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Category: Technology

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: XFG could become the next dominant COVID variant. Here’s what to know about ‘Stratus’

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Paul Griffin, Professor, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The University of Queensland

    visualspace/Getty Images

    Given the number of times this has happened already, it should come as little surprise that we’re now faced with yet another new subvariant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID.

    This new subvariant is known as XFG (nicknamed “Stratus”) and the World Health Organization (WHO) designated it a “variant under monitoring” in late June. XFG is a subvariant of Omicron, of which there are now more than 1,000.

    A “variant under monitoring” signifies a variant or subvariant which needs prioritised attention and monitoring due to characteristics that may pose an additional threat compared to other circulating variants.

    XFG was one of seven variants under monitoring as of June 25. The most recent addition before XFG was NB.1.8.1 (nicknamed “Nimbus”), which the WHO declared a variant under monitoring on May 23.

    Both nimbus and stratus are types of clouds.

    Nimbus is currently the dominant subvariant worldwide – but Stratus is edging closer. So what do you need to know about Stratus, or XFG?

    A recombinant variant

    XFG is a recombinant of LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 which means these two subvariants have shared genetic material to come up with the new subvariant. Recombinants are designated with an X at the start of their name.

    While recombination and other spontaneous changes happen often with SARS-CoV-2, it becomes a problem when it creates a subvariant that is changed in such a way that its properties cause more problems for us.

    Most commonly this means the virus looks different enough that protection from past infection (and vaccination) doesn’t work so well, called immune evasion. This basically means the population becomes more susceptible and can lead to an increase in cases, and even a whole new wave of COVID infections across the world.

    XFG has four key mutations in the spike protein, a protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 which allows it to attach to our cells. Some are believed to enhance evasion by certain antibodies.

    Early laboratory studies have suggested a nearly two-fold reduction in how well antibodies block the virus compared to LP.8.1.1.

    Where is XFG spreading?

    The earliest XFG sample was collected on January 27.

    As of June 22, there were 1,648 XFG sequences submitted to GISAID from 38 countries (GISAID is the global database used to track the prevalence of different variants around the world). This represents 22.7% of the globally available sequences at the time.

    This was a significant rise from 7.4% four weeks prior and only just below the proportion of NB.1.8.1 at 24.9%. Given the now declining proportion of viral sequences of NB.1.8.1 overall, and the rapid rise of XFG, it would seem reasonable to expect XFG to become dominant very soon.

    According to Australian data expert Mike Honey, the countries showing the highest rates of detection of XFG as of mid-June include India at more than 50%, followed by Spain at 42%, and the United Kingdom and United States, where the subvariant makes up more than 30% of cases.

    In Australia as of June 29, NB.1.8.1 was the dominant subvariant, accounting for 48.6% of sequences. In the most recent report from Australia’s national genomic surveillance platform, there were 24 XFG sequences with 12 collected in the last 28 days meaning it currently comprises approximately 5% of sequences.

    The big questions

    When we talk about a new subvariant, people often ask questions including if it’s more severe or causes new or different symptoms compared to previous variants. But we’re still learning about XFG and we can’t answer these questions with certainty yet.

    Some sources have reported XFG may be more likely to course “hoarseness” or a scratchy or raspy voice. But we need more information to know if this association is truly significant.

    Notably, there’s no evidence to suggest XFG causes more severe illness compared to other variants in circulation or that it is necessarily any more transmissible.

    Will vaccines still work against XFG?

    Relatively frequent changes to the virus means we have continued to update the COVID vaccines. The most recent update, which targets the JN.1 subvariant, became available in Australia from late 2024. XFG is a descendant of the JN.1 subvariant.

    Fortunately, based on the evidence available so far, currently approved COVID vaccines are expected to remain effective against XFG, particularly against symptomatic and severe disease.

    Because of SARS-CoV-2’s continued evolution, the effect of this on our immune response, as well as the fact protection from COVID vaccines declines over time, COVID vaccines are offered regularly, and recommended for those at the highest risk.

    One of the major challenges we face at present in Australia is low COVID vaccine uptake. While rates have increased somewhat recently, they remain relatively low, with only 32.3% of people aged 75 years and over having received a vaccine in the past six months. Vaccination rates in younger age groups are significantly lower.

    Although the situation with XFG must continue to be monitored, at present the WHO has assessed the global risk posed by this subvariant as low. The advice for combating COVID remains unchanged, including vaccination as recommended and the early administration of antivirals for those who are eligible.

    Measures to reduce the risk of transmission, particularly wearing masks in crowded indoor settings and focusing on air quality and ventilation, are worth remembering to protect against COVID and other viral infections.

    Paul Griffin has been the principal investigator for clinical trials of 8 COVID-19 vaccines. He has previously participated in medical advisory boards for COVID-19 vaccines. Paul Griffin is a director and medical advisory board member of the immunisation coalition.

    – ref. XFG could become the next dominant COVID variant. Here’s what to know about ‘Stratus’ – https://theconversation.com/xfg-could-become-the-next-dominant-covid-variant-heres-what-to-know-about-stratus-260499

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: AI is driving down the price of knowledge – universities have to rethink what they offer

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Patrick Dodd, Professional Teaching Fellow, Business School, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    For a long time, universities worked off a simple idea: knowledge was scarce. You paid for tuition, showed up to lectures, completed assignments and eventually earned a credential.

    That process did two things: it gave you access to knowledge that was hard to find elsewhere, and it signalled to employers you had invested time and effort to master that knowledge.

    The model worked because the supply curve for high-quality information sat far to the left, meaning knowledge was scarce and the price – tuition and wage premiums – stayed high.

    Now the curve has shifted right, as the graph below illustrates. When supply moves right – that is, something becomes more accessible – the new intersection with demand sits lower on the price axis. This is why tuition premiums and graduate wage advantages are now under pressure.

    According to global consultancy McKinsey, generative AI could add between US$2.6 trillion and $4.4 trillion in annual global productivity. Why? Because AI drives the marginal cost of producing and organising information toward zero.

    Large language models no longer just retrieve facts; they explain, translate, summarise and draft almost instantly. When supply explodes like that, basic economics says price falls. The “knowledge premium” universities have long sold is deflating as a result.

    Employers have already made their move

    Markets react faster than curriculums. Since ChatGPT launched, entry-level job listings in the United Kingdom have fallen by about a third. In the United States, several states are removing degree requirements from public-sector roles.

    In Maryland, for instance, the share of state-government job ads requiring a degree slid from roughly 68% to 53% between 2022 and 2024.

    In economic terms, employers are repricing labour because AI is now a substitute for many routine, codifiable tasks that graduates once performed. If a chatbot can complete the work at near-zero marginal cost, the wage premium paid to a junior analyst shrinks.

    But the value of knowledge is not falling at the same speed everywhere. Economists such as David Autor and Daron Acemoglu point out that technology substitutes for some tasks while complementing others:

    • codifiable knowledge – structured, rule-based material such as tax codes or contract templates – faces rapid substitution by AI

    • tacit knowledge – contextual skills such as leading a team through conflict – acts as a complement, so its value can even rise.

    Data backs this up. Labour market analytics company Lightcast notes that one-third of the skills employers want have changed between 2021 and 2024. The American Enterprise Institute warns that mid-level knowledge workers, whose jobs depend on repeatable expertise, are most at risk of wage pressure.

    So yes, baseline knowledge still matters. You need it to prompt AI, judge its output and make good decisions. But the equilibrium wage premium – meaning the extra pay employers offer once supply and demand for that knowledge settle – is sliding down the demand curve fast.

    What’s scarce now?

    Herbert Simon, the Nobel Prize–winning economist and cognitive scientist, put it neatly decades ago: “A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention.” When facts become cheap and plentiful, our limited capacity to filter, judge and apply them turns into the real bottleneck.

    That is why scarce resources shift from information itself to what machines still struggle to copy: focused attention, sound judgement, strong ethics, creativity and collaboration.

    I group these human complements under what I call the C.R.E.A.T.E.R. framework:

    • critical thinking – asking smart questions and spotting weak arguments

    • resilience and adaptability – staying steady when everything changes

    • emotional intelligence – understanding people and leading with empathy

    • accountability and ethics – taking responsibility for difficult calls

    • teamwork and collaboration – working well with people who think differently

    • entrepreneurial creativity – seeing gaps and building new solutions

    • reflection and lifelong learning – staying curious and ready to grow.

    These capabilities are the genuine scarcity in today’s market. They are complements to AI, not substitutes, which is why their wage returns hold or climb.

    What universities can do right now

    1. Audit courses: if ChatGPT can already score highly on an exam, the marginal value of teaching that content is near zero. Pivot the assessment toward judgement and synthesis.

    2. Reinvest in the learning experience: push resources into coached projects, messy real-world simulations, and ethical decision labs where AI is a tool, not the performer.

    3. Credential what matters: create micro-credentials for skills such as collaboration, initiative and ethical reasoning. These signal AI complements, not substitutes, and employers notice.

    4. Work with industry but keep it collaborative: invite employers to co-design assessments, not dictate them. A good partnership works like a design studio rather than a boardroom order sheet. Academics bring teaching expertise and rigour, employers supply real-world use cases, and students help test and refine the ideas.

    Universities can no longer rely on scarcity setting the price for the curated and credentialed form of information that used to be hard to obtain.

    The comparative advantage now lies in cultivating human skills that act as complements to AI. If universities do not adapt, the market – students and employers alike – will move on without them.

    The opportunity is clear. Shift the product from content delivery to judgement formation. Teach students how to think with, not against, intelligent machines. Because the old model, the one that priced knowledge as a scarce good, is already slipping below its economic break-even point.

    Patrick Dodd 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. AI is driving down the price of knowledge – universities have to rethink what they offer – https://theconversation.com/ai-is-driving-down-the-price-of-knowledge-universities-have-to-rethink-what-they-offer-260493

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How do coronial inquests work? Here’s what they can and can’t do

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marc Trabsky, Associate Professor of Law, Monash University

    Northern Territory Coroner Elizabeth Armitage’s inquest findings into the death of Kumanjayi Walker have sparked conversations across Australia.

    The coroner found the NT police officer who shot Walker, Zachary Rolfe, was “racist”, and she couldn’t exclude the possibility that his “values […] contributed to his decision to pull the trigger”.

    For many, the findings have raised questions about the history, role, purpose and limitations of coronial inquests. So what are they, and what do they do?

    What is a coroners court?

    The office of coroner emerged in England in 1194. Coroners were powerful officers of the realm – collecting taxes, adjudicating treasure troves and investigating deaths.

    During the industrial revolution, they became known as the “Magistrates of the Poor”, holding governments and corporations to account for causing sudden, unnatural or violent deaths.

    In the 21st century, each state and territory in Australia has its own coroners court. A coroners court consists of a state coroner or chief coroner, who is the equivalent of a judge, and other coroners, who hold the position of a magistrate (beneath a judge in the court hierarchy).

    All coroners are legally trained. In the 19th century, all coroners in Australia were doctors. There is no longer a requirement for coroners to have medical qualifications.

    The office of the coroner came about in England centuries ago.
    Getty

    Coroners investigate unexpected, unnatural, violent and accidental deaths. In Victoria, for instance, this is about 7,400 deaths each year.

    Legislation requires coroners to determine the who, when, where, what and how of such “reportable” deaths.

    This means they need to determine the identity of the deceased, when and where that person died, what caused their death, and the circumstances or manner in which they died. In many instances, they make recommendations for reducing preventable deaths in the future.

    Police help coroners in their investigations by providing a brief of evidence, but the coroners court is separate from the police, just as other law courts are. Forensic pathologists assist coroners in finding the medical cause of death.



    Read more:
    What happens in an autopsy? A forensics expert explains

    Since 2005, first in Victoria and then elsewhere in Australia, forensic pathologists and radiologists have used postmortem CT scans to determine cause of death. This has greatly reduced the need for invasive autopsies.

    Coroners can make findings “on the papers” – which means investigations won’t proceed to an inquest – or deliver findings at the conclusion of an inquest.

    So what is a coronial inquest?

    A coronial inquest is a formal public hearing into why someone (or sometimes a group of people) died. It’s often held across multiple days, during which the facts can be examined, witnesses can be questioned, and the community can come together to understand how a person died.

    What is unique about the Coroners Court is that it’s inquisitorial, not adversarial. This means there shouldn’t be any warring parties.

    In addition, inquests have an expansive scope compared to a criminal trial. They can investigate the wider institutional, social and economic contexts of a death, examining what may have contributed to it, and comment on factors connected to the death, such as public health and safety.

    Not all investigations proceed to an inquest. In fact, the number of inquests across Australia has been steadily declining since the early 2000s. In New South Wales there were 142 held in 2013 and only 103 in 2023. This is despite the number of investigations over that period increasing by 37%.

    The former Deputy State Coroner of NSW, Hugh Dillon, cites a lack of funding, delays due to backlog, and structural design flaws as some reasons for the decline in holding inquests into reportable deaths.

    Juries were a feature of inquests in Australia in the 19th century. They were no longer compulsory in the early 20th century, and were formally abolished in NSW in 1999.

    Coroners must hold an inquest in certain circumstances. For example:

    • where the deceased was in custody or care immediately before death

    • where the identity of the deceased is unknown

    • or where there is suspicion that the death was due to homicide (though in this situation an inquest will most likely be superseded by a criminal trial).

    Coroners are prohibited from making findings of guilt or liability. The purpose of the investigation is to issue findings of facts about unnatural deaths, not to determine questions of law.

    Researcher Rebecca Scott Bray points out that coronial proceedings have the potential to be positive experiences, especially for grieving families.

    But these processes can fail to live up to that potential, particularly with respect to inquests into deaths in custody.

    Why does all this matter?

    There is little understanding of the purpose of the Coroners Court in Australian society. More research is required to ascertain why this is the case, but even law graduates have a low level of literacy about the powers and limitations of coroners. They are seldom taught about the coroner in law school.

    This results in misunderstandings that coroners can find someone guilty of causing a death, or that coronial recommendations for preventing similar deaths in the future must be implemented.

    It isn’t mandatory, for instance, for the NT government to implement any of Coroner Armitage’s 32 recommendations for preventing deaths in custody in the future.

    Coronial investigations matter for families and friends of the bereaved: discovering the “truth” of how a person died, memorialising their life, and hoping their death prevents similar deaths from occurring in future.

    It also matters for Australian society: improving health and safety for all, healing a community amid tragedy, and giving voice to the dead.

    Marc Trabsky’s research for this article received funding from an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DE220100064).

    – ref. How do coronial inquests work? Here’s what they can and can’t do – https://theconversation.com/how-do-coronial-inquests-work-heres-what-they-can-and-cant-do-260692

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine Celebrates Graduation of First Masters in Medical Artificial Intelligence

    Source: Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine of the Moscow Health Department (MHD)

    Earlier, the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine of the Moscow Department of Health and RTU MIREA signed a landmark agreement to jointly develop and deliver specialized training programs in artificial intelligence applied to healthcare. This collaboration resulted in the creation of a unique, and at the time, the only joint educational program integrating scientific knowledge and practical expertise gained from the Moscow Experiment on computer vision implementation. The program combines the Center’s hands-on experience with the university’s foundational competencies in mathematics and computer science. Additionally, practitioners from Third Opinion Platform, a leading Russian AI healthcare developer, contributed to curriculum development and student training.

    On June 10, 2025, the inaugural graduation ceremony was held for the first master’s students of the Intelligent Data Analysis program within the Computer Science and Computer Engineering faculty.

    Graduates have already showcased impactful healthcare innovations, including an algorithm for early detection of liver tumors with 85% accuracy and complex medical decision support systems. These projects received recognition at the All-Russian Engineering Competition, where one student emerged as the winner and six others were laureates. These advancements are poised to significantly reduce the interval between oncological disease detection and surgical intervention.

    Anton Vladzimirsky, Deputy Director of R&D at the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine of the Moscow Department of Health, emphasized:
    “The integration of artificial intelligence into medical practice is becoming a reality through the training of highly qualified specialists. Our graduates possess a unique combination of skills that enable them to develop cutting-edge solutions for digital medicine and drive the advancement of intelligent healthcare technologies.”

    Stanislav Kudzh, Rector of RTU MIREA, added:

    “The achievements of the first graduates of the AI Data Analysis program demonstrate that deep interdisciplinary training is essential for the successful integration of AI into medical practice. These specialists have not only mastered advanced technologies but have also contributed practically to digital medicine’s development. They are set to become leaders in creating innovative solutions that will enhance healthcare quality and accelerate the adoption of intelligent technologies across Russia. This represents a significant milestone in the evolution of healthcare.”

    About RTU MIREA
    RTU MIREA (Russian Technological University) is a multidisciplinary state university educating over 30,000 students across various modalities. The university’s Institute of Artificial Intelligence offers 17 specialized programs and annually graduates hundreds of programmers and AI experts. With more than 250 educational programs spanning IT, radio electronics, chemistry, biotechnology, and robotics, RTU MIREA actively integrates industry practices from high-tech companies into its curriculum.

    About the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine of the Moscow Health Department

    The Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine is a leading scientific and practical institution within the Moscow Health Department. It oversees the development of diagnostic services, drives digital transformation in healthcare, implements AI technologies in clinical practice, conducts research, and provides medical workforce training. Since 2013, the Center has produced over 800 scientific publications and registered more than 200 intellectual property results. Since 2020, it has been conducting an experiment deploying computer vision technologies, analyzing over 14 million medical images across 40+ clinical areas with high accuracy. By presidential directive, the Center operates MosMedAI, a digital platform offering AI-powered medical image processing and automated radiology analysis, currently adopted by 71 Russian regions.

    About Third Opinion Platform

    Third Opinion Platform is a Russian developer of AI-powered diagnostic support tools for radiology and laboratory medicine, including a proprietary smart video analytics system. Its algorithms detect over 100 pathological indicators, such as breast cancer, stroke, lung cancer, and aortic aneurysm. The platform is implemented across 58 Russian regions and in private clinics, including the European Medical Center (EMC). To date, its AI solutions have processed over 10 million clinical studies. The company’s flagship products are registered as Class III medical devices by Roszdravnadzor. Since 2020, Third Opinion Platform has partnered strategically with MEDSI Group, one of Russia’s largest private healthcare networks.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Grigorenko: Roskomnadzor blocked over 44 thousand fraudulent sites last year

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dmitry Grigorenko at a working meeting at Roskomnadzor

    July 8, 2025

    Working meeting at Roskomnadzor

    July 8, 2025

    Dmitry Grigorenko at a working meeting at Roskomnadzor

    July 8, 2025

    Dmitry Grigorenko and Minister of Communications and Mass Media Maxim Shadayev at a working meeting at Roskomnadzor

    July 8, 2025

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    Dmitry Grigorenko at a working meeting at Roskomnadzor

    Roskomnadzor is actively involved in the Government’s systematic work to protect citizens from fraudsters. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister – Head of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko during a working meeting at Roskomnadzor.

    The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the department has a number of information systems that can identify and block fraudulent websites and calls. In 2024 alone, more than 44,000 fraudulent resources used to steal personal data and financial resources were blocked. Roskomnadzor’s system processes over 455 million calls daily, of which about 1.2 million are calls with a spoofed number. Fraudsters use such numbers to deceive users.

    The agency is also taking part in the discussion of the second package of measures to combat fraud. Among the measures is the creation and implementation of a service based on artificial intelligence that will identify suspicious calls and warn citizens about telephone scammers.

    Dmitry Grigorenko recalled that at the beginning of this year, a government package of measures was adopted, including 30 initiatives to protect citizens from cybercriminals. It has already entered into force. In particular, a ban was introduced on the use of instant messengers for employees of government agencies, banks and telecom operators when interacting with clients. In addition, messages with access codes to government services are now blocked if the subscriber is talking on the phone when sending such a message.

    A law on criminal liability for droppers – individuals who provide their bank cards or e-wallets for the transfer of illegal funds – has also come into force. Criminal liability will only apply to those who knowingly received a reward for transferring details to criminals. The fact of payment is the key evidence of intent. Those who transferred the data for free (for example, out of ignorance or under pressure) will not be punished.

    “The government is systematically working to improve the level of security for citizens in the digital environment, and Roskomnadzor plays a significant role in it. The agency promptly identifies and blocks fraudsters’ schemes. Last year alone, more than 44,000 fraudulent websites were blocked, and Roskomnadzor stops over a million suspicious calls every day. Now, together with Roskomnadzor and other interested agencies, we are working on additional measures to combat fraudsters on the Internet,” said Dmitry Grigorenko.

    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.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: State Duma deputies supported the bill “on platforms”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) – Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The State Duma considered draft federal laws on regulating the platform economy and changes to industry laws in connection with the introduction of new requirements. Deputies discussed the balance of interests of participants in legal relations, the nuances of regulation, and liability for violating the provisions of the future law. Parliamentarians supported the adoption of the bills in the first reading.

    The key discussion took place in the Economic Policy Committee chaired by Maxim Topilin. The main provisions of the draft law were presented by the Minister of Economic Development of Russia Maxim Reshetnikov. According to him, the platform economy is developing rapidly: in the last 4 years alone, online sales have grown 4 times, and 80% of Internet users regularly place orders through platforms. On the one hand, this opens up new opportunities for business, especially for SMEs. On the other hand, large platforms have become de facto regulators of access to the market, not being responsible for the quality of goods and services, and the relations between platforms and the self-employed and individual entrepreneurs remain unregulated.

    “All this determined the emergence of a strong public demand for the creation of clear rules for the operation of platforms. And in order to respond to it, on behalf of the Government, draft laws were developed. The proposed regulation and clear set of rules are aimed at protecting the interests of all market participants and ensuring its further growth. This is especially important for accelerating, on behalf of the President, structural changes in the economy,” emphasized Maxim Reshetnikov.

    The new regulation introduces uniform standards for platforms: verification of sellers, control over the quality of goods, transparency of contracts and protection of the rights of entrepreneurs. For example, platforms will not be able to impose discounts without the consent of the seller, and disputes can be resolved not only in court, but also through the pre-trial appeal mechanism.

    The regulation will come into effect in 2027, so that businesses and platforms have time to adapt. The intermediary digital platforms themselves will be included in a separate register, which will ensure flexibility of regulation for all players, noted Maxim Reshetnikov. The criteria for their selection will be determined by the Government of the Russian Federation. Among the main ones discussed are the volume of transactions, the number of active users and sellers.

    “Today we considered issues related to ensuring, first of all, additional requirements for platforms and obligations that will be established for platforms. This includes the formation of product cards, interaction with labeling, certification, and licensing systems. On the one hand, this will protect consumer rights and, on the other hand, will certainly create a unified legal regulation. It is very important, and everyone noted this, that laws allow a very large number of small entrepreneurs who previously could not break into retail chains to very quickly find their niche thanks to platform technologies. This is an additional incentive to support, including small businesses, the development of jobs and the formation of a small economy in different regions,” Maxim Topilin, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, commented on the meeting.

    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.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Denis Manturov: Indonesia to become Innoprom partner country in 2026

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Denis Manturov spoke about the development of international industrial cooperation at the strategic session “Technological Leadership: Industrial Breakthrough” within the framework of “Innoprom-2025”

    July 8, 2025

    Denis Manturov presented the national industrial award “Industry”, the winner of which was the “Kursk Electrical Equipment Plant”

    July 8, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Denis Manturov spoke about the development of international industrial cooperation at the strategic session “Technological Leadership: Industrial Breakthrough” within the framework of “Innoprom-2025”

    First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov spoke about the development of international industrial cooperation at the strategic session “Technological Leadership: Industrial Breakthrough” within the framework of the Innoprom-2025 exhibition. He emphasized that Russia does not seek complete autonomy and is open to cooperation with friendly countries, primarily the states of the Eurasian Economic Union, the CIS, BRICS, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

    “The fact that our partner country this year is Saudi Arabia once again shows that the Middle East is a strategic direction for us. Next year, Indonesia will be Innoprom’s partner country. It is the largest Muslim country in the world with a population of about 300 million people. It is rapidly growing, with a young population. And we are actively developing cooperation with this country. I expect that our entrepreneurs, our enterprises will actively form their agenda for the coming year in order to demonstrate new projects and cooperation with this country,” Denis Manturov noted.

    The First Deputy Prime Minister also presented the national industrial award “Industry”, the winner of which was the Kursk Electrical Equipment Plant. The enterprise has developed a modern line of OptiMat D circuit breakers. The series has versions for operation on rolling stock of rail transport and trolleybuses, and is also licensed for delivery to nuclear power plants.

    Let us recall that in 2015, Industry was awarded the status of a Russian Government Prize.

    The award ceremony for the winner of the prize is held annually on the sidelines of the international industrial exhibition “Innoprom”.

    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.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 07/16/2025 the site may be unavailable in the first half of the day Vladivostok time due to an update

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Solid Bank – Solid Bank –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dear customers!

    We inform you that on 16.07.2025 the bank’s websiteVBV. SOLIDBANK.rumay be unavailable for approximately 3 to 72 hours – technical work is being carried out to update the official website of JSC Solid Bank.

    For any information about the bank’s products, we recommend that you contact the Bank’s toll-free hotline: 88007755606.

    We also recommend that you save tabs with links to Internet banking and install the SolidPAY mobile application:

    Solidpay 

    bank2 for legal entitieshttps://ib.solidbank.ru:8443/ibank2/

    We apologize for the inconvenience! We strive to become better for you!

    Share the news on social networks

    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.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing sets up Global Digital Economy Collaboration Alliance

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

    The Global Digital Economy Collaboration Alliance was recently established in Beijing under the guidance of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology and the Daxing District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality.

    Twenty-four business groups and firms, including the Euro-Sino Enterprises Association, the Export-Import Bank of China, China Telecom, Li Auto, and KPMG, joined as founding members.

    The alliance is established with a mission of building a new digital globalization ecosystem and empowering enterprises to expand worldwide. Members will aim to establish service standards and evaluation frameworks for overseas expansion, regularly publish best practice case studies, align closely with international digital strategies and corporate needs, and jointly strengthen the global collaborative network for the digital economy.

    The alliance is located at the Beijing Innovation Service Hub for Digital Economy Enterprise Going Global. Based in the Beijing Daxing Economic Development Zone, the hub is China’s first government-led innovation platform dedicated to fostering global expansion for the digital ecosystem.

    With the establishment of the alliance, the hub unveiled its four core innovation service stations to build a one-stop global expansion system covering management, data, technology, talent, and other essential elements.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s passenger car sector reports strong growth in June

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

    MG cars produced by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) are parked next to the car carrier Anji Ansheng to be shipped in east China’s Shanghai on May 15, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s passenger car sector recorded a double-digit growth in retail sales in June as the country’s policies to boost consumption continued to take effect, the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) said on Tuesday.

    Last month, retail sales of passenger cars in China grew by 18.1 percent year on year to exceed 2.08 million units, data from the CPCA shows.

    The association attributed the strong increase to the impact of the national consumer goods trade-in program.

    The country reaffirmed its support for the program last month, ensuring continued funding to sustain the government subsidy payment throughout 2025. The program, a key part of the country’s broader strategy to stimulate domestic consumption, encourages consumers to replace outdated products — such as home appliances and vehicles — with newer, more efficient models.

    Last month, China produced 1.2 million new energy passenger vehicles, with retail sales exceeding 1.11 million units, representing year-on-year increases of 28.3 percent and 29.7 percent, respectively.

    In the first six months of the year, retail sales of passenger cars exceeded 10.9 million units, increasing 10.8 percent year on year, according to the CPCA data. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Samsung Partners With Warner Bros. and DC Studios To Deliver ‘Super Big’ Superman Experience

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung Electronics today announced a global partnership with Warner Bros. and DC Studios to celebrate the latest “Superman” film with a series of fan activations, Superman-themed video content and limited-edition digital artworks from DC Comics via Samsung Art Store.
     
    “Samsung is committed to creating a richer and more meaningful entertainment experience,” said Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Through collaborations with leading creative studios and artists, we continue to help people engage more deeply with the stories and character they love, whether in the theater or at home.”
     
    “Superman,” the first film in DC Studios’ new cinematic universe, written, directed and produced by James Gunn, hits theaters worldwide starting July 9. To mark the release, Samsung is launching a global campaign with the tagline “It’s not just big. It’s super big,” spotlighting a range of campaign video content celebrating the original Super Hero and bringing the excitement of the film to audiences across digital platforms, retail locations and public spaces.
     
    In London, the campaign will come to life through a series of Daily Planet-themed newsstand kiosks, appearing at high-traffic locations such as The Shard and Kings Cross Station.
     
    Fans can also pick up limited-edition Superman-themed items, receive exclusive gifts and take part in a global social media challenge by sharing their event photos or videos for a chance to win super prizes, including a 98” Samsung TV.
     
    Interactive activations will appear at major malls across Asia — including Malaysia, Vietnam and Korea — where fans can explore Superman-themed photo booths, immersive pop-up displays and hands-on product experiences.
     

     
    Additionally, Samsung Art Store, the leading digital art platform on Samsung Art TVs, is featuring a limited-time 10-piece Superman digital art collection from DC Comics free to users from July 1 through August 31. Available on The Frame as well as 2025 QLED and Neo QLED models,1 the collection brings Superman’s heroic legacy into the home and gives fans a whole new way to enjoy Superman-inspired art.
     
    Samsung’s Super Big TV lineup includes 98” 100” 115” Class options across Neo QLED and Crystal UHD models.2 With expansive screens, stunning picture quality and AI-powered enhancements that deliver smoother images and deeper contrast, Samsung aims to deliver a grander home entertainment experience.
     
    For more information, visit www.samsung.com.
     
     
    About Superman
    DC Studios presents a Troll Court Entertainment/The Safran Company Production, A James Gunn Film, Superman, which will be in theaters and IMAX® July 9 2025, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
     
     
    1 Samsung Art TV includes MICRO LED, The Frame, The Frame Pro, Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED and QLED models starting from Q7F and above.
    2 Product availability vary by region.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Pharmac to improve access to asthma inhalers and IUDs from 1 August 2025

    Source: PHARMAC

    Pharmac is making changes to improve access to some asthma inhalers and long-acting contraceptives from 1 August 2025.

    “We’re making it easier for people to get the medicines they need, when and where they need them,” says Pharmac’s Acting Director Pharmaceuticals, Adrienne Martin. “These changes will help over 140,000 New Zealanders in the first year alone.”

    From 1 August 2025, people using some strengths of budesonide with eformoterol inhalers will be able to receive three-months supply all at once, reducing the need for multiple pharmacy visits.

    Some budesonide with eformoterol inhalers will also be available on a Practitioners Supply Order (PSO). This means doctors and nurses will be able to keep it in their clinic for emergency use, teaching and demonstrations. They will also be able to give it to people if accessing a pharmacy isn’t practical.

    “These changes mean people can keep inhalers where they need them most – at home, work, or school – and learn how to use them correctly with support from their health care provider.

    “People have told us these changes will make a real difference,” says Martin. “That they support better asthma management and align with updated clinical guidelines.”

    Pharmac is also changing how IUDs and contraceptive implants are supplied. From Friday 1 August 2025, Mirena and Jaydess IUDs will be available on a Practitioners Supply Order (PSO), allowing doctors and nurses to provide them directly during appointments.

    Pharmac is also increasing the number of Jadelle contraceptive implants available on PSO, reducing the number of stock orders clinics need to make, helping to save time – especially those with high patient volumes.

    “These changes will improve access for over 21,000 people in the first year and align IUD access with other long-acting contraceptives,” says Martin. “People have told us that it will remove barriers, reduce delays, and allow for timelier and efficient care.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Pharmac to improve access to asthma inhalers and IUDs from 1 August 2025

    Source: PHARMAC

    Pharmac is making changes to improve access to some asthma inhalers and long-acting contraceptives from 1 August 2025.

    “We’re making it easier for people to get the medicines they need, when and where they need them,” says Pharmac’s Acting Director Pharmaceuticals, Adrienne Martin. “These changes will help over 140,000 New Zealanders in the first year alone.”

    From 1 August 2025, people using some strengths of budesonide with eformoterol inhalers will be able to receive three-months supply all at once, reducing the need for multiple pharmacy visits.

    Some budesonide with eformoterol inhalers will also be available on a Practitioners Supply Order (PSO). This means doctors and nurses will be able to keep it in their clinic for emergency use, teaching and demonstrations. They will also be able to give it to people if accessing a pharmacy isn’t practical.

    “These changes mean people can keep inhalers where they need them most – at home, work, or school – and learn how to use them correctly with support from their health care provider.

    “People have told us these changes will make a real difference,” says Martin. “That they support better asthma management and align with updated clinical guidelines.”

    Pharmac is also changing how IUDs and contraceptive implants are supplied. From Friday 1 August 2025, Mirena and Jaydess IUDs will be available on a Practitioners Supply Order (PSO), allowing doctors and nurses to provide them directly during appointments.

    Pharmac is also increasing the number of Jadelle contraceptive implants available on PSO, reducing the number of stock orders clinics need to make, helping to save time – especially those with high patient volumes.

    “These changes will improve access for over 21,000 people in the first year and align IUD access with other long-acting contraceptives,” says Martin. “People have told us that it will remove barriers, reduce delays, and allow for timelier and efficient care.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Jul 9, 2025 0100 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

     For best viewing experience, please enable browser JavaScript support.

    Jul 9, 2025 0100 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

    Updated: Wed Jul 9 00:52:40 UTC 2025 (Print Version |   |  )

    Probabilistic to Categorical Outlook Conversion Table

     Forecast Discussion

    SPC AC 090052

    Day 1 Convective Outlook
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    0752 PM CDT Tue Jul 08 2025

    Valid 090100Z – 091200Z

    …THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF
    THE MID-ATLANTIC/SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND AND THE CENTRAL/SOUTHERN
    PLAINS…

    …SUMMARY…
    Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms should continue this evening
    across parts of the central/southern Plains and Mid-Atlantic into
    southern New England.

    …Mid-Atlantic/Southern New England…
    Bands of loosely organized convection will continue to spread
    eastward across the DelMarVa Peninsula and southeast VA/northeast NC
    vicinity over the next couple of hours this evening. A sufficiently
    moist and unstable airmass should support occasional severe/damaging
    winds with this activity until it moves offshore or eventually
    weakens with the loss of daytime heating.

    …Central/Southern Plains…
    Widely spaced strong to severe thunderstorms are present this
    evening across the central/southern Plains, generally along/south of
    a convectively reinforced boundary extending across KS into the
    Ozarks. Large-scale forcing across these regions will tend to remain
    weak on the northeast periphery of the upper ridge centered over the
    Southwest. But, multiple low-amplitude mid-level perturbations
    should aid in thunderstorm maintenance for several more hours this
    evening given the presence of moderate to strong instability and
    marginally sufficient deep-layer shear for updraft organization.
    Isolated severe winds and hail may occur with loosely organized
    multicells and occasional supercells. But, the overall severe threat
    still appears too unfocused/widely spaced to include greater severe
    probabilities.

    ..Gleason.. 07/09/2025

    CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

    .html”>Latest Day 2 Outlook/Today’s Outlooks/Forecast Products/Home

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Jul 9, 2025 0100 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

     For best viewing experience, please enable browser JavaScript support.

    Jul 9, 2025 0100 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

    Updated: Wed Jul 9 00:52:40 UTC 2025 (Print Version |   |  )

    Probabilistic to Categorical Outlook Conversion Table

     Forecast Discussion

    SPC AC 090052

    Day 1 Convective Outlook
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    0752 PM CDT Tue Jul 08 2025

    Valid 090100Z – 091200Z

    …THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF
    THE MID-ATLANTIC/SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND AND THE CENTRAL/SOUTHERN
    PLAINS…

    …SUMMARY…
    Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms should continue this evening
    across parts of the central/southern Plains and Mid-Atlantic into
    southern New England.

    …Mid-Atlantic/Southern New England…
    Bands of loosely organized convection will continue to spread
    eastward across the DelMarVa Peninsula and southeast VA/northeast NC
    vicinity over the next couple of hours this evening. A sufficiently
    moist and unstable airmass should support occasional severe/damaging
    winds with this activity until it moves offshore or eventually
    weakens with the loss of daytime heating.

    …Central/Southern Plains…
    Widely spaced strong to severe thunderstorms are present this
    evening across the central/southern Plains, generally along/south of
    a convectively reinforced boundary extending across KS into the
    Ozarks. Large-scale forcing across these regions will tend to remain
    weak on the northeast periphery of the upper ridge centered over the
    Southwest. But, multiple low-amplitude mid-level perturbations
    should aid in thunderstorm maintenance for several more hours this
    evening given the presence of moderate to strong instability and
    marginally sufficient deep-layer shear for updraft organization.
    Isolated severe winds and hail may occur with loosely organized
    multicells and occasional supercells. But, the overall severe threat
    still appears too unfocused/widely spaced to include greater severe
    probabilities.

    ..Gleason.. 07/09/2025

    CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

    .html”>Latest Day 2 Outlook/Today’s Outlooks/Forecast Products/Home

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard Southwest District holds change-of-command ceremony in Alameda, Calif.

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 07/08/2025 09:00 PM EDT

     

    07/08/2025 08:40 PM EDT

    PHOTOS AVAILABLE: Coast Guard Southwest District personnel hosted a change-of-command ceremony, Tuesday on Coast Guard Island.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER APPLAUDS FOUR UPSTATE NY PROJECTS ADVANCING IN NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION “INNOVATION ENGINES” COMPETITION CREATED IN HIS CHIPS & SCIENCE LAW

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

    Schumer Says Projects Range From University At Buffalo AI Research To Rochester’s Laser Lab To Cornell’s New Technology For Upstate Dairy Farmers And FuzeHub’s Semiconductor Manufacturing Initiative; All To Spur New Innovations And Good-Paying Jobs Across Upstate NY

    In 2024, Schumer-Supported And Binghamton University-Led Battery Hub Won Inaugural NSF Engines Competition, And Now More NY Projects Compete In Second Year Of CHIPS & Science Law Created Program

    Schumer: Upstate NY Projects One Step Closer To Major Fed $$ To Boost American Innovation And Jobs!

    U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today applauded four New York projects have advanced to the next round of consideration as semifinalists for federal investment through the National Science Foundation’s Regional “Innovation Engines” Competition (NSF Engines), which was created by his bipartisan CHIPS & Science Law.

    The four proposals include projects ranging from the University of Rochester’s effort to develop cutting-edge laser technology, to the University at Buffalo-led AI for Health Equity, to Cornell University leading sustainable dairy innovation, to FuzeHub strengthening Upstate NY’s microelectronics manufacturing. 

    Schumer said NSF will now conduct final assessments of these four projects in NY, along with a total of 29 teams across the country, to select finalists that will receive awards of up to $160 million in federal investment from the bipartisan CHIPS & Science Law. Nearly 300 letters of intent from across the country were submitted for this second round of NSF Engines funding, a group that has now been narrowed down to the 29 semifinalists, including the four New York proposals. You can read more about this year’s competition here.

    “I created the NSF Regional Innovation Engines program in my bipartisan CHIPS & Science Law with Upstate NY’s world-renowned universities and innovation ecosystem in mind. I’m proud to see four Upstate NY-based proposals advanced to the semifinalist round of consideration for major federal funding that will boost Upstate NY as the heart of American innovation and job creation,” said Senator Schumer. “From Buffalo pioneering the next generation application of AI for health and Cornell discovering new technology to help our Upstate dairy farmers to Rochester powering the future of laser development and FuzeHub supporting Upstate NY’s buildout of a global semiconductor hub, this investment is establishing Upstate New York as a world leader in developing technology of the future, all while creating good-paying jobs, jobs, jobs. More federal support will translate to more research and development, company investment and expansion, and jobs across Upstate New York, keeping America at the cutting-edge of innovation.”

    More details on the four New York-based proposals named semifinalists, all of which Schumer has advocated for the NSF to select, can be found below:

    • The University of Rochester’s proposal, officially named “STELLAR: Advancing Laser Technologies in the Rochester NY/Finger Lakes Region,” is focused on establishing a diverse coalition of partners in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region to accelerate laser discovery, technological advancement, education, and company creation, drive manufacturing and boost workforce development in order to help recapture U.S. national competitiveness and strengthen our security. The STELLAR Engine will foster laser-oriented workforce development, particularly in underserved communities in Rochester and rural communities in the Finger Lakes, accelerate use-inspired R&D, entrepreneurship, and regional business development that will create jobs, build a laser science and technology talent pipeline, bolster the supply chain, and grow and sustain the region’s economy.
    • The University at Buffalo’s proposal, officially named “AI for Health Equity,” will work to utilize artificial intelligence to develop cutting-edge health care solutions, further highlighting Western New York’s leadership in building an AI innovation ecosystem, something Schumer has actively pushed for. The project aims to boost new start-up companies and help partners commercialize AI technology centered on health and wellness. This new technology will aid health care providers and serve as personal assistance to community members. Eventually, the project will expand so that its technology can serve communities beyond Western NY and across the country.
    • Cornell University’s proposal, officially named “Sustainable Utilization of Scalable Technologies & Advanced Innovation for NetZero NY (SUSTAIN Dairy),” aims to reduce waste, create new dairy products, and develop new rural and workforce development opportunities. It is one of five projects in this round that is focused on agriculture and the only project focused on dairy. This proposal aims to develop a holistic, science-based framework for achieving net zero by 2050 from farm to fork through an advanced dairy innovation ecosystem. With dairy manufacturing and family farms scattered throughout rural New York, achieving place-based innovation that builds community wealth is vital for the future success of Upstate New York.
    • FuzeHub’s proposal, officially named “A Materials Innovation Engine for Manufacturing Sustainability,” will work to mitigate the negative impacts on the environment from manufacturing industries by replacing toxic or scarce components with advanced materials. FuzeHub competed last year for this award as well and was asked to resubmit.

    In 2024, Schumer helped the Binghamton University-led Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine win the esteemed competition in its inaugural year, bringing $15 million in federal funding immediately, with up to $160 million total over the life of the program from the NSF to supercharge growth and cutting-edge research in battery development and manufacturing in Upstate NY.

    Schumer created the NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines Program in his bipartisan CHIPS & Science Law as a program that falls under the newly created NSF Directorate of Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships. Schumer proposed the creation of this new Directorate originally in his bipartisan Endless Frontier Act, with a focus on delivering investment in research, workforce training, and entrepreneurship in key technology areas like AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, climate-smart research, advanced materials, and more. The NSF Regional Innovation Engines program catalyzes and fosters innovation ecosystems across the United States to promote and stimulate economic growth, job creation, and spur regional innovation.

    Each NSF Engine can receive up to $160 million over 10 years; actual amounts will be subject to a given NSF Engine’s status and overall progress, as assessed annually. The teams selected in this recent announcement submitted full proposals this past spring and are now eligible for final awards later this year after NSF conducts live, virtual assessments of the semifinalist teams. NSF anticipates announcing the final list of NSF Engines awards in early 2026.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: What it takes to run a state park

    Source: US State of Oregon

    ALEM, Oregon— The work to prepare Oregon’s more than 250 state parks and campgrounds for the 2025 season has been going all year long.

    Behind the scenes, park rangers have moved mountains of sand, cleared thousands of downed trees and repaired roofs, bridges and trails around the state to keep parks well maintained and ready for visitors.

    Visitors might think that parks stay pristine because they look just like they left them, but maintaining beautiful landscapes in some of Oregon’s harshest climates takes some work:

    • Cape Lookout State Park cleared more than 1.5 million pounds of sand after winter winds buried one camp loop in six-inch drifts. The park is not alone. Many coastal parks must dig out campsites, sidewalks and parking lots after the winter season.
    • Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area removed a dump truck load of slime, algae, branches, leaves and trash, which coated the campground when the lake receded. The lake floods every year, and rangers clean up the muck left behind.
    • In the Mountain Region and other areas where it freezes, rangers reinstall plumbing components and restart the plumbing to the campgrounds, buildings and picnic shelters, which includes restarting water to thousands of campsite spigots.
    • At Fall Creek State Recreation Area east of Eugene, rangers cleared eight dump truck loads of fir needles, cones, branches and debris to make the roads passable at Winberry Park when it reopened this spring.
    • Nehalem Bay State Park cleared nearly 180 downed trees in one winter storm alone. Parks across the state repaired winter storm damage, including clearing downed trees, repairing roads, fixing roofs and mending bridges.
    • In the Columbia River Gorge, parks cleared thousands of pounds of woody debris from paved trails and created wood chips to spread around trees and shrubs.

    Overall, Oregon State Parks rangers spend nearly 800,000 hours a year cleaning bathrooms, building and repairing trails and bridges, fixing old and new pipes and wiring, keeping parks safe, preserving Oregon’s history and natural resources and sharing knowledge on everything from mushrooms to the night sky.

    “Rangers work tirelessly to keep these landscapes beautiful and accessible for the approximately 56 million visits each year at Oregon State Parks. We’re thankful for the work they do every day,” said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek.

    Oregon State Parks welcome as many as 17,000 guests on the busiest nights, which means moving a city roughly the size of Canby in and out of campgrounds on almost a daily basis statewide.

    “Oregon State Parks are like small cities. They run sewer, water and electrical systems; maintain roads and structures, all while managing campgrounds. When one system goes down, our staff manage the necessary emergency repairs to keep parks open. I’m proud of the work they do to keep parks safe, welcoming and ready for everyone to enjoy,” said Oregon Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Sumption.

    Help rangers this season by following all safety signs and barriers; staying on trail and checking campfire restrictions in advance at stateparks.oregon.gov. Interested in what rangers do? Check out the Oregon State Parks episode of “Odd Jobs” by SAIF Corporation at https://youtu.be/NUqCmEe38Uw?feature=shared

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Workers absent from government’s AI “strategy”

    Source: NZCTU

    The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi is concerned that the artificial intelligence (AI) “strategy” document released today by the Government ignores impacts on working people and replicates the corporate hype of Microsoft and other tech giants.

    “It is crucial that no workers are left behind as AI usage increases, and so it is deeply concerning that workers are absent from the document released by the Government today,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.

    “AI technologies do provide opportunities for improving productivity and the quality of service. But this will only happen if workers are actively engaged on the implementation and governance of these technologies.

    “Workers also need to be properly trained on how to use AI safely and productively, but the strategy released today fails to set out a coherent plan for achieving this.

    “Some workers, particularly in clerical and administrative roles, are at a high risk of being displaced by AI. We need to deliver a just transition for any workers negatively affected by AI by supporting them to retrain and find good work.

    “The strategy also skates over the very real risks that AI technologies pose for workers. This includes the severe health and safety risks associated with AI surveillance systems, productivity monitoring, and automated management.

    “The “light touch” approach proposed by the Government will do nothing to protect New Zealand workers from the serious risks posed by AI,” said Wagstaff.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Science and Conservation – Plans underway to resurrect the South Island Giant Moa and other Taonga Species

    Source: Colossal Biosciences

    The Ngāi Tahu Research Centre has entered into a strategic partnership with de-extinction company, Colossal Biosciences, and Sir Peter Jackson, to resurrect the South Island Giant Moa and other Taonga Species.

    The Ngāi Tahu Research Centre coordinated project aims to advance ecological restoration and develop tools for conservation in Te Waipounamu, New Zealand’s South Island

    July 8 2025 AT 1 PM EST – JULY 9, 2025 AT 5AM NZST, TE WAIPOUNAMU/SOUTH
    ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND – In a historic indigenous-coordinated initiative, the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre has entered into a collaboration with Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based genetic engineering and de-extinction company, and acclaimed filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson, to work together to resurrect the extinct South Island Giant Moa.

    The Ngāi Tahu Research Centre was established in 2011 to support the intellectual growth and development of Ngāi Tahu, the principal iwi (Māori tribe) of the southern region of New Zealand.

    A multi-disciplinary hub based at the University of Canterbury, the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre will direct all aspects of this project. This ext

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tech – Avast Report Reveals Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper, According to Their Younger Loved Ones

    Source: Botica Butler Raudon Partners & Passion for Avast

    If your parents still think “phishing” happens on a lake, it might be time for the talk

    Auckland, 9 July, 2025 – You had “the talk” once – as the awkward teen on the receiving end. Now it’s your turn to lead it, and this time, it’s for your parents and it’s about staying safe online. A new study from Avast, a consumer Cyber Safety brand of Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), reveals a growing need for Kiwi families to have open and honest conversations with older loved ones about staying safe online. With cybercrime targeting older adults at alarming rates, the report exposes just how wide the generational Cyber Safety gap has become, and how family members often struggle to bridge it.

    According to the Avast Safe Tech Report, nearly 1 in 2 (45%) Kiwis with older loved ones have helped them avoid falling victim to a scam, and 84% of Kiwis with older loved ones have tried to warn them about risky online behavior or scams. But just like that first awkward talk years ago, not everyone’s listening. Only 53% changed their habits, while others didn’t understand the advice they were given (16%). Some older people even said their younger family members were overreacting (10%) or lied and said they’d change but didn’t (9%).

    When warning their older loved ones about risky online behaviour, New Zealanders raised concerns about six key behaviours: clicking on suspicious links (91%), oversharing personal information (78%), answering unknown calls (83%), responding to texts from strangers (84%), downloading unfamiliar apps (78%), and using weak passwords (70%). Shockingly, 44% report that their older loved ones still write their passwords on a piece of paper, a habit that might feel harmless, but creates an open invitation for criminal activity.

    Talking about online safety isn’t always comfortable, but it’s critical. And just like the original “talk,” it’s better to start early, speak clearly and repeat as needed.

    According to the Avast Safe Tech Report, almost half (46%) of people in New Zealand with older loved ones say their aging loved ones have already fallen victim to an online threat. Among those affected, 26% have fallen victim to scams, 17% experienced financial fraud, 10% suffered malware infections, and 7% were victims of identity theft. These aren’t just statistics – they represent real families facing serious, sometimes devastating, consequences.

    The most common scams targeting older adults:

    Tech Support Scams: Pop-up calls claiming a virus is on the device.
    Phishing: Emails or texts pretending to be from banks, police or family.
    Fake Invoice Scams: Fake payment requests, often imitating legitimate companies or service providers.

    “We see that many older adults genuinely want to stay safe online but weren’t raised with this technology where the rules are constantly changing,” says Mark Gorrie, APAC Managing Director for Avast. “The Avast Safe Tech Report shows that small behaviors – like jotting down passwords or trusting unsolicited calls – can open the door to massive fraud. That’s why families need to talk about it, openly and often.”

    “Nearly half (49%) of Kiwis with older loved ones agree that their older loved ones are susceptible to believing false or fraudulent information they see online. These conversations can be tricky, but we have to keep trying – the key is patience, respect, and making it a two-way exchange rather than a lecture.”

    Avast Safe Tech Tips: How to Have the Safe Tech Talk

    To take control of your Cyber Safety together with your loved ones, Avast experts encourage having the Safe Tech Talk and focusing on these top five best practices:

    Have the Safe Tech Talk

    Learn Cyber Safety best practices and share them with your loved ones.
    If you receive scam messages, texts, or calls, warn fri

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • India–Brazil bilateral trade to touch $20 billion over next five years: PM Modi in Brasilia

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India and Brazil will work to expand cooperation in trade, clean energy, defence, Artificial Intelligence, and digital public infrastructure, underlining that both countries share a common vision for inclusive development and a people-centric approach to innovation.

    Speaking at a joint press statement alongside Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, PM Modi expressed his gratitude for being conferred with Brazil’s highest national honour — ‘The Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross’.

    “Today, being honoured with Brazil’s highest national award by the President of Brazil is a moment of great pride and emotion not just for me, but for 140 crore Indians. I sincerely thank the President, the Brazilian government, and the people of Brazil for this honour,” PM Modi said.

    Calling President Lula his “best friend” and “Chief Architect of the Strategic Partnership between India and Brazil,” the PM said every meeting with him has motivated him to work harder for the well-being of both nations. “I dedicate this honour to his strong commitment to India and to our enduring friendship,” he said.

    Trade and energy cooperation

    PM Modi said India and Brazil have agreed to raise bilateral trade to USD 20 billion over the next five years. “Football is Brazil’s passion, just as cricket is loved by the people of India. Whether it’s sending the ball past the boundary or into the goal, when both are on the same team, a USD 20 billion partnership is not difficult to achieve,” he said, adding that both sides will also work to expand the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).

    The Prime Minister stressed that cooperation in the energy sector was steadily growing and highlighted the new agreement signed to boost collaboration on clean energy and sustainable development.

    PM Modi also extended best wishes to Lula for the upcoming COP-30 Summit to be hosted by Brazil later this year.

    Defence, AI and digital linkages

    On defence ties, PM Modi said, “Our growing cooperation in the field of defence reflects the deep mutual trust between our two countries. We will continue our efforts to connect our defence industries and strengthen this partnership further.”

    He pointed to ongoing collaboration in Artificial Intelligence and supercomputing, describing it as part of the shared goal of “inclusive development and human-centric innovation.” India’s UPI digital payments platform is also set to be adopted in Brazil, the PM said, adding that India would gladly share its experience in digital public infrastructure and space technology.

    Health, Ayurveda and people-to-people ties

    Highlighting ties in agriculture and health, PM Modi noted that cooperation in agriculture and animal husbandry spans several decades, and both sides are now working together in agricultural research and food processing too. “In the health sector too, we are enhancing our win-win collaboration. We have also emphasized the expansion of Ayurveda and traditional medicine in Brazil,” he said.

    Underscoring the importance of people-to-people connections, the Prime Minister said that the shared passion for sports — cricket and football — brings India and Brazil closer. “We wish for India–Brazil relations to be as vibrant as Carnival, as passionate as football, and as heart-connecting as Samba — all without the long visa counter queues! With this spirit, we will work together to ease people-to-people exchanges between our two nations, especially for tourists, students, sportspersons, and businessmen,” he said.

    On global issues

    PM Modi said India and Brazil have always worked in close coordination on global issues and stressed that their partnership is relevant to the Global South and the wider world. “We firmly believe that it is our moral responsibility to bring the concerns and priorities of the Global South to the forefront of the global stage,” he said.

    Calling for disputes to be resolved through “dialogue and diplomacy,” the PM said the India–Brazil partnership stands as an “important pillar of stability and balance” amid global tensions and uncertainty. He also reiterated both nations’ “zero tolerance and zero double standards” approach on terrorism, saying, “We strongly oppose both terrorism and those who support it.”

    The Prime Minister also extended an invitation to Lula to visit India and said, “Once again, on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for this highest national honour and for your enduring friendship.”

    Earlier in the day, Lula welcomed PM Modi at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, where he was given a ceremonial reception featuring a 114-horse escort for his car. The two leaders then held a restricted-format meeting, followed by delegation-level discussions and the signing of agreements.

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier says Chinese economy capable of withstanding any external shocks

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

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends a symposium for Chinese enterprises operating in Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    RIO DE JANEIRO, July 8 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here Tuesday that the Chinese economy is fully capable of withstanding any external shocks and achieving long-term stable growth.

    Meeting with representatives of Chinese enterprises operating in Brazil, Li said that since the year’s beginning, the Chinese economy has held up under pressure and maintained sustained and positive momentum.

    Participants included local branch chiefs of Bank of China, Great Wall Motor, State Grid, Goldwind Sci & Tech, China’s leading food trader COFCO, Gree Electric Appliances, Dahua Technology and ZTT Group.

    After listening to the remarks from the participants, Li said that in recent years, Chinese enterprises have accelerated their pace of going global and improved their capabilities for international operations, playing an increasingly important role in boosting domestic economy.

    Li said the first half of the year has witnessed the resilience of China’s economic growth with potential in domestic demand and bright spots in innovation.

    Noting that the Chinese economy will always provide staunch support for Chinese companies operating overseas, the premier said the government will provide better services and guarantees for enterprises, strengthen the building of various mechanisms and platforms for economic and trade cooperation, and improve the overseas comprehensive service system.

    He added that greater policy support will be introduced in such areas as policy consultation, finance, credit insurance and security, in order to create a better environment for enterprises and better facilitate their development.

    The current global economic and trade landscape is undergoing profound changes with the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, and increasing trade and investment barriers, Li noted. At the same time, a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is further advancing, presenting both challenges and opportunities for enterprises, he added.

    Li said he hopes Chinese companies can adapt to the trend and take proactive actions. They should build strong brands, strengthen planning, and enhance the global competitiveness of “Made in China” and “Created in China,” he said.

    It is essential to cultivate the local markets deeply by providing consumers with more products and services that meet market demand, the premier said, adding that Chinese companies should use Brazil as a platform to expand into the broader Latin American market and strive for greater development.

    Li said that Chinese enterprises must respect local laws, regulations and cultural practices, operate in compliance with legal requirements, actively undertake social responsibilities, and strive to forge a responsible and accountable image.

    Participants said Chinese enterprises will give full play to their own strengths and characteristics, enhance cooperation, effectively respond to various challenges, take root locally and remain committed to operating in compliance with laws and regulations.

    They also vowed to continue to expand their presence in sectors such as finance, energy, agriculture and scientific and technological innovation, uphold the positive image of Chinese enterprises overseas, contribute to building closer economic and trade ties between China and Brazil as well as other Latin American countries, and better achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. and Israel Pledge to Work Together to Unleash AI Innovation with New Memorandum of Understanding

    Source: US Department of Energy

    WASHINGTON— U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, vice chair and chair of the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC), today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance collaboration on energy and artificial intelligence (AI) with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel (Michael) Leiter.

    “President Trump and the National Energy Dominance Council are excited to announce this partnership on AI and energy security with Israel and the United States, advancing our shared vision of global energy addition and AI innovation,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said. “This Memorandum of Understanding enables our two countries to leverage our research institutions, and technology and energy sectors to ensure the United States and Israel are leaders in AI and remain energy dominant forces as AI transforms our future.”

    “U.S. Energy Dominance demands the advancement of artificial intelligence,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “Today, the Department of the Interior, in conjunction with the Department of Energy and leaders on the National Energy Dominance Council, recognized the critical partnership between America and the State of Israel to strategically power the feedback loop of innovation between the energy sector and AI. Through the advancement of AI, while properly managing our natural resources and improving our energy systems, the Trump administration is powering a new future that transforms global energy dominance for America and our allies.”

    The MOU highlights the transformative potential of AI to improve the security and resilience of America and Israel’s energy systems. The two countries further announced their intent to pursue cooperation in areas including analyzing the impact of rising energy demand due to data centers, opportunities for grid optimization, enhanced AI-enabled cybersecurity tools, sharing best practices on the use of AI in energy infrastructure, and the launching of bilateral pilot projects.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • PM Modi shares highlights of meetings with Chile President, UN Chief and Rousseff at BRICS

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday shared glimpses of his meetings with key international figures — including Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff — held on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

    Sharing details about his meeting with Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font, PM Modi highlighted the growing friendship between the two nations.

    “Delighted to have met President Gabriel Boric Font of Chile during the Rio BRICS Summit. India-Chile friendship is getting stronger and stronger!” PM Modi said in a post on X.

    https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1942569161743556985

    In April, the Chilean President paid a state visit to India accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, Members of Parliament, senior officials, business associations, media and prominent Chileans involved in the India-Chile cultural connect.

    During that visit, which marked 76 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, both leaders discussed in detail the historic diplomatic ties established in 1949, growing trade linkages, people-to-people connections, cultural exchanges and the warm and cordial bilateral relations. They also expressed their desire to further expand and deepen the multifaceted relationship in all areas of mutual interest.

    PM Modi also met United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in Rio de Janeiro on Monday.

    Taking to X, PM Modi said, “Interacted with Mr. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro yesterday.”

    https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1942568681692893508

    India’s deepening engagement with the UN is based on its steadfast commitment to multilateralism and dialogue as the keys to achieving shared goals and addressing common global challenges, including peacebuilding and peacekeeping, sustainable development, poverty eradication, environment, climate change, terrorism, disarmament, human rights, health and pandemics, migration, cyber security, space and frontier technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, and comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including reform of the Security Council.

    PM Modi also shared details about his productive conversation with former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who now heads the New Development Bank (NDB).

    Rousseff was in Rio de Janeiro to celebrate the progress made by the ‘BRICS Bank’ and discuss reforms of global financial institutions within the BRICS framework.

    “Productive interaction with Dilma Rousseff, President of the New Development Bank and former President of Brazil,” the Prime Minister said on X.

    https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1942569414353703136

    Earlier in the day, Lula welcomed PM Modi at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, where he was given a ceremonial reception featuring a 114-horse escort for his car. The two leaders then held a restricted-format meeting, followed by delegation-level discussions and the signing of agreements.

    —IANS

  • PM Modi departs for Namibia after concluding Brazil visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday departed for Namibia after concluding his two-day visit to Brazil, where he attended the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro and held wide-ranging discussions with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

    PM Modi is on a five-nation visit, with Namibia being his final stop.

    In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “Held fruitful talks with President Lula, who has always been passionate about the India-Brazil friendship. Our talks included ways to deepen trade ties and diversify bilateral trade. We both agree that there is immense scope for such linkages to thrive in the coming times.”

    “Clean energy, sustainable development and overcoming climate change were also prominent topics of discussion. Other areas where we will work even more closely include defence, security, AI and agriculture. India-Brazil cooperation in space, semiconductors and DPI will benefit our people,” PM Modi added.

  • MIL-OSI Video: BRICS, Bosnia & Herzegovina & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (8 July 2025) | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    Secretary-General/BRICS
    Bosnia And Herzegovina
    Haiti
    Occupied Palestinian Territory
    Ukraine
    South Sudan
    Somalia
    Briefings Tomorrow

    SECRETARY-GENERAL/BRICS
    The Secretary-General is wrapping up his visit to Rio de Janeiro, where he was attending the BRICS Summit. He held a number of bilateral meetings today, notably with the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Li Qiang. They discussed cooperation between the United Nations and China, sustainable development, climate change and financing.
    And yesterday afternoon, on the margins of the BRICS, the Secretary-General also met the Iranian Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi. The Secretary-General noted the importance of the consolidation of the ceasefire to lay the groundwork for the resumption of negotiations.
    He also held a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan. They exchanged views on the war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and the next round of meetings on Cyprus.
    The Secretary-General is leaving Rio later today and will be back in New York at daybreak tomorrow.

    BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
    This morning, the General Assembly held a ceremony in solidarity and reflection on the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, as mandated by the General Assembly.
    Courtenay Rattray, the Secretary-General’s Chef de Cabinet, delivered remarks on the Secretary-General’s behalf, saying that we must remember the more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys who were killed at Srebrenica, and we pay tribute to the strength, to the dignity and the courage of the survivors and their families.
    Thirty years ago, the Secretary-General said in his message, the United Nations and the world failed the people of Srebrenica. This collective failure, he added, was the result of policies, propaganda, and international indifference.
    Today, he said, we remember, and we must also confront reality.
    After Srebrenica, the world said – once again – “Never Again”. Hate speech is on the rise again – fueling discrimination, extremism, and violence. We see the glorification of war criminals. We see the same dangerous currents that once led to atrocity crimes. The Secretary-General said we cannot ignore these warning signs.

    As a note, Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, will be representing the Secretary-General at the official remembrance in Srebrenica that takes place this Friday.

    HAITI
    Turning to Haiti, where the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs report that armed attacks in the Centre department last week displaced more than 16,000 human beings. Most have found refuge with host families, while 2 per cent of them have settled in seven informal displacement sites that were created in the wake of these incidents.
    These developments reflect the continued deterioration of the security situation in Haiti, which is compounding humanitarian needs in a country where more than 1.3 million people are already internally displaced. Half of those are children. Overall, 6 million people in Haiti need humanitarian assistance, amid persistent insecurity and the gradual collapse of essential services.
    Displaced women and girls face particular risks.
    They face severe risks to their safety, including exposure to sexual and gender-based violence, with cases reported in some displacement sites.
    Despite major challenges, humanitarian partners continue to deliver life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable in Haiti. From January to March, more than 720,000 people received emergency food assistance, 25,000 people received emergency shelter kits, and 35,000 benefited from essential non-food items. Nearly 170,000 people gained access to safe drinking water, and 55,000 accessed emergency sanitation facilities.
    However, as we said yesterday, the lack of funding is significantly impacting our ability and our partners’ ability to meet the growing needs of the Haitian people. And as I said, unfortunately, the Haitian humanitarian appeal remains the least funded of all of our humanitarian appeals, which are almost all underfunded. Out of the $908 million we need, we have less than $75 million in the bank.
    OCHA remains committed to working closely with humanitarian partners, national authorities and others to increase funding levels, coordinate the delivery of assistance, facilitate humanitarian access, and ensure that the needs of Haiti’s most vulnerable people are addressed.

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/ossg/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=08+July+2025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mzYocjcMe0

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The total exhibition area of registered exhibitors at the 8th CIIE exceeded 300 thousand square meters.

    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

    SHANGHAI, July 8 (Xinhua) — Overseas companies have shown increased interest in the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), with the total exhibition area of registered exhibitors already exceeding 300,000 square meters, event organizers said Tuesday.

    Ge Hong, deputy director of the China International Import Expo Bureau, announced that the 8th CIIE will be held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10.

    According to Ge Hong, trade delegations are currently being formed, registration of professional visitors has begun, applications for accompanying events are being accepted, and targeted work to attract investment and match supply and demand is being intensified.

    At a pre-show matchmaking event held on Tuesday, Xu Meizhen, deputy general manager of BWT China Trading Co., Ltd., said that her company had launched a total of more than 20 new products at previous CIIEs, five of which were showcased for the first time in Asia. The products had been well received in the Chinese market, Xu Meizhen said. –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 –

  • India–Brazil bilateral trade to touch $20 million over next five years: PM Modi in Brasilia

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India and Brazil will work to expand cooperation in trade, clean energy, defence, Artificial Intelligence, and digital public infrastructure, underlining that both countries share a common vision for inclusive development and a people-centric approach to innovation.

    Speaking at a joint press statement alongside Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, PM Modi expressed his gratitude for being conferred with Brazil’s highest national honour — ‘The Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross’.

    “Today, being honoured with Brazil’s highest national award by the President of Brazil is a moment of great pride and emotion not just for me, but for 140 crore Indians. I sincerely thank the President, the Brazilian government, and the people of Brazil for this honour,” PM Modi said.

    Calling President Lula his “best friend” and “Chief Architect of the Strategic Partnership between India and Brazil,” the PM said every meeting with him has motivated him to work harder for the well-being of both nations. “I dedicate this honour to his strong commitment to India and to our enduring friendship,” he said.

    Trade and energy cooperation

    PM Modi said India and Brazil have agreed to raise bilateral trade to USD 20 billion over the next five years. “Football is Brazil’s passion, just as cricket is loved by the people of India. Whether it’s sending the ball past the boundary or into the goal, when both are on the same team, a USD 20 billion partnership is not difficult to achieve,” he said, adding that both sides will also work to expand the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).

    The Prime Minister stressed that cooperation in the energy sector was steadily growing and highlighted the new agreement signed to boost collaboration on clean energy and sustainable development.

    PM Modi also extended best wishes to Lula for the upcoming COP-30 Summit to be hosted by Brazil later this year.

    Defence, AI and digital linkages

    On defence ties, PM Modi said, “Our growing cooperation in the field of defence reflects the deep mutual trust between our two countries. We will continue our efforts to connect our defence industries and strengthen this partnership further.”

    He pointed to ongoing collaboration in Artificial Intelligence and supercomputing, describing it as part of the shared goal of “inclusive development and human-centric innovation.” India’s UPI digital payments platform is also set to be adopted in Brazil, the PM said, adding that India would gladly share its experience in digital public infrastructure and space technology.

    Health, Ayurveda and people-to-people ties

    Highlighting ties in agriculture and health, PM Modi noted that cooperation in agriculture and animal husbandry spans several decades, and both sides are now working together in agricultural research and food processing too. “In the health sector too, we are enhancing our win-win collaboration. We have also emphasized the expansion of Ayurveda and traditional medicine in Brazil,” he said.

    Underscoring the importance of people-to-people connections, the Prime Minister said that the shared passion for sports — cricket and football — brings India and Brazil closer. “We wish for India–Brazil relations to be as vibrant as Carnival, as passionate as football, and as heart-connecting as Samba — all without the long visa counter queues! With this spirit, we will work together to ease people-to-people exchanges between our two nations, especially for tourists, students, sportspersons, and businessmen,” he said.

    On global issues

    PM Modi said India and Brazil have always worked in close coordination on global issues and stressed that their partnership is relevant to the Global South and the wider world. “We firmly believe that it is our moral responsibility to bring the concerns and priorities of the Global South to the forefront of the global stage,” he said.

    Calling for disputes to be resolved through “dialogue and diplomacy,” the PM said the India–Brazil partnership stands as an “important pillar of stability and balance” amid global tensions and uncertainty. He also reiterated both nations’ “zero tolerance and zero double standards” approach on terrorism, saying, “We strongly oppose both terrorism and those who support it.”

    The Prime Minister also extended an invitation to Lula to visit India and said, “Once again, on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for this highest national honour and for your enduring friendship.”

    Earlier in the day, Lula welcomed PM Modi at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, where he was given a ceremonial reception featuring a 114-horse escort for his car. The two leaders then held a restricted-format meeting, followed by delegation-level discussions and the signing of agreements.

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN summit confronts AI’s dawn of wonders and warnings

    Source: United Nations 2

    The AI for Good Global Summit 2025 brings together governments, tech leaders, academics, civil society and young people to explore how artificial intelligence can be directed toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – and away from growing risks of inequality, disinformation and environmental strain.

    “We are the AI generation,” said Doreen Bogdan-Martin, chief of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) – UN’s specialized agency for information and communications technology – in a keynote address.

    But being part of this generation means more than just using these technologies.

    “It means contributing to this whole-of-society upskilling effort, from early schooling to lifelong learning,” she added.

    Warnings on AI risks

    Ms. Bogdan-Martin warned of mounting dangers in deploying AI without sufficient public understanding or policy oversight.

    “The biggest risk we face is not AI eliminating the human race. It is the race to embed AI everywhere, without sufficient understanding of what that means for people and our planet,” she said.

    Her remarks reflected a growing sense of urgency among policymakers and technologists, as new “agentic AI” systems capable of autonomous reasoning and action emerge at unprecedented speed.

    With some experts predicting human-level AI within the next three years, concerns about safety, bias, energy consumption and regulatory capacity have intensified.

    Tech on display at the AI for Good Global Summit.

    Tech on display

    The summit’s agenda reflects these tensions.

    Over 20,000 square meters of exhibit space at Geneva’s Palexpo now hosts more than 200 demonstrations, including a flying car, a fish-inspired water quality monitor, brain-computer interfaces and AI-driven disaster response tools.

    Workshops throughout the week will tackle topics ranging from AI in healthcare and education to ethics, gender inclusion and global governance.

    One highlight will be the AI Governance Day on Thursday, where national regulators and international organizations will address the gap in global oversight. An ITU survey found that 85 per cent of countries lack an AI-specific policy or strategy, raising alarms about uneven development and growing digital divides.

    Focus on health

    Health is a prominent theme this year.

    On Wednesday, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) will lead a session titled “Enabling AI for Health Innovation and Access,” bringing together technologists, regulators, clinicians and humanitarian leaders to address how AI can improve healthcare delivery – especially in low-resource settings.

    Real-world applications – from AI-powered triage in emergency care to diagnostic tools for rural clinics – will be spotlighted, alongside a preview of WHO’s forthcoming Technical Brief on AI in Traditional Medicine, set for official launch on the main stage.

    Experts will also examine the challenges of interoperability, regulatory harmonisation and intellectual property rights at the intersection of AI and global health. The summit will also feature the AI for Good Awards, recognising groundbreaking projects that harness AI for public benefit, with categories spanning people, planet and prosperity.

    Tech on display at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva.

    Launchpad for action

    The health track exemplifies the summit’s core goal: ensuring AI serves the public good, especially in areas of greatest need.

    Youth-led robotics teams from underserved communities will present solutions for disaster recovery and waste management, while startups compete in the Innovation Factory to showcase AI tools for education and climate resilience.

    Live demonstrations include an autonomous orchard robot, a self-sanitising mobile toilet, and a drone-eDNA system for scalable biodiversity and pest monitoring.

    Closing her keynote, Ms. Bogdan-Martin reminded participants that the future of AI is a shared responsibility.

    “Let’s never stop putting AI at the service of all people and our planet,” she said.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –