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Category: Sport

  • MIL-Evening Report: What is astigmatism? Why does it make my vision blurry? And how did I get it?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Flora Hui, Research Fellow, Centre for Eye Research Australia and Honorary Fellow, Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), The University of Melbourne

    Ground Picture/Shutterstock

    Have you ever gone to the optometrist for an eye test and were told your eye was shaped like a football?

    Or perhaps you’ve noticed your vision is becoming increasingly blurry or hard to focus?

    You might be among the 40% of people in the world who live with astigmatism.

    What causes astigmatism?

    The eye acts like a camera, capturing light through the front surface (the cornea) and focusing it onto the “film” at the back of the eye (retina).

    To get a clear picture, the eyeball and all of its surfaces (cornea, lens and retina) have to meet certain specifications of size and shape.

    Otherwise, vision can appear blurred and out-of-focus, known as “refractive error”.

    Astigmatism (uh-STIG-muh-tiz-um) is a type of refractive error where one or more of the eye’s surfaces are not smooth and/or round. It is broadly classified into two types: regular and irregular.

    Regular astigmatism is the most common. It typically comes from changes in the shape of the cornea. Instead of being round, it is more oval, like a football or an egg. We don’t fully understand why some people develop regular astigmatism, but it’s partly due to genetics.

    Irregular astigmatism is rarer. It occurs when a part of the cornea is no longer smooth (from scarring or growths on the cornea), or its shape has changed in an uneven or asymmetrical way.

    Eye conditions such as keratoconus – where the cornea weakens over time and becomes cone-like in shape – causes irregular astigmatism.

    If the cornea is no longer round or smooth, light entering the eye is scattered across the retina. This can cause blurry or distorted vision, reduced sensitivity to contrast, shadows or double vision and increased sensitivity to bright lights.

    Is astigmatism a new condition?

    In 1727, Sir Isaac Newton was the first to describe the physics of how an irregular surface might affect the focus of light passing through it.

    This was followed in 1800 by Thomas Young, a scientist who had astigmatism and described how it affected his vision in a lecture.

    In 1825, Sir George Airy, an astronomer who also had astigmatism, discovered he could see more clearly when he tilted his glasses on an angle. He became the first person to suggest using cylindrical lenses to correct for astigmatism. These are still used today.

    The name “astigmatism” came last, coined by William Whewell in 1846. The name was derived from Greek: “a-” (“without”), and “stigma” (“a mark/spot”), literally translating as “without a point”, referring to the lack of a single, clear focal point of vision.

    How is astigmatism measured?

    Optometrists usually detect and measure regular astigmatism during refraction, when they place different lenses in front of the eye to determine a spectacle prescription.

    As irregular astigmatism can involve very small rough patches or bumps, it is best seen with specialised imaging such as corneal topography. This creates a 3-dimensional map to show local bumps and irregularities on the cornea.

    I’ve got astigmatism, what do I need to know?

    Astigmatism can present at any age but becomes more common as we get older.

    You can develop astigmatism over time, and the level of astigmatism can change as well.

    With mild astigmatism, you may not notice any problems with your vision. With increasing levels of astigmatism, your vision becomes less crisp. This can lead to reduced vision, eye strain, or fatigue.

    You may need astigmatism correction to see clearly and effortlessly. Correcting astigmatism aims to compensate for the differing curvatures of the cornea, to ensure that light entering the eye focuses correctly on the retina.

    To correct regular astigmatism, cylindrical lenses compensate for each curvature in the “football”. Cylindrical lenses are prescribed as either glasses, contact lenses.

    Astigmatism can also be corrected with laser eye surgery.

    Orthokeratology (ortho-k) can also be used. This involves wearing specialised hard contact lenses overnight. These hard contact lenses temporarily reshape the cornea, allowing the wearer to be glasses-free during the day.

    To manage irregular astigmatism, it is important to treat the underlying condition causing astigmatism as well. But often, hard contact lenses are needed for clear vision during the day, as they can sit on the surface of the eye to compensate for local uneven patches in a way that glasses or soft contact lenses cannot.

    Surgery, such as corneal transplants, is also sometimes needed as a last resort to replace a damaged, misshapen cornea and manage the irregular astigmatism.

    Do I need to worry about astigmatism in my children?

    In children, if there is enough astigmatism present to cause blurred or distorted vision, it can impact their learning and development both in the classroom and during sporting activities.

    Untreated astigmatism is not dangerous, but high levels of astigmatism in young children can cause other vision problems such as “eye turns” or “lazy eye” (amblyopia).

    But don’t worry, regular eye checks with the optometrist for children (and adults as well) allows for early detection and management, when needed.

    Flora Hui works part-time in private practice as an optometrist.

    Angelina Duan works in private practice as an optometrist.

    – ref. What is astigmatism? Why does it make my vision blurry? And how did I get it? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-astigmatism-why-does-it-make-my-vision-blurry-and-how-did-i-get-it-256235

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What is astigmatism? Why does it make my vision blurry? And how did I get it?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Flora Hui, Research Fellow, Centre for Eye Research Australia and Honorary Fellow, Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), The University of Melbourne

    Ground Picture/Shutterstock

    Have you ever gone to the optometrist for an eye test and were told your eye was shaped like a football?

    Or perhaps you’ve noticed your vision is becoming increasingly blurry or hard to focus?

    You might be among the 40% of people in the world who live with astigmatism.

    What causes astigmatism?

    The eye acts like a camera, capturing light through the front surface (the cornea) and focusing it onto the “film” at the back of the eye (retina).

    To get a clear picture, the eyeball and all of its surfaces (cornea, lens and retina) have to meet certain specifications of size and shape.

    Otherwise, vision can appear blurred and out-of-focus, known as “refractive error”.

    Astigmatism (uh-STIG-muh-tiz-um) is a type of refractive error where one or more of the eye’s surfaces are not smooth and/or round. It is broadly classified into two types: regular and irregular.

    Regular astigmatism is the most common. It typically comes from changes in the shape of the cornea. Instead of being round, it is more oval, like a football or an egg. We don’t fully understand why some people develop regular astigmatism, but it’s partly due to genetics.

    Irregular astigmatism is rarer. It occurs when a part of the cornea is no longer smooth (from scarring or growths on the cornea), or its shape has changed in an uneven or asymmetrical way.

    Eye conditions such as keratoconus – where the cornea weakens over time and becomes cone-like in shape – causes irregular astigmatism.

    If the cornea is no longer round or smooth, light entering the eye is scattered across the retina. This can cause blurry or distorted vision, reduced sensitivity to contrast, shadows or double vision and increased sensitivity to bright lights.

    Is astigmatism a new condition?

    In 1727, Sir Isaac Newton was the first to describe the physics of how an irregular surface might affect the focus of light passing through it.

    This was followed in 1800 by Thomas Young, a scientist who had astigmatism and described how it affected his vision in a lecture.

    In 1825, Sir George Airy, an astronomer who also had astigmatism, discovered he could see more clearly when he tilted his glasses on an angle. He became the first person to suggest using cylindrical lenses to correct for astigmatism. These are still used today.

    The name “astigmatism” came last, coined by William Whewell in 1846. The name was derived from Greek: “a-” (“without”), and “stigma” (“a mark/spot”), literally translating as “without a point”, referring to the lack of a single, clear focal point of vision.

    How is astigmatism measured?

    Optometrists usually detect and measure regular astigmatism during refraction, when they place different lenses in front of the eye to determine a spectacle prescription.

    As irregular astigmatism can involve very small rough patches or bumps, it is best seen with specialised imaging such as corneal topography. This creates a 3-dimensional map to show local bumps and irregularities on the cornea.

    I’ve got astigmatism, what do I need to know?

    Astigmatism can present at any age but becomes more common as we get older.

    You can develop astigmatism over time, and the level of astigmatism can change as well.

    With mild astigmatism, you may not notice any problems with your vision. With increasing levels of astigmatism, your vision becomes less crisp. This can lead to reduced vision, eye strain, or fatigue.

    You may need astigmatism correction to see clearly and effortlessly. Correcting astigmatism aims to compensate for the differing curvatures of the cornea, to ensure that light entering the eye focuses correctly on the retina.

    To correct regular astigmatism, cylindrical lenses compensate for each curvature in the “football”. Cylindrical lenses are prescribed as either glasses, contact lenses.

    Astigmatism can also be corrected with laser eye surgery.

    Orthokeratology (ortho-k) can also be used. This involves wearing specialised hard contact lenses overnight. These hard contact lenses temporarily reshape the cornea, allowing the wearer to be glasses-free during the day.

    To manage irregular astigmatism, it is important to treat the underlying condition causing astigmatism as well. But often, hard contact lenses are needed for clear vision during the day, as they can sit on the surface of the eye to compensate for local uneven patches in a way that glasses or soft contact lenses cannot.

    Surgery, such as corneal transplants, is also sometimes needed as a last resort to replace a damaged, misshapen cornea and manage the irregular astigmatism.

    Do I need to worry about astigmatism in my children?

    In children, if there is enough astigmatism present to cause blurred or distorted vision, it can impact their learning and development both in the classroom and during sporting activities.

    Untreated astigmatism is not dangerous, but high levels of astigmatism in young children can cause other vision problems such as “eye turns” or “lazy eye” (amblyopia).

    But don’t worry, regular eye checks with the optometrist for children (and adults as well) allows for early detection and management, when needed.

    Flora Hui works part-time in private practice as an optometrist.

    Angelina Duan works in private practice as an optometrist.

    – ref. What is astigmatism? Why does it make my vision blurry? And how did I get it? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-astigmatism-why-does-it-make-my-vision-blurry-and-how-did-i-get-it-256235

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz: Congress Controls Purse Strings, Not Trump

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), lead Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, today urged his colleagues to reject President Donald Trump’s efforts to enact a harmful $9 billion cut to foreign aid and public broadcasting. The Republican rescissions bill would devastate public TV and radio stations across the country, making it more difficult for people – especially those in Native communities and rural areas – to get news and critical emergency alerts. The bill would also gut lifesaving foreign aid programs that millions of people around the world rely on.
    “Being part of the Article One branch means something very specific, and it means that we’re the legislature, and we control the purse strings,” said Senator Schatz. “This bill reduces funding for Ukraine. It reduces funding for global health. It continues to reduce funding for public television and public radio. Republicans don’t actually have to do this.”
    The full text of Schatz’s remarks can be found below. Video is available here. 
    Republicans don’t actually have to do this. I understand as well as anybody wanting to go along with your party’s president, especially in the early months. But being part of an independent and co-equal branch has to mean something. Being part of the Article One branch means something very specific, and it means that we’re the legislature and we control the purse strings.
    Nowhere in the Constitution does it say that if the president wants something, you must do it. And what worries me the most about this rescissions package, if it passes it is one thing for the president’s signature accomplishment, signature policy priority to be supported by Republicans in the legislature. I understand that. I understand the inevitable political momentum behind that. But this isn’t that. And we have now gone six months. Without a single instance of Republicans and Democrats coming together and establishing that there are some limitations on this president’s power.
    And if you remember the first Trump term, there were a couple of moments when the legislature actually stood up to the president, overrode a veto of his rejected a rescissions package. They stood up for their prerogatives. And you know what happened next? Nothing. Why? Because that’s actually how the system is supposed to work. We are not a parliamentary system. We are not a monarchy where the president says by tweet, by tweet, if you don’t adopt this exactly how it’s written, you will not receive my political support. Thank you for your attention to this matter. And that set us on a course towards passing this legislation, which I know a dozen, at least a dozen Republicans hate.
    It reduces funding for Jordan. It reduces funding for Ukraine. It reduces funding for global health. It did reduce funding for PEPFAR. It continues to reduce funding for public television and public radio. By the way, public radio is not just National Public Radio. If you were on a reservation. If you were in a very rural part of your state, it’s often not just the only radio station, the only communications infrastructure that exists in a rural area. So it’s the only platform for news. That’s true. It’s also the only emergency communications infrastructure, because still many places across the United States lack internet. And so Mike Rounds got his deal so that his tribes will be taken care of and I’m glad for him. But there are 49 other states where your emergency communications infrastructure is about to be defunded. Nobody likes that. Some people are pissed off about NPR’s coverage or PBS’s coverage. But come on, you defund an agency because you disagree with their editorial choices? Which country is this? Which country is this?
    I want to tell you something a little technical, but I think it gives away the whole game. So I’m the top Democrat on the foreign ops subcommittee. What does that mean? We do funding for U.S. aid in the State Department and a few other things. When we do the appropriations process, we get letters from every other member. They’re private letters, and a lot of people sign them and they say, “could you please give more money to whatever it is, maternal and child health or malaria prevention or, the PEPFAR program, the initiative to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission.” So we get a bunch of letters saying “please plus up this, please, plus up that” bipartisan letters. And we are trying to write a bill that accommodates all these needs. A lot of people who are about to vote to cut all the stuff are on the side writing me a letter saying, “please increase these accounts.” And why does this matter? This matters because nobody’s voting – I shouldn’t say nobody – many, many people are not voting their conscience tonight. And that’s just a fact.
    There’s a there’s a characterization in poker when you know you’re beat and someone puts money in on the river and you call anyway, it’s called a crying call. You give away your money sort of crying. This is a crying call. This is a “I know I’m beat, I vote aye,” and here’s the thing: we don’t actually have to do this.
    President Trump’s attention is famously divided, and if something pops next week, he will be on that thing next week. He did not wake up every morning thinking, I want to defund UNICEF. I want to defund PEPFAR. His attention will be divided, and the moment the legislature stands up for himself, usually what he does is he understands power and he says, “okay, those guys are asserting themselves. They’re a co-equal branch of government, and I’m going to have to move on from this.” Because why do I know this? We literally did the same thing. There was a rescissions package, which nobody remembers. Why? Because we quietly with Dick Shelby and others appropriators, all said “no, we hold the purse strings here. We write the laws that determine appropriations.” We’re not going to do this thing on a bipartisan basis, enact a spending plan, and then come in on a partisan basis and say, you know, that wasn’t actually the spending plan. That was just the spending cap. And the administration is going to come in and do whatever it wants on a partisan basis. And so what happened is they rejected the rescissions package on the motion to discharge, which is happening in about an hour and five minutes. And then you know what happened? Nothing. Nothing politically. Nothing substantively, except that we kept the appropriations process alive. We kept the filibuster alive. We kept bipartisanship alive. And in this instance, it’s not just about this institution. It is literally about people being kept alive.
    For the last five months, because of the United States’ actions, tens of thousands, at least, maybe hundreds of thousands of babies have gotten HIV/AIDS from their moms because we pulled funding. Because Elon Musk had some bug in his ear about USAID. And one weekend he said, we’re going to feed this thing to the woodchipper. And because Democrats too and pundits decided, you know what, foreign aid isn’t so important to voters. I don’t care if it’s important to voters, if it ranks on the number one, number two, or number three. We’re the United States of America and one of the reasons that we have such a strong reputation is that we do things that are right because they’re right, not because our voters are going to reward us immediately, not because we get some geopolitical advantage, but because we’re the damn good guys.
    And right now, we are ratifying a bunch of decisions against our will. We don’t have to do this. Donald Trump will move on to the next thing tomorrow. And if it’s not on this thing which has low salience for the voters, is 18 months from the next election. If it’s not on this, at what point are my Republican colleagues going to stand up for this branch of government?
    I remain ready to work with anybody on anything. I have talked to Chairman Graham about the possibility of literally enacting these rescissions, or at least a portion of them in the state and foreign ops mark, and yet they choose this legislative violence. We don’t have to do this. We don’t have to operate under the assumption that this man is uniquely so powerful. He’s the most powerful president. He owns the legislature in a way that no president has ever owned the legislature. And we all act like we’re just sort of observers, like clicking on the TV and seeing how our fantasy football team is doing this Sunday.
    We have agency tonight to reestablish that. We are the Article One branch of government, and that means something.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: $2 Million State Grant Helps Charlotte Land the 2026 Major League Soccer All-Star Game

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: $2 Million State Grant Helps Charlotte Land the 2026 Major League Soccer All-Star Game

    $2 Million State Grant Helps Charlotte Land the 2026 Major League Soccer All-Star Game
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today in partnership with Major League Soccer and the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Governor Stein announced that Charlotte will host the 2026 Major League Soccer All-Star Game. This announcement was made possible by a new fund authorized by the legislature and offered by the Department of Commerce – the Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund. A grant of $2,028,950 will support the Charlotte Sports Foundation and other local partners as they host this major sporting event next year.

    “I am proud that North Carolina has been chosen to host the 2026 Major League Soccer All-Star Game,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Our state’s new Major Events Fund puts us in a stronger position to compete for these highly visible, top-tier events that draw people and their resources to our state. Visitors to Charlotte will see that North Carolina is a great place to live, work, and play.”  

    “Bringing the MLS All Star Game to Charlotte will showcase the talent of one of the most dynamic and fast-growing sports leagues,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “The selection process for major events like this are very competitive, and we appreciate the General Assembly providing another tool to help the state to win more of these national-level events and attractions.”

    In addition to supporting Charlotte’s bid for the 2026 Major League Soccer All-Star Game, earlier in the year the Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund provided a $2 million grant to the City of Winston-Salem in support of the NASCAR Clash race held February 2 at Bowman Gray Stadium. The fund also provided a $1.65 million grant to Richmond County in support of the NASCAR Xfinity, ARCA, and Truck series races held at the Rockingham Speedway in April.

    The Commerce Department’s Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund was created as part of a law passed in 2023 that established sports betting in the state (Session Law 2023-42/House Bill 347). Wager activities are subject to a state tax, with 30 percent of the annual revenues from these taxes earmarked to support the Major Events Fund. Local governments and locally authorized organizing committees apply for grants from the fund, which then reimburses qualified expenses incurred in both securing and executing a major event.

    More information on the Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund can be found here.  

    Jul 16, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Design and Disability at the V&A is a rich, thought-provoking exhibition

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Laudan Nooshin, Professor of Music, School of Communication and Creativity, City St George’s, University of London

    One of the first things to greet visitors at the V&A’s new Design and Disability exhibition is a striking blue bench by artist Finnegan Shannon titled, Do You Want Us Here Or Not? This exhibit is a response to the often inadequate seating in museums, which not only acts as a barrier to accessibility for many people, but is more widely symptomatic of ableist approaches to museum and exhibition design.

    In this case, the invitation to “Please sit here!” sets the tone for the whole exhibition, which also includes a large sensory map of the layout (located at wheelchair level), a tactile map, and QR codes that link to audio description for blind and partially sighted visitors, and also British Sign Language interpretation.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    Aiming to showcase the radical contributions of disabled, deaf and neurodivergent people to design history and contemporary culture from the 1940s until the present, the exhibition goes well beyond this, addressing an impressively wide range of issues around access, disability and exclusion. It also reveals how ableism operates across a range of exclusions, such as race, gender, class and more.

    As the introductory notes point out: “Disabled people past and present have challenged and confronted the imbalance of design in society. This exhibition highlights disabled individuals at the heart of design history … It is both a celebration and a call to action.”

    While the fight for disability justice goes back many decades – also documented in the exhibition – it’s only relatively recently that questions of access and equality have gone beyond the physical. These include a wide range of issues related to neuro-inclusion and sensory access, including calm spaces and sensory maps that indicate noisy areas.

    My own interest in sound in museums has come partly out of research focusing on the role of acoustics in creating accessible spaces, and from my own experience of noise sensitivity conditions hyperacusis and misophonia. Inclusive sonic design seeks to address how sound operates as a factor of social inclusion and exclusion in places like museums.

    The V&A exhibition comprises three sections: visibility, tools and living. Visibility focuses on design and art as fundamental tools of activism and includes work created as part of disability justice movements over many decades. This section is a stark reminder of the justice and rights that only come about through extensive struggles.

    Tools highlight the extraordinary contribution to design innovation made by disabled people. Living explores stories of disabled people claiming space and imagining the worlds that they want to live in.

    Sections two and three both advocate for the social model of disability in which people are rendered disabled by their environment, something that calls for design solutions (as opposed to the medical model in which people are required to navigate and find solutions to their “problem”).

    The exhibition draws attention to a wide range of physical and sensory exclusions, both in the displays and the design of the space itself. The in-house design team includes staff with personal experience of disability who also worked closely with external partners living with disability.

    There are plenty of exhibits that can be experienced through touch. For partially sighted visitors, there are strong visual contrasts in the wall colours and the edges of displays are lit up. And there are raised edgings on all exhibits for people using a cane – all of which help with navigation.

    There are also quiet areas and plenty of seating. Some of these features are already being incorporated into gallery and exhibition design, and hopefully will soon become standard.

    I particularly liked the way various issues intersect in the exhibition, in which a range of exclusions are set alongside one another: race, hearing impairment, youth exclusion and stammering, for example.

    Other favourites included the B1 Blue Flame rattling football used for blind football, which visitors can pick up, feel, smell, shake and listen to. The Deaf Rave set and Woojer Vest are designed for deaf clubbers and performers and use vibrating tactile discs that amplify sound vibrations.

    The beautiful blanket and pillow entitled Public S/Pacing by Helen Statford offers an invitation to rest, drawing attention to “crip time”, accepting “a different pace to non-disabled norms, challenging conventions of productivity, and resting in radical ways that would actually benefit society at large”.

    The blanket highlights the failures of the design of public spaces to include disabled people, “challenging ableist assumptions with care and visibility”. The reverse of the blanket has a quotation from Rhiannon Armstrong’s Radical Act of Stopping (2016), embroidered by Poppy Nash.

    The exhibition includes many examples of “disability gain” by which design aimed at a particular group of people unintentionally benefits others, too. An example is the smartphone touchscreen, based on technology developed by engineers Wayne Westerman and John Elias as an alternative to the standard keyboard, which Westerman was unable to use due to severe hand pain.

    Initially marketed to people with hand disabilities, the technology was later sold to Apple where it revolutionised mobile phone technology.

    The final panel of the exhibition is titled Label for Missing Objects, an imaginative and fitting way to mark the continuing story of designing a world that works for “every body and every mind”.

    Design and Disability is a rich, thought-provoking and landmark exhibition. Kudos to the V&A, although its importance is so obvious, I wonder why it took this long to host a show dedicated to disabled artists and designers and the wider social impact of their work.

    I very much hope there are plans for the exhibition to tour the UK and beyond, and to become a permanent gallery at the V&A, so that it can inform curation and design work in other museums.

    Design and Disability at the V&A runs until February 15 2026.

    Laudan Nooshin received funding from the AHRC for the project Place-making Through Sound: Designing for Inclusivity and Wellbeing (2023-24).

    – ref. Design and Disability at the V&A is a rich, thought-provoking exhibition – https://theconversation.com/design-and-disability-at-the-vanda-is-a-rich-thought-provoking-exhibition-261135

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Design and Disability at the V&A is a rich, thought-provoking exhibition

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Laudan Nooshin, Professor of Music, School of Communication and Creativity, City St George’s, University of London

    One of the first things to greet visitors at the V&A’s new Design and Disability exhibition is a striking blue bench by artist Finnegan Shannon titled, Do You Want Us Here Or Not? This exhibit is a response to the often inadequate seating in museums, which not only acts as a barrier to accessibility for many people, but is more widely symptomatic of ableist approaches to museum and exhibition design.

    In this case, the invitation to “Please sit here!” sets the tone for the whole exhibition, which also includes a large sensory map of the layout (located at wheelchair level), a tactile map, and QR codes that link to audio description for blind and partially sighted visitors, and also British Sign Language interpretation.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    Aiming to showcase the radical contributions of disabled, deaf and neurodivergent people to design history and contemporary culture from the 1940s until the present, the exhibition goes well beyond this, addressing an impressively wide range of issues around access, disability and exclusion. It also reveals how ableism operates across a range of exclusions, such as race, gender, class and more.

    As the introductory notes point out: “Disabled people past and present have challenged and confronted the imbalance of design in society. This exhibition highlights disabled individuals at the heart of design history … It is both a celebration and a call to action.”

    While the fight for disability justice goes back many decades – also documented in the exhibition – it’s only relatively recently that questions of access and equality have gone beyond the physical. These include a wide range of issues related to neuro-inclusion and sensory access, including calm spaces and sensory maps that indicate noisy areas.

    My own interest in sound in museums has come partly out of research focusing on the role of acoustics in creating accessible spaces, and from my own experience of noise sensitivity conditions hyperacusis and misophonia. Inclusive sonic design seeks to address how sound operates as a factor of social inclusion and exclusion in places like museums.

    The V&A exhibition comprises three sections: visibility, tools and living. Visibility focuses on design and art as fundamental tools of activism and includes work created as part of disability justice movements over many decades. This section is a stark reminder of the justice and rights that only come about through extensive struggles.

    Tools highlight the extraordinary contribution to design innovation made by disabled people. Living explores stories of disabled people claiming space and imagining the worlds that they want to live in.

    Sections two and three both advocate for the social model of disability in which people are rendered disabled by their environment, something that calls for design solutions (as opposed to the medical model in which people are required to navigate and find solutions to their “problem”).

    The exhibition draws attention to a wide range of physical and sensory exclusions, both in the displays and the design of the space itself. The in-house design team includes staff with personal experience of disability who also worked closely with external partners living with disability.

    There are plenty of exhibits that can be experienced through touch. For partially sighted visitors, there are strong visual contrasts in the wall colours and the edges of displays are lit up. And there are raised edgings on all exhibits for people using a cane – all of which help with navigation.

    There are also quiet areas and plenty of seating. Some of these features are already being incorporated into gallery and exhibition design, and hopefully will soon become standard.

    I particularly liked the way various issues intersect in the exhibition, in which a range of exclusions are set alongside one another: race, hearing impairment, youth exclusion and stammering, for example.

    Other favourites included the B1 Blue Flame rattling football used for blind football, which visitors can pick up, feel, smell, shake and listen to. The Deaf Rave set and Woojer Vest are designed for deaf clubbers and performers and use vibrating tactile discs that amplify sound vibrations.

    The beautiful blanket and pillow entitled Public S/Pacing by Helen Statford offers an invitation to rest, drawing attention to “crip time”, accepting “a different pace to non-disabled norms, challenging conventions of productivity, and resting in radical ways that would actually benefit society at large”.

    The blanket highlights the failures of the design of public spaces to include disabled people, “challenging ableist assumptions with care and visibility”. The reverse of the blanket has a quotation from Rhiannon Armstrong’s Radical Act of Stopping (2016), embroidered by Poppy Nash.

    The exhibition includes many examples of “disability gain” by which design aimed at a particular group of people unintentionally benefits others, too. An example is the smartphone touchscreen, based on technology developed by engineers Wayne Westerman and John Elias as an alternative to the standard keyboard, which Westerman was unable to use due to severe hand pain.

    Initially marketed to people with hand disabilities, the technology was later sold to Apple where it revolutionised mobile phone technology.

    The final panel of the exhibition is titled Label for Missing Objects, an imaginative and fitting way to mark the continuing story of designing a world that works for “every body and every mind”.

    Design and Disability is a rich, thought-provoking and landmark exhibition. Kudos to the V&A, although its importance is so obvious, I wonder why it took this long to host a show dedicated to disabled artists and designers and the wider social impact of their work.

    I very much hope there are plans for the exhibition to tour the UK and beyond, and to become a permanent gallery at the V&A, so that it can inform curation and design work in other museums.

    Design and Disability at the V&A runs until February 15 2026.

    Laudan Nooshin received funding from the AHRC for the project Place-making Through Sound: Designing for Inclusivity and Wellbeing (2023-24).

    – ref. Design and Disability at the V&A is a rich, thought-provoking exhibition – https://theconversation.com/design-and-disability-at-the-vanda-is-a-rich-thought-provoking-exhibition-261135

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: When big sports events expand, like FIFA’s 2026 World Cup matches across North America, their climate footprint expands too

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Brian P. McCullough, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Michigan

    Lionel Messi celebrates with fans after Argentina won the FIFA World Cup championship in 2022 in Qatar. Michael Regan-FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

    When the FIFA World Cup hits North America in June 2026, 48 teams and millions of soccer fans will be traveling to and from venues spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

    It’s a dramatic expansion – 16 more teams will be playing than in recent years, with a jump from 64 to 104 matches. The tournament is projected to bring in over US$10 billion in revenue. But the expansion will also mean a lot more travel and other activities that contribute to climate change.

    The environmental impacts of giant sporting events like the World Cup create a complex paradox for an industry grappling with its future in a warming world.

    A sustainability conundrum

    Sports are undeniably experiencing the effects of climate change. Rising global temperatures are putting athletes’ health at risk during summer heat waves and shortening winter sports seasons. Many of the 2026 World Cup venues often see heat waves in June and early July, when the tournament is scheduled.

    There is a divide over how sports should respond.

    Some athletes are speaking out for more sustainable choices and have called on lawmakers to take steps to limit climate-warming emissions. At the same time, the sport industry is growing and facing a constant push to increase revenue. The NCAA is also considering expanding its March Madness basketball tournaments from 68 teams currently to as many as 76.

    Park Yong-woo of team Al Ain from Abu Dhabi tries to cool off during a Club World Cup match on June 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C., which was in the midst of a heat wave. Some players have raised concerns about likely high temperatures during the 2026 World Cup, with matches scheduled June 11 to July 19.
    AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

    Estimates for the 2026 World Cup show what large tournament expansions can mean for the climate. A report from Scientists for Global Responsibility estimates that the expanded World Cup could generate over 9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, nearly double the average of the past four World Cups.

    This massive increase – and the increase that would come if the NCAA basketball tournaments also expand – would primarily be driven by air travel as fans and players fly among event cities that are thousands of miles apart.

    A lot of money is at stake, but so is the climate

    Sports are big business, and adding more matches to events like the World Cup and NCAA tournaments will likely lead to larger media rights contracts and greater gate receipts from more fans attending the events, boosting revenues. These are powerful financial incentives.

    In the NCAA’s case, there is another reason to consider a larger tournament: The House v. NCAA settlement opened the door for college athletic departments to share revenue with athletes, which will significantly increase costs for many college programs. More teams would mean more television revenue and, crucially, more revenue to be distributed to member NCAA institutions and their athletic conferences.

    When climate promises become greenwashing

    The inherent conflict between maximizing profit through growth and minimizing environmental footprint presents a dilemma for sports.

    Several sport organizations have promised to reduce their impact on the climate, including signing up for initiatives like the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework.

    However, as sports tournaments and exhibition games expand, it can become increasingly hard for sports organizations to meet their climate commitments. In some cases, groups making sustainability commitments have been accused of greenwashing, suggesting the goals are more about public relations than making genuine, measurable changes.

    For example, FIFA’s early claims that it would hold a “fully carbon-neutral” World Cup in Qatar in 2022 were challenged by a group of European countries that accused soccer’s world governing body of underestimating emissions. The Swiss Fairness Commission, which monitors fairness in advertising, considered the complaints and determined that FIFA’s claims could not be substantiated.

    Alessandro Bastoni, of Inter Milan and Italy’s national team, prepares to board a flight from Milan to Rome with his team.
    Mattia Ozbot-Inter/Inter via Getty Images

    Aviation is often the biggest driver of emissions. A study that colleagues and I conducted on the NCAA men’s basketball tournament found about 80% of its emissions were connected to travel. And that was after the NCAA began using the pod system, which is designed to keep teams closer to home for the first and second rounds.

    Finding practical solutions

    Some academics, observing the rising emissions trend, have called for radical solutions like the end of commercialized sports or drastically limiting who can attend sporting events, with a focus on fans from the region.

    These solutions are frankly not practical, in my view, nor do they align with other positive developments. The growing popularity of women’s sports shows the challenge in limiting sports events – more games expands participation but adds to the industry’s overall footprint.

    Further compounding the challenges of reducing environmental impact is the amount of fan travel, which is outside the direct control of the sports organization or event organizers.

    Many fans will follow their teams long distances, especially for mega-events like the World Cup or the NCAA tournament. During the men’s World Cup in Russia in 2018, more than 840,000 fans traveled from other countries. The top countries by number of fans, after Russia, were China, the U.S., Mexico and Argentina.

    There is an argument that distributed sporting events like March Madness or the World Cup can be better in some ways for local environments because they don’t overwhelm a single city. However, merely spreading the impact does not necessarily reduce it, particularly when considering the effects on climate change.

    How fans can cut their environmental footprint

    Sport organizations and event planners can take steps to be more sustainable and also encourage more sustainable choices among fans. Fans can reduce their environmental impact in a variety of ways. For example:

    • Avoid taking airplanes for shorter distances, such as between FIFA venues in Philadelphia, New York and Boston, and carpool or take Amtrak instead. Planes can be more efficient for long distances, but air travel is still a major contributing factor to emissions.

    • While in a host city, use mass transit or rent electric vehicles or bicycles for local travel.

    • Consider sustainable accommodations, such as short-term rentals that might have a smaller environmental footprint than a hotel. Or stay at a certified green hotel that makes an effort to be more efficient in its use of water and energy.

    • Engage in sustainable pregame and postgame activities, such as choosing local, sustainable food options, and minimize waste.

    • You can also pay to offset carbon emissions for attending different sporting events, much like concertgoers do when they attend musical festivals. While critics question offsets’ true environmental benefit, they do represent people’s growing awareness of their environmental footprint.

    Through all these options, it’s clear that sports face a significant challenge in addressing their environmental impacts and encouraging fans to be more sustainable, while simultaneously trying to meet ambitious business and environmental targets.

    In my view, a sustainable path forward will require strategic, yet genuine, commitment by the sports industry and its fans, and a willingness to prioritize long-term planetary health alongside economic gains – balancing the sport and sustainability.

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

    – ref. When big sports events expand, like FIFA’s 2026 World Cup matches across North America, their climate footprint expands too – https://theconversation.com/when-big-sports-events-expand-like-fifas-2026-world-cup-matches-across-north-america-their-climate-footprint-expands-too-259437

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Call for bids: Building peaceful interethnic relations in Mostar

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    Call for bids: Building peaceful interethnic relations in Mostar

    British Embassy Sarajevo is inviting bids by 6 August 2025 for a project to strengthen peaceful interethnic relations in Mostar and surrounding areas.

    Old Bridge, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Introduction

    A stable and less divided Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a top priority of the UK government. Recent scoping and engagement across the country has identified that ethnic tensions remain high, often localised and in some instances, communities are severely divided.

    Mostar, the largest city in the Herzegovina region, is a stark example of this division with communities living in de facto segregation. For this reason, the UK has invested in peace and reconciliation efforts in Mostar – including a flagship project to support the rejuvenation of public spaces between 2022 and 2024.

    The project achieved significant engagement from the public, and ‘increased interpersonal connections through establishing a participatory process to identify which and how public spaces should be rejuvenated. (This was the most cited reason for why citizens believed that relations between citizens was better than they were a year ago in the end of line survey).

    Building on this success, we are now commissioning for a short-term follow-on project (until 31 March 2026) that uses public spaces to bring individuals together, across ethnic divisions through activities that directly support peaceful interethnic relation, community cohesion and societal resilience.

    Activities should deliver for Mostar but can additionally work with neighbouring areas (for example Stolac) if it supports the project objective. Proposals must focus on one or several of the following goals and clearly identify which ones they are seeking to address:

    • using sport as a method to bring people, including women and girls, together from all backgrounds, particularly those more resistant to inter-ethnic engagement, and promote common values and undermine divisive narratives
    • using music as a method to bring people together from all backgrounds, particularly those more resistant to inter-ethnic engagement, and promote common values and undermine divisive narratives
    • addressing and countering inter-ethnic tensions in Mostar related to football hooliganism
    • enabling inter-religious cooperation in promoting interfaith and interethnic cooperation and collaboration to reduce tensions and divided living

    Detailed information

    Only not-for-profit organisations are invited to bid. This includes international organisations (IOs), international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) and local civil society organisations (CSOs), who can also apply in a consortium of CSOs.

    Successful projects should have sustainable outcomes and should clearly identify their intended impact. They may also build on projects by other organisations, complementing their efforts. All bids should make clear how they complement existing activities in Mostar supported by other donors and international partners.

    The minimum indicative funding for projects is £120,000 and maximum £250,000. This may be in addition to co-funding and self-funding contributions. Co-funded projects will be regarded favourably.

    Projects must be completed by the 31 March 2026. Where appropriate, bidders are encouraged to describe how their project could be further scaled up if additional funding became available.

    All project management, project administration, and overhead costs should be detailed and not to exceed 12% of total budget. Budgeting overheads as a flat percentage is not supported, and any such costs should be fully detailed in the budget.

    We are unable to fund academic courses or English language courses. The purchase of IT and other equipment over £500 per item will require prior approval of the embassy, but such procurement should not constitute a significant part of the overall project budget.

    The British Embassy Sarajevo will carry out due diligence of potential grantees, including seeking references, as part of the selection process.

    Bidding is competitive and only selected project/s will receive funding. The embassy reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids without incurring any obligation to inform the affected applicant(s) of the grounds of such acceptance or rejection. Due to the volume of bids expected we will not be able to provide feedback on unsuccessful bids.

    Bidding process

    Bidders should fill in a standard project proposal form (Annex A) and include a breakdown of project costs in the activity-based budget (ABB) (Annex B).

    Annex A: Project Proposal Form

    ODT, 29.2 KB

    This file is in an OpenDocument format

    Annex B: Activity-Based Budget (ABB)

    ODS, 12.5 KB

    This file is in an OpenDocument format

    Budgets must be Activity Based Budgets (ABB), all costs should be indicative, in GBP. Successful implementers should be able to receive project funding in either BAM or GBP.

    Successful bids must have a clear Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) objective explicit in the project documentation and an explanation of a positive impact of the project on advancing gender equality and social inclusion.

    All projects or activities must align with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and assess climate and environmental impact and risks, taking steps to ensure that no environmental harm is done and, where relevant, support adaptation.

    An information session will be held at at 10am (BiH time) on 23 July 2025. Email meliha.muherina@fcdo.gov.uk to receive the meeting invitation.

    Proposals should be emailed to emma.fowler@fcdo.gov.uk by 5pm (BiH time) on 6 August 2025. Include the name of the bidder in the email subject line.

    Successful bids are expected to start on 1 September 2025 and conclude on 31 March 2026. Successful shortlisted bidders will be informed by mid-August.

    Evaluation criteria

    • the proposal should clearly state which of the listed goals it is seeking to address and how it will measure whether the activity is contributing to the goal
    • quality of project: how well defined and relevant the outcome is and how outputs will deliver this change; ability to leverage bigger funding would be an advantage
    • value for money: the value of the expected project outcomes, the level of funding requested and institutional contribution
    • local knowledge and previous experience: evidence of the project team’s understanding the context, socio-political challenges, previous experience of implementing similar activities/related fields with evidenced results, ability to manage and deliver a successful project. Evidence of how the project will learn from tested experiences, respond to opportunities and changing political circumstances
    • fluent understanding of the local language
    • gender-sensitive approach
    • alignment with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change
    • demonstrated experience of working with conflict affected communities
    • ability for the project to engage and leverage relationships with all societal tracks (including but not limited to local authorities, civil society actors, academia, law enforcement agencies, the private sector and media)

    Background information

    The UK’s commitment

    The successful project will be funded via British Embassy Sarajevo, from the Western Balkans Freedom and Resilience Programme (FRP). The FRP has 2 outcomes.

    • improved reconciliation and peacebuilding outcomes for conflict-affected communities, with a focus on building connections across conflict divides and strengthening access to transitional justice processes
    • empowerment of women and girls through tackling CRSV, GBV and promoting women’s meaningful participation in decision-making processes

    The embassy in BiH commits to delivering for these outcomes by supporting initiatives which put BiH on a positive pathway to achieve long term and inclusive peace for all citizens. It acknowledges this can only be achieved by locally owned activities that ultimately contribute to conflict prevention, reconciliation and peacebuilding.

    Thematic background

    The demographic of BiH was fundamentally changed by the war in the 1990s, with many communities now ethnically homogenous. Mostar remains one of the few genuinely multi-ethnic cities.

    Yet true peace and reconciliation has not been achieved, memories and traumas of the conflict endure, with deeply held engrained views of accepting a divided reality. Assessment shows the divided school system is fostering further societal division, together with external influences stoking tensions within the city.

    To reverse the trend of division, group activities like football or music have an opportunity to facilitate interethnic engagement. Moreover, whilst there are activities for young people, groups engaged with are not including the hardest to reach factions. Participants in cross community activities are predominantly those who have public will for a multi-ethnic way of life, failing to reach the truly divided and problematic elements within the community.

    Activities of hooligan groups can be major trigger points for destabilisation in general, but in BiH this is exacerbated by an unresolved conflict. In Mostar, the two football clubs have long had distinct ethnic links, playing into tribalism and identity politics. There is a live risk of individuals being manipulated to extend behaviour to violence and political extremism. This is then multiplied with social media through the spreading of hate speech and extremist behaviours and ideologies.

    Religion is woven within ethnic divides in BiH. Despite this, religious leaders in Mostar have pioneered their own initiatives and demonstrate positive engagement both as a group and as a unifying voice with key decision makers. This has supported progress in supporting minority voices and facilitating increased dialogue across ethnicities.

    Building on success

    The project should build on the success of ‘Project Mostar’ which worked with local communities to rebuild public spaces and which addressed shared civic, social, and economic needs. Project sites include various open public spaces, such as Bunica and Trimuša park, as well as numerous indoor spaces, such as museums, cultural centres, puppet theatres etc.

    The project contributed to integration of marginalised groups, including persons with disabilities and women and girls, into mainstream cultural and social life, breaking down barriers and normalising their participation. While evidence of cross-community engagement in cultural spaces is still emerging, the project did demonstrate other impacts such as job creation through women’s empowerment, improved work conditions in cultural institutions and care centres, and potential boosts to tourism.

    The initial ‘project Mostar’ focused on providing spaces and using a participatory process to ensure increased community ownership of public spaces. This call for bids seeks to reinforce the success of the previous project by supporting activity in public spaces which facilitates interethnic interaction and understanding of shared principles.

    Successful projects will have time bound and realistic outputs that focus on engaging communities across the divide through activity whilst being underpinned by a clear understanding of how activity is contributing to the relevant outcome. Implementers are required to apply conflict sensitivity to all elements of project design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Independence Attorney Sentenced for Tax Evasion

    Source: US FBI

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Independence, Mo., attorney has been sentenced to federal prison for evading payment of $794,540 in income taxes, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jeffrey P. Ray today.

    John C. Carnes, 70, pleaded guilty to tax evasion on Nov. 25, 2024, and was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs.  Carnes was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $794,540.

    According to court documents, Carnes admitted that he willfully attempted to evade paying his personal income taxes for tax years 2012 through 2018. Carnes kept his income in his attorney trust accounts, then withdrew cash from his attorney trust accounts to pay for personal and business expenses. An attorney trust account is a bank account in which a lawyer has a fiduciary duty to hold property of clients or third persons, including prospective clients. It is for funds that are in a lawyer’s possession in connection with representation, separate from the lawyer’s own property.

    Carnes had two trust fund accounts. He withdrew $444,527 in cash from one account from 2016 through 2019, and he withdrew $144,364 from the second account from 2013 through 2015. Carnes used the cash to gamble and pay personal expenses.

    Carnes deposited $232,000 in fees received for services provided in the sale of the former Rockwood Golf Course property in November 2017 and the Missouri City Power Plant project, and other income, into his attorney trust accounts.

    The total tax loss to the IRS for tax years 2012 through 2018, because of Carnes’s tax evasion, totaled $618,949. In addition, relevant conduct consists of unpaid federal income tax for the tax years 1990-1993, 1996-2003, and 2005, totaling $175,590. The total relevant conduct is $238,513, resulting in a total tax loss of $794,540.

    From 2009 to 2020, the IRS continuously engaged in various forms of investigative and enforcement activity regarding Carnes’s outstanding tax liabilities.

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rudolph R. Rhodes IV and Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Global Cryptocurrency Payment Apps Market Projected to Reach $2.4 Billion By 2033 as Demand Rises

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Worldwide, there is a growing demand for cryptocurrency payments applications. A report from Grand View Research projected that the global cryptocurrency payment apps market size was estimated at USD 556.9 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 2,404.1 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 17.8% from 2025 to 2033. The emergence of Web3 and blockchain technology created the need for cryptocurrency payment apps to enable individuals to conduct seamless transactions. The report said: “The growing adoption of cryptocurrencies globally is the key driver for the market’s expansion. People are encouraged to use cryptocurrency payment platforms owing to the decentralized nature of the blockchain, which eliminates mediators such as banks from the payment processing system. It reduces the processing time and accelerates the transaction speed, consequently adding to the increasing popularity of such platforms. In addition, the growing prevalence of cryptocurrencies as an investment option among millennials is also fueling the growth of the cryptocurrency payment apps industry.” It continued: “One of the most transformative trends in the market is the increasing interoperability between crypto payment platforms and traditional banking systems. Crypto apps now allow users to seamlessly convert digital assets into fiat currencies and vice versa, enabling easier withdrawals, direct-to-bank transfers, and debit card functionalities. This fusion is bridging the gap between old and new financial infrastructures, encouraging a smoother transition for users hesitant to move entirely into decentralized finance (DeFi). Thus, increasing integration of cryptocurrency payment apps with traditional financial systems can be attributed to the market’s growth.” Active companies in the markets this week include Amaze Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: AMZE), Shopify Inc. (NASDAQ: SHOP), Roblox Corporation (NYSE: RBLX), PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL), Hut 8 Corp. (NASDAQ: HUT).

    The Report continued: “The proliferation of mobile payment adoption and advancements in cybersecurity are further propelling the market. Cryptocurrency payment apps are leveraging biometric authentication, multi-signature wallets, and hardware-based security modules to enhance transaction safety. Coupled with the increasing global smartphone penetration, especially in emerging economies, these innovations are making digital asset payments more accessible and secure for a broader audience. In addition, the continual developments and innovations to enhance the consumer’s experience in the blockchain space are expected to create a positive outlook for the market. North America dominated the cryptocurrency payment apps industry and accounted for a share of 34.6% in 2024. The presence of several prominent players in the region stimulates market growth. In addition, the collaborative efforts that have been made by some of the market players toward the acceptance of cryptocurrency payments are expected to create further opportunities for regional growth.”

    Amaze Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American:AMZE) Launches Crypto Payment Strategy to Accelerate Global Creator Monetization – Strategic partnership targets stablecoin integration, digital asset treasury solutions, and next-gen monetization for global creator economy – Amaze Holdings, Inc. (“Amaze”) , a global leader in creator-powered commerce, announced a major cryptocurrency initiative designed to modernize global payments, unlock new monetization tools, and enhance the Company’s financial flexibility.

    This strategic initiative follows the recent launch of Amaze’s Express Checkout and expanded payment offerings, underscoring the Company’s assertive push to lead in both traditional and digital payment innovation.

    As part of the launch, Amaze has partnered with DNA Fund—a premier digital asset advisory firm—to help design and deploy blockchain-based payment and treasury strategies.

    “Partnering with DNA Fund accelerates our ability to reduce cross-border payment friction and deliver faster, more flexible solutions to our growing base of international creators,” said Aaron Day, CEO of Amaze. “This partnership allows us to introduce new payment offerings for our 13 million-plus creators and brings value to the millions of visitors who come to our platform looking to buy,” Day added. “It also lets us start thinking beyond payments-toward helping creators access funding and build real businesses. This is a critical step in becoming a true partner to the global creator economy.”

    Phase One, launching in the next 60–90 days, will focus on stablecoin integration to accelerate international payments and significantly lower transaction costs. Future phases will explore:

    • Digital asset treasury management
    • Creator-specific financial services (credit lines, cards, etc.)
    • A potential “Amaze Coin” to drive community engagement and new monetization models.

    “Amaze sits at the crossroads of commerce and community,” said Brock Pierce, Chairman of DNA Fund. “We’re excited to help bring new Crypto and Web3 technologies to creators — for faster payments, new funding options, and the foundation for bringing Amaze into the Web3 space. We have a long history of helping companies innovate and think Amaze is in a unique position to disrupt the creator economy through crypto.” All crypto initiatives will be developed in alignment with U.S. regulatory frameworks, with robust compliance and risk oversight throughout. CONTINUED… Read this full press release for Amaze Holdings at: https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/amaze-launches-crypto-payment-strategy-accelerate-global-creator-monetization-2025-07

    Other recent developments in the markets of note include:

    Shopify Inc. (NASDAQ: SHOP) – ai12z has recently introduced a new set of enhancements to its platform, bringing eCommerce functionality through a Shopify integration, real-time data connectivity via Model Context Protocol (MCP), and deeper insight into how AI responses are generated.

    Imagine an agent—also known as an AI assistant or digital assistant—that fully represents your organization, answers user questions, and guides them to the next step in their journey. Whether that means discovering a product, checking an order, making a reservation, or resolving a support issue, your assistant is now equipped to make it happen.

    At the core of this release is support for Model Context Protocol (MCP), a new open standard that allows agents to connect to external systems through a shared, unified structure. MCP eliminates the need to build custom integrations for every service. Your agent can now access a growing ecosystem of compatible systems—such as CRMs like Salesforce or HubSpot, reservation platforms, inventory tools, and more. Connections are fast, scalable, and require no custom code. This enables real-time, dynamic responses at scale with far less effort.

    Roblox Corporation (NYSE: RBLX) recently announced the launch of its new licensing platform, including the Roblox License Manager and Licenses catalog. This innovative framework unlocks game and interactive media licensing at scale, enabling IP holders to self-serve through Roblox’s global creator community, and seamlessly integrate popular IP into games and experiences.

    “We have a goal to have 10% of all gaming content revenue flowing through the Roblox ecosystem and benefiting our community,” said Manuel Bronstein, Chief Product Officer at Roblox. “This will require having a wide range of experiences and giving creators the opportunity to partner with rights holders of the most recognizable IP. License Manager and Licenses catalog are an important part of making it easier for owners to manage and license their IP at scale on Roblox.”

    PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL), a global leader in payments, recently announced multi-year agreements with the Big Ten and Big 12 Conferences that will modernize the distribution of institutional payments from universities to student-athletes in a new revenue-sharing model. The new institutional payments initiative enables athletic departments to seamlessly dispense payments through PayPal, ensuring a secure, efficient, and transparent way to distribute funds to payees. With the funds in their wallets, students will have the option to access all the benefits of PayPal’s commerce ecosystem, from seamlessly buying tickets to a sporting event or purchasing their books for the year at the university bookstore.

    The recent court decision, which allows colleges and universities to share revenue directly with student-athletes, stands to revolutionize college sports. This partnership helps make that real by distributing those funds to student-athletes in a fast, simple, and secure way.

    Hut 8 Corp. (NASDAQ:HUT) recently announced a corporate rebrand that aligns the Company’s external positioning with its strategic focus on energy and digital infrastructure through an integrated platform model focused on disciplined capital allocation, operational rigor, and relentless performance optimization.

    “Our new brand enables us to more clearly express what has always set Hut 8 apart: a power-first, innovation-driven approach to developing, commercializing, and operating next-generation digital infrastructure,” said Asher Genoot, CEO of Hut 8. “Since our merger of equals, we have scaled with discipline across each layer of our platform, institutionalized the broader business, and executed with the rigor we believe is required to deliver outsized long-term value for our investors. Our new brand embeds our platform-driven strategy into our external positioning and sharpens how we articulate our business model, structural advantages, and approach to long-term value creation to the market.”

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    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Lists RCADE Network (RCADE) for Spot Trading with 124,440,000 in Token Rewards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange, and Web3 company has announced the listing of RCADE Network (RCADE), for spot trading. Besides being available for spot trading, Bitget will also launch an exclusive Launchpool rewards campaign and a CandyBomb campaign. RCADE facilitates a decentralized gaming economy driven by the community, contributors, and gamers.

    Spot trading for RCADE will go live on 9 July 2025, 13:00 (UTC) under the RCADE/USDT pair, with withdrawals available on 10 July 2025, 14:00 (UTC). Eligible users can lock BGB to grab a share of 103,200,000 RCADE. Users have to lock a minimum of 5 BGB with up to a maximum locking limit of 50,000 BGB, depending on VIP tiers. The Launchpool campaign starts on 9 July 2025, 13:00 and will run till 13 July 2025, 13:00 (UTC). There will also be a CandyBomb campaign for traders with 16,000,000 RCADE up for grabs. The CandyBomb campaign starts on 9 July 2025, 13:00 and ends on 16 July 2025, 13:00 (UTC).

    Bitget is kicking off an X Giveaway, where 750 qualified users will have the chance to win a share of 2,360,000 RCADE. The campaign runs from July 9, 2025, 13:00 to July 12, 2025, 13:00 (UTC). To participate, users must follow Bitget and RCADE on X, quote the giveaway post with the hashtag #RCADExBitgetLaunchpool, tag a friend, sign up, deposit or trade RCADE on Bitget, and complete the form linked in the post.

    In addition, a community campaign will run during the same period, offering another 2,880,000 RCADE to be shared among 1,000 qualified users. To join, users need to become members of both the Bitget Discord and BGB Holders Group, sign up, make a net deposit of over 100 USDT, and complete any RCADE/USDT spot trade.

    RCADE Network is a decentralized gaming ecosystem designed to place players at the center of both gameplay and value creation. At its core is a single interoperable token, RCADE, which powers a circular economy across all games in the Revolving Games universe. Through a distributed network of user-operated nodes, RCADE enables players to earn, exchange, and transfer value seamlessly between titles, breaking down the silos of traditional gaming platforms.

    By integrating players directly into its economic and operational structure, the network encourages participation beyond gameplay. Gamers are not just users, they then become stakeholders who contribute to and benefit from the ecosystem’s overall growth. This player-powered model supports a more inclusive and resilient environment, with nodes ensuring a secure and decentralized infrastructure for the entire network.

    Bitget continues to solidify its role as a top-tier cryptocurrency exchange, offering over 800 listed tokens across spot and derivatives markets. The addition of RCADE to Launchpool aligns with Bitget’s ongoing effort to support innovative projects whose value continues to evolve the ecosystem.

    Find more details on RCADE, visit here.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a leading non-custodial crypto wallet supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens. It offers multi-chain trading, staking, payments, and direct access to 20,000+ DApps, with advanced swaps and market insights built into a single platform.

    Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9367fe9b-f4a3-49f9-9bae-f2c9cc2042c9

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget COO Tours UCLA, Harvard and LALIGA Business School, Accelerating Blockchain Education

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, is making bold strides in the academic space, blending blockchain education with real-world brand strategy. On a recent multi-campus tour, Bitget COO Vugar Usi Zade visited LALIGA Business School, UCLA, and Harvard, where he shared how Bitget’s global partnerships and Web3 initiatives are rewriting the playbook for the future of finance, sponsorship, and digital culture.

    Vugar Usi Zade, Bitget COO speaking at LALIGA Business School

    At LALIGA Business School, Vugar delivered a dedicated MBA session on “The Business of Entertainment and Sponsorships as Growth Tools,” using Bitget’s high-profile collaborations with Juventus and Lionel Messi as a blueprint for strategic scaling. The case study examined how such partnerships drive awareness, increase user acquisition, and deepen market trust across diverse regions. A key highlight was Bitget’s multi-year partnership with LALIGA, which was examined as a model for upper-funnel activation and regional engagement.

    Students analyzed Bitget’s stadium-level branding efforts, VIP and KOL-led activations, and the broader impact of experiential campaigns, such as watch parties featuring LALIGA footballers, helping localize the Bitget brand while expanding its global footprint. The class also discussed Bitget’s recent campaign with Raphinha, FC Barcelona winger, showcasing how player-focused storytelling can reinforce brand positioning across football’s passionate fan base.

    “The Bitget x LALIGA collaboration is more than a sponsorship—it’s a long-term partnership built on shared values and global vision,” said Vugar Usi Zade, COO of Bitget. “From stadiums to classrooms, we’re committed to bringing the excitement of Spanish football and the promise of blockchain technology to audiences worldwide. Our collaboration with LALIGA Business School reflects that ambition in educating the next generation of business leaders while placing Bitget at the intersection of sport, finance, and innovation.”

    Bitget’s Blockchain4Youth initiative, a $10 million global program designed to educate and empower young talent in the Web3 space, has already partnered with over 70 universities worldwide, including LALIGA Business School. Through this collaboration, MBA students gain priority access to the Bitget Builders Program, a structured graduate track that includes a COO apprenticeship, international mentorship, and real-world experience across Bitget’s business verticals.

    As part of its academic outreach, Bitget brought Web3 to the classroom, delving into tokenomics with students at UCLA’s Department of Economics and taking center stage at the Harvard Blockchain Conference, where the company was featured as a case study in next-generation crypto innovation.

    Whether breaking down blockchain basics or reimagining sports sponsorships in the digital age, Bitget’s campus tour reflects a growing push to connect with future talent, spark curiosity, and bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world Web3 impact.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a leading non-custodial crypto wallet supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens. It offers multi-chain trading, staking, payments, and direct access to 20,000+ DApps, with advanced swaps and market insights built into a single platform.

    Bitget is driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    Aligned with its global impact strategy, Bitget has joined hands with UNICEF to support blockchain education for 1.1 million people by 2027. In the world of motorsports, Bitget is the exclusive cryptocurrency exchange partner of MotoGP™, one of the world’s most thrilling championships.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet
    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/db591935-1bbf-4ef5-929c-fb8c22e16132

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/085a7fc1-4f14-4a79-b5d8-d7e0064f5baa

    The MIL Network –

  • Archer keen to play remaining India tests, Ashes; Dawson replaces injured Bashir in England squad for fourth test

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    After missing four years of test duty due to injury, England speedster Jofra Archer is keen to make up for lost time and says he wants to play the final two tests against India and prove he deserves a place in the squad for the Ashes series in Australia.

    Archer made his test comeback at Lord’s in the third test, bowling at full tilt to claim five wickets, including three in the second innings as England clinched a 22-run victory to go 2-1 up in the five-match series.

    England management, men’s managing director Rob Key in particular, have been careful about Archer’s workload since his recovery from elbow and back injuries but the bowler is raring to go.

    “I can play the other two (against India) if they let me,” Archer told Sky Sports.

    “I don’t want to lose this series. I told ‘Keysey’ I wanted to play the test summer and I wanted to play the Ashes.

    “I think one tick is already there and I will do everything possible in my power to be on the plane in November.”

    It was Archer’s first test since coach Brendon ‘Baz’ McCullum and captain Ben Stokes took the helm in 2022 and implemented an exciting result-oriented approach.

    Archer was happy how his reintegration into the test squad had been handled.

    “Obviously it would have been the format which would have taken the most time to come back to. So I played 50-over and T20 for the last year and a half, two years,” he said.

    “The guys have played some really exciting cricket since Baz took over. I think the mentality of the team under Baz suits the way I like to play my cricket.

    “I just couldn’t wait to get back and actually do it without having to be prompted to do it.”

    Meanwhile, Left-arm spinner Liam Dawson has replaced injured Shoaib Bashir in England’s 14-player squad for the fourth test in the five-match series against India, the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Tuesday.

    Bashir suffered a fracture to his finger in his non-bowling left hand while attempting a low catch during his own bowling during the third test on Saturday. He is set for surgery later this week.

    The 21-year-old came back to bowl on Monday, taking India’s last wicket to ensure a thrilling 22-run victory for the hosts at Lord’s, securing a 2-1 lead in the series.

    Dawson has not played a test match since July 2017 but has represented England in white-ball cricket since then, last appearing during the Twenty20 series against West Indies last month.

    The 35-year-old has played five matches for Hampshire in the T20 Blast this month, taking five wickets.

    The fourth test against India begins on July 23 in Manchester.

    England squad: Ben Stokes (Captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ1: Managing passenger flows at land boundary control points

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    Following is a question by Dr the Hon Dennis Lam and a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (July 16):

    Question:

    It has been reported that the number of Mainland visitors to Hong Kong in April this year grew by 13 per cent year-on-year. In response to my question in January last year, the Government indicated that it would maintain close liaison with Mainland authorities regarding the extension of operating hours at boundary control points (BCPs) during major festive periods. Subsequently, the Government also indicated that it would further review whether immigration clearance hours at certain BCPs on weekdays would be extended. On managing passenger flow at land BCPs, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) given that several large-scale concerts have been held on the same day in recent months, resulting in large crowds of visitors crossing the border via the Lok Ma Chau Control Point after the events, with the flow of people continuing into the early hours, whether the Government will consider extending immigration clearance hours at the Lo Wu Control Point until 2am the following day on days when large-scale concerts take place, and correspondingly extending the service hours of the MTR East Rail Line, so as to enhance the travel experience for visitors coming to Hong Kong to attend concerts;

    (2) whether it will expeditiously discuss with Mainland authorities the extension of immigration clearance hours at the Heung Yuen Wai Control Point and the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point; and

    (3) given that the passenger flow at the Heung Yuen Wai Control Point has exceeded its design capacity by more than double on both weekdays and holidays, whether the Government has considered introducing long-term measures to manage passenger flow, such as installing additional Automated Immigration Clearance (e-Channel) services, so as to increase their number to a level comparable with that of the Mainland counterpart?

    Reply:

    President,

    With the increasing cross-boundary passenger flow between Guangdong and Hong Kong, exchanges at the community level have also intensified. In addition to the popularity of travelling to the Mainland during weekends or long holidays among Hong Kong residents, we are also pleased to observe a sustained increase in the number of Mainland visitors to Hong Kong. In the first half of this year, of the around 23.6 million inbound passenger trips to Hong Kong, Mainland visitors accounted for over 70 per cent, that is around 17.8 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 10 per cent. Many of these visitors came to Hong Kong to attend international entertainment and sports events. In view of the growing demand for clearance services, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been closely monitoring the operation of the boundary control points (BCPs) and proactively enhancing the clearance capacity to facilitate the two-way flow of people between Hong Kong and the Mainland.   

    In consultation with the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, a reply to the questions raised by Dr the Hon Dennis Lam is as follows:

    (1) and (2) To enhance the experience of both residents and visitors attending large-scale concerts, relevant Government departments and organisations will discuss the detailed arrangements for each large-scale concert, including assessment and deployment of manpower resources, formulation and implementation of plans for crowd control, information dissemination, traffic diversion and control point arrangements etc based on factors such as the number of attendees, nature, ending time and ticketing situations of the concerts.

    Drawing on past operational experiences, relevant departments will make advance planning for large-scale concerts, including pre-assessing the cross-boundary passenger traffic and making corresponding arrangements with a view to effectively managing the passengers departing through land BCPs following large-scale concerts. For example, the Immigration Department (ImmD) will deploy manpower as appropriate to strengthen services based on the estimated passenger traffic. The Transport Department (TD) will co-ordinate in advance with the MTR Corporation, as well as local and cross-boundary public transport operators, to increase service frequency based on the projected passenger flow. Additionally, co-ordination will be undertaken with concert organisers to disseminate cross-boundary traffic information in advance via social media platforms, as well as inside the venues on the day of the concerts. Relevant departments will also monitor the real-time situations at various BCPs, make flexible deployment of manpower to operate additional clearance counters and channels, and maintain close liaison with relevant Mainland port authorities through the established port hotlines and real-time notification mechanism to ensure smooth operation of the BCPs.

    Following the end of large-scale evening concerts, cross-boundary passengers may undergo immigration clearance via the Lo Wu Control Point, Shenzhen Bay Port, Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang (LMC/HG) Port and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port. For the LMC/HG Port, it is observed that most cross-boundary passengers begin arriving approximately 45 minutes after the end of large-scale concerts, with the northbound passenger flow generally dispersed within 1.5 hours. According to recent observations, although cross-boundary passenger flow at relevant BCPs has increased following large-scale concerts, operations have remained largely smooth and in order. Overall speaking, the existing services at the BCPs are able to meet with the passenger demand.

    The extension of operating hours of clearance services involves the operation of the ports on both Mainland and Hong Kong sides, and careful consideration has to be given to a host of factors, including the actual needs, effective utilisation of resources of both places, manpower arrangements and ancillary transport services. On the basis of the 24-hour passenger clearance services currently provided at the LMC/HG Port and the HZMB Hong Kong Port, we will continue to closely monitor the demand for passenger clearance services and, having regard to actual needs, liaise with the relevant Mainland authorities on extending the operating hours of the passenger clearance services at respective BCPs when necessary.

    (3) As the first control point adopting the design of “direct access to people and vehicles”, the Heung Yuen Wai (HYW) BCP has been well received by the public since the commissioning of passenger clearance services in February 2023. As at June this year, the daily average cross-boundary passenger traffic at the HYW BCP was about 78 000 passenger trips, and during weekends and holidays, the daily average exceeded 91 000 passenger trips, which was three times of its design flow.

    Relevant departments have been taking various measures, including flexible deployment of manpower, optimisation of workflow and effective use of information technology, to enhance the handling capacity and efficiency of the HYW BCP. In June last year, the ImmD converted some of the traditional counters in the passenger arrival hall of the HYW BCP, thereby increasing the number of e-Channels from 14 to 18 and expanding the number of traditional counters from 9 to 12.

    In response to the continued growth in passenger traffic, the ImmD is now carrying out enhancement works at the passenger departure hall of the HYW BCP. Upon completion, the number of e-Channels will be increased from 14 to 18. During the construction period, four temporary counters have been set up in the passenger departure hall to minimise the impact of the works.  We are also exploring the possibility of further increasing the number of e-Channels and traditional counters.

    Lastly, I appeal to both visitors and residents to pay attention to the information released by the Government on various platforms. They are suggested to check in advance the relevant websites, mobile applications and mini programmes of the ImmD and the TD, as well as those of the Shenzhen and Zhuhai authorities, so as to understand the clearance situations at various BCPs and to avoid making their journeys during peak hours to save waiting time. We will also work with relevant departments to explore further enhancements to the online dissemination of information of BCPs, with a view to facilitating early journey planning by the public.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Rolls Out Web3 Young Learners’ Encyclopedia to Schools, Libraries, and Beyond

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has announced the release of Web3 Young Learners’ Encyclopedia, marking a key milestone in its #Blockchain4Youth global education initiative. The print edition will be distributed across schools, libraries, and community centers to promote blockchain literacy among young learners, while the digital version will be available through CoinGecko, the leading independent crypto data aggregator.

    Structured as an A-to-Z guide, the encyclopedia introduces young readers to the world of blockchain through easy-to-understand terms, think “A is for Altcoin” and “Z is for Zero-Knowledge Proofs.” Each letter features clear definitions and playful illustrations that break down complex ideas into bite-sized, beginner-friendly explanations. It’s a fun, approachable way to spark curiosity about digital finance and help kids grasp the building blocks of Web3 from an early age.

    “To me, education remains the most effective entry point to the future of blockchain,” said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget. “The encyclopedia is designed to bridge the knowledge gap by meeting young learners where they are with clear language and relevant examples, in a format that makes blockchain approachable.”

    The development of the encyclopedia was undertaken in collaboration with Cryptita Plays, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to empowering youth through blockchain education and outreach programs. Drawing from its experience working directly with students and educators in underserved communities, Cryptita Plays provided valuable on-the-ground insights that helped shape the content and approach of the encyclopedia. This partnership reinforces the shared goal of both organizations—to make blockchain education more approachable, inclusive, and impactful for young learners worldwide.

    “Our aim has always been to make blockchain meaningful to the next generation—not as a distant concept, but as something they can see, touch, and understand,” said Arshelene Lingao, founder of Cryptita Plays. “This encyclopedia is a tool to help bring those ideas to life and beyond the classroom.”

    The print rollout will commence in areas where internet access is limited or inconsistent, allowing for offline education in underserved regions. The printed edition complements the online version of the encyclopedia, which remains accessible to learners worldwide, encouraging learning and multilingual adaptation. The online encyclopedia can be found here. To extend its reach, the digital edition will also be hosted on CoinGecko, making the encyclopedia more accessible to young learners, educators, and blockchain newcomers globally. CoinGecko users can redeem the encyclopedia through the Candy Rewards program using Candies earned from daily check-ins. View the CoinGecko page here.

    “Blockchain is often framed as the future, but its impact already shapes lives today. The goal is to ensure young people, regardless of geography or background, have the tools to participate in that future,” said Vugar Usi Zade, COO of Bitget. “This encyclopedia is one way of turning abstract concepts into real plans. It’s a small start, but an important one.”

    The encyclopedia is part of Bitget’s broader Blockchain4Youth initiative, a global education effort aimed at equipping the next generation with foundational knowledge of blockchain and digital assets. Designed to be both accessible and engaging, the initiative delivers learning resources through physical publications like the encyclopedia, as well as digital content and in-person programming. By introducing key Web3 concepts in formats that are age-appropriate and widely accessible, Blockchain4Youth aims to make blockchain literacy a practical reality for students worldwide, particularly in regions where access to emerging technology education is limited.

    To learn more about the encyclopedia, visit here.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a leading non-custodial crypto wallet supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens. It offers multi-chain trading, staking, payments, and direct access to 20,000+ DApps, with advanced swaps and market insights built into a single platform. Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist), and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet
    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/87f81256-cc72-4690-b851-d57be60236ac

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Isle of Wight coastal defence schemes get new webpages

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Isle of Wight coastal defence schemes get new webpages

    The new webpages for Yaverland, Shanklin and Ventnor make it easier for communities to stay informed about vital coastal protection work.

    Updates on coastal defence schemes for Ventnor, Shanklin and Yaverland will now be available online

    New webpages filled with information about the coastal defence schemes in Shanklin, Yaverland, and Ventnor have launched.

    These webpages provide easy access to up-to-date information about the schemes, including background details, key documents, engagement updates, and next steps.

    Facilitated by the Environment Agency and Isle of Wight Council, the new webpages make it easier for residents, businesses, and stakeholders to stay informed and involved in the coastal defence planning process by posting their questions and ideas. 

    Earlier this year, a series of community engagement events were held in February and April at locations in Ventnor, Shanklin, and Yaverland.

    Together, these activities captured local views on the urgent need to address coastal risks and gathered ideas for improving the seafronts for residents, businesses, and visitors. 

    More than 400 people attended the in-person events, and over 200 contributed feedback. Key themes in the report include:  

    • A strong community desire for coastal protection that is accessible, attractive, and resilient.  

    • Support for placemaking features such as improved seating, planting, signage, and public art.  

    • Clear interest in staying informed and involved as the scheme progresses.  

    Natasha Dix, service director of Waste, Environment and Planning at the Isle of Wight Council, said:   

    This feedback reflects the deep connection local people have with Ventnor’s coastline, and their clear vision for protection that enhances rather than detracts from what makes this area special.

    Residents have shown they want coastal defences that are not just functional but contribute to the character and accessibility of their seafront.

    David Gaskell, senior project officer for Ventnor at the Environment Agency, said:  

    We’re grateful for the open conversations and creative suggestions shared, and we’re committed to building on this as we move into the next phase of design and planning.

    Moving forwards, the projects are also planning to engage schools to hear from the younger generation who will benefit from the schemes over the next 50 years. 

    You can find the new online information pages here:   

    Ventnor Coastal Defence Scheme

    Shanklin Coastal Defence Scheme 

    Yaverland Coastal Defence Scheme 

    For further information, or to request printed copies or accessible formats, email lottie.begg@environment-agency.gov.uk or call 07880 162137. 

    Background

    • The Isle of Wight coastal defence schemes are a joint initiative between the Environment Agency and Isle of Wight Council. 

    • Community engagement events were held at Shanklin at the Shanklin and Sandown rowing club, in February 2025; at Yaverland, within the Brown’s Golf course venue, in February 2025; and in Ventnor, within Ventnor Exchange, in April 2025. 

    • The aim of the schemes are to mitigate flood and coastal erosion risk, while protecting homes, businesses, infrastructure, and public spaces. 

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/SOUTH KOREA – 10th World Youth Peace Pilgrimage in the Demilitarized Zone: “There can be no world peace without peace on the Korean Peninsula”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Wednesday, 16 July 2025

    Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – “There can be no world peace without peace on the Korean Peninsula”. This is the slogan that young Koreans launched, who gathered in the Demilitarized Zone (a strip of land created in 1953 after the armistice of the Korean War, which serves as a buffer zone and border between the two nations, ed.) for the tenth “Peace Pilgrimage.”This year’s pilgrimage, organized by the Korea Reconciliation Committee of the Archdiocese of Seoul and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, brought together about 40 young people from the south and north of the peninsula, as well as from various other countries around the world.During the four-day pilgrimage, the young people visited several symbolic places that became places of prayer for a few moments. For example, the Odusan Unification Tower offers spectacular views of the Han and Imjin Rivers flowing into the Yellow Sea, and Hwanghae Province of North Korea in the distance.The young pilgrims also visited Imjingak Park on their way to the Jangsan Observatory near Chopyeongdo Island, famous as a migratory bird habitat and surrounded by barbed wire fences surrounding the military training ground. There, they recited St. Francis of Assisi’s “Prayer for Peace,” together, while the gunfire of soldiers training could be heard in the background.The pilgrims moved to Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, where the Cheorwon Peace Observatory is located above the civilian control line and about 2 km from the North Korean border. Then they headed to the “Ice Cream Plateau” also known as Sapseulbong Plateau. Intense fighting and fierce artillery exchanges between the North and South Korean forces happened on this hill during the Korean War. It earned its nickname “Ice Cream Plateau” because the mountain peak looks like a melting ice cream. Here, where the scars of war still linger, young people discussed how to move forward toward peace.The youth cycled to “Open the Moon Café”. Located at the northernmost point of South Korea, near a civilian control zone checkpoint, it is run by young people from the North and who lived in a group home. After the stop, the group headed to the crematorium for UN Troops in Yeoncheon and the military cemetery for North Korean soldiers.”I heard about this North Korean military cemetery, but it was hard to imagine that such a place actually existed. And of course, the people buried here also had parents, families, and a home,” said Joanna Hwang, a mother of three from the North, who was deeply moved that “even though they were enemies, someone took the time to bury and honor the North Korean soldiers.”On the third day of the pilgrimage, participants walked in silence along a 10-kilometer coastal fence path from Nanjeong Reservoir on Ganghwa Island to Gyodongdo Island Manghyangdae Observatory, praying the rosary.On the final day, the apostles of peace offered Sunday Mass with the intention of peace on the Korean Peninsula and around the world. Finally, the participants also shared their experience of the past four days. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2025)

    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/SOUTH KOREA – 10th World Youth Peace Pilgrimage in the Demilitarized Zone: “There can be no world peace without peace on the Korean Peninsula”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Wednesday, 16 July 2025

    Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – “There can be no world peace without peace on the Korean Peninsula”. This is the slogan that young Koreans launched, who gathered in the Demilitarized Zone (a strip of land created in 1953 after the armistice of the Korean War, which serves as a buffer zone and border between the two nations, ed.) for the tenth “Peace Pilgrimage.”This year’s pilgrimage, organized by the Korea Reconciliation Committee of the Archdiocese of Seoul and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, brought together about 40 young people from the south and north of the peninsula, as well as from various other countries around the world.During the four-day pilgrimage, the young people visited several symbolic places that became places of prayer for a few moments. For example, the Odusan Unification Tower offers spectacular views of the Han and Imjin Rivers flowing into the Yellow Sea, and Hwanghae Province of North Korea in the distance.The young pilgrims also visited Imjingak Park on their way to the Jangsan Observatory near Chopyeongdo Island, famous as a migratory bird habitat and surrounded by barbed wire fences surrounding the military training ground. There, they recited St. Francis of Assisi’s “Prayer for Peace,” together, while the gunfire of soldiers training could be heard in the background.The pilgrims moved to Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, where the Cheorwon Peace Observatory is located above the civilian control line and about 2 km from the North Korean border. Then they headed to the “Ice Cream Plateau” also known as Sapseulbong Plateau. Intense fighting and fierce artillery exchanges between the North and South Korean forces happened on this hill during the Korean War. It earned its nickname “Ice Cream Plateau” because the mountain peak looks like a melting ice cream. Here, where the scars of war still linger, young people discussed how to move forward toward peace.The youth cycled to “Open the Moon Café”. Located at the northernmost point of South Korea, near a civilian control zone checkpoint, it is run by young people from the North and who lived in a group home. After the stop, the group headed to the crematorium for UN Troops in Yeoncheon and the military cemetery for North Korean soldiers.”I heard about this North Korean military cemetery, but it was hard to imagine that such a place actually existed. And of course, the people buried here also had parents, families, and a home,” said Joanna Hwang, a mother of three from the North, who was deeply moved that “even though they were enemies, someone took the time to bury and honor the North Korean soldiers.”On the third day of the pilgrimage, participants walked in silence along a 10-kilometer coastal fence path from Nanjeong Reservoir on Ganghwa Island to Gyodongdo Island Manghyangdae Observatory, praying the rosary.On the final day, the apostles of peace offered Sunday Mass with the intention of peace on the Korean Peninsula and around the world. Finally, the participants also shared their experience of the past four days. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 15/7/2025)

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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa Sports Unified (ASU) launches ‘ASU Insider’ – A Strategic Membership Platform for African Sport Leaders

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    Africa Sports Unified (ASU) (https://ASUnified.com), the world’s first and leading Pan-African Sports Business Hub, is pleased to announce the launch of ASU Insider – a new strategic membership platform designed to empower decision-makers and key stakeholders driving the growth of sport across Africa.

    “Over the past 18 months, we’ve spoken with key stakeholders to understand what they value and what’s holding the industry back,” said Gabriel Ajala, Founder of Africa Sports Unified. “It was overwhelmingly clear: what’s missing is a trusted platform, real insights and meaningful connections. ASU Insider in the solution – providing the tools, context, and relationships to lead, partner and grow across the continent.”

    The ASU Insider | Founding Circle

    As part of the platform’s pilot phase, ASU is opening applications for the ASU Insider | Founding Circle — a handpicked group of 10 stakeholders who will be early adopters of the new platform and play a direct role in shaping its roadmap.

    What Founding Circle Members Receive:

    • Monthly Market Intelligence Briefings: Exclusive insights on policy, investment, rights, and governance trends shaping African sport
    • Expert Led Live Session: Closed-door discussions with influential voices in sports, development, and business
    • Priority Access to ASU Reports, Tools, and Data Assets
    • Advisory Access and Strategic Introductions: Curated access to ASU’s team and network of continental leaders.
    • Early Influence on ASU’s Research Roadmap: Founding members help shape the platform’s direction.

    Who It’s For:

    • Government Ministries & Policy Leaders
    • Rights Holders (Clubs, Federations etc.)
    • Inter-Governmental Organisations & DFIs
    • Sponsors & Brands
    • Investors
    • Development Finance Institutions

    Now Accepting Applications

    Applications for the Founding Circle are now open.

    [ASU Insider | Founding Circle Waitlist Link]: http://apo-opa.co/3THSlrC

    Founding Circle members will receive early influence, and a front-row seat to shaping Africa’s sports transformation.

    – on behalf of Africa Sports Unified.

    For Media Inquiries, please contact:
    info@asunified.com

    Social Pages:
    Linktree: https://apo-opa.co/46N5UgX
    Videos: https://apo-opa.co/4nHE3Vs
    Website: https://ASUnified.com

    About Africa sports Unified:
    Africa Sports Unified is the world’s leading Pan-African sports business hub. Driving Economic Growth and Industry Innovation, through data-driven insights, strategic consulting, and community engagement.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ17: Monitoring operation of government departments and performance of civil servants

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Carmen Kan and a written reply by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, in the Legislative Council today (July 16):

    Question:

         Regarding the monitoring of the operation of government departments and the performance of civil servants, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) whether it has compiled statistics on the following information in respect of the investigations/audits conducted by the Office of The Ombudsman and the Audit Commission (Audit) since 2015 (set out in a table):

    (i) the subjects and names of government departments involved in the investigation reports/audit reports completed each year; and
    (ii) the number of investigations/audits conducted on various government departments, and the subjects on which investigations/audits had been conducted repeatedly (set out by department and year);

    (2) whether it knows which of the subjects examined by Audit mentioned in (1) have not yet completed the follow-up work in accordance with the recommendations of Audit and the Public Accounts Committee of this Council;

    (3) of the measures put in place by the Government to improve the operation of government departments which have been investigated/examined repeatedly and found to have problems; whether it has held the then responsible personnel (including accountability officials and civil servants) responsible and imposed punishments; if so, of the details, including the number of the relevant personnel being punished (with a breakdown by the investigated/examined subjects and government departments) and the form of penalty imposed; if not, the reasons for that, and whether it will study the establishment of the relevant mechanism;

    (4) whether the authorities have put in place an incentive mechanism for government departments with outstanding performance, so as to further increase the incentive of government personnel; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that, and whether they will study establishing the relevant mechanism; and

    (5) since the promulgation of the updated Civil Service Code (the Code) last year, of the number of civil servants who have been issued with notifications by the Government under section 12 of the Public Service (Administration) Order and not granted increments as a result of substandard performance (with a breakdown by rank), and how such number compares with the data before the Code was updated; of the measures in place to enhance the effectiveness of rewarding and punishing civil servants for their performance, e.g. whether it will study reforming the incremental point system to improve their overall performance; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

         The current-term Government has all along been result-oriented and citizen-centered, striving to provide quality public services, while at the same time deepening reforms and introducing various enhancement measures. According to the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025 published in June this year, Hong Kong’s global competitiveness rises from the fifth place last year to the third. In terms of government efficiency, Hong Kong’s ranking rises from the third to the second place globally, indicating that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government’s policies are working, various policies have yielded results, and that Government departments are also operating highly effectively in providing the requisite services for the public, foreign investors and tourists, etc. To ensure that the quality of public services is maintained and further enhanced, we attach great importance to the investigation/audit reports and valuable advice provided by the Office of The Ombudsman (OMB) and the Audit Commission. Respective departments will examine and study the reports in detail and follow up on the relevant recommendations.

         Having consulted the Administration Wing and the OMB, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the Audit Commission, as well as the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, my reply to the question raised by the Hon Carmen Kan is as follows:

    (1) Established under The Ombudsman Ordinance, the OMB is an independent statutory body responsible for investigation works on maladministration. It is not a government department nor an organisation under the HKSAR Government. Under the legislation, apart from investigating complaints lodged by complainants against alleged maladministration in government departments and public organisations, The Ombudsman is also empowered to initiate direct investigation operations where injustice may have been caused by maladministration. The direct investigation operations are prompted mainly by subjects of significant public interest. 

         Over the past decade, the OMB has completed a total of 98 direct investigation operations involving 40 departments, covering a wide range of areas including medical and health, transport, buildings, lands, planning, labour, environmental protection, food and environmental hygiene, education, social welfare, housing, culture, recreation and sports. In general, the OMB completes eight to ten direct investigation operations per year.

         During this period, the departments involved in the highest number of direct investigation operations were, in descending order, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (17 operations), the Lands Department (13 operations), the Housing Department (11 operations), the Transport Department (9 operations), the Environmental Protection Department (8 operations), the Home Affairs Department (8 operations), and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (8 operations). 

         Each direct investigation operation has its own uniqueness. In the past decade, none of the direct investigation operations were repeated. However, the OMB has carried out different direct investigation operations on different topics under some major areas, such as public housing, tree management, water seepage, after-death arrangement.

         For instance, food and environmental hygiene, lands matters, public housing, transport and recreation and sports are major areas. Examples of direct investigations conducted by the OMB in the area of food and environmental hygiene include regulation of swimming pools, enforcement against defective sewage works of New Territories exempted houses, regulation over sale of food in hot/cold holding and non-pre-packaged beverages by means of vending machine, after-death arrangements; an example of direct investigations in the area of lands matters is enforcement against unauthorised land developments; direct investigation examples in relation to public housing include housing for senior citizens, combating abuse, recovery, refurbishment and reallocation of public housing, illegal parking in public housing estates; examples in the area of traffic and transport include arrangements for driving tests, on-street parking spaces designated for people with disabilities; examples in relation to recreation and sports include obstruction of passageways by bicycles owned by operators of bicycle rental services, as well as repairs and maintenance of outdoor recreational and sports facilities. The OMB has conducted direct investigation operations on such topics.

         It is worth noting that the frequency of the departments or their subject areas being involved in direct investigation operations might be affected by various factors including nature of service, service target and prevailing concern in the society. Therefore, the frequency of departments under investigation does not represent the operation situation or performance of the department.

         On the other hand, value for money audits are conducted by the Audit Commission to examine the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which government departments and organisations have discharged their functions, and the results of such audits are published in the Director of Audit’s Reports. 

         In the past ten years, the Audit Commission completed a total of 174 value for money audits covering 63 government departments (including the relevant policy bureaux), covering a wide range of areas including public works, commerce and industry, social welfare, buildings, lands and planning, recreation, culture and facilities, education, employment and labour, transportation and environmental protection. In general, the Audit Commission completes over ten value for money audits per year.

         During the period, the departments involved in the highest number of audits in their respective policy areas were, in descending order, the Environment and Ecology Bureau (27 audits), the Development Bureau (18 audits), the Education Bureau (16 audits), the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (14 audits), the Labour and Welfare Bureau (14 audits), the Transport and Logistics Bureau (13 audits), the Environmental Protection Department (12 audits), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (12 audits), and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (12 audits).

         In the past ten years, the Audit Commission conducted two audits on the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales, involving the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Trade and Industry Department. The audit findings were published in Chapter 1 of the Director of Audit’s Report No. 84 and Chapter 7 of the Director of Audit’s Report No. 66 respectively.

         The Director of Audit takes into account a number of factors, including the significance of the project, its timeliness, the amount of public money and risks involved, and the benefits to be brought about, in selecting the subjects for value for money audits and deciding on the priority for conducting the audits.

    (2) The number of value for money audits for which follow-up actions have not been completed in accordance with the recommendations of the Audit Commission or the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Legislative Council (LegCo) is 42, as set out in Annex. The Government has been reporting regularly to LegCo on the progress of implementing the recommendations in the form of Government Minute and annual progress reports, and the Audit Commission discusses with the PAC annually the progress of implementation of the recommendations by the audited organisations.

    (3) and (4) The HKSAR Government adopts a proactive and positive attitude in following up the investigations of the OMB and the audit reports of the Audit Commission as well as the recommendations therein, and carefully scrutinises and takes on board the recommendations to improve the relevant policy measures and public services. As the Ombudsman explained to this Council at its meeting on July 8, some government departments are responsible for more services which are in close contact with the public, and hence they may receive more complaints, and as mentioned above, the Director of Audit will take into account factors such as the significance of the subject, its timeliness, the amount of public funds and risks involved, as well as the benefits to be brought about, in selecting the value for money audit subjects and in determining the priority for conducting the audit; therefore, a department’s performance cannot be measured solely on the basis of the number of investigations conducted by the OMB and the number of projects selected for audit. Some of the complaints received by the OMB involved no or only minor maladministration, and the OMB has successfully concluded 555 such cases by way of mediation. Departments and bureaux will strive to follow up on any areas of improvement in the economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the administrative operations, administrative systems, administrative procedures or in the discharge of duties identified by the OMB and the Audit Commission upon completion of their investigations/audits. The causes of departmental maladministration, inefficiency and ineffective use of resources are numerous and often not homogeneous. The Government as a whole also pays close attention to deep-seated issues, such as over-emphasis on procedures to the detriment of effective achievement of objectives. The current-term Government adopts a result-oriented approach at all levels, and this element is emphasised in our daily work as well as in the leadership training of senior and middle-level civil servants. If a civil servant is found to be incapable of performing his/her duties or to have a less than positive attitude towards his/her work in any of the investigations or audits, his/her supervisors will reflect this in his/her appraisal report, and if he/she is under consideration by a promotion board, the board will also take into account deficiencies in his/her ability or attitude towards work. If an investigation or audit reveals that a civil servant has misconducted himself/herself, the department will deal with the case in accordance with the civil service disciplinary mechanism. As regards politically appointed officials, the Government will act in accordance with the Code for Officials under the Political Appointment System.

         The current-term Government is committed to setting up a performance-based management system. In respect of awards, the Government endeavours to implement various commendation schemes for civil servants, including the Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance, the Secretary for the Civil Service’s Commendation Award Scheme, the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme, to give due recognition to departments and individuals with outstanding performances in different areas, encourage civil servants to strive for excellence and provide quality services to the public. The Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme aims to recognise government departments and teams in providing exemplary services, encourage civil servants’ innovation, and promote a people-oriented and “one government” public service culture. The OMB has also set up an annual Ombudsman’s Awards Scheme to recognise the contribution of departments and public organisations to the improvement of public administration. Individual and team awards are also presented to public officers in recognition of their outstanding performance and professionalism in serving the public.

    (5) In September 2023, the Civil Service Bureau promulgated and implemented the streamlined mechanism of retiring civil servants in the public interest on the ground of persistent sub-standard performance (the streamlined mechanism) under Section 12 of the Public Service (Administration) Order (Section 12 action) to strengthen the management of staff with sub-standard performance. From September 2023 to the end of June 2025, a total of 16 officers were issued with Section 12 Notification due to their sub-standard performance. They were advised to improve their performance to the acceptable standard within a specified observation period; otherwise Section 12 action would be taken. Among these officers, three officers were ordered to be retired due to persistent sub-standard performance; two officers resigned upon receipt of the Section 12 Notification; two officers with Section 12 action suspended as their performance was improved to the acceptable standard; and the cases of nine officers are still ongoing. When compared to the five–year period from September 2018 to September 2023 (i.e. before the implementation of the streamlined mechanism) in which a total of 12 officers were issued with the notification under the old mechanism informing that Section 12 action would be taken (i.e. 2.4 officers per year on average), 16 officers have been issued with Section 12 Notification since the implementation of the streamlined mechanism, indicating a higher usage of the streamlined mechanism by departments. The average processing time has also been largely reduced from 31.5 months for cases processed within the five years before the implementation of the streamlined mechanism to 10 months after its implementation. Apart from the 16 officers mentioned above, some officers have resigned before the commencement of the observation period when they were informed of the department’s intention to initiate Section 12 action against them, and the Government does not keep information on the number of such cases. As regards the granting of increments, a total of 12 and 21 civil servants were not granted an increment due to unsatisfactory performance in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

         The civil service is an integral part of the HKSAR’s governance system. The current-term Government has been attaching great importance to the enhancement of the civil service management system. The Civil Service Code updated last year states that accountability for performance is one of the core values, and that civil servants should be held accountable for their decisions and actions in discharging their public duties. We will continue to push ahead with the relevant work.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • England fined, docked two WTC points for slow over rate at Lord’s

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    England were docked two World Test Championship (WTC) points and fined 10% match fees on Wednesday for their slow over rate in the third test against India at Lord’s.

    The hosts went 2-1 up in the five-test series with a thrilling 22-run victory but were found two overs short of target in a match where the Dukes ball went out of shape several times and had to be replaced.

    “England captain Ben Stokes pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing,” the International Cricket Council said in a statement.

    Players lose 5% of their match fees for every over their team fail to bowl in the allotted time. It also costs the team one WTC point.

    England slipped from second to third in the WTC standings behind Sri Lanka following the points deduction. Australia, who completed a 3-0 sweep of West Indies earlier this week, lead the standings in the new 2025-2027 cycle.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Join the celebrations! Applications now open for the 2026 National Multicultural Festival

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 16/07/2025

    Want to celebrate your culture, share your organisation’s valuable work, or take the stage at one of Canberra’s most beloved events? Applications are now open for performers and stallholders wishing to participate in the 2026 National Multicultural Festival, which will return from 6 – 8 February 2026.

    Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Michael Pettersson MLA, encouraged members of the community who are interested in being involved in the festival to participate in the open application process.

    “Canberra’s diverse community is the heartbeat of the National Multicultural Festival. I encourage individuals and organisations who want to help celebrate the ACT’s inclusiveness to apply to be part of the festivities,” Minister Pettersson said.

    “The fact that the National Multicultural Festival is community-led is what makes it such a vibrant and unique event, one that attracts hundreds of thousands of people to Canberra City each year,” Minister Pettersson said.

    “Participating in the National Multicultural Festival is a fantastic way to reach new audiences and make new community connections. In 2025, more households than ever attended the festival, with 83,420 – or 41% – of Canberra households attending.”

    The National Multicultural Festival promotes equality, social cohesion and the sharing of culture through music, dance, language, cultural displays, food, learning, and interaction.

    Stallholder applicants can apply under four different categories:

    • Community (Food and Beverage; Retail Cultural Market Items; or Club – Food and Beverage)
    • Information (Multicultural; Diplomatic; or General)
    • Commercial (Food and Drink; or Retail Market Items)
    • Market Stalls (Community; or Commercial)

    The festival team, which sits within the ACT Government’s Health and Community Services Directorate, will hold information sessions over the coming weeks to help prospective applicants.

    The festival also welcomes local, national and international performer applications from a wide range of genres, including music, dance, song, spoken word, performance art, roving performers and ceremonies. Community Groups, professional and volunteer performers are encouraged to apply in the following categories:

    • Cultural showcase
    • Stage performance
    • Community workshop
    • Cooking demonstration
    • Parade participation

    Minister Pettersson said non-profit community organisations could apply for grants ranging from $100 to $10,000 for projects that promote community participation, inclusion and cultural diversity at the festival. The ACT Government’s National Multicultural Festival Grant Program is available for community organisations to assist with performance costs, materials, costumes, performer and rehearsal fees, travel expenses and Public Liability Insurance.

    Applications to participate as a stallholder or performer at the festival close on 26 August.

    More information on the application process and information sessions is available at www.multiculturalfestival.com.au.

    For more information about the ACT Government’s National Multicultural Festival, go to www.multiculturalfestival.com.au and subscribe to the newsletter.

    Quote attributable to Canberra Juventus Football Club:
    “As a first-time entrant to the 2025 National Multicultural Festival, the experience of the many volunteers of the Canberra Juventus Football Club was both a memorable and special time for the club. The festival provided the opportunity and surroundings that brought together so many families and friends, as well as both past and present members and players of the long-established Italian based heritage of the Canberra football club. This coming together is what the club believes in and shows the true essence of the ‘community of Canberra Juventus’. The opportunity allowed us to showcase our Italian heritage and passion, through our specialty food and sweets, our famous Aperol Spritz with fun Italian music. Importantly, we were able to express our passion for family and football which encapsulates the club’s objectives in strengthening community. We certainly hope to do it all again in 2026!”

    Quote attributable to Robin Zirwanda, Founder of the Assyrian Australian band Azadoota:
    “The vibe of the National Multicultural Festival is really welcoming. The festival audience is really responsive and eager to experience the culture we share through our music. And because the festival attracts people from so many different cultures, there is a real sense of collaboration and sharing between the audience and the performers. It’s a great energy.”

    – Statement ends –

    Michael Pettersson, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sports and dance training is carried out within the framework of the project “Summer in Moscow”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Muscovites are invited to free roller sports and dance training. These classes help strengthen muscles and improve coordination. The training is part of the project “Summer in Moscow”.

    Roller sport is riding on roller skates with the performance of combinations of various exercises and elements. Regular training helps to improve balance. During training, athletes actively use the muscles of the body and pump up the stabilizing muscles that help maintain balance.

    Roller sports training is being held as part of the capital’s project Department of Sports “My sports district”. Classes are held by professional trainers twice a week: on Wednesdays and Sundays at 19:00. Anyone over 18 can participate. You can find a suitable site and sign up for a class atwebsite.

    Dance training is held within the framework of the project “Sports Weekend”, implemented by the Department of Sports of the City of Moscow together with the public service centers “My Documents”. Participants practice movements from various styles: hip-hop, samba, bachata and jazz-funk. Such training not only develops coordination, but also improves the work of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, helps to lose weight and relieve stress.

    Classes are held at over 50 locations, including city parks, festival areas and public spaces. For addresses and schedules, and to sign up, visitwebsite.

    Project “Summer in Moscow” — the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports programs are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. The Summer in Moscow project is being held for the second time, and this season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Launchpool to List Eclipse (E) with over 1.5M in Token Rewards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange, and Web3 company has announced the listing of Eclipse (ES) in the Innovation Zone, for spot trading. Besides being available for spot trading, Bitget will launch an exclusive Launchpool rewards campaign with up to 1,511,494 ES up for grabs.

    Spot trading for Eclipse (ES) under the ES/USDT trading pair will begin on 16 July 2025, 10:00 (UTC) with withdrawals will be available starting 17 July 2025, 11:00 (UTC).

    To celebrate the listing, Bitget will launch a Launchpool campaign offering 1,295,600 ES in total rewards. Eligible users can participate by locking either BGB or ES tokens during the event, which runs from 17 July 2025, 10:00 to 21 July 2025, 10:00 (UTC). In the BGB pool, users can lock between 5 and 50,000 BGB, with maximum limits determined by their VIP tier, for a chance to earn a share of 1,261,000 ES. In the ES pool, participants can lock between 8 and 800,000 ES to receive a portion of 34,600 ES in rewards.

    Additionally, Bitget will launch a CandyBomb campaign with 166,000 ES available through a trading-based airdrop. Of the total, 99,600 ES will be allocated to the ES trading pool, while 66,400 ES will be available in the combined BTC, SOL, and ES trading pool.

    Bitget will also run an X Giveaway, where 750 qualified users will have the chance to win a share of 24,947 ES. The campaign runs from 16 July 2025, 10:00 to 23 July 2025, 10:00 (UTC). To participate, users must follow Bitget and Eclipse on X, quote the giveaway post with the hashtag #ESlistBitget, tag a friend, sign up, deposit or trade ES on Bitget, and complete the form linked in the post.

    In addition, a community campaign will run during the same period, offering another 24,947 ES to be shared among 750 qualified users. To join, users need to become members of both the Bitget Discord and BGB Holders Group, sign up, make a net deposit of over 100 USDT, and complete any ES/USDT spot trade.

    Eclipse is a modular L2 network built to deliver fast, low-cost, and scalable blockchain performance by integrating the strengths of multiple ecosystems. It leverages Ethereum for settlement, the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) for speed, Celestia for data availability, and RISC Zero for zero-knowledge proofs. Positioning it to address the blockchain trilemma of scalability, security, and decentralization. With its developer-friendly design, Eclipse is optimized for high-performance use cases, from high-frequency DeFi transactions to complex decentralized applications, offering a seamless experience without compromising on speed or efficiency.

    Bitget continues to solidify its role as a top-tier cryptocurrency exchange, offering over 800 listed tokens across spot and derivatives markets. The addition of Eclipse to Launchpool aligns with Bitget’s ongoing effort to support innovative projects whose value continues to evolve the ecosystem.

    Find more details on Eclipse, visit here.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a leading non-custodial crypto wallet supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens. It offers multi-chain trading, staking, payments, and direct access to 20,000+ DApps, with advanced swaps and market insights built into a single platform.

    Bitget is driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    Aligned with its global impact strategy, Bitget has joined hands with UNICEF to support blockchain education for 1.1 million people by 2027. In the world of motorsports, Bitget is the exclusive cryptocurrency exchange partner of MotoGP™, one of the world’s most thrilling championships.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2be7c95b-4d40-4d41-be8b-b35d7e57d9aa

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Summer under sail. How schoolchildren spend their holidays at the Peter the Great Children’s Marine Center

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Summer is not only a time of rest for schoolchildren, but also a time of new opportunities. The children go tohikes, are mastering circus arts and acting, try their hand at the role firefighters and rescuers and even go sailing.

    Residents learn to operate boats and yachts and understand sea and river navigation at the Moscow City Children’s Marine Center named after Peter the Great, a structural division of center for the development of creativity of children and youth “Hermes”Classes are held in the main building of the institution and in the waters of the Khimki Reservoir.

    A mos.ru correspondent went to the coast and found out how the kids are mastering shipping, rowing and yachting.

    “Eight”, bollard and navigation simulator

    The Moscow City Children’s Marine Center named after Peter the Great is located on Leningradskoe Shosse, not far from the Vodny Stadion metro station. Future sailors and their teachers have several buildings, separate berths, and part of the Khimki Reservoir at their disposal. In the summer, educational shifts of the “Vacation with Benefit” program are held here for schoolchildren. Each shift lasts five days. Under the guidance of counselors, children join squads – crews and from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:00 learn the basics of navigation.

    “In one shift, we try to give each child the most useful and interesting things. The children get acquainted with the terminology, study the basics of maritime affairs, and then try to apply the acquired knowledge in practice. The uniqueness of our center is that we are the only organization in Moscow at the capital

    Department of Education, which has its own exit to the water area. The children learn to sail on rowboats and small sailboats. Six experienced teachers work with them, among them are masters of sports in rowing and professional yachtsmen. We invite children from seven to 14 years old to the summer program. Last year, about 600 people joined us in June, July and August,” says Artem Osadchiy, head of the Moscow City Children’s Marine Center named after Peter the Great.

    Young Muscovites take their first steps as cabin boys, navigators, boatswains and captains in the educational building of the center on Leningradskoe Shosse (building 56a). You can recognize it by its bright terracotta facades and a large sign that reads: “The path to the navy begins here.” The hall is decorated with a wind rose and a large wooden steering wheel, and the walls of the corridors are decorated with portraits of naval officers. We turn right and pass by display cases with models of sailing ships and submarines and go into one of the offices. Geographical maps hang on the walls, a huge globe stands on the cabinet, and a friendly group of guys from the third crew sit on chairs in front of a large screen. Today they are studying mooring methods and sea knots.

    A few minutes later, the children go out into the yard with the teacher and, like real sailors, try to throw the mooring lines — ropes — over the line indicated by the teacher. This is what sailors do to secure a ship to the pier. Then the children wrap the rope around the bollard — a pair of small metal pipes for mooring ships, making loops in the shape of the number eight. When the knots are tied tightly, the children jump for joy: the imaginary ship is moored!

    Another unusual task awaits the children at the next lesson. On the second floor, in one of the classrooms, there is a huge ship’s wheelhouse – a navigation simulator. The students sit down in chairs near the display, and the ocean rages in front of them on the big screen. It seems as if the cabin is really floating on the water. The realism of what is happening is enhanced by the sound of waves from the speakers. Using switches and levers, you can control the ship, completing tasks: save a person who has fallen overboard and go around a huge barge. A couple of seconds – and the weather on the screen changes: a storm begins. Visibility drops, but the children do not give up – they overcome the waves, maneuvering between the ships.

    “This simulator not only imitates navigation, but also develops the vestibular system, allowing you to understand how pitching feels. The simulator also helps in preparing for boating in the water area. The waves are small here, but skill is also needed. As a rule, going out on the water is the most anticipated event for the children. And we try to allow them on boats and yachts at least three times per shift. And in addition to navigation, the program includes unique activities: a tour of the Khimki Reservoir, laser tag, active games and tourism. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, children learn to pitch a tent and make a fire,” emphasizes Artem Osadchiy.

    River navigation and teamwork

    After theoretical lessons, the children head to the shore of the Khimki Reservoir, where snow-white boats await them on wooden piers. The children put on life jackets, descend from the pier onto the vessel and take up the oars. Vladimir Petukhov, a rowing coach and teacher at the Peter the Great Moscow City Children’s Marine Center, gets into the boat with them.

    “On rowboats, children learn to row. This activity develops strength, endurance and coordination, and teaches teamwork. In rowing, it is important to do everything in a coordinated and synchronized manner, because if one lags behind, the others feel it too. At the same time, the main task of the coach is not only to teach the child to row correctly, but also to help him cope with the fear of water or pitching. A boat passed, waves appeared, and the children became worried. And we calm them down, show how to overcome them with the bow or stern. You can also place the boat parallel to the waves. The children quickly remember and eagerly await the next lessons,” says Vladimir Petukhov.

    Among the brave rowers is second-grader Arkady Grozdov. He confidently holds the oar and looks around. At seven years old, he can not only control a rowboat, but also work in a team. In the future, the boy wants to become a captain and lead ships along the Moscow River.

    “Rowing is not an easy activity, but I really like it. I get into the boat, take the oar and get ready to follow the teacher’s commands. If he says “starboard”, it means you need to turn right, if “portboard” – to the left. It is important to row at the same time as the other guys. Without synchronized movements, nothing will work,” notes Arkady Grozdov.

    The boys row and the boats set sail. First they go straight ahead, then turn left, towards Nikolsky Tupik. Large vessels do not sail in this part of the Khimki Reservoir, and it is safe to learn navigation here.

    Set the sail

    The kids have also gathered at the neighboring pier. The boys and girls in colorful life jackets are waiting for centerboard boats — small boats with sails. Ekaterina Kochkina, a teacher at the Moscow City Children’s Marine Center named after Peter the Great, a master of sports in sailing and a hereditary yachtsman, helps the children get on them. Following the example of her father, brothers and sisters, she has been sailing yachts for more than 20 years. Introducing centerboard boats to young Muscovites, Ekaterina Kochkina tries to reveal to them all the intricacies of her favorite business.

    “A centerboard boat is a small yacht. We spread the sail and set the direction using a feather, similar to the fin of a bright orange rudder. Where we turn it, that’s where the boat will go. In order for the centerboard boat to start moving forward, you need to set the sail at an angle of about 45 degrees to the wind. When leaving the pier, we take two children on the boat, and we try to give each one a task. For example, one is responsible for the sail, the other for the helm,” says Ekaterina Kochkina.

    The most important thing in sailing is the wind. Even the youngest passengers of centerboard boats can determine its direction. Among them is nine-year-old Alexandra Molchanova. She spent her first shift under sail last year, and this summer she is already confidently holding her own on the boat and quickly determines which way the wind is blowing.

    “There are multi-colored strings on the sail – “sorcerers”. They help to set the yacht on course. If the boat is moving, and both strings fly back, it means we are going with the wind. I associate centerboard boats with the sea, and I like that, even living far from the south, you can feel like you are there. I have not yet thought about whether I will connect my life with shipping, but next year I would like to take part in such a shift again,” says Alexandra Molchanova.

    Having become familiar with boat and dinghy management, the children often stay at the center in the fall. From September, various thematic programs are held here, including ship modeling and robotics, and before the river navigation closes, separate classes in rowing and sailing are organized.

    You can register your child for a summer shift or annual courses at the Moscow City Children’s Marine Center named after Peter the Great atmos.ru portal using the service “Registration in clubs, sports sections and art schools” in the “Services” section. In the opened tab, you need to find the institution in the search bar. The registration will appear for the new school year.

    During the holidays, Moscow schoolchildren will master the basics of sailingSports, entertainment, recreation and new friends: how children can spend their holidays in MoscowUseful vacation: the project “Summer of my career” opens in Moscow“Summer in a New Format”: Moscow’s Employment Service Prepares a Program for Children

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Flag football to make primetime Olympic debut at LA28

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Flag football will take center stage during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, after organizers confirmed the sport’s medal matches will be held in primetime slots in its first-ever Olympic appearance.

    The International Federation of American Football (IFAF), in partnership with the National Football League (NFL), announced on Monday that the men’s and women’s medal games are scheduled for Friday evening, July 21, and Saturday afternoon, July 22, at BMO Stadium near downtown Los Angeles.

    The announcement comes as senior IFAF and NFL delegations visit Los Angeles for the first official meetings with Games organizers, marking exactly three years to the day before the LA28 Opening Ceremony.

    “Flag football will definitely be a hot ticket at the Games,” IFAF President Pierre Trochet told Reuters on Monday.

    “We’re going to be at a great stadium right in the heart of the city and we’re going to have fantastic players on the field with NFL players available.”

    Flag football is a non-contact variation of American football in which players wear flags attached to their waists. Instead of tackling, defensive players must remove a flag from the ball carrier to end a play. The sport is played on a smaller field with fewer players per side.

    The inclusion of flag football in LA28 follows a vote by NFL owners allowing NFL players to participate in the Olympic competition.

    Trochet said the primetime scheduling was a clear statement of a shared ambition to ensure flag football contributes a “defining element” of LA28’s success.

    Organizers hope to capture the excitement of “Friday Night Lights,” a cherished American tradition, and generate iconic moments for the sport’s Olympic launch.

    “We could not dream of a better setup to start our debut in the Olympic movement and Olympic journey,” he said.

    The IFAF delegation, including managing director Andy Fuller and senior NFL executives, is set to tour Exposition Park and other venues over a three-day visit.

    The group will also meet with key LA28 organizing committee members and attend the launch of a new NFL flag football brand campaign, which features Olympic gymnastics champion Jordan Chiles and flag football athletes from Australia and the U.S.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Well done to Course 81

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Today’s 25 graduates from the South Australia Police (SAPOL) Academy all bring something unique to the table, from experience in competitive boxing, and retail management to truck logistics and swim coaching.

    Course 81 members include 13 men and 12 women, who range in age from 19 to 46.

    The new police officers bring diverse skills from a variety of employment backgrounds, including in security, education, hospitality, retail, corrections, the Navy, pharmaceutical and disability sectors, and as a flight attendant, truck driver, gymnastics coach, Department for Child Protection worker and Police Security Officer.

    Some have journeyed from overseas and interstate, including from Switzerland, India, Sydney, Victoria and Tasmania.

    Probationary Constable Bagus has an Indonesian/Australian background and lived in Bali for five years before moving to Adelaide in 2017.

    Prior to joining SAPOL, he worked as a barista and competed in amateur boxing.

    “Competing in boxing helped me to have better situational awareness. In boxing matches, I constantly had to read the opponent’s body language and stay alert,” Bagus said.

    “This translates well to policing, especially for dynamic or unpredictable situations. Competing in boxing also gave me the ability to stay calm and keep composure in high-stress situations.”

    Fellow graduate, and single mother Sarah previously worked in retail, aquaculture, hospitality and truck logistics, and was most recently a lead cook at her local country hospital/aged care facility.

    “I am a single mother to one, and love country life, 4×4 driving, opal mining, bush hiking, but most of all spending quality time with my son riding horses, playing backyard cricket and football,” she said.

    “Being a single parent has taught me to be resilient, adaptable, understanding, patient, kind, forgiving and assertive – all qualities that a police officer requires.”

    Similarly, Lauren has developed impressive time management skills to reach graduation day while also being a mother.

    “Prior to joining SAPOL, I lived for two years in North Carolina, United States, where I was a waterfront director and lifeguard, and then I moved to Finland for a year before coming back to Australia to have my daughter,” she said.

    “Before becoming a police officer, I was a mum to my one-year-old and worked causally in retail and swim coaching.”

    Bradley worked in retail for 7.5 years, managing teams in different departments while also playing cricket, football, golf, and the guitar.

    “I felt like working in a team environment helped me throughout the academy, through interactions with course mates,” he said.

    “The customer-service aspect will be important for how I interact when on the road and dealing with various types of people.”

    Eventually, Bagus would like to work in SAPOL’s Security Response Section (SRS) and later Special Tasks and Rescue (STAR), while Sarah hopes her career will lead to theDog Operations Unit. Lauren has her sights set on working in the Major Crime Investigations Branch or Child and Family Violence Investigation Section, while Bradley aims to work anywhere in Forensic Services.

    All four graduates encouraged anyone interested in a SAPOL career to “take the leap” and prepare early for what is expected.

    Course 81 members will be stationed to metropolitan and regional postings, including Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Mount Gambier, Port Lincoln, Whyalla, and Berri.

    SAPOL is currently recruiting and is keen to hear from people interested in an inspiring career with unmatched experiences and rewards.

    If you’re looking for job security, career progression pathways and a chance to make a real difference in local communities visit Achievemore – Join Us (police.sa.gov.au)

    Sarah, Lauren, Bagus, and Bradley are among 25 new police officers to graduate today from the South Australia Police Academy.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by SCST at Publishing 3.0+ Launch Ceremony (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the Publishing 3.0+ Launch Ceremony today (July 16):

    Kenneth (Member of the Legislative Council and the Chairman of Publishing 3.0+, Mr Kenneth Fok), Duncan (Member of the Legislative Council and the Chairman of Publishing 3.0+, Mr Duncan Chiu), Sharon (Executive Director of the Hong Kong Reprographic Rights Licensing Society and the Chairman of Publishing 3.0+, Dr Sharon Wong), Mr Rashid Al Kous (Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

    Good morning. It is my great pleasure to officially launch Publishing 3.0+ with industry practitioners, scholars, experts and authors. And let me also extend my warmest welcome to Mr Rashid Al Kous, coming all the way from the United Arab Emirates, and our distinguished guests here from overseas copyright organisations around the world.

    Three years ago, the then Create Hong Kong, which is now restructured as the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, CCIDA, under my bureau, began sponsoring and steering the Publishing 3.0 project, as a touchstone of an in-depth application of artificial intelligence (AI) to the publishing industry, enabling the extensive production of e-books and audiobooks. The project enabled around 60 Hong Kong publishers to successfully convert paper publications into 5 000 bilingual e-books and audiobooks in Cantonese, Putonghua and English, seizing the tremendous opportunity of digital transformation.  

    Publishing 3.0+ builds on the success of its predecessor. This enhanced project will focus on large language models within the AI-driven system, and further strengthen its multilingual translation and content conversion capabilities, empower local publishers to convert Chinese books into multi-languages, and open doors to a global readership. Publishing 3.0+ will refine the e-books and audiobooks converted over the past years, and further deliver another 5 000 translated and converted copies of books.

    The fruitful expected outcome of 10 000 e-books and audiobooks will be showcased in the Hong Kong pavilions at various international book fairs in the coming months. We will further leverage the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)’s Asia IP Exchange, AsiaIPEX, to facilitate and encourage the industry to tap into the vast opportunities of copyright trading.

    President Xi Jinping has emphasised that literature and art serve as bridges of mutual understanding and communication among different countries and ethnic groups. With a considerable amount of foreign classics on his reading list, President Xi repeatedly shared his deep and inseparable bond with books on international occasions when meeting foreign friends. We see that books are media that help foster friendships and exchanges between cultures. 

    With the great delight of having our Middle East friend here today, may I share our exciting plan that Publishing 3.0+ will soon expand to include Arabic translation. During my official visit to the Middle East in April this year, I was deeply impressed by the region’s rich cultural and historical heritage. I am most delighted that Publishing 3.0+ will contribute to our effort to realising closer cultural links and friendship between the Middle East and Hong Kong, aligning the shared visions of both regions.

    Publishing 3.0+ is a collaboration of multiple parties. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Kenneth, Duncan and Sharon, the founder of InnoContent, whose unique blend of cultural insight, technological innovation and publishing expertise has been instrumental in realising this project. My special thanks also go to SenseTime for its unparalleled AI expertise and infrastructure, which enhance the system’s capabilities, and the Hong Kong Publishing Federation, the Hong Kong Reprographic Rights Licensing Society, and the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre for their unwavering support since the last project, and the HKTDC for its efforts in the intellectual property trading.

    Before I close, I wish Publishing 3.0+ a striking success under the collaborative efforts by the Government, the publishing industry and technology partners. I look forward to seeing Hong Kong’s AI-driven publishing sector reaches new heights, telling the good story of Hong Kong. Through this initiative, we will showcase creativity, vitality, and innovation in the age of new media. 

    Thank you very much.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Milan-Cortina 2026 medals revealed with split design

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

    The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games unveiled a two halves medal design at Palazzo Balbi in Venice, Italy on Tuesday. The unique design that merges two halves symbolizes not only the union of Milan and Cortina, but also the spirit of victory and the effort required to achieve it, organizers introduced.

    “The two halves represent the efforts the athletes have made to get to this moment, and the support from their families, coaches and physiotherapists,” explained Raffaella Panie, Brand, Identity and Look of the Games Director for Milan-Cortina 2026.

    The medals for Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games are displayed during the unveiling ceremony in Palazzo Balbi, Venice, Italy, on July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

    According to Panie, the front of the medals displays the Olympic rings and the Paralympic Agitos, respectively. The reverse side bears the emblem of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

    “The Paralympic medals have braille inscriptions on the back, allowing visually impaired athletes to identify the specific discipline. In addition, special markings along the edge of the medal indicate whether it is gold, silver, or bronze,” said Panie.

    The medals are crafted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS), with an eco-friendly, non-toxic, and recyclable protective finish. The energy used by IPZS is entirely sourced from renewable resources.

    “The medals of Milan-Cortina 2026 are much more than mere awards, they encapsulate the identity of Italy-its creativity, its passion for sports and beauty,” said Giovanni Malago, President of the Fondazione Milan-Cortina 2026.

    The Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will take place from February 6 to 22, followed by the Paralympic Winter Games from March 6 to 15. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Regenerating Glasgow’s industrial heart

    Source: Scottish Government

    High value businesses to boost growth and tackle poverty.

    New jobs will be created and derelict sites regenerated in Glasgow’s former industrial heartland with the help of funding announced by First Minister John Swinney.

    Urban regeneration company Clyde Gateway is to receive £3.5 million to support the continued redevelopment of the former Shawfield Chemical Works site into a hub for high value manufacturing businesses. It is part of the company’s ongoing plan to develop homes, hotels and business premises on land equivalent in size to 130 football pitches in Rutherglen and the East End of Glasgow.

    The First Minister made the announcement ahead of a visit to the Innovation Shawfield, another Clyde Gateway regeneration scheme, where he will see Scotland’s first renewable district heating system of its kind. The site is expected to become one of the largest office parks in the UK and the heating system, which is also capable of cooling buildings, will provide occupants with low-cost energy.

    The project has been supported by £660,000 from the Scottish Government and sees power generated from sources including solar and heat pumps.

    The First Minister said:

    “Regenerating our industrial heartlands of the 20th century is an integral part of transforming Scotland’s economy in the 21st and Clyde Gateway is a shining example of what can achieved. Its ambition is creating jobs, improving communities and tackling poverty.

    “I am delighted to be able to announce funding to help it continue that work and also to see first-hand this innovative project which will provide affordable green energy to businesses. This part of Glasgow has a proud industrial past and the Scottish Government is determined that it will have a strong economic future.

    “I want to see these benefits continue to spread across Scotland and this financial year we are providing £62.15 million towards regeneration projects that will revitalise town centres, derelict sites and green spaces.”

    Martin Joyce, Executive Director for Regeneration at Clyde Gateway, said:

    “This £3.5 million investment will accelerate our efforts to transform the East End of Glasgow and Rutherglen. Working alongside the Scottish Government and other key partners, we have already remediated nearly 750 acres of contaminated land, supported the creation of more than 8,000 jobs and delivered 4,000 much needed new homes, helping to build vibrant communities where people can live, work and play.”

    Background

    The Scottish Government has supported Clyde Gateway’s regeneration programme with more than £200 million since 2007.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –