujoma’s account) brings into sharp relief the career of a formidable political activist who displayed enormous courage, determination and will to survive against considerable odds.

    Heading the state

    Nujoma was appointed Namibia’s first head of state by the Constituent Assembly. His initial term (1990-1995) was characterised by efforts to build the nation and foster reconciliation in a deeply divided settler colonial society.

    He accepted a constitutionally enshrined status quo when it came to the privileges of the white minority. Continued socioeconomic disparities under political majority rule signified a process in which political power was traded and transferred while fundamental social inequalities were guarded by the protection of existing property relations.

    When leaving office, he left a mixed record.

    During his second term (1995-2000), “reconciliation took a back seat, and a certain authoritarian tone emerged”, as the urban geographer and writer Bill Lindeke summarised on the 25th year of independence. This included, among other things, unilaterally dispatching troops in August 1998 to rescue his friend Laurent Desiré Kabila in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kabila’s government was under attack by rebels backed by Rwanda and Uganda. Nujoma took this decision as Commander in Chief of the army “in the national interest”, with nobody in the Cabinet being consulted or informed.

    In August 1999 Nujoma declared a first state of emergency when a failed secession in what was then called the Caprivi Strip came as a shock attack. The subsequent treatment of the suspected secessionists was anything but reconciliatory. It resulted in the country’s only political refugees so far.

    To allow Nujoma a third term in office (2000-2005), the National Assembly adopted a first constitutional amendment in late 1998. The justification was that his initial appointment was not based on a direct vote by the electorate. The clause was restricted to Nujoma.

    Handing over the torch

    There were doubts if Nujoma would vacate office. In 2004 he declared:

    One cannot ignore the call by the people, because the people are the ones who make the final decision.

    This fuelled speculations that he might be tempted to opt for a referendum, banking on an anticipated majority willing to grant him another term.

    Statue of the unknown soldier modelled on Sam Nujoma. Henning Melber

    Facing internal Swapo opposition, Nujoma opted for the party’s unity and announced his retirement at the end of his term. This paved the way for three candidates competing for his replacement.

    But, he was adamant that his long-time confidante Hifikepunye Pohamba would become his successor. A heavy-handed approach to bulldoze him through resulted in a break-away new party.

    Nujoma remained Swapo president until late 2007, provoking the question of his ‘presidential indispensability’.

    Pohamba was initially acting in Nujoma’s shadow. After his retirement as the head of state, the National Assembly awarded Nujoma the title “Founding Father of the Namibian Nation”. Ending his party presidency, Swapo named him “Leader of the Namibian Revolution”.

    In such a context retirement is a foreign word. One can leave office but remain a leader. Nujoma’s word and view counted in policy implementation – both at party and national government levels. Although his direct impact gradually subsided, he remained an iconic influencer.

    Achievements despite the limits to liberation

    Many leaders of African countries were shaped by resistance to colonial oppression. This was no romantic picnic, but required perseverance and tough decisions. It came at a cost. Military mindsets and strict hierarchies were fostering authoritarian tendencies.

    These are not the best ingredients for civilian rule. But achieving sovereignty elevated the struggle to new levels. Since the end of white minority rule and South African occupation, Namibian people are governed by those they elected democratically.

    Nujoma was on the commanding heights of Namibia’s liberation struggle for over half a century. He decided to retire as captain in time. Namibians owe it to him and others for paving the way for a democratic state guided by the rule of law.

    This is adequately symbolised in his statue erected at Windhoek’s Independence Museum. Dressed in civilian clothes, Nujoma proudly holds up the Namibian constitution. It might be the best visual recognition of all of his ultimate contribution to Namibian society.

    Since independence, the struggle for more equality continues by civil means. Tatekulu (big man) Sam Nujoma deserves credit for his role in this remarkably peaceful transition towards a multi-party democracy in which politically motivated violence rarely occurs. He will always have centre stage in Namibia’s hall of fame.

    Hamba Kahle (go well), tate Sam.

    – Sam Nujoma personified Namibia’s struggle for freedom
    – https://theconversation.com/sam-nujoma-personified-namibias-struggle-for-freedom-158904

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI China: Israel frees 183 Palestinian prisoners under Gaza ceasefire deal

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday in the fifth prisoner-for-hostage swap under the ongoing ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

    People welcome a released Palestinian prisoner in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Feb. 8, 2025. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

    Abdullah al-Zaghari, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Club, said the released prisoners, transported by buses of the International Committee of the Red Cross, had arrived in Ramallah. TV footage showed the released Palestinians being greeted by a large crowd at a square in the city.

    Of the freed prisoners, 42 were from the West Bank, three from Jerusalem, and 27 from the Gaza Strip, all serving life sentences or lengthy terms. Additionally, 111 prisoners were arrested in the Gaza Strip after Hamas’ surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, the Commission of Detainees’ Affairs said in a press statement.

    Seven of the freed prisoners would be deported outside the Palestinian territories, according to the statement.

    Palestinian security sources and eyewitnesses said that Israeli vehicles stormed Beitunia, a Palestinian city west of Ramallah, immediately after the bus carrying Palestinian prisoners left Ofer Prison, to prevent any celebratory demonstrations by their families.

    Israeli forces also raided the homes of some prisoners in the West Bank and warned their families against organizing celebrations to mark their release, according to the sources.

    Earlier on Saturday, Hamas released three Israeli hostages it had been holding in the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that the Israeli hostages had crossed the border into Israel.

    This release marks the fifth hostage-prisoner swap under the first phase of a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, brokered by Egypt and Qatar with support from the United States.

    According to a report by the Times of Israel last month, Israel demanded that Palestinians convicted of the most serious crimes not be released to the Gaza Strip or the West Bank. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese folk arts attract Serbian audience with Spring Festival flash performance

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Hubei Performing Arts Group brought a vibrant showcase of Chinese folk arts to Belgrade, on Saturday evening with a flash performance at Galerija Shopping Mall, as part of Serbia’s Spring Festival celebrations.

    The “Charming Hubei” program kicked off with a suona solo, “Snow Lantern Festival,” immediately drawing a crowd. This was followed by a mesmerizing display of Wudang martial arts, which earned enthusiastic applause. The highlight of the evening was a face-changing opera performance, where enthusiastic children and teenagers eagerly interacted with the performer.

    The 30-minute show concluded with a series of traditional and classical Chinese folk music performed on Chinese instruments, including the guzheng, pipa, and erhu.

    Adding a cross-cultural touch, Serbian violinist Milica joined the Chinese performers. “It is a great pleasure to work and perform with musicians from China. It’s always a unique experience to share music together,” she said.

    Milica, a member of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, noted that although she had met many Chinese musicians during previous visits to China, this was her first official collaboration with a Chinese ensemble. “The music is amazing. I love its melodies and unique style,” she added.

    Audience member Andjela praised the performance for its artistry, costumes, and diverse instruments. “It was something different and truly beautiful. I haven’t seen a Chinese show like this before, but now I definitely want to experience more,” she said.

    This marked the Hubei Performing Arts Group’s third appearance in Serbia’s Spring Festival celebrations, following performances in Bor and Nis.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese Spring Festival celebrated with cultural events in Sofia, Bulgaria

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Two cultural events celebrating the traditional Chinese Spring Festival were held in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, on Saturday afternoon, providing attendees with an immersive cultural exchange experience.

    The Confucius Institute in Sofia hosted a vibrant Spring Festival celebration, attracting attendees eager to experience Chinese culture. The event featured performances by students from Chinese-language classes across Bulgaria, including Sofia, Vidin, Stara Zagora, Burgas, and Montana. Prizes were also awarded to winners of the institute’s recent Chinese language competition.

    Addressing the event, Yang Tian, head of the education section at the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, highlighted the Spring Festival’s significance as China’s most festive and culturally rich holiday, symbolizing family reunion, harmony, and prosperity.

    “This festival has become an important cultural bridge, emotionally connecting people worldwide,” Yang said, commending the Confucius Institute’s efforts in fostering mutual cultural appreciation through the Year of the Snake celebrations.

    In a joint speech delivered in their respective languages, Chen Ying, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, and Aksiniya Koleva, the institute’s Bulgarian director, emphasized the institute’s ongoing efforts to increase the number of Bulgarian youth studying Chinese. “We are dedicated to expanding cultural and educational exchanges between our two countries,” they said.

    Angel Apostolov, chief expert at the international cooperation department of the Ministry of Education and Science, shared his impressions after attending the event. He first experienced Chinese New Year celebrations 15 years ago, he told Xinhua, adding, “It’s remarkable that the hall is always full, which reflects the growing Chinese cultural presence in Bulgaria.”

    Meanwhile, another Spring Festival celebration event took place at the Toplocentrala Center for Contemporary Arts. The gathering featured a 90-minute China-Bulgaria joint concert with performances by Chinese and Bulgarian musicians, along with various Chinese cultural activities.

    Eighteen-year-old Raya Popova traveled 310 km from Ruse to attend the event. “I came because my former Chinese teacher is here, and I want to meet her before she returns to China,” said Popova, who last year won the Bulgarian national qualifications of the 17th “Chinese Bridge” competition.

    “Chinese Bridge” is an annual international contest in which non-Chinese students showcase their proficiency in the Chinese language and their knowledge of Chinese culture.

    “I have made many new contacts with Chinese people, which helps me improve my Chinese every day,” she told Xinhua. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Mediawatch: NZ media in the middle of Asia-Pacific diplomatic drama

    MEDIAWATCH: By Colin Peacock, RNZ Mediawatch presenter

    By the time US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on China and Canada last Monday which could kickstart a trade war, New Zealand’s diplomats in Washington, DC, had already been deployed on another diplomatic drama.

    Republican Senator Ted Cruz had said on social media it was “difficult to treat New Zealand as a normal ally . . .  when they denigrate and punish Israeli citizens for defending themselves and their country”.

    He cited a story in the Israeli media outlet Ha’aretz, which has a reputation for independence in Israel and credibility abroad.

    But Ha’aretz had wrongly reported Israelis must declare service in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) as part of “new requirements” for visa applications.

    Winston Peters replied forcefully to Cruz on X, condemning Ha’aretz’s story as “fake news” and demanding a correction.

    Winston Peters puts Ted Cruz on notice over the misleading Ha’aretz story. Image: X/RNZ

    But one thing Trump’s Republicans and Winston Peters had in common last week was irritating Mexico.

    His fellow NZ First MP Shane Jones had bellowed “Send the Mexicans home” at Green MPs in Parliament.

    Winston Peters then told two of them they should be more grateful for being able to live in New Zealand.

    ‘We will not be lectured’
    On Facebook he wasn’t exactly backing down.

    “We . . .  will not be lectured on the culture and traditions of New Zealand from people who have been here for five minutes,” he added.

    While he was at it, Peters criticised media outlets for not holding other political parties to account for inflammatory comments.

    Peters was posting that as a politician — not a foreign minister, but the Mexican ambassador complained to MFAT. (It seems the so-called “Mexican standoff” was resolved over a pre-Waitangi lunch with Ambassador Bravo).

    But the next day — last Wednesday — news of another diplomatic drama broke on TVNZ’s 1News.

    “A deal that could shatter New Zealand’s close relationship with a Pacific neighbour,” presenter Simon Dallow declared, in front of a backdrop of a stern-looking Peters.

    TVNZ’s Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver reported the Cook Islands was about to sign a partnership agreement in Beijing.

    “We want clarity and at this point in time, we have none. We’ve got past arrangements, constitutional arrangements, which require constant consultation with us, and dare I say, China knows that,” Peters told 1News.

    Passports another headache
    Cook Islands’ Prime Minister Mark Brown also told Barbara Dreaver TVNZ’s revelations last month about proposed Cook Island passports had also been a headache for him.

    “We were caught by surprise when this news was broken by 1News. I thought it was a high-level diplomatic discussion with leaders to be open and frank,” he told TVNZ this week.

    “For it to be brought out into the public before we’ve had a time to inform our public, I thought was a breach of our political diplomacy.”

    Last week another Barabara Dreaver scoop on 1News brought the strained relationship with another Pacific state into the headlines:

    “Our relationship with Kiribati is at breaking point. New Zealand’s $100 million aid programme there is now on hold. The move comes after President [Taneti] Maamau pulled out of a pre-arranged meeting with Winston Peters.”

    The media ended up in the middle of the blame game over this too — but many didn’t see it coming.

    Caught in the crossfire
     “A diplomatic rift with Kiribati was on no one’s 2025 bingo card,” Stuff national affairs editor Andrea Vance wrote last weekend in the Sunday Star-Times.

    “Of all the squabbles Winston Peters was expected to have this year, no one picked it would be with an impoverished, sinking island nation,” she wrote, in terms that would surely annoy Kiribati.

    “Do you believe Kiribati is snubbing you?” RNZ Morning Report’s Corin Dann asked Peters.

    “You can come to any conclusion you like, but our job is to try and resolve this matter,” Peters replied.

    Kiribati Education Minister Alexander Teabo told RNZ Pacific there was no snub.

    He said Kiribati President Maamau — who is also the nation’s foreign minister — had been unavailable because of a long-planned and important Catholic ordination ceremony on his home island of Onotoa — though this was prior to the proposed visit from Peters.

    On Facebook — at some length — New Zealand-born Kiribati MP Ruth Cross Kwansing blamed “media manufactured drama”.

    “The New Zealand media seized the opportunity to patronise Kiribati, and the familiar whispers about Chinese influence began to circulate,” she said.

    She was more diplomatic on the 531pi Pacific Mornings radio show but insistent New Zealand had not been snubbed.

    Public dispute “regrettable’
    Peters told the same show it was “regrettable” that the dispute had been made public.

    On Newstalk ZB Peters was backed — and Kiribati portrayed as the problem.

    “If somebody is giving me $100m and they asked for a meeting, I will attend. I don’t care if it’s my mum’s birthday. Or somebody’s funeral,” Drive host Ryan Bridge told listeners.

    “It’s always very hard to pick apart these stories (by) just reading them in the media. But I have faith and confidence in Winston Peters as our foreign minister,” PR-pro Trish Shrerson opined.

    So did her fellow panellist, former Labour MP Stuart Nash.

    “He’s respected across the Pacific. He’s the consummate diplomat. If Winston says this is the story and this is what’s happening, I believe 100 percent. And I would say, go hard. Winston — represent our interests.”

    ‘Totally silly’ response
    But veteran Pacific journalist Michael Field contradicted them soon after on ZB.

    “It’s totally silly. All this talk about cancelling $104 million of aid is total pie-in-the-sky from Winston Peters,” he said.

    “Somebody’s lost their marbles on this, and the one who’s possibly on the ground looking for them is Winston Peters.

    “He didn’t need to be in Tarawa in early January at all. This is pathetic. This is like saying I was invited to my sister’s birthday party and now it’s been cancelled,” he said.

    Not a comparison you hear very often in international relations.

    In his own Substack newsletter Michael Field also insisted the row reflected poorly on New Zealand.

    “While the conspiracy around Kiribati and China has deepened, no one is noticing the still-viable Kiribati-United States treaty which prevents Kiribati atolls [from] being used as bases without Washington approval,” he added.

    Kiribati ‘hugely disrespectful’
    But TVNZ’s Barbara Dreaver said Kiribati was being “hugely disrespectful”.

    In a TVNZ analysis piece last weekend, she said New Zealand has “every right to expect better engagement than it has been getting over the past year.”

    Dreaver — who was born in and grew up in Kiribati and has family there — also criticised “the airtime and validation” Kwansing got in the media in New Zealand.

    “She supports and is part of a government that requires all journalists — should they get a visa to go there — to hand over copies of all footage/information collected,” Dreaver said.

    Kwansing hit back on Facebook, accusing Dreaver of “publishing inane drivel” and “irresponsible journalism causing stress to locals.”

    “You write like you need a good holiday somewhere happy. Please book yourself a luxury day spa ASAP,” she told TVNZ’s Pacific Affairs reporter.

    Two days later — last Tuesday — the Kiribati government made percent2CO percent2CP-R an official statement which also pointed the finger at the media.

    “Despite this media issue, the government of Kiribati remains convinced the strong bonds between Kiribati and New Zealand will enable a resolution to this unfortunate standoff,” it said.

    Copping the blame
    Another reporter who knows what it’s like to cop the blame for reporting stuff diplomats and politicians want to keep out of the news is RNZ Pacific’s senior journalist and presenter Lydia Lewis.

    Last year, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese questioned RNZ’s ethics after she reported comments he made to the US Deputy Secretary of State at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga — which revealed an until-then behind closed doors plan to pay for better policing in the Pacific.

    She’s also been covering the tension with Kiribati.

    Is the heat coming on the media more these days if they candidly report diplomatic differences?

    TVNZ Pacific senior journalist and presenter Lydia Lewis . . . “both the public and politicians are saying the media [are] making a big deal of things.” Image: RNZ Pacific

    “There’s no study that says there are more people blaming the media. So it’s anecdotal, but definitely, both the public and politicians are saying the media (are) making a big deal of things,” Lewis told Mediawatch.

    “I would put the question back to the public as to who’s manufacturing drama. All we’re doing is reporting what’s in front of us for the public to then make their decision — and questioning it. And there were a lot of questions around this Kiribati story.”

    Lewis said it was shortly before 6pm on January 27, that selected journalists were advised of the response of our government to the cancellation of the meeting with foreign minister Peters.

    Vice-President an alternative
    But it was not mentioned that Kiribati had offered the Vice-President for a meeting, the same person that met with an Australian delegation recently.

    A response from Kiribati proved harder to get — and Lewis spoke to a senior figure in Kiribati that night who told her they knew nothing about it.

    Politicians and diplomats, naturally enough, prefer to do things behind the scenes and media exposure is a complication for them.

    But we simply wouldn’t know about the impending partnership agreement between China and the Cook Islands if TVNZ had not reported it last Monday.

    And another irony: some political figures lamenting the diplomatically disruptive impact of the media also make decidedly undiplomatic responses of their own online these days.

    “It can be revealing in the sense of where people stand. Sometimes they’re just putting out their opinions or their experience. Maybe they’ve got some sort of motive. A formal message or email we’ll take a bit more seriously. But some of the things on social media, we just take with a grain of salt,” said Lewis.

    “It is vital we all look at multiple sources. It comes back to balance and knowledge and understanding what you know about and what you don’t know about — and then asking the questions in between.”

    Big Powers and the Big Picture
     Kwansing objected to New Zealand media jumping to the conclusion China’s influence was a factor in the friction with New Zealand.

    “To dismiss the geopolitical implications with China . . .  would be naive and ignorant,” Dreaver countered.

    Michael Field pointed to an angle missing.

    “While the conspiracy around Kiribati and China has deepened, no one is noticing the still viable Kiribati-United States treaty which prevents Kiribati atolls being used as bases without Washington approval,” he wrote in his Substack.

    In the same article in which Vance called Kiribati “an impoverished, sinking island nation” she later pointed out that its location, US military ties and vast ocean territory make it strategically important.

    Questions about ‘transparency and accountability’
    “There’s a lot of people that want in on Kiribati. It has a huge exclusive economic zone,” Lewis said.

    She said communication problems and patchy connectivity are also drawbacks.

    “We do have a fuller picture now of the situation, but the overarching question that’s come out of this is around transparency and accountability.

    “We can’t hold Kiribati politicians to account like we do New Zealand government politicians.”

    “I don’t want to give Kiribati a free pass here but it’s really difficult to get a response.

    “They’re posting statements on Facebook and it really has raised some questions around the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability for all journalists . . .  committed to fair media reporting across the Pacific.”

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CHANGE OF GUARD CEREMONY TO TAKE PLACE IN NEW FORMAT FROM FEBRUARY 22

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 08 FEB 2025 12:27PM by PIB Delhi

    The change of guard ceremony will take place in new format with increased seating capacity from February 22, 2025.

    The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu will witness the inaugural show on February 16, 2025.

    In the new format of the change of guard ceremony, people can witness a dynamic visual and musical performance, with the backdrop of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ceremony will comprise display of formal military drills by the troops and horses of the President’s Bodyguard, and the troops of the Ceremonial Guard Battalion, along with the Ceremonial Military Brass Band.

     

    ***

    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2100975) Visitor Counter : 46

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Sydney ETO supports Hong Kong String Orchestra’s Chinese New Year tour in Australia (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Sydney ETO supports Hong Kong String Orchestra’s Chinese New Year tour in Australia (with photos)
    Sydney ETO supports Hong Kong String Orchestra’s Chinese New Year tour in Australia (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) supported the Hong Kong String Orchestra (HKSO) in staging five music concerts in Adelaide, Sydney, Canberra, with the final performance concluded successfully in Melbourne yesterday (February 7) to celebrate Chinese New Year with local audience, showcasing Hong Kong’s music excellence as well as telling the good stories of Hong Kong. More than 4 000 audiences across Australia have enjoyed the wonderful performances of HKSO.           HKSO’s performances in Australia included an exclusive afternoon concert at the Theatrette of the Parliament of New South Wales (NSW) on February 3. Marking a significant milestone in the cultural exchange between Hong Kong and Australia, this concert was the first-ever collaboration among the Parliament of NSW, the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney and the Sydney ETO, attracting around 160 guests including the President of the NSW Legislative Council, Mr Ben Franklin, the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney, Mr Wang Yu, Members of the Parliament and government officials of NSW, mayors and councillors, as well as Hong Kong and Mainland Chinese community leaders in Sydney.           The Sydney ETO hosted a reception before the concert at the iconic Sydney Opera House on February 2 to welcome the HKSO. About 120 guests including local arts and cultural leaders attended the reception.           The Director of the Sydney ETO, Mr Ricky Chong, said at the reception, “Music has a unique power to connect people across cultures, and the HKSO’s performance is a wonderful testament to the strong and enduring ties between Hong Kong and Australia. Our relationship is built not only on trade and investment, but also on deep cultural and people-to-people connections.”           Mr Chong also introduced to the guests the government’s vision of developing Hong Kong into a premier tourism destination through innovative thinking. He said that the government would highlight the unique elements of Hong Kong’s local cultural characteristics and make good use of its positioning as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, with a view to shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism.           Led by its Founder and Artistic Director, Professor Yao Jue, the HKSO captivated audience across Australia with a unique programme that blended Western classical works by Vivaldi, alongside pieces that honoured Hong Kong pop songs and traditional Chinese New Year music, including Joseph Koo’s Medley and Spring Festival Overture.           The HKSO started the Australian tour in Adelaide on January 31, followed by performances in Sydney on February 2 and 3, in Canberra on February 5, and in Melbourne yesterday (February 7). The HKSO also showcased their music talent to the guests at the Chinese New Year Reception hosted by the Sydney ETO in Melbourne on February 6.

     
    Ends/Saturday, February 8, 2025Issued at HKT 14:09

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Victorian byelections: Liberals gain Prahran from Greens and Labor ahead in Werribee

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

    Byelections occurred on Saturday in the Victorian state seats of Prahran and Werribee. The Liberals gained Prahran from the Greens by a 51.6–48.4 margin, a 13.6% swing to the Liberals since the 2022 state election.

    Primary votes were 36.2% Liberals (up 4.8%), 36.2% Greens (down 0.6%), 12.8% for independent Tony Lupton, the Labor member for Prahran from 2002 to 2010, and 5.3% for another independent. Labor did not contest after winning 26.8% in 2022.

    The primary vote swings between the Greens and Liberals only explain 2.7% of the 13.6% two-candidate swing. In 2022, Labor preferences would have flowed strongly to the Greens, but at the byelection Lupton recommended preferences to the Liberals on his how-to-vote material. The Greens’ share of overall preferences plunged from nearly 80% in 2022 to 44%.

    In Werribee, Labor leads the Liberals by 50.6–49.4, a 10.4% swing to the Liberals since 2022. Primary votes are 29.0% Liberals (up 3.7%), 28.7% Labor (down 16.7%), 14.7% for independent Paul Hopper (up 8.8%), 7.5% Greens (up 0.7%), 7.3% Victorian Socialists (up 3.7%), 5.5% Legalise Cannabis (new) and 4.4% Family First (up 1.9%).

    Labor’s primary vote slumped in Werribee, but the Liberals were not the main beneficiary. There were just enough preferences from left-wing sources (Greens, Socialists and Legalise Cannabis) to put Labor over the line.

    The large majority of outstanding votes at these byelections will be postals. In postals counted so far in Werribee, the Liberals lead by 53–47, and they will need to increase that margin on remaining postals to erase Labor’s current lead. But later postals are usually better for left-wing parties than earlier ones.

    In Prahran, the Liberals lead the Greens on postals counted so far by 65–35. Later postals will probably be better for the Greens, but the Liberals will still win this byelection.

    In Prahran, the Greens should have been able to overcome a shift against them on preferences with an improved primary vote. Losing this seat, which they have held since the 2014 state election, is a dismal result for the Greens.

    Labor is likely to retain Werribee, but the slump in the Labor primary vote validates the recent Victorian Resolve poll that had Labor’s statewide primary vote at just 22% and the Liberals in a clear election-winning position.

    Victorian upper house reform delayed again

    Since winning government at the November 2014 election, Labor has done nothing to reform the upper house electoral system. The upper house still uses group ticket voting (GTV), which is no longer used in any other Australian jurisdiction.

    GTV was scrapped in New South Wales before the 2003 election, federally before 2016, in South Australia before 2018 and in Western Australia before this year’s March election. Other jurisdictions have never used GTV.

    The artificially strong preference flows produced by GTV can allow parties with very low vote share to win seats through preference deals by overtaking parties with a much higher vote. In a system where voters direct their own preferences, this does not occur.

    Analyst Kevin Bonham wrote on Friday that the parliamentary Victorian Electoral Matters Committee had recommended scrapping GTV, but the government has delayed any response until after the Committee publishes its final report in December. By this time, it will be difficult to make changes so that they can be implemented for the November 2026 election.

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

    – ref. Victorian byelections: Liberals gain Prahran from Greens and Labor ahead in Werribee – https://theconversation.com/victorian-byelections-liberals-gain-prahran-from-greens-and-labor-ahead-in-werribee-249446

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: Unlock 100x Leverage on BexBack with a 100% Deposit Bonus & $50 Welcome Bonus – No KYC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, Feb. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the price of Bitcoin falls below the $100,000 mark, many analysts believe it will enter a long period of high volatility. Holding spot positions may not continue to generate profits in the short term. BexBack Exchange is stepping up its efforts to provide traders with irresistible preferential packages. The platform now offers a 100% deposit bonus, a $50 welcome bonus for new users, and a 100x leverage on cryptocurrency trading, creating unparalleled opportunities for investors.

    What Is 100x Leverage and How Does It Work?

    Simply put, 100x leverage allows you to open larger trading positions with less capital. For example:

    Suppose the Bitcoin price is $100,000 that day, and you open a long contract with 1 BTC. After using 100x leverage, the transaction amount is equivalent to 100 BTC.

    One day later, if the price rises to $105,000, your profit will be (105,000 – 100,000) * 100 BTC / 100,000 = 5 BTC, a yield of up to 500%.

    With BexBack’s deposit bonus

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    Disclaimer: This content is provided by BexBack. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c461eca9-3533-4db2-be9e-bda12f503baa
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/63cd2ae6-6da2-4a28-848f-a568e8af4def
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    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/63ff74a3-ad9b-4073-8ee4-d0d045e6b055

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: US sovereign wealth fund: A feasible idea to invest strategically, or a giant opportunity for waste?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Patrick J. Schena, Professor of Practice and International Business, Tufts University

    U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund on Feb. 3, 2025 Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

    Could the United States soon be joining the likes of Norway, Kuwait and Mongolia in having a national reserve to invest on projects of strategic interest? If President Donald Trump gets his way, then perhaps so.

    On Feb. 3, 2025, Trump issued an executive order calling for the creation of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund.

    This was not entirely unexpected. After all, the idea had been floated in September 2024 not only by the Trump team, but also by President Joe Biden’s Treasury Department.

    Many at the time, including myself, deemed it far-fetched at best. But with the initiative now gaining traction, the time is certainly ripe to imagine what a U.S. sovereign wealth fund might look like.

    What is a sovereign wealth fund?

    In their most basic form, sovereign wealth funds are pools of government savings, usually accumulated over many years through the sale of commodities, traded goods, government-owned companies and land-use rights, among other sources.

    They share a variety of objectives, such as stabilizing government finances, ensuring the funding of retirement or education programs, saving for future generations or even managing state-owned corporations.

    They generally diversify investment across assets, geographies and sectors, including some, such as sports and entertainment in the case of Saudi Arabia, that are aligned with national development goals.

    Sovereign wealth funds are usually associated with great wealth – Norway’s “oil fund” is estimated to be worth US$1.7 trillion. With regard to scale, Norway is hardly alone. And Norway’s fund is typical in another respect: sovereign wealth funds are often based in smaller countries with outsized natural resources, like Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, or even tiny Guyana in the Caribbean.

    In reality, most sovereign wealth funds are more modest in size relative to their gross domestic products.

    How long have SWFs been around?

    Sovereign wealth funds are hardly new. The so-called modern era of sovereign wealth funds dates to the early 1950s with the creation of the Kuwait Investment Board.

    But some government investment funds, such as the Texas Permanent School Fund, established in 1854, long predate the Kuwait Investment Board.

    As is evident in the case of Texas, there are many such funds already operating in the U.S., including those in Alaska, New Mexico and Wyoming – all of which identify as “sovereign wealth funds.” These, of course, are state funds, but the term “sovereign” is generously applied.

    Sovereign wealth funds often invest outside of their geographies, not only to diversify returns but to avoid stimulating higher inflation that may result from investing at home.

    In fact, the U.S. has benefited from investments by other countries’ sovereign wealth funds. Developed market economies like the U.S. are attractive destinations for investment, given the relative strength of their institutions and the scale and liquidity of their financial markets.

    Still, over the last decade there has been a rapid expansion in the number of sovereign wealth funds investing domestically, particularly in support of strategic national goals. Some of these include funds in Ireland, India and Indonesia.

    Their investment programs target critical sectors and national “champions,” with a goal to mobilize foreign capital for co-investment in local markets.

    Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr, in which Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has a controlling stake.
    Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images

    The fundamental questions of a fund

    What could a U.S. sovereign wealth fund look like? Would it be well funded? And if so, how? Through taxes, treasury bond proceeds, budget transfers, tariffs?

    Would it invest globally or domestically? Could it be used to reinforce the Social Security system? Will it be used to tackle the dual deficits of budget and trade? Or will it have a strategic mandate – to enhance national security, energy security or climate security?

    These are all fundamental questions that must be carefully examined; creating a sovereign wealth fund should not be a backroom exercise. It needs to be conducted openly, with expert input and public deliberation.

    The process belies even more challenging organizational and governance decisions concerning the legal structure, ownership and management of the fund, the independence of its governing board, and its distance from government influence in its decisions.

    After all, the history of sovereign wealth funds is not without failed attempts. Take Malaysia’s 1MDB, which was usurped for political and personal gain and became a multibillion-dollar corruption scandal, or Venezuela’s macrostabilization and development funds, which were both effectively exhausted.

    In these cases – and others – the breakdown can be connected to failures in governance, both in design and culture, and ultimately traced back to politics.

    Where does the US start?

    It is interesting to note that it was George W. Bush’s Treasury Department during the financial crisis in 2008 that was most influential in encouraging sovereign wealth funds to define a framework of governance practices and principles.

    Known as the Santiago Principles, this set of 24 precepts, agreed to in 2008, are intended to ensure transparent and sound governance with adequate operational controls, risk management and accountability.

    To be successful and in line with the Santiago Principles, a U.S. sovereign wealth fund would have to be grounded in a functional governance structure that allows investment projects to be evaluated based on commercial merit.

    It would also need to be free of political interference and operate openly, transparently and at arm’s length from any personal or professional interests of any related parties.

    Where would it invest?

    The next thing to consider is the fund’s investment objectives and strategy. Trump has suggested that such a fund could be used to buy TikTok. But would that represent a strategic investment that advances the national competitiveness of the U.S.?

    Perhaps instead, a sovereign wealth fund might be better placed investing a majority of its capital in private markets and core infrastructure in the U.S. under a focused strategic mandate that directs money to key national priorities.

    Essential here is for the fund to be “additional.” That is to say it would invest in projects that other investors would not be able to finance on their own due to scale, difficulty or duration. In essence, the fund would “crowd in” investors, rather than crowding them out.

    And what about funding?

    Perhaps the most critical question still remains: Where will the money come from?

    Increased taxes are a nonstarter due to political will and, of course, Trump’s campaign commitments.

    Treasury bond issuances would only increase U.S. debtedness and likely lead to higher inflation. Allocations from the government’s own budget also seem to be a non-starter, as U.S. budget deficits have long been well-entrenched.

    The president has suggested that a fund could use tariff payments – but the reality of the tariff rollout is itself questionable and apparently open to negotiation.

    Malaysia’s 1MDB financed the Tun Razak Exchange tower, the tallest building in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. But it was also the source of the biggest corruption scandal in Malaysian history.
    Ore Huiying/Getty Images

    A more practical option may be a take on the traditional private equity limited partnership. In this model, the U.S. serves as general partner and joins other institutional investors – including other sovereign wealth funds – to invest in the fund.

    As general partner, the U.S. would appoint a management team that would select and manage the investments – for a fee, of course. Its mandate would be to target strong market returns, while advancing the strategic national interests of the U.S.

    The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund in India is one such example. This approach would require a smaller initial capital commitment from the U.S. and give the manager discretion over where and how to deploy capital. Needless to say, the call for strong foundational governance is reinforced under such a plan.

    To be clear: The challenges, constraints and risks of launching a U.S. sovereign wealth fund are orders of magnitude greater than similar endeavors in Guyana or Suriname.

    Imagining the creation of a fund is certainly feasible. But ensuring the fund will genuinely enhance the intergenerational welfare of all Americans may still be far-fetched.

    Patrick J. Schena has not in the last 4 years received grant funding to support his research. He collaborates in areas of mutual research interests with the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds for which he receives no compensation.

    – ref. US sovereign wealth fund: A feasible idea to invest strategically, or a giant opportunity for waste? – https://theconversation.com/us-sovereign-wealth-fund-a-feasible-idea-to-invest-strategically-or-a-giant-opportunity-for-waste-249005

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Channel 4 dominates 30th Annual Broadcast Awards 2025 with eight wins

    Source: GlobalData

    Channel 4 dominates 30th Annual Broadcast Awards 2025 with eight wins

    Posted in MBI

    London, United Kingdom, 07 February 2025 – The Broadcast Awards 2025 celebrated its 30th anniversary on Wednesday night in a star-studded ceremony at JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane, London, where Channel 4 led the night with an impressive eight wins. The event was organised by Media Business Insight (MBI) Ltd, a GlobalData company.

    Marking three decades of celebrating excellence in British television, the event gathered over 1,250 industry professionals to honour the best in TV programmes, talent, and channels.

    In a special moment to commemorate the 30th anniversary, the iconic BBC series ‘Gavin & Stacey’ was awarded the prestigious Hall of Fame award, a new category introduced this year to celebrate enduring contributions to British television. James Corden accepted the award on behalf of the series, joined by industry luminaries and celebrity guests including Alan Carr, Vicky Pattison, Susanna Reid, Kate Garraway and Pete Wicks who celebrated the series’ legacy and impact.

    Other notable highlights included:

    • ITV1 being crowned Channel of the Year
    • ‘Traitors’ indie Studio Lambert landing Best Independent Production Company for the second year running and Best Entertainment Programme for Netflix’s ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ (co-produced by The Garden)
    • ITV’s gangbuster real-life drama ‘Mr Bates vs the Post Office’ winning both Special Recognition Award and the dock10 TV Moment of the Year

    For a full list of the 2025 winners and highlights from the 30th anniversary celebration, visit: Broadcast Awards.

    Comedian Sue Perkins returned to host the event, bringing her trademark wit and humour to a packed room of industry leaders for a brilliant evening of celebration.

    Chris Curtis, Editor in Chief at Broadcast of MBI, comments: “It was fantastic to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Broadcast Awards by recognising the very best programming of the last 12 months. During a challenging period for the sector, British creative flair and production excellence have really come to the fore, and the awards night was a celebration of everything that is good about our industry.

    ‘Mr Bates vs the Post Office’ changed government policy, ‘Gavin & Stacey’ is one of the most beloved series of all time, and the hard work and brilliance of colleagues across the sector is ensuring that the next generation of programming will be just as groundbreaking.”

    The awards are judged by a specially selected panel of the leading industry figures, celebrating a year of groundbreaking and inspiring content.

    The Broadcast Awards 2025 were supported by Access Bookings, Barclays, BBC Studioworks, BMC TV, dock10, EMG/Gravity Media, ES Broadcast, Garden Studios, Iron Mountain Media & Archival Services, Maidstone Studios, Moments Lab, NEP, Pinewood TV Studios, Race Tech, Sargent-Disc, The Complete Camera Company and VERSA Studios.

    MBI is the publisher of market-leading titles including Broadcast, Broadcast Sport, Broadcast Tech, KFTV, The Knowledge and Screen International.

     

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Ne Zha 2’ becomes top-grossing film in single market worldwide

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A poster of the animated feature “Ne Zha 2” is pictured at a cinema in Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, Feb. 6, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    “Ne Zha 2,” the animated feature that has swept Chinese cinemas, has surpassed “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” to become the highest-grossing film in a single market globally.

    According to ticketing platform Beacon, the film had already grossed over 6.79 billion yuan (about 947 million U.S. dollars) on the Chinese mainland by 9:11 p.m. Friday, overtaking the North American box office for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

    “Ne Zha 2” has already become the highest-grossing film of all time in China. By 1:25 p.m. Thursday, its earnings had exceeded 5.77 billion yuan — the previous record held by “The Battle at Lake Changjin” — in just eight days and five hours.

    Chinese netizens on various social media platforms have cheered on its success, leaving congratulatory posts and expressing high hopes for the progress of the Chinese film industry.

    “This is a true master of their own destiny,” one netizen wrote under the username Huang Lei, referring to a popular line delivered by the film’s protagonist, Nezha: “I am the master of my own destiny.”

    Ticketing platform Maoyan has revised its domestic box office forecast for “Ne Zha 2” upward to an impressive 10.85 billion yuan (approximately 1.51 billion U.S. dollars), making it the first Chinese film ever projected to surpass the 10-billion-yuan mark in total earnings.

    With these achievements under its belt, “Ne Zha 2” has firmly cemented its place at the pinnacle of China’s cinematic history. This milestone comes on the heels of its predecessor, “Ne Zha,” which grossed 5 billion yuan and topped the country’s box office charts in 2019.

    The sequel continues the story of the iconic character from Chinese mythology. Set after the events of the first film, it follows Nezha and Aobing as their souls are saved but their physical forms face dissolution. With the help of the immortal Taiyi Zhenren, who uses the Seven-Colored Lotus to reconstruct their bodies, the two heroes must face numerous challenges.

    The film combines breathtaking animation with a rich narrative rooted in traditional folklore, taking audiences on an emotional journey that blends action, humor, and heart.

    “Ne Zha 2” has captivated audiences and maintained its strong box office momentum since its release during the Chinese New Year.

    The animated feature alone accounted for half of what has amounted to a historic 2025 Spring Festival holiday box office total — a total which surpassed 9.5 billion yuan from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4.

    Its broad appeal is evident in its audience demographics. Over 30 percent of “Ne Zha 2” viewers attended theaters in groups, a notably high figure compared to other films, said Beacon analyst Chen Jin, citing data from the platform.

    The sequel has drawn large numbers of young families, making it a film that resonates across all ages.

    Additionally, “Ne Zha 2” has successfully attracted a significant number of viewers aged 30 to 39, a group that had largely retreated from cinemas in recent years, according to Chen. These mid-to-low-frequency moviegoers have returned to theaters thanks to the film’s exceptional word-of-mouth popularity.

    This robust performance marks a major win for China’s film industry, which faced a tough year in 2024, with box office revenues down 23 percent from 2023 and 34 percent from the pre-pandemic peak in 2019.

    In this context, the record-breaking success of “Ne Zha 2” is being hailed as a much-needed boost for the sector.

    Maoyan analyst Lai Li described the film as a major milestone, particularly for China’s growing animation industry. “The success of ‘Ne Zha 2’ has set the tone for the year,” Lai said. “It highlights the incredible resilience and growth potential of China’s film market, and we’re excited to see how the rest of 2025 unfolds.”

    Beyond its domestic box office figures, “Ne Zha 2” is poised to make waves internationally and act as a cultural bridge offering global audiences a glimpse into China’s rich mythology and traditions.

    Director Yang Yu, known as Jiaozi, has emphasized that the international success of Chinese cinema depends on the intrinsic charm of the works themselves. “It’s about whether a script, a story and its characters can move audiences worldwide,” he said in a video interview. “These are not things that can be outsourced.”

    Jiaozi also shared the personal journey the “Ne Zha” films have taken him on, explaining how the series has evolved from his own passion into a broad cultural phenomenon.

    “The first step was creating something I loved, and domestic audiences loved it too,” he said. “Over time, I’ve worked to improve it, to refine my craft. I believe that one day, new ideas, deeper meanings, and new soul will emerge from it, and the whole world will be able to appreciate it.”

    His views have been echoed by film industry experts. Rao Shuguang, president of the China Film Critics Association, attributed the film’s extraordinary success to its fusion of traditional Chinese mythology and modern storytelling, which makes it highly relatable to contemporary audiences.

    “The film proves that a good movie needs a compelling story, sharp storytelling, and well-developed characters,” Rao told Xinhua, voicing hope that China will continue to produce high-quality films that engage audiences and draw more people to theaters.

    MIL OSI China News –