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Category: Technology

  • Fundamentally Flawed: Nvidia CEO Huang on U.S. Export Policy Fueling China’s Own Chip Development

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. export controls on artificial intelligence chips to China were “a failure,” Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang said on Wednesday.

    “All in all, the export control was a failure,” Huang said, adding, “The fundamental assumptions that led to the AI diffusion rule in the beginning, in the first place, have been proven to be fundamentally flawed.”

    The U.S. block on sales of advanced AI chips to China has forced companies there to buy semiconductors from Chinese designers such as Huawei, while also spurring China to invest aggressively to develop a supply chain that doesn’t rely on manufacturers outside the country.

    Huang’s comments came after China on Monday urged the United States to “immediately correct its wrongdoings” and stop “discriminatory” measures following the U.S. guidance warning companies not to use advanced computer chips from China, including Huawei’s Ascend AI chips.

    The U.S. action seriously undermined consensus reached at the high-level bilateral trade talks in Geneva, a statement from China’s commerce ministry said, vowing resolute measures if the U.S. continues to “substantially” harm China’s interests.

    Huang, speaking at the annual Computex event in Taipei, said Nvidia’s market share in China dropped to 50% from 95% at the start of former U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration.

    (Reuters)

  • Indian stock market opens higher amid mixed global cues and sectoral buying

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian benchmark indices opened higher on Wednesday amid mixed global cues as buying was seen in the pharma, auto, PSU bank and financial service sectors in the early trade.

    At around 9.35 am, Sensex was trading 296.53 points or 0.37 per cent up at 81,482.97 while the Nifty added 88.90 point or 0.36 per cent at 24,772.80

    Nifty Bank was up 98.55 points or 0.18 per cent at 54,975.90. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was trading at 56,028.55 after declining 154.10 points or 0.27 per cent. Nifty Smallcap 100 index was at 17,419.35 after dropping 63.65 points or 0.36 per cent.

    According to analysts, Indian equity benchmarks declined sharply on Tuesday amid reports of increasing COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asian countries, like Singapore and Hong Kong.

    “Technically, Nifty closed below its 5-day EMA for the first time since May 8, 2025, suggesting a shift to profit-booking. Support levels lie at 24,494 and 24,378, while resistance is expected in the 24,800-24,900 range,” said Devarsh Vakil, Head of Prime Research at HDFC Securities.

    In the absence of strong global cues, Indian markets are likely to pick up from where they left off yesterday, he added.

    Meanwhile, in the Sensex pack, Sun Pharma, HDFC Bank, Tech Mahindra, TCS, Nestle India, Maruti Suzuki, ICICI Bank, UltraTech Cement and Hindustan Unilever were the top gainers. Whereas, Eternal, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IndusInd Bank and NTPC were the top losers.

    In the Asian markets, China, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul and Jakarta were trading in green. whereas Only Japan was trading in red.

    In the last trading session, Dow Jones in the US closed at 42,677.24, down 114.83 points, or 0.27 per cent. The S&P 500 ended with a loss of 23.14 points, or 0.39 per cent, at 5,940.46 and the Nasdaq closed at 19,142.71, down 72.75 points, or 0.38 per cent.

    The spike in uncertainty and risk is impacting the market rather unexpectedly. Yesterday’s FII sell figure of Rs 10,016 crore is a major reversal of their big buying in May and if this persists, it has the potential to impact the market, said experts.

    According to provisional data from the NSE, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold Indian equities worth Rs 10,016.10 crore on May 20, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers to the tune of Rs 6,738.39 crore.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI: CoinShares Expands XBT Provider Platform with Seven New Physical Crypto ETPs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    May 21, 2025 | SAINT HELIER, Jersey | CoinShares International Limited (“CoinShares” or “the Group”) (Nasdaq Stockholm: CS; US OTCQX: CNSRF), a leading global investment company specializing in digital assets with over $6 billion in AUM, announces the expansion of its Swedish XBT Provider Platform with the launch of seven new physically-backed crypto Exchange Traded Products (ETPs).

    CoinShares is leveraging its well-established and respected Swedish platform, CoinShares XBT Provider AB, to offer investors access to new digital assets with best-in-class structuration, cost-effective management fees, and staking rewards for proof-of-stake cryptocurrencies. Each product employs physical replication, meaning the underlying cryptocurrencies purchased and directly held in a regulated custodian.

    The seven new products, all denominated and traded in SEK and listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, include:

    Name Management Fees Staking Reward
    CoinShares XBT Litecoin 1.50% p.a. Not a proof of stake crypto
    CoinShares XBT Chainlink 1.50% p.a. Not a proof of stake crypto
    CoinShares XBT Polkadot Reduced to 0.00% p.a. 5.0% p.a.
    CoinShares XBT Solana Reduced to 0.00% p.a. 3.0% p.a.
    CoinShares XBT Cardano Reduced to 0.00% p.a. 2.0% p.a.
    CoinShares XBT XRP 1.50% p.a. Not a proof of stake crypto
    CoinShares XBT Uniswap 1.50% p.a. Not a proof of stake crypto

    Jean-Marie Mognetti, CEO of CoinShares, commented on the launch: “We are glad to reinvigorate the CoinShares XBT Provider platform, which made history as the world’s first open-ended crypto ETP when created in 2015 and subsequently acquired by CoinShares in 2016. With this product extension, we’re enabling Swedish investors to access an expanded range of tokens through a pioneering and time-tested crypto ETP platform. The XBT Provider platform has consistently demonstrated its reliability and has become the trusted choice for Swedish investors seeking exposure to digital assets.

    This expansion represents our commitment to developing the Swedish market, providing institutional-grade investment vehicles that can help bridge the adoption gap that currently exists compared to other European markets. By offering these innovative products on a trusted platform, we aim to accelerate digital asset integration within Sweden’s sophisticated financial ecosystem.”

    “We are happy to see CoinShares expand their offering on our markets. The demand for ETPs is continuing to grow and this is an important step for the Swedish market in meeting that demand. With a broader range of locally listed ETPs, we give investors the opportunity to take advantage of cost-effective, transparent investment opportunities.” says Adam Kostyál, President, Nasdaq Stockholm

    About CoinShares 

    CoinShares is a leading global digital asset manager that delivers a broad range of financial services across investment management, trading and securities to a wide array of clients that includes corporations, financial institutions and individuals. Founded in 2013, the firm is headquartered in Jersey, with offices in France, Stockholm, the UK, and the US. CoinShares is regulated in Jersey by the Jersey Financial Services Commission, in France by the Autorité des marchés financiers, in the US by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. CoinShares is publicly listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker CS and the OTCQX under the ticker CNSRF.

    For more information on CoinShares, please visit: https://coinshares.com 
    Company  | +44 (0)1534 513 100 | enquiries@coinshares.com 
    Investor Relations | +44 (0)1534 513 100 | enquiries@coinshares.com 

    PRESS CONTACT

    CoinShares
    Benoît Pellevoizin
    bpellevoizin@coinshares.com

    M Group Strategic Communications
    Peter Padovano
    coinshares@mgroupsc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What’s the obscure Australian online safety standard Elon Musk’s X is trying to dodge in court? An expert explains

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Cover, Professor of Digital Communication and Director of the RMIT Digital Ethnography Research Centre, RMIT University

    In its most recent battle with authorities in Australia, X (formerly Twitter) has launched legal action in the Federal Court, seeking an exemption from a new safety standard aimed at preventing the spread of harmful material online.

    The standard in question is known as the Relevant Electronic Services Standard. It came into effect in December 2024, but won’t start being enforced by Australia’s online regulator, eSafety, until June this year.

    Compared with the social media ban for under-16s, this standard has been a side issue in the broader topic of online safety. So what exactly is it? And will it be effective at preventing the spread of harmful material online?

    What is the standard?

    The Relevant Electronic Services Standard contains criteria to help address the pervasiveness of harmful and illegal material distributed online. It is particularly focused on child sexual exploitation content, depictions of extreme violence, illegal drug material, and pro-terror content.

    Relevant electronic services (RES) are digital services that enable user-to-user content. This includes instant messaging, email and chat platforms. The legal definition also includes some online gaming services.

    Under Australia’s Online Safety Act 2021, the communications minister may exempt some services or platforms from being defined as an RES. The minister can also set conditions on the service for exemption, such as having a robust moderation service, or being a messaging service for internal employees of a company.

    Some social media platforms, such as Facebook and X, may be defined as RES. That’s because they also offer user-to-user messaging services. It is sensible, then, for the Federal Court to determine whether they fall under social media codes or RES standards, or both.

    The standards require RES to implement systems, processes and technologies to detect and remove child sexual abuse and pro-terror material from their services, and to actively deter end-users from distributing this material.

    There are consequences for services that fail to comply. The eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, can issue a formal warning or infringement notice, or have the courts apply a civil penalty.

    What does the standard do?

    The Online Safety Act 2021 imposes obligations on RES providers, particularly regarding the handling of harmful material. This material is categorised into several classes, including Class 1A and Class 1B content.

    Class 1A material typically means child exploitation and pro-terror content. Class 1B material refers to extreme violence, promotion of crime, and illegal drug-related content.

    The class of content is determined by referring to the National Classification Scheme. This scheme sets standards for the ratings of films.

    Class 1A and 1B material is content, texts and images that would be “refused classification” under the scheme. That is, it would be material that is usually not allowed to be distributed at all. Class 2 material is what we usually consider X-rated or 18+ material.

    At the moment, the eSafety commissioner can ask a RES to remove Class 1 or Class 2 content, or the service can be penalised. However, the next step has been to work with industry to develop codes that require service providers to be more proactive in preventing Class 1 content being shared between their users.

    Will the standard be effective?

    X wants its platform to be treated as exempt, and governed by the similar but less stringent Social Media Code instead. Whatever the Federal Court decides, however, there are other issues to consider.

    Part of the difficulty with the scheme is that it relies on harmful content coming to the attention of the eSafety commissioner. This usually happens when an end-user makes a complaint.

    But our recent research, which surveyed 2,520 representative Australians and will be published later this year, found that only about 10% of users who were the target of digital harms reported them to the eSafety commissioner. Among those who had witnessed harmful content or behaviour, only 6% reported. About 40% of Australians don’t believe reporting will make any difference.

    Another issue with the industry standards raised by digital rights activists is that it may require services to investigate user messages even when end-to-end encryption of messages is used. That may have serious privacy implications.

    New global treaties could help address the problem of online harm.
    nexus 7/Shutterstock

    A global treaty could help

    This ties into broader problems with the online safety framework.

    Much of the focus has been on managing platforms and getting platforms to police users and content – a necessary approach to avoid penalising individuals and overwhelming courts.

    However, service provider policing often fails to meet the norms of due process, such as transparency and the right to appeal decisions.

    It also makes platforms and messaging providers the “arbiters” of free speech and censorship, instead of governments, courts and communities.

    While setting standards on platforms is one part of the solution, we need to continue developing remedies to protect users. This may include global agreements and multilateral treaties, similar to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, so all countries can share the burden locally for digital harms that occur across jurisdictions, and ensure due process and the protection of privacy.

    Rob Cover receives funding from the Australian Research Council

    – ref. What’s the obscure Australian online safety standard Elon Musk’s X is trying to dodge in court? An expert explains – https://theconversation.com/whats-the-obscure-australian-online-safety-standard-elon-musks-x-is-trying-to-dodge-in-court-an-expert-explains-257222

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Analysis – Asia-Pacific card payments market to reach nearly $25 trillion in 2025, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    The Asia-Pacific (APAC) card payments market is expected to growth by 4.3% to reach $24.7 trillion in 2025 supported by growing preference for electronic payments. 

    Strong growth in markets like China, South Korea, Japan, and Australia is complemented by rising adoption in emerging economies, supported by infrastructure improvements, regulatory initiatives, and expanding financial inclusion across the region, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s Payment Cards Analytics reveals that the card payment value in APAC registered a growth of 5.8% in 2023, driven by the rise in consumer spending. The value registered an estimated growth of 4.8% in 2024 to reach $23.7 trillion.

    Ravi Sharma, Lead Banking and Payments Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “China, South Korea, Japan and Australia have a robust card payments market with high card payments value. Other markets within the region are also catching up supported by improving payment infrastructure, rising middle-income population, growing financial awareness, and banks offering lucrative benefits in terms of reward programs and instalment facilities.”

    The APAC card payments market is dominated by China, which is expected to grow by 3.7% in 2025 to reach $20.3 trillion. It is distantly followed by South Korea with expected card payments value of $984.5 billion, Japan with $866.1 billion, and Australia with $731.4 billion in 2025.

    However, card usage is comparatively low in the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Thailand, and Vietnam. This is mainly due to the limited financial awareness for card payments, inadequate POS infrastructure, and growing popularity of QR-based mobile payments.

    These countries are also gradually pushing card adoption through various financial awareness campaigns as well as by introducing favorable regime. For instance, the central bank of Indonesia capped the credit card interest rate at 1.75%, effective from 1 July 2021, reducing it from existing 2% per month to drive credit card usage.

    Similarly, in India, the government’s move to abolish merchant service fees on RuPay cards (domestic card) effective from 1 January 2020, encouraged the acceptance of RuPay cards among merchants, thereby pushing debit card usage.

    However, high cost involved in POS infrastructure for merchants and high preference for digital wallets among consumers remain challenge for faster growth in card payments in the region. Many consumers in the region leapfrogged from cash to digital wallets skipping card payments. The availability of low-cost smartphones, rising Internet penetration, growing awareness of mobile payments and the proliferation of digital wallets have resulted in Asian countries shifting from cash transactions to mobile digital payments.

    Sharma concludes: “Looking ahead, the total card payments market in APAC is expected to continue its upward trajectory, driven by ongoing government initiatives, improving payment infrastructure and a consumer shift towards electronic payments. However, high preference for mobile payments remains a challenge for their faster adoption. Overall, the card payments value in APAC is expected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6% between 2025 to 2029 to reach $31.1 trillion in 2029.”

    About GlobalData

    4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 16th Annual NICE Conference and Expo

    Source: US Government research organizations

    The NICE Conference and Expo will take place June 1-3, 2025. Location to be announced. 

    This event is supported by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), a program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the U.S. Department of Commerce, under NIST Financial Assistance Award #70NANB23H004.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Cipher Mining Prices Convertible Senior Notes Offering and Hedging Transaction to Place Borrowed Common Stock

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cipher Mining Inc. (NASDAQ: CIFR) (“Cipher” or the “Company”) today announced the pricing of its public offering of $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2030 (the “notes”) in an offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The issuance and sale of the notes are scheduled to settle on May 22, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. Cipher also granted the underwriters of the notes offering a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $22,500,000 aggregate principal amount of notes solely to cover over-allotments. Morgan Stanley is acting as sole bookrunning manager for the offering. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company is acting as co-manager for the offering.

    The notes will be senior, unsecured obligations of Cipher, and will accrue interest at a rate of 1.75% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2025. The notes will mature on May 15, 2030, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. Noteholders will have the right to convert their notes in certain circumstances and during specified periods. Cipher will settle conversions by paying or delivering, as applicable, cash, shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“common stock”), or a combination of cash and shares of its common stock, at Cipher’s election. The initial conversion rate is 224.9213 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $4.45 per share of common stock. The initial conversion price represents a premium of approximately 30.00% over the $3.42 public offering price per share of common stock in the concurrent delta offering referred to below. The conversion rate and conversion price will be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.

    The notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part (subject to certain limitations), for cash at Cipher’s option at any time, and from time to time, on or after May 22, 2028 and on or before the 30th scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date, but only if the last reported sale price per share of Cipher’s common stock exceeds 130% of the conversion price for a specified period of time. The redemption price will be equal to the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

    If certain corporate events that constitute a “fundamental change” occur, then, subject to a limited exception, noteholders may require Cipher to repurchase their notes for cash. The repurchase price will be equal to the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable repurchase date. In addition, unless Cipher has previously called all outstanding notes for redemption, noteholders may at their option require Cipher to repurchase their notes for cash on May 15, 2028 at a repurchase price equal to the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the repurchase date.

    The net proceeds from the offering, before offering expenses, will be $145,875,000 (or $167,756,250 if the underwriters fully exercise their option to purchase additional notes), after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions. Cipher intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to complete Phase 1 of the Black Pearl data center project (“Phase 1”), including: (i) purchasing at a discount the remaining balance of mining rigs required for Phase 1; (ii) paying expected tariffs and shipping costs for the mining rigs to be used for Phase 1; and (iii) paying other infrastructure-related capital expenditures in connection with Phase 1, and for general corporate purposes. On May 16, 2025, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Cipher Mining Infrastructure LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Cipher Black Pearl LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, entered into an Amendment Agreement and Deed of Novation to the Future Sales and Purchase Agreement (the “2025 Amendment”) with Bitmain Technologies Delaware Limited, which amends the Company’s existing Future Sales and Purchase Agreement, dated December 16, 2023, as amended by the Supplemental Agreement, dated June 5, 2024, the Amendment Agreement, dated July 10, 2024 and the Notice of Exercise dated February 5, 2025 (together, the “Original Agreement”). The Original Agreement has been amended to include an updated delivery schedule that allows for rig delivery by June 23, 2025. Through such amendment, the Company aims to accelerate its rig deployment timeline and offset a portion of expected tariffs. The Company also received a 10% reduction in cost in exchange for the Company’s early payment of the remaining balance outstanding under the Original Agreement. The amendment also provides the Company with additional incremental value from BTC-linked call options.

    Concurrently with the offering of the notes, Morgan Stanley, acting on behalf of itself and/or its affiliates (in such capacity, the “delta offering underwriter”), intends to offer, in a separate, underwritten offering, 17,540,000 shares of Cipher’s common stock borrowed from third parties (the “concurrent delta offering”), to facilitate hedging transactions (whether physical and/or through derivatives) by some of the purchasers of the notes. The delta offering underwriter will initially offer the shares of Cipher’s common stock to the public at a price of $3.42 per share and subsequently offer the shares of Cipher’s common stock for sale in one or more transactions on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, in the over-the-counter market, through negotiated transactions or otherwise, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale. The concurrent delta offering is scheduled to settle on May 22, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. The completion of the offering of the notes is contingent on the completion of the concurrent delta offering, and the completion of the concurrent delta offering is contingent on the completion of the offering of the notes.

    The offering of the notes and the concurrent delta offering are being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Each of the offering of the notes and the concurrent delta offering is being made only by means of a prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus. Before you invest, you should read the respective prospectus supplements and the accompanying prospectus and other documents that the Company has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Company and the offering. You may find these documents on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, copies of these documents can be obtained by contacting: Morgan Stanley, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10014, Attention: Prospectus Department.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities referred to in this press release, nor will there be any sale of any such securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or solicitation would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

    J. Wood Capital Advisors LLC acted as financial advisor to the Company.

    About Cipher

    Cipher is focused on the development and operation of industrial-scale data centers for bitcoin mining and HPC hosting. Cipher aims to be a market leader in innovation, including in bitcoin mining growth, data center construction and as a hosting partner to the world’s largest HPC companies. To learn more about Cipher, please visit https://www.ciphermining.com/.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws of the United States. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and includes this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. Any statements made in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, such as, statements about the completion of the notes offering and the concurrent delta offering, the use of proceeds from the notes offering, the effect of the hedging activities related to the notes offering on the market price of our shares of common stock, our beliefs and expectations regarding our future results of operations and financial position, planned business model and strategy, our bitcoin mining and HPC data center development, timing and likelihood of success, capacity, functionality and timing of operation of data centers, expectations regarding the operations of data centers, potential strategic initiatives, such as joint ventures and partnerships, and management plans and objectives, are forward-looking statements and should be evaluated as such. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “seeks,” “intends,” “targets,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “strategy,” “future,” “forecasts,” “opportunity,” “predicts,” “potential,” “would,” “will likely result,” “continue,” and similar expressions (including the negative versions of such words or expressions).

    These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Cipher and our management, are inherently uncertain. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: volatility in the price of Cipher’s securities due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and regulated industry in which Cipher operates, Cipher’s evolving business model and strategy and efforts we may make to modify aspects of our business model or engage in various strategic initiatives, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Cipher’s business, and the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations and to identify and realize additional opportunities. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on February 25, 2025, and in Cipher’s subsequent filings with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Cipher assumes no obligation and, except as required by law, does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

    Contacts:
    Investor Contact:
    Courtney Knight
    Head of Investor Relations at Cipher Mining
    courtney.knight@ciphermining.com

    Media Contact:
    Ryan Dicovitsky / Kendal Till
    Dukas Linden Public Relations
    CipherMining@DLPR.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Google’s Gemini has 400M monthly active users

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

    Google’s Gemini AI app now has more than 400 million monthly active users, the company’s CEO Sundar Pichai said Tuesday during a press briefing ahead of Google I/O 2025.

    Pichai said that Google’s AI overviews now reach more than 1.5 billion users every month. The company also announced during Google I/O 2025 that it’s putting AI mode in front of more users, as Google tries to update Search with more conversational experiences powered by generative AI.

    The Gemini app is Google’s most direct challenge to compete with OpenAI in the chatbot era. According to Google’s recent court filings for its ongoing antitrust suit, the company estimated in March that Gemini had 350 million monthly active users, whereas ChatGPT had around 600 million. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Have your say on the Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill

    Source:

    The bill seeks to redesign the vocational education and training system to restore regional decision-making. It also aims to increase industry involvement in vocational education and training. The bill would do so by amending the Education and Training Act 2020 to:

    • disestablish Te Pūkenga—New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (Te Pūkenga)
    • re-establish a network of regional polytechnics
    • establish industry skills boards to replace workforce development councils.

    The bill would propose a framework within which new polytechnics and a Polytechnic Federation Committee can be established, as well as framework to establish industry skills boards. The frameworks would set out the characteristics and functions of the new entities, the process for their establishment and disestablishment, and the technical elements necessary for them to function. The bill would also enable Te Pūkenga to remain as a transitional entity for unallocated programmes and activities for a 1-year period after commencement.

    Tell the Education and Workforce Committee what you think

    Make a submission on the bill by 11:59pm on Wednesday, 18 June 2025.

    For more details about the bill:

     

    ENDS

    For media enquiries contact:

    Education and Workforce Committee staff

    Education.Workforce@parliament.govt.nz

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Parliament Hansard Report – Wednesday, 21 May 2025 – Volume 784 – 001480

    Source: Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities

    Question No. 10—Housing

    10. TAKUTAI TARSH KEMP (Te Pāti Māori—Tāmaki Makaurau) to the Associate Minister of Housing: What role, if any, have the Government’s policies and decisions played in contributing to the 53 percent increase in homelessness in Tāmaki Makaurau between September 2024 and January 2025, particularly for rangatahi?

    Hon TAMA POTAKA (Associate Minister of Housing): Homelessness is a symptom of a broken housing system and a broken mental health system, and fixing these crises are both important for this Government. Government target No. 8 was to reduce the number of households in emergency housing by 75 percent, and we’ve achieved that in 15 months. One priority was to ensure that children were not growing up in that catastrophe that we know as emergency housing, and our decisions and mahi have led to around 3,000 children leaving emergency housing and coming out of emergency housing over the past 18 months. We’re very proud of that. The December 2024 homelessness insights report states it is not possible to determine the extent to which changes in homelessness numbers reflect broader economic, social, and health contexts or are attributable to policy changes.

    Takutai Tarsh Kemp: What specific actions is the Government taking to prevent homelessness among rangatahi Māori, particularly to those exiting State care or youth justice systems, and how will these outcomes be measured?

    Hon TAMA POTAKA: As this House has been told in the past, rangatahi-supported accommodation and youth-transitional accommodation continue to be supported. In addition to that, there are a number and a range of services—whether or not those are housing support products, housing first, transitional housing, and other pathways—for those people, including youths, who have some significant housing deprivation challenges.

    Takutai Tarsh Kemp: How does the Minister justify the 2024 Budget decision to cut $40 million from Māori housing providers and $20 million from transitional housing for rangatahi?

    Hon TAMA POTAKA: As we will recall, a number of agencies had to ensure that there were appropriate savings that came through Budget 2024 to enable and support ongoing delivery of better public services, such as health, education, defence, and the Police. But it was absolutely enthusing and energising for us to be in Toitu Tairawhiti last week in Gisborne where we saw the mahi, the good mahi, that has been undertaken by the people in Toitu Tairawhiti to construct around 150 new homes, with a priority on single mamas and tamariki.

    Takutai Tarsh Kemp: What steps is the Government taking to empower kaupapa Māori and Māori- and community-led housing and support services, such as Mā Te Huruhuru, in Tāmaki-makau-rau in line with its Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations?

    Hon TAMA POTAKA: This House may recall that recently we announced around $200 million of Māori housing tautoko to build 400 homes right throughout the country. Whether or not that’s up in Kaitāia or in Tūranga and Toitu Tairawhiti with the good mahi they are doing, and Ka Uruora throughout the North Island and others throughout the country, we continue to be very proud of the mahi that we are doing to support Māori housing and also the mahi that Minister Penk has been undertaking around granny flats and some of the ongoing mahi and good work being undertaken to look at papa kāinga.

    Takutai Tarsh Kemp: Supplementary. [Interruption]

    SPEAKER: Just wait for the House to gather itself a bit. Thank you.

    Takutai Tarsh Kemp: What is the Government doing to ensure the safety and wellbeing of rangatahi placed in emergency motel accommodation, and when will it invest in safe, culturally grounded, long-term, alternative, led-by-Maori communities?

    Hon TAMA POTAKA: Let’s get back to some data points. In December 2023, there were around 3,438 children in emergency housing—that moral, fiscal, social, and cultural catastrophe. As of the end of March, there were around 516—many, many of whom were Māori that have left and exited as a result of the priority one decision that was taken by this Government to expedite those households and whānau who have been living in emergency housing for over 12 weeks. Now, we are very proud of the decisions that we have taken to expedite those whānau and tamariki out of those difficult and exposed lives in emergency hotels, particularly in places like Ulster Street in Hamilton West.

    Rt Hon Winston Peters: Would the Minister have any idea as to how many homeless Māori the $80 million – plus profits the Waipareira Trust could house if the money was applied to them properly?

    Hon TAMA POTAKA: There is a lot of mahi to do, and we’re getting on and doing the mahi here in this Government.

    Takutai Tarsh Kemp: Will the Government commit to increasing funding for Māori housing and wraparound services for providers in Thursday’s Budget, in light of the 53 percent increase in homelessness in Tāmaki-makau-rau?

    Hon TAMA POTAKA: As the “mana pūtea” Minister Willis will say, one more version of “Hine E Hine” to come. Kia ora tātou.

    Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: A point of order, please, Mr Speaker. The question was quite specific, and I just wonder if the Speaker can advise, where the member asked “Will the Government commit to increasing funding”, based on a 53 percent increase in Tāmaki-makau-rau—we’re not clear on what that answer was or whether it was actually directed to the actual question.

    SPEAKER: I took it to mean that the—[Interruption] I’m speaking. I took it to mean that the Budget’s being delivered tomorrow and that he was not going to be releasing Budget information ahead of the delivery tomorrow.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Signs Legislation Protecting Kids From Big Tech

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Signs Legislation Protecting Kids From Big Tech

     

    LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen signed LB140, LB383, and LB172 – a slate of legislation brought on his behalf, aimed at providing protections to kids from utilization of online services and social media.  Upon passage, LB383 was amended to include LB172.

    In January, Gov. Pillen stood with senators to introduce the proposed measures, broadly aimed at:

    • Restricting the use of cell phones in school, bell to bell (LB140)

    • Providing parents with a variety of parental controls over social media accounts (LB383)

    • Expanding prohibitions against child pornography to include materials created through AI (LB172)

    “I appreciate the partnership of senators Sanders, Storer and Hardin to get each of these bills across the finish line. They know that the most important thing we do in this state is protect our kids,” said Gov. Pillen. “The research is clear about the detriments from overexposure to social media and the way Big Tech works to keep kids online and coming back for more. This has been a considerable effort, and I appreciate the collective work to get the bills to my desk for signature.”

    A fourth bill, also introduced on behalf of the Governor – LB504 – has been advanced to the final round of debate. Sponsored by Senator Carolyn Bosn, the Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act requires that online services protect user data, implement design features that will reduce harm resulting from compulsive use, and enables parents to have access to privacy and account settings.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Trump Unveils $175B Golden Dome Missile Defense System, Cites China and Russia Threats

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President of the United States Donald Trump said on Tuesday he had selected a design for the $175-billion Golden Dome missile defense shield and named a Space Force general to head the ambitious program aimed at blocking threats from China and Russia.

    The program, first ordered by Trump in January, aims to create a network of satellites, perhaps numbering in the hundreds, to detect, track and potentially intercept incoming missiles.

    Trump told a White House press conference that U.S. Space Force General Michael Guetlein would be the lead program manager for an effort widely viewed as the keystone to Trump’s military planning.

    Golden Dome will “protect our homeland,” Trump said, adding that Canada had said it wanted to be part of it.

    In a statement, the office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he and his ministers were discussing a new security and economic relationship with their American counterparts.

    “These discussions naturally include strengthening NORAD and related initiatives such as the Golden Dome,” it added.

    Trump said the defense shield, which would cost some $175 billion, should be operational by the end of his term in January 2029, but industry experts were less certain of that timeframe and the cost.

    “Ronald Reagan wanted it many years ago, but they didn’t have the technology,” Trump said, referring to the space-based missile defense system, popularly called “Star Wars”, that Reagan proposed.

    The Golden Dome program faces both political scrutiny and funding uncertainty.

    “The new datapoint is the $175 billion, but the question remains, over what period of time. It’s probably 10 years,” said Tom Karako of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

    Silicon Valley and U.S. software expertise can be leveraged to bring advances, while also using existing missile defense systems, he added.

    This month, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that Golden Dome could cost as much as $831 billion over two decades.

    Democratic lawmakers have voiced concern about the procurement process and involvement of Trump ally Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which has emerged as a frontrunner alongside Palantir PLTR.O and Anduril to build key components of the system.

    “The new autonomous space-age defense ecosystem is more about Silicon Valley than it is about ‘big metal’,” Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota said at the White House event.

    “So what’s exciting about this is it makes it available to everybody to participate, to compete.”

    “Big metal” refers to legacy defense contractors.

    The Golden Dome idea was inspired by Israel’s land-based Iron Dome defense shield that protects it from missiles and rockets.

    Trump’s Golden Dome is much more extensive, including a massive array of surveillance satellites and a separate fleet of attacking satellites that would shoot down offensive missiles soon after lift-off.

    Tuesday’s announcement kicks off the Pentagon’s effort to test and ultimately buy the missiles, systems, sensors and satellites that will constitute Golden Dome.

    Trump said Alaska would be a big part of the program, while Florida, Georgia and Indiana would also benefit.

    Many of the early systems are expected to come from existing production lines. Attendees at the press conference named L3Harris Technologies LHX.N, Lockheed Martin LMT.N and RTX Corp RTX.N as potential contractors for the massive project.

    L3 has invested $150 million in building out its new facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where it makes the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor satellites that are part of a Pentagon effort to better detect and track hypersonic weapons with space-based sensors and could be adapted for Golden Dome.

    Golden Dome’s funding remains uncertain. Republican lawmakers have proposed a $25-billion initial investment for Golden Dome as part of a broader $150-billion defense package, but this funding is tied to a contentious reconciliation bill that faces significant hurdles in Congress.

    “Unless reconciliation passes, the funds for Golden Dome may not materialize,” said an industry executive following the program, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “This puts the entire project timeline in jeopardy.”

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: CPC Central Committee Politburo Member Calls for Strengthening Cooperation with Egypt

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    CAIRO, May 21 (Xinhua) — Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, visited Egypt from May 17 to 20, calling for strengthening cooperation with Egypt in the fields of culture, tourism, media, publishing and think tanks, and efforts to make China-Egypt cooperation a model of exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

    He noted that both China and Egypt are ancient civilizations, and the friendship between the two peoples has a long history. The China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership has flourished under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the Politburo member added.

    China is willing to cooperate with Egypt in implementing the important agreements reached by the two heads of state, strengthening high-level political mutual trust, promoting high-quality cooperation and strengthening coordination in international and regional affairs, Li Shulei said.

    He also said China is willing to join hands with the Arab League to uphold the spirit of China-Arab friendship and continue to promote the rapid development of China-Arab relations.

    During the visit, Lee Shulei met with Speaker of the House of Representatives of Egypt Hanafi Ali al-Ghebali, Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly and the leader of the Future of the Nation party, First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Ahmed Saad al-Din Mohamed Abdel-Rehim. Lee Shulei also held talks with Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abu al-Gheit.

    During the meetings, Egyptian officials said China is the most sincere friend and partner of Egypt and other African countries, and thanked Beijing for its long-standing support. They said Egypt firmly adheres to the one-China principle and firmly supports the country in achieving national reunification.

    Egypt is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with China, expand practical cooperation in such areas as infrastructure, new energy and high technology, strengthen dialogue among civilizations and people-to-people exchanges, and deepen coordination and cooperation in multilateral platforms so as to benefit both countries and their peoples and safeguard the common interests of developing countries, they stressed.

    A.A. Al-Gheit said the Arab League is ready to play an active role in ensuring the success of the second China-Arab States summit and in promoting the creation of an Arab-Chinese community with a shared future. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Airstrikes kill dozens in Gaza, international criticism of Israel grows

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Israeli forces killed at least 55 Palestinians in airstrikes in Gaza on Tuesday, local medics said, continuing to bombard the enclave despite mounting international pressure to halt military operations and allow unimpeded deliveries of aid.

    Britain announced it was suspending trade talks with Israel and summoning its ambassador over “egregious policies” in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, while European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas asked for a review of the EU-Israel trade deal, according to Dutch news agency ANP.

    The war, now in its 20th month, has left Gaza in ruins and its population facing a worsening hunger crisis. It has strained Israel’s relations with much of the world and those with its closest ally, the United States, now appear to be wavering.

    The United Nations said no humanitarian aid had been distributed yet in Gaza, although Israel eased its 11-week-old blockade on Monday.

    “Israeli authorities are requiring us to offload supplies on the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom crossing and reload them separately once they secure our team’s access from inside Gaza,” said U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

    He said four trucks of baby food were dropped off on the Palestinian side of the border on Monday, and that a few dozen trucks of flour, medicine, nutrition supplies and other basic items entered Gaza on Tuesday.

    Israel’s military said 93 UN aid trucks entered Gaza on Tuesday via Kerem Shalom “after a thorough security inspection”.

    Indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas militants in Qatar appeared to falter again, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying he had decided to bring back the senior negotiating team from Doha for consultations.

    Hamas accused Netanyahu of entering the talks in bad faith, pretending to participate in a bid to mislead global public opinion. “No real negotiations have taken place since last Saturday,” the Palestinian Islamist group said in a statement.

    Israel’s military chief said during a Gaza field tour that the army would expand its operations against Hamas, capture additional territory and “clear and destroy the terrorist infrastructure until (Hamas) is defeated”.

    18 DEAD IN AIRSTRIKE ON TWO HOMES, MEDICS SAY

    Israel conducted further airstrikes on Tuesday across the densely populated enclave and medics said the sites hit included two homes where children were among the 18 dead, and a school housing displaced families.

    Israel’s military, which on Monday warned those in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis to evacuate to the coast as it prepared for an “unprecedented attack”, had no comment. Israel says Hamas uses civilian buildings for cover; Hamas denies this.

    In Gaza City, Reuters footage showed men, women and children sifting through the rubble of the Daraj neighbourhood school where they had been sheltering, and where charred pieces of clothing and a red teddy bear lay among scattered belongings.

    At nearby Al-Ahli Hospital, men said prayers over bodies wrapped in white shrouds, before carrying them to their graves.

    “What is our fault? What is the fault of children? What is the fault of the women we found on the stairs with their hair and clothes torn and burned?” said Omar Ahel, who had been sheltering at the school. “By God, this is injustice.”

    Israeli strikes have killed more than 500 people in the past nine days as the military campaign has intensified, Gaza medics say.

    SANCTIONS

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told parliament he, along with the leaders of France and Canada, was “horrified” by Israel’s military escalation, repeating calls for a ceasefire.

    The three nations had warned on Monday of “concrete actions” against Israel if it did not stop military operations in Gaza and lift restrictions on aid.

    In addition to suspending trade talks, Britain announced sanctions against a number of individuals and groups in the Israeli-occupied West Bank over alleged violence against Palestinian residents.

    EU sanctions on violent Israeli settlers have been prepared but have so far been blocked by one member state, the EU’s Kallas said, without naming the country.

    “External pressure will not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security against enemies who seek its destruction,” Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein posted on X.

    Israel’s ground and air offensive has displaced nearly all Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and killed more than 53,000, according to Gaza health authorities.

    The campaign began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israeli communities near Gaza’s border in October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and seizing 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

    The hunger crisis in Gaza deepened after Israel imposed a blockade on supplies from March 2. The U.N. says at least 500 trucks of aid and commercial goods need to enter Gaza every day to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.

    Louise Wateridge of the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA said on Tuesday there was little food left.

    “Everything’s empty. The warehouses, the distribution centres, they’ve been empty for weeks,” she said, speaking from a warehouse in Jordan that she said had food for 200,000 people that could be driven to Gaza in just a few hours.

    Israel’s leadership has insisted that it can free remaining hostages and dismantle Hamas through stepped-up military action. Hamas has said it would free the hostages in exchange for an end to the war and the release of Palestinians in Israeli jails.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI: AMD Introduces New Radeon Graphics Cards and Ryzen Threadripper Processors at COMPUTEX 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    – Radeon RX 9060 XT brings next-gen gaming experiences and FSR 4 ML-powered upscaling to mainstream users –

    – Threadripper 9000 Series and Radeon AI PRO R9700 redefine workstation and high-end desktop performance with full-spectrum compute and local AI processing –

    TAIPEI, Taiwan, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — At COMPUTEX 2025, AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) unveiled its latest breakthroughs in high-performance computing with the launch of Radeon™ RX 9060 XT and Radeon™ AI PRO R9700 graphics cards, and Ryzen™ Threadripper™ 9000 Series processors. Engineered to address the toughest workloads in gaming, content creation, professional industries and AI development, these new processors push the boundaries of what’s possible.

    “These announcements underscore our commitment to continue delivering industry-leading innovation across our product portfolio,” said Jack Huynh, senior vice president and general manager, Computing and Graphics Group at AMD. “The Radeon RX 9060 XT and Radeon AI PRO R9700 bring the performance and AI capabilities of RDNA 4 to workstations and gamers all around the world, while our new Ryzen Threadripper 9000 Series sets the new standard for high-end desktops and professional workstations. Together, these solutions represent our vision for empowering creators, gamers, and professionals with the performance and efficiency to push boundaries and drive creativity.”

    The new Radeon RX 9060 XT GPUs are powered by the advanced AMD RDNA™ 4 architecture and deliver smooth, responsive 1440p gaming with FSR 4 ML-enhanced upscaling, and accelerated ray tracing. For those who build worlds, tell stories through pixels, or chase victory in esports, these cards offer the performance and intelligence to elevate every experience.

    AMD also announced the Radeon™ AI PRO R9700, a new GPU built on AMD RDNA™ 4 architecture with second-generation AMD AI accelerators. With 32GB of graphics memory and PCIe® Gen 5 support, it’s designed for local AI inference, model finetuning, and complex creative workloads, with scalability for multi-GPU systems.

    AMD also introduced the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9000 WX-Series and Ryzen Threadripper 9000 Series processors — bringing record-setting core counts, massive memory bandwidth, and next-gen platform capabilities to professional and enthusiast desktops. Whether rendering cinematic VFX, simulating real-world physics, or locally fine-tuning billion-parameter AI models, these processors are built to break bottlenecks and accelerate innovation.

    AMD Powers Next-Gen Gaming Infused with AI
    Designed to unlock ultra-smooth gaming at 1440p, the Radeon RX 9060 XT is built for players who expect more. Equipped with up to 16GB of GDDR6 memory and 32 AMD RDNA 4 compute units, the GPU doubles ray tracing throughput compared to the previous generation, providing gamers with more realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections that bring virtual worlds to life.

    Second-generation AI accelerators power features like FidelityFX™ Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4), which uses machine learning to boost frame rates and image fidelity under even the most demanding rendering conditions. HYPR-RX delivers a full suite of optimizations, including Radeon Super Resolution and Fluid Motion Frames for lightning-fast response times and immersive, tear-free visuals. With support for FP8 data types and structured sparsity, the RX 9060 XT is ready for the next generation of AI-assisted gameplay, creative tools, and generative experiences.

    Model Compute
    Units    		 VRAM Game
    Clock
    (GHz)    		 Boost
    Clock    1
    (GHz)    		 Memory
    Interface    		 Infinity
    Cache    		 TBP Price
    (USD
    SEP)
    AMD Radeon™ RX 9060 XT 8GB 32 8 GB 2.53 Up to 3.13 128-bit 32 MB Starting at 150W $299
    AMD Radeon™ RX 9060 XT 16GB 32 16 GB 2.53 Up to 3.13 128-bit 32 MB Starting at 160W $349


    Pricing and Availability
    AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT graphics cards are expected to be available from leading board partners including Acer, ASRock, ASUS, Gigabyte, PowerColor, Sapphire, Vastarmor, XFX and Yeston, beginning later this year. The AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB has an SEP of $299 USD, while the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB has an SEP of $349 USD.  

    AMD Radeon AI PRO R9700: Built for AI-Powered Workstations
    Professionals advancing AI development can rely on the AMD Radeon™ AI PRO R9700 to accelerate local inference, model finetuning, and other data-heavy workflows. With second-generation AI accelerators delivering up to 2x the throughput of the previous generation2 and full support for the ROCm™ software stack on Linux, with support for ROCm™ on Windows coming soon, the R9700 is built for high-performance AI with on-device control and flexibility.

    The Radeon AI PRO R9700 also scales effectively in multi-GPU configurations, expanding memory and compute capacity for large models and parallel tasks. This flexibility makes it ideal for advanced workstations tackling complex simulations, real-time rendering, or concurrent AI workloads.

    Model Compute
    Units    		 VRAM Game
    Clock
    (GHz)    		 Boost
    Clock    1
    (GHz)    		 Memory
    Interface    		 Infinity
    Cache    		 TBP
    AMD Radeon™ AI PRO R9700 64 32 GB 2.35 Up to 2.92 256-bit 64 MB 300W


    Pricing and Availability
    The new Radeon AI PRO R9700 is expected to be available from leading board partners starting in July 2025.
            
    Ryzen Threadripper 9000 Series Workstations Processors Redefine Performance
    The new AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9000 WX-Series and Threadripper 9000 Series processors are purpose-built to handle the most demanding multi-threaded workloads and empower professionals to bring complex visions to life faster than ever.

    At the top of the stack, the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX offers 96 cores and 192 threads, ideal for visual effects, simulation, and AI model development. With up to 384MB of L3 cache and 128 lanes of PCIe® 5.0 connectivity, these processors make short work of large datasets, multi-GPU workloads, and memory-intensive applications. All PRO models come equipped with AMD PRO technologies for enterprise-grade security, manageability, and platform stability, helping to simplify IT operations.

    For enthusiasts and creators who demand workstation-grade compute in a high-end desktop (HEDT) platform, the Ryzen Threadripper 9000 Series offers up to 64 cores, enabling efficient content creation, rapid compiling, and local AI training without the need to offload to the cloud, helping to reduce cost, latency and improve privacy.

    Model Cores/Threads Base
    Frequency    		 Boost
    Frequency1    		 TDP Total
    Cache
    AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 9995WX 96 C / 192 T 2.5 GHz 5.4 GHz 350W 480 MB
    AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 9985WX 64 C / 128 T 3.2 GHz 5.4 GHz 350W 320 MB
    AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 9975WX 32 C / 64 T 4.0 GHz 5.4 GHz 350W 160 MB
    AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 9965WX 24 C / 48 T 4.2 GHz 5.4 GHz 350W 152 MB
    AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 9955WX 16 C / 32 T 4.5 GHz 5.4 GHz 350W 80 MB
    AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 9945WX 12 C / 24 T 4.7 GHz 5.4 GHz 350W 76 MB
    AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ 9980X 64 C / 128 T 3.2 GHz 5.4 GHz 350W 320 MB
    AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ 9970X 32 C / 64 T 4.0 GHz 5.4 GHz 350W 160 MB
    AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ 9960X 24 C / 48 T 4.2 GHz 5.4 GHz 350W 152 MB


    Pricing and Availability
    The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9000 WX-Series processors are expected to be available from MNCs, including Dell, HP and Lenovo, and Supermicro, as well as system integrators starting later this year. High-end desktop platforms featuring AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9000 Series processors, as well as DIY Ryzen Threadripper 9000 Series and select Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9000 WX-Series processors, will be available from retailers starting July 2025.

    AMD Continue to Deliver the Future of AI PCs
    During the keynote, Jack Huynh was joined by ASUS Co-CEO S.Y. Hsu to introduce the new ASUS Expert P Series Copilot+ PCs, the next-generation commercial PCs designed to bring AI acceleration to the enterprise. Powered by up to AMD Ryzen™ AI PRO 300 Series processors, these systems offer up-to 50+ TOPS of NPU performance, enabling fast, efficient AI-enhanced productivity in top-of-the-line business platforms. Featuring AMD PRO Technologies, Ryzen AI PRO Series processors deliver the enterprise-grade security and manageability features needed for the modern IT environment.

    “We’re proud to deepen our collaboration with AMD as we usher in a new era of AI-powered computing,” said S.Y. Hsu, Co-CEO of ASUS. “With the addition of the new Expert series — built from the ground up to revolutionize performance and efficiency for the modern workplace — to our broad AI PC portfolio, and commitment to innovation, we aim to deliver next-gen AI experiences that empower users everywhere.”

    “At Lenovo, we’re committed to delivering AI PCs that are not only powerful, but truly personal and productive. Our long-standing collaboration with AMD continues to drive this vision forward — from high-performance laptops to innovative workstations. Together, we’re enabling faster, smarter computing experiences for every kind of user. We’re especially excited about what’s coming next in our ThinkStation P8 workstation, where AMD’s latest high-performance Ryzen Threadripper PRO processors will unlock new possibilities for creators and professionals alike,” said Luca Rossi, President, Intelligent Devices Group, Lenovo.

    Supporting Resources 

    • Learn more about AMD at COMPUTEX 2025 here
    • Learn more AMD Radeon Graphics cards here   
    • Learn more about AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution here  
    • Learn more about Adrenalin Edition AI software here 
    • Learn more about HYPR-RX profiles here 
    • Learn more about Radeon AI PRO Graphics cards here
    • Learn more about AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors here 
    • Learn more about AMD PRO Technologies here 
    • Follow AMD on LinkedIn 
    • Follow AMD on X 

    About AMD 
    For more than 50 years AMD has driven innovation in high-performance computing, graphics and visualization technologies. Billions of people, leading Fortune 500 businesses and cutting-edge scientific research institutions around the world rely on AMD technology daily to improve how they live, work and play. AMD employees are focused on building leadership high-performance and adaptive products that push the boundaries of what is possible. For more information about how AMD is enabling today and inspiring tomorrow, visit the AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) website, blog, LinkedIn and X pages. 

    ____________________________________________
    1     Boost Clock Frequency is the maximum frequency achievable on the GPU running a bursty workload. Boost clock achievability, frequency, and sustainability will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to: thermal conditions and variation in applications and workloads. GD-151.
    2 Testing as of 3/11/2025 by AMD. Average performance of multiple runs for “How long would it take for a ball dropped from 10 meter height to hit the ground?“ and “Summarize the following in exactly five lines: [Insert Scene 1 Act 1 of Romeo and Juliet]”, drop edge cases where the model starts overthinking (more than 2k thinking tokens) to standardize response length. No speculative decode. All tests conducted on LM Studio 0.3.12 and Vulkan llama.cpp 1.18 with 100% GPU offload for AMD. NVIDIA-recommended CUDA llama.cpp used for RTX 4090 with NVIDIA-recommended 50% GPU offload (https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/ai-decoded-lm-studio/). Models tested: DeepSeek R1 Qwen 32b Q8 and DeepSeek R1 Llama 70b Q4 K M. System specifications: AMD Ryzen™ 7700X, 64GB DDR5 RAM 4800 MT/s, Windows 11 24H2 26100.2894, AMD Radeon™ PRO W7900 48GB and W7800 48GB using Adrenalin 25.1.1 Optional vs AMD Ryzen™ 9800X3D, 32GB DDR5 RAM 6000 MT/s.,Windows 11 24H2 26100.2894 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090. GeForce 572.70. Performance may vary. RPW-493.

    Contact:
    Stacy MacDiarmid
    AMD Communications
    +1 512-658-2265
    Stacy.MacDiarmid@amd.com

    Liz Stine
    AMD Investor Relations
    +1 720-652-3965
    Liz.Stine@amd.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3fb45eaf-59b5-4ca5-af70-411984cb93a1

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ASUS and AMD Jointly Unveil Full 2025 Expert P Series Lineup at AMD Keynote

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  ASUS and AMD today jointly announced the launch of the all-new ASUS Expert P-series Copilot+ PCs at Computex 2025, spotlighting its leadership in the commercial AI PC space. Powered by the latest AMD Ryzen™ AI 300 Series processors, the new lineup includes ExpertBook P3 (PM3) laptop, ExpertCenter P700 (PM700MK, PM700SK) desktops, ExpertCenter P600 (PM640, PM670) all-in-one PCs, and ExpertCenter PN54 Mini PC.

    These next-generation business devices are engineered to deliver lightning-fast AI computing, seamless productivity, and enhanced security for working professionals — all within a future-ready, sustainable design.

    “We’re proud to deepen our collaboration with AMD as we usher in a new era of AI-powered computing. At ASUS, we believe AI will fundamentally transform the PC — from system architecture to real-world applications,” said S.Y. Hsu, ASUS Co-CEO. “With the addition of the new Expert series — built from the ground up to revolutionize performance and efficiency for the modern workplace — to our broad AI PC portfolio, and commitment to innovation, we aim to deliver next-gen AI experiences that empower users everywhere.”

    ASUS ExpertBook P3 series

    Leading the charge is the ExpertBook P3 Series, the fastest ASUS ExpertBook AI PC to date. Available in 14-inch (PM3406) and 16-inch (PM3606) variants, ExpertBook P3 is powered by up to AMD Ryzen™ AI PRO 7 processors and offers up to 66 total TOPS of AI performance. It features ExpertCool thermal technology that keeps its cool whether opened or closed, a full metal chassis, and a full array of I/O ports positioned to enhance comfort and mouse movement.

    AMD Ryzen PRO processors provide business users with 18 months of planned software stability, 24 months of planned availability, and a rigorous platform validation process to ensure long-term quality.

    ASUS ExpertCenter P600 series

    The ExpertCenter P600 series represents the first Copilot+ PC all-in-one from ASUS, available in both 24-inch (PM640) and 27-inch screen (PM670) sizes. Designed for privacy and performance, P600 delivers up to 50 TOPS of dedicated NPU power for real-time content creation, and includes a retractable camera, wide-view FHD touchscreen, and business-grade durability. Microsoft Copilot is integrated for seamless collaboration.

    ASUS ExpertCenter P700 series

    Similarly, the ExpertCenter P700 series debuts as the first Copilot+ PC desktop from ASUS, offered in mini tower (PM700MK) and small-form factor (PM700SK) options. With up to 50 TOPS of AI compute power, a tool-free chassis, and MIL-STD-810H durability, it’s built to power through every business scenario.

    ASUS ExpertCenter PN54 Mini PC

    Completing the P series is the ExpertCenter PN54 Mini PC, which brings Copilot+ capabilities to a palm-sized form factor, making it the ideal solution for space-constrained environments such as kiosks, retail setups, and minimalist workstations. Despite its compact design, PN54 delivers robust performance and AI acceleration, enabling smarter workflows and seamless multitasking in any setting.

    Comprehensive AI tools and enterprise-grade security

    All ASUS ExpertBook and ExpertCenter P-series models come equipped with ASUS AI ExpertMeet and ASUS ExpertGuardian — powerful tools that are available today to enhance collaboration and ensure business-grade protection.

    AI ExpertMeet is our exclusive on-device assistant that elevates meeting experiences with AI-powered translation, meeting transcript and summary. ExpertGuardian provides all-around protection from hardware and software to firmware. P-series machines are also engineered with a commercial-grade, NIST SP 800-155-compliant BIOS, built-in TPM 2.0 and five years of ASUS BIOS and driver-updates support, offering layered security from software to firmware to hardware.

    ASUS also offers all-around and added-value support for businesses of all sizes to maximize efficiency and minimize IT-management overhead. Our flexibility, world-class experience and instant support lets you focus on growing your business to incredible heights.

    AVAILABILITY & PRICING

    The new ASUS ExpertBook P3 powered by up to the AMD Ryzen™ AI PRO 7 processors are expected to be available in Canada starting from late Q3 2025.

    The new ExpertCenter P series with the new AMD Ryzen™ AI 300 Series processors is expected to be available in Canada in early Q1 2026.

    Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.

    NOTES TO EDITORS

    ASUS ExpertBook laptops: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/business/laptops/expertbook/

    ASUS ExpertCenter desktops: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/displays-desktops/tower-pcs/expertcenter/

    ASUS Business website: https://www.asus.com/ca-en/business/

    ASUS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asus/posts/

    ASUS Business LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/asus-business/

    ASUS Pressroom: http://press.asus.com

    ASUS Canada Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asuscanada/

    ASUS Canada Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asus_ca

    ASUS Canada YouTube: https://ca.asus.click/youtube

    ASUS Global X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/asus

    About ASUS

    ASUS is a global technology leader that provides the world’s most innovative and intuitive devices, components, and solutions to deliver incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere. With its team of 5,000 in-house R&D experts, the company is world-renowned for continuously reimagining today’s technologies. Consistently ranked as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, ASUS is also committed to sustaining an incredible future. The goal is to create a net zero enterprise that helps drive the shift towards a circular economy, with a responsible supply chain creating shared value for every one of us.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1f3f4814-2879-465c-823a-62d00d90bcc9

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ14: Promoting research and development of Hong Kong

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Tang Fei and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (May 21):
     
    Question:
     
    According to a research publication released by the Legislative Council Secretariat last month, the number of research and development (R&D) personnel per million population in Hong Kong is significantly lower than that of neighbouring regions, and the proportion of local research postgraduates is continuously declining. There are views that research postgraduates also face multiple challenges in employment and the transformation of research outcomes. If such issues are not addressed in a timely manner, Hong Kong’s future innovation development and economic restructuring will be affected. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) given that according to the aforesaid research publication, Hong Kong currently has only 4 809 researchers per million population, lagging far behind Singapore and South Korea, whether the Government has drawn up specific measures to attract and nurture local R&D talent, particularly in STEM fields; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; whether it has set specific targets and timelines to increase the number of local R&D personnel in the next three years;
     
    (2) given that according to the aforesaid research publication, in the 2022-2023 academic year, only 63 per cent of research postgraduates from universities funded by the University Grants Committee secured full-time employment within six months after graduation, and only 11.6 per cent of graduates could manage to find jobs directly related to their studies, whether the Government has tailor-made support measures to address the employment challenges faced by research postgraduates, so as to help them maximise their potential and meet the needs of the local R&D industry; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (3) as there are views pointing out that while Hong Kong’s R&D outcomes reach international standards, they fall short in terms commercialisation and industrialisation, whether the Government will strengthen efforts to promote industry-academia-research collaboration to enhance the industrialisation of R&D outcomes and foster the development of an innovative economy; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
    The Government has all along been dedicated to promoting the development of innovation and technology (I&T), with a view to driving economic restructuring and more diversified development. Apart from the nation’s clear support for Hong Kong’s development into an international I&T hub under the 14th Five-Year Plan, the recently promulgated 2024-2035 master plan on building China into a leading country in education also proposed to establish an integrated co-ordinating mechanism for education, technology and talent, strengthening the supportive role of education for science and talent, closely tying in with the development of technological innovative centres in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the development of a highland for high-level calibre and platform for attracting talent, and enhancing the overall efficacy of the innovation system.
     
    The replies from the Education Bureau and the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau to the Hon Tang Fei’s question are as follows:
     
    (1) and (2) The Government has been expanding the local research and I&T talent pool through a multi-pronged approach. On the front of nurturing talent, the Government guides the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities to align their planning with the nation’s strategy of invigorating China through science and education, and support the goal of developing Hong Kong into an international I&T hub, including setting the key performance indicators in the 2022 Policy Address with 35 per cent of the students pursuing UGC-funded programmes to study in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) subjects. In addition, publicly-funded research postgraduate (RPg) places have been gradually increased from 5 595 in the 2022/23 academic year to 7 200 places in the 2024/25 academic year. Together with the gradual uplift of the over-enrolment ceiling from 70 per cent in the 2021/22 academic year to 100 per cent, institutions could flexibly enrol 14 400 RPg students at most, which is an increase of more than half, to constantly expand the I&T and research talents of Hong Kong.
     
    Additionally, the STEM Internship Scheme under the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) subsidises undergraduates and postgraduates taking full-time STEM-related programmes to enrol in short-term internships, so as to foster their interest early in pursuing careers in I&T after graduation. The Research Talent Hub under the ITC also provides funding support for eligible companies or organisations to engage university graduates to conduct research and development (R&D) work.
     
    For attracting talent front, the InnoHK Research Clusters has successfully attracted R&D talents from all over the world to Hong Kong, with over 2 500 local, overseas and Mainland researchers involved, and has provided training for over 1 200 PhD students. The ITC will launch the Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme, with a view to attracting international top-notch talents to conduct basic research in frontier technologies in Hong Kong and nurture local researchers.
     
    According to the report “Hong Kong Innovation Activities Statistics 2023” released by the Census and Statistics Department in December 2024, the number of R&D personnel has reached 43 403 in 2023, which has increased steadily over the years.
     
    (3) With an aim to enhance the I&T ecosystem and Hong Kong’s competitiveness on the I&T front, the Government has been promoting collaboration among the industry, academic and research sectors through various measures, and adopting a multi-pronged approach to support commercialisation of R&D outcomes of local universities. For example, the $10 billion Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme under the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) funds, on a matching basis, research teams from universities with good potential to become successful start-ups to transform and commercialise their R&D outcomes, while industry sponsorship is a mandatory requirement. Furthermore, the ITF will continue to provide annual funding to the Technology Transfer Office of each of the eight UGC-funded universities, thereby supporting the development of innovative ideas and R&D outcomes into new products or services. The R&D centres set up by the Government have also been taking forward industry-driven applied R&D work that suits market needs and transferring technologies to the industries through contract researches, licensing arrangements, etc to commercialise their R&D outcomes. Meanwhile, the Government facilitated the establishment of the Hong Kong New Industrialisation Development Alliance. Pooling together talent and resources from various fields, the Alliance aims to serve as a platform for collaboration among the Government, industry, academia, research and investment sectors. With a view to promoting co-operation among enterprises and organisations, we believe that the Alliance will also be conducive to the promotion of transformation and commercialisation of R&D outcomes.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Senator Hassan Presses Homeland Security Secretary Noem on Protecting Constitutional Rights and Secures Commitment to Follow Court Orders

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
    WASHINGTON – During a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) questioned Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about preserving the fundamental constitutional protection of habeas corpus, which requires that the government provide a reason for detaining or imprisoning someone, as well as an opportunity for that person to seek judicial review of their detention. There have been recent reports that the Trump Administration is considering unilaterally suspending habeas corpus. Senator Hassan also pressed Secretary Noem on critical national security challenges, including the rise of AI-enabled cybercrime targeting seniors and vulnerabilities in U.S. critical infrastructure from attacks by adversaries like China. 
    To watch Senator Hassan’s hearing questions, click here.
    Senator Hassan began by questioning Secretary Noem about the fundamental constitutional protection of habeas corpus after the Trump Administration stated it was considering suspending this right. Secretary Noem incorrectly defined habeas corpus as “a constitutional right that the President has to be able to remove people from this country.” Senator Hassan explained that “habeas corpus is the legal principle that requires that the government provide a public reason for detaining and imprisoning people. If not for that protection, the government could simply arrest people, including American citizens, and hold them indefinitely for no reason.” She emphasized that “habeas corpus is the foundational right that separates free societies like America from police states like North Korea. As a Senator from the Live Free or Die state, this matters a lot to me and my constituents and to all Americans.” 
    Senator Hassan then secured a commitment from Secretary Noem that she would follow court orders if the President attempted to suspend habeas corpus and a federal court reversed that order. “I’m glad that you have now committed to following court orders. I’m glad you believe in the basic freedom for Americans if ordered to do so by a court,” said Senator Hassan. 
    Senator Hassan then asked how the Department of Homeland Security is addressing increasingly sophisticated cyber criminals targeting Americans. These criminals use new tools and techniques, including artificial intelligence-generated imagery, to rob Americans, including seniors who lost $5 billion to scammers in 2024 alone. Senator Hassan also raised concerns about recent reports that the Chinese government installed remote access to Chinese-made power inverters, potentially allowing China to disable parts of our power grid. She pushed Secretary Noem to bolster DHS’s efforts to partner with state and local governments on cybersecurity. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for May 21, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 21, 2025.

    Australian para sport has issues everywhere – here’s what must be fixed ahead of the Brisbane Paralympics
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katherine Raw, Lecturer, Sport Management, Swinburne University of Technology Bratislav Kostic/Shutterstock Australia’s underwhelming performance at the 2024 Paris Paralympics has raised serious questions about how well our adaptive sport system is working. The Paris games returned our lowest medal tally since 1988, from our smallest team since

    What’s the difference between skim milk and light milk?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Margaret Murray, Senior Lecturer, Nutrition, Swinburne University of Technology bodnar.photo/Shutterstock If you’re browsing the supermarket fridge for reduced-fat milk, it’s easy to be confused by the many different types. You can find options labelled skim, skimmed, skinny, no fat, extra light, lite, light, low fat, reduced fat,

    AI is now used for audio description. But it should be accurate and actually useful for people with low vision
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Locke, Associate Researcher in Digital Disability, Centre for Culture and Technology, Curtin University Chansom Pantip/Shutterstock Since the recent explosion of widely available generative artificial intelligence (AI), it now seems that a new AI tool emerges every week. With varying success, AI offers solutions for productivity, creativity,

    NZ Budget 2025: science investment must increase as a proportion of GDP for NZ to innovate and compete
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Gaston, Director of the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Shutterstock/Olivier Le Queinec A lack of strategy and research funding – by both the current and previous governments – has been well documented, most comprehensively in the first report

    Starvation of Gaza – a distressing continuation of a decades-old plan
    SPECIAL REPORT: By Jeremy Rose Reading an NBC News report a couple of days ago about a Trump administration plan to relocate 1 million Gazans to Libya reminded me of a conversation between the legendary Warsaw Ghetto leader Marek Edelman and fellow fighter and survivor Simcha Rotem that took place more than quarter of a

    Spotify continues to change music. What’s next – will AI musicians replace music made by humans?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra Spotify was started, according to its official claims, because its founders “love music and piracy was killing it”. In Mood Machine, music journalist Liz Pelly argues this is rewriting history. In fact, she

    Feats of the human body behind Tom Cruise’s stunts in Mission: Impossible movies
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Baumgardt, Senior Lecturer, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol He’s leapt from cliffs, clung to planes mid-takeoff and held his breath underwater for as long as professional freedivers. Now, at 62, Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt for one final mission – and

    After another call with Putin, it looks like Trump has abandoned efforts to mediate peace in Ukraine
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham After a two-hour phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on May 19, US president Donald Trump took to social media to declare that Russia and Ukraine will “immediately start negotiations” towards a ceasefire and an end to

    The public service has a much smaller gender pay gap than the private sector. It’s a big achievement
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leonora Risse, Associate Professor in Economics, University of Canberra NDAB Creativity/Shutterstock After two years of publishing the gender pay gaps of Australia’s private-sector companies, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency has released public-sector employer data for the first time. The report shows a stark contrast between the private

    For making stars, it’s not just how much gas a galaxy has that matters – it’s where it’s hiding
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Barbara Catinella, Professor and Senior Principal Research Fellow, International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), The University of Western Australia One of the galaxies mapped by WALLABY: the red shade shows the atomic hydrogen gas content of the galaxy, overlaid on an optical image showing the stars.

    The Queensland melioidosis outbreak is still growing. What’s keeping this deadly mud bug active?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas Jeffries, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, Western Sydney University ap-studio/Shutterstock The outbreak of the deadly “mud bug” melioidosis in north Queensland has not yet abated since it began at the start of this year. So far there have been 221 cases and 31 deaths from the disease

    ‘Outdated and irrelevant’: what do young Australians think of their schooling?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jun Eric Fu, Senior Research Fellow, Youth Research Collective, The University of Melbourne LBeddoe/Shutterstock Australia’s school system – and whether it is doing its job – is often under the microscope from politicians, experts and parents. The most recent NAPLAN results in 2024 triggered a wave of

    Culture at the core: examining journalism values in the Pacific
    ANALYSIS: By Birte Leonhardt, Folker Hanusch and Shailendra B. Singh The role of journalism in society is shaped not only by professional norms but also by deeply held cultural values. This is particularly evident in the Pacific Islands region, where journalists operate in media environments that are often small, tight-knit and embedded within traditional communities.

    The band is breaking up: has the Coalition stopped making sense?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Visitor, School of History, Australian National University I remember seeing footage, several years ago, of a jubilant Malcolm Turnbull, then prime minister and Liberal leader, speaking in Tamworth to loyal members of the National Party. These were the rank and file who had spent weeks

    Health chief ‘conductor of an orchestra who’s never played an instrument’
    ANALYSIS: By Ian Powell In February 2025, Dr Diana Sarfati resigned, not unexpectedly, as Director-General of Health after only two years into her five-year term. As a medical specialist, and in her role as developing the successful cancer control agency, she had extensive experience in New Zealand’s health system. However, she did not conform to

    Victorian budget has cash to splash on health, transport but new levies, job cuts, rising debt signal pain ahead
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Hayward, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy, RMIT University There was not a lot of cheer in the media reporting ahead of the 2025/6 Victorian budget released on Wednesday. Debt and deficits dominated the coverage. All eyes turned to new treasurer, Jaclyn Symes, to see if in

    RBA cuts interest rates, ready to respond again if the economy weakens further
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock speaks at a forum during the World Bank/IMF meetings in Washington in April. Jose Luis Magana/AP The Reserve Bank of Australia cut the official interest rate for the

    The Coalition is on a break, but the Nationals risk finding their former partner doesn’t want them back
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Linda Botterill, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University In the weeks since the federal election, there’s been much speculation about the future of the Coalition agreement. In their soul-searching, it seemed possible the Liberals might pull the pin, given the degree of their

    Israel slammed over ‘cynical’ sidestep of global rulings on Gazan humanitarian aid
    Asia Pacific Report Israel has been accused of “manipulation” and “cynical” circumvention of global decisions calling for unrestricted humanitarian aid access to the besieged Gaza enclave. “In a clear act of defiance against international humanitarian obligations, the occupying state has permitted only nine aid trucks to enter the Gaza Strip — covering both the devastated

    Keith Rankin Analysis – The Aratere and the New Zealand Main Trunk Line
    Analysis by Keith Rankin. Government-owned Kiwirail is supposed to be presiding over the New Zealand Main Trunk (Railway) Line, from Auckland to Invercargill. As such it runs a ferry service (The Interislander) between New Zealand’s North and South Islands. We are being told by Kiwirail (and see today’s report on Radio NZ) that the only

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Capito Talks California Waiver CRA at GOP Leadership Press Conference

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    [embedded content]
    To watch Chairman Capito’s remarks, click here or the image above.
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, delivered remarks during the weekly Senate GOP Leadership Press Conference on the joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) that she introduced to repeal California’s EV waiver that prohibit the sale of new gas-powered light-duty vehicles by 2035. 
    HIGHLIGHTS: 
    LEADERSHIP AT EPW: “As Chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, I am the one who is leading the California waiver Congressional Review Act.”
    ON THE CALIFORNIA WAIVER: “The onerous quality of this of this rule is just beyond description, not just the penalties, forcing certain states and certain consumers to purchase a vehicle that they may not want or that they can’t find. It really eliminates what I think our country was built on, which is individual choice and making the decisions for yourselves.”
    DELAY FROM BIDEN ADMIN: “I think the one thing that’s interesting about this mandate is the Biden administration – California asked for this waiver in May of 2023. It was not granted until the very end of December of 2024. You know why? Because they know the American people reject this handily.”
    THE CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT: “The Trump administration, under Administrator Zeldin’s leadership, submitted it as a rule, it is a rule submitted to [Congress], it is within the boundaries of the Congressional Review Act.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: AI is now used for audio description. But it should be accurate and actually useful for people with low vision

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Kathryn Locke, Associate Researcher in Digital Disability, Centre for Culture and Technology, Curtin University

    Chansom Pantip/Shutterstock

    Since the recent explosion of widely available generative artificial intelligence (AI), it now seems that a new AI tool emerges every week.

    With varying success, AI offers solutions for productivity, creativity, research, and also accessibility: making products, services and other content more usable for people with disability.

    The award-winning 2024 Super Bowl ad for Google Pixel 8 is a poignant example of how the latest AI tech can intersect with disability.

    Directed by blind director Adam Morse, it showcases an AI-powered feature that uses audio cues, haptic feedback (where vibrating sensations communicate information to the user) and animations to assist blind and low-vision users in capturing photos and videos.

    Javier in Frame showcases an accessibility feature found on Pixel 8 phones.

    The ad was applauded for being disability inclusive and representative. It also demonstrated a growing capacity for – and interest in – AI to generate more accessible technology.

    AI is also poised to challenge how audio description is created and what it may sound like. This is the focus of our research team.

    Audio description is a track of narration that describes important visual elements of visual media, including television shows, movies and live performances. Synthetic voices and quick, automated visual descriptions might result in more audio description on our screens. But will users lose out in other ways?

    AI as people’s eyes

    AI-powered accessibility tools are proliferating. Among them is Microsoft’s Seeing AI, an app that turns your smartphone into a talking camera by reading text and identifying objects. The app Be My AI uses virtual assistants to describe photos taken by blind users; it’s an AI version of the original app Be My Eyes, where the same task was done by human volunteers.

    There are increasingly more AI software options for text-to-speech and document reading, as well as for producing audio description.

    Audio description is an essential feature to make visual media accessible to blind or vision impaired audiences. But its benefits go beyond that.

    Increasingly, research shows audio description benefits other disability groups and mainstream audiences without disability. Audio description can also be a creative way to further develop or enhance a visual text.

    Traditionally, audio description has been created using human voices, script writers and production teams. However, in the last year several international streaming services including Netflix and Amazon Prime have begun offering audio description that’s at least partially generated with AI.

    Yet there are a number of issues with the current AI technologies, including their ability to generate false information. These tools need to be critically appraised and improved.

    Is AI coming for audio description jobs?

    There are multiple ways in which AI might impact the creation – and end result – of audio description.

    With AI tools, streaming services can get synthetic voices to “read” an audio description script. There’s potential for various levels of automation, while giving users the chance to customise audio description to suit their specific needs and preferences. Want your cooking show to be narrated in a British accent? With AI, you could change that with the press of a button.

    However, in the audio description industry many are worried AI could undermine the quality, creativity and professionalism humans bring to the equation.

    The language-learning app Duolingo, for example, recently announced it was moving forward with “AI first” development. As a result, many contractors lost jobs that can now purportedly be done by algorithms.

    On the one hand, AI could help broaden the range of audio descriptions available for a range of media and live experiences.

    But AI audio description may also cost jobs rather than create them. The worst outcome would be a huge amount of lower-quality audio description, which would undermine the value of creating it at all.

    AI shouldn’t undermine the quality of assistive technologies, including audio description.
    Ground Picture/Shutterstock

    Can we trust AI to describe things well?

    Industry impact and the technical details of how AI can be used in audio description are one thing.

    What’s currently lacking is research that centres the perspectives of users and takes into consideration their experiences and needs for future audio description.

    Accuracy – and trust in this accuracy – is vitally important for blind and low-vision audiences.

    Cheap and often free, AI tools are now widely used to summarise, transcribe and translate. But it’s a well-known problem that generative AI struggles to stay factual. Known as “hallucinations”, these plausible fabrications proliferate even when the AI tools are not asked to create anything new – like doing a simple audio transcription.

    If AI tools simply fabricate content rather than make existing material accessible, it would even further distance and disadvantage blind and low-vision consumers.

    We can use AI for accessibility – with care

    AI is a relatively new technology, and for it to be a true benefit in terms of accessibility, its accuracy and reliability need to be absolute. Blind and low-vision users need to be able to turn on AI tools with confidence.

    In the current “AI rush” to make audio description cheaper, quicker and more available, it’s vital that the people who need it the most are closely involved in how the tech is deployed.

    Kathryn Locke is employed as a researcher on the Australian Research Council’s discovery grant, “Diversifying audio description in the Australian digital landscape”.

    Tama Leaver receives funding from the Australian Research Council. This work is supported by the discovery grant, “Diversifying audio description in the Australian digital landscape”. He is a chief investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child.

    – ref. AI is now used for audio description. But it should be accurate and actually useful for people with low vision – https://theconversation.com/ai-is-now-used-for-audio-description-but-it-should-be-accurate-and-actually-useful-for-people-with-low-vision-256808

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI China: SCIO organizes media trip on robotics development

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

    SCIO organizes media trip on robotics development

    China SCIO | May 21, 2025

    The State Council Information Office (SCIO) hosted a media trip in Beijing on Friday, inviting foreign journalists to explore China’s cutting-edge robotics industry.

    During the trip, the journalists visited the Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics and the Beijing World of Robots, both located in the robot industrial park in Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town. The visitors engaged in discussions with officials and representatives from Beijing E-Town to learn more about China’s robotics development. 

    Xing Huina, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO, welcomes journalists in Beijing, May 16, 2025. [Photo by Liu Jian/China SCIO]

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What’s the difference between skim milk and light milk?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Margaret Murray, Senior Lecturer, Nutrition, Swinburne University of Technology

    bodnar.photo/Shutterstock

    If you’re browsing the supermarket fridge for reduced-fat milk, it’s easy to be confused by the many different types.

    You can find options labelled skim, skimmed, skinny, no fat, extra light, lite, light, low fat, reduced fat, semi skim and HiLo (high calcium, low fat).

    So what’s the difference between two of these common milks – skim milk and light milk? How are they made? And which one’s healthier?

    What do they contain?

    Skim milk

    In Australia and New Zealand, skim milk is defined as milk that contains no more than 1.5% milk fat and has at least 3% protein. On the nutrition information panel this looks like less than 1.5 grams of fat and at least 3g protein per 100 millilitres of milk.

    But the fat content of skim milk can be as low as 0.1% or 0.1g per 100mL.

    Light milk

    Light milk is sometimes spelled “lite” but they’re essentially the same thing.

    While light milk is not specifically defined in Australia and New Zealand, the term “light” is defined for food generally. If we apply the rules to milk, we can say light milk must contain no more than 2.4% fat (2.4g fat per 100mL).

    In other words, light milk contains more fat than skim milk.

    You can find the fat content by reading the “total fat per 100mL” on the label’s nutrition information panel.

    How about other nutrients?

    The main nutritional difference between skim milk and light milk, apart from the fat content, is the energy content.

    Skim milk provides about 150 kilojoules of energy per 100mL whereas light milk provides about 220kJ per 100mL.

    Any milk sold as cow’s milk must contain at least 3% protein (3g protein per 100mL of milk). That includes skim or light milk. So there’s typically not much difference there.

    Likewise, the calcium content doesn’t differ much between skim milk and light milk. It is typically about 114 milligrams to 120mg per 100mL.

    You can check these and other details on the label’s nutrition information panel.

    How are they made?

    Skim milk and light milk are not made by watering down full-cream milk.

    Instead, full-cream milk is spun at high speeds in a device called a centrifuge. This causes the fat to separate and be removed, leaving behind milk containing less fat.

    Here’s how fat is removed to produce skim and light milk.

    Who should be drinking what?

    Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend we drink mostly reduced-fat milk – that is, milk containing no more than 2.4g fat per 100mL. Skim milk and light milk are both included in that category.

    The exception is for children under two years old, who are recommended full-cream milk to meet their growing needs.

    The reason our current guidelines recommend reduced-fat milk is that, since the 1970s, reduced-fat milk has been thought to help with reducing body weight and reducing the risk of heart disease. That’s because of its lower content of saturated fat and energy (kilojoules/calories) than full cream milk.

    However, more recent evidence has shown drinking full-cream milk is not associated with weight gain or health risks. In fact, eating or drinking dairy products of any type may help reduce the risk of obesity and other metabolic disorders (such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes), especially in children and adolescents.

    The science in this area continues to evolve. So the debate around whether there are health benefits to choosing reduced-fat milk over full cream milk is ongoing.

    Whether or not there any individual health benefits from choosing skim milk or light milk over full cream will vary depending on your current health status and broader dietary habits.

    For personalised health and dietary advice, speak to a health professional.

    Margaret Murray 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. What’s the difference between skim milk and light milk? – https://theconversation.com/whats-the-difference-between-skim-milk-and-light-milk-255608

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australian para sport has issues everywhere – here’s what must be fixed ahead of the Brisbane Paralympics

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katherine Raw, Lecturer, Sport Management, Swinburne University of Technology

    Bratislav Kostic/Shutterstock

    Australia’s underwhelming performance at the 2024 Paris Paralympics has raised serious questions about how well our adaptive sport system is working. The Paris games returned our lowest medal tally since 1988, from our smallest team since 2004.

    This result hasn’t gone unnoticed.

    Ahead of the 2032 Brisbane games, now is the time to rebuild and strengthen grassroots disability sport across the country.

    To do this, we must focus on inclusive, sustainable and community-driven approaches that truly support people with disabilities from the very start.

    Issues at grassroots level

    Grassroots disability clubs are vital to the health of para sports in Australia.

    These local clubs give people with disabilities the chance to be active, which supports both physical and mental wellbeing.

    Just as importantly, they provide places where people can build friendships, feel included and develop a sense of belonging.

    Many paralympians start their journey in these environments; they’re not just places to play sport, they’re key to developing future talent.

    Current and former athletes have called for more and better participation opportunities in adaptive sport.

    Paralympian Leanne Del Toso called for more support for women’s wheelchair basketball after Australia missed qualification for the Rio and Paris Olympics.

    It shouldn’t be about funding, it shouldn’t be about access, it should be about equality.

    The message is clear: we need to rebuild from the ground up, starting with a stronger and more supportive grassroots system.



    Read more:
    If we truly want our Paralympic athletes to shine, their coaches need more support

    What are the main problems?

    Australia’s para sports system is often fragmented and inconsistent, especially compared to mainstream sports such as swimming or athletics, which usually have national pathways, structured support and a clear line from beginner to elite.

    But adaptive sports are often run in disconnected ways across different states, clubs or organisations.

    This system is often difficult to navigate for aspiring athletes.

    Another big part of the problem is the “mainstreaming” of adaptive sport: instead of creating separate systems designed specifically for people with disabilities, many sports fold disability sport into their existing structures.

    While this can sound inclusive, it often creates problems.

    Research shows this approach can actually narrow who gets to participate.

    Many organisations and leagues tend to follow a standard competitive model that doesn’t work for everyone, especially those with more complex needs.

    Even well-meaning attempts at inclusion can backfire if they don’t involve people with disability.

    That’s why researchers now believe adaptive sport only works when paired with real disability-specific knowledge, community consultation and strong systems of accountability.

    Without that, we risk reinforcing the very inequalities we’re trying to fix.

    Another problem is the lack of participation data.

    One of the main sources of sports participation data in Australia is the AusPlay survey.

    This gives some insight into who is playing sport and being active, but it doesn’t give enough detail when it comes to disability sport.

    For instance, while the AusPlay survey indicates 51% of adults with a disability engage in physical activity once per week, it lacks specificity regarding the activities these people participate in.

    This makes it hard for policymakers, funders and sport organisations to make smart decisions, as they don’t have enough information about who is participating, where the gaps are or how things are changing over time.

    With better data, we could target resources where they’re needed most, especially in communities that currently miss out.

    Some possible solutions

    If we want to fix these problems, we need a different approach.

    That starts with co-design: involving people with disabilities in designing the systems, programs and policies that affect them.

    It’s not just about asking for feedback, it’s about giving real decision-making power.

    A great example of this is Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT, which has embraced co-design and made it a core part of its programs.

    This has led to a 380% increase in membership over five years, and a record number of affiliated clubs across their network.

    This success shows what’s possible when sport organisations stop designing systems for people with disabilities and start designing with them.

    When people feel valued and heard, they are more likely to get involved and stay involved.

    Recent initiatives, such as the new para unit launched by the Western Australian Institute of Sport (the original home of Australia’s Paralympic movement), demonstrate promising steps towards a more cohesive para sport system.

    But grassroots sport isn’t about medals. While we all love to celebrate paralympic success, local sport has a much bigger role to play.

    It helps people with disabilities stay healthy, feel included and connect with their communities. It can change lives on and off the field.

    As we look to Brisbane 2032, it’s clear paralympic success doesn’t start at the top. It starts in the community and on local fields.

    If we invest now in grassroots sport and centre people with disabilities in the design and delivery of programs, we can create a stronger and more inclusive future for para sport in Australia.

    The author would like to acknowledge the contributions of Mick Garnett to discussions on the future of adaptive sport in Australia.

    Katherine Raw 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. Australian para sport has issues everywhere – here’s what must be fixed ahead of the Brisbane Paralympics – https://theconversation.com/australian-para-sport-has-issues-everywhere-heres-what-must-be-fixed-ahead-of-the-brisbane-paralympics-256450

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Introduction of new professions in China reflects the vitality of the country’s economic development

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    At the closed test site of the National Internet of Vehicles Pilot Zone in Tianjin City (Xiqing District), Yao Zhonghua, an intelligent and connected vehicle (ICV) test specialist, is fully engrossed in creating a test scenario to prepare for the discovery of the ICV’s automatic emergency braking (AEB) function.

    “We use test equipment to conduct tests on the efficiency and reliability of intelligent and connected vehicle functions, and record test videos and data in real time,” said Yao Zhonghua, 33.

    In July 2024, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China and two other departments jointly released a list of 19 new occupations, and ICV tester is one of them.

    According to analysis by Wang Linlin, dean of the Department of Human Resource Management at Nankai University Business School, over 70 percent of these new jobs are aimed at building new-quality productive forces, covering cutting-edge areas of “digital intelligence” such as the digital economy, green energy and intelligent manufacturing, which are the result of China’s technological revolution and industrial upgrading.

    The introduction of new occupations leads to a broader range of products and services, allowing more people to make full use of their own advantages and open up new development opportunities. The new advanced occupations are highly consistent with the core content of the concept of “new quality productive forces” and reflect the vitality of China’s economic development.

    At present, China’s renewing professional system has accelerated its development towards digitalization and intellectualization. Both the emergence of many new professions and the diversification of employers also reflect the acceleration of the country’s economic transformation and modernization.

    “The emergence of new occupations creates a human resource base to ensure the growth of productive forces of new quality, promotes the movement of labor from low-value-added industries to high-skilled industries, and improves the overall quality of employment,” Wang Linlin said.

    Taking the ICV industry as an example, more and more Chinese auto enterprises are pursuing innovative changes driven by new technologies. Digital workshops, smart factories, etc. are being built one after another, and innovative technological solutions and application scenarios are being introduced, leading to the constant emergence of new types of work and new professions.

    She Hongzhi, deputy general manager of Yongtai Henji Investment (Tianjin), the operator of the National Internet of Vehicles Pilot Zone in Tianjin City (Xiqing District), said that in 2024, the total testing time at the closed testing site in the pilot zone exceeded 5,000 hours, showing a year-on-year increase of 150%.

    “We have activated the development of the ICV industry, promoted the integration of enterprises into an industrial chain, created hundreds of vacancies in new professions, and the demand for skilled personnel in the fields of artificial intelligence, intelligent manufacturing and big data continues to grow,” She Hongzhi emphasized.

    With the steady development of the digital economy, intelligent manufacturing and other fields, the demand for talent in new professions continues to grow. For example, according to forecasts in a report by consulting company McKinsey, by 2030, China’s demand for artificial intelligence specialists will reach 6 million people, and the shortage may reach 4 million people. According to the company’s estimates, the shortage of highly qualified digital specialists in China has already reached 25-30 million people, and it will continue to increase.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: EV battery giant CATL lists in Hong Kong, marking largest IPO in years

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

    Guests attend the listing ceremony of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in south China’s Hong Kong, May 20, 2025. CATL was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Tuesday, with the stock code 3750. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese electric vehicle (EV) battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) on Tuesday listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with shares surging over 10 percent at market opening.

    CATL announced allocation results showing that, before the exercise of the overallotment option, the Hong Kong public offering was oversubscribed by about 150.2 times, raising a total of approximately 35.66 billion HK dollars (4.55 billion U.S. dollars), with net proceeds of 35.33 billion HK dollars after deducting listing expenses.

    On its listing day, CATL opened at 296 HK dollars, rising 12.55 percent from its offering price of 263 HK dollars. By midday, it traded at 307.6 HK dollars, up 16.96 percent, with a turnover exceeding 5.7 billion HK dollars.

    Paul Chan, financial secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, said at the listing ceremony that CATL’s listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange can accelerate its global strategic expansion.

    Leveraging Hong Kong financing to support international growth is set to be a trend for mainland enterprises in export development, marking a new milestone in Hong Kong’s role in serving national development strategies, Chan added.

    Bonnie Chan, chief executive officer of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), said that in terms of funds raised, CATL’s IPO is the largest in Hong Kong in recent years and the biggest globally so far this year. This demonstrated the depth of the Hong Kong market and its solid fundamentals in supporting large-scale financing projects.

    CATL is an innovative new energy technology company, primarily engaged in the research, development, production, and sales of EV batteries and energy storage system batteries. It is already listed on the A-share market. (1 U.S. dollar equals 7.82 HK dollars) 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: MNCs foresee tailwinds for vibrancy

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

    The momentum generated by government policies aimed at stabilizing foreign investment, combined with the rapid growth of green and artificial intelligence-driven economies, will deliver strong tailwinds for foreign companies in China this year, said foreign business executives.

    With rising global economic headwinds and uncertainty over United States’ trade policies, many global enterprises are opting to consolidate their presence in China, with plans to maintain or expand investment.

    China’s stable and business-friendly environment supported a modest rebound in foreign direct investment in March, with actual FDI inflows into the Chinese mainland increasing by 13.2 percent year-on-year, data from the Ministry of Commerce showed.

    Marelli Holdings Co Ltd, a Saitama, Japan-headquartered multinational automotive parts manufacturer with more than 50 manufacturing facilities across the world, will expand its engineering team from 800 to 1,000 in China over the next three years.

    “Many opportunities arise from Chinese automakers’ rapid shift toward electrification and intelligence, especially in the form of software-defined vehicles, which are setting new benchmarks for speed, scale and innovation,” said David Slump, the group’s president and CEO.

    With China and the US agreeing to de-escalate trade tensions last week, Slump said that these two countries are major markets for Marelli.

    “We are closely monitoring and assessing the situation, and are committed to minimizing any impact on our operations and customers,” said Slump. He added that the company is already exporting advanced products and solutions from China to other markets, including Europe, Mexico and Southeast Asia.

    Also upbeat about the Chinese market, British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca announced in March an investment of $2.5 billion to establish in Beijing its sixth global strategic R&D center, and further expand its biotech innovation partnerships and local manufacturing capabilities.

    The new facility will advance early-stage research and clinical development and will be enabled by a new AI and data science laboratory.

    Susan Galbraith, executive vice-president, oncology R&D, Astra-Zeneca, said that having two of its six global strategic R&D centers in China reflects the group’s confidence in China’s world-class biomedical innovation ecosystem and reinforces the nation’s critical role in its global R&D strategy.

    Ji Wenhua, a professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies, which is part of the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said that China’s well-developed industrial bases, strong supply chain resilience and policy emphasis on innovation continue to make it an attractive destination for global capital.

    According to China’s 2025 Action Plan for Stabilizing Foreign Investment, the country will support pilot regions in effectively implementing opening-up policies related to areas such as value-added telecommunication, biotechnology and wholly foreign-owned hospitals, providing whole-journey services for foreign-invested projects in these sectors.

    The action plan also supports foreign businesses to participate in China’s new industrialization, with a focus on high-tech fields. Global capital has been welcomed in service sectors such as elderly care, culture and tourism, sports, healthcare, vocational education and finance.

    As part of its strategy to strengthen operations in China, US express transportation service provider FedEx Corp announced in mid-May that it would enhance its international export services from Shanghai.

    The cutoff times for same-day outbound shipments from Shanghai to Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, India and Africa will be further extended.

    The foreign trade value of foreign-invested businesses reached 4.1 trillion yuan ($567.51 billion) in China between January and April, up 1.9 percent year-on-year, accounting for 29 percent of China’s total foreign trade value, statistics from the General Administration of Customs showed.

    In the meantime, Jiangsu province, a major hub for foreign-invested companies, recorded 864.25 billion yuan in foreign trade value, up 7.2 percent year-on-year, according to Nanjing Customs.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: AI is now used for audio description. But it should be accurate and actually useful for people with low vision

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Locke, Associate Researcher in Digital Disability, Centre for Culture and Technology, Curtin University

    Chansom Pantip/Shutterstock

    Since the recent explosion of widely available generative artificial intelligence (AI), it now seems that a new AI tool emerges every week.

    With varying success, AI offers solutions for productivity, creativity, research, and also accessibility: making products, services and other content more usable for people with disability.

    The award-winning 2024 Super Bowl ad for Google Pixel 8 is a poignant example of how the latest AI tech can intersect with disability.

    Directed by blind director Adam Morse, it showcases an AI-powered feature that uses audio cues, haptic feedback (where vibrating sensations communicate information to the user) and animations to assist blind and low-vision users in capturing photos and videos.

    Javier in Frame showcases an accessibility feature found on Pixel 8 phones.

    The ad was applauded for being disability inclusive and representative. It also demonstrated a growing capacity for – and interest in – AI to generate more accessible technology.

    AI is also poised to challenge how audio description is created and what it may sound like. This is the focus of our research team.

    Audio description is a track of narration that describes important visual elements of visual media, including television shows, movies and live performances. Synthetic voices and quick, automated visual descriptions might result in more audio description on our screens. But will users lose out in other ways?

    AI as people’s eyes

    AI-powered accessibility tools are proliferating. Among them is Microsoft’s Seeing AI, an app that turns your smartphone into a talking camera by reading text and identifying objects. The app Be My AI uses virtual assistants to describe photos taken by blind users; it’s an AI version of the original app Be My Eyes, where the same task was done by human volunteers.

    There are increasingly more AI software options for text-to-speech and document reading, as well as for producing audio description.

    Audio description is an essential feature to make visual media accessible to blind or vision impaired audiences. But its benefits go beyond that.

    Increasingly, research shows audio description benefits other disability groups and mainstream audiences without disability. Audio description can also be a creative way to further develop or enhance a visual text.

    Traditionally, audio description has been created using human voices, script writers and production teams. However, in the last year several international streaming services including Netflix and Amazon Prime have begun offering audio description that’s at least partially generated with AI.

    Yet there are a number of issues with the current AI technologies, including their ability to generate false information. These tools need to be critically appraised and improved.

    Is AI coming for audio description jobs?

    There are multiple ways in which AI might impact the creation – and end result – of audio description.

    With AI tools, streaming services can get synthetic voices to “read” an audio description script. There’s potential for various levels of automation, while giving users the chance to customise audio description to suit their specific needs and preferences. Want your cooking show to be narrated in a British accent? With AI, you could change that with the press of a button.

    However, in the audio description industry many are worried AI could undermine the quality, creativity and professionalism humans bring to the equation.

    The language-learning app Duolingo, for example, recently announced it was moving forward with “AI first” development. As a result, many contractors lost jobs that can now purportedly be done by algorithms.

    On the one hand, AI could help broaden the range of audio descriptions available for a range of media and live experiences.

    But AI audio description may also cost jobs rather than create them. The worst outcome would be a huge amount of lower-quality audio description, which would undermine the value of creating it at all.

    AI shouldn’t undermine the quality of assistive technologies, including audio description.
    Ground Picture/Shutterstock

    Can we trust AI to describe things well?

    Industry impact and the technical details of how AI can be used in audio description are one thing.

    What’s currently lacking is research that centres the perspectives of users and takes into consideration their experiences and needs for future audio description.

    Accuracy – and trust in this accuracy – is vitally important for blind and low-vision audiences.

    Cheap and often free, AI tools are now widely used to summarise, transcribe and translate. But it’s a well-known problem that generative AI struggles to stay factual. Known as “hallucinations”, these plausible fabrications proliferate even when the AI tools are not asked to create anything new – like doing a simple audio transcription.

    If AI tools simply fabricate content rather than make existing material accessible, it would even further distance and disadvantage blind and low-vision consumers.

    We can use AI for accessibility – with care

    AI is a relatively new technology, and for it to be a true benefit in terms of accessibility, its accuracy and reliability need to be absolute. Blind and low-vision users need to be able to turn on AI tools with confidence.

    In the current “AI rush” to make audio description cheaper, quicker and more available, it’s vital that the people who need it the most are closely involved in how the tech is deployed.

    Kathryn Locke is employed as a researcher on the Australian Research Council’s discovery grant, “Diversifying audio description in the Australian digital landscape”.

    Tama Leaver receives funding from the Australian Research Council. This work is supported by the discovery grant, “Diversifying audio description in the Australian digital landscape”. He is a chief investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child.

    – ref. AI is now used for audio description. But it should be accurate and actually useful for people with low vision – https://theconversation.com/ai-is-now-used-for-audio-description-but-it-should-be-accurate-and-actually-useful-for-people-with-low-vision-256808

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s private economy gets new boost as landmark law takes effect

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

    China’s first fundamental law dedicated to promoting the private sector came into effect Tuesday, strengthening legal protections and injecting fresh momentum into a key driver of the world’s second-largest economy.

    The Private Sector Promotion Law, passed in late April, aims to optimize the development environment for the sector, ensure fair market competition, and promote the growth of both the private economy and private entrepreneurs.

    It clearly states that the private sector is “an important part of the socialist market economy,” and promoting its sustained, healthy and high-quality development is a significant and long-term policy.

    This legislation marks a milestone in the development of the sector, which contributes more than 60 percent of China’s GDP.

    “The law demonstrates the country’s long-term commitment to the private sector, and is expected to further unlock its innovation potential and reinforce the confidence of private entrepreneurs,” said Wen Bin, chief economist at China Minsheng Bank.

    From ensuring fair market access and financing support to enhancing services and protection of original innovation, the 78-article law cements efforts to encourage, support and guide the growth of the private sector.

    The private sector has become a prominent part of China’s economy thanks to a nurturing policy environment, which has led to it driving innovation, employment and overall economic growth.

    Private firms make up more than 90 percent of the country’s total enterprises and more than 80 percent of urban employment. They have also become key players in China’s push for innovation-driven growth, contributing to more than 70 percent of the country’s technological innovation achievements.

    Experts and business leaders view the law as “highly timely and absolutely essential.” It comes as China revs up efforts to bolster the private sector and the broader economy, as the country tries to navigate external shocks and domestic development challenges.

    Private firms are facing mounting pressures, including international trade barriers, weak domestic demand and the pressing need for industrial transformation and upgrading, but opportunities coexist alongside these challenges, said Cheng Xiaobo, chairman of Lifang Group, a vision tech firm headquartered in Shanghai.

    With the legal safeguards and a focus on core tech breakthroughs, and by capitalizing on China’s emerging new consumption scenarios, private firms are better positioned to turn the headwinds into tailwinds, Cheng added.

    “The rule of law is the best business environment,” said Qi Xiangdong, chairman of cybersecurity firm Qi-Anxin and vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, noting that the law transforms policy support into legal guarantees.

    The legislation follows a series of pro-business measures rolled out this year. In February, China held a high-level symposium on private enterprises, which was widely viewed as a strong signal to boost the confidence and growth of the private sector.

    A month later, at the “two sessions,” the country reiterated support for private enterprises, vowing to take effective moves to stimulate the vitality of all market entities.

    China is also beefing up financial support for the private sector, and working to level the playing field. Last month, a new version of the market access negative list was unveiled, specifying fields that are off-limits to both domestic and overseas business entities. The new negative list reduced the number of items on it from 117 to 106.

    Executives of high-tech private firms particularly welcomed the law’s focus on tech innovation and enhanced protection for original innovation and intellectual property rights.

    Han Dongcheng, chairman of Anhui Easpeed Technology Co., Ltd., a firm focusing on holographic imaging technology, said the law served not only as an incentive for tech firms like his, but also as a strong institutional safeguard, enabling firms to focus on research and development with greater confidence in defending their achievements.

    Similarly, Tan Limin, chairman of Westwell, a Chinese tech firm that develops AI applications and autonomous driving solutions, highlighted the law’s broader significance. From ensuring a more level playing field, enabling fairer market competition, to encouraging innovation and enhancing intellectual property protection, “the law delivers concrete safeguards for private businesses and bolsters confidence for both their daily operation and long-term growth,” Tan said.

    Backed by follow-up policies and stricter enforcement, the law will further improve the business environment, unleash private-sector vitality, and promote the forging of a new development paradigm, cementing its role as a legal cornerstone for high-quality development of the private economy, said Wen of China Minsheng Bank. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: LeddarTech Provides Update on Financial Situation and Announces Workforce Reduction

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    QUEBEC CITY, Canada, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LeddarTech® Holdings Inc. (“LeddarTech” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LDTC), an AI-powered software company recognized for its innovation in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving (AD), today provided an update regarding its discussions with its lenders under the amended and restated financing offer dated as of April 5, 2023 with Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec (“Desjardins” and the financing offer, as amended, the “Desjardins Credit Facility”) and the bridge financing offer dated as of August 16, 2024 with the initial bridge lenders and certain members of management and the board of directors (collectively, the “Bridge Lenders”, and the financing offer, the “Bridge Facility”). While the Company continues to be in active discussions with Desjardins and its Bridge Lenders, it has not reached an agreement providing for additional financing for the Company or relief from the minimum cash, equity financing and process plan covenants contained in the Desjardins Credit Facility and Bridge Facility.

    In an effort to preserve cash and afford the Company additional time to pursue discussions with its lenders, the Company also announced a reduction of its workforce through temporary layoffs of approximately 138 individuals, in all of its locations and across all departments within the organization, representing approximately 95% of the Company’s total workforce. Such measure will provide the Company with additional time to continue to actively evaluate potential alternatives relating to a restructuring of its obligations, a sale of the business or certain of its assets, strategic investments and/or any other alternatives, including seeking creditor protection under the Companies’ Credit Arrangement Act. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in pursuing and implementing any such alternatives, nor any assurance as to the outcome or timing of any such alternatives.

    About LeddarTech

    A global software company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Quebec City with additional R&D centers in Montreal and Tel Aviv, Israel, LeddarTech develops and provides comprehensive AI-based low-level sensor fusion and perception software solutions that enable the deployment of ADAS, autonomous driving (AD) and parking applications. LeddarTech’s automotive-grade software applies advanced AI and computer vision algorithms to generate accurate 3D models of the environment to achieve better decision making and safer navigation. This high-performance, scalable, cost-effective technology is available to OEMs and Tier 1-2 suppliers to efficiently implement automotive and off-road vehicle ADAS solutions.

    LeddarTech is responsible for several remote-sensing innovations, with over 190 patent applications (112 granted) that enhance ADAS, AD and parking capabilities. Better awareness around the vehicle is critical in making global mobility safer, more efficient, sustainable and affordable: this is what drives LeddarTech to seek to become the most widely adopted sensor fusion and perception software solution.

    Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at www.leddartech.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter (X), Facebook and YouTube.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements contained in this Press Release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which forward-looking statements also include forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws), including, but not limited to, statements relating to LeddarTech’s selection by the OEM referred to above, anticipated strategy, future operations, prospects, objectives and financial projections and other financial metrics, as well as expectations regarding the anticipated performance, adoption and commercialization of its products. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend” and other similar expressions among others. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation, our ability to continue to maintain compliance with Nasdaq continued listing standards following our transfer to the Nasdaq Capital Market, as well as: (i) the risk that LeddarTech and the OEM referred to above are unable to agree to final terms in definitive agreements; (ii) the volume of future orders (if any) from this OEM, actual revenue derived from expected orders, and timing of revenue, if any; (iii) our ability to timely access sufficient capital and financing on favorable terms or at all; (iv) our ability to maintain compliance with our debt covenants, including our ability to enter into any forbearance agreements, waivers or amendments with, or obtain other relief from, our lenders as needed; (v) our ability to execute on our business model, achieve design wins and generate meaningful revenue; (vi) our ability to successfully commercialize our product offering at scale, whether through the collaboration agreement with Texas Instruments, a collaboration with a Tier 2 supplier or otherwise; (vii) changes in our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs and plans; (viii) changes in general economic and/or industry-specific conditions; (ix) our ability to retain, attract and hire key personnel; (x) potential adverse changes to relationships with our customers, employees, suppliers or other parties; (xi) legislative, regulatory and economic developments; (xii) the outcome of any known and unknown litigation and regulatory proceedings; (xiii) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism, outbreak of war or hostilities and any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; and (xiv) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in LeddarTech’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the risk factors contained in LeddarTech’s Form 20-F filed with the SEC. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Except as required by applicable law, LeddarTech does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Contact:
    Chris Stewart, Chief Financial Officer, LeddarTech Holdings Inc.
    Tel.: + 1-514-427-0858, chris.stewart@leddartech.com

    Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, VAYADrive, VayaVision and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.

    LeddarTech Holdings Inc. is a public company listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “LDTC.”

    The MIL Network –