Category: Entertainment

  • NPCI International Accelerates UPI Adoption Across UAE to Support Cashless Economy Vision

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    NPCI International Payments Limited has announced significant progress in expanding India’s Unified Payments Interface acceptance across the United Arab Emirates, unveiling strategic initiatives to deepen the digital payment platform’s integration as both countries strengthen their financial connectivity.

    The expansion supports the UAE’s ambitious vision of achieving a cashless economy while enhancing cross-border payment experiences for millions of Indians who travel between the two nations annually. UPI, India’s real-time account-to-account payment system, enables instant and secure transactions through mobile applications, currently handling over 18 billion transactions monthly to become one of the world’s leading digital payment infrastructures.

    The UAE represents one of India’s most active travel and remittance corridors, with India’s Ministry of Tourism reporting over seven million Indians visiting the UAE annually, making them the country’s largest group of international visitors. This substantial flow of travelers creates significant opportunities for digital payment integration, allowing visitors to use familiar mobile payment applications from India while providing UAE merchants access to a digitally sophisticated customer base.

    Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India in Dubai, emphasized the transformative impact of the integration, stating that the experience of Indian diaspora and travelers to the UAE will be revolutionized after complete integration of UPI with the UAE’s digital payments architecture. He praised NPCI International’s aggressive efforts with merchant establishments, payment solution providers, and banks in the UAE to ensure seamless experiences for Indian customers.

    NPCI International has established a solid foundation for UPI in the UAE through strategic collaborations with leading financial institutions and payment solution providers. Key partnerships with NeoPay from Mashreq Bank, Network International, and Magnati have enabled QR-based UPI acceptance across a rapidly expanding merchant network. High-profile outlets including Dubai Duty Free and Lulu Hypermarket are already accepting UPI payments, allowing Indian customers to settle purchases directly from their Indian bank accounts.

    Ritesh Shukla, Managing Director and CEO of NPCI International, highlighted the milestone as bringing unparalleled convenience to millions of Indian travelers and residents while strengthening the digital bridge between the two economies. He emphasized that the expansion demonstrates growing global confidence in India’s digital payment innovations and supports the UAE’s cashless economy vision through seamless, secure, and real-time payment capabilities.

    To accelerate adoption, NPCI International is working closely with UAE regulators and acquirers to enable UPI in high-frequency sectors including retail, hospitality, entertainment, transportation, and essential services. The platform supports real-time payments in Indian rupees, displays transparent exchange rates, and complies with safeguards such as transaction limits, two-factor authentication, and international usage controls issued by the Reserve Bank of India.

    The initiative aligns with the Government of Dubai’s announced goal of achieving 90 percent digital transactions by 2026. NPCI International is enhancing its presence in the country by expanding UPI acceptance through sustained collaboration with UAE-based partners, committed to delivering seamless and secure digital payment experiences that generate lasting value for consumers, merchants, and the wider economy.

    The expansion represents a significant step in cross-border financial connectivity, leveraging UPI’s open and interoperable architecture along with its rigorous security framework that allows smooth adaptation to regulatory environments beyond India. The initiative demonstrates the practical application of digital payment innovation in supporting bilateral economic relationships and facilitating international commerce.

    NPCI International, incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India in April 2020, serves as NPCI’s international arm devoted to deploying India’s indigenous real-time payment system and card scheme outside of India. The company focuses on transforming payments globally through technology and innovation, enabling payments for Indians while supporting other countries in enhancing their payment capabilities through technological assistance, consulting, and infrastructure development.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Opening date announced for The Spirit Run Distillery and Bar at Derby Market Hall

    Source: City of Derby

    Get ready for an exciting new addition to Derby Market Hall! The Spirit Run Distillery and Bar will launch on Saturday 19 July.

    The venue is the latest venture from Darley Abbey Wines and will occupy the newly-renovated former Poultry Market space within Derby Market Hall.

    At the heart of the impressive space will be the distillery, creating high-quality spirits inside bespoke, British-made copper stills, built by Somerset company, BritStill.

    The Spirit Run Bar will offer a truly unique experience, allowing customers to admire the iconic stills while enjoying a cocktail, a refreshing gin, or a glass of wine. 

    For those eager to delve deeper into the world of spirits, innovative gin and cocktail experiences will be available. These immersive journeys can be booked for mixed groups or private parties, offering a fantastic opportunity to learn and indulge. 

    The bar will specialise in spirits – of course – featuring a strong cocktail menu and showcasing The Spirit Run’s own creations alongside those from other local distillers and well-known brands. Customers can also choose from eight draft beers, including selections from Derbyshire’s Thornbridge brewery, and explore a select rotating list of ‘discovery wines’ for an adventurous tasting experience. 

    Nichol Malia-Barlow, owner of The Spirit Run, said:

    We’re thrilled to have had the opportunity to transform the historic former poultry market into our ‘spiritual home’, so-to-speak! 

    It now houses one of only a handful of British designed and built, copper micro-distilleries which will produces our range of gin and rum. 

    The bar will add a new hospitality experience to the city, inspired by our visits to Scottish Whisky distilleries, where customers can enjoy a nice drink whist seeing their favourite tipple in the making. We hope to see you all very soon!

    The Spirit Run has teamed up with fellow Derby Market Hall trader, Japanese street food restaurant Shio, to offer customers some tasty small plates to go with their favourite drink. Keep a look out IZAKAYA – their Sunday Japanese Brunch Club, which is coming soon.

    Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council, said:

    I’m so excited about The Spirit Run Distillery coming to Derby Market Hall. This is exactly what we strive for – championing brilliant local independent businesses while bringing something genuinely unique and exciting to our visitors.

    It’s going to be a fantastic new addition to the Market Hall experience.

    Darley Abbey Wines, which began as a wine merchant in 2007, has steadily expanded its offerings. They opened a popular wine bar at Darley Abbey Mills, known for its live music and tasting events, and established Darley Abbey Distillery in 2020. 

    Located at the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, their home is a seventeenth-century cotton mill which once produced the finest cotton thread. Today, Darley Abbey Wines expertly crafts fine spirits in small batches, honouring the building’s rich history. 

    Their first gin, The Uncommon Thread London Dry, launched in November 2022 to great success. The new Derby Market Hall distillery will allow them to increase production, expand existing and new brands, and facilitate exciting small-batch local projects and collaborations.

    The iconic Derby Market Hall reopened in May following a £35.1 million restoration, creating a vibrant venue that brings together the best of the region’s independent shopping, eating, drinking, and entertainment under one beautiful roof.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Expands Tizen OS Licensing Program with New Global Partners and Enhanced Offerings

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics today announced a significant expansion of the Samsung Tizen OS Licensing Program, reinforcing its position as a leading provider of smart TV operating systems.
     
     
    Tizen OS Continues To Grow As Reliable Smart TV Platform
    Following the launch of Samsung Tizen OS 8.0, the licensing program now includes prominent original design manufacturers (ODMs). This marks an important milestone in the evolution of the Tizen ecosystem and demonstrates strong global demand for Samsung’s acclaimed smart TV platform. In its licensing program, Samsung continues to build strategic partnerships with companies that prioritize high-quality products and reliable support throughout the entire value chain.
     
    Additionally, Samsung Tizen OS will be embedded in new TVs from well-known brands in key markets, enhancing its presence across Europe, North and Latin America, and Australia. Notable new additions include EKO and QBELL (Ayonz) in Australia and Europe, RCA (Kayve Groupo) in Mexico, RCA (Treasure Creek) in the United States and Canada, and Axdia in Germany. Many more brands are expected to join in the second half of 2025 as Samsung continues to expand its strategic partnerships into new markets.
     

     
    “We are proud to expand our RCA TV portfolio across Mexico and Latin America through our partnership with Samsung’s Tizen OS,” said Jonathan Vera, Head of Marketing & Communications, Grupo Kayve. “The Tizen team provides comprehensive technical and marketing support, enabling an agile go-to-market process.”
     
    “Partnering with Samsung on Tizen OS allows us to deliver high-quality and competitive smart TV solutions to our global brand customers,” said Gerard Louis, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Axdia,
     
     
    Premium Content and Connectivity at Core of Tizen OS-Powered Smart TVs
    Samsung is also dedicated to continuous platform innovation, introducing smart features such as advanced content discovery, integration with Samsung TV Plus for FAST channel services, cloud gaming capabilities via Samsung Gaming Hub, and seamless multi-device connectivity through SmartThings. These enhancements ensure that licensees benefit not only from proven technology but also from a forward-looking platform that adapts to evolving consumer expectations.
     
    To further differentiate Tizen-powered TVs at retail, Samsung offers tailored marketing kits and digital content toolkits for each region, enabling partners to highlight key attributes such as premium content access, fast performance, and smart connectivity—all backed by Samsung’s robust global brand credibility.
     
    As the Tizen OS Licensing Program evolves to meet the needs of global partners, Samsung is broadening regional coverage, introducing more affordable hardware solutions, and enhancing app availability worldwide. Moreover, partners can gain access to Samsung’s specialized R&D support to confidently bring Tizen-powered smart TVs to market.
     

     
    “Tizen OS is recognized for its performance, reliability, and innovation,” said Jooyoung Kim, Vice President at Samsung Electronics. “This year, we are focused on expanding our licensing program and creating diverse collaboration strategies for our key partners. We are serious about growing our global partner network and enhancing the ecosystem. By offering expanded regional support, an enriched app ecosystem, and tailored marketing resources, we aim to deliver even greater value to consumers worldwide.”
     
    With Tizen OS extending beyond Samsung’s own TV offerings, the company remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering an open, robust, and premium smart TV experience for consumers around the world.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI China: No ‘Superman’ without China, says James Gunn

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

    The new “Superman” movie could not have happened without China, director James Gunn said at the film’s Beijing premiere Thursday, stressing the country’s significant influence on his filmmaking.

    Peter Safran and James Gunn, co-chairmen and co-CEOs of DC Studios, light up an installation inspired by Superman’s Arctic headquarters at the China premiere of “Superman” in Beijing, July 10, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery]

    “‘Superman’ is a movie for everybody across the world, and it’s especially for the people of China,” Gunn told the crowd at Beijing’s Taikoo Li Sanlitun, a popular shopping complex where the premiere was held. “China is the most important place for me in terms of where I learned to make movies and how I love to make movies.”

    Gunn, who also serves as co-chairman and co-CEO of DC Studios, elaborated, “It’s so important, and this movie would not exist without the great filmmakers of Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland. So I thank you so much for that.”

    Gunn has often spoken of his devotion to Chinese kung fu movies, especially classic films made in Hong Kong. In a separate interview with China.org.cn earlier Thursday, he said the roots and inspiration for his films can be traced to China, citing favorites such as Stephen Chow’s “Kung Fu Hustle,” Johnnie To’s “The Heroic Trio,” and movies featuring Jet Li or directed by Wong Kar-wai.

    “Even though I’ve only been to China once before, it’s like coming home to me,” Gunn said. “These are the movies that fueled this — it [‘Superman’] does not exist without this.”

    “If I exist for any reason, it’s to be able to have stories that I tell using Chinese and Eastern ways of storytelling and mixing that with Western ways of storytelling,” Gunn said. “That’s why it’s so important to me, and it’s what moved me to be a filmmaker.”

    Regarding his “Superman,” Gunn said, “I can’t wait for you guys to see the movie. It’s a movie about kindness in a world that isn’t always so kind.”

    The entrance of the Taikoo Li Sanlitun shopping complex was transformed into an immersive Superman experience for the premiere. The event featured giant posters, life-size character cutouts, looping trailers, and behind-the-scenes footage. Gunn attended the event alongside Peter Safran, co-chairman and co-CEO of DC Studios, to unveil an installation modeled on Superman’s Fortress of Solitude.

    Nearby, Emperor Group’s flagship cinema was also decorated with Superman-themed installations and posters. Industry leaders, fans and invited guests lined up for both the film’s first screening and a special interaction with Gunn and Safran. The event was connected to more than 1,000 screens across China for live audience engagement.

    “If you like ‘Guardians of the Galaxy,’ you will love this movie,” Safran said. “Superman is the original superhero. James has done something incredibly special with this film, and I think you’re going to love it.”

    Peter Safran and James Gunn, co-chairmen and co-CEOs of DC Studios, interact with the audience and a Chinese performer at the premiere of “Superman” in Beijing, July 10, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery]

    Gunn’s “Superman” has opened to rave reviews from critics and audiences. In this reboot, when Superman becomes involved in conflicts both at home and abroad, his actions draw scrutiny. This gives tech billionaire Lex Luthor the chance to remove the Man of Steel once and for all.

    The film features dazzling action, humor and vibrant colors. Luthor, reporter Lois Lane and Superman’s dog Krypto contribute standout performances. Many critics say actor David Corenswet’s portrayal of Superman is more human and relatable than previous versions.

    “Superman” now holds an 82% critics’ approval rating from 267 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with audience scores reaching 95%. The film is widely seen as a successful reboot that launches the DC Universe’s ambitious new phase. Industry experts project it may earn more than $200 million worldwide during its opening weekend. The film opened across China on July 11.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI Video: How sport can change lives: the real life story of the Homeless World Cup

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    “The Beautiful Game” is a feelgood movie about a football tournament between teams of homeless people from around the world, with the upbeat message that sport can change, even save, lives.
    We speak to the man who created the real-life Homeless World Cup, an annual event aimed at lifting people out of homelessness.
    Guest: Mel Young, President of the Homeless World Cup
    Related podcats:
    The 90-year-old using sports to change the lives of refugees

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    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI: Lightchain AI Launches Bonus Round as Community-Driven Funding Crosses $21M Milestone

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHREWSBURY, United Kingdom, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lightchain AI, a decentralized blockchain protocol built for artificial intelligence applications, today announced the launch of its Bonus Round following the successful conclusion of its 15-stage presale campaign. The Bonus Round offers LCAI tokens at a fixed price of $0.007, with the project now surpassing $21.1 million in decentralized funding from global participants.

    Unlike centralized blockchain launches that rely on exchange ecosystems or institutional backers, Lightchain AI’s growth has been fueled entirely by its community—through validator node engagement, presale participation, and builder activity. The platform’s open infrastructure, AI-native virtual machine, and interoperability framework are attracting contributors ahead of the upcoming mainnet.

    “We’ve intentionally built Lightchain AI to align with decentralized principles from the ground up,” said a Lightchain AI spokesperson. “Crossing $21 million with no central control, no private allocations, and no insider listing deals shows what’s possible when builders and participants share a long-term vision.”

    The protocol’s roadmap includes support for AI-optimized smart contracts, developer grants, cross-chain integrations, and decentralized finance (DeFi) partnerships. These integrations are actively underway, enabling real-world applications such as data-driven derivatives, compute markets, and decentralized yield strategies.

    To further incentivize ecosystem development, Lightchain AI has launched a $150,000 Developer Grant Program, aimed at onboarding open-source contributors, infrastructure developers, and dApp builders. Community members can apply directly to receive funding and technical resources to build within the Lightchain ecosystem.

    Staking mechanisms and validator onboarding tools are also now live, allowing token holders to participate in network security and begin simulating long-term reward behavior in advance of the protocol’s full network launch.

    The community-focused architecture is backed by a tokenomics model that reallocates former team allocations into ecosystem growth. Specifically, the initial 5% team token share has been redirected entirely into validator, builder, and liquidity incentives—further reinforcing the protocol’s decentralized mission.

    With its Bonus Round now active and DeFi partnerships underway, Lightchain AI is preparing for its next phase: mainnet activation and cross-chain deployment. Developers, investors, and infrastructure contributors are invited to join the network ahead of launch and participate in its decentralized build-out.

    For more information, visit:
    lightchain.ai
    Whitepaper
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    Contact:
    SHAJAN SKARIA
    media@lightchain.ai

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by Lightchain AI. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

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    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0101729f-08f1-49ce-acf0-8968591cf11f

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI China: Thomas Rabe: Carrying the humanitarian legacy

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

    At this year’s Orchid Awards, established by China International Communications Group, German professor and medical expert Thomas Rabe was presented with the Friendship Envoy Award in recognition of his lifelong efforts to promote China-Germany friendship and carry forward the humanitarian legacy of his grandfather, John Rabe.

    Thomas Rabe standing beside the statue of his grandfather John Rabe. [Photo provided by Thomas Rabe]

    A renowned gynecological endocrinologist and professor at Heidelberg University, Rabe has made notable contributions to medical cooperation between China and Germany. But beyond his professional achievements, it is his dedication to preserving and sharing his grandfather’s legacy that has touched people in China and around the world.

    John Rabe, remembered in China as the “Good Man of Nanjing,” was a German businessman who helped establish the Nanjing Safety Zone during the Nanjing Massacre in 1937, saving the lives of more than 250,000 Chinese civilians. 

    Despite threats to his own life, John Rabe opened his home and workplace to refugees, declaring, “If you want to kill the Chinese here, you have to kill me first,” recalled Thomas Rabe.

    “Though being a member of the Nazi Party, he did not act ideologically, but with compassion and kindness. His actions were driven by empathy and a strong sense of justice,” said Thomas Rabe.

    For decades, the full extent of John Rabe’s heroism remained unknown, until the discovery and publication of his diaries, which document in vivid detail the atrocities committed by the Japanese forces during the massacre. Thomas Rabe, who inherited the manuscripts from his father, made it his mission to bring these important historical records to light. In 2016, he donated the original Nanjing volumes of the diaries to China’s Central Archives. The diaries are now part of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.

    “I believe young people must learn what really happened,” said Thomas Rabe, emphasizing that people cannot change the world all at once, but can start by helping those around us. “That’s what my grandfather did.”

    That same humanitarian spirit continues to live on through Thomas Rabe. He founded the John Rabe Communication Center in six cities around the world, including Nanjing and Heidelberg, which host exhibitions, lectures, and cultural events aimed at deepening understanding between China and Germany.

    As a leading figure in gynecological endocrinology and reproductive medicine, Rabe has led numerous collaborative medical projects with Chinese institutions. With his support, Chinese teams reached milestones such as the country’s first successful ovarian tissue transplantation and natural pregnancy post-treatment.

    Thomas Rabe receives the Friendship Envoy Award of the 2025 Orchid Awards in Beijing, July 10, 2025. [Poster designed by Song Xiucheng/China.org.cn]

    Receiving the Orchid Award, Rabe said, “It’s a big honor for me and my family to be here today. Because it’s an honor not only for me, it’s an honor for 117 years of collaboration between my family — over four generations — with China.”

    Looking ahead, Thomas Rabe is focused on carrying the legacy forward. He is currently working on a four-episode documentary series about John Rabe’s life and values, which he hopes to bring to global audiences through collaboration with platforms like Netflix.

    He shared that his son, Maximilian Rabe, has been learning Chinese. “I will continue the mission that started with my great-grandfather during the Japanese occupation in Nanjing, as well as the mission promoted by my father through for example the John Rabe Communication Center,” said Maximilian Rabe, emphasizing that he will continue the legacy of promoting peace between Germany and China and also between China and the world.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: Global champions of cultural exchange honored with Orchid Awards

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

    The ceremony for the second Orchid Awards is held in Beijing, July 10, 2025. [Photo/CICG] 

    Nine foreign nationals and a foreign institution were recognized on Thursday in Beijing with the 2025 Orchid Awards, celebrating their long-standing contributions to cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and the rest of the world.

    This year’s recipients come from diverse backgrounds and are engaged in a variety of fields. Among them include Irina Bokova, former director-general of UNESCO, who received the Lifetime Honorary Award; the Philadelphia Orchestra, who received the Outstanding Achievement Award; as well as Elyn Maclnnis, convener of “Friends of Kuliang” from the U.S., who received the Friendship Envoy Award. 

    At the ceremony, many awardees stressed that fostering cultural exchange and promoting mutual understanding among civilizations are essential to advancing shared development. 

    “I believe that dialogue among civilizations is not a luxury that we may put for the next [generation], but it should be part of our daily lives and our daily engagement with each other, at the grassroots level and also on the global stage.” Bokova said when receiving the award. “We have to act as one humanity with a shared future.”

    Bokova was the first woman to become the director-general of UNESCO. Throughout her career, she has been involved in significant cooperation efforts with China, particularly in areas related to education and culture.

    “We need these dialogues among civilizations, which is put forward by the Global Civilization initiative,” she said.

    The Global Civilization Initiative, proposed by China in 2023, advocates respect for the diversity of civilizations, the common values of humanity, the importance of inheritance and innovation of civilizations, as well as robust international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.

    Echoing this vision, award recipients expressed their commitment to preserving cultural diversity, supporting cross-cultural dialogue, and strengthening people-to-people bonds.

    Receiving the Friendship Envoy Award in Beijing, Elyn Maclnnis said, “I have spent much of my life building bridges of friendship between China and the United States. The bridges are not made of steel or stone — they are built from warm, kindhearted people, and the stories of their lives in China that I have had the privilege to share.”

    Maclnnis was recognized for her various contributions to cultural exchange, including the establishment of “Friends of Kuliang,” a group of descendants of American families who once lived harmoniously with local Chinese residents since the 1880s in Fuzhou province.

    “When we listen to one another, when we care for one another, when we accept our differences, when we remember our shared stories, that’s when friendship grows,” she said.

    The Philadelphia Orchestra was the single foreign institution receiving the Orchid Awards this year. The orchestra made history in 1973 as the first American orchestra to perform in China, returning more than a dozen times since. 

    “As we celebrate this milestone, we are working toward a deep understanding of how our history forms the present and a bright future,” Wang Yixun, a senior consultant for the Philadelphia Orchestra. “The orchestra’s common belief is that music can build bridges, and we take the potential of this belief very seriously.”

    The Orchid Awards, initiated by China International Communications Group, recognize non-Chinese individuals and organizations for their contributions to facilitating exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

    The awards were presented across three categories: Lifetime Honorary Award, Outstanding Achievement Award, and Friendship Envoy Award. Winners this year emerged out of over 300 candidates from around 80 countries and regions.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: Young people from 14 countries join Beijing salon on cultural exchange

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

    The Youth Salon on China Studies, held Thursday in Beijing, brought together 25 young media professionals and students from 14 countries to explore cultural connections, promote dialogue and share perspectives on modern China and common values.

    The Youth Salon on China Studies is held in Beijing, July 10, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Contemporary World magazine]

    The event featured a range of sessions, including international media experts sharing their impressions of China, Chinese media professionals discussing how to tell China’s stories well, and a workshop on cooperation.

    Elkana Kuhenga from Tanzania’s Daily News described China using the words “infrastructure,” “culture” and “business and technology.” He said bilateral collaboration in these areas — through large-scale projects, exchange programs and cost-effective trade — has led to a growing and mutually beneficial partnership.

    Rustambekov Mirzaolim Mirzokhid Ugli of Uzbekistan’s MY5 TV highlighted “innovation,” “heritage” and “connectivity” in describing features of China, pointing to the country’s digital transformation and the widespread use of mobile payments as examples.

    “From artificial intelligence to smart city infrastructure and renewable energy, innovation is reshaping industries and daily life,” he said. “This culture of progress and adaptation reflects a society determined to embrace the future.”

    The Youth Salon on China Studies is held in Beijing, July 10, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Contemporary World magazine]

    During the cooperation workshop, participants highlighted shared values including sincerity, amity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. They illustrated these values using symbols such as bridges and phrases like “friendship is more precious than gold.” These contributions were placed on a collaborative display titled “A Tree of Youth Cooperation.”

    Participants agreed that culture serves as a bridge between nations, dialogue among civilizations promotes global peace and development, and values such as friendship, inclusiveness and diversity are essential for international cooperation.

    The event concluded with participants adding their research interests on China to the collaborative display titled “A Tree of Youth Cooperation,” with topics ranging from technological transformation to traditional myths and cultural heritage.

    The Youth Salon on China Studies is held in Beijing, July 10, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Contemporary World magazine]

    The salon was organized by Contemporary World magazine, a publication of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for information – Assault – Nightcliff

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The NT Police Force are calling for information in relation to an assault that occurred at the intersection of Dick Ward Drive and Progress Drive yesterday evening.

    About 10pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that a female was allegedly physically and sexually assaulted by a male who then ran from the area.

    Members of the public intervened and assisted police in locating the suspect, who was arrested a short time later. The 19-year-old male was taken into police custody and investigations are ongoing. The detail of any relationship between the parties forms part of the investigation.

    The victim was conveyed to the Royal Darwin Hospital for medical assessment.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Caragh Hen said, “This incident occurred in a very public place, in full view of pedestrians and motorists.  The reported offending is abhorrent and brazen and has no place in our Community.”

    Investigations remain ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 and reference job number NTP2500070146. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    If you have CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident, it may be uploaded here: https://ntpol.au.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/ntp2500070146

    The NT Police Force thanks the witnesses who intervened on this occasion to protect the victim and prevent further violence.

    If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline (131 114).

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-Evening Report: A new exhibition is a thoughtful examination of the lasting relationship between Asia and Australia

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanna Mendelssohn, Honorary Senior Fellow, School of Culture and Communication, The University of Melbourne

    Jacky Cheng, Imaginary Homelands, 2025, installation view, The Neighbour at the Gate, National Art School Gallery, Sydney, 2025. Image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Peter Morgan

    Almost 60 years after former prime minister Harold Holt began to dismantle the White Australia Policy, The Neighbour at the Gate at Sydney’s National Art School Gallery presents a thoughtful examination of the consequences when good neighbours become good friends.

    Street posters promoting the exhibition feature an image of a magpie. Advertising always distorts. Pardu (Tirritpa) by James Tylor, who has Kaurna and Mãori heritage, is a series of groupings of exquisite small bird daguerreotypes. Their shadowed silver surface gives the impression of antiquity, which is Tylor’s intention.

    In Kaurna, the names of birds come from the songs they sing. This is also how birds are named in many Asian languages. Onomatopoeia makes a bridge between cultures. A QR code on the wall next to each grouped images of birds allows the viewer to hear blends of birdsong with human music.

    James Tylor, Pardu (detail), 2025, installation view, The Neighbour at the Gate, National Art School Gallery, Sydney, 2025.
    Image courtesy the artist and the National Art School © the artist, photograph: Peter Morgan

    Remembering the past

    The visitor enters the exhibition through Imaginary Homelands, Jacky Cheng’s installation in the shape of a traditional Chinese paifang (牌坊).

    The 1,110 strips of paper, with fragments of Chinese characters, represent a poem she learnt as child in Kuala Lumpur. But some of the language has been lost by the distortions of time. She now lives on Yawuru country (Broome), an Australian town with close links to many South East Asian cultures.

    In remembering her past, she grasps elements of her Malay Chinese heritage.

    Dennis Golding’s Bingo is possibly as fragmented a memory as Cheng’s. Golding, a Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay man, has made a tribute to the community space his Nan and Aunty created in an abandoned terrace house in the Block at Redfern, where at night they would play bingo.

    Dennis Golding, Bingo, 2025, installation view, The Neighbour at the Gate, National Art School Gallery, Sydney, 2025.
    Image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Peter Morgan

    Each of the etchings scattered across the wall is the size of brick; each quotes small details of community life in Redfern before it was “discovered” by the gentrifiers. The exquisite etchings appear to be scattered at random, but a careful look will show the word “Bingo” in white in the spaces on the wall.

    Elham Eshraghian-Haakansson’s God of War is a beautiful and sensual video on love, rage, reconciliation and the emotional journey of being a refugee.

    Elham Eshraghian-Haakansson, God of War, 2025, installation view, The Neighbour at the Gate, National Art School Gallery, Sydney, 2025.
    Image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Peter Morgan

    Eshraghian-Haakansson is a second generation Iranian-Australian whose work is shaped in part by the experience of her mother and grandmother, whose Baha’i faith placed them in peril in 1979 after the Ayatollahs seized power. The different segments of this elegant video are deliberately broken by rough insertions, giving it a sense of a work reclaimed from history.

    Along the water

    Jenna Mayilema Lee’s complex installation in three parts is both a universal statement on the integration that is the long-term consequence of the meeting of cultures, and a personal statement on her own circumstances.

    Each component – the photographic mural, the video and the billabong sculpture – can be seen as an independent work, but when combined they form magic.

    Lee is truly a modern Australian, descended from Gulumerridjin (Larrakia), Wardaman, KarraJarri people as well as having Japanese, Filipino, Chinese and Anglo ancestors.

    Jenna Mayilema Lee, Portal to the Bangarr (billabong), 2025, installation view, The Neighbour at the Gate, National Art School Gallery, Sydney, 2025.
    Image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Peter Morgan

    The lotus sculptures in the billabong are constructed from copies of immigration documentation. Her Chinese ancestors were living in Australia well before the White Australia policy of 1901. When they needed to travel, bureaucracy demanded multiple forms.

    She has layered the forms with a hand print from one of her Japanese ancestors which, much to her pleasure, she discovered is the same size as her own hand.

    The billabongs of northern Australia, especially in Larrakia country, are filled with lotus plants. The ancestors of the lotus plants of northern Australia floated across the narrow seas from Asia many years ago, in much the same way as people.

    Water does not always bring life. James Nguyen’s Homeopathies_where new trees grow, is a reminder of another consequence of colonisation.

    James Nguyen, Homeopathies_where new trees grow (detail), 2025, installation view, The Neighbour at the Gate, National Art School Gallery, Sydney, 2025.
    Image courtesy the artist and the National Art School © the artist, photograph: Peter Morgan

    As with many other Vietnamese Australians, his family lives near the Parramatta and Duck rivers, west of central Sydney. One of the horrors of the Vietnam war was the way Agent Orange, destroyed both the jungle and the lives of people who came into contact with it.

    Agent Orange was made by Union Carbide, near the Parramatta River. When the factory closed the contaminated site was not properly sealed and the poison seeped into the river.

    Nguyen’s giant floating textile is of made of raw cotton and silk strips, dyed with mud and weeds contaminated by dioxin and Agent Orange. The evil of contamination is countered by clay pinchpot incense holders which line the stairs and entrances to the exhibition.

    The cleansing smoke of incense is another link between the cultures of Asia and those of Australia’s First Nations people.

    The Neighbour at the Gate is a generous and inclusive exhibition, a reminder of a common humanity. Clothilde Bullen, who heads the curatorium with Micheal Do and Zali Morgan, sees art as a way of countering divisions in society.

    She told me:

    If we are to work as a society and if we are to work as a community then we have to call people in, and we have to be prepared to embrace that difference. And so that is really what this show is all about.


    The Neighbour at the Gate is at the National Art School Galleries, Sydney, until October 18.

    Joanna Mendelssohn has in the past received funding from the Australian Research Council

    ref. A new exhibition is a thoughtful examination of the lasting relationship between Asia and Australia – https://theconversation.com/a-new-exhibition-is-a-thoughtful-examination-of-the-lasting-relationship-between-asia-and-australia-259040

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU developed a board game “Startup Race”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    NSU Startup Studio developed a board game “Startup Race”, which simulates the actions of a startup in a real market. The game includes all stages of a startup’s life – from developing an idea to exiting the project. It allows you to show students and anyone interested in and planning to engage in entrepreneurship in a simple form what awaits them in the market. The game is implemented in a rare genre of “strategic puzzle”, at the moment there are no analogues on the market. In the near future, a boxed version of the game will appear, which will be available for pre-order. Anyone can buy it.

    The game is structured as follows: participants roll dice in accordance with the stage of the startup’s life, which is announced in advance by the game host. They draw cards from the deck, presented as Tetris figures. The figures build a line, which, in essence, reflects the entire life cycle of the project. Cards or figures are opportunities (for example, fundraising) or risks.

    The first stage of startup development is the idea, when the project is just emerging. It is the easiest for players, since at the very beginning, participants have the most cards and it is easiest to lay the foundation for further development of the project. The next stage is MVP (Minimum Viable Product), that is, the creation of a minimum viable product. At this stage, some obstacles to the development of the project appear, for example, the idea has not come true or the participant cannot achieve certain technical indicators. The number of figures decreases.

    The next stage is Product-Market Fit (PMF), i.e. checking the product’s compliance with the market. At this stage, players develop a concept taking into account the real market situation, a marketing plan, and the project gets its first real clients. At the same time, risks arise that can destroy the project.

    Next comes the scaling stage, when the project can already attract fundraising funds, which is also reflected in the game. Fundraising funds are special cards that provide a significant boost to the further development of the project. The last stage is exiting the project, which is associated with the greatest risks for the creator. Investments can also be attracted at this stage, but the opportunities for scaling are limited. This is one of the longest stages for the project and its founder. Possible exit strategies include selling the business, shares, public offering of shares (IPO), etc.

    — A player can develop several projects simultaneously and build different strategies on several markets — tracks. It is very important that your main project, on which you place a high bet, has repeating figures. There are risks — these are cards that can remove one of the figures within the entire chain, which can lead to the collapse of the project. There are specialized cards — fundraising, which, on the contrary, give you additional opportunities. In terms of Tetris, these are the most “favorable” figures — for example, a long straight line. You can simultaneously invest in several projects or develop only one, but in any case, your task is to successfully develop the project, go through all the stages and bring the startup to the final stage as quickly as possible, — explained Konstantin Kravtsov, an employee of the NSU Startup Studio.

    The game simulates market competition, so within its framework you can hinder or, conversely, help your rivals. Also here are such mandatory elements of entrepreneurial activity as risk assessment and diversification, choice of development strategy – conservative or risky. Thus, the game in a simplified mechanical form simulates the actions of a person who develops his startup on the market.

    The game is designed for different groups of people, including those who are not very knowledgeable about the startup market; children also actively play it.

    — The Startup Race is not just entertainment, but a tool for involving the general public in entrepreneurship. It helps to understand that a startup is not just a “cafe”, but an innovative, fast-growing business that scales. The NSU Startup Studio team plans to replicate the game. At first, it will be packaged in a boxed version, and then it will be available for pre-order. The possibility of creating an elite version of the game, which can be used as representative gifts, is also being considered, — emphasized Alexey Starostin, a representative of the NSU Startup Studio.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Come to Ordos to have a fun summer holiday!

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    Looking for an interesting place to spend your summer vacation? Come to Kangbashi District, Ordos, Inner Mongolia! Fireworks, drones, musical fountain – the “three-piece set” will appear at the same time. Car stunts, lawn concerts, new energy car sales, housing subsidies and other surprises, from cultural performances to consumer benefits… Check out the complete entertainment guide that will ensure you have a fun summer vacation!

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The 34th International Arts Festival “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk” Opened in Belarus

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    VITEBSK, Belarus, July 11 (Xinhua) — The 34th International Arts Festival “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk” opened in Belarus on Thursday. Representatives from more than 40 countries are participating in the grand event this year.

    The opening of the festival traditionally took place in the Vitebsk Summer Amphitheater. The ceremony was attended by the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. In his speech, he noted that the “Slavianski Bazaar” is a whole world of bright emotions and unforgettable impressions.

    “Here, every time, we meet with famous artists and true masters of the arts. Here, year after year, new stars are born. In a variety of genres: from music and dance to theater productions and art projects. In a variety of styles: from folk art and classics to avant-garde trends in contemporary art,” the Belarusian leader noted.

    He also added that in the age of global changes, all countries and peoples need to preserve their identity, culture and traditions. “This is the essence of creation, the path to a fair, safe future for all of us. I am saying this here because talented performers from different countries meet under the arches of the Summer Amphitheater every year. And every year there is an atmosphere of friendship and respect. This is the essence of our entire policy. Without xenophobia, without any prejudices,” A. Lukashenko emphasized.

    The 34th International Festival of Arts “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk” is held from July 8 to 14. The program will include concerts, theater performances, dance projects, film festivals, exhibitions, etc. Guests will also traditionally be able to visit the craft fair. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 11, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 11, 2025.

    ‘Storm clouds are gathering’: 40 years on from the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior
    From the prologue of the 40th anniversary edition of David Robie’s seminal book on the Rainbow Warrior’s last voyage, former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark (1999-2008) writes about what the bombing on 10 July 1985 means today. The bombing of the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland Harbour on 10 July 1985 and the death of

    Dawn service held 40 years on from Rainbow Warrior bombing
    TVNZ 1News The Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior has sailed into Auckland to mark the 40th anniversary of the bombing of the original Rainbow Warrior in 1985. Greenpeace’s vessel, which had been protesting nuclear testing in the Pacific, sank after French government agents planted explosives on its hull, killing Portuguese-Dutch photographer Fernando Pereira. Today, 40 years

    What is the Strait of Hormuz and why is it so important for global shipping?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Belinda Clarence, Law Lecturer, RMIT University During the recent conflict between Iran and Israel, Iran threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s major shipping routes. Would that be possible, and what effects would it have? The Strait of Hormuz is a choke point

    Rugby headgear can’t prevent concussion – but new materials could soften the blows over a career
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick Draper, Professor of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Canterbury The widely held view among rugby players, coaches and officials is that headgear can’t prevent concussion. If so, why wear it? It’s hot, it can block vision and hearing, and it can be uncomfortable. Headgear was

    Trump has flagged 200% tariffs on Australian pharmaceuticals. What do we produce here, and what’s at risk?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joe Carrello, Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne Tanya Dol/Shutterstock US President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Australia’s pharmaceutical exports to the United States has raised alarm among industry and government leaders. There are fears that, if implemented, the tariffs could cost the Australian economy up to

    ‘Fashion helped the pride come out’: First Nations fashion as resistance, culture and connection
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Treena Clark, Chancellor’s Indigenous Research Fellow, Faculty of Design and Society, University of Technology Sydney Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains images of deceased people. First Nations garments have always held deep meaning. What we wear tells stories about culture, Country and

    Does AI actually boost productivity? The evidence is murky
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jon Whittle, Director, Data61, CSIRO Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock There’s been much talk recently – especially among politicians – about productivity. And for good reason: Australia’s labour productivity growth sits at a 60-year low. To address this, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has convened a productivity round table next month.

    Albanese’s China mission – managing a complex relationship in a world of shifting alliances
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Laurenceson, Director and Professor, Australia-China Relations Institute (UTS:ACRI), University of Technology Sydney Prime Minister Anthony Albanese leaves for China on Saturday, confident most Australians back the government’s handling of relations with our most important economic partner and the leading strategic power in Asia. Albanese’s domestic critics

    NZ’s new AI strategy is long on ‘economic opportunity’ but short on managing ethical and social risk
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Lensen, Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Getty Images The government’s newly unveiled National AI Strategy is all about what its title says: “Investing with Confidence”. It tells businesses that Aotearoa New Zealand is open for AI use, and

    Will my private health insurance cover my surgery? What if my claim is rejected?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yuting Zhang, Professor of Health Economics, The University of Melbourne shurkin_son/Shutterstock The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has fined Bupa A$35 million for unlawfully rejecting thousands of health insurance claims over more than five years. Between May 2018 and August 2023 Bupa incorrectly rejected claims from

    Grattan on Friday: childcare is a ‘canary in mine’ warning for wider problems in policy delivery
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra It’s such a familiar pattern. When a big scandal breaks publicly, governments jump into action, ministers rush out to say they’ll “do something” instantly. But how come they hadn’t seen problems that had been in plain sight? Who can forget

    The special envoy’s antisemitism plan is ambitious, but fails to reckon with the hardest questions
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matteo Vergani, Associate Professor, Deakin University On July 6, an arson attack targeted the East Melbourne Synagogue. It was the latest in a series of antisemitic incidents recorded across Australia since October 7 2023, when Hamas carried out a horrific terrorist attack, killing about 1,200 Israelis. These

    Queensland’s horrific lion attack shows wild animals should not be kept for our amusement
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Georgette Leah Burns, Associate Professor, Griffith School of Environment and Science, Griffith University Luciano Gonzalez/Anadolu via Getty Images Last weekend, a woman was mauled by a lioness at Darling Downs Zoo in Queensland, and lost her arm. The zoo, which keeps nine lions, has been operating for

    Does Donald Trump deserve the Nobel Peace Prize? We asked 5 experts
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Shortis, Adjunct Senior Fellow, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally nominated United States President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. He says the president is “forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one

    Does Australia really take too long to approve medicines, as the US says?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University Australia’s drug approval system is under fire, with critics in the United States claiming it is too slow to approve life-saving medicines. Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration balances speed with a rigorous assessment of safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness. So

    Skorts revolutionised how women and girls play sport. But in 2025, are they regressive?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer E. Cheng, Researcher and Lecturer in Sociology, Western Sydney University If you watched any of the 2025 Wimbledon womens’ matches, you’ll have noticed many players donning a skort: a garment in which shorts are concealed under a skirt, or a front panel resembling a skirt. You

    First the dire wolf, now NZ’s giant moa: why real ‘de-extinction’ is unlikely to fly
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nic Rawlence, Associate Professor in Ancient DNA, University of Otago Colossal Biosciences, CC BY-SA The announcement that New Zealand’s moa nunui (giant moa) is the next “de-extinction” target for Colossal Biosciences, in partnership with Canterbury Museum, the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre and filmmaker Peter Jackson, caused widespread

    Politics with Michelle Grattan: Larissa Waters on why we deserve more than a government that just tinkers
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Greens had a poor election. They lost three of their four lower house seats including that of their leader Adam Bandt. This despite their overall vote remaining mostly steady. But they did retain all their Senate spots – though

    Envoy’s plan to fight antisemitism would put universities on notice over funding
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The government’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, has recommended universities that fail to properly deal with the issue should have government funding terminated. In her Plan to Combat Antisemitism, launched Thursday, Segal says she will prepare a report

    Keith Rankin Analysis – Public Debt, Japan, and Wilful Blindness
    Analysis by Keith Rankin. I just heard on Radio New Zealand a claim by a British commentator, Hugo Gye (Political Editor of The i Paper), that the United Kingdom (among other countries) has a major public debt crisis, and that if nothing is done about it (such as what Rachel Reeves – Chancellor of the

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI Economics: [Editorial] Enriching Life Through Human-Centered Design

    Source: Samsung

     
    We are living through a defining moment in history. Technology has become a central force in our daily lives like never before, and the pace of innovation and change is truly extraordinary. In this rapidly evolving world, the human element — our thoughts, emotions, aspirations and needs — matters more than ever. Even as technology takes the lead, we believe our greatest strength lies in empathy and care.
     
    As designers, our mission goes beyond creating innovative products. We aim to elevate people’s lives — to design tools and experiences that help them live better, longer and more meaningfully, by taming technology in service of humanity.
     
    Samsung Electronics is a worldwide leader in tech and already plays an essential role in the lives of billions around the globe. Through our products, we help you clean your home, wash your clothes and dishes, preserve your food, store your memories, stay entertained, stay connected and express yourself — whether at home, on the move or in public spaces. This reach is both a tremendous privilege and, in the age of AI and accelerated technological change, an incredible opportunity and an immense responsibility.
     
    That sense of purpose is what inspired me to join Samsung this year, after more than two decades as a designer and business leader across industries and cultures. I was drawn by the possibility to help reimagine the relationship between people and technology — putting humans at the heart of our product universe, to create a world where innovation truly supports and enhances our lives, unlocking, amplifying and elevating the human side of technology.
     
     
    Rewriting the Code of a Design-Driven Company
    To me, design is far more than a product or a user interface. It’s more than the interplay of form and function. I like to define design as the art of dreaming, crafting and taking to life distinctive solutions, meaningful experiences and authentic stories that deeply resonate with people’s needs and aspirations. In this sense, form and function follow meaning. Design becomes a force for purposeful innovation — one that begins and ends with people.
     
    Across Samsung’s product portfolio, design serves as a language — one that understands people and interprets the complexity of the world around us. It has the power to humanize technology, transforming algorithms into emotion, features into feelings. In a time of accelerating complexity, design is how we restore clarity and foster deeper connections — with ourselves, our cultures and our lives.
     
    Samsung’s commitment to design thinking dates back to 1996, when it declared the “Year of Design Revolution.” That year marked a turning point, with design officially recognized as a core strategic asset. With a “human-centered design philosophy” at its heart, Samsung laid the foundation for a design ethos that continues to evolve and grow.
     
    Now, in the era of AI, our challenge is to build upon that legacy — to amplify its intent, refine its spirit and redefine what design means in a new cultural and technological landscape. Products can be copied, but a design philosophy — its purpose and point of view — cannot be replicated. This is why culture matters. For individuals and for organizations alike, consistency, authentic creativity and genuine care at every touchpoint are what set great companies apart.
     
     
    A New Challenge to Everyday Innovation
    Today, Samsung innovations are already transforming everyday life. Robot vacuum cleaners quietly maintain our homes. Smartwatches provide real-time insights into our health. Intelligent appliances, from washing machines to dishwashers, offer greater efficiency, performance and ease of use. Smart refrigerators adapt to our habits to keep food fresher for longer. Our screens deliver breathtaking visuals, our audio systems fill rooms with immersive soundscapes, and our smartphones, tablets and wearables keep us connected through intuitive design and purposeful features.
     
    All of this is remarkable. Yet, the real frontier lies in something greater: the seamless integration of all these devices into a coherent, human-centered journey. We’re not just designing individual products — we’re designing an ecosystem of experiences. We’re redefining what “smart” really means by infusing technology with empathy, meaning and emotional resonance.
     
    Samsung’s design now goes beyond the object. It places thoughtful connections, insightful information, and intentional emotions at the center. Through a cohesive design experience across our entire ecosystem — from mobile to TV to home appliances — we’re committed to enriching every interaction.
     
    Our vision is a future where design brings warmth to innovation, and where technology helps us not only do more — but live longer, live better, and live more connected, and more meaningfully, creating an empathetic layer between people and their environments. This personal field of emotionally attuned, physiologically aware, and ethically governed technologies interconnects to form constellations of care — enabling shared rhythms and deeper connection across the home, family and community.
     
     
    The Future Is Emotional, Meaningful, Connected Intelligence

     
    The next frontier of smart technology must offer more than just functionality. With Samsung’s advancements in AI, empowered by hardware and software, we are unlocking a new dimension of emotional intelligence — where technology doesn’t just work for us, but resonates with us.
     
    What excites me most about AI in product design is how it enables us to listen, learn and craft experiences that feel deeply personal. As intelligence becomes ambient — woven seamlessly into our everyday devices — design takes on a greater responsibility: to ensure that intelligence feels warm, human and caring. We’re shifting from devices that demand our attention to those that pay attention, anticipating needs, adapting preferences and forming meaningful relationships with users.
     
    We’re envisioning an ecosystem where intelligence isn’t confined to one device, but exists around you — quiet, empathetic, always present when needed, and gracefully invisible when not. Samsung’s holistic approach to AI spans across the entire ecosystem — from smartphones to TVs, wearables to home appliances — transforming each product into a thoughtful companion in your daily life.
     
    Imagine a TV that mirrors your mood. A refrigerator that understands your dietary goals. A watch or ring that knows when you need rest, and gently guides you toward better mental and physical wellbeing. This is not just innovation — it’s a design philosophy where intelligence surrounds you, senses you, learns from you and ultimately adapts to serve you better. Each product becomes part of a larger, unified story, grounded in empathy, awareness and care.
     
     
    Design as a Force for Meaning — And for a Better Tomorrow
    Technology will always continue to evolve. But what truly matters is the meaning it brings — to individuals and to society. At Samsung, we innovate not just because we can, but because we care. It starts with a sincere commitment to people and a deep sense of responsibility for the impact we create.
     
    What has always inspired me about Samsung is its belief in openness — not just as a platform strategy, but as a cultural principle. Openness to collaboration. Openness to bold, unconventional ideas. Openness to meeting people where they are. This spirit of openness removes barriers, fuels connection and sets the stage for truly meaningful innovation.
     
    These are the values that have shaped my career and the principles I believe will drive our industry forward. They reflect a shared mission: to build technology that enriches human life, with empathy at its core.
     
    Through our love for humanity and our clear vision for the future, we invite you to join us on this journey — one shaped by Samsung Design, and guided by purpose, care and imagination.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives shatters the church’s century-long effort to curate its own image

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Brenton Griffin, Casual Lecturer and Tutor in History, Indigenous Studies, and Politics, Flinders University

    Hulu

    Reality TV series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives follows a number of social media influencers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who rose to prominence through social media, and particularly TikTok.

    The show is based in Utah, United States, where the church has its headquarters. But it stands in stark contrast with the stereotypical perception of Mormons – and especially Mormon women – the church has promoted for more than a century.

    Through its exploration of traditionally “taboo” topics such as sex, marital issues, mental illness and sexual abuse, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives clashes against the church’s carefully curated public image.

    Historical pariahs

    Historically, the church’s practice of polygamy placed it at odds with the mainstream sexual and familial norms of 19th century America.

    Polygamy had been practised by Mormons since at least the 1830s, and was officially announced as permissible by the church in 1852. The church now acknowledges its founder, Joseph Smith, married almost 40 women and teenage girls before his death in 1844.

    When Mormon missionaries began to proselytise throughout the world, newspapers criticised the practice, and Mormons were framed as sexual deviants and racialised “pariahs”. In other words, Mormons were presented as being racially different to the rest of white American society. This claim was even supported by doctors at the time.

    1904 Time cartoon by C.J. Rudd, captioned: ‘Mormon Elder Berry – out with his six year olds, who take after their mothers.’
    KUER/Religion of a Different Color: Mormonism and the Struggle for Whiteness’ (2017) by W. Paul Reeve.

    To Mormons, however, polygamy was a reintroduction of the correct form of marriage, and they pointed to biblical prophets to justify it.

    In 1862, the US congress passed a series of laws aimed at abolishing polygamy. This resulted in the arrest of church leaders and the confiscation of church-owned funds and properties in Utah.

    Then, in the 1870s, exposés written by former Mormons (particularly women) decried polygamy as evil, increasing hostility against Mormon leaders.

    Ann Eliza Webb Young, ex-wife of Mormon prophet Brigham Young, wrote the exposé ‘Wife No. 19, Or The Story of Life in Bondage’.
    Internet Archive Open Library

    In 1890, church leader Wilford Woodruff announced in a revelation known as the Manifesto that polygamy would cease. The Manifesto was accepted by most Mormons as the government’s harassment increased. However, breakaway groups called “fundamentalists” continued the practice.

    Today, Mormon scriptures continue to state polygamy is the correct form of marriage, and will exist in the afterlife.

    The stereotypical Mormon

    Since the ending of polygamy, the church has sought to establish itself as a moral equal to mainstream Christian norms, especially sexual norms. In 1995, it released a document titled Family: A Proclamation to the World which emphasised the view that heterosexual marriage and strict gender roles are divinely ordained.

    The 1995 official Mormon document, ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World’.
    BYU Scholar Arcive

    As the church has grown, it has presented its members as model citizens of the nations they reside in.

    In doing so, it has promoted unique doctrines and practices, such as sexual abstinence before marriage, and a particular health code called the Word of Wisdom which bars alcohol, tea, coffee and tobacco.

    These doctrines, and existing stereotypes of Mormons, are examined in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

    Colliding perceptions

    The 2024 release of the series caused waves in the Latter-day Saints community, with a number of Mormon-focused publications condemning it.

    Before the show was released, the church published a general statement saying media portrayals of Mormons “often rely on sensationalism and inaccuracies that do not fairly and fully reflect the lives of our Church members”. It has yet to directly comment on the show.

    Nonetheless, the representation of Mormons in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is problematic for the church, because it transgresses its highly curated image of Mormonism.

    As the influencers put it, there is a desire to push back against stereotypes around Mormonism, and particularly Mormon women. These stereotypes have been crystallised by the church to combat perceptions of Mormons as sexually abhorrent, due to past practices of polygamy.

    The women in the show wear clothing that would not cover “temple garments”, the mandatory Latter-day Saint undergarments which seek to impose sexual modesty.

    There is also a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgement that while the church prohibits stimulants such as tea, coffee and alcohol, Mormons within Utah and surrounds still consume other, somewhat surprising, substances. For instance, the use of ketamine in therapy is allowed when administered by a healthcare professional.

    The series also engages with topics considered taboo in the church, such as marital issues, mental health struggles and consensual sex. Even if these are being played up by the cast or producers, such discussions are lacking in broader Mormon circles.

    Importantly, there are admissions by some cast members, including one of the husbands, of being sexually abused as children. According to the cast members themselves, these disclosures are intended to empower viewers who may have had similar experiences.

    This is a powerful critique, because the Mormon church has come under intense scrutiny for its failure to properly respond to child sexual assault, both in the US and globally.

    The next steps

    The show is having a marked impact on perceptions of Mormonism, despite the church’s stance it doesn’t represent the beliefs and lifestyle of Mormons more broadly.

    For many viewers, it might be their introduction to the religion. This is concerning for adherents, and particularly for the church’s leadership.

    The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives reunion special aired earlier this month.
    Hulu

    There are internal tools the church could use against the show’s cast members, such as disciplinary councils or excommunication. But these would be ineffective since only about half the members consider themselves “faithful” Mormons.

    It’s interesting the church has yet to condemn the show. Perhaps maintaining an image of reluctant acceptance is more important, as in recent years the church has been criticised for overreach against its own members.

    In this case, the show would be an uncomfortable reality the church will just have to live with. Either way, the damage to the stereotypical Mormon image is done.

    The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is available to stream on Disney+.

    Brenton Griffin was raised as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but is no longer a practising member of the church. His research is focused on the religion’s place in Australian and New Zealand popular culture, politics, and society from the 19th century to present.

    ref. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives shatters the church’s century-long effort to curate its own image – https://theconversation.com/the-secret-lives-of-mormon-wives-shatters-the-churchs-century-long-effort-to-curate-its-own-image-260418

    MIL OSI Analysis

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Does AI actually boost productivity? The evidence is murky

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Jon Whittle, Director, Data61, CSIRO

    Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock

    There’s been much talk recently – especially among politicians – about productivity. And for good reason: Australia’s labour productivity growth sits at a 60-year low.

    To address this, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has convened a productivity round table next month. This will coincide with the release of an interim report from the Productivity Commission, which is looking at five pillars of reform. One of these is the role of data and digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI).

    This will be music to the ears of the tech and business sectors, which have been enthusiastically promoting the productivity benefits of AI. In fact, the Business Council of Australia also said last month that AI is the single greatest opportunity in a generation to lift productivity.

    But what do we really know about how AI impacts productivity?

    What is productivity?

    Put simply, productivity is how much output (goods and services) we can produce from a given amount of inputs (such as labour and raw materials). It matters because higher productivity typically translates to a higher standard of living. Productivity growth has accounted for 80% of Australia’s income growth over the past three decades.

    Productivity can be thought of as individual, organisational or national.

    Your individual productivity is how efficiently you manage your time and resources to complete tasks. How many emails can you respond to in an hour? How many products can you check for defects in a day?

    Organisational productivity is how well an organisation achieves its goals. For example, in a research organisation, how many top-quality research papers are produced?

    National productivity is the economic efficiency of a nation, often measured as gross domestic product per hour worked. It is effectively an aggregate of the other forms. But it’s notoriously difficult to track how changes in individual or organisational productivity translate into national GDP per hour worked.

    AI and individual productivity

    The nascent research examining the relationship between AI and individual productivity shows mixed results.

    A 2025 real-world study of AI and productivity involved 776 experienced product professionals at US multinational company Procter & Gamble. The study showed that individuals randomly assigned to use AI performed as well as a team of two without. A similar study in 2023 with 750 consultants from Boston Consulting Group found tasks were 18% faster with generative AI.

    A 2023 paper reported on an early generative AI system in a Fortune 500 software company used by 5,200 customer support agents. The system showed a 14% increase in the number of issues resolved per hour. For less experienced agents, productivity increased by 35%.

    But AI doesn’t always increase individual productivity.

    A survey of 2,500 professionals found generative AI actually increased workload for 77% of workers. Some 47% said they didn’t know how to unlock productivity benefits. The study points to barriers such as the need to verify and/or correct AI outputs, the need for AI upskilling, and unreasonable expectations about what AI can do.

    A recent CSIRO study examined the daily use of Microsoft 365 Copilot by 300 employees of a government organisation. While the majority self-reported productivity benefits, a sizeable minority (30%) did not. Even those workers who reported productivity improvements expected greater productivity benefits than were delivered.

    AI and organisational productivity

    It’s difficult, if not impossible, to attribute changes in an organisation’s productivity to the introduction of AI. Businesses are sensitive to many social and organisational factors, any one of which could be the reason for a change in productivity.

    Nevertheless, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has estimated the productivity benefits of traditional AI – that is, machine learning applied for an industry-specific task – to be zero to 11% at the organisational level.

    A 2024 summary paper cites independent studies showing increases in organisational productivity from AI in Germany, Italy and Taiwan.

    In contrast, a 2022 analysis of 300,000 US firms didn’t find a significant correlation between AI adoption and productivity, but did for other technologies such as robotics and cloud computing. Likely explanations are that AI hasn’t yet had an effect on many firms, or simply that it’s too hard to disentangle the impact of AI given it’s never applied in isolation.

    AI productivity increases can also sometimes be masked by additional human labour needed to train or operate AI systems. Take Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology for shops.

    Publicly launched in 2018, it was intended to reduce labour as customer purchases would be fully automated. But it reportedly relied on hiring around 1,000 workers in India for quality control. Amazon has labelled these reports “erroneous”.

    More generally, think about the unknown number (but likely millions) of people paid to label data for AI models.

    AI and national productivity

    The picture at a national level is even murkier.

    Clearly, AI hasn’t yet impacted national productivity. It can be argued that technology developments take time to affect national productivity, as companies need to figure out how to use the technology and put the necessary infrastructure and skills in place.

    However, this is not guaranteed. For example, while there is consensus that the internet led to productivity improvements, the effects of mobile phones and social media are more contested, and their impacts are more apparent in some industries (such as entertainment) than others.

    Productivity isn’t just doing things faster

    The common narrative around AI and productivity is that AI automates mundane tasks, making us faster at doing things and giving us more time for creative pursuits. This, however, is a naive view of how work happens.

    Just because you can deal with your inbox more quickly doesn’t mean you’ll spend your afternoon on the beach. The more emails you fire off, the more you’ll receive back, and the never-ending cycle continues.

    Faster isn’t always better. Sometimes, we need to slow down to be more productive. That’s when great ideas happen.

    Imagine a world in which AI isn’t simply about speeding up tasks but proactively slows us down, to give us space to be more innovative, and more productive. That’s the real untapped opportunity with AI.

    Jon Whittle works at CSIRO which receives R&D funding from a wide range of government and industry clients.

    ref. Does AI actually boost productivity? The evidence is murky – https://theconversation.com/does-ai-actually-boost-productivity-the-evidence-is-murky-260690

    MIL OSI Analysis

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police appeal for information following vehicle break-ins in Rolleston

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Rolleston Police investigating a series of vehicle break-ins in the community are appealing for information from the public.

    Senior Constable Matt Barraclough says Police are aware of multiple reports of vehicles having been allegedly broken into in the early hours of Monday 8 July and Friday 11 July.

    “These have occurred in the Arbor Green, Harrison Drive, Marcoola Crescent, and Brenley Drive areas.”

    Police are appealing for any information in relation to these incidents including CCTV or dashcam footage in the surrounding areas.

    “Specifically, we would like to hear from anyone who may have seen a person riding a scooter in the Brenley Drive, Marcoola Crescent, and Harrison Drive areas at around 4am on Friday.”

    To ensure their vehicle is not targeted, Police would like to remind the public to lock their vehicles, park in off-street parking or in a well-lit area, remove any valuables that may attract thieves, invest in a steering lock or wheel clamp, and install cameras around and in their vehicle.

    If you have any information that may assist us in our enquiries, please contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or call 105.

    Please use the reference number 250711/3587.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Security: 21st Iteration of Pacific Partnership Prepares for Indo-Pacific Mission Aboard USS Pearl Harbor

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25) officially kicks off with the arrival of the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, led by Rear Admiral Todd F. Cimicata, U.S. Pacific Fleet Executive Agent for Pacific Partnership, and the mission commander, U.S. Navy Captain Mark B. Stefanik.

    The PP-25 team, embarked aboard the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to make final preparations ahead of its upcoming port visits throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The PP-25 team will conduct medical exchanges, engineering projects, community outreach, and disaster preparedness engagements with host nation partners.

    “Pacific Partnership is a testament to what we can achieve together,” said Cimicata. “By working alongside our allies and partners, we strengthen regional capacity and resilience and lay the foundation for a collective response to crises. It’s about preparing in calm to respond in crisis.”

    This year’s PP-25 mission will include mission stops in Papua New Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Samoa, and Vanuatu. Prior to the USS Pearl Harbor’s departure, separate fly-in missions were conducted in the Philippines, Fiji, and Tonga in June.

    “This enduring mission provides us the opportunity to build on our relationships, share expertise, and learn from one another,” said Stefanik. “Our shared experiences help create more resilient communities, and I’m proud to lead a team committed to strengthening partnerships across the Indo-Pacific.”

    Pacific Partnership brings together more than 1,500 personnel from the United States and participating nations including Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Activities will include engineering projects at schools and clinics, medical subject matter expert exchanges, and performances by the Pacific Partnership Band, composed of musicians from the U.S. Pacific Fleet and partner nations.

    The mission team will work alongside allies and partners to strengthen relationships, bolster host nation capacity to provide essential humanitarian services, and support efforts to reduce the risk of, prepare for, and respond to disasters.

    Every day, the U.S. Pacific Fleet operates to protect the security, freedom, and prosperity for the U.S. and our allies and partners. The U.S. Pacific Fleet continues to advance a shared vision, alongside our allies and partners, of a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.

    Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

    For updates and multimedia from Pacific Partnership 2025, follow #PacificPartnership, #PP25, and #PacificPartnership25 on social media or visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/PacificPartnership

    Date Taken: 07.09.2025
    Date Posted: 07.10.2025 20:57
    Story ID: 542493
    Location: JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII, US

    Web Views: 3
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-Evening Report: Dawn service held 40 years on from Rainbow Warrior bombing

    TVNZ 1News

    The Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior has sailed into Auckland to mark the 40th anniversary of the bombing of the original Rainbow Warrior in 1985.

    Greenpeace’s vessel, which had been protesting nuclear testing in the Pacific, sank after French government agents planted explosives on its hull, killing Portuguese-Dutch photographer Fernando Pereira.

    Today, 40 years on from the events on July 10 1985, a dawn ceremony was held in Auckland.

    Author Margaret Mills was a cook on board the ship at the time, and has written about her experience in a book entitled Anecdotage.

    Author Margaret Mills tells TVNZ Breakfast about the night of the Rainbow Warrior bombing 40 years ago. Image: TVNZ

    The 95-year-old told TVNZ Breakfast the experience on board “changed her life”.

    “I was sound asleep, and I heard this sort of bang and turned the light on, but it wouldn’t go on.

    She said when she left her cabin, a crew member told her “we’ve been bombed”.

    ‘I laughed at him’
    “I laughed at him, I said ‘we don’t get bombs in New Zealand, that’s ridiculous’.”

    She said they were taken to the police station after a “big boom when the second bomb came through”.

    “I realised immediately, I was part of a historical event,” she said.

    TVNZ reporter Corazon Miller talks to Greenpeace Aotearoa executive director Russel Norman (centre) and journalist David Robie after the Rainbow Warrior memorial dawn service today. Image: TVNZ

    Journalist David Robie. who travelled on the Rainbow Warrior and wrote the book Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior published today, told Breakfast it was a “really shocking, shocking night”.

    “We were so overwhelmed by the grief and absolute shock of what had happened. But for me, there was no doubt it was France behind this.”

    “But we were absolutely flabbergasted that a country could do this.”

    He said it was a “very emotional moment” and was hard to believe it had been 40 years since that time.

    ‘Momentous occasion’
    “It stands out in my life as being the most momentous occasion as a journalist covering that whole event.”

    Executive director of Greenpeace Aotearoa Russel Norman said the legacy of the ship was about “people who really stood up for something important”.

    “I mean, ending nuclear testing in the Pacific, imagine if they were still exploding bombs in the Pacific. We would have to live with that.

    “And those people back then they stood up and beat the French government to end nuclear testing.

    “It’s pretty inspirational.”

    He said the group were still campaigning on some key environmental issues today.

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI USA: SEC Charges Georgia-based First Liberty Building & Loan and its Owner for Operating a $140 Million Ponzi Scheme

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that it filed charges seeking an asset freeze and other emergency relief against Newnan, Georgia-based First Liberty Building & Loan, LLC and its founder and owner Edwin Brant Frost IV in connection with a Ponzi scheme that defrauded approximately 300 investors of at least $140 million.

    According to the SEC’s complaint, from approximately 2014 through June 2025, First Liberty and Frost offered and sold to retail investors promissory notes and loan participation agreements that offered returns of up to 18% by representing that investor funds would be used to make short-term bridge loans to businesses at relatively high interest rates. The defendants allegedly told investors that very few of these loans had defaulted and that they would be repaid by borrowers via Small Business Administration or other commercial loans. The complaint also alleges that, while some investor funds were used to make bridge loans, those loans did not perform as represented, and most loans ultimately defaulted and ceased making interest payments. Since at least 2021, First Liberty operated as a Ponzi scheme by using new investor funds to make principal and interest payments to existing investors, according to the complaint. The complaint further alleges that Frost misappropriated investor funds for personal use, including by using investor funds to make over $2.4 million in credit card payments, paying more than $335,000 to a rare coin dealer, and spending $230,000 on family vacations.

    “The promise of a high rate of return on an investment is a red flag that should make all potential investors think twice or maybe even three times before investing their money,” said Justin C. Jeffries, Associate Director of Enforcement for the SEC’s Atlanta Regional Office. “Unfortunately, we’ve seen this movie before – bad actors luring investors with promises of seemingly over-generous returns – and it does not end well.”

    The SEC’s complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, charges First Liberty and Frost with violating the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and names five entities that Frost controlled as relief defendants. The SEC seeks emergency relief, including an order freezing assets, appointing a receiver over the entities, and granting an accounting and expedited discovery. The SEC also seeks permanent injunctions and civil penalties against the defendants, a conduct-based injunction against Frost, and disgorgement of ill-gotten gains with prejudgment interest against the defendants and relief defendants.

    Without admitting or denying the allegations in the complaint, the defendants and relief defendants consented to the SEC’s requested emergency and permanent relief, with monetary remedies to be determined by the court at a later date.

    The SEC’s investigation was conducted by Justin Delfino and Tiffany Kunkle and supervised by Peter Diskin and Mr. Jeffries. The litigation is being led by Kristin Murnahan and Graham Loomis.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Charges – Domestic violence – Nightcliff

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 22-year-old female in relation to a domestic violence incident at a residence in Nightcliff on Wednesday afternoon.

    About 9:50am yesterday morning, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre (JESCC) received reports of a male being pushed over a balcony railing on Wednesday afternoon.

    Initial investigations and canvassing of nearby CCTV footage in the area indicates a male victim had been allegedly pushed off the balcony, about three to four metres off the ground, and suffered a lower leg injury. The victim proceeded to walk towards a bus stop on Progress Drive, leaving a trail of blood.

    The JESCC received a considerable number of calls in relation to the trail of blood in Nightcliff. The male victim is believed to have self-presented at the Royal Darwin Hospital for his injuries.

    The 22-year-old female was arrested yesterday by officers from the Territory Safety Division without incident and was later charged with:

    • Recklessly Endanger Serious Harm
    • Aggravated Assault

    She was remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court today.

    The Territory Safety Division has carriage of the investigation.

    Anyone who has information in relation to the incident is urged to make contact with police on 131 444.

    If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall: We Have Secured Huge Wins for Kansas Farmers and Ranchers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
    Senator Marshall Joins RFD-TV to Talk About the Plan to Ban U.S. Farmland Purchases by China and Key Wins in the Reconciliation Bill
    Washington – On Thursday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Tammi Arender on RFD-TV’s Market Day Report to discuss the importance of protecting American farmland from hostile foreign nations like China and the major wins for farmers and ranchers in the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill.
    Click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full remarks.
    On the necessity of preventing China from buying American farmland:
    “Tammi, it’s great to be with you, and for the last several years, we’ve been trying to scream as loud as we could that China’s buying more and more farmland in America. And it’s not just the quantity, it’s where they’re purchasing it. If you could imagine, Whiteman Air Force Base is where those B2 bombers took off and took out the Iranian nuclear facilities. The Chinese have purchased land next to that base. Same way at Fort Riley – at many of the military bases, the Chinese have purchased property.
    “And beyond that, it’s the Chinese owning a significant part of Smithfield and Brazilian JBS, the meatpacking industry as well. So what we announced yesterday, the Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, who by the way is doing an incredible job, is that she’s now going to be on CFIUS. This is the committee on foreign land purchases by foreign entities. So she’ll be at that level, and then trying to decide if someone that China or their proxies are here, trying to buy land in America, that she’ll get to decide that is a national security issue. The bottom line: food security is national security.”
    On whether there will be any retaliatory measures taken by China:
    “Think about this – you and I, your listeners, we cannot go to China and purchase land. We cannot go to China and make a pork processing plant. So I think it’s fair. You know, President Trump talks about fair and reciprocal trade agreements. And by the way, there’s a lot that states can do. State Governors in their legislatures can do this. Already in Arkansas, Governor Huckabee Sanders is actually buying back this land that the Chinese have purchased. And not only has she banned future purchases, but she’s actually forcing them to sell land as well – sometimes the states can move a little bit quicker than the federal government can.”
    On what the One Big Beautiful Bill will do for farmers and ranchers:
    “Tammi, I’m so proud we did almost a whole farm bill within this reconciliation bill. We allocate $50 billion more for crop insurance as well as the Title I funding. We increased the reference prices, so we funded that for the next five years, and we’ll take that off the table as we go forward with the rest of the Farm Bill. The crop insurance is the backbone of every Farm Bill.
    “But beyond that, even more, I think about beyond the reference prices… we also got the 199A pass-through for all those folks, farmers that are part of co-ops, we got that taken care of. Bonus depreciation, writing off interest, all those things are so important to go buy this million-dollar combine in today’s world, to be able to write that off with bonus depreciation is a big game changer.
    “We doubled the death tax exemption to over $30 million, so we doubled the tax exemptions so you don’t have to sell a fourth of your farm to pass it on to future generations as well. And don’t forget, we got 45Z done in this as well. I think the 45Z market for taking commodities turning into jet fuel, I think that could be bigger, maybe four or five times bigger than the entire ethanol industry right now. So huge, huge wins for farmers. So proud of the work we got done.”
    On what can be added to the next Farm Bill:
    “There’s a lot of division up here right now. My friends across the aisle are upset that we went forward with that. And I’m sorry, but we give them every chance a year or two to get it finished. I wish we could, but I hope so. I think even next week, we’re going to be working with Secretary Kennedy and Rollins and talking about soil health. And love to come back and talk about that. And part of improving soil health is going to cost money. If you want to go into regenerative agriculture in your first year or two, your crop, maybe your production, goes down. So we’re trying to work on a farm bill, especially the Conservation component. There’s great opportunity there, and we’ll hopefully sort it out this fall.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: DRML Miner Unveils Crypto Mining Plan for 2025, Promises Fast ROI for Passive Income Seekers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    As global interest in passive cryptocurrency income continues to rise, investors are asking a familiar question: Which cloud mining is legal? To this end, DRML Miner, a trusted industry pioneer, has announced the launch of its new 2025 cloud mining plan, designed to provide faster returns, greater transparency, and long-term security for cryptocurrency enthusiasts of all levels. DRML Miner has been one of the longest-running cloud mining platforms since its inception in 2018, currently serving more than 7 million users worldwide. With a proven track record for more than a decade, the company is known for stability, honest payments, and convenient mining options that require no hardware, no technical setup, and zero maintenance.

    A new era of profitable and reliable cloud mining

    The new 2025 plan includes an enhanced ROI structure, real-time performance tracking, and a daily profit guarantee, allowing users to start earning crypto from day one. We offer plans for a variety of budgets and timeframes, making them ideal for first-time miners and long-term investors.

    A DRML Miner spokesperson said: “Our 2025 packages are the most efficient packages we have ever launched. Whether you are mining Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum or other popular cryptocurrencies, they are designed to minimize risk and maximize passive income.”

    Key features of the 2025 program include:

    Fast ROI options for short-term and long-term contracts

    Transparent revenue dashboard with real-time tracking

    Instant activation with daily payment schedule

    Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

    Why Millions Trust DRML Miner

    Cloud mining has seen both innovation and scams in recent years, and many investors have struggled to find platforms that are both legitimate and rewarding. DRML Miner features fully audited mining operations, data centers powered by renewable energy, and verified control of user funds.

    The DRML Miner platform is praised for:

    Its proven payment record

    User-first security protocols

    Strong customer support and educational tools

    Flexible, transparent, scalable contracts

    How to get started:

    New users can sign up in minutes with just an email address. Once signed up, they can choose a plan, top up, and start mining right away — no need to manage mining hardware or go through complicated crypto wallet setups.

    Sign up at www.drmlminers.com. New users get a $10 signup bonus.

    Choose a 2025 plan that fits your budget and goals

    Start earning daily passive income automatically

    Withdraw or reinvest your crypto at any time

    Afterthoughts

    For investors asking, “Which cloud mining is legal?”, DRML Miner continues to provide a clear answer – real mining, real rewards, and real security in a time when trust is more important than ever.

    To learn more or start mining today, visit www.drmlminers.com and explore the 2025 crypto mining plan.

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and the possibility of losing funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: DRML Miner Unveils Crypto Mining Plan for 2025, Promises Fast ROI for Passive Income Seekers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    As global interest in passive cryptocurrency income continues to rise, investors are asking a familiar question: Which cloud mining is legal? To this end, DRML Miner, a trusted industry pioneer, has announced the launch of its new 2025 cloud mining plan, designed to provide faster returns, greater transparency, and long-term security for cryptocurrency enthusiasts of all levels. DRML Miner has been one of the longest-running cloud mining platforms since its inception in 2018, currently serving more than 7 million users worldwide. With a proven track record for more than a decade, the company is known for stability, honest payments, and convenient mining options that require no hardware, no technical setup, and zero maintenance.

    A new era of profitable and reliable cloud mining

    The new 2025 plan includes an enhanced ROI structure, real-time performance tracking, and a daily profit guarantee, allowing users to start earning crypto from day one. We offer plans for a variety of budgets and timeframes, making them ideal for first-time miners and long-term investors.

    A DRML Miner spokesperson said: “Our 2025 packages are the most efficient packages we have ever launched. Whether you are mining Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum or other popular cryptocurrencies, they are designed to minimize risk and maximize passive income.”

    Key features of the 2025 program include:

    Fast ROI options for short-term and long-term contracts

    Transparent revenue dashboard with real-time tracking

    Instant activation with daily payment schedule

    Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

    Why Millions Trust DRML Miner

    Cloud mining has seen both innovation and scams in recent years, and many investors have struggled to find platforms that are both legitimate and rewarding. DRML Miner features fully audited mining operations, data centers powered by renewable energy, and verified control of user funds.

    The DRML Miner platform is praised for:

    Its proven payment record

    User-first security protocols

    Strong customer support and educational tools

    Flexible, transparent, scalable contracts

    How to get started:

    New users can sign up in minutes with just an email address. Once signed up, they can choose a plan, top up, and start mining right away — no need to manage mining hardware or go through complicated crypto wallet setups.

    Sign up at www.drmlminers.com. New users get a $10 signup bonus.

    Choose a 2025 plan that fits your budget and goals

    Start earning daily passive income automatically

    Withdraw or reinvest your crypto at any time

    Afterthoughts

    For investors asking, “Which cloud mining is legal?”, DRML Miner continues to provide a clear answer – real mining, real rewards, and real security in a time when trust is more important than ever.

    To learn more or start mining today, visit www.drmlminers.com and explore the 2025 crypto mining plan.

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and the possibility of losing funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN warns of record civilian casualties in Ukraine

    Source: United Nations 2

    Russian forces launched an attack overnight focused on Kyiv, deploying 397 Shahed unmanned attack and decoy drones, along with 18 high-powered missiles, killing two and injuring at least 16, according to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU).

    UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric noted during his daily briefing in New York that four Kyiv districts were hit, damaging residential buildings, a clinic and a TV station, while an outpatient clinic was destroyed during the bombardment.

    Mr. Dujarric also relayed reports from local authorities of recent attacks in other regions which left more than nine dead and at least ten civilians injured.

    Grim June record

    These attacks come after June saw the highest monthly civilian casualty count in Ukraine since the Russian invastion began in February 2022, with 232 people killed and 1,343 injured.

    This data reflects a worsening trend: 6,754 civilians were killed or injured in the first half of 2025 – a sharp 54 per cent rise compared to the same period in 2024, when 4,381 civilian casualties were documented.

    This breaks down to a 17 per cent increase in civilian deaths and a 64 per cent increase in injuries.

    Russia’s increased use of long-range missiles and drones in urban areas – and their enhanced destructive power – were key drivers behind the spike in casualties.

    The growing number of attacks also played a crucial role, as Russia launched ten times more missile and unmanned drone strikes in June 2025 than in June 2024.

    Civilians across Ukraine are facing levels of suffering we have not seen in over three years,” said Danielle Bell, Head of HRMMU. “The surge in long-range missile and drone strikes across the country has brought even more death and destruction to civilians far from the frontline.”

    Child suffering intensifies

    Also on Thursday, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that an estimated 70 per cent of children in Ukraine (3.5 million) are experiencing “material deprivation” – up from 18 per cent in 2021.

    Material deprivation refers to a lack of essential goods and services, including nutritious food, appropriate clothing, heating at home and access to education.

    According to UNICEF’s report, one in three children in Ukraine lives in a home without a functioning water supply or sewage system, and nearly half lack access to a space to play.

    This deprivation is driven by continued attacks on infrastructure – including water, sanitation, and energy systems – as well as on homes, schools, and healthcare facilities, along with rising poverty across the country.

    Looking towards recovery

    These warnings come as the fourth Ukraine Recovery Conference opened in Rome on Thursday. It aims to build global awareness and maintain momentum for international support and investment in Ukraine’s recovery, rebuilding, reform, and modernisation.

    The Director General of the UN migration agency (IOM), Amy Pope, is among those attending. The agency plays a major role in Ukraine, where nearly four million people remain internally displaced, and another five million refugees reside across Europe.

    “Displacement on this scale imposes numerous challenges for Ukraine and its people,” she said.

    “Recovery must begin with a focus on the people in need – connecting them to services and restoring their livelihoods, so it becomes more than just returning home, but about regaining their place in society.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: She fought for the girl the world left behind: Natalia Kanem’s UN legacy

    Source: United Nations 2

    She returns, over and over, to a single image: that of a ten-year-old girl – standing on the edge of adolescence, her future uncertain, and her rights still in grave doubt.

    “Will she be able to stay in school, graduate, and make her way through the world?” Dr. Kanem wonders. “Or is she going to be derailed by things like child marriage, female genital mutilation, or abject poverty?”

    That seismic question and that girl – not one child in particular, but an emblem of the millions worldwide whose future is at risk – have become the touchstone of Dr. Kanem’s nearly eight-year tenure as Executive Director of the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, formally known as the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

    © UNFPA Vanuatu

    UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem (centre) visits the Mamas Market in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

    From her early days working on the frontlines in East Africa to overseeing a $1.7 billion agency with operations in more than 150 countries, Dr. Kanem has shepherded UNFPA through global shifts, political headwinds, and ideological pushback.

    Most of all, she has led a fierce revolution in the lives of millions of women and girls.

    This month, she is stepping down from her post ahead of schedule. “It’s time to pass on the baton,” the 70-year-old told her staff – a 5,000-strong workforce – in a videotaped address earlier this year. “I have pledged to do everything in my capacity to keep positioning UNFPA to continue to do great things.”

    Roots and ascent

    Born in Panama and trained as a medical doctor, Dr. Kanem joined UNFPA in 2014 after a career in philanthropy. Her decision to serve “the noble purpose of the United Nations” first led her to East Africa and Tanzania, where she was struck by the quiet heroism of field staff. “It’s really at the country level where we prove our worth,” she told UN News.

    But the job was not easy. In 2017, when she took the reins of the agency, Dr. Kanem inherited an organization grappling with waning visibility, unstable funding, and persistent pushback from conservative viewpoints. Still, UNFPA grew – not just in budget, but in stature.

    “When I came, the narrative was, ‘We’re a small organization, beleaguered, nobody understands what we do,’” she said. “Now, I think it’s clearer.”

    That clarity came, in part, from what Dr. Kanem calls “thought leadership.”

    Whether challenging misconceptions about fertility or confronting gender-based violence enabled by technology, she pushed UNFPA to the frontlines of global discourse. “We exist in a marketplace of ideas,” she explained. “And we have to tell the truth in a way that’s compelling enough so we can garner the allies this movement requires.”

    UNFPA Executive Director, Natalia Kanem (right), visits Sudan in March 2021.

    Under her leadership, the agency trained hundreds of thousands of midwives, distributed billions of contraceptives, and expanded humanitarian operations to reach women and girls in the most fragile settings – from the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar to war-scarred Ukraine and cholera-stricken Haiti.

    UNFPA’s presence in crisis zones was not only logistical, but symbolic. In Sudan, Syria, and Gaza, a simple tent stocked with menstrual pads, a blanket, and a bar of soap could serve as sanctuary. “It represents the respite that a woman needs in a time of crisis,” she said. “You know, we call our kits ‘dignity kits’ for that reason.”

    Shifting the conversation

    Beyond delivering services, Dr. Kanem elevated UNFPA’s role as a thought leader in a polarised world. She steered the agency into difficult public conversations – about teen pregnancy, climate anxiety, fertility rates, and online harassment – with an unflinching insistence on rights.

    “The 10-year-old girl exists,” she said. “What her parents and her religious leaders and her community think is vital for her to be well prepared, for her to know what to do when she’s challenged by coercive practices.”

    That leadership extended to data. Under Dr. Kanem, UNFPA invested heavily in supporting national censuses and building dashboards to help lawmakers shape reproductive health policy with real-time insight.

    This year’s State of World Population report, the agency’s annual deep dive into demographic trends, reframed conventional narratives around so-called “population collapse” – noting that many women and men delay having children not out of ideology, but because they cannot afford to raise them.

    Dr. Kanem praised the altruism of young people who say they’re choosing not to have children for fear of worsening the climate crisis. But that’s not what the data shows.

    “The world replacement fertility rate is not endangering the planet,” she explained. “The facts really say: you can have as many children as you can afford.”

    A rights-based compass in turbulent times

    Dr. Kanem’s tenure coincided with mounting attacks on reproductive rights, rising nationalism, and growing scepticism of multilateral institutions. She faced years of US funding cuts – including under the current administration – even as demand for UNFPA’s services surged.

    “UNFPA has more money than we’ve ever had,” she noted. “But it’s never going to be enough to stop the flow of need.”

    Dr. Natalia Kanem, head of the United Nations Population Fund (left) talks to UN News and Media Deputy Director Mita Hosali.

    Resources alone won’t secure the agency’s future – credibility and persistence are just as vital. “The multilateral system itself has come under question at a time when it is needed now more than ever,” she warned. “We do have to prove ourselves each and every day. And when we make mistakes, we’ve got to get up and rectify them and find partners who are going to be allies.”

    One such partner has been the private sector. In 2023, UNFPA teamed up with tech firms to launch a development impact bond in Kenya, delivering mobile-based sexual health services to prevent teenage pregnancy and new HIV infections among adolescent girls.

    Changing mindsets

    UNFPA has long worked to end harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. Under Dr. Kanem, that work became as much about shifting mindsets as changing laws.

    “Yes, absolutely,” she said when asked if progress was real. “It’s been very important to see religious leaders and traditional leaders standing against certain practices… and to work with school systems so that the girls themselves will understand the risks and be able to take better decisions about their options.”

    The coronavirus“>COVID-19 pandemic, she admitted, was a setback. With schools closed, some communities increased the number of weddings and FGM ceremonies. But in many countries – including populous Indonesia – UNFPA has seen the practice decline, in part thanks to youth advocates speaking out from within their own communities.

    New generation, next chapter

    Looking ahead, Dr. Kanem didn’t dwell on uncertainty. She spoke instead of possibility. “We’ve transformed ourselves, modernized ourselves,” she said. “There’s just unlimited possibility for UNFPA.”

    Her own future includes what she calls a “mini-sabbatical” – more time for music, her family, and, finally, herself. But she won’t stay silent for long. “I know that my passion for issues of women and girls is not going to recede,” she said. “It’s been a labour of love.”

    Her parting thought? One final return to the girl at the centre of it all.

    “When that 10-year-old girl succeeds, everyone succeeds,” she said. “It is a better world.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-Evening Report: Does AI actually boost productivity? The evidence is murky

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jon Whittle, Director, Data61, CSIRO

    Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock

    There’s been much talk recently – especially among politicians – about productivity. And for good reason: Australia’s labour productivity growth sits at a 60-year low.

    To address this, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has convened a productivity round table next month. This will coincide with the release of an interim report from the Productivity Commission, which is looking at five pillars of reform. One of these is the role of data and digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI).

    This will be music to the ears of the tech and business sectors, which have been enthusiastically promoting the productivity benefits of AI. In fact, the Business Council of Australia also said last month that AI is the single greatest opportunity in a generation to lift productivity.

    But what do we really know about how AI impacts productivity?

    What is productivity?

    Put simply, productivity is how much output (goods and services) we can produce from a given amount of inputs (such as labour and raw materials). It matters because higher productivity typically translates to a higher standard of living. Productivity growth has accounted for 80% of Australia’s income growth over the past three decades.

    Productivity can be thought of as individual, organisational or national.

    Your individual productivity is how efficiently you manage your time and resources to complete tasks. How many emails can you respond to in an hour? How many products can you check for defects in a day?

    Organisational productivity is how well an organisation achieves its goals. For example, in a research organisation, how many top-quality research papers are produced?

    National productivity is the economic efficiency of a nation, often measured as gross domestic product per hour worked. It is effectively an aggregate of the other forms. But it’s notoriously difficult to track how changes in individual or organisational productivity translate into national GDP per hour worked.

    AI and individual productivity

    The nascent research examining the relationship between AI and individual productivity shows mixed results.

    A 2025 real-world study of AI and productivity involved 776 experienced product professionals at US multinational company Procter & Gamble. The study showed that individuals randomly assigned to use AI performed as well as a team of two without. A similar study in 2023 with 750 consultants from Boston Consulting Group found tasks were 18% faster with generative AI.

    A 2023 paper reported on an early generative AI system in a Fortune 500 software company used by 5,200 customer support agents. The system showed a 14% increase in the number of issues resolved per hour. For less experienced agents, productivity increased by 35%.

    But AI doesn’t always increase individual productivity.

    A survey of 2,500 professionals found generative AI actually increased workload for 77% of workers. Some 47% said they didn’t know how to unlock productivity benefits. The study points to barriers such as the need to verify and/or correct AI outputs, the need for AI upskilling, and unreasonable expectations about what AI can do.

    A recent CSIRO study examined the daily use of Microsoft 365 Copilot by 300 employees of a government organisation. While the majority self-reported productivity benefits, a sizeable minority (30%) did not. Even those workers who reported productivity improvements expected greater productivity benefits than were delivered.

    AI and organisational productivity

    It’s difficult, if not impossible, to attribute changes in an organisation’s productivity to the introduction of AI. Businesses are sensitive to many social and organisational factors, any one of which could be the reason for a change in productivity.

    Nevertheless, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has estimated the productivity benefits of traditional AI – that is, machine learning applied for an industry-specific task – to be zero to 11% at the organisational level.

    A 2024 summary paper cites independent studies showing increases in organisational productivity from AI in Germany, Italy and Taiwan.

    In contrast, a 2022 analysis of 300,000 US firms didn’t find a significant correlation between AI adoption and productivity, but did for other technologies such as robotics and cloud computing. Likely explanations are that AI hasn’t yet had an effect on many firms, or simply that it’s too hard to disentangle the impact of AI given it’s never applied in isolation.

    AI productivity increases can also sometimes be masked by additional human labour needed to train or operate AI systems. Take Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology for shops.

    Publicly launched in 2018, it was intended to reduce labour as customer purchases would be fully automated. But it reportedly relied on hiring around 1,000 workers in India for quality control. Amazon has labelled these reports “erroneous”.

    More generally, think about the unknown number (but likely millions) of people paid to label data for AI models.

    AI and national productivity

    The picture at a national level is even murkier.

    Clearly, AI hasn’t yet impacted national productivity. It can be argued that technology developments take time to affect national productivity, as companies need to figure out how to use the technology and put the necessary infrastructure and skills in place.

    However, this is not guaranteed. For example, while there is consensus that the internet led to productivity improvements, the effects of mobile phones and social media are more contested, and their impacts are more apparent in some industries (such as entertainment) than others.

    Productivity isn’t just doing things faster

    The common narrative around AI and productivity is that AI automates mundane tasks, making us faster at doing things and giving us more time for creative pursuits. This, however, is a naive view of how work happens.

    Just because you can deal with your inbox more quickly doesn’t mean you’ll spend your afternoon on the beach. The more emails you fire off, the more you’ll receive back, and the never-ending cycle continues.

    Faster isn’t always better. Sometimes, we need to slow down to be more productive. That’s when great ideas happen.

    Imagine a world in which AI isn’t simply about speeding up tasks but proactively slows us down, to give us space to be more innovative, and more productive. That’s the real untapped opportunity with AI.

    Jon Whittle works at CSIRO which receives R&D funding from a wide range of government and industry clients.

    ref. Does AI actually boost productivity? The evidence is murky – https://theconversation.com/does-ai-actually-boost-productivity-the-evidence-is-murky-260690

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Blasts Republicans for Refusing to Fix the Provision in Their Tax Bill that Limits the Wagering Loss Deduction

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    FTP for TV stations of her remarks is available here.

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) called out Senate Republicans for refusing to pass her bipartisan fix to the provision in the Republican budget bill that limits the wagering loss deduction. Cortez Masto took to the Senate floor to ask unanimous consent to pass her Facilitating Useful Loss Limitations to Help Our Unique Service Economy (FULL HOUSE) Act, but a Republican senator objected because he was unable to attach his own unrelated amendment.

    “It is a shame that we cannot pass this commonsense S.2230 [FULL HOUSE Act] because Republicans want to weigh it down with unrelated measures that they voted to support,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This is a Republican piece of legislation that is actually causing people to pay taxes on money they lost. It makes no sense. And that’s all this is, is to try to fix it…So I’m disappointed, but I am not done.”

    The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reformed the way wagering losses are taxed, but allowed taxpayers to deduct 100% of gambling losses from their annual taxes. Republicans’ billionaire giveaway bill that they passed last week changed the tax code to only allow a 90% deduction on gambling losses. As a result, people could be forced to pay taxes on money they don’t have, causing irreparable harm to Nevada’s gaming industry, tourism industry, and overall economy. Cortez Masto’s bill would restore the 100% tax deduction on gambling losses.

    Read the full bill here.

    Senator Cortez Masto is a champion of Nevada’s tourism and gaming economy. In the American Rescue Plan, Senator Cortez Masto secured $3 billion in funding to assist states with their economic recovery and their vital tourism industries, including Nevada. She also delivered resources to the state’s businesses and secured flexibility for the gaming industry. She has been a Senate leader in passing the seven-year reauthorization of ‘Brand USA’, which is a public-private partnership that enhances tourism and job creation across the country.

    MIL OSI USA News