Category: Technology

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MIL OSI China News –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China’s online literature market revenue soars to 6.9 bln USD in 2024

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

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

Xinhua | July 18, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

MIL OSI China News –

July 18, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 18, 2025

ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 18, 2025.

WA had the highest rates of Indigenous child removal in the country. At last, the state is finally facing up to it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jenna Woods, Dean, School of Indigenous Knowledges, Murdoch University Matt Jelonek/Getty Images First Nations people please be advised this article speaks of racially discriminating moments in history, including the distress and death of First Nations people. In 1997, Australia was confronted with the landmark Bringing Them Home

Separated men are nearly 5 times more likely to take their lives than married men
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Wilson, Research Fellow and PhD Candidate in Men’s Mental Health, The University of Melbourne Breakups hurt. Emotional and psychological distress are common when intimate relationships break down. For some people, this distress can be so overwhelming that it leads to suicidal thoughts and behaviours. This problem

Thinking of trekking to Everest Base Camp? Don’t leave home without this expert advice
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Heike Schanzel, Professor of Social Sustainability in Tourism, Auckland University of Technology Purnima Shrestha /AFP via Getty Images Tourists in Kathmandu are tempted everywhere by advertisements for trekking expeditions to Everest Base Camp. If you didn’t know better, you might think it’s just a nice hike in

Pragmatic engagement – what Albanese’s visit reveals about China relations in a turbulent world
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edward Sing Yue Chan, Postdoctoral Fellow in China Studies, Australian National University The Albanese government has faced an increasingly uncertain world since its re-election in May. US President Donald Trump has cast a long shadow over the Australia–US alliance, raising fresh questions about Canberra’s long-term regional strategy.

‘Don’t tell me!’ Why some people love spoilers – and others will run a mile
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anjum Naweed, Professor of Human Factors, CQUniversity Australia DreamBig/Shutterstock, The Conversation This article contains spoilers! I once leapt out of a train carriage because two strangers were loudly discussing the ending of the last Harry Potter book. Okay – I didn’t leap, but I did plug my

Keith Rankin Analysis – Letter from Westphalia, Germany; 6 June 1933
Analysis by Keith Rankin. On Saturday I came into possession of this letter, transcript below. I will note that the recipient of the letter is someone I know a bit about; I would like to know more about his time in London, circa 1930-1932. I understand that he attended the London School of Economics. I

Australian law is clear: criticism of Israel does not breach the Racial Discrimination Act
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bill Swannie, Senior Lecturer, Thomas More Law School, Australian Catholic University Earlier this month, the Federal Court found controversial Muslim cleric Wissam Haddad breached the Racial Discrimination Act. Justice Angus Stewart ruled a series of speeches Haddad posted online were “fundamentally racist and antisemitic [and] profoundly offensive”

New Barbie with type 1 diabetes could help kids with the condition feel seen – and help others learn
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lynne Chepulis, Associate Professor, Health Sciences, University of Waikato Mattel Inc/AP, The Conversation, CC BY Barbie has done many things since she first appeared in 1959. She’s been an astronaut, a doctor, a president and even a palaeontologist. Now, in 2025, Barbie is something else: a woman

Rising seas threaten to swallow one of NZ’s oldest settlement sites – new research
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter N. Meihana, Senior Lecturer in History, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Veronika Meduna, CC BY-SA One of Aotearoa New Zealand’s oldest settlement sites is at risk of being washed away by rising seas, according to new research. Te Pokohiwi o Kupe (Wairau Bar) near

AI is now part of our world. Uni graduates should know how to use it responsibly
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Fitzgerald, Associate Professor and Deputy Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, The University of Queensland MTStock Studio/ Getty Images Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming an everyday part of lives. Many of us use it without even realising, whether it be writing emails, finding

Susi Newborn among activists featured in Pacific ‘nuclear free heroes’ video
Pacific Media Watch Greenpeace pioneer and activist Susi Newborn is among the “nuclear free heroes” featured in a video tribute premiered this week in an exhibition dedicated to a nuclear-free Pacific. The week-long exhibition at Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s Ellen Melville Centre, titled “Legends of the Pacific: Stories of a Nuclear-Free Moana 1975-1995,” closes tomorrow afternoon.

Grattan on Friday: New parliament presents traps for Albanese and Ley
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Anthony Albanese hasn’t been in any rush to convene the new parliament, which Governor-General Sam Mostyn will open on Tuesday. It’s only mildly cynical to observe that governments of both persuasions often seem to regard having pesky members and senators

Police protection for New Caledonian politicians following death threats
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk New Caledonian politicians who inked their commitment to a deal with France last weekend will be offered special police protection following threats, especially made on social media networks. The group includes almost 20 members of New Caledonia’s parties — both pro-France and pro-independence — who took

12 countries agree to confront Israel collectively over Gaza after Bogotá summit
ANALYSIS: By Mick Hall Collective measures to confront Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people have been agreed by 12 nations after an emergency summit of the Hague Group in Bogotá, Colombia. A joint statement today announced the six measures, which it said were geared to holding Israel to account for its crimes in Palestine and

Rainbow Warrior bombing by French secret agents remembered 40 years on
SPECIAL REPORT: By Te Aniwaniwa Paterson of Te Ao Māori News Forty years ago today, French secret agents bombed the Greenpeace campaign flagship Rainbow Warrior in an attempt to stop the environmental organisation’s protest against nuclear testing at Moruroa Atoll in Mā’ohi Nui. People gathered on board Rainbow Warrior III to remember photographer Fernando Pereira,

Why a surprise jump in unemployment isn’t as bad as it sounds
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeff Borland, Professor of Economics, The University of Melbourne New figures show Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate unexpectedly rose to 4.3% – its highest level since late 2021 – in June this year, up from 4.1% in May. While this is bad news, it’s not as bad

Australia got off on a technicality for its climate inaction. But there are plenty more judgement days to come
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wesley Morgan, Research Associate, Institute for Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Sydney This week, the Federal Court found the Australian government has no legal duty to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate change. The ruling was disappointing, but it’s not the end of the matter. The plaintiffs,

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government Cuts – Talented scientists already lost thanks to Government: New PRO will struggle – PSA

Source: PSA

The PSA is criticising the Government’s announcement today on the establishment of the fourth Public Research Organisation, the New Zealand Institute of Advanced Technology (NZIAT), saying that they could struggle to deliver the science and research needed without the necessary talent and funding.

“Our biggest concern here is that all the talented people who undertook groundbreaking research at Callaghan Innovation have likely already taken up jobs – many of them overseas,” Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi national secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons says.

The PSA is New Zealand’s largest union and represents scientists, laboratory and support staff from the former Crown Research Institutes and in the newly formed Public Research Organisations.

As of June, dozens of public researchers from Callaghan Innovation were made redundant. Many of the team were experts in subjects like artificial intelligence, which are at the centre of the NZIAT.

While some areas of Callaghan Innovation were expected to transfer across to NZIAT (namely the Health Tech Activator and Product Accelerator), the number of staff in these areas is very small.

“We said earlier this year that without a plan to transition large numbers of scientists, the Government is wasting the expertise that has been built up here.

“How can you go for growth in the economy when the people who create all this value have already boarded a flight to Australia?

“How can the Government, so hell-bent on saving costs, justify paying out redundancy payments to people whose skills they ultimately concede they need only a month after the redundancies have taken effect?”

The PSA also says that there’s a question mark over how much science and research will be delivered by the NZIAT.

“The funding – $231M over four years – sounds pretty good, but for this kind of science is actually low.

“Plus Minister Reti’s announcement says the institute will invest in science and technology, not produce any new research. So about $60M per year in investment is a tiny platform.

“The Government has essentially sucked up all the funding from Callaghan Innovation – which received about $85M a year – and redeployed less of it here.

“We’re not fooled. There’s less money than ever going into public science, to the detriment of not only the New Zealand science community but everyone in Aotearoa.”

The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Scientists could be accidentally damaging fossils with a method we thought was safe

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Mathieu Duval, Adjunct Senior Researcher at Griffith University and La Trobe University, and Ramón y Cajal (Senior) Research Fellow, Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH)

185,000-year-old human fossil jawbone from Misliya Cave, Israel. Gerhard Weber, University of Vienna, CC BY-ND

Fossils are invaluable archives of the past. They preserve details about living things from a few thousand to hundreds of millions of years ago.

Studying fossils can help us understand the evolution of species over time, and glimpse snapshots of past environments and climates. Fossils can also reveal the diets or migration patterns of long-gone species – including our own ancestors.

But when living things turn to rock, discerning those details is no easy feat. One common technique for studying fossils is micro-computerised tomography or micro-CT. It’s been used to find the earliest evidence of bone cancer in humans, to study brain imprints and inner ears in early hominins, and to study the teeth of the oldest human modern remains outside Africa, among many other examples.

However, our new study, published today in Radiocarbon, shows that despite being widely regarded as non-destructive, micro-CT may actually affect fossil preservation and erase some crucial information held inside.

Preserving precious specimens

Fossils are rare and fragile by nature. Scientists are constantly evaluating how to balance their impact on fossils with the need to study them.

When palaeontologists and palaeoanthropologists (who work on human fossils) analyse fossils, they want to minimise any potential damage. We want to preserve fossils for future generations as much as possible – and technology can be a huge help here.

Micro-CT works like the medical CT scans doctors use to peek inside the human body. However, it does so at a much smaller scale and at a greater resolution.

This is perfect for studying small objects such as fossils. With micro-CT, scientists can take high-resolution 3D images and access the inner structure of fossils without the need to cut them open.

These scans also allow for virtual copies of the fossils, which other scientists can then access from anywhere in the world. This significantly reduces the risk of damage, since the scanned fossils can safely remain in a museum collection, for example.

Micro-CT is popular and routinely used. The scientific community widely regards it as “non-destructive” because it doesn’t cause any visual damage – but it could still affect the fossil.

Jaw bone of the human fossil species Homo antecessor from Spain. Left: micro-CT scan with a cutting plane to visualise the inner structures, bone and teeth; right: 3D reconstruction based on the high-resolution micro-CT images.
Laura Martín-Francés

How does micro-CT imaging work?

Micro-CT scanning uses X-rays and computer software to produce high-resolution images and reconstruct the fossil specimens in detail. Typically, palaeontologists use commercial scanners for this, but more advanced investigations may use powerful X-ray beams generated at a synchrotron.

The X-rays go through the specimen and are captured by a detector on the other end. This allows for a very fine-grained understanding of the matter they’ve passed through – especially density, which then provides clues about the shape of the internal structures, the composition of the tissues, or any contamination.

The scan produces a succession of 2D images from all angles. Computer software is then used to “clean up” these high-resolution images and assemble them into a 3D shape – a virtual copy of the fossil and its inner structures.

Example of micro-CT results on a hominin fossil known as Little Foot, from southern Africa.

But X-rays are not harmless

X-rays are a type of ionising radiation. This means they have a high level of energy and can break electrons away from atoms (this is called ionisation).

In living tissue, ionising radiation can damage cells and DNA, although the level of damage will depend on the duration and intensity of exposure. X-rays and CT scans used in medicine generally have a very low risk since the exposure of the human body is reduced as much as possible.

However, despite what we know about the impact of X-rays on living cells, the potential impact of X-rays on fossils through micro-CT imaging has never been deeply investigated.

What did our study find?

Using standard settings on a typical micro-CT scanner, we scanned several modern and fossil bones and teeth from animals. We also measured their collagen content before and after scanning.

Collagen is useful for many analytical purposes, such as finding out the age of the fossils using radiocarbon dating, or for stable isotope analysis – a method used to infer the diet of the extinct species, for example. The collagen content in fossils is usually much lower than in modern specimens because it slowly breaks down over time.

After comparing our measurements with unscanned samples taken from the same specimens, we found two things.

First, the radiocarbon age remained unchanged. In other words, micro-CT scanning doesn’t affect radiocarbon dating. That’s the good news.

The bad news is that we did observe a significant decrease in the amount of collagen present. In other words, the micro-CT scanned samples had about 35% less collagen than the samples before scanning.

This shows micro-CT imaging has a non-negligible impact on fossils that contain collagen traces. While this was to be expected, the impact hasn’t been experimentally confirmed before.

It’s possible some fossil samples won’t have enough collagen left after micro-CT scanning. This would make them unsuitable for a range of analytical techniques, including radiocarbon dating.

What now?

In a previous study, we showed micro-CT can artificially “age” fossils later dated with a method called electron spin resonance. It’s commonly used to date fossils older than 50,000 years – beyond what the radiocarbon method can discern.

This previous study and our new work show that micro-CT scanning may significantly and irreversibly change the fossil and the information it holds.

Despite causing no visible damage to the fossil, we argue that in this context the technique should no longer be regarded as non-destructive.

Micro-CT imaging is highly valuable in palaeontology and palaeoanthropology, no doubt about that. But our results suggest it should be used sparingly to minimise how much fossils are exposed to X-rays. There are guidelines scientists can use to minimise damage. Freely sharing data to avoid repeated scans of the same specimen will be helpful, too.

Mathieu Duval receives funding from the Spanish State Research Agency (Agencia Estatal de Investigación). He is currently the recipient of a Ramón y Cajal fellowship (RYC2018-025221-I) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ‘‘ESF Investing in your future”. This work is also part of Spanish Grant PID2021-123092NB-C22 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, UE, and by ‘‘ERDF A way of making Europe”.

Laura Martín-Francés receives funding from Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions of the EU Ninth programme (2021-2027) under the HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01-Project: 101060482.

– ref. Scientists could be accidentally damaging fossils with a method we thought was safe – https://theconversation.com/scientists-could-be-accidentally-damaging-fossils-with-a-method-we-thought-was-safe-258827

MIL OSI –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Thinking of trekking to Everest Base Camp? Don’t leave home without this expert advice

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Heike Schanzel, Professor of Social Sustainability in Tourism, Auckland University of Technology

Purnima Shrestha /AFP via Getty Images

Tourists in Kathmandu are tempted everywhere by advertisements for trekking expeditions to Everest Base Camp. If you didn’t know better, you might think it’s just a nice hike in the Nepalese countryside.

Typically the lower staging post for attempts on the summit, the camp is still 5,364 metres above sea level and a destination in its own right. Travel agencies say no prior experience is required, and all equipment will be provided. Social media, too, is filled with posts enticing potential trekkers to make the iconic journey.

But there is a real risk of creating a false sense of security. An exciting adventure can quickly turn into a struggle for survival, especially for novice mountaineers.

Nevertheless, Sagarmatha National Park is deservedly popular for its natural beauty and the allure of the world’s highest peak, Chomolungma (Mount Everest). It is also home to the ethnically distinctive Sherpa community.

Consequently, the routes to Everest Base Camp are among the busiest in the Himalayas, with nearly 60,000 tourists visiting the area each year. There are two distinct trekking seasons: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October).

High mountains require everyone to be properly prepared. Events which under normal conditions might be a minor inconvenience can be magnified in such an environment and pose a serious risk.

Even at the start of the trek in Lukla (2,860m), one is exposed to factors that can directly or indirectly affect one’s health, especially altitude mountain sickness or unfamiliar bacteria.

We interviewed 24 trekkers in May this year, as well as 60 residents and business owners in May 2023, to explore some of the safety issues anyone considering heading to base camp should be aware of.

Life at high altitude

First, it’s vital to choose goals within one’s technical and physical capabilities. While the human body can adapt to altitudes of up to 5,300m, the potential risk of altitude mountain sickness can occur at only 2,500m – lower than Lukla.

Proper acclimatisation above 3,000m means ascending no more than 500m a day and resting every two to three days at the same altitude. The optimal (though rarely followed) approach is the “saw tooth system” of climbing during the day but descending to sleep at a lower level.

Residents of the Khumbu region (on the Nepalese side of Everest) are familiar with the problem of tourists not acclimatising, or not paying attention to their surroundings. As one hotel owner said, pointing to a trekker setting out:

He’s going uphill and it’s already late. It’s going to get dark and cold soon. He won’t make it to the next settlement. We have to report this to the authorities or go after him ourselves.

Inexperienced trekkers should hire a local guide. Several we interviewed had needed medical evacuation, including a woman in her mid-20s who had to leave base camp after one night. She found her guides – not locals – online. But they never checked her vital signs during the trek:

[The doctors] said that I had high-altitude pulmonary edema […] it was just really important to come down the elevation. And if I had tried to go higher, it probably would have been really bad.

Health checks throughout the trek are imperative. This includes assessing the four main symptoms of altitude mountain sickness: headache, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. If they appear, the trekker shouldn’t go higher and might even need to descend.

A Sherpa woman at the market in Namche Bazar, Nepal: respect the culture, eat local food.
Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

Take time to adapt

Using a reputable local trekking agency might be more expensive, but it will help ensure safety and also familiarise the visitor with the local culture, helping avoid negative impacts on the host community.

Too often, the primary goal of trekkers is a photo on the famous rock at base camp. Once obtained, many simply take a helicopter back to Kathmandu. As a helicopter tour agency owner said:

They don’t want to get back on their feet. The goal, after all, has been achieved. In general, tourists used to be much better prepared. Now they know they can return by helicopter.

Helicopter travel can be dangerous on its own, of course. But this tendency to view the trek as a one-way trip also affects host-guest relations and can irritate local communities.

It’s also important to monitor your food and drink intake and watch for signs of food poisoning. Diarrhoea at high altitudes is particularly dangerous because it leads to rapid dehydration – hard to combat in mountain conditions.

Low air pressure and reduced oxygen exacerbate the condition, weakening the body’s ability to recover. Also, the symptoms of dehydration can resemble altitude mountain sickness.

When travelling in other climate zones or countries with different sanitary standards, there is inevitable contact with strains of bacteria not present in one’s natural microbiome.

A good solution is to spend a few days naturally adapting to bacterial flora at a lower altitude in Nepal before heading to the mountains. Also, try to eat the local food, such as daal bhat, Nepal’s national dish. According to one hotel owner in Pangboche:

Tourists demand strange food from us – pizza, spaghetti, Caesar salad – and then are angry that it doesn’t taste the way they want. This is not our food. You should probably eat local food.

Most of the trekkers we interviewed during this spring season reported experiencing gastrointestinal issues, often for several days.

Overall, diarrhoea-related infections are the leading cause of illness among travellers, including base camp trekkers. Studies conducted in the Himalayas show as many as 14% of mountain tourists contract gastroenteritis, accounting for about 10% of all helicopter evacuations.

In the end, the commonest cause of failure or accident in the mountains is overestimating one’s abilities – what has been called “bad judgement syndrome” – when the route is too hard, the pace too fast, or there’s been too little time spent acclimatising.

A simple solution: walk slowly and enjoy the views.

Michal Apollo receives funding from the National Science Centre NCN Poland, the small-scale project awarded by the Institute of Earth Sciences, and the Research Excellence Initiative of the University of Silesia in Katowice. He is affiliated with the Global Justice Program, Yale University, and Academics Stand Against Poverty.

Heike Schanzel 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. Thinking of trekking to Everest Base Camp? Don’t leave home without this expert advice – https://theconversation.com/thinking-of-trekking-to-everest-base-camp-dont-leave-home-without-this-expert-advice-260497

MIL OSI –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: AI is now part of our world. Uni graduates should know how to use it responsibly

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Rachel Fitzgerald, Associate Professor and Deputy Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, The University of Queensland

MTStock Studio/ Getty Images

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming an everyday part of lives. Many of us use it without even realising, whether it be writing emails, finding a new TV show or managing smart devices in our homes.

It is also increasingly used in many professional contexts – from helping with recruitment to supporting health diagnoses and monitoring students’ progress in school.

But apart from a handful of computing-focused and other STEM programs, most Australian university students do not receive formal tuition in how to use AI critically, ethically or responsibly.

Here’s why this is a problem and what we can do instead.

AI use in unis so far

A growing number of Australian universities now allow students to use AI in certain assessments, provided the use is appropriately acknowledged.

But this does not teach students how these tools work or what responsible use involves.

Using AI is not as simple as typing questions into a chat function. There are widely recognised ethical issues around its use including bias and misinformation. Understanding these is essential for students to use AI responsibly in their working lives.

So all students should graduate with a basic understanding of AI, its limitations, the role of human judgement and what responsible use looks like in their particular field.

We need students to be aware of bias in AI systems. This includes how their own biases could shape how they use the AI (the questions they ask and how they interpret its output), alongside an understanding of the broader ethical implications of AI use.

For example, does the data and the AI tool protect people’s privacy? Has the AI made a mistake? And if so, whose responsibility is that?

What about AI ethics?

The technical side of AI is covered in many STEM degrees. These degrees, along with philosophy and psychology disciplines, may also examine ethical questions around AI. But these issues are not a part of mainstream university education.

This is a concern. When future lawyers use predictive AI to draft contracts, or business graduates use AI for hiring or marketing, they will need skills in ethical reasoning.

Ethical issues in these scenarios could include unfair bias, like AI recommending candidates based on gender or race. It could include issues relating to a lack of transparency, such as not knowing how an AI system made a legal decision. Students need to be able to spot and question these risks before they cause harm.

In healthcare, AI tools are already supporting diagnosis, patient triage and treatment decisions.

As AI becomes increasingly embedded in professional life, the cost of uncritical use also scales up, from biased outcomes to real-world harm.

For example, if a teacher relies on AI carelessly to draft a lesson plan, students might learn a version of history that is biased or just plain wrong. A lawyer who over-relies on AI could submit a flawed court document, putting their client’s case at risk.

How can we do this?

There are international examples we can follow. The University of Texas at Austin and University of Edinburgh both offer programs in ethics and AI. However, both of these are currently targeted at graduate students. The University of Texas program is focused on teaching STEM students about AI ethics, whereas the University of Edinburgh’s program has a broader, interdiscplinary focus.

Implementing AI ethics in Australian universities will require thoughtful curriculum reform. That means building interdisciplinary teaching teams that combine expertise from technology, law, ethics and the social sciences. It also means thinking seriously about how we engage students with this content through core modules, graduate capabilities or even mandatory training.

It will also require investment in academic staff development and new teaching resources that make these concepts accessible and relevant to different disciplines.

Government support is essential. Targeted grants, clear national policy direction, and nationally shared teaching resources could accelerate the shift. Policymakers could consider positioning universities as “ethical AI hubs”. This aligns with the government-commissioned 2024 Australian University Accord report, which called for building capacity to meet the demands of the digital era.

Today’s students are tomorrow’s decision-makers. If they don’t understand the risks of AI and its potential for error, bias or threats to privacy, we will all bear the consequences. Universities have a public responsibility to ensure graduates know how to use AI responsibly and understand why their choices matter.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. AI is now part of our world. Uni graduates should know how to use it responsibly – https://theconversation.com/ai-is-now-part-of-our-world-uni-graduates-should-know-how-to-use-it-responsibly-261273

MIL OSI –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China’s online literature market revenue soars to $6.9B in 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

MIL OSI China News –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: BNZ Growth Academy to help Manawatū-Whanganui businesses drive greater growth

Source: BNZ Statements

Nine local businesses from the Manawatū-Whanganui region are set to benefit from an expanded nationwide programme designed to help them grow faster and compete more effectively.

BNZ is scaling up its BNZ Growth Academy programme to help businesses across Aotearoa kickstart growth as the country emerges from its deepest per-capita recession since the Global Financial Crisis.

Delivered in partnership with growth navigation software company, D/srupt, the businesses will take part in hands-on workshops and use sophisticated AI tools to refine their strategy, enhance performance, and create new pathways for growth.

Brian Gardner, BNZ Head of Commercial, Agri, & Business for Wellington and Top of the South, says it’s a solution to the challenge many owners face – moving from working ‘in’ their business to working ‘on’ their business.

“As New Zealand’s largest business bank, we’ve seen time and again how successful businesses thrive when owners can step back from daily firefighting to focus on strategy,” Gardner says.

Applicable no matter where you are in you journey

BNZ’s local Growth Academy workshop will run on July 22. Some of the Manawatū-Whanganui businesses taking part include:

• Air Dynamics
• Central Environmental Limited
• Freedom Plus Limited
• Jones Brothers Limited
• Law Corner
• Roadrunner Manufacturing

The Growth Academy has already delivered valuable learnings for Feilding based business, Advanced Accounting.

Director Aaran McLeod attended a pilot workshop in Wellington last year and says the biggest learning he took away was the importance of ensuring your business is always sale ready – structuring things so it’s efficient, attractive and resilient, regardless of whether a sale is imminent.

“We’re always about constant improvement, and this was another layer of refinement – further improving how we operate and make decisions.

“The Impact Return Model stood out as a powerful framework to evaluate where to focus our efforts for the greatest return and impact. It’s something we’ve already started applying internally.”

Asked whether he would recommend the programme to other local businesses, Aaran says, “definitely.”

“It’s a great chance to work on the business rather than just in it. The content is applicable no matter where you are in your journey.”

Leveraging AI

D/srupt uses AI to make strategic planning faster and more accessible for small to medium businesses.

“Our platform cuts through the complexity that often makes strategic planning feel overwhelming,” says D/srupt founder Debbie Humphrey.

“We combine practical guidance with technology to help turn big picture thinking into concrete action plans you can actually implement, and what might have taken a full day can now be done in minutes. For time-poor business owners constantly juggling priorities, this means strategic planning actually happens instead of being perpetually pushed to the bottom of the to-do list.”

The programme launched on 31 March with workshops in 16 locations from Whangārei to Invercargill, plus online options ensuring accessibility for businesses throughout New Zealand. It runs for 12 months and includes workshops reaching 1,400 businesses nationwide, access to D/srupt’s platform, funding guidance, and direct connection to BNZ’s banking expertise.

Supporting the regions

Gardner says the workshops are just one example of how BNZ is investing in its communities and being there for customers.

“We recognise that regional businesses are the lifeblood of our local economies, so we have dialled up our specialist support with our small business partners and agribusiness teams available to meet customers in branch.

“Since April this year, all our branches have been open at least five days a week, as we heard from our customers that they wanted more opportunities to talk to us face-to-face.

“We’re also investing in branches as part of our nation-wide upgrade project to improve the branch experience for our customers. Our refurbished branch at The Plaza Palmerston North reopened at the end of May, with our Fielding branch refurbishment kicking off this week (25 July), using New Zealand suppliers and materials to support local economies.”

The post BNZ Growth Academy to help Manawatū-Whanganui businesses drive greater growth appeared first on BNZ Debrief.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: More invitations issued to the Economic Reform Roundtable

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

Today we have issued another round of invitations to the government’s Economic Reform Roundtable.

The Roundtable is all about building consensus on long term economic reform, with a focus on resilience, productivity and budget sustainability.

The latest round of invitees includes expert voices on economic policy, leaders with broad industry and policy experience, and important perspectives from regulators, the public sector and the states.

It’s an outstanding group of people who we believe will make a big contribution to the future direction of economic reform.

They are thought leaders who have been chosen for their ability to make meaningful contributions across a broad range of areas and across each of the three days.

More invitations will be issued for participants to attend specific sessions, as the agenda takes shape.

While we can’t invite representatives from every industry or organisation, everyone has the chance to have their say in this process with online submissions still open.

Roundtable invitations issued today include:

Sue Lloyd‑Hurwitz AM, Chair, National Housing Supply and Affordability Council

Kerry Schott, Chair, Competition Review Expert Advisory Panel

Matt Comyn, Chief Executive Officer, Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Scott Farquhar, Chair, Tech Council of Australia

Cath Bowtell, Chair, IFM Investors

Ben Wyatt, Board Member, Woodside, and former Treasurer of Western Australia

Ken Henry AC, Chair, Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation

Andrew Fraser, Chair, Australian Retirement Trust, Chancellor, Griffith University and former Treasurer of Queensland

Allegra Spender MP, Federal Independent Member for Wentworth

Daniel Mookhey MLC, Chair, Board of Treasurers and NSW Treasurer

Gina Cass‑Gottlieb, Chair, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

Steven Kennedy PSM, Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Jenny Wilkinson PSM, Secretary, Department of the Treasury

Invitations issued last month:

Danielle Wood, Chair, Productivity Commission

Sally McManus, Secretary, Australian Council of Trade Unions

Michele O’Neil, President, Australian Council of Trade Unions

Liam O’Brien*, Assistant Secretary, Australian Council of Trade Unions

Joseph Mitchell*, Assistant Secretary, Australian Council of Trade Unions

Bran Black, Chief Executive Officer, Business Council of Australia

Andrew McKellar, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Innes Willox, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Industry Group

Matthew Addison, Chair, Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia

Cassandra Goldie, Australian Council of Social Service

Ted O’Brien, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Treasurer

*These participants will attend as alternates for the Secretary and President of the ACTU.

Biographies

Sue Lloyd‑Hurwitz AM

Sue is the Chair of National Housing Supply and Affordability Council; a non‑executive director of Rio Tinto, Macquarie Group and INSEAD; and a Fellow of the University of Sydney Senate. Previously, Sue was CEO and Managing Director of Mirvac and President of Chief Executive Women.

Dr Kerry Schott AO

Kerry is a Director of AGL, Chair of the Carbon Market Institute and Chair of the Competition Review Expert Advisory Panel. Recently, she was Chair of the New South Wales Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board, Chair of the Advisory Board to EnergyCo NSW, and an Adviser to Aware Super. Kerry brings extensive experience in transport, infrastructure and energy, across both business and government sectors.

Matt Comyn

Matt is the CEO and Managing Director of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Matt has over 25 years of experience in the banking sector, including as Managing Director of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s biggest digital business, CommSec, and brings extensive experience in digital adoption.

Scott Farquhar

Scott is the Co‑Founder of Atlassian, one of the world’s leading software collaboration companies and Australia’s first tech unicorn. Scott is a Founding Member and Chair of the Tech Council of Australia and is also the Co‑Founder of Skip Capital, a private fund investing in exceptional tech and infrastructure entrepreneurs.

Cath Bowtell

Cath is the Chair of IFM Investors, Industry Super Holdings and is a Director of Industry Fund Services. Cath has worked for many years in senior roles in both the superannuation industry and union movement. Cath is also currently the Chair of the Jobs and Skills Australia Ministerial Advisory Board.

The Hon Ben Wyatt

Ben is a former Treasurer of Western Australia and holds a number of current board positions, including for Woodside. Ben held a number of ministerial positions in WA and became the first Indigenous treasurer of an Australian parliament. Ben brings extensive knowledge of public policy, finance, international trade and Indigenous affairs.

Dr Ken Henry AC

Ken is an Australian economist and former public servant, including as Secretary of the Department of the Treasury from 2001 to 2011. Ken has held numerous positions in both government and the private sector, and is currently Chair of the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation, the Nature Finance Council, and Wildlife Recovery Australia.

The Hon Andrew Fraser

Andrew is the Chair of the Australian Retirement Trust, Chancellor of Griffith University and a Director of the Bank of Queensland. He also works in the charity sector, where he serves as the Chair of Orange Sky Australia. Andrew is a former Deputy Premier and Treasurer of Queensland, and brings broad experience across the private and public sectors, and the charitable and education sectors.

Allegra Spender MP

Allegra is the Federal Independent Member for Wentworth. Prior to entering Parliament, Allegra worked as a business analyst at McKinsey, a policy analyst with UK Treasury and was later the Managing Director at Carla Zampatti Pty Ltd. Allegra was also previously the Chair of the Sydney Renewable Power Company, and CEO of the Australian Business and Community Network.

The Hon Daniel Moohkey MLC

Daniel is NSW Treasurer and the current Chair of the Board of Treasurers. Daniel has been a member of the NSW Legislative Council for over ten years and has delivered three Budgets in his over two years as the Treasurer of NSW.

Gina Cass‑Gottlieb

Gina is Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Gina has over 30 years’ experience advising on merger, competition and regulatory matters in Australia and New Zealand. Gina brings broad and deep experience on consumer and competition issues across the economy.

Dr Steven Kennedy PSM

Steven is Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and was previously Secretary to the Treasury. Prior to this, Steven was Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development between September 2017 and August 2019. In a public service career spanning more than 30 years, Steven has held a series of other senior positions.

Jenny Wilkinson PSM

Jenny Wilkinson commenced as Secretary to the Australian Treasury in June 2025, becoming the first woman to hold this position in its 124‑year history. Jenny was previously Secretary of the Department of Finance. During her career, Jenny has held other senior positions in Commonwealth Treasury, the Parliamentary Budget Office, the Department of Industry, the Department of Climate Change, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the Reserve Bank of Australia.

MIL OSI News –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Tech – Robotic AI Skin Announced as Finalist in Australia’s First Robotics Sprint

Source: Robotic AI Skin

SYDNEY, NSW – Robotic AI Skin has been selected as one of six finalists in the inaugural Propel-AIR program, Australia’s first dedicated AI and Robotics Sprint.

Inneurva, the Sydney medtech and robotics startup behind the innovation, will now compete for the opportunity to travel to Boston and work alongside MassRobotics.

Teaching Machines to Feel

Inneurva is developing flexible, intelligent artificial skin that brings a sense of touch to robots through soft, sensor-rich patches that can be attached to robotic grippers, humanoid robots, or even clothing.

“We want to give AI the intelligence of touch. With Robotic AI Skin, robots can feel what they touch and respond accordingly, whether it’s identifying a person, checking body temperature, or assessing the ripeness of fruit,” said founder Tass Paritt.

Inneurva Founder Tass Parritt

“The CEO of NVIDIA Jensen Huang recently spoke about the arrival of physical AI, a new generation of artificial intelligence that doesn’t just see or hear, but actually feels the world around it. Our project is part of that movement. We are not just teaching machines to think, we’re teaching them to feel.”

The technology captures complex tactile information including pressure, temperature, and gesture recognition, using embedded AI to interpret and respond in real time. This enables safer, more intuitive interactions between humans and machines.

Modular Technology with Wide Applications

The sensor patch can be applied to robotic grippers, humanoid limbs, or worn as smart fabric. It allows machines to recognise who is touching them, detect how something is touched, and learn and adapt to the meaning of those interactions.

Applications range from healthcare robots and eldercare assistants to industrial automation and agriculture. Robots equipped with Robotic AI Skin could detect the ripeness of fruit during picking or monitor human health indicators during physical interaction.

Strong Research Foundation

Robotic AI Skin is backed by foundational IP and supported through collaborations with CSIRO, University of Technology Sydney, and a UK-based university research partner. The team has received early-stage funding and support from Microsoft’s Startup Hub.

With backing from Microsoft’s Startup Hub, the team is exploring the creation of a “tactile language model” using synthetic data, an emerging field that parallels large language models but for physical sensation.

Commercial Pathways

The company aims to explore multiple pathways to commercialisation including OEM partnerships with robotics manufacturers, licensing of core tactile sensing IP and AI models, and custom development for medtech and assistive robotics.

“Touch is the missing piece in robotics. We want to make it easy to embed tactile intelligence into any device so robots can understand us better and act more safely,” Paritt said.

The team is currently building an MVP with plans to deliver a functional prototype within six months. Through Propel-AIR, Inneurva will focus on simulation testing and refining product-market fit.

The winner will travel to MassRobotics in Boston for a one-month residency, with access to leading robotics companies and world-class institutions like MIT and Harvard.

About Robotic AI Skin

Robotic AI Skin is a pioneering project from Australian medtech and robotics startup Inneurva, founded by Tass Paritt. Inneurva is developing flexible, intelligent artificial skin that brings a sense of touch to robots for safer, more intuitive human-machine interactions.

MIL OSI – Submitted News –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Breakthrough innovations make global debut at 3rd China Int’l Supply Chain Expo

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

Breakthrough innovations make global debut at 3rd China Int’l Supply Chain Expo

Updated: July 18, 2025 08:12 Xinhua

This panoramic photo taken on July 17, 2025 shows the Advanced Manufacturing Chain area of the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, capital of China. Held from July 16 to 20, the 2025 CISCE kicked off in Beijing on Wednesday. A key innovation for this edition is the “Debut Zone,” dedicated to the global premieres of new products, technologies, and ecosystems, showcasing breakthrough innovations that drive industrial collaboration. [Photo/Xinhua]

Visitors watch a humanoid robot performance in the Digital Technology Chain area of the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, capital of China, July 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Models of tunnel boring machine “Jinghua” and “Jianghai” are seen in the Advanced Manufacturing Chain area of the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, capital of China, July 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Visitors look at train models at the booth of CRRC in the Advanced Manufacturing Chain area of the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, capital of China, July 16, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

A man visits the booth of Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in the Advanced Manufacturing Chain area of the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, capital of China, July 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA News: Regulatory Relief for Certain Stationary Sources to Promote American Security with Respect to Sterile Medical Equipment
Source: US Whitehouse
class=”has-text-align-center”>By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

1. The use of ethylene oxide is critical for the sterilization of medical equipment, which protects patients against infection and the transmission of disease. The continued utilization of ethylene oxide by commercial sterilization facilities is essential to ensuring that our Nation provides its sick and injured with the best outcomes possible — an objective that is at the forefront of the Federal Government’s responsibility to the American people.
2. On April 5, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency published a final rule, pursuant to section 112 of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7412, titled National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards for Sterilization Facilities Residual Risk and Technology Review, 89 FR 24090 (EtO Rule). The EtO Rule imposes new emissions-control requirements on commercial sterilization facilities.
3. The EtO Rule places severe burdens on commercial sterilization facilities. About 50 percent of all sterile medical devices in the United States are sterilized with ethylene oxide, and sterilization with ethylene oxide may be the only method of sterilizing many medical devices without damaging them. By requiring compliance with standards premised on the application of emissions-control technologies that do not exist in a commercially viable form, the EtO Rule risks making critical sterile medical devices unavailable to care for patients in our civilian and military medical systems. The current compliance timeline as set forth at 89 FR 24101-24103 of the EtO Rule will likely force existing sterilization facilities to close down, seriously disrupting the supply of medical equipment. Our Nation would be unable to adequately supply the sterilized medical equipment that medical personnel need to safely treat their patients in hospitals, operating rooms, and other medical facilities. In short, the current compliance timeline would undermine our national security.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 112(i)(4) of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7412(i)(4), do hereby proclaim that certain stationary sources subject to the EtO Rule, as identified in Annex I of this proclamation, are exempt from compliance with the EtO Rule for a period of 2 years beyond the EtO Rule’s relevant compliance dates (Exemption). This Exemption applies to all compliance deadlines established under the EtO Rule applicable to the stationary sources listed in Annex I, with each such deadline extended by 2 years from the date originally required for such deadline. The effect of this Exemption is that, during each such 2-year period, these stationary sources will remain subject to the emissions and compliance obligations in effect prior to the issuance of the EtO Rule. In support of this Exemption, I hereby make the following determinations:

The technology to implement the EtO Rule is not available. Such technology does not exist in a commercially viable form sufficient to allow implementation of and compliance with the EtO Rule by the compliance dates set forth in the EtO Rule.

It is in the national security interests of the United States to issue this Exemption for the reasons stated in paragraphs 1 and 3 of this proclamation.
MIL OSI USA News –
July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: [Galaxy Unpacked 2025] Lights, Camera, Fold: Capturing New York With the Galaxy Z Fold7

Source: Samsung

At Galaxy Unpacked 2025 held last week in Brooklyn, New York, Samsung Electronics unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold7, ushering in a new era of mobile photography by bringing professional-grade, Ultra camera capabilities to its foldable smartphone lineup.

To put those capabilities to the test, Samsung Newsroom editors embarked on a special one-day tour across New York City — a photo spot itinerary curated by Gemini. The mission? Capture the magic of the city that never sleeps, one fold at a time.

▲ An itinerary of New York photo spots curated by Gemini

The Manhattan Skyline, Now in 200MP Glory
The journey began in Brooklyn, where the editors aimed to capture Manhattan’s stunning skyline across the East River in a single frame — bridges, boats and all — while preserving clarity, even at a distance zooming in.

Enter the first-ever 200MP camera on a Z Fold. From bridge cables to distant rooftops, every detail was rendered with striking precision. The ultra-high resolution allowed the team to shoot wide, then zoom in and crop while maintaining exceptional image quality. With the Galaxy Z Fold7, nothing is out of reach — even the subtlest parts of cityscapes, no matter how far the zoom.

▲ Manhattan’s breathtaking skyline, taken with the Galaxy Z Fold7’s 200MP wide-angle camera

▲ Zoomed-in crop of a distant boat from the original photo above

▲ A closer look at the boat — zoomed in from the original 200MP photo

No Selfie Stick, No Problem: 100-Degree Wide-Angle Selfies That Capture It All
What’s a New York adventure without a selfie — or ten? With the Galaxy Z Fold7’s 10MP 100-degree front camera, snapping the perfect shot becomes effortless.

Designed into the main display, this lens’ 100-degree field of view captures not just faces, but full scenes — whether it’s the Brooklyn Bridge or Central Park in the background. No tripod, no selfie stick — just a wide-angle perspective that turns every memory into a postcard.

▲ A wide-angle selfie with the Galaxy Z Fold7’s 100-degree main display front camera

Picture-Perfect Spots, Minus the Crowds
Next stop: Jane’s Carousel — a popular photo spot known for its vintage charm and sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline.

Iconic landmarks are bound to be crowded, often making it difficult to capture a clean shot. But Galaxy Z Fold7 users need not worry. With the newly added Suggest Erases feature in Generative Edit, the device automatically detects people in the background and allows users to remove them with ease — no manual selection required. The results can then be reviewed side-by-side on a single screen for easy comparison.

▲ Using Generative Edit, people in the background can be automatically detected and seamlessly removed with a single tap.

What’s That? Circle It and Find Out
As the editors explored the fashion-forward, trendy neighborhood of SoHo, a striking building stood out. What was it?

With Circle to Search, curiosity meets instant answers. A quick snap and circle gesture revealed everything there was to know. Whether it’s architecture, street art or a mystery object, traveling with the Galaxy Z Fold7 means never missing a beat.

▲ With Circle to Search, circling any part of an image instantly provides relevant information.

Clear Sound, Even in Bustling New York
At Central Park, a street performance filled the air with music. Wanting to capture the buskers’ carefree energy, the editors recorded a video — but along with the music came unwanted background noise. Cue Audio Eraser.

With the AI-powered tool, the Galaxy Z Fold7 isolated the music, filtering out distractions like wind and nearby conversations. The result? A polished and immersive video, ready to be shared.

▲ Audio Eraser enhances audio clarity by removing unwanted noise from videos.

Night Video: New York Nights, Captured in Clarity
The day wrapped up where it began — by the East River at Brooklyn Bridge Park. This time though, Manhattan’s skyline shimmered under the moonlight, offering a dramatically different atmosphere.

Shooting videos in low light can be tricky, but the Galaxy Z Fold7 handled the scene with ease. Thanks to its default 10-bit HDR powered by the ProVisual Engine, highlights and shadows were rendered with lifelike depth and crisp detail — resulting in clean, noise-free footage.

▲ Night Video footage of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline, captured with the Galaxy Z Fold7

One day in New York was enough to prove the Galaxy Z Fold7’s remarkable versatility. Its noticeably lighter design made all-day shooting effortless, while the spacious display allowed the team to seamlessly edit content on the go.

Powered by AI-driven innovations and designed with real-world-use in mind, the Galaxy Z Fold7 goes beyond the role of a smartphone. It’s a creative tool, a travel companion and a memory keeper.

MIL OSI Global Banks –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Mann Calls for Increased Animal Health Research Investments in Comprehensive Farm Bill

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Tracey Mann (Kansas, 1)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of passing a five-year, comprehensive Farm Bill that makes adequate investments in animal health research and disease prevention. Following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which invests in the farm safety net and agricultural trade promotion programs, Rep. Mann continued to urge his colleagues to pass a fiscally conservative, five-year Farm Bill that provides much-needed certainty to the nation’s agricultural community. Rep. Mann represents the Big First District of Kansas, home to the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, Kansas State’s School of Veterinary Medicine, and the Biosecurity Research Institute, crown jewels of the animal health corridor. These institutions conduct world-renowned research that strengthens the nation’s food security and, in turn, U.S. national security.

Rep. Mann’s Remarks as Prepared:

Mr. Speaker, in honor of the nation’s 249th birthday, House Republicans delivered the largest tax cut in our nation’s history for middle- and working-class families, strengthened the farm safety net, and voted to get our country back on track. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act gave a lifeline to the agricultural community by updating reference prices, expanding crop insurance, and saving millions of family farms from the death tax. The relief was long overdue and we’re grateful, but the work doesn’t stop there.

It is past time for Congress to pass a fiscally conservative, five-year farm bill, including support for agricultural research and development. We’ve seen the devastating impact disease outbreaks can have with the HPAI virus and now we must continue to take steps to prevent the New World Screwworm from reaching our borders.

The Big First District is home to crown jewels of the animal health corridor, where world-renowned research happens, positioning the United States to focus on disease prevention rather than on outbreak control after the fact. By investing in agricultural research, we strengthen our food supply chain and, in turn, our national security, all while providing the best and most effective return on taxpayer dollars. We cannot afford to put our food security at risk by not prioritizing adequate investments into animal health research when we pass the next iteration of our Farm Bill and I would urge this body to get this right.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Statement On House Passage Of The Genius Act

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand applauded House passage of the GENIUS Act, landmark legislation that will establish a regulatory framework for stablecoins. As the lead Democratic senator on the bill, Senator Gillibrand shepherded the legislation to passage in the Senate in June.

“House passage of the GENIUS Act is a historic milestone in our bipartisan effort to regulate stablecoins. This bill will empower American businesses and consumers and enable them to take advantage of the next iteration of financial innovation,” said Senator Gillibrand. “A result of serious bipartisan negotiations, the GENIUS Act will protect consumers, enable responsible innovation, and safeguard the dominance of the U.S. dollar. This bill targets illicit finance, places limitations on Big Tech, puts in place ethical guardrails, and strengthens national security. The GENIUS Act is landmark legislation that will help maintain American global competitiveness, now and into the future.”

Senator Gillibrand, alongside Senators Hagerty (R-TN), Scott (R-SC), Lummis (R-WY), and Alsobrooks (D-MD), introduced the GENIUS Act earlier this year. The bill passed out of the Senate Banking Committee with bipartisan support in March 2025, and the Senate passed the full bill with strong bipartisan support in June 2025.

Senator Gillibrand has been working on cryptocurrency legislation since 2022, when she and Senator Lummis introduced the Lummis-Gillibrand Responsible Financial Innovation Act, a comprehensive bipartisan framework for cryptocurrency regulation. The framework was re-introduced in 2023. In 2024, Gillibrand and Lummis also introduced a stablecoin bill that included many of the provisions that passed in the GENIUS Act.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Pressley Slams Trump DOJ for Seeking One-Day Sentence for Officer Convicted in Breonna Taylor Case
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement slamming the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for seeking a one-day jail sentence for the officer convicted in the 2020 killing of Breonna Taylor.

“Breonna Taylor should be alive today. Instead, she was shot and killed while sleeping when officers fired into her home.

“By seeking a one-day sentence, in the rare instance where a police officer is actually convicted for murdering a Black woman, Trump’s DOJ is sending a cruel and disrespectful message: that they do not value Breonna’s life, nor the pain and loss endured by her loved ones.

“This is an affront to justice, to accountability, and to every person who calls this country home. We should all be outraged.”

Congresswoman Pressley has introduced over a dozen pieces of precise legislation to improve police accountability and fundamentally redefine what justice looks like in America, including the People’s Justice Guarantee, Ending Qualified Immunity Act and Andrew Kearse Accountability for the Denial of Medical Care Act.
- In June 2023, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12)unveiled the Housing for Formerly Incarcerated Reentry and Stable Tenancy (Housing FIRST) Act, bold legislation to help people who are formerly incarcerated and those with criminal histories access safe and stable housing.
- In May 2023, Rep. Pressley reintroduced her Justice for Incarcerated Moms Act to improve maternal health care and support for pregnant individuals who are incarcerated. It was originally introduced in March 2020 and reintroduced in February 2021 as part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Package—a suite of 12 bills aimed at addressing the Black maternal health crisis.
- In May 2023, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Grace Napolitano (CA-31), Co-Chair of the Mental Health Caucus, requested the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to research post-traumatic prison disorder and share findings related to prevention and treatment for people returning from behind the wall.
- In April 2023, Rep. Pressley and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) re-introduced their Ending Qualified Immunity Act, legislation that would eliminate the unjust and court-invented doctrine of qualified immunity and restore the ability for people to obtain relief when state and local officials, including police officers, violate their legal and constitutionally secured rights. Rep. Pressley originally introduced the bill in June 2020 with Rep. Justin Amash (L-MI) and reintroduced it with Sen. Markey in March 2021.
- On April 6, 2023, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Hank Johnson led 25 of their colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus in calling on Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation to address racial disparities in traffic enforcement.
- In April 2023, Rep. Pressley, in partnership with Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Ilhan Omar (MN-05), re-introduced the Ending PUSHOUT Act, their legislation to end the punitive pushout of girls of color from schools. It was originally introduced in December 2019 and reintroduced in March 2021.
- In March 2023, Rep. Pressley, Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35) and 27 Members of Congress, alongside more than 300 advocacy organizations and community leaders, reintroduced the New Way Forward Act, a landmark piece of legislation that addresses some of the most harmful provisions of immigration law that drive racist enforcement practices, expanded incarceration in immigration detention centers, and unjust deportations. It was originally introduced in December 2019 Reps. Chuy Garcia (IL-04), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Karen Bass (CA-37) and was reintroduced in January 2021.
- In March 2023, Rep. Pressley and her colleagues re-introduced the Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act to stop federal entities’ use of facial recognition tools and prohibit federal support for state and local law enforcement entities that use biometric technology. They reintroduced the bill in June 2021.
- In December 2022, the House passed Congresswoman Pressley’s amendment to strengthen maternal health care for people who are incarcerated.
- In December 2021, Rep. Pressley unveiled the Fair and Independent Experts in Clemency (FIX Clemency) Act, historic legislation to transform our nation’s clemency system and address the mass incarceration crisis.
- In March 2021, Rep. Pressley sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland urging him to consider H. Res. 266, the People’s Justice Guarantee, as a framework for embedding justice in our criminal legal system and building integrity in the Department of Justice (DOJ).
- In February 2021, October 2020, Congresswoman Pressley reintroduced the Mental Health Justice Act with Reps. Katie Porter (CA-45), Tony Cardenas (CA-29), and Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), to support the creation of mental health first responder units that would be deployed in lieu of law enforcement when 911 is called due to a mental health crisis. The lawmakers originally introduced the legislation in October 2020.
- In January 2021, she reintroduced the Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act of 2021 with Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) to prohibit the use of the death penalty at the federal level, and require re-sentencing of those currently on death row. The lawmakers originally introduced the bill in July 2019.
- In August 2020, she introduced the COVID-19 in Corrections Data Transparency Act with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and others, requires federal, state, and local prisons and jails to collect and publicly report COVID-19 data. The legislation was reintroduced last month.
- In July 2020, she introduced the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act with Reps. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) and Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), to prohibit federal funds to support the increased presence of police in K-12 schools and supports school districts that invests in counselors.
- In June 2020, she introduced the Dismantle Mass Incarceration for Public Health Act with Reps. Tlaib (MI-13) and Barbara Lee (CA-13) to require decarceration to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in prisons and jails.
- In June 2020, she introduced the Andrew Kearse Accountability for Denial of Medical Care Act with Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Ed Markey (D-MA), to hold police officers criminally liable for denying care to those in medical distress.
- In May 2020, she introduced a resolution with Reps. Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Karen Bass (CA-37) and Barbara Lee (CA-13) to condemn any and all acts of police brutality, racial profiling, and militarization and over-policing of Black and brown communities.
- In July 2019, she introduced the No Biometric Barriers Housing Act with Reps. Yvette Clarke (NY-09) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) that would prohibit the use of biometric recognition technology in most public and assisted housing units funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), protecting tenants from biased surveillance technology.
- In June 2019, in conjunction with Gun Violence Awareness Month and the 5th Annual National Gun Violence Awareness Day, she introduced a resolution to honor survivors of homicide victims by establishing National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month.
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MIL OSI USA News –
July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: DHS Nabs at Least 11 Illegal Aliens Including Serial Criminal with 67 Arrests in Sacramento Operation
Source: US Department of Homeland Security

CBP nabs career criminal, drug dealer and ten other illegal aliens in targeted operation

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers arrested numerous illegal aliens, including a dangerous serial drug abuser and dealer with 67 charges, during a July 17operation in Sacramento, California.

CBP’s targeted operation resulted in the heroic arrest of Javier Dimas-Alcantara, a serial criminal with convictions and charges spanning decades, including the following:
- Multiple instances of transport and sale of a narcotic or controlled substance
- Felony burglary
- Illegal entry
- Carrying a loaded firearm in public
- Multiple instances of providing false identification to a law enforcement officer
- Multiple instances of felony possession of marijuana for sale
- Revocation of probation due to re-offense of possession of marijuana for sale
- Being under the influence of a controlled substance
- Multiple instances of possession of a narcotic or controlled substance
- Possession of a controlled narcotic with intent to sell
“On July 17, CBP conducted an operation in Sacramento, California, resulting in the arrest of at least 11 criminal illegal aliens. Among the illegal aliens captured in this heroic effort was Javier Dimas-Alcantara, a serial criminal illegal alien who has been booked into jail 67 times,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Dimas has been CONVICTED of a myriad of offenses—you would not want this man to be your neighbor. And yet, politicians like Gavin Newsom defend criminals who terrorize American communities and demonize law enforcement who defend those same communities. He and every other sanctuary politician should be thanking CBP for getting this scum out of American communities instead of obstructing federal law enforcement at every possible turn.”

President Trump and Secretary Noem have been given a clear mandate from the American people: get violent illegal aliens OFF our streets and OUT of our country.

Illegal aliens can take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right, legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.

###

MIL Security OSI –
July 18, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Thinking of trekking to Everest Base Camp? Don’t leave home without this expert advice

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Heike Schanzel, Professor of Social Sustainability in Tourism, Auckland University of Technology

Purnima Shrestha /AFP via Getty Images

Tourists in Kathmandu are tempted everywhere by advertisements for trekking expeditions to Everest Base Camp. If you didn’t know better, you might think it’s just a nice hike in the Nepalese countryside.

Typically the lower staging post for attempts on the summit, the camp is still 5,364 metres above sea level and a destination in its own right. Travel agencies say no prior experience is required, and all equipment will be provided. Social media, too, is filled with posts enticing potential trekkers to make the iconic journey.

But there is a real risk of creating a false sense of security. An exciting adventure can quickly turn into a struggle for survival, especially for novice mountaineers.

Nevertheless, Sagarmatha National Park is deservedly popular for its natural beauty and the allure of the world’s highest peak, Chomolungma (Mount Everest). It is also home to the ethnically distinctive Sherpa community.

Consequently, the routes to Everest Base Camp are among the busiest in the Himalayas, with nearly 60,000 tourists visiting the area each year. There are two distinct trekking seasons: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October).

High mountains require everyone to be properly prepared. Events which under normal conditions might be a minor inconvenience can be magnified in such an environment and pose a serious risk.

Even at the start of the trek in Lukla (2,860m), one is exposed to factors that can directly or indirectly affect one’s health, especially altitude mountain sickness or unfamiliar bacteria.

We interviewed 24 trekkers in May this year, as well as 60 residents and business owners in May 2023, to explore some of the safety issues anyone considering heading to base camp should be aware of.

Life at high altitude

First, it’s vital to choose goals within one’s technical and physical capabilities. While the human body can adapt to altitudes of up to 5,300m, the potential risk of altitude mountain sickness can occur at only 2,500m – lower than Lukla.

Proper acclimatisation above 3,000m means ascending no more than 500m a day and resting every two to three days at the same altitude. The optimal (though rarely followed) approach is the “saw tooth system” of climbing during the day but descending to sleep at a lower level.

Residents of the Khumbu region (on the Nepalese side of Everest) are familiar with the problem of tourists not acclimatising, or not paying attention to their surroundings. As one hotel owner said, pointing to a trekker setting out:

He’s going uphill and it’s already late. It’s going to get dark and cold soon. He won’t make it to the next settlement. We have to report this to the authorities or go after him ourselves.

Inexperienced trekkers should hire a local guide. Several we interviewed had needed medical evacuation, including a woman in her mid-20s who had to leave base camp after one night. She found her guides – not locals – online. But they never checked her vital signs during the trek:

[The doctors] said that I had high-altitude pulmonary edema […] it was just really important to come down the elevation. And if I had tried to go higher, it probably would have been really bad.

Health checks throughout the trek are imperative. This includes assessing the four main symptoms of altitude mountain sickness: headache, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. If they appear, the trekker shouldn’t go higher and might even need to descend.

A Sherpa woman at the market in Namche Bazar, Nepal: respect the culture, eat local food.
Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

Take time to adapt

Using a reputable local trekking agency might be more expensive, but it will help ensure safety and also familiarise the visitor with the local culture, helping avoid negative impacts on the host community.

Too often, the primary goal of trekkers is a photo on the famous rock at base camp. Once obtained, many simply take a helicopter back to Kathmandu. As a helicopter tour agency owner said:

They don’t want to get back on their feet. The goal, after all, has been achieved. In general, tourists used to be much better prepared. Now they know they can return by helicopter.

Helicopter travel can be dangerous on its own, of course. But this tendency to view the trek as a one-way trip also affects host-guest relations and can irritate local communities.

It’s also important to monitor your food and drink intake and watch for signs of food poisoning. Diarrhoea at high altitudes is particularly dangerous because it leads to rapid dehydration – hard to combat in mountain conditions.

Low air pressure and reduced oxygen exacerbate the condition, weakening the body’s ability to recover. Also, the symptoms of dehydration can resemble altitude mountain sickness.

When travelling in other climate zones or countries with different sanitary standards, there is inevitable contact with strains of bacteria not present in one’s natural microbiome.

A good solution is to spend a few days naturally adapting to bacterial flora at a lower altitude in Nepal before heading to the mountains. Also, try to eat the local food, such as daal bhat, Nepal’s national dish. According to one hotel owner in Pangboche:

Tourists demand strange food from us – pizza, spaghetti, Caesar salad – and then are angry that it doesn’t taste the way they want. This is not our food. You should probably eat local food.

Most of the trekkers we interviewed during this spring season reported experiencing gastrointestinal issues, often for several days.

Overall, diarrhoea-related infections are the leading cause of illness among travellers, including base camp trekkers. Studies conducted in the Himalayas show as many as 14% of mountain tourists contract gastroenteritis, accounting for about 10% of all helicopter evacuations.

In the end, the commonest cause of failure or accident in the mountains is overestimating one’s abilities – what has been called “bad judgement syndrome” – when the route is too hard, the pace too fast, or there’s been too little time spent acclimatising.

A simple solution: walk slowly and enjoy the views.

Michal Apollo receives funding from the National Science Centre NCN Poland, the small-scale project awarded by the Institute of Earth Sciences, and the Research Excellence Initiative of the University of Silesia in Katowice. He is affiliated with the Global Justice Program, Yale University, and Academics Stand Against Poverty.

Heike Schanzel 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. Thinking of trekking to Everest Base Camp? Don’t leave home without this expert advice – https://theconversation.com/thinking-of-trekking-to-everest-base-camp-dont-leave-home-without-this-expert-advice-260497

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Europe urged to diversify trade markets over US tariff coercion, supply chains disruption

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

As Washington presses ahead with additional tariffs on products from the European Union (EU) and beyond, European officials and experts are urging the diversification of trade markets to mitigate the damage that such coercive financial statecraft is inflicting on global supply chains.

TARIFF GAME SETTING OFF CHAIN REACTION

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Saturday that his administration would impose 30 percent tariffs on EU and Mexican exports, arguing that bilateral trade had long been unbalanced and lacked reciprocity.

Trucks wait to enter the Container Terminal Tollerort in Hamburg, Germany, May 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

The Irish Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald described the tariff threat as “volatile” and “not helpful at all.” “That poses a challenge for Ireland, for Europe, for the world,” she told Xinhua at a press conference in London.

Countries across Europe have been warning about the impact of the seemingly unrelenting tariff assaults on their economies.

The Bank of Slovenia estimated that U.S. tariffs could indirectly disrupt the broader European value chain and impact about 15,000 jobs in Slovenia, a significant number in a country of just 2.1 million people.

The Bank of England also said in its latest Financial Stability Report that the global economy faces rising downside risks, citing U.S. tariffs, and despite a new trade agreement between Britain and the United States in May, a further escalation in trade disputes globally could amplify financial stress and drag on economic growth in Britain.

Companies of all sizes, from those exporting to the U.S. to manufacturers heavily reliant on global supply chains, are feeling the strain that the tariffs are placing on their operations.

Neb Chupin, founder of Croatia’s Hermes International, a successful fig jam producer in the U.S. market, said, “With 10 percent tariffs, we are losing about 20,000 U.S. dollars a week. What would happen with 30 or even 50 percent tariffs? I cannot even sleep at night as the situation is very unstable.”

With 40 percent of exports going to the U.S., Finland’s pharmaceutical industry could also be severely affected by potential U.S. tariffs. Johanna Sipola, deputy CEO of Keskuskauppakamari, or the Finnish Chamber of Commerce, called the tariffs “unrealistic” and warned that the greater risk is the uncertainty they create.

“If the tariffs were implemented, the repercussions for international pharmaceutical production would be significant. The industry’s delivery chains are unusually global, and even minor disruptions can trigger substantial changes in medicine prices and demand,” Sipola said.

Beyond the immediate effects, the high-stakes tariff game is setting off a chain reaction across global supply chains and geopolitical dynamics.

Gavran Igor, an economic analyst from Bosnia and Herzegovina, said that the longer-term impact of the tariffs could prove even more damaging for Balkan manufacturers that are integrated into EU-based industries, particularly automotive supply chains.

Czech Republic’s Finance Minister Zbynek Stanjura said that exports to the United States account for less than 3 percent of the country’s total exports. However, the country would also be indirectly affected through its European partners who purchase Czech goods and components.

STRENGTHENING COOPERATION WITH MULTI-PARTNERS URGED

Inevitably, even countries with modest trade ties to the world’s largest economy can still feel the ripple effects of Washington’s unpredictability. In response, experts recommend that European nations broaden their trade partnerships, especially with China, Southeast Asia and other regions.

“Europe must, in the long term, become more independent from the American market. A joint free trade zone with the ASEAN countries and the rapid ratification of the agreement with Mercosur are urgently needed,” Dirk Jandura, president of the Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services, said in a statement after Trump’s new tariff announcement.

Mario Boselli, chairman of the Italy China Council Foundation, said that the shifting dynamics might prompt Europe to reconsider its external economic strategy. In his view, strengthening cooperation with China is a “highly strategic choice.”

“If economies, like the EU, China, the United Kingdom, Brazil and India, keep global trade open, the U.S. tariffs’ impact on global supply chains will be lower. That’s the opportunity,” said Carlo Altomonte, associate professor of the Department of Social and Political Sciences of Bocconi University in Milan.

Martin Geissler, Partner at the management consultancy Advyce & Company, echoed the suggestions by sharing Germany’s auto industry as an example. “German automakers have often not yet recognized the growth prospects that exist in Africa and many emerging countries,” Geissler said, contrasting this with China’s strategic engagement with multi-partners.

Bernardo Mendia, Secretary General of the Portugal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is leading a Portuguese delegation to the ongoing China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing.

A key factor driving Portugal’s participation this year, in his words, is the rise of protectionism, logistical disruptions and geopolitical shifts. In the face of these challenges, China offers a distinctive platform to develop innovative solutions, business models, and collaborative partnerships, he said.

Looking ahead, experts believe that Washington’s trade policies could ultimately backfire on the U.S. economy itself.

“The U.S. needs many of our industrial products, which cannot be easily replaced in the short term. This allows German manufacturers of these goods to largely pass on the tariffs in their prices to the detriment of the U.S. economy,” said Juergen Matthes, head of International Economic Policy, Financial and Real Estate Markets Research Unit at the German Economic Institute.

MIL OSI China News –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard, partner agencies respond to sunken vessel near Santa Cruz, Calif.

Source: United States Coast Guard

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 07/17/2025 07:30 PM EDT

07/17/2025 07:09 PM EDT

PHOTOS AVAILABLE: The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to a sunken vessel following a boat fire approximately one mile offshore Santa Cruz, California, Wednesday morning.

MIL Security OSI –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on Illegal Drug Activity on Social Media

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) reintroduced the bipartisan Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act, which would require social media companies and other communication service providers to take on a more active role in working with federal agencies to combat the illegal sale and distribution of drugs on their platforms. This critical data will also empower state and local law enforcement to combat fake fentanyl-laced pills and prosecute those who prey on America’s youth.
“For too long social media companies have turned a blind eye to drug dealers who use their platforms to sell deadly drugs like fentanyl,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “The Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act cracks down on the sale of fentanyl through social media platforms by requiring these companies to report to the DEA when they know drugs are being sold on their platforms.”
The Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act is named after two young men who both tragically lost their lives to fentanyl poisoning after purchasing a pill from social media.
Devin Norring was a 19-year-old from Hastings, MN, who tragically died from fentanyl poisoning in 2020 after purchasing a pill on Snapchat he believed was Percocet to help relieve his migraines. In his honor, his family started the Devin J. Norring Foundation to raise awareness about the dangers of dealers selling fake pills and other illicit substances online.
Cooper Davis from Johnson County, KS, tragically lost his life to fentanyl poisoning in the summer of 2021. Cooper died after taking half a fake pill that contained a lethal dose of fentanyl, which was believed to be purchased from a Missouri drug dealer through the social media platform Snapchat. Following his passing, Cooper’s family launched the non-profit ‘Keepin’ Clean for Coop’ to keep his memory alive to save lives, raise awareness, and educate students and families.
The bill is cosponsored by Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Todd Young (R-IN). The bill is led in the House by Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA).
The legislation is supported by the families of Cooper Davis and Devin Norring, as well as National HIDTA Directors Association, Snapchat, Partnership for Safe Medicine, the U.S. Deputy Sheriff’s Association, The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies, Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse, the Community Anti-Drug Coalition Association, the Alexander Neville Foundation, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the Kansas Sheriffs Association.
“Our family & the Devin J. Norring Foundation wholeheartedly support the Cooper Davis & Devin Norring Act – legislation that serves as a critical step toward protecting families from the deadly threat of fentanyl sold through social media,” said The Family of Devin J. Norring & the Devin J. Norring Foundation. “This bill honors the lives of Cooper and Devin by holding tech companies accountable and giving law enforcement the tools they need to respond to this crisis. No parent should have to search for answers in a system that shields predators. It’s time for truth, transparency, and action.”
“Our family continues to be extremely grateful for Senator Marshall and his colleagues’ dedication to this legislation. We are both honored and saddened to have another name, Devin Norring, added to this bill,” said Libby Davis, Mother of Cooper Davis. “However, the harsh reality is that there are thousands of other teenagers’ names that could be added to this bill because they too lost their lives in this same tragic way. Each with a story demonstrating that this can happen to ANY FAMILY. We, as parents and grandparents, do so many things to keep our kids safe, from baby gates, car seats, and seatbelts, to bike helmets, sunscreen, and vaccinations. This is no different. We need our legislators to come together and get this bipartisan bill across the finish line so that countless children can be saved, theirs being no exception.”

MIL OSI USA News –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Leading lights of UK research spearhead search for world’s best talent
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Press release

Leading lights of UK research spearhead search for world’s best talent

12 leading universities and research institutions selected to deliver government’s £54 million fund to recruit world’s top researchers.
12 leading universities and research institutions selected to deliver government’s £54 million fund to recruit world’s top researchers

From AI to medicine, cutting-edge research is delivering the new breakthroughs and products that are key to economic growth, the core mission of the Plan for Change  

Global Talent Fund is just one part of over £115 million in funding dedicated to attracting top talent to the UK

12 of the UK’s leading universities and research institutions, across all 4 nations, will deliver the Global Talent Fund: a £54 million investment in Britain’s future prosperity and economic growth.

The new £54 million Global Talent Fund is designed to attract a total of 60-80 top researchers (both lead researchers and their teams) to the UK, working in the 8 high priority sectors critical to our modern Industrial Strategy like life sciences and digital technologies.  By bringing the very best minds in fields that will be critical to the future of life and work to the UK, we can pave the way for the products, jobs and even industries that define tomorrow’s economy, to be made and grow in Britain.

From Argentine César Milstein’s work on antibodies, to Hong Kong-born Sir Charles Kao who led the development of fibre optics, through to German Ernst Chain’s efforts to make penicillin usable in medicine, there is a long pedigree of overseas researchers making great breakthroughs whilst working in the UK. We want the UK to continue to be the natural home of the very best science and research, the world over.

Driving new tech innovations and scientific breakthroughs will fire up the UK economy and put rocket boosters on the government’s Plan for Change. The IMF estimates that breakthroughs in AI alone could boost productivity by as much as 1.5 percentage points a year, which could be worth up to an average £47 billion to the UK each year over a decade. Other technologies could be gamechangers too: quantum computing could add over £11 billion to the UK’s GDP by 2045, while engineering biology could drive anywhere between £1.6-£3.1 trillion in global impact by 2040. 

Science Minister Lord Vallance said:

Genius is not bound by geography. But the UK is one of the few places blessed with the infrastructure, skills base, world-class institutions and international ties needed to incubate brilliant ideas, and turn them into new medicines that save lives, new products that make our lives easier, and even entirely new jobs and industries. Bringing these innovations to life, here in Britain, will be critical to delivering this government’s Plan for Change.

My message to the bold and the brave who are advancing new ideas, wherever they are, is: our doors are open to you. We want to work with you, support you, and give you a home where you can make your ideas a reality we all benefit from.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

The UK is home to some of the world’s best universities which are vital for attracting international top talent. Supported by our new Global Talent Taskforce, the Global Talent Fund will cement our position as a leading choice for the world’s top researchers to make their home here, supercharging growth and delivering on our Plan for Change.

The institutions selected to deliver the Global Talent Fund are:

University of Bath 

Queen’s University Belfast 

University of Birmingham 

University of Cambridge 

Cardiff University 

Imperial College London 

John Innes Centre 

MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology 

University of Oxford 

University of Southampton 

University of Strathclyde

University of Warwick 

These organisations will each get an equal share of the £54 million Fund, to use bringing some of the world’s foremost researchers and their teams to the UK. Each of them has a track record of recruiting and supporting top international R&D talent, as well as securing international competitive research funding to the UK. They are empowered to develop their own approaches and plans to spend their share of the Global Talent Fund to attract research talent from the around the globe in their choice of Industrial Strategy areas, including covering visa and relocation costs for researchers and their family members.

The Global Talent Fund, administered by UKRI, is just one part of over £115 million funding that is being dedicated to attracting the very best scientific and research talent to the UK. In addition to this fund, 2 fellowships have been launched, aimed at bringing groundbreaking AI research teams to UK organisations and labs: the £25 million Turing AI ‘Global’ Fellowships, as well as a UK-based expansion of the Encode: AI for Science Fellowship.

Alongside this, 2 new fast-track research grant routes have been announced by the National Academies – including £30 million from the Royal Society for a Faraday Discovery Fellowship accelerated international route, part-funded by their £250 million DSIT endowment. The Royal Academy of Engineering has announced a similar fast track international route, as part of its £150 million Green Future Fellowships endowment from DSIT – this funding will ensure the UK competes for the best global talent in science and research. While researchers looking to relocate to the UK can also benefit from the Choose Europe scheme, thanks to the UK’s association to Horizon Europe.

All of these efforts will be supported by the Global Talent Taskforce. Launched as part of the Industrial Strategy, the taskforce will report directly to the Prime Minister and Chancellor, and support researchers, scientists and engineers as well as top-tier investors, entrepreneurs and managerial talent to bring their skills to Britain.

Work to cultivate top AI research talent in the UK is further bolstered through the Spärck AI scholarships, which will provide full funding for master’s degrees at 9 leading UK universities specialising in artificial intelligence and STEM subjects. These scholarships will open for applications in Spring 2026. We also support postgraduate research broadly, with £500 million UKRI funding supporting over 4.700 students at 45 higher education institutions to study projects in biological, engineering and physical, and natural and environmental sciences.

Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bath, said:

Our university was founded with a mission to work closely with industry, and partnership working has been in our DNA ever since. We are truly delighted to play our part in attracting outstanding global academics to help power research in the UK’s industrial strategy priority areas.

This major investment recognises the vital role universities play in driving innovation and growth across the UK. We look forward to working with DSIT and UKRI to attract more bright minds to play their part in our innovation-fuelled and impact-focussed research.

Professor Sir Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor at Queen’s University Belfast said:

We are proud that Queen’s has been selected as one of the 12 institutions to deliver the Global Talent Fund. This funding will allow us to bring world-leading researchers to Northern Ireland in priority areas such as advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity, fields that are vital to our economy and to the UK’s global competitiveness.

By attracting exceptional talent from outside the UK, we are strengthening our research base, and helping to drive innovation within the local economy. This is a clear endorsement of the excellence and impact of research at Queen’s, and of our role in helping to deliver the UK government’s Industrial Strategy.

Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at the University of Birmingham said:

I am delighted that the University of Birmingham has been selected to support the government’s vision to attract exceptional international researchers to the UK. In celebration of our 125 anniversary this year, our University is committed to investing in the recruitment of 125 leading researchers. The Global Talent Fund investment means that we will now go even further – drawing a diverse community of world-leading researchers to Birmingham. They will join a thriving and ambitious research environment, where the potential for discovery, collaboration, and impact has never been greater. We look forward to welcoming a new generation of global research leaders to our University and city and to seeing the positive impact their work will have on the UK economy and on the health and wellbeing of society.

Professor Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor, University of Cambridge, said:

The University is grateful for this award of funding. The Fund will bolster emerging and accelerating research areas, in line with the goals of the government’s Industrial Strategy. This investment will be pivotal in securing and supporting international academic expertise and strengthening the strategic opportunities the University is seeking to catalyse for both the University and the UK more widely. We look forward to the opportunities this will unlock.

Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner said:

We are delighted to have secured this funding to help us attract the world’s best minds to Cardiff and Wales.

It is a clear endorsement of our standing and place in the UK research community and sends a clear message that we are well-positioned to attract global talent. It will enable us to support more of the world’s leading academics in Wales – helping to further boost our research capacity and global reputation in key research areas.

Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London said:

Imperial College London is a global university and international researchers are central to our success. They bring fresh perspectives, new ideas, and a spirit of discovery that enriches our community and drives breakthroughs that benefit all of society – from tackling malaria to breakthroughs in quantum computing.

The Global Talent Fund will support our efforts to attract the brightest minds from around the world. We look forward to welcoming them and continuing to push the boundaries of knowledge together.

Professor Cristobal Uauy, Director designate, John Innes Centre said:

This funding is a major boost to our efforts at the John Innes Centre to attract ambitious world-leading researchers to join our Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet vision.

By bringing outstanding talent to the Norwich Research Park, we are strengthening the UK’s global leadership in bio-based innovation, data-driven biology, and sustainable, high-value agri-tech, key pillars of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.

As a Chilean researcher who relocated to the UK, I’ve experienced first-hand the friendly, open and collaborative academic environment here. The world-class facilities, technology platforms and institutional support provided at the John Innes Centre are unrivalled. It’s the kind of environment where scientists can take bold ideas forward, build meaningful collaborations, and create lasting global impact.

Jan Löwe, Laboratory of Molecular Biology Director, said:

We welcome the government’s drive to attract global talent which addresses key barriers faced by researchers wishing to relocate to the UK.

The LMB’s scientific breakthroughs and technological advances have been driven by talented scientists of all nationalities since our origins in the 1940s. Science is a creative pursuit, and creativity thrives on diverse input from people of different backgrounds.

Research has no borders, and this funding will enable the LMB and fellow UK institutions to be competitive in the global scientific talent market and attract gifted scientists from around the world to drive UK innovations for the benefit of all.

Professor Irene Tracey CBE, FRS, FMedSci, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, said:

Oxford University has a long history of attracting exceptional global talent, enabling world-leading research, teaching, and innovation with wide-reaching social and economic impact. In 2021–2022, our science parks, knowledge exchange, and the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine contributed to a £6.6 billion boost to the UK economy, with our spinouts supporting over 31,600 UK jobs. Globally, the AZ vaccine is estimated to have saved over 6 million lives in its first year, resulting in a worldwide health economic impact of £2 trillion. The Global Talent Fund will draw internationally recognised experts to Oxford, building capability for future innovation and growth in the Industrial Strategy areas we have prioritised.

Professor Mark E. Smith, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton, said:

We are proud that the University of Southampton has been chosen as one of the small number of organisations for this exciting and important initiative.

Attracting world-leading researchers to work in the United Kingdom will help to lead innovation in the technologies of the future, supporting industry and driving economic growth.

Southampton is a global University with a wealth of research talent and this funding will help us to build further on our existing strengths and partnerships.

Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, said:

We welcome this important investment in global talent that UKRI has committed to and the alignment it creates between the new Industrial Strategy and the research and innovation leadership that is critical to its success.

Strathclyde is proud of its position as a leading international technological university. We deliver impact collaboratively by bringing together the excellent talented people we have at Strathclyde and through working closely with partners in other universities, industrial partners, innovation centres and National Laboratories through research that addresses market opportunities and national priorities – from climate resilience and sustainable energy to health innovation, and security and resilience.

This new funding from UKRI and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology reflects confidence in our ability to translate cutting-edge discovery into real-world applications and solutions, working collaboratively with industry, government and global partners. It will enhance our research environment, widen our talent pipeline and further enable our mission as a place of useful learning.

Professor Stuart Croft, Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Warwick said:

The University of Warwick is known for our world-leading expertise in Advanced Manufacturing and the Arts and this £4.35 million investment will accelerate the development of innovative insights, solutions, products, and services in an inter-disciplinary way. It will also help drive inclusive regional and national growth in the Creative Industries.

Through our strong partnerships with SMEs, industry, and local councils, this initiative will play a key role in advancing UK innovation and delivering meaningful benefits to communities across the West Midlands and the wider UK. 

In our 60th anniversary year we are reaffirming our commitment to making a better world together and this funding will further strengthen our determination to deliver our vision.

Professor Christopher Smith, International Champion at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), said:

Global challenges from climate change to energy security, food systems to antimicrobial resistance do not respect borders, and neither should the research and innovation required to address them. Time and again, international collaboration has driven transformative breakthroughs: from the discovery of the Higgs boson at CERN, to the global effort to decode the complex wheat genome, enabling the development of high-yield, climate-resilient crops that support food security worldwide. The impact of global partnerships is clear.

The Global Talent Fund is a vital part of UKRI’s mission to support an open, dynamic, and diverse research and innovation system. By supporting our brilliant research institutes to attract outstanding individuals from across the world and foster collaboration between nations, we are strengthening the UK’s position at the heart of the global knowledge economy. This fund aligns with our enduring commitment to international engagement, and to working together to shape a better future for all.

Notes to editors

The £54 million Global Talent Fund comes over 5 years, starting in 2025/2026. The fund, administered by UKRI and delivered by universities and research organisations, will cover 100% of eligible costs, including both relocation and research expenses, with no requirement for match funding from research organisations. The initiative also includes full visa costs for researchers and their dependants, removing significant financial and administrative barriers to relocation.

Funding will be distributed evenly amongst the 12 research organisations.

The small number of world-class researchers, and their teams, who go on to be supported by these funds, will come to live and work in the UK via existing routes such as the Skilled Worker, Global Talent, and the Innovator Founder visas.

There are no plans to change existing visa routes – and the Immigration White Paper sets out the government’s broad approach to restoring order to the immigration system through the Plan for Change.

DSIT media enquiries

Email press@dsit.gov.uk

Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 3000

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Published 18 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA News: Regulatory Relief for Certain Stationary Sources to Further Promote American Energy

Source: US Whitehouse

class=”has-text-align-center”>By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

1. Coal-fired electricity generation is essential to ensuring that our Nation’s grid is reliable and that electricity is affordable to the American people, and to promoting our Nation’s energy security. The Federal Government plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the Nation’s power supply remains secure and reliable. Forcing energy producers to comply with unattainable emissions controls jeopardizes this mission.
2. On May 7, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency published a final rule, pursuant to section 112 of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7412, titled National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units Review of the Residual Risk and Technology Review, 89 FR 38508 (Rule), which amended the preexisting Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule to make it more stringent. The Rule’s effective date was July 8, 2024. Id. Its compliance date is July 8, 2027, 3 years after its effective date. See 89 FR 38519.
3. The Rule places severe burdens on coal-fired power plants and, through its indirect effects, on the viability of our Nation’s coal sector. Specifically, the Rule requires compliance with standards premised on the application of emissions-control technologies that do not yet exist in a commercially viable form. The current compliance timeline of the Rule therefore raises the unacceptable risk of the shutdown of many coal-fired power plants, eliminating thousands of jobs, placing our electrical grid at risk, and threatening broader, harmful economic and energy security effects. This in turn would undermine our national security, as these effects would leave America vulnerable to electricity demand shortages, increased dependence on foreign energy sources, and potential disruptions of our electricity and energy supplies, particularly in times of crisis.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 112(i)(4) of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7412(i)(4), do hereby proclaim that certain stationary sources subject to the Rule, as identified in Annex I of this proclamation, are exempt from compliance with the Rule for a period of 2 years beyond the Rule’s compliance date — i.e., for the period beginning July 8, 2027, and concluding July 8, 2029 (Exemption). The effect of this Exemption is that, during this 2-year period, these stationary sources are subject to the compliance obligations that they are currently subject to under the MATS as the MATS existed prior to the Rule. In support of this Exemption, I hereby make the following determinations:
a. The technology to implement the Rule is not available. Such technology does not exist in a commercially viable form sufficient to allow implementation of and compliance with the Rule by its compliance date of July 8, 2027.
b. It is in the national security interests of the United States to issue this Exemption for the reasons stated in paragraphs 1 and 3 of this proclamation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
seventeenth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.

DONALD J. TRUMP

ANNEX I

Affected Facility/Source: Cardinal Unit 1, Unit 2, and Unit 3, Ohio

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association

Affected Facility/Source: Craig Generating Station Unit 2 and Unit 3, Colorado

City Water, Light and Power

Affected Facility/Source: Dallman Unit 4, Illinois

Cardinal Operating Company

MIL OSI USA News –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Federal Jury finds Armed Career Offender Guilty of Illegally Possessing a Firearm

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Memphis, TN – A federal jury recently returned a guilty verdict in the case of an armed career offender accused of a firearm offense. Turante Nunn, 33, faces a minimum of 15 years in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., Interim United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the verdict today.

According to court documents, in January 2024, Memphis police observed an unoccupied stolen 2009 Pontiac G6 car with a broken rear window parked outside a BP gas station in Memphis. Officers secured the scene inside the BP gas station and reviewed the store surveillance video to see who got out of the stolen car. Officers determined that Nunn was one of the individuals who exited the stolen car and went into the store. The store surveillance video also showed Nunn discarding a gun on a shelf in the store when officers were entering the store. Officers found a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm caliber pistol on a shelf at the exact area where Nunn discarded the object.

After a two-day trial, federal jurors found Nunn guilty of one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. In the second phase of the trial, jurors determined that Nunn was an Armed Career Criminal, as he had three prior felonies committed on occasions separate from one another.

As a result of his felony convictions, Nunn will face a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life imprisonment as an Armed Career Criminal under the Armed Career Criminal Act.

There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, and the Project Safe Neighborhood task force (PSN).

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Assistant United States Attorney Jermal Blanchard prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###

For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.

MIL Security OSI –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Votes to Foster Digital Innovation and Advance Consumer Protections

Source: US Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On July 17, 2025, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) voted in support of two bipartisan bills — the CLARITY Act and the GENIUS Act — marking a critical step forward in the regulation of digital assets, the protection of crypto users, and blockchain innovation.

“These bipartisan bills, while not perfect, add important and much-needed regulation and guardrails to the digital asset industry,” said Vasquez. “We need to continue working to develop clear, commonsense rules that protect consumers, promote innovation, and prevent fraud and money laundering. New Mexicans deserve transparency, accountability, and equal access to new financial tools.”

The CLARITY Act establishes a regulatory framework for digital assets. Under the bill, more established digital assets would be treated like commodities and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), while newer assets would be treated as securities and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This legislation would help prevent fraud, create a more stable market, and ensure all investors are playing by the same rules.

The GENIUS Act establishes the rules of the road for stablecoins: digital assets backed by physical assets like the U.S. dollar which currently lack comprehensive federal regulations to protect consumers. By establishing the first ever guardrails for these assets – holding stablecoin issuers to strict requirements, and instituting strong protections against trafficking – this bill safeguards consumers and strengthens financial security.

“We need to ensure our regulatory frameworks keep pace with innovation, and this is a step in the right direction,” said Vasquez. “I will continue to seek out ways to maximize consumer protections and ethics standards in the cryptocurrency industry.”

Vasquez continues to fight for the economic security of all New Mexicans by holding Big Tech accountable and protecting consumers from digital exploitation.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Grants Regulatory Relief from Burdensome EPA Restrictions to Promote American Security
Source: US Whitehouse
PROVIDING REGULATORY RELIEF: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed four proclamations, each granting two years of regulatory relief from stringent Biden-era regulations that impacted various sectors vital to national security.
- The proclamations cover coal plants, taconite iron ore processing facilities, and certain chemical manufacturers that produce chemicals related to semiconductors, medical device sterilization, advanced manufacturing, and national defense systems.
- These proclamations allow certain of these facilities to comply with the EPA standards that were in place before the Biden Administration rulemakings for two years.
- The exemptions ensure that these facilities within these critical industries can continue to operate uninterrupted to support national security without incurring substantial costs to comply with, in some cases, unattainable compliance requirements.
REDUCING BURDENSOME RESTRICTIONS: President Trump recognizes that overly restrictive environmental regulations undermine America’s energy reliability, economic vitality, and national security.
- Biden-era emissions standards impose costly and, in some cases, unattainable compliance requirements on these industries essential to national interests.
- The technologies necessary to comply with these Biden-era standards are further not commercially viable in many instances.
- These sectors are critical to maintaining national security and economic stability. Shutdowns could compromise our grid and lead to electricity shortages and reliance on foreign energy, increase our reliance on foreign supply chains for semiconductors, reduce our ability to provide sterile medical equipment for public health and military readiness, and reduce the supply on steel that we need to support critical infrastructure.
BALANCING ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS WITH AMERICAN PROSPERITY: President Trump has consistently prioritized a pragmatic approach, ensuring environmental policies support, rather than undermine, America’s economic strength and national security.
- President Trump has sought to protect American industries while maintaining standards that allow Americans to have among the cleanest air and water in the world.
- He directed the EPA to repeal the Obama-era Clean Power Plan during his first term, replacing it with the Affordable Clean Energy rule in 2019 that set achievable standards to preserve jobs while addressing emissions.
- He paused the expansion of windmills, recognizing their detrimental environmental impact, particularly on wildlife, often outweighs their benefits.
- He has championed an energy dominance strategy, boosting domestic oil and gas production to reduce reliance on foreign energy while maintaining practical environmental oversight.
- His approach encourages industry to develop cost-effective solutions like improved emissions technologies rather than imposing unfeasible mandates that risk economic disruption.
MIL OSI USA News –
July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: North American Construction Group Ltd. Second Quarter Results Conference Call and Webcast Notification

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

ACHESON, Alberta, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — North American Construction Group Ltd. (“NACG” or “the Company”) (TSX:NOA.TO/NYSE:NOA) announced today that it will release its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, after markets close. Following the release of its financial results, NACG will hold a conference call and webcast on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 7:00 a.m. Mountain Time (9:00 a.m. Eastern Time).

The call can be accessed by dialing:
Toll free: 1-800-717-1738
Conference ID: 53211

A replay will be available through September 15, 2025, by dialing:
Toll Free: 1-888-660-6264
Conference ID: 53211
Playback Passcode: 53211

A slide deck for the webcast will be available for download the evening prior to the call and will be found on the company’s website at www.nacg.ca/presentations/

The live presentation and webcast can be accessed at: North American Construction Group Ltd. Second Quarter Results Conference Call and Webcast Registration

A replay will be available until September 15, 2025, using the link provided.

About the Company

North American Construction Group Ltd. is a premier provider of heavy civil construction and mining services in Australia, Canada, and the U.S. For over 70 years, NACG has provided services to the mining, resource and infrastructure construction markets.

For further information, please contact:

Jason Veenstra, CPA, CA
Chief Financial Officer
North American Construction Group Ltd.
Phone: (780) 960-7171
Email: ir@nacg.ca

The MIL Network –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: North American Construction Group Ltd. Second Quarter Results Conference Call and Webcast Notification

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

ACHESON, Alberta, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — North American Construction Group Ltd. (“NACG” or “the Company”) (TSX:NOA.TO/NYSE:NOA) announced today that it will release its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, after markets close. Following the release of its financial results, NACG will hold a conference call and webcast on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 7:00 a.m. Mountain Time (9:00 a.m. Eastern Time).

The call can be accessed by dialing:
Toll free: 1-800-717-1738
Conference ID: 53211

A replay will be available through September 15, 2025, by dialing:
Toll Free: 1-888-660-6264
Conference ID: 53211
Playback Passcode: 53211

A slide deck for the webcast will be available for download the evening prior to the call and will be found on the company’s website at www.nacg.ca/presentations/

The live presentation and webcast can be accessed at: North American Construction Group Ltd. Second Quarter Results Conference Call and Webcast Registration

A replay will be available until September 15, 2025, using the link provided.

About the Company

North American Construction Group Ltd. is a premier provider of heavy civil construction and mining services in Australia, Canada, and the U.S. For over 70 years, NACG has provided services to the mining, resource and infrastructure construction markets.

For further information, please contact:

Jason Veenstra, CPA, CA
Chief Financial Officer
North American Construction Group Ltd.
Phone: (780) 960-7171
Email: ir@nacg.ca

The MIL Network –

July 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: Mine Crypto Anywhere, Anytime: BAY Miner Unveils Eco-Friendly Mobile Platform
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Chicago, Illinois, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a monumental leap for cryptocurrency accessibility, BAY Miner, a global leader in digital asset mining solutions, has officially launched its cutting-edge mobile cloud mining application. This powerful tool empowers everyday users to mine Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies directly from their smartphones—no mining rigs, no complex setups, and no prior experience required.

With this launch, BAY Miner is dismantling traditional barriers to entry in the world of cryptocurrency mining and ushering in a new era of mobile-first, green-powered, and globally accessible digital income.

Democratizing Mining: The Vision Behind BAY Miner

The cryptocurrency landscape has long been dominated by professional miners with access to costly ASIC rigs, complex software, and high electricity consumption. BAY Miner challenges that legacy model with an inclusive approach that makes digital mining as simple as tapping your screen.

We believe that crypto mining should not be limited to experts or those with large capital investments. Our mobile app is a gateway for millions of users around the world to participate in the digital economy and earn passive income securely, sustainably, and efficiently.

Core Highlights of the BAY Miner Platform

Mobile-Optimized Cloud Mining Infrastructure

The BAY Miner app allows users to lease powerful hash rate from professional-grade, renewable energy-powered data centers. All mining activities are handled remotely, freeing users from the need to manage or maintain hardware. The mobile interface is sleek, intuitive, and designed for maximum accessibility—regardless of technical skill.
- Compatible with Android and iOS
- Low data usage and zero battery drain
- 100% remote mining operation
- Accessible in 160+ countries
Advanced Security for Maximum Asset Protection

Security lies at the heart of BAY Miner’s ecosystem. The platform employs enterprise-grade cybersecurity protocols including:
- End-to-end AES-256 encryption
- Cloudflare® firewall and DDoS mitigation
- McAfee®-level malware detection
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) and biometric login
- Daily backups and encrypted data isolation
Whether a user is managing $50 or $5,000 in assets, their funds and personal data are protected with industry-leading safeguards.

Mining for Everyone: How It Works

BAY Miner eliminates the complexity of crypto mining. With just a smartphone, anyone can generate daily earnings in five simple steps:

Step 1: Create a Free Account

Register via https://bayminer.com. New users receive a $15 welcome bonus, instantly credited.

Step 2: Choose a Mining Contract

Select from flexible mining contracts tailored to short-term or long-term strategies. Contracts are priced in USD, giving users full transparency and predictable returns.

Step 3: Fund with Crypto

Users can deposit using:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- XRP
- Tether (USDT – ERC20 & TRC20)
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Solana (SOL)
- Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
Deposits are instantly converted to USD, locking in value at the current rate.

Step 4: Mining Starts Automatically

Once the plan is activated, mining begins in real-time. There are no downloads, updates, or installations required—everything runs seamlessly in the background.

Step 5: Earn Daily and Withdraw Anytime

Earnings are updated daily and users can withdraw their balance once it reaches $100, or reinvest to grow faster.

A Global Movement: Empowering Millions with Passive Crypto Income

BAY Miner has already achieved impressive scale:
- Over 6 million users registered globally
- Operations in 160+ countries
- $25 million+ mined and distributed
- Trusted by both crypto newcomers and experts
From freelancers in Southeast Asia to students in South America and retirees in Europe, BAY Miner’s mobile-first platform is providing financial freedom to users from all walks of life.

Sustainability Meets Innovation

With the climate impact of traditional crypto mining under increasing scrutiny, BAY Miner has prioritized environmental sustainability. All data centers powering BAY Miner’s cloud infrastructure are:
- 100% fueled by renewable energy
- Carbon-offset verified
- Designed with high-efficiency cooling systems
This green commitment ensures that users can mine crypto ethically without contributing to global carbon emissions.

Roadmap and Upcoming Features

BAY Miner continues to evolve, with several major features in development for Q3 and Q4 2025:
- NFT-backed mining contracts for transferable hash power
- Referral rewards program with tiered commissions
- Multi-wallet integrations including MetaMask, Trust Wallet, and Coinbase
- DeFi yield options to combine mining with staking
These updates will expand BAY Miner’s ecosystem and further solidify its position as the most innovative and inclusive mining solution available.

About BAY Miner

BAY Miner is a global cryptocurrency mining platform that offers secure, accessible, and eco-friendly mobile cloud mining solutions. With a mission to democratize digital asset generation, BAY Miner empowers users across the world to earn passive crypto income without hardware, technical knowledge, or upfront capital. The platform operates with full transparency and prioritizes green energy, data security, and financial inclusion.

Media Contact

Press Inquiries:
Email: info@bayminer.com
Website: https://bayminer.com
App Download: https://bayminer.com/xml/index.html#/app

BAY Miner – Powering the Future of Crypto Mining. Anywhere. Anytime.

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

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The MIL Network –
July 18, 2025