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Category: KB

  • Lula says he won’t take orders from foreigner Trump, calls tariffs blackmail

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday said he would not take orders over tariffs from a foreigner, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump, and later called the United States’ threatened duty “unacceptable blackmail.”

    The comments, made during two separate events, mark a continuation of a spat between the two leaders that escalated when the U.S. announced a 50% tariff on Brazil last week.

    Trump attributed the tariff, set to start in August, to Brazil’s treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro and to trade practices against U.S. companies that he said are unfair. The tariff announcement came days after Lula called Trump an “emperor” the world does not want.

    Lula and members of his cabinet have rejected the reasoning behind the tariffs and insisted on Brazil’s sovereignty, while calling for trade negotiations with the United States.

    “No foreigner is going to give orders to this president,” Lula said in a speech, using the slang word ‘gringo’, which in Brazil is a common term for foreigners without the pejorative sense it carries in other parts of Latin America.

    He added that Brazil would go ahead with regulation and taxation of U.S. tech firms, telling a gathering of leftist student activists in the state of Goias that tech firms are conduits of violence and fake news disguised as freedom of expression.

    Later on Thursday, during an evening TV and radio address to the nation, Lula said the defense of Brazil’s sovereignty extends to protecting itself against the actions of foreign digital platforms.

    During the near five-minute address, Lula said Brazil has been negotiating with the U.S. over tariffs, and repeated that the Latin America country had sent a proposal in May.

    “We expected a response, and what we received was unacceptable blackmail, in the form of threats to Brazilian institutions and false information about trade between Brazil and the United States,” Lula said.

    Brasilia has been holding discussions with industry groups and companies that will be affected by the U.S. tariff, while also readying potential retaliatory measures if talks fall through.

    Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira told CNN Brasil separately on Thursday that Lula was open to talks with Trump, who had not yet met each other.

    “If the circumstances are given, they will speak,” he added.

    Lula, who is in his third non-consecutive term as president of Latin America’s largest economy, saw his approval ratings start to rebound after the trade spat with Trump last week.

    (Reuters)

  • India achieves successful trial of Akash Prime at high-altitude

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India achieved a major milestone on Wednesday by successfully intercepting and destroying two high-speed aerial unmanned targets using the Akash Prime air defence system in the high-altitude region of Ladakh, the Ministry of Defence said in an official statement.

    The upgraded variant of the Akash Weapon System has been specifically customised to operate at altitudes above 4,500 metres. It includes several enhancements, most notably an indigenously developed Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for improved target acquisition and engagement.

    According to the Ministry, the Akash Prime system has been developed through collaboration between the Indian Army’s Air Defence units, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), defence public sector undertakings like Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), along with other industry partners.

    The successful trial was conducted as part of the “First of Production Model” firing tests, intended to validate the system’s performance before its induction into service. The Ministry said the trial would pave the way for timely deployment and bolster India’s air defence capabilities in challenging high-altitude frontiers.

    The test follows the strong operational performance of India’s air defence systems during Operation Sindoor, where Akash systems effectively neutralised aerial threats involving hostile drones and fighter aircraft.

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Indian Army, DRDO, and the industry partners on the achievement. He described the success as a major boost to India’s air defence capabilities, particularly in meeting operational demands in high-altitude regions.

    Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also extended his congratulations, stating that the Akash Prime missile had successfully fulfilled critical air defence requirements for high-altitude deployments.

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appointments to Elderly Commission announced

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Appointments to Elderly Commission announced———–
    Dr Donald Li Kwok-tung ————————
    Professor Bai Xue
    Dr Johnnie Casire Chan Chi-kau
    Ms Grace Chan Man-yee
    Ms Ip Shun-hing 
    Professor Daniel Lai Wing-leung 
    Professor Linda Lam Chiu-wa
    Mr Lau Tat-chuen
    Mr Lee Shing-kan
    Dr Jenny Lee Shun-wah
    Mr Horace Lit Hoo-yin
    Dr James Luk Ka-hay
    Mr Theodore Ma Heng
    Ms Queenie Man Wei-yin
    Mr Godfrey Ngai Shi-shing
    Mr Kyrus Siu King-wai
    Mr Albert Su Yau-on
    Ms Macy Wong Chor-kei——————-
    Secretary for Labour and Welfare or representative
    Secretary for Health or representative
    Secretary for Housing/Director of Housing or representative
    Director of Health or representative
    Director of Social Welfare or representative
    Chief Executive, Hospital Authority or representative
    Issued at HKT 12:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • India successfully tests Prithvi-II and Agni-I ballistic missiles in Odisha

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India on Thursday successfully test-fired two key strategic ballistic missiles – the short-range Prithvi-II and Agni-I – from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Odisha, the Ministry of Defence announced.

    According to the Ministry, the launches were conducted by the Strategic Forces Command as part of routine training and validation exercises. Both missiles met all mission objectives and technical parameters, reaffirming their accuracy and operational readiness.

    “These tests validate key capabilities of India’s nuclear-capable delivery systems and demonstrate the robustness of its indigenous missile arsenal,” the Ministry said in a statement.

    The Prithvi-II and Agni-I are part of India’s domestically developed strategic missile systems and play a crucial role in maintaining the country’s defence preparedness.

    The successful trials come just a day after the Indian Army conducted a high-altitude test of the indigenous Akash Prime air defence system in Ladakh, at an altitude of approximately 15,000 feet.

    Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Akash Prime system scored direct hits on two high-speed aerial targets during the trial, showcasing its precision in extreme terrain and atmospheric conditions.

    The test was observed by senior officials from the Army’s Air Defence wing and DRDO. Defence officials confirmed that Akash Prime will be deployed in the Army’s third and fourth Akash Regiments, further enhancing India’s air defence capabilities.

    The Akash air defence system has previously demonstrated its operational value, notably during Operation Sindoor, where it successfully intercepted aerial threats involving Chinese fighter aircraft and Turkish drones used by Pakistani forces.

  • MIL-OSI China: China Internet Conference to open in Beijing next week

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

    The 24th China Internet Conference is set to take place at the China National Convention Center in Beijing from July 23 to 25.

    The three-day event will include dozens of forums, seminars and exhibitions focused on how innovative internet technologies can cultivate new quality productive forces, drive industrial transformation and support high-quality development.

    The forums will feature industry experts discussing new technology trends and development opportunities, according to organizers.

    Major corporations, startups, and established brands will also display their latest products and innovations, with participants able to test many of these new technologies through interactive demonstrations.

    The Internet Society of China (ISC), which organizes the event, was founded in 2001 by industry players and research institutions to promote exchange and cooperation in the internet sector. It now has more than 1,000 members.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Case Opposes Housing And Transportation, Energy And Water Funding Measures That Fail To Support Americans Facing Rising Housing, Energy And Transportation Costs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, today voted in full Committee against the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Transportation-Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Appropriations and FY 2026 Energy and Water Appropriations measures.

    The FY 2026 housing and transportation bill proposes to spend $89.9 billion for HUD, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Department of Transportation, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This is a decrease of $4.5 billion from the FY 2025 enacted level.

    The $57.3 billion Energy and Water Appropriations bill funds the Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) civil works programs and various energy programs. This is a decrease of nearly $776 million from the FY 2025 enacted level.

    “While these measures fund many critical Hawai‘i priorities I requested, I regrettably had to vote against both bills because of massive cuts to federal program that help everyday Americans with rising housing, transportation and energy costs,” explained Case.

    The Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill included some important wins for Hawai‘i requested by Case including $5.5 million for Case’s Community Funding Projects (described below), as well as $18.3 million for the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant and $28 million for the Native Hawaiian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund (for both of which programs the President’s budget has proposed $0). It also included Case’s request to continue funding for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which plays a crucial role in enhancing the safety of the helicopter and small aircraft industry through accident investigation, analysis and recommendations to prevent future incidents, including several fatal accidents throughout Hawai‘i.

    Despite these positives, Case said the bill poses significant risks to vulnerable communities by exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis and undercutting critical housing support systems. The bill eliminates the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the only federal program dedicated to developing new affordable rental and homeownership options. It also defunds the PRO Housing Program, which empowers local governments to address housing shortages. Together, these actions remove essential tools for expanding the affordable housing supply.

    The bill further harms Americans aspiring to homeownership by stripping funding from housing counseling assistance. The net effect of the bill threatens nearly 415,000 households that rely on HUD assistance, putting them at risk of eviction and housing instability.

    The Energy and Water Appropriations bill also included numerous wins for Hawai‘i requested by Case, including funding for USACE programs that aid in the preservation of Hawaii’s coastlines across all seven inhabited islands. Specifically, the bill includes $2 million to study avenues of protection for public infrastructure on small beaches from erosion and damage caused by storms and natural wave currents; $18 million for regional sediment management, construction, operations and regulatory functions in the coastal zone; and $38 million for programs which manage aquatic weeds in public waters.

    Notably, one of Case’s highest priorities, an instruction to the USACE to complete a major update study for Honolulu Harbor, was included in the bill. This provision directs the USACE to investigate modifications to Honolulu Harbor to better handle the impacts of military operations in the state and throughout the Indo-Pacific as a whole, which can open up additional federal resources for the planned improvements of Honolulu Harbor. Also included in the bill is $9.5 million for USACE program that aids in the planning, designing and construction of small projects for commercial navigation purposes such as channels, breakwaters and jetties. This funding will aid in the investigation of best practices for Honolulu Harbor modifications.

    Despite these positives, Case opposed the measure in light of the widespread elimination of funding to advance clean, affordable and secure energy for Americans. The bill slashes vital clean energy funding nationwide, with Hawai‘i set to experience a cut of 31% on federal funding for clean energy projects and investments.

    “While the Energy and Water Appropriations measures fund many critical Hawai‘i and priorities I requested, regrettably the bill will increase energy costs for American families by revoking more than $5 billion in clean energy investments.

    “Without these federally funded programs and incentives, we risk falling dangerously behind our clean energy goals,” said Case. 

    Through his assignment on the Committee, Case secured the following seven Member-designated Community Project Funding (CPF) projects across the two bills that specifically focused on local needs in Hawai‘i:

    ·      $2 million for the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation to repair Aloha Tower, including replacing its 40-foot mast, repairing the crown of the tower and replacing its windows to weatherproof the landmark. This funding is essential to maintain Aloha Tower’s structural integrity, enhance public access and ensure that it remains a celebrated symbol of Honolulu’s history for generations to come.

    ·      $1 million for the City and County of Honolulu for its Waikīkī Vista Project. This project converts former Tokai University and Hawai‘i Pacific University classrooms into a consolidated, family-friendly emergency shelter and additional affordable housing units for low-income families. This investment will directly enhance the City’s ability to reduce family homelessness and expand affordable housing inventory in one of Hawaii’s most housing-challenged areas.

    ·      $850,000 for the City and County of Honolulu to support its Safe Harbor Support for Housing Survivors of Domestic Violence project. This funding will expand the Domestic Violence Action Center’s successful housing program by supporting property acquisition and staffing to increase safe and stable housing options for survivors and their children.

    ·      $850,000 for Kalihi Waena Elementary School to construct a new single-span pedestrian bridge with American with Disabilities Act-compliant access between Kūhiō Park Terrace and the school. The new bridge will replace dangerously deteriorating infrastructure and ensure safe and equitable access for students and community members.

    ·      $300,000 for Highlands Intermediate School to modernize and expand its media center infrastructure. The renovation will create a collaborative, technology-driven learning environment that fosters student creativity, innovation and digital literacy.

    ·      $250,000 for the Hawai‘i State Parks System and Hawai‘i Nature Center to upgrade educational and operational facilities, including classroom expansion and replacement of a sustainable wetland wastewater system supporting environmental education for thousands of Title I students annually.

    ·      $250,000 for the Hawai‘i State Broadband Office for broadband infrastructure development in our local community centers. Funding will be used toward essential network enhancements, including rewiring, electrical system upgrades and the installation of Wi-Fi access points to ensure reliable, high-speed connectivity.

    The House’s CPF rules require that each project must have demonstrated community support, must be fully disclosed by the requesting Member and must be subject to audit by the independent Government Accountability Office. Case’s disclosures are here: https://case.house.gov/services/funding-disclosures.htm.  


    Transportation-HUD Funding Bill

    More specifically, the bill includes the following funding requested by Case for programs to improve access to affordable housing in Hawai‘i and nationwide:

    ·      $18.3 million for the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant Program, which supports the building, acquisition and rehabilitation of affordable homes.

    ·      $5 million for core housing research partnerships with Native Hawaiian serving institutions among other minority serving institutions.

    ·      $56 million for the Self-Help and Assisted Homeownership Opportunity Program.

    ·      $17 billion for project-based rental assistance.

    ·      $5.6 billion for the Community Development Fund, which includes $3.3 billion for the Community Development Block Grant formula program.

    ·      $4 billion for the Homeless Assistance Grants.

    Transportation and infrastructure programs requested and secured by Case include:

    ·      $380 million for the Maritime Security Program, $123 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program and $30 million for assistance to small shipyards like Kalaeloa/Barbers Point.

    ·      $64 billion for the Federal Highway Administration to improve the safety and long-term viability of our highways.

    ·      $23 billion for the FAA, including $10 billion to fully fund air traffic control operations and allow the FAA to hire 2,500 air traffic controllers to replace the retiring workforce.

    ·      $15 billion for the Federal Transit Administration.

    A summary of the Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill is available here.

    Energy and Water Funding Bill

    More specifically, the bill includes the following energy and water-related programs and provisions requested and secured by Case and of specific benefit to Hawai‘i: 

    ·      Language directing the USACE to investigate modifications to Honolulu Harbor to better accommodate the impacts of military operations in the state and throughout the Indo-Pacific as a whole.

    ·      $2 million for the USACE’s beach erosion and hurricane and storm damage reduction activities.

    ·      $40 million for flood control and coastal emergencies efforts.

    ·      $18 million for the USACE’s National Coastal Mapping Program, which provides high-resolution elevation and imagery data along the U.S. shorelines on a recurring basis which can provide a better understanding of human uses, issues and constraints in coastal regions.

    ·      $12 million for the USACE’s Aquatic Plant Control Program, which conducts research and development of biological, chemical, cultural and ecological capabilities for controlling invasive aquatic plants.

    ·      Language modifying a clean energy program under DOE that has been widely beneficial for Hawai‘i. The newly named Energy Technology Innovation Office, previously known as the Energy Transitions Initiative, supports island and remote communities by providing personalized technical and financial assistance. Case recently introduced legislation make to make this program permanent. (See here for more details.)

    ·      Language directing the DOE to investigate potential benefits of having small-modular nuclear reactors as a source of clean, domestically sourced electricity for remote, noncontiguous U.S. areas such as Hawai‘i.

    A summary of the Energy and Water Appropriations bill is available here. 

    These two bills are the 6th and 7th of twelve separate bills developed and approved by the Appropriations Committee that would fund the federal government at some $1.6 trillion for FY 2026 commencing October 1st of this year. The bills now move on to the full House of Representatives for its consideration.   

    ###

     

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: FACT CHECK: Frequency Holdings YCRM Issues Clarification On Procedural Judgment; No Liability to Company, Litigation Exposure Remains for Luciano Aguayo

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Frequency Holdings Inc. (OTC: YCRM), a Nevada public company, issues this clarification following a press release distributed on July 17, 2025, by Luciano Aguayo, defendant in the original and now-defunct lawsuit brought by ReachOut Technology Corp., a former subsidiary of YCRM.

     The judgment referenced in the release has no financial or legal impact on YCRM. The company retains full ownership and operation of reacquired assets, including customer contracts and intellectual property.

    YCRM is Not Liable — But the Claims Against Aguayo Remain Alive

    The judgment does not affect YCRM. Claims originally brought against Mr. Aguayo, estimated during mediation at over $9 million, were dismissed without prejudice and remain enforceable. These may be reasserted at any time by the current rights holder. The new owner of ReachOut Technology Corp. may pursue these claims at any time.

    Court Judgment Was Procedural — Not a “Vindication”

    Contrary to the implication of Mr. Aguayo’s release, the default judgment was issued due solely to ReachOut Technology Corp.’s lack of legal representation following its sale. No discovery had begun, depositions given, or evidence presented at the time of judgement. The court’s judgment was procedural, as stated in official hearing minutes, it had nothing to do with the facts or truth of the case. It happened because the previous subsidiary had no lawyer at the time.

    Aguayo’s Allegations About Contradict Court Records

    Court documents confirm that Attorney Matt Nirider left his law firm (Nelson Mullins) for an in-house role. The motion to withdraw explicitly states: “Following Attorney Nirider’s departure, ReachOut and Jordan desire to retain new counsel.” The firm’s withdrawal was based solely on attorney movement and client choice, not adverse facts.

    Misleading Affidavit Falsely Cited As “Testimony” – Former Employee Was Fired for Cause

    The misleading statement referenced as “under oath in federal court” was not court testimony at all but an affidavit from a former employee terminated for job abandonment, underperformance, and later found to have a conflict of interest for undisclosed side business activity. She was not subject to cross-examination and faces credibility challenges in any proceedings.

    Customer Contracts Were Reacquired and Remain Active

    In April 2025, YCRM publicly disclosed its reacquisition of customer contracts, intellectual property, and operational assets of the original ReachOut Technology Co. These are now under a new, fully operational subsidiary. This deal is wholly unrelated to the dismissed lawsuit and affirms YCRM’s continuity and commercial strength.

    Rick Jordan, CEO of Frequency Holdings, stated: “We’re not going to let misinformation distract from the reality we’ve built. Our clients stayed. Our business is stronger than ever. And anyone trying to rewrite history for their own PR stunt should be careful what they invite.”

    YCRM reserves all rights. All legal remedies remain available and active. Any future litigation against Aguayo, whether civil or criminal in nature, remains entirely within the discretion of the asset holder.

    This statement is provided solely for the benefit of shareholders, regulators, and stakeholders, and does not constitute an admission, denial, or waiver of any legal right or position.

    PR Contact:
    Cheryl Conner
    SnappConner PR
    801-806-0150
    info@SnappConner.com
    PR@frequencyhold.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Money Market Operations as on July 17, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 6,09,521.02 5.30 4.75-6.35
         I. Call Money 18,360.64 5.35 4.75-5.40
         II. Triparty Repo 4,06,012.65 5.28 5.24-5.32
         III. Market Repo 1,82,713.18 5.34 5.00-6.00
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 2,434.55 5.48 5.42-6.35
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 205.10 5.33 4.95-5.50
         II. Term Money@@ 751.50 – 5.20-5.68
         III. Triparty Repo 1,079.00 5.30 5.30-5.30
         IV. Market Repo 189.34 5.50 5.50-5.50
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Thu, 17/07/2025 1 Fri, 18/07/2025 808.00 5.75
    4. SDFΔ# Thu, 17/07/2025 1 Fri, 18/07/2025 1,06,279.00 5.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -1,05,471.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Tue, 15/07/2025 3 Fri, 18/07/2025 57,450.00 5.49
      Fri, 11/07/2025 7 Fri, 18/07/2025 1,51,633.00 5.49
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       5,857.45  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -2,03,225.55  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -3,08,696.55  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks          
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on July 17, 2025 9,69,527.82  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending July 25, 2025 9,63,288.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ July 17, 2025 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on June 27, 2025 5,79,904.00  

    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).

    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.

    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.

    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.

    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.

    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/735

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: [Unboxing] Galaxy Z Flip7: The Compact AI Smartphone in the Palm of Your Hand

    Source: Samsung

    With its pocket-friendly compact design and stylish aesthetic, the Galaxy Z Flip series has remained a fan favorite — and now it’s back, more sophisticated than ever.
     
    Making its debut at Galaxy Unpacked 2025 in Brookyln, the Galaxy Z Flip7 instantly grabbed attention with its significantly larger FlexWindow and innovative AI features — all optimized for the foldable form factor.
     
    From design to usability, Samsung Newsroom unboxed the Galaxy Z Flip7 to explore how the device has been taken to the next level.
     

    ▲ The Galaxy Z Flip7 and its packaging
     
     
    Right Out of the Box: First Impressions of the Galaxy Z Flip7
    ▲ Contents of the Galaxy Z Flip7 box
     
    The cover of the slim black package features a design element inspired by the Galaxy Z Flip7, creating a minimal yet premium impression. The Galaxy Z Flip7 box contains the device, a USB-C cable and a simple user manual.
     
    ▲ The Galaxy Z Flip7
     
    When lifting the device out of the box, the first thing that stands out is how light and compact it feels in one hand. The Galaxy Z Flip7 is the slimmest model in the Galaxy Z Flip series yet, measuring just 13.7mm thick when folded.
     
    ▲ The Armor FlexHinge provides smooth, reliable folding over extended use.
     
    ▲ The Galaxy Z Flip7 is slimmer than ever, measuring 13.7mm thick when folded and 6.5mm when unfolded.
     
    The Armor Aluminum Frame and Armor FlexHinge create a sleek but strong appearance, conveying a sense of stability when held in the hand.
     
    ▲ The back of the Galaxy Z Flip7
     
    In a first for the Galaxy Z series, the Blue Shadow color is available in a luxurious navy tone — enhancing the Galaxy Z Flip7’s iconic design and making it stand out even more.
     
    ▲ The colors of the Galaxy Z Flip7
     
     
    FlexWindow: Capturing High-Quality Selfies on a Larger Screen, Without Unfolding
    ▲ A comparison of the FlexWindow sizes between the Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Flip7
     
    The most noticeable change in the Galaxy Z Flip7 is its FlexWindow. The bezel surrounding the dual cameras measures just 1.25mm thick, making the 4.1-inch FlexWindow — which spans the entire surface — the largest ever featured in the Galaxy Z Flip series.
     
    Even when it’s folded, users can easily handle essential daily tasks directly from the FlexWindow, taking the out-of-your-pocket, ready-to-use foldable experience to the next level.
     
    ▲ Front view of the Galaxy Z Flip7 with the FlexWindow
     
    When the screen is turned on, its bright and vivid display provides a clear, expansive view. Compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Flip7 delivers a peak brightness of up to 2,600 nits and a 120Hz refresh rate, allowing users to enjoy a variety of content with stunning clarity.
     
    Dragging the camera icon to launch FlexCam opens a wide camera preview on the FlexWindow. When users turn on the Cover camera effects feature, first introduced on the Galaxy Z Flip7, the ring that surrounds the dual camera hole will change color depending on the shooting mode, immediately capturing the users’ attention: white for standard, yellow for photo and red for video. This allows the users to see the current mode at a glance.
     
    ▲ The activated FlexCam displays its status with colored rings around the camera lenses.
     
    
    ▲ The Zoom Slider on the FlexWindow
     
    The Zoom Slider on the FlexWindow allows for intuitive zooming in or out with a simple swipe, making it easier to adjust the camera angle for selfies. When taking full-body shots or group photos with friends, the Auto Zoom feature automatically adjusts the framing based on the subject’s position, ensuring a well-balanced composition.
     

    ▲ Real-Time Filters on the FlexWindow
     
    Meanwhile, users can apply filters in real time directly on the FlexWindow, allowing them to capture their desired look without additional editing. Thanks to this feature, users can take the perfect selfie — using only the FlexWindow — to mark their first encounter with the Galaxy Z Flip7.
     
     
    A New FlexWindow Optimized for AI
    The FlexWindow becomes even more powerful when combined with intelligent AI features. With the latest Android 16-based One UI 8, the Galaxy Z Flip7 offers a UX optimized for the form factor, enabling a more intuitive and seamless AI experience right from the FlexWindow.
     
    Long pressing the power button launches the AI agent to activate Google Gemini. After initiating the camera view and asking a question like “Can you recommend an outfit color that matches today’s makeup?”, a natural conversation follows, with real-time styling tips provided to complement the user’s makeup.
     

    ▲ Users can activate Google Gemini directly from the FlexWindow. (*To listen to the audio, click the speaker button at the bottom of the video)
     
    With the Galaxy Z Flip7, users can effortlessly handle everyday tasks — such as adding calendar events or getting local recommendations — using only voice commands from the FlexWindow. Moreover, users can also engage in a conversation to receive real-time information, just like chatting with a friend.
     
    Taking it a step further, Now Bar, located at the bottom of the FlexWindow, enables users to instantly control music and video playback, as well as quickly check information from various apps and get real-time updates. Meanwhile, Now Brief delivers personalized information based on location, time and usage patterns — which can also be accessed without unfolding the device — further enhancing everyday convenience.
     
    ▲ Now Brief
     
     
    Unfolded: More Powerful, More Versatile
    Even when the device is folded, the Galaxy Z Flip7 offers versatility for users. When it’s unfolded, there is even more that the Galaxy Z Flip7’s main display has to offer.
     
    ▲ A comparison of the main displays of the Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Flip7
     
    The larger screen and expansive feel of the Galaxy Z Flip7 immediately stand out when placed side by side with its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Flip6. The 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display delivers vibrant image quality and a smooth refresh rate, offering a more immersive viewing experience.
     
    The Galaxy Z Flip7 is also the first in the Galaxy Z series to support Samsung DeX. By unfolding the device and connecting it to an external display, mouse or keyboard, users can instantly turn it into a portable workstation.
     
    Compact in form yet powerful with AI, the Galaxy Z Flip7 redefines the foldable mobile experience, offering seamless, ready-in-your-pocket AI usability and expanded functionality when unfolded. Samsung looks forward to how the Galaxy Z Flip7 will shape users’ everyday life.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polish Ambassador to Hungary Stops Working — MFA

    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

    WARSAW, July 18 (Xinhua) — Polish Ambassador to Hungary Sebastian Kieciek completed his tenure on July 15, Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski said on Thursday.

    A day earlier, Hungary’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Levente Magyar acknowledged the downgrade in diplomatic relations and expressed regret over this development.

    According to P. Wronski, it is not yet clear how the situation with the further appointment of diplomats will develop.

    He recalled that Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski recalled S. Kęciek to Warsaw in December 2024 for “consultations for an indefinite period” following Hungary’s decision to grant political asylum to Marcin Romanowski, the former Deputy Minister of Justice of Poland. –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-OSI Russia: China’s Outbound Investments Exceed 5 Percent Annual Average Growth Rate in 2021-2024

    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

    BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) — China’s outbound investment grew at an average annual rate of over 5 percent from 2021 to 2024, making it one of the world’s top three investors, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said at a press conference in Beijing on Friday. -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-OSI Russia: Exhibition of works by I. Repin to be held at National Museum in Beijing

    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

    BEIJING, July 17 (Xinhua) — A special art exhibition of 92 original works by Russian realist artist Ilya Repin will open to the public on July 23 at the National Museum of China (NMC) in Beijing. The NMC opened the boxes in which the works were delivered on Wednesday.

    BEIJING, July 17 (Xinhua) — A special art exhibition of 92 original works by Russian realist artist Ilya Repin will open to the public on July 23 at the National Museum of China (NMC) in Beijing. The NMC opened the boxes in which the works were delivered on Wednesday.

    BEIJING, July 17 (Xinhua) — A special art exhibition of 92 original works by Russian realist artist Ilya Repin will open to the public on July 23 at the National Museum of China (NMC) in Beijing. The NMC opened the boxes in which the works were delivered on Wednesday.

    BEIJING, July 17 (Xinhua) — A special art exhibition of 92 original works by Russian realist artist Ilya Repin will open to the public on July 23 at the National Museum of China (NMC) in Beijing. The NMC opened the boxes in which the works were delivered on Wednesday.

    BEIJING, July 17 (Xinhua) — A special art exhibition of 92 original works by Russian realist artist Ilya Repin will open to the public on July 23 at the National Museum of China (NMC) in Beijing. The NMC opened the boxes in which the works were delivered on Wednesday.

    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: China’s Trade-In Programs Boost Consumer Market Development: Commerce Minister

    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

    BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) — China’s trade-in sales revenue exceeded 2.9 trillion yuan (about 405.6 billion U.S. dollars) as of the end of June 2025, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said at a press conference on Friday. -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-OSI Russia: China imported 7.4 trillion yuan worth of consumer goods from 2021 to 2024.

    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

    BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) — China imported consumer goods worth a total of 7.4 trillion yuan (about 1.03 trillion U.S. dollars) from 2021 to 2024, the first four years of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said Friday. -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-OSI Russia: China’s retail sales of consumer goods have grown by 5.5 percent annually since 2021: Commerce Minister

    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

    BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) — China’s retail sales of consumer goods have grown at an average annual rate of 5.5 percent over the past four years, and are expected to exceed 50 trillion yuan (about 7 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2025, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said Friday. -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-OSI Russia: D. Trump diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency

    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

    WASHINGTON, July 17 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump has developed swelling in his legs and has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a common and harmless condition, White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said on Thursday.

    She said an ultrasound revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that often occurs in people over 70.

    K. Leavitt said additional tests showed that D. Trump “has no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic disease.”

    Trump, 79, was recently photographed at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with swelling visible in his ankles. –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-OSI China: Announcement on Open Market Operations No.137 [2025]

    Source: Peoples Bank of China

    Announcement on Open Market Operations No.137 [2025]

    (Open Market Operations Office, July 18, 2025)

    The People’s Bank of China conducted reverse repo operations in the amount of RMB187.5 billion through quantity bidding at a fixed interest rate on July 18, 2025.

    Details of the Reverse Repo Operations

    Maturity

    Rate

    Bidding Volume

    Winning Bid Volume

    7 days

    1.40%

    RMB187.5 billion

    RMB187.5 billion

    Date of last update Nov. 29 2018

    2025年07月18日

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Overseas Chinese join Belt and Road Initiative

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

    CHONGQING, July 18 — The first Belt and Road Conference for Overseas Chinese Cooperation and Development opened in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality on Thursday, aiming to harness the strength of the overseas Chinese communities to advance the Belt and Road Initiative.

    Deals worth 43.79 billion yuan (about 6.13 billion U.S. dollars) covering 66 projects across green energy, cross-border trade, advanced manufacturing and digital economy sectors were signed at the conference.

    The conference also launched the Belt and Road Overseas Chinese Business Network, with founding members representing Chinese business organizations from 72 countries and regions. The network aims to integrate global Chinese business resources and promote cooperation in trade, science, technology and culture.

    Ten exemplary “Overseas Chinese for Belt and Road” cases, highlighting contributions in fields such as new energy, manufacturing and humanitarian aid, were released.

    Jointly organized by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and the governments of Chongqing and Sichuan Province, the event brought together over 500 overseas Chinese representatives from more than 110 countries and regions.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Politics – Seymour’s attack on UN official ‘offensive and irresponsible’ – PSA

    Source: PSA

    Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi (PSA) is expressing outrage at the conduct of David Seymour for his offensive treatment of the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – and its disappointment that this stance was endorsed by the Prime Minister.
    PSA Kaihautū Janice Panoho called on the Prime Minister to issues a formal apology to the Rapporteur, Dr Albert Barume, and for Foreign Minister Winston Peters to provide a meaningful, Tiriti-consistent response to the UN to the concerns raised with them about the Regulatory Standards Bill and the erosion of Māori rights that have occurred under this government.
    “The Rapporteur was simply doing his job in seeking a response from the government to legitimate concerns that have been raised with the UN.
    “David Seymour’s disrespectful response to the Rapporteur not only undermined Foreign Minister Winston Peters who is responsible for leading our diplomatic relations, it was also ignorant and reeked of colonial defensiveness.
    “This further exposes this government’s complete disregard for the foundational place of Māori as tangata whenua of Aotearoa. The Regulatory Standards Bill, for example, deliberately excludes Māori worldviews, ignores tikanga, and seeks to erase Te Tiriti obligations, and when the international community raises red flags, the response is open hostility.
    “Even more disturbing is the Prime Minister’s public admission that he ‘fully agrees’ with the contents of Seymour’s letter. This is not a mere misstep in process, this is an active and deliberate dismissal of indigenous rights, and a signal to Māori and the global community that this government believes it is above scrutiny.
    “This coalition government continues to prove itself unfit to govern in a Tiriti-based nation. The actions are not just diplomatically embarrassing, they are a direct attack on Māori and our rights as affirmed by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and international law,” says Panoho.
    “Māori will not be silenced by arrogant dismissals or political games. We will continue to use all available channels to hold this government accountable, nationally and internationally.”
    The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Candidates interested in applying for five civil service posts reminded to take part in Common Recruitment Examination and Basic Law and National Security Law Test

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Government announced today (July 18) that the next round of recruitment exercises for the posts of Administrative Officer (AO), Executive Officer II (EOII), Assistant Labour Officer II (ALOII), Assistant Trade Officer II (ATOII) and Management Services Officer II (MSOII) will begin in September 2025.

         As part of the entry requirements, applicants for these posts will need to attain: 

    (a) Level 2 in the two language papers (Use of Chinese and Use of English) in the Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) or other results which are accepted as equivalent;
    (b) a pass result in the Aptitude Test paper in the CRE; and
    (c) a pass result in the Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST) (Degree/Professional Grades).

    Candidates who wish to apply for the posts mentioned above but have not attained the requisite results in CRE should apply through an online application system on the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) website from tomorrow (July 19) to August 1 to take the relevant paper(s) in the CRE tentatively scheduled to be held on September 27 in Hong Kong in order to be considered for appointment. Details and the online application system will be made available on the CSB website at www.csb.gov.hk/eng/cre.html during the application period.

    With the launch of Digitalised BLNST (Degree/Professional Grades) this year, which accepts applications year-round, candidates who are interested in applying for the above vacancies but have not attained a pass result in the BLNST must separately apply for Digitalised BLNST (application details are available at www.csb.gov.hk/eng/dblnst.html) and obtain a pass result before the specified date (i.e. November 29) in order to be considered for appointment.  

    Candidates located outside Hong Kong can still apply for the CRE and the BLNST (Degree/Professional Grades) tentatively scheduled to be held in Beijing, Shanghai, London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver and Sydney on November 29. Application details will be announced in September.

    Students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, and graduating in the years of 2025-26 or 2026-27 academic years are also eligible to apply for the posts and/or apply to take the CRE and the BLNST.

    Details of the 2025-26 AO, EOII, ALOII, ATOII and MSOII recruitment exercises will also be announced in September.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • PM Modi to visit Bihar, West Bengal today, unveil development projects worth over Rs 12,000 crore

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Bihar and West Bengal today (Friday), where he will launch a range of developmental projects worth over Rs 12,000 crore. After giving a major thrust to infrastructure development in both states, PM Modi will also address public gatherings in Motihari in Bihar and Durgapur in West Bengal.

    The projects, amounting to over Rs 7,200 crore for Bihar and over Rs 5,000 crore for Bengal, aim to elevate the region’s connectivity and overall infrastructural growth, while boosting employment, rural livelihoods and digital innovation.

    In Motihari, PM Modi will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for projects across rail, road, IT, fisheries and rural development sectors. He will flag off four Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting Patna, Motihari, Darbhanga and Malda Town to major northern cities including Delhi and Lucknow.

    Key railway projects in Bihar include the inauguration of automatic signalling on the Samastipur-Bachhwara line and the doubling of Darbhanga-Thalwara and Samastipur-Rambhadrapur sections worth Rs 580 crore.

    The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for rail infrastructure projects including a Vande Bharat maintenance facility at Patliputra and doubling of the Darbhanga-Narkatiaganj line, amounting to Rs 4,080 crore.

    In road infrastructure, PM Modi will launch the four-laning of the Ara bypass and Parariya-Mohania section of NH-319 with a combined investment of Rs 820 crore, improving access to the Delhi-Kolkata Golden Quadrilateral.

    To foster Bihar’s digital economy, the Prime Minister will inaugurate a Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) facility in Darbhanga and an incubation centre in Patna, boosting start-ups and IT/ITES exports.

    Under the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, he will launch new fisheries infrastructure including hatcheries, aquaculture units and fish feed mills.

    PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL) City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in Bankura and Purulia districts of West Bengal, worth around Rs 1,950 crore to give a boost to Oil and Gas infrastructure in the region. It will provide PNG connections to households, commercial establishments and industrial customers and provide CNG at the retail outlets.

    PM Modi will also dedicate to the nation the Durgapur to Kolkata section (132 Km) of Durgapur-Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline and Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline, also known as Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga (PMUG) Project. (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Bonnets, speech bubbles and ‘cheeky easter eggs’: a graphic biography of Jane Austen is subtly sophisticated

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Kerrie Davies, Senior Lecturer, School of the Arts & Media, UNSW Sydney

    Isabel Greenberg, Hachette

    This year is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth and she hasn’t aged a bit as the cultural touchstone of classy romance. Her Pride and Prejudice anti-hero, Mr Darcy, perennially pops up in his breeches in Instagram memes, while Regency feminist, Elizabeth Bennet has been brought to life by a host of contemporary actors.

    Along with new screen versions of Austen’s Sense and Sensibility (starring Daisy Edgar-Jones) and a Netflix version of P & P, there have been adaptations of her classics Persuasion, Emma, Northanger Abbey, and Mansfield Park. And, there are numerous biographies and biopics including a TV drama about Jane’s sister, Cassandra, who burnt most of Jane’s letters.

    Review: The Novel Life of Jane Austen: A Graphic Biography –
    Janine Barchas, Isabel Greenberg (Hachette)

    Now, there is also a graphic biography: The Novel Life of Jane Austen, written by Janine Barchas and illustrated by Isabel Greenberg.

    Together, they have co-created a storyboard for the domestic life that framed Austen’s writing, encompassing her closeness to both Cassandra and her brother Frank, who joined the navy and liked to sew.

    Unlike a “cradle to grave” biography, Barchas begins with a teenage Jane in London with Frank touring an exhibition about Shakespeare and his work. We then follow her, in illustrative comic boxes and speech bubbles, through her publishing rejections, her breakthrough debut Sense and Sensibility, and her rise to become one of most beloved writers in the canon of English literature.

    The book ends beyond the grave, flashing forward to the present, in a scene where contemporary fans – Janeites – visit Jane Austen’s House, the cottage in Hampshire where Austen lived when she revised and published her six novels.

    It’s also a sign of subtle structural polish. Now Jane Austen is as deserving of her own gallery as Shakespeare was when we first met Jane as a young, unpublished author.

    Thinking in pink

    Barchas – an “Austenite”, as Austen scholars are called – is the author of The Lost Books of Jane Austen, a study of the mass market editions of Austen’s work. (The Novel Life touches on Austen’s posthumous appeal with a scene where readers buy Austen books for one shilling at a railway station after her death, aged 41.)

    Barchas also wrote Matters of Fact in Jane Austen: History, Location and Celebrity, which links Austen’s characters to well known locations and figures in her era.


    Isabel Greenberg

    Barchas is the co-creator of the interactive digital exhibition, What Jane Saw, which invites us to visit two art exhibitions witnessed by Jane Austen: the Sir Joshua Reynolds retrospective in 1813 or the Shakespeare Gallery as it looked in 1796. The Novel Life, however, is a more definitive life story. It’s also best read in print (although it is available as an e-book) to appreciate Greenberg’s illustrations and graphic format.

    The Novel Life is a gentler, less dramatic style than traditional comics with six-pack superheroes or Japanese manga, similar to Greenberg’s previous literary graphic biography foray, Glass Town, about the Bronte sisters.

    For the Novel Life, Greenberg has drawn a world in which Austen is whimsical, with expressive eyes looming under her signature bangs. She and her sister Cassandra appear in bright yellow or blue empire line dresses.

    Most scenes are illustrated in a muted palette of yellow, blue and grey. This palette, Barchas reflects in the preface, represents “the relative quiet of her (Austen’s) life”.

    When Jane is thinking or writing however, the pages transform into vivid shades of pink to symbolise her imagination and inspiration. In these pages, The Novel Life is at its best, showing graphic biography can be both captivating and deceptively sophisticated.

    Archival nods

    Is a graphic biography really a biography in the conventional understanding of the genre? It can upset the perceived rules. Anticipating this, in the preface, Barchas reminds us:

    Any biography of Austen, and there are many, exists at the intersection of speculation and research.

    This book is at this intersection. While the dialogue is largely invented, it is grounded in Barchas’ expertise and there is a glossary of sources at the end.

    Throughout, there are also nods to the archive. Barchas begins with a scene of Jane in 1796 writing a letter to Cassandra at a desk while staying in London – one of the few not burnt.

    A speech bubble quotes an extract from it:

    Here I am once more in this scene of dissipation and vice, and I begin already to find my morals corrupted.

    There are also Post-it style notes, separate to the bubbles, offering extra biographical context for readers less familiar with the intricacies of Austen’s story. A key scene happens when Jane, 22, receives her first rejection by a publisher for her manuscript “First Impressions” and is comforted by the loyal Cassandra. The note reads:

    Jane would carry out more than a decade and a half of revisions before she dared to offer the manuscript to another publisher, who released it in 1813 as Pride and Prejudice.

    Because of their visual casualness, importantly the notes don’t interfere with the intimate, engaging tone of the story.

    ‘Easter eggs’

    For Austen’s committed “Janeite” fan base, Barchas promises “cheeky easter eggs” in the preface. Janeites can delight in well-quoted lines from the novels that appear as dialogue or a character’s thoughts.

    Look, for instance, for Jane reading at a dinner party from P & P: “It’s a truth universally acknowledged […]” and “she is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me […]”.

    It’s a truth universally acknowledged too that graphic biography can be confused with the graphic novel, now the third most popular literary genre in sales after general fiction and romance.

    But, dear reader, there’s a tradition of life writing in the medium. The Pulitzer Prize winning graphic biography/memoir, The Complete Maus, told Art Spiegelman’s father’s story of the Holocaust to his son, (Art) who struggled to understand his father. Maus portrayed Jewish people anthropomorphically as mice and Nazis as cats. It was described by The New Yorker “as the first masterpiece of comic book history”.

    Other high points in graphic biography include Peter Bagge’s Woman Rebel, the story of birth control campaigner Margaret Sanger, published in 2013.

    Not everyone will appreciate a work diverging so dramatically from the expectations of a traditional biography. And those who will most appreciate or scrutinise The Novel Life are yes, the Janeites and Austenites.

    Regardless, Austen comes to graphic life in the mind and hands of Barchas and Greenberg. More generally, for those of us who like our biographies in vivid colour – literally – and enjoy experiments in nonfiction storytelling, it’s a delightful reading experience, just like Jane Austen.

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

    – ref. Bonnets, speech bubbles and ‘cheeky easter eggs’: a graphic biography of Jane Austen is subtly sophisticated – https://theconversation.com/bonnets-speech-bubbles-and-cheeky-easter-eggs-a-graphic-biography-of-jane-austen-is-subtly-sophisticated-257558

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: US House to vote on bill to cut funding for foreign aid, public broadcasting

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

    Photo taken on July 3, 2025 shows the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., the United States. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote Thursday on a bill to cut funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting after the Senate passed it.

    The Senate approved the bill early Thursday, which will roll back 9 billion U.S. dollars Congress had allocated to foreign aid and public broadcasting.

    With a voting result of 51-48, the bill was opposed by every Democrat in the Senate, along with two GOP senators.

    Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the bill is a small but an important “step toward fiscal sanity.”

    The bill will slash 1.1 billion dollars meant for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. U.S. President Donald Trump and conservatives have blasted the corporation’s two channels, National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting System, as biased in favor of the left. Moreover, the GOP has deemed the channels as an unnecessary expense to taxpayers.

    “My Democrat colleagues may not want to acknowledge it, but we have a serious spending problem in this country,” Thune said Tuesday. “And the very least we can do in response is to target some of the egregious misuses of taxpayer dollars that we are addressing today in this bill.”

    Two Senate Republicans voted against the package.

    “You don’t need to gut the entire Corporation for Public Broadcasting,” said Lisa Murkowski, one of the two Republicans who voted against the bill.

    The package also slashed funding for some foreign development programs.

    Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer blasted the legislation and accused the White House of usurping Congress’s legally mandated role of being in charge of federal spending.

    “Today, Senate Republicans turn this chamber into a subservient rubber stamp for the executive, at the behest of Donald Trump,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Ukrainian parliament approves new cabinet

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

    The Ukrainian parliament on Thursday approved the formation of a new cabinet, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.

    The decision followed the resignation of former Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, which led to the automatic dismissal of the entire government.

    The new cabinet, led by newly-appointed Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, includes several members who remained in office from the previous government. These include Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine Oleksii Kuleba and seven ministers.

    Shmyhal has been appointed as defense minister, while Mykhailo Fedorov, the previous deputy prime minister for innovation, development of education, science and technology, has been named first deputy prime minister.

    “Our government is taking a course towards self-sufficiency: military, economic and social. My main goal is real positive results that every Ukrainian will feel,” Svyrydenko wrote on Facebook on Thursday.

    She listed high-quality support for the armed forces, expanding domestic weapon production and enhancing the army’s technological capabilities among the government’s top priorities for the first six months.

    Earlier in the day, the parliament confirmed Svyrydenko’s nomination to the post of prime minister, proposed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, with 262 votes in favor.

    Svyrydenko, 39, served as first deputy prime minister and minister of economic development and trade from November 2021 to July 2025.

    She becomes the second woman in Ukraine’s history to serve as Prime Minister, following Yulia Tymoshenko.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Britain, Germany sign defense, migration deal

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

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) shakes hands with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, on July 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday signed a wide-ranging bilateral deal covering various areas including defense and migration, which is believed to be the most significant treaty between Britain and Germany since the end of World War II.

    The treaty includes security and defense items requiring the two countries to conduct joint military and training exercises, counter cyber threats and information warfare, and coordinate on arms exports.

    In the treaty, the two countries have also reaffirmed their commitment to limit global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, which is laid out in the Paris Agreement on tackling climate change and its negative impacts.

    The treaty also pledges strengthening bilateral trade within the framework of European Union-Britain agreements and the commitment to free and open markets, as well as increasing employment and growing the number of high-quality jobs.

    Dubbed as the Kensington Treaty, Starmer said it was “the first of its kind ever” between the two countries and was evidence of “the closeness of our relationship as it stands today.”

    He added that this treaty highlighted the two countries’ “strong and close relationship at a time of real volatility in the world.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese envoy condemns Israeli military strikes on Syria

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

    A Chinese envoy on Thursday condemned Israeli military strikes on Syria and demanded an immediate end to them.

    At a time when the situation in southern Syria is turbulent, Israel has recently launched multiple airstrikes on Sweida, Daraa and Damascus. China unequivocally condemns the Israeli actions, which gravely violate international law, infringe on Syria’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and bring new complications to Syria’s peace, stability, and political transition, said Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

    “We call on Israel to immediately cease its military strikes on Syria and withdraw from Syrian territory as soon as possible,” he told an emergency meeting of the Security Council.

    The international community recognizes the Golan as occupied Syrian territory. The sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria should be respected. The relevant Security Council resolutions should be implemented. And the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria should be observed, he said.

    Ethnic tensions and the ensuing violence in Sweida, once again, show that the current situation in Syria remains complex and fragile. Achieving peace and stability still faces daunting challenges, said Geng.

    It is imperative to stabilize the security situation and restore social order as soon as possible. China has noted reports that the Syrian interim authorities have reached a ceasefire with the parties concerned. China calls on all parties to abide by the ceasefire agreement, remain calm and exercise restraint, cease hostilities, and promote an early de-escalation of the situation, he said.

    The Syrian interim authorities should continue to promote the political process with broad participation from all walks of life, address the concerns of all parties through inclusive dialogue, and effectively promote internal unity and reconciliation, said Geng.

    Counterterrorism is an important aspect of restoring peace and stability in Syria. The Syrian interim authorities should fulfill their counterterrorism obligations and take effective measures to combat all terrorist groups listed by the Security Council, including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, he added.

    At present, hot-spot issues in the Middle East are emerging one after another, with new and old antagonisms intertwined and overlapping. The situation is complex and volatile. The state of affairs is neither in the interests of any country in the Middle East, nor the international community, said Geng.

    The Security Council, as the body with the primary responsibility for international peace and security, should resolutely fulfill its responsibilities under the UN Charter and use all the tools in its toolbox to try to bring the conflicts to an early end, restore peace and stability in those areas, and achieve lasting peace and stability in the entire Middle East, he said.

    China is ready to work with the international community to play a constructive role in this regard, he added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US firms harness ‘China speed’ to boost supply chains

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

    A visitor watches a robot holding a bottle at the booth of Nvidia during the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, capital of China, July 16, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Amid Beijing’s summer heat, a Chinese-made robot powered by chips from U.S. tech giant Nvidia gracefully delivered chilled bottled water to fascinated onlookers.

    The scene, unfolding at the Nvidia booth during the ongoing third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), offered a glimpse into the sustained enthusiasm of U.S. companies for the Chinese market and its world-leading supply chain ecosystem.

    Despite mounting challenges in the global supply chain, U.S. companies like Nvidia, Apple and Tesla used the expo stage to reaffirm their commitment to China, showcasing deep integration and ambitious plans for future investment. For many, success here means aligning with the world’s most comprehensive supply chain while keeping pace with its rapid development.

    “China’s supply chain is a miracle,” said Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang at the expo’s opening ceremony on Wednesday. During his visit to Beijing, he also spoke with reporters, took part in a fireside chat, and held a press conference where he reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to China.

    While Huang’s high-profile presence sent a powerful signal, he also revealed that Nvidia’s H20 chips will soon be available in the Chinese market.

    “I hope to get more advanced chips into China than H20. And the reason is that technology is always moving on,” he said during a press conference Wednesday.

    From tech giants like Nvidia and Apple to consumer brands such as Starbucks and Walmart, U.S. companies are attracted to the CISCE not only by China’s vast 1.4-billion-strong consumer market but also by the world’s most comprehensive supply chain that drives the “China speed” essential to global innovation.

    According to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the event’s organizer, the number of U.S. exhibitors topped all overseas participants, increasing by 15 percent compared to the previous edition, and their combined exhibition area increased by 10 percent.

    A few steps from Nvidia’s booth, Apple’s store-like setup shared a similar story of co-innovation. Instead of showcasing finished products like iPhones, the displays focused on the intelligent, green manufacturing processes used by its Chinese suppliers.

    “Over the past three years at CISCE, we’ve showcased progress alongside our suppliers in smart manufacturing, green manufacturing and talent development,” Isabel Ge Mahe, Apple’s vice president and managing director of Greater China, told Xinhua.

    Highlighting a massive 20 billion U.S. dollar investment in China over the past five years focused on these areas, she praised China’s dynamic innovation landscape and advanced smart supply chains while noting that Apple remains committed to this market. “We are deeply rooted here, incredibly proud of the supply chain we helped build, and will continue to invest and innovate with our local partners.”

    Unlike traditional trade fairs focusing on goods or services, CISCE pioneers a unique “chain-centric” model that visualizes end-to-end industrial collaboration. In each exhibition hall, upstream, midstream and downstream companies cluster in adjacent booths, visually demonstrating their interdependence and synergy.

    In the hall showcasing integration of the auto sector, crowds gathered around Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles (EVs).

    Here, supply chain integration and “China speed” were once again in the spotlight. These vehicles use more than 95 percent local parts, and a new car rolls off the Shanghai gigafactory line almost every 37 seconds.

    “China possesses the world’s most complete EV industry chain,” said Tao Lin, vice president of Tesla. “The strength of local suppliers, combined with China’s vast talent pool and consumer embrace of smart EVs, provides unparalleled support and opportunity. We will continue to deepen our investment here,” Tao said.

    “The Chinese market isn’t just scaling; it’s leaping in value,” said Lin Chunmei, president and general manager of Corning Greater China, in an interview with Xinhua. The U.S. materials science company is celebrating its 45 years in China with an ambitious “time travel”-themed booth underscoring its deep roots.

    Noting that rapid AI development in China is driving growing demand for optical communication infrastructure, Lin said the company has pledged a 500 million dollar investment this year to develop cutting-edge technologies, localize critical production, and strengthen supply chain partnerships in China.

    “The vast talent pool in China will help us accelerate cycles through market proximity, using ‘China speed’ to power global innovation,” she added.

    For most U.S. companies, the critical question isn’t whether to invest in China, but how rapidly they can move. For companies present at the CISCE, collaboration with Chinese suppliers is giving them a head start.

    “If you want to maintain, you have to invest,” Huang said. “The market is moving so fast and it’s so competitive. We have to continue to advance ourselves.” 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China expects bumper grain harvest

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

    An aerial drone photo shows harvesters working in a paddy field in Fangzheng County of Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 22, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s grain production is on solid footing this year, with nearly 60 percent of early-season rice already harvested and projections indicating a bumper crop, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said Thursday.

    The acreage of autumn grain is expected to rise slightly this year, with crops generally in good condition, said the ministry, attributing the good crop conditions of autumn grain to the adoption of more advanced farming practices and favorable weather.

    Autumn grain accounts for around 75 percent of China’s annual grain output, making it the key to achieving this year’s production target of around 700 million tonnes, said the ministry.

    China achieved a bumper summer grain harvest this year despite severe droughts in some regions. The national output reached about 149.74 million tonnes, marking the second-highest yield on record after last year and providing a solid foundation for stable annual grain production. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: PwC chairman: CISCE is important for innovation and collaboration

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

    Mohamed Kande, global chairman of PwC, said China International Supply Chain Expo is a significant event as the firm makes its debut as an exhibitor this year. 

    According to Kande, the global professional services provider is showcasing its complete service ecosystem covering entire industrial and supply chains at this year’s expo.

    Ren Hongbin (right), chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, meets with Mohamed Kande (center), global chairman of PwC, and Hemione Hudson, chair and CEO of PwC China, at the PwC booth of the 3rd CISCE in Beijing on July 16, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

    “I am honored to be in Beijing for this significant event,” Kande said. “The expo is an important gathering for innovation and collaboration, helping to strengthen the sustainable development of global manufacturing and international supply chains. Many of the companies participating are our clients, and their presence reflects the strength and potential of the Chinese market.”

    He added, “At PwC, we are focused on working with our clients around the world on their reinvention journey while serving as a part of the professional services ecosystem that underpins the Chinese and international markets.”

    At this year’s expo, PwC took the low-altitude economy, an emerging industry within the advanced manufacturing sector with a potential market size close to $500 billion by 2035, as its core exhibition theme and designed a unique “cross-sectional” booth display. 

    The booth includes a showcase of how PwC is supporting the development of sustainable global supply chains, creating a rich value landscape in both the Chinese and global markets. This is coupled with a vertical, in-depth perspective to reveal how PwC provides full lifecycle support, helping Chinese companies build strength and transform their market competitiveness.

    According to PwC representatives at the booth, the firm has also collaborated with ecosystem partners in the low-altitude economy sector to jointly exhibit a “manned intelligent electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft.” Through immersive installations, the exhibition vividly demonstrates how PwC’s global professional services drive the transformation of cutting-edge technologies into advanced manufacturing capabilities while accelerating the bi-directional integration of cross-border supply chains with the Chinese market.

    According to PwC’s recent report “Value in Motion,” manufacturing is transforming through “fourth industrial revolution” technologies like automation, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence. Emerging players, including IoT companies, AI firms, cybersecurity experts, and robotics manufacturers, are revitalizing the sector. The report predicts manufacturing companies that transcend traditional industry boundaries and respond to emerging sector demands will create substantial new economic growth. By 2035, the manufacturing sector is expected to contribute over $34 trillion to global GDP.

    The PwC booth at the third China International Supply Chain Expo features the low-altitude economy as its central theme with a distinctive cross-sectional display. [Photo/China.org.cn]

    “Manufacturing and supply chains are transforming across the world,” said Hemione Hudson, chair and CEO of PwC China. “The expo is a great opportunity for companies to showcase their achievements and learn from each other.”

    She continued, “China is a global leader in advanced manufacturing and seizing the opportunity it presents will be crucial for the continued success of the Chinese economy. Moving towards higher quality production requires transformation across the manufacturing sector – with greater emphasis on strengthening resource models and building robust risk management. At PwC, we aim to help our clients build momentum by providing the support and expertise needed to unlock new growth opportunities.”

    The third CISCE, hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, opened on Wednesday in Beijing and runs through Sunday. As the world’s first national-level expo focused on supply chains, it has become a key platform for international business cooperation and shared development.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s online literature market revenue soars to 6.9 bln USD in 2024

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

    China’s online literature market revenue soars to 6.9 bln USD in 2024

    Xinhua | July 18, 2025

    This photo taken on Nov. 21, 2024 shows some hard copies of online Chinese novels during their inclusion event at the British Library in London, Britain. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

    The revenue of China’s online literature market totaled 49.55 billion yuan (about 6.9 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, which was a year-on-year increase of 29.37 percent, demonstrating strong resilience and promising prospects, according to a Thursday report published by the China Audio-video and Digital Publishing Association (CADPA).

    The report was released at the eighth China Online Literature+ Conference, which opened on Thursday, and says that the cumulative number of online literature works in China reached 42.1 million volumes last year — an increase of over 4.2 million volumes compared to 2023. China’s online literature user scale hit 638 million last year — up 16 percent year on year.

    Zhang Yijun, first vice chairman of CADPA, said that China’s online literature has emerged as a new mass cultural art form and promoted the development of a diversified value system within the industry, and that its integration with micro-short dramas opened up new paths for the industry’s transformation in 2024.

    Last year, the number of IP adaptations of online Chinese literature totaled 83,250 volumes, which was a year-on-year increase of 14.55 percent, becoming an important carrier in promoting Chinese culture overseas. 

    MIL OSI China News –