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  • MIL-OSI Banking: OEUK news Offshore Energies UK urges more action to reach government Clean Power 2030 target 11 July 2025

    Source: Offshore Energy UK

    Headline: OEUK news

    Offshore Energies UK urges more action to reach government Clean Power 2030 target

    11 July 2025

    Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) has today proposed key reforms to accelerate offshore wind generation following the government’s publication of its Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA).

    OEUK says the decision to take a national approach to pricing will encourage more wind energy investment to help the government hit its Clean Power 2030 targets and boost growth in the critical offshore energy supply chain.

    The National Energy System Operator has given 5,000 energy projects in the queue for grid connections until 29th July to submit evidence for preferential treatment.

    The move is intended to prioritise “shovel-ready” projects and scrap the first-come, first-served approach, which has allowed speculative schemes to delay viable clean energy developments.

    This proposal must be matched by reforms to the Contacts for Difference (CfD) scheme and planning system to ensure the next allocation round – AR7 – delivers the scale and pace needed.

    OEUK’s analysis shows that to meet the CP30 goal of 95% clean power by 2030, the UK must deliver half of this target from offshore wind. This means at least 43 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity must be installed by 2030, but current projections fall short at just 35GW. The next three CfD rounds must therefore secure an additional 20GW- equivalent to powering around 15 million homes.

    Only two offshore wind generation projects – GreenVolt in Scotland and East Anglia Two – have been supported by the government’s CfD scheme since 2022.

    A clear regulatory framework that secures investment and maintains the UK’s position as a global leader in offshore wind is now imperative.

    Offshore wind is one of the UK’s greatest energy success stories – generating low carbon electricity at scale, creating jobs, and revitalising coastal communities.

    Fixed-bottom turbines, with so-called monopiles attached to the seabed in shallower waters, have driven the UK’s rapid growth of wind energy generation to date but floating wind turbines using newer technologies, can be anchored in deeper waters with stronger wind resources, opening new areas for development.

    The also have fewer environmental constraints than fixed-bottom projects and can progress more smoothly through the consenting process.

    Speed and clarity to reform grid access and a more transparent approach with equal treatment for fixed and floating wind farms would give developers and the supply chain greater confidence to invest.

    OEUK’s key recommendations for AR7 and beyond:

    • Support for offshore wind: Provide assurance that sufficient funding is available for both fixed and commercial floating wind projects over the next three years, including projects to decarbonise offshore oil and gas operations, strengthen the UK supply chain, and create export opportunities.

    • Grid and consent reform: Improved risk sharing between developers and grid network operators plus increased administrative capacity and streamlined planning to reduce delays to grid connection. Compensation should be offered for unexpected hold ups.

    • Eligibility and investment: Reform eligibility criteria to allow both fixed and floating wind projects that have not received full consent to bid in the auction, extend CfD contracts from 15 to 20 years and introduce a well-balance cap and floor to transmission charges to improve investor confidence, lower subsidies and reduce costs to consumers. Introduce a well-balanced cap and floor to transmission charges.

    OEUK’s Wind Energy Manager, Thibaut Cheret, said:

    “AR7 must be the turning point in making UK wind ambitions a reality. That means enabling floating wind to compete on equal footing, unlocking grid access, and giving developers the confidence to invest at scale.

    “We’re calling for clear eligibility rules that allow well-progressed but unconsented projects to bid, longer CfD terms to reduce costs to consumers, and a firm commitment to grid and consenting reform – including compensation for delays. These are the changes our members need to deliver the next 20GW.

    “At the same time, we are working with our members to reduce project risk and borrowing costs as well as improving contractual relationships and promoting standardisation of modular wind turbine components to make them cheaper and faster to install.

    “There is only one energy supply chain for offshore wind and oil and gas – and it cannot be allowed to decline. With the right reforms and a pragmatic energy strategy which supports homegrown oil and gas alongside the acceleration of UK renewables, the North Sea can remain a global energy powerhouse, supporting economic growth, jobs, and our climate goals.”

    ScotWind: OEUK supports the ambition of the ScotWind leasing round and is calling for clarity on delivery timelines, grid access, and supply chain investment to ensure projects can rapidly move forward.

    INTOG: OEUK backs INTOG schemes using wind energy to decarbonise offshore oil and gas production. We are urging government and regulators to ensure these projects are prioritised for grid access and CfD eligibility, and that planning processes reflect their dual role in emissions reduction and clean power generation.

    Celtic Sea Round 5 of Celtic Sea wind auctions held last month (June) aims to unlock the potential for floating offshore wind off the coasts of South Wales and Southwest England. The Crown Estate has selected Equinor and Gwynt Glas to develop two 1.5GW floating wind farms. The leases come with grid connections already approved, but only two out of three leases on offer have been taken up.

    TNUoS: Transmission Network Use of System Charges. Transmission has a cost which is paid by the generator and the user which appears in electricity bills. This cost is expected to increase dramatically in future years as more energy is brought from Scotland to England. The connection cost for the generator rises for remote areas but in heavily populated areas generators are paid to connect. The price difference must be adjusted with a proposed cap and floor system that would introduce an upper maximum cost to Scottish projects.

    Review of electricity market arrangements (REMA): The government is still to announce the full outcome of its REMA consultation beyond the already published decision on zonal pricing. OEUK is calling for introduction of ‘deemed contracts for difference’ (based on potential, not actual output). This would mean wind energy producers being paid according to their potential capacity in a system that would give producers the opportunity to benefit from high global wind energy prices when they are available and keep a proportion of the additional profits

    For more analysis please see OEUK’s 2025 Offshore Wind Insight  

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  • Indian Army launches ‘Operation SHIVA’ to ensure safe Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian Army has launched ‘Operation SHIVA 2025’, a high-intensity annual security exercise to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the Shri Amarnath Yatra, officials said on Friday.

    This year’s deployment comes amid heightened threats from Pakistan-backed proxy groups, following recent operations in the Valley, officials said.

    Planned in coordination with the civil administration and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the operation aims to strengthen security along both the northern and southern routes of the pilgrimage.

    According to the Army, over 8,500 troops have been deployed this year, supported by a multi-layered counter-terror grid, advanced surveillance tools and disaster response measures.

    A dedicated counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) grid with over 50 systems and electronic warfare assets has been put in place to tackle possible drone threats. Continuous UAV surveillance missions and live monitoring of Yatra routes and the holy cave are also being carried out.

    Engineer units have been tasked with building and repairing bridges, widening tracks and undertaking disaster mitigation work. Medical arrangements include over 150 medical personnel, two advanced dressing stations, nine aid posts, a 100-bed hospital and 26 oxygen booths stocked with two lakh litres of oxygen, the Army said.

    Signal companies have been deployed to ensure uninterrupted communication, while bomb detection and disposal squads remain on standby. The Army has also kept helicopters ready for any emergencies.

    Other arrangements include emergency rations for over 25,000 people, Quick Reaction Teams, tent cities, water points and essential equipment such as bulldozers and excavators.

    High-resolution PTZ cameras and live drone feeds are being used to track convoys between Jammu and the cave shrine to enable early threat detection and swift response.

    The Army said Operation SHIVA 2025 reflects its commitment to securing the annual pilgrimage and ensuring a safe and uninterrupted passage for devotees.

    IANS

  • Indian Army launches ‘Operation SHIVA’ to ensure safe Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian Army has launched ‘Operation SHIVA 2025’, a high-intensity annual security exercise to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the Shri Amarnath Yatra, officials said on Friday.

    This year’s deployment comes amid heightened threats from Pakistan-backed proxy groups, following recent operations in the Valley, officials said.

    Planned in coordination with the civil administration and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the operation aims to strengthen security along both the northern and southern routes of the pilgrimage.

    According to the Army, over 8,500 troops have been deployed this year, supported by a multi-layered counter-terror grid, advanced surveillance tools and disaster response measures.

    A dedicated counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) grid with over 50 systems and electronic warfare assets has been put in place to tackle possible drone threats. Continuous UAV surveillance missions and live monitoring of Yatra routes and the holy cave are also being carried out.

    Engineer units have been tasked with building and repairing bridges, widening tracks and undertaking disaster mitigation work. Medical arrangements include over 150 medical personnel, two advanced dressing stations, nine aid posts, a 100-bed hospital and 26 oxygen booths stocked with two lakh litres of oxygen, the Army said.

    Signal companies have been deployed to ensure uninterrupted communication, while bomb detection and disposal squads remain on standby. The Army has also kept helicopters ready for any emergencies.

    Other arrangements include emergency rations for over 25,000 people, Quick Reaction Teams, tent cities, water points and essential equipment such as bulldozers and excavators.

    High-resolution PTZ cameras and live drone feeds are being used to track convoys between Jammu and the cave shrine to enable early threat detection and swift response.

    The Army said Operation SHIVA 2025 reflects its commitment to securing the annual pilgrimage and ensuring a safe and uninterrupted passage for devotees.

    IANS

  • Indian Army launches ‘Operation SHIVA’ to ensure safe Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian Army has launched ‘Operation SHIVA 2025’, a high-intensity annual security exercise to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the Shri Amarnath Yatra, officials said on Friday.

    This year’s deployment comes amid heightened threats from Pakistan-backed proxy groups, following recent operations in the Valley, officials said.

    Planned in coordination with the civil administration and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the operation aims to strengthen security along both the northern and southern routes of the pilgrimage.

    According to the Army, over 8,500 troops have been deployed this year, supported by a multi-layered counter-terror grid, advanced surveillance tools and disaster response measures.

    A dedicated counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) grid with over 50 systems and electronic warfare assets has been put in place to tackle possible drone threats. Continuous UAV surveillance missions and live monitoring of Yatra routes and the holy cave are also being carried out.

    Engineer units have been tasked with building and repairing bridges, widening tracks and undertaking disaster mitigation work. Medical arrangements include over 150 medical personnel, two advanced dressing stations, nine aid posts, a 100-bed hospital and 26 oxygen booths stocked with two lakh litres of oxygen, the Army said.

    Signal companies have been deployed to ensure uninterrupted communication, while bomb detection and disposal squads remain on standby. The Army has also kept helicopters ready for any emergencies.

    Other arrangements include emergency rations for over 25,000 people, Quick Reaction Teams, tent cities, water points and essential equipment such as bulldozers and excavators.

    High-resolution PTZ cameras and live drone feeds are being used to track convoys between Jammu and the cave shrine to enable early threat detection and swift response.

    The Army said Operation SHIVA 2025 reflects its commitment to securing the annual pilgrimage and ensuring a safe and uninterrupted passage for devotees.

    IANS

  • Indian Army launches ‘Operation SHIVA’ to ensure safe Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian Army has launched ‘Operation SHIVA 2025’, a high-intensity annual security exercise to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the Shri Amarnath Yatra, officials said on Friday.

    This year’s deployment comes amid heightened threats from Pakistan-backed proxy groups, following recent operations in the Valley, officials said.

    Planned in coordination with the civil administration and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the operation aims to strengthen security along both the northern and southern routes of the pilgrimage.

    According to the Army, over 8,500 troops have been deployed this year, supported by a multi-layered counter-terror grid, advanced surveillance tools and disaster response measures.

    A dedicated counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) grid with over 50 systems and electronic warfare assets has been put in place to tackle possible drone threats. Continuous UAV surveillance missions and live monitoring of Yatra routes and the holy cave are also being carried out.

    Engineer units have been tasked with building and repairing bridges, widening tracks and undertaking disaster mitigation work. Medical arrangements include over 150 medical personnel, two advanced dressing stations, nine aid posts, a 100-bed hospital and 26 oxygen booths stocked with two lakh litres of oxygen, the Army said.

    Signal companies have been deployed to ensure uninterrupted communication, while bomb detection and disposal squads remain on standby. The Army has also kept helicopters ready for any emergencies.

    Other arrangements include emergency rations for over 25,000 people, Quick Reaction Teams, tent cities, water points and essential equipment such as bulldozers and excavators.

    High-resolution PTZ cameras and live drone feeds are being used to track convoys between Jammu and the cave shrine to enable early threat detection and swift response.

    The Army said Operation SHIVA 2025 reflects its commitment to securing the annual pilgrimage and ensuring a safe and uninterrupted passage for devotees.

    IANS

  • Indian Army launches ‘Operation SHIVA’ to ensure safe Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian Army has launched ‘Operation SHIVA 2025’, a high-intensity annual security exercise to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the Shri Amarnath Yatra, officials said on Friday.

    This year’s deployment comes amid heightened threats from Pakistan-backed proxy groups, following recent operations in the Valley, officials said.

    Planned in coordination with the civil administration and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the operation aims to strengthen security along both the northern and southern routes of the pilgrimage.

    According to the Army, over 8,500 troops have been deployed this year, supported by a multi-layered counter-terror grid, advanced surveillance tools and disaster response measures.

    A dedicated counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) grid with over 50 systems and electronic warfare assets has been put in place to tackle possible drone threats. Continuous UAV surveillance missions and live monitoring of Yatra routes and the holy cave are also being carried out.

    Engineer units have been tasked with building and repairing bridges, widening tracks and undertaking disaster mitigation work. Medical arrangements include over 150 medical personnel, two advanced dressing stations, nine aid posts, a 100-bed hospital and 26 oxygen booths stocked with two lakh litres of oxygen, the Army said.

    Signal companies have been deployed to ensure uninterrupted communication, while bomb detection and disposal squads remain on standby. The Army has also kept helicopters ready for any emergencies.

    Other arrangements include emergency rations for over 25,000 people, Quick Reaction Teams, tent cities, water points and essential equipment such as bulldozers and excavators.

    High-resolution PTZ cameras and live drone feeds are being used to track convoys between Jammu and the cave shrine to enable early threat detection and swift response.

    The Army said Operation SHIVA 2025 reflects its commitment to securing the annual pilgrimage and ensuring a safe and uninterrupted passage for devotees.

    IANS

  • Indian Army launches ‘Operation SHIVA’ to ensure safe Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian Army has launched ‘Operation SHIVA 2025’, a high-intensity annual security exercise to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the Shri Amarnath Yatra, officials said on Friday.

    This year’s deployment comes amid heightened threats from Pakistan-backed proxy groups, following recent operations in the Valley, officials said.

    Planned in coordination with the civil administration and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the operation aims to strengthen security along both the northern and southern routes of the pilgrimage.

    According to the Army, over 8,500 troops have been deployed this year, supported by a multi-layered counter-terror grid, advanced surveillance tools and disaster response measures.

    A dedicated counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) grid with over 50 systems and electronic warfare assets has been put in place to tackle possible drone threats. Continuous UAV surveillance missions and live monitoring of Yatra routes and the holy cave are also being carried out.

    Engineer units have been tasked with building and repairing bridges, widening tracks and undertaking disaster mitigation work. Medical arrangements include over 150 medical personnel, two advanced dressing stations, nine aid posts, a 100-bed hospital and 26 oxygen booths stocked with two lakh litres of oxygen, the Army said.

    Signal companies have been deployed to ensure uninterrupted communication, while bomb detection and disposal squads remain on standby. The Army has also kept helicopters ready for any emergencies.

    Other arrangements include emergency rations for over 25,000 people, Quick Reaction Teams, tent cities, water points and essential equipment such as bulldozers and excavators.

    High-resolution PTZ cameras and live drone feeds are being used to track convoys between Jammu and the cave shrine to enable early threat detection and swift response.

    The Army said Operation SHIVA 2025 reflects its commitment to securing the annual pilgrimage and ensuring a safe and uninterrupted passage for devotees.

    IANS

  • Indian Army launches ‘Operation SHIVA’ to ensure safe Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian Army has launched ‘Operation SHIVA 2025’, a high-intensity annual security exercise to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the Shri Amarnath Yatra, officials said on Friday.

    This year’s deployment comes amid heightened threats from Pakistan-backed proxy groups, following recent operations in the Valley, officials said.

    Planned in coordination with the civil administration and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the operation aims to strengthen security along both the northern and southern routes of the pilgrimage.

    According to the Army, over 8,500 troops have been deployed this year, supported by a multi-layered counter-terror grid, advanced surveillance tools and disaster response measures.

    A dedicated counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) grid with over 50 systems and electronic warfare assets has been put in place to tackle possible drone threats. Continuous UAV surveillance missions and live monitoring of Yatra routes and the holy cave are also being carried out.

    Engineer units have been tasked with building and repairing bridges, widening tracks and undertaking disaster mitigation work. Medical arrangements include over 150 medical personnel, two advanced dressing stations, nine aid posts, a 100-bed hospital and 26 oxygen booths stocked with two lakh litres of oxygen, the Army said.

    Signal companies have been deployed to ensure uninterrupted communication, while bomb detection and disposal squads remain on standby. The Army has also kept helicopters ready for any emergencies.

    Other arrangements include emergency rations for over 25,000 people, Quick Reaction Teams, tent cities, water points and essential equipment such as bulldozers and excavators.

    High-resolution PTZ cameras and live drone feeds are being used to track convoys between Jammu and the cave shrine to enable early threat detection and swift response.

    The Army said Operation SHIVA 2025 reflects its commitment to securing the annual pilgrimage and ensuring a safe and uninterrupted passage for devotees.

    IANS

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Export bar placed on pocket chronometer from Charles Darwin voyage

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Export bar placed on pocket chronometer from Charles Darwin voyage

    A temporary export bar has been placed on a pocket chronometer present on the second voyage of HMS Beagle, well-known for carrying Charles Darwin

    • The pocket chronometer is valued at £200,000
    • The export bar will allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the chronometer for the nation – ensuring it can continue to inspire further research and love of learning for future generations

    An export bar has been placed on a pocket chronometer in an effort to protect a key piece of the nation’s history and ensure Charles Darwin’s legacy can continue to inspire for generations to come.

    The chronometer is known to have travelled on the second voyage of HMS Beagle, from 1831 to 1836, which is a significant part of our history as the voyage is well known for carrying Charles Darwin. This expedition played a role in the development of Darwin’s evolutionary theory, providing him with observations and collections that led to his groundbreaking ideas on evolution by natural selection. 

    Chronometers are highly accurate timepieces, designed for marine navigation, that measure time with great precision, especially for determining longitude at sea.

    This chronometer played a significant role on HMS Beagle’s important second voyage, as the observation chronometer, helping to map the coast of South America. The success of the voyage strengthened Britain’s leading position in navigation, thanks to the use of chronometres, which – when they returned to Britain five years later – had only lost 33 seconds. The voyage also later helped Greenwich become internationally accepted as the Prime Meridian in the 19th century. 

    Arts Minister, Sir Chris Bryant said:

    Charles Darwin is one of the most well-known figures in our history and has inspired many generations. This chronometer played a part in helping his research on evolution and strengthening Britain’s leading position in navigation.

    I hope this chronometer can be saved for the nation so we can continue to learn about the fascinating voyage, the legacy of Darwin and improve our knowledge on the use of chronometers for marine navigation.

    Committee Member, Tim Pestell said:

    HMS Beagle’s second voyage of 1831-36 is most popularly associated with Charles Darwin’s ground-breaking research on evolution. Less well known is that this scientific mission was used by the Royal Navy to test various scientific instruments then at the cutting edge of technology. The chronometer that is the subject of this export bar is central to this story. Made in 1830, it was used on the Beagle in the key role of observation chronometer, helping map the coast of South America and being taken ashore on the Galapagos Islands. Beagle’s success, and the triumph of its chronometers, was shown when it returned to Britain after five years, losing only 33 seconds in time. Having performed a central role in Beagle’s second expedition, it would be a tragedy for this chronometer, named ‘K’ on board, to be lost to the nation. I hope that the placing of an export bar will allow this wonderful timepiece to be acquired by a museum, where its remarkable story, and its place in us understanding our world, can be told to the public.

    The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA).

    The Committee made its recommendation on the basis that the chronometer met the first Waverley criterion for its outstanding connection with our history and national life.

    The decision on the export licence application for the chronometer will be deferred for a period ending on 10 October 2025 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the chronometer at the recommended price of £200,000 (plus VAT of £40,000). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for three months.

    Notes to editors

    1. Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the panel should contact the RCEWA on 02072680534 or rcewa@artscouncil.org.uk.
    2. Details of the item are as follows: pocket chronometer in a silver case made by Parkinson & Frodsham, Change Alley, London, 1830. This partnership was active between 1801-1947. Materials include: silver (case); enamel (dial); brass (movement plate & wheels); steel (various components including arbors & balance spring); gold (hands, gilding); diamond (end-stone) and mahogany (box case). The diameter of the case 55 mm.
    3. Provenance: 1831 – 1906 Admiralty, London, in sea service.  1906 Taken in exchange from the Admiralty by E.Dent & Co. 4 Royal Exchange & 61 Strand, London By 2010 Watch trade, London, UK 2011 Private Collection, UK, when re-identified. 2023 Martyn Downer Works of Art Ltd. Cambridge.
    4. The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an  independent body, serviced by Arts Council England (ACE), which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Export bar placed on pocket chronometer from Charles Darwin voyage

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Export bar placed on pocket chronometer from Charles Darwin voyage

    A temporary export bar has been placed on a pocket chronometer present on the second voyage of HMS Beagle, well-known for carrying Charles Darwin

    • The pocket chronometer is valued at £200,000
    • The export bar will allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the chronometer for the nation – ensuring it can continue to inspire further research and love of learning for future generations

    An export bar has been placed on a pocket chronometer in an effort to protect a key piece of the nation’s history and ensure Charles Darwin’s legacy can continue to inspire for generations to come.

    The chronometer is known to have travelled on the second voyage of HMS Beagle, from 1831 to 1836, which is a significant part of our history as the voyage is well known for carrying Charles Darwin. This expedition played a role in the development of Darwin’s evolutionary theory, providing him with observations and collections that led to his groundbreaking ideas on evolution by natural selection. 

    Chronometers are highly accurate timepieces, designed for marine navigation, that measure time with great precision, especially for determining longitude at sea.

    This chronometer played a significant role on HMS Beagle’s important second voyage, as the observation chronometer, helping to map the coast of South America. The success of the voyage strengthened Britain’s leading position in navigation, thanks to the use of chronometres, which – when they returned to Britain five years later – had only lost 33 seconds. The voyage also later helped Greenwich become internationally accepted as the Prime Meridian in the 19th century. 

    Arts Minister, Sir Chris Bryant said:

    Charles Darwin is one of the most well-known figures in our history and has inspired many generations. This chronometer played a part in helping his research on evolution and strengthening Britain’s leading position in navigation.

    I hope this chronometer can be saved for the nation so we can continue to learn about the fascinating voyage, the legacy of Darwin and improve our knowledge on the use of chronometers for marine navigation.

    Committee Member, Tim Pestell said:

    HMS Beagle’s second voyage of 1831-36 is most popularly associated with Charles Darwin’s ground-breaking research on evolution. Less well known is that this scientific mission was used by the Royal Navy to test various scientific instruments then at the cutting edge of technology. The chronometer that is the subject of this export bar is central to this story. Made in 1830, it was used on the Beagle in the key role of observation chronometer, helping map the coast of South America and being taken ashore on the Galapagos Islands. Beagle’s success, and the triumph of its chronometers, was shown when it returned to Britain after five years, losing only 33 seconds in time. Having performed a central role in Beagle’s second expedition, it would be a tragedy for this chronometer, named ‘K’ on board, to be lost to the nation. I hope that the placing of an export bar will allow this wonderful timepiece to be acquired by a museum, where its remarkable story, and its place in us understanding our world, can be told to the public.

    The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA).

    The Committee made its recommendation on the basis that the chronometer met the first Waverley criterion for its outstanding connection with our history and national life.

    The decision on the export licence application for the chronometer will be deferred for a period ending on 10 October 2025 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the chronometer at the recommended price of £200,000 (plus VAT of £40,000). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for three months.

    Notes to editors

    1. Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the panel should contact the RCEWA on 02072680534 or rcewa@artscouncil.org.uk.
    2. Details of the item are as follows: pocket chronometer in a silver case made by Parkinson & Frodsham, Change Alley, London, 1830. This partnership was active between 1801-1947. Materials include: silver (case); enamel (dial); brass (movement plate & wheels); steel (various components including arbors & balance spring); gold (hands, gilding); diamond (end-stone) and mahogany (box case). The diameter of the case 55 mm.
    3. Provenance: 1831 – 1906 Admiralty, London, in sea service.  1906 Taken in exchange from the Admiralty by E.Dent & Co. 4 Royal Exchange & 61 Strand, London By 2010 Watch trade, London, UK 2011 Private Collection, UK, when re-identified. 2023 Martyn Downer Works of Art Ltd. Cambridge.
    4. The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an  independent body, serviced by Arts Council England (ACE), which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: RUDN University doctors conquered another Olympiad

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Rebus for bronze: first-year student of the RUDN medical institute is a prize winner of the all-Russian competition “Roads to Rome”

    What do the RUDN University General Medicine program and the Saratov State University Department of Russian and Foreign Literature have in common? Medical terms in Latin, encrypted in puzzles and a crossword by our student Violetta Jacqueline Flont.

    The best managers of RUDN will receive the SAFMAR Plaza scholarship

    Students of the RUDN University Graduate School of Management in the Hotel Business program (International Hotel Business and International Restaurant Business profiles) will receive a scholarship from the SAFMAR Plaza holding for high academic achievements.

    Bones, ceramics and shards – how the archaeological practice of RUDN historians went

    The first year for history students traditionally ends with archaeological practice. A trip out of town, daily work at the excavation site — practical immersion in the profession. This year, 47 first-year students went to the city of Stupino in the Moscow region, where they participated in excavations of the Dyakovo culture. Danila Yablokov, Valeria Ozerova, Vitaly Leontyev, Maya Kubanova and Olga Volkova, students of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of RUDN University, talk about interesting finds, stages of excavations, and life in the camp.

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Over 300 Chinese enterprises presented at the commodity exhibition in Almaty

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) — Over 300 enterprises from more than 10 provincial-level regions in China, including 37 enterprises from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPC), are participating in the 20th Kazakhstan-China Commodity Expo in Almaty, the Bingtuan Ribao newspaper reported, citing a source in the Commerce Department of the XPC.

    In particular, the exhibition area of the SPSC at the exhibition covers an area of 528 square meters, divided into image booths and enterprise booths. In particular, the image booths, with the main theme of “Beautiful Xinjiang, Prosperous SPSC”, mainly display the characteristic competitive industries of SPSC, such as green chemical industry, cotton and textile industry, new materials, new energy, and well-known industrial consumer goods. The enterprise booths display a total of 102 kinds of products manufactured by SPSC, covering such fields as machinery, new technology, and local fruits and vegetables.

    It is reported that this is the 20th time in a row that SPSK has sent a delegation to a similar exhibition in Kazakhstan.

    The 20th Kazakhstan-China Goods Exhibition opened on July 10 in Almaty and will last three days. The total exhibition area is about 10 thousand square meters. -0-

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Solaris Activates Limited-Time $5 Price Rollback in Presale Ahead of LBank Listing

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLINN, Estonia, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin Solaris (BTC-S), a next-generation dual-consensus blockchain project, has announced a limited-time Price Rollback, dropping the presale price of BTC-S tokens from $11 to just $5. This rollback, launched in Phase 11 of the presale, comes as the project prepares for its upcoming listing on LBank Exchange, marking a significant milestone in its rapid growth trajectory.

    The announcement comes amid renewed enthusiasm in the crypto market, with Bitcoin ETFs attracting $14.4 billion in institutional capital in 2025 alone. While traditional finance embraces digital assets through ETF vehicles, Bitcoin Solaris is positioning itself as a ground-floor opportunity for retail users seeking direct participation, rewards, and utility.

    A Blockchain Built for Everyday Users

    Bitcoin Solaris is designed to provide broad accessibility and utility through its dual-layer blockchain, combining Proof-of-Work (PoW) for security with Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) for scalability. The network delivers:

    • Speeds of up to 10,000 transactions per second
    • 2-second finality
    • Validator rotation every 24 hours
    • Smart contracts in Rust
    • Optional privacy via Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs)
    • Advanced bridging for cross-chain interoperability

    Through the Solaris Nova App, users can mine BTC-S tokens from mobile or desktop devices with zero technical expertise, further lowering the barrier to blockchain participation.

    Presale Performance and Key Metrics

    Bitcoin Solaris has seen rapid adoption, with the presale currently in its 11th phase:

    • Over 14,150 users have already joined
    • More than $6.6 million raised
    • Launch price set at $20, offering current buyers significant upside
    • Presale projected to conclude in approximately 3 weeks

    The newly introduced $5 Price Rollback reflects both community momentum and confidence in the project’s roadmap. The rollback is live now, with no codes or restrictions required.

    To ensure secure delivery of tokens post-launch, participants are encouraged to use wallets such as Trust Wallet or MetaMask.

    Tokenomics Designed for Fairness and Longevity

    Following in the footsteps of Bitcoin’s supply structure, BTC-S has a fixed total supply of 21 million tokens, ensuring scarcity and long-term sustainability. The distribution model is as follows:

    • 66.66% allocated to mining (over a 90-year period)
    • 20% for presale
    • 5% for liquidity
    • 2% for ecosystem development
    • 2% for community rewards
    • 2% for staking
    • 2% for marketing
    • 0.33% for team and advisors

    This allocation model is designed to support decentralization, incentivize participation, and ensure transparency over time.

    Upcoming Exchange Listing on LBank

    Bitcoin Solaris will be listed on LBank Exchange, a globally recognized cryptocurrency trading platform, shortly after the presale concludes. The listing will provide early adopters with immediate liquidity and trading options, as well as increased exposure to new global audiences.

    Built-in Utility: Daily Blockchain Gaming Rewards

    The BTC-S ecosystem also features blockchain-based gaming that rewards users through a daily spin system, with tiers based on contribution levels:

    • All BTC-S holders receive free daily spins
    • Users spending $250+ can earn up to 5% in bonus BTC-S
    • Users spending $1,000+ are eligible for up to 13% bonus
    • High-tier participants spending $2,500+ can win up to 0.5 BTC

    These reward features are accessible without requiring staking or token lock-up, providing instant and engaging utility for the community.

    Real Hype. Real People. Real Reviews.

    Crypto Twitter and YouTube are already buzzing. A detailed review by Crypto Show lays out exactly why Bitcoin Solaris has caught fire in recent weeks. From the tech to the mining app to the presale structure, it’s a combination that’s hard to ignore.

    Community activity is surging on Telegram and X, where new users are joining daily and sharing their presale milestones and spins.

    About Bitcoin Solaris

    Bitcoin Solaris (BTC-S) is a high-speed, reward-based blockchain project focused on decentralization, real-world utility, and broad accessibility. Its technology stack incorporates dual-consensus architecture, scalable infrastructure, and user-first design features such as mobile mining and gamified incentives. With a fair tokenomics model, a growing community, and a strategic exchange listing on the horizon, Bitcoin Solaris aims to become a leading force in the next wave of blockchain adoption.

    Key Dates and Details

    • Current Presale Price: $5 (limited-time rollback from $11)
    • Launch Price: $20
    • Presale Phase: 11
    • Estimated Time Remaining: ~3 weeks
    • Exchange Listing: LBank (Post-presale)
    • Total Supply: 21 million BTC-S

    Additional Resources

    Media Contact:
    Xander Levine
    press@bitcoinsolaris.com
    Press Kit: Available upon request

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by Bitcoin Solaris. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e3af768d-03ef-45a5-b37e-84fd0bbf481c

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/58b74923-e684-482c-9306-12dafff76127

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ab103f16-c12f-4bee-bdbc-a7ff848c3766

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c715a684-0bf0-4cd7-a623-07fcd8a775e7

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Dextall Closed $15M Series A as Leading Developers Back AI-Powered Prefab To Tackle Housing Crisis

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dextall, the construction technology company integrating design software with off-site manufacturing, has closed a $15 million Series A round to scale its AI-powered prefabrication platform nationwide.

    The round was anchored by industry powerhouses whose balance sheets and project pipelines rival those of major venture firms:

    • L+M Development Partners – a national leader in affordable and mixed-income housing, responsible for over $20 billion in development and more than 55,000 residential units built, preserved, or under construction.
    • Essence Development, founded by former NFL safety Jamar Adams, manages a $6 billion pipeline including nearly 4,000 affordable and workforce housing units and 3,000 market-rate units across the Northeast corridor.
    • Simpson Strong-Tie (NYSE: SSD) – the global leader in structural connectors, with $2.2 billion in 2024 revenue and a worldwide materials supply network spanning more than 50 facilities.

    L+M and Essence bring high-volume affordable housing projects where speed and cost certainty are critical. Simpson Strong-Tie strengthens Dextall’s global supply chain and supports its scalable model for distributed fabrication by leveraging its international footprint in material supply. This support, which also included participation from Winklevoss Capital, reflects growing investor demand for scalable technology that can modernize outdated industries.

    Dextall’s vertically integrated platform combines Dextall Studio, proprietary software that converts schematic designs into fully detailed architectural and fabrication drawings in under a week (a process that traditionally takes up to 36 months), with a modular façade system manufactured by certified regional partners and delivered through Dextall’s AI-powered operating system.

    This not only presents unprecedented efficiency, but addresses a critical moment for housing. Over 6 million people have applied for just 10,000 affordable units in New York City. Vacancy rates are at a record-low 1.4%, and average rents have surpassed $3,500/month. Affordable housing no longer lives within the standard two-story model, with buildings towering up to 50 in urban areas. Escalating costs, labor shortages, and supply chain delays have made many of these projects financially unfeasible.

    Dextall’s system removes those barriers, enabling large, complex developments to move forward where they would otherwise stall. By reducing the design-to-install timeline by up to 80%, onsite labor by up to 87%, and lowering operational energy costs by 20%, Dextall presents a solution to the affordable housing crisis facing America’s densest cities.

    Dextall also enables faster, safer, high-quality construction that aligns with Local Law 11 and decarbonization targets. Its model emphasizes a system for dismantling building in components, reducing landfill waste for a more sustainable approach.

    After four years of strategic execution, the company has built a $110 million project backlog and signed $50 million in new contracts during 2024 alone—demonstrating strong market adoption, commercial traction, and demand, even before securing institutional capital.

    Industry leaders are already engaging with Dextall: SOM and SLCE Architects are specifying Dextall panels on upcoming designs, while Turner Construction and Suffolk Construction are actively installing the panels on high-rise projects currently underway. These collaborations highlight that off-site fabrication can meet the industry’s highest design and performance standards without prolonging design cycles.

    “With investors who control tens of thousands of units, a global supply partner, and the top builders and architects already onboard, we’re not speculating about disruption—we’re delivering it at scale,” said Aurimas Sabulis, Dextall founder and CEO. “We’ve found clear product-market fit and built a model that is as scalable as it is practical—delivering real value where the industry needs it most.

    The Series A funding will accelerate the development of Dextall Studio, expand sales operations to Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Chicago, support the global expansion of fabrication capacity to meet growing demand, and lay the foundation for additional prefabricated building components.

    About Dextall
    Dextall is reshaping how mid- and high-rise buildings are designed and delivered—starting with exterior walls. By combining intelligent design automation with scalable prefabricated systems, Dextall shortens construction timelines, locks in project costs, and significantly reduces embodied carbon. The company’s goal is to eliminate 1 million days of coordination and construction time by 2030. Headquartered in New York City, Dextall is rapidly expanding across key U.S. markets.

    Media Contact
    media@dextall.com | +1 352 282 1294

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Files Statement of Interest on Suppression of Competition in the Marketplace of Ideas Through Deplatforming of Rival Viewpoints

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Today, the Justice Department filed a statement of interest in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in the case of Children’s Health Defense et al. v. Washington Post et al. The lawsuit — led by plaintiffs allegedly deplatformed for sharing independent news and opinion related to the COVID-19 pandemic — alleges that the Washington Post, BBC, AP, and Reuters colluded with one another and with the large digital platforms to suppress competition from independent perspectives that rival mainstream media.  The statement of interest explains how the antitrust laws protect viewpoint competition in news markets.    

    “When companies abuse their market power to block out and deplatform independent voices and protect legacy media, they harm competition and threaten the free flow of information on which consumers depend,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “This Antitrust Division will always defend the principle that the antitrust laws protect free markets, including the marketplace of ideas.”   

    The Antitrust Division routinely files statements of interest and amicus briefs in federal court where doing so will help protect competition and consumers, including by encouraging the sound development of the antitrust laws. A collection of these statements of antitrust and amicus filings is publicly available on the Division’s website.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China moves to promote sustainable operations of state-owned insurance companies

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

    BEIJING, July 11 — China has adjusted the evaluation metrics for state-owned insurance companies, as part of efforts to promote their sustainable operations, the Ministry of Finance said on Friday.

    This adjustment aims to enhance the roles of insurance capital in stabilizing markets and supporting economic growth, according to a circular from the ministry.

    The assessment of state-owned insurers’ return on equity will shift from a “current year and a three-year cycle” model to a multi-tiered system incorporating current-year, 3-year and 5-year cycle metrics, the circular said.

    Evaluation of the state capital maintenance and appreciation rate will adopt the same system — replacing the previous current-year-only measurement, it added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China moves to promote sustainable operations of state-owned insurance companies

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

    BEIJING, July 11 — China has adjusted the evaluation metrics for state-owned insurance companies, as part of efforts to promote their sustainable operations, the Ministry of Finance said on Friday.

    This adjustment aims to enhance the roles of insurance capital in stabilizing markets and supporting economic growth, according to a circular from the ministry.

    The assessment of state-owned insurers’ return on equity will shift from a “current year and a three-year cycle” model to a multi-tiered system incorporating current-year, 3-year and 5-year cycle metrics, the circular said.

    Evaluation of the state capital maintenance and appreciation rate will adopt the same system — replacing the previous current-year-only measurement, it added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Development Bank’s Johannesburg Deal Signals a New Era in City-Led Urban Investment (By Bleming Nekati)

    Source: APO

     Bleming Nekati is the Regional Head for Private Sector Operations in Southern Africa at the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org).

    In June 2025, a quiet but important decision marked a real turning point in African urban finance. The African Development Bank’s Board of Directors approved a ZAR 2.5 billion ($139 million) corporate loan for the City of Johannesburg, marking the first time the Bank has extended financing without a sovereign guarantee to a subnational government in Africa.

    This funding will have a direct and tangible impact on the daily lives of Johannesburg residents by strengthening basic services and expanding economic opportunities. Residents can expect fewer power outages, improved water supply, more efficient waste collection, and increased industrial productivity, all of which contribute to broader economic growth. Importantly, these improvements are being financed through a more sustainable, market-based model that reduces reliance on national subsidies.

     The deal is more than just a funding breakthrough; it validates the growing view among investors and development professionals alike that, when well-managed, African cities can and should access capital markets on their own terms.

    A Market-Ready Metropolis

    Johannesburg isn’t just South Africa’s largest city. It is a major economic hub and powerhouse. With $67 billion in economic output, and housing at least 6.44 million residents, the city generates more wealth than many African countries.

    However, like many fast-growing African cities, the City of Johannesburg is under pressure.

    Legacy infrastructure is aging. Its electricity and water systems suffer significant losses, at rates exceeding 30% and 46%, respectively. Sanitation and waste services are overwhelmed, particularly in underserved communities. Population growth is intensifying these challenges. Yet these constraints also represent opportunities: Johannesburg has unmet demand, real scale, and crucially, a clear willingness to reform.

    From Municipal Risk to Bankable Asset

    Historically, African municipalities have struggled to attract direct capital investment due to legal constraints and concerns about credit risk. The City of Johannesburg has now defied this trend through a decade of governance, budgeting, and financial reforms that have strengthened its independently verified credit profile and inspired investor confidence.

    The African Development Bank loan is tied to over 100 capital projects spanning four critical sectors:

    • Electricity: Grid upgrades, smart meters, renewables, and 3,200 new household connections
    • Water & Sanitation: Pipeline repair, water treatment, and a plan to reduce losses to 37%
    • Solid Waste: More efficient collection, landfill upgrades, and recycling expansion
    • Revenue-Generating Utilities: All investments are linked to tariff-backed revenue streams for repayment

    Economic Stimulus with Returns

    The infrastructure program is designed to deliver both economic and social returns:

    • Job Creation: Nearly 2,900 construction jobs and 592 permanent roles, with gender and youth inclusion targets
    • Procurement Opportunity: ZAR 500 million in contracts allocated to SMEs, half to youth-owned businesses
    • Productivity Gains: More reliable services for industrial users support operational efficiency
    • Service Equity: 160,000 low-income households will receive improved access to utilities

    The partnership has embedded strong governance practices into the program, including independent oversight, transparent procurement, and financial safeguards, key criteria for future capital access.

    Momentum Beyond the City of Johannesburg

    While the City of Johannesburg may be the first African city to secure a non-sovereign guaranteed loan from the African Development Bank, it is not alone in its efforts to achieve financial independence. Other cities, such as Dakar, Cape Town, Nairobi, and Kigali, have also made significant progress towards attaining more autonomy and accountability in their financing mechanisms.

    These cities share a common understanding that urban growth must be matched by fiscal capability, and that capital markets, not subsidies, will drive the next generation of infrastructure investments.

    Investor Takeaway: Cities Are the Next Frontier

     Johannesburg’s breakthrough isn’t just a local success; it’s a signal to the market. African cities are increasingly proving themselves as bankable partners. For investors, lenders, and infrastructure firms, the rise of creditworthy municipalities is an untapped opportunity.

    The trend is clear: well-managed cities are evolving from mere service providers. They are also infrastructure clients, capital partners, and engines of inclusive economic growth.

    As Africa continues to urbanize, cities such as Johannesburg are showing that the future of investment is increasingly rooted in local contexts. When the appropriate financial architecture is established, cities are well-positioned to lead and drive sustainable development.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI China: Unmanned devices tested in South China Sea

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

    Unmanned devices tested in South China Sea

    Updated: July 11, 2025 20:46 Xinhua
    An intelligent seawater sampling unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) departs from the “Xiangyanghong 10” in the northern waters of the South China Sea, July 9, 2025. Chinese researchers successfully carried out scientific tests involving various types of drones, unmanned surface vessels, and autonomous underwater vehicles aboard the “Xiangyanghong 10” in the northern waters of the South China Sea in recent days. The “Innovative Integrated Intelligent Systems Expedition,” led by the Advanced Institute for Ocean Research under Southern University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with multiple research institutes, high-tech companies, and science popularization organizations, conducted real-time assessments of the innovation, integration, and intelligence of these unmanned scientific exploration devices. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A thermal-imaging surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) takes off from the “Xiangyanghong 10” to conduct scientific research in the northern waters of the South China Sea, July 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An unmanned survey vessel conducts scientific research in the northern waters of the South China Sea, July 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aeromagnetic fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flies over the “Xiangyanghong 10” to conduct scientific research in the northern waters of the South China Sea, July 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    The “Xiangyanghong 10” conducts “Unmanned Swarm” scientific research in the northern waters of the South China Sea, July 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    The “Dolphin 3” surface rescue robot conducts test in the northern waters of the South China Sea, July 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Unmanned devices tested in South China Sea

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

    Unmanned devices tested in South China Sea

    Updated: July 11, 2025 20:46 Xinhua
    An intelligent seawater sampling unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) departs from the “Xiangyanghong 10” in the northern waters of the South China Sea, July 9, 2025. Chinese researchers successfully carried out scientific tests involving various types of drones, unmanned surface vessels, and autonomous underwater vehicles aboard the “Xiangyanghong 10” in the northern waters of the South China Sea in recent days. The “Innovative Integrated Intelligent Systems Expedition,” led by the Advanced Institute for Ocean Research under Southern University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with multiple research institutes, high-tech companies, and science popularization organizations, conducted real-time assessments of the innovation, integration, and intelligence of these unmanned scientific exploration devices. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A thermal-imaging surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) takes off from the “Xiangyanghong 10” to conduct scientific research in the northern waters of the South China Sea, July 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An unmanned survey vessel conducts scientific research in the northern waters of the South China Sea, July 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aeromagnetic fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flies over the “Xiangyanghong 10” to conduct scientific research in the northern waters of the South China Sea, July 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    The “Xiangyanghong 10” conducts “Unmanned Swarm” scientific research in the northern waters of the South China Sea, July 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    The “Dolphin 3” surface rescue robot conducts test in the northern waters of the South China Sea, July 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Homegrown innovation leads Africa’s agrifood transformation

    Source: APO

    African-led science and innovation are at the heart of efforts to transform agrifood systems across the continent. That was the central message of a dedicated side event held during the Regional Policy Dialogue on Strengthening South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) in Africa, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and hosted by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.

    The special side event, Scaling Science and Innovation for Resilient Agrifood Systems: African Solutions through South-South and Triangular Cooperation, took place on the second day of the Dialogue and comes in the lead-up to the Science and Innovation Forum during the FAO World Food Forum in October. It brought together African experts, researchers, and policymakers to explore how homegrown innovations can drive agrifood systems transformation across the continent.

    Opening the session, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa Abebe Haile-Gabriel underlined the power of science and innovation in transforming agrifood systems in Africa. He urged countries to scale up successful practices through strengthened partnerships and better policy alignment.

    “Africa stands today at a defining moment. Our agrifood systems face immense pressure from intensifying climate change, growing scarcity of land and water, frequent pest and disease outbreaks, and persistent post-harvest losses that undermine productivity and incomes. Yet, amidst these challenges, a new generation of African scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators is reimagining agriculture, its business model, mechanisms of knowledge sharing, and scaling up technologies,” he said.

    In the keynote address, Professor Anthony Egeru of the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) highlighted Africa’s untapped potential in homegrown scientific knowledge and innovation. He called for stronger collaboration among African research institutions, noting that intra-African cooperation in science remains limited and must be strengthened to support agrifood system transformation and reduce the continent’s growing food import bill.

    Two expert panels followed. The first highlighted scalable technologies already benefiting smallholder farmers. The second explored how science-policy partnerships can create enabling environments for innovation uptake.

    Among the innovation champions featured was Innovative Solutions for Decision Agriculture (ISDA), a pan-African company pioneering digital agricultural tools. Their flagship product, the Virtual Agronomist, is a WhatsApp-based AI chatbot that provides farmers with instant, tailored advice on soil health and fertiliser use. The company has already seen a 60 percent yield increase among farmers who use the tool, and their goal is to reach 10 million farmers over the next five years with this context-specific, science-backed guidance.

    FAO also showcased its innovation in plant protection through the eLocust3, a real-time data transmission tool used by national locust officers to monitor and control desert locust outbreaks. The tool feeds directly into FAO’s global Desert Locust Information Service, which supports early warning and coordinated response systems across affected countries.

    Young innovator Joseph Kawaya from Rwanda (pictured) also presented his work. Initially focused on manufacturing solar-adapted chicken incubators, his business now supports rural cooperatives through a franchised network of hatching stations. “We’re not just selling machines, we’re building rural systems that tackle both malnutrition and lack of access to poultry production,” he said.

    FAO South-South Cooperation Officer Peter Anaadumba underscored the importance of enabling environments to support innovation. He stressed that innovators must be supported by strong policy frameworks, sustained financial commitments, and partnerships. South-South and Triangular cooperation, he noted, offers a platform for exchange, but results will only follow when national systems are ready to absorb and scale innovation.

    The event reinforced FAO’s commitment to advancing African-led solutions and fostering cross-country learning, setting the stage for deeper engagement at the upcoming Science and Innovation Forum later this year. Science and innovation are central themes in the FAO Strategic Framework 2022–2031, which aims to support countries in transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: How UK-France ‘one in, one out’ migration deal will work – and what the challenges could be

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Matilde Rosina, Assistant Professor in Global Challenges, Brunel University of London

    After weeks of rising Channel crossing figures, the UK government has agreed on a long-awaited migration deal with France. Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron announced a “one in, one out” pilot – and the UK prime minister said the “groundbreaking” scheme could start returning migrants to France within weeks. The deal was announced alongside a separate agreement to coordinate the use of French and British nuclear weapons.

    The migration agreement will allow the UK to return selected numbers of small boat arrivals to France. In exchange, the UK will admit an equal number of asylum seekers with legitimate ties to the UK (such as family), who have not previously attempted to enter the country illegally.

    The plan will start as a pilot, with initial reports suggesting the UK could return up to 50 people per week (2,600 per year). That is roughly 6% of small boat arrivals in 2024. The remaining arrivals will continue to be processed under the UK’s existing system.

    The “one in, one out” system appears similar to an agreement in 2016 between the EU and Turkey. Under that scheme, for every irregular migrant returned from the Greek islands to Turkey, one Syrian refugee who had stayed in Turkey could be legally resettled in the EU. Under the EU–Turkey deal, only 2,140 migrants were returned to Turkey by 2022, compared with over 32,000 who were resettled in the EU.

    The British government’s hope is that this pilot will lay the groundwork for a broader EU-UK return framework that would allow it to return more people. Before Brexit, the UK was part of the EU’s asylum framework, the Dublin regulation. This allowed any EU country, including the UK, to return asylum seekers to the first EU country they entered or passed through.

    From 2008 to 2016, the UK was a net sender of asylum seekers: it returned more people to EU states than it accepted, receiving fewer than 500 people annually. The trend reversed after 2016, with the UK accepting more migrants than it returned.

    But southern EU countries could complicate any expansion or permanent implementation of the pilot. Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta and Cyprus have opposed a UK–France agreement, fearing it would lead to more people being sent back to them – southern European states are where migrants typically arrive in the EU first.

    Challenges ahead

    The deal is a significant step for a UK government that has struggled to control the narrative on migration. Losing ground to Reform, the government has recently proposed tightening legal immigration rules, including by making it harder and longer to acquire British citizenship, and by cutting legal migration routes.

    It also marks a notable shift in the UK’s post-Brexit migration strategy. But questions remain about the details and implementation.

    The French president hailed it as a “major deterrent” to Channel crossing, as migrants would not remain in the UK but be returned to France. Macron said that one-third of arrivals in France are heading towards the UK. So it follows that any deterrent from Channel crossings would also lead to a reduction in people coming to France.

    Yet, as I have shown in my research, deterrence is rarely effective. This is because information about deterrence factors does not necessarily reach the asylum seekers or stop smugglers. It also does not address the underlying drivers of migration, such as poverty, conflict and corruption.

    Moreover, returns are notoriously difficult to enforce. Many asylum seekers lack documentation, and complex legal processes raise administrative and financial costs.

    Scalability also poses a challenge, given EU countries’ divided stances on an EU-wide deal.

    It is, however, promising that the UN refugee agency has given the agreement its backing, stating: “If appropriately implemented, it could help achieve a more managed and shared approach, offering alternatives to dangerous journeys while upholding access to asylum.”

    The last UK government’s attempts to deter Channel crossings, such as the Rwanda scheme, had led to the agency raising serious concerns.

    How many asylum seekers does the UK take?

    This deal comes amid an increase in asylum applications in the UK. Annual applications rose from 38,483 in 2018 to over 108,000 in 2024.

    In just the first half of 2025, small boat arrivals increased 48% compared with the same period in 2024, exceeding 20,000. By contrast, irregular arrivals to the EU decreased by 20% in the first half of 2025, mainly driven by a drop in arrivals to Greece and to Spain’s Canary Islands.

    When accounting for population, the UK receives fewer asylum applications – 16 for every 10,000 people living in the UK – than the EU average (22 per 10,000).

    Data shows that between 2018 and 2024, 68% of small boat asylum applications processed in the UK were approved, indicating that most were made by people in genuine need.

    UK–France migration cooperation dates back to the 1990s, but since 2019, the focus has been on addressing the rise in Channel crossings.

    A significant step was the UK-France joint declaration of March 2023, under which the UK committed €541 million (approximately £476 million) between 2023 and 2026. Funds were allocated for assets including drones, helicopters and aircraft, and for the creation of a migration centre in France. Importantly, the agreement sought to increase surveillance along the French border, rather than return migrants.

    This cooperation deepened in February 2025, when both countries agreed to extend their partnership to 2027 and reallocate €8 million for new enforcement measures.

    Joint maritime activities have played a role too: since October 2024, UK Border Force vessels have entered French waters on three occasions to assist boats in distress and return people to the French coast.

    Overall, this new agreement represents a milestone in UK–France migration cooperation, and the UK’s first significant post-Brexit returns scheme with an EU country. While questions remain over its scalability – given the modest return numbers, legal and logistical hurdles, and European political divides – it is a crucial step in cross-Channel cooperation on migration and asylum, making progress on what has been an intractable problem for UK governments.

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

    – ref. How UK-France ‘one in, one out’ migration deal will work – and what the challenges could be – https://theconversation.com/how-uk-france-one-in-one-out-migration-deal-will-work-and-what-the-challenges-could-be-260864

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: AI in health care could save lives and money − but change won’t happen overnight

    Source: The Conversation – USA (3) – By Turgay Ayer, Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

    AI will help human physicians by analyzing patient data prior to surgery. Boy_Anupong/Moment via Getty Images

    Imagine walking into your doctor’s office feeling sick – and rather than flipping through pages of your medical history or running tests that take days, your doctor instantly pulls together data from your health records, genetic profile and wearable devices to help decipher what’s wrong.

    This kind of rapid diagnosis is one of the big promises of artificial intelligence for use in health care. Proponents of the technology say that over the coming decades, AI has the potential to save hundreds of thousands, even millions of lives.

    What’s more, a 2023 study found that if the health care industry significantly increased its use of AI, up to US$360 billion annually could be saved.

    But though artificial intelligence has become nearly ubiquitous, from smartphones to chatbots to self-driving cars, its impact on health care so far has been relatively low.

    A 2024 American Medical Association survey found that 66% of U.S. physicians had used AI tools in some capacity, up from 38% in 2023. But most of it was for administrative or low-risk support. And although 43% of U.S. health care organizations had added or expanded AI use in 2024, many implementations are still exploratory, particularly when it comes to medical decisions and diagnoses.

    I’m a professor and researcher who studies AI and health care analytics. I’ll try to explain why AI’s growth will be gradual, and how technical limitations and ethical concerns stand in the way of AI’s widespread adoption by the medical industry.

    Inaccurate diagnoses, racial bias

    Artificial intelligence excels at finding patterns in large sets of data. In medicine, these patterns could signal early signs of disease that a human physician might overlook – or indicate the best treatment option, based on how other patients with similar symptoms and backgrounds responded. Ultimately, this will lead to faster, more accurate diagnoses and more personalized care.

    AI can also help hospitals run more efficiently by analyzing workflows, predicting staffing needs and scheduling surgeries so that precious resources, such as operating rooms, are used most effectively. By streamlining tasks that take hours of human effort, AI can let health care professionals focus more on direct patient care.

    But for all its power, AI can make mistakes. Although these systems are trained on data from real patients, they can struggle when encountering something unusual, or when data doesn’t perfectly match the patient in front of them.

    As a result, AI doesn’t always give an accurate diagnosis. This problem is called algorithmic drift – when AI systems perform well in controlled settings but lose accuracy in real-world situations.

    Racial and ethnic bias is another issue. If data includes bias because it doesn’t include enough patients of certain racial or ethnic groups, then AI might give inaccurate recommendations for them, leading to misdiagnoses. Some evidence suggests this has already happened.

    Humans and AI are beginning to work together at this Florida hospital.

    Data-sharing concerns, unrealistic expectations

    Health care systems are labyrinthian in their complexity. The prospect of integrating artificial intelligence into existing workflows is daunting; introducing a new technology like AI disrupts daily routines. Staff will need extra training to use AI tools effectively. Many hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices simply don’t have the time, personnel, money or will to implement AI.

    Also, many cutting-edge AI systems operate as opaque “black boxes.” They churn out recommendations, but even its developers might struggle to fully explain how. This opacity clashes with the needs of medicine, where decisions demand justification.

    But developers are often reluctant to disclose their proprietary algorithms or data sources, both to protect intellectual property and because the complexity can be hard to distill. The lack of transparency feeds skepticism among practitioners, which then slows regulatory approval and erodes trust in AI outputs. Many experts argue that transparency is not just an ethical nicety but a practical necessity for adoption in health care settings.

    There are also privacy concerns; data sharing could threaten patient confidentiality. To train algorithms or make predictions, medical AI systems often require huge amounts of patient data. If not handled properly, AI could expose sensitive health information, whether through data breaches or unintended use of patient records.

    For instance, a clinician using a cloud-based AI assistant to draft a note must ensure no unauthorized party can access that patient’s data. U.S. regulations such as the HIPAA law impose strict rules on health data sharing, which means AI developers need robust safeguards.

    Privacy concerns also extend to patients’ trust: If people fear their medical data might be misused by an algorithm, they may be less forthcoming or even refuse AI-guided care.

    The grand promise of AI is a formidable barrier in itself. Expectations are tremendous. AI is often portrayed as a magical solution that can diagnose any disease and revolutionize the health care industry overnight. Unrealistic assumptions like that often lead to disappointment. AI may not immediately deliver on its promises.

    Finally, developing an AI system that works well involves a lot of trial and error. AI systems must go through rigorous testing to make certain they’re safe and effective. This takes years, and even after a system is approved, adjustments may be needed as it encounters new types of data and real-world situations.

    AI could rapidly accelerate the discovery of new medications.

    Incremental change

    Today, hospitals are rapidly adopting AI scribes that listen during patient visits and automatically draft clinical notes, reducing paperwork and letting physicians spend more time with patients. Surveys show over 20% of physicians now use AI for writing progress notes or discharge summaries. AI is also becoming a quiet force in administrative work. Hospitals deploy AI chatbots to handle appointment scheduling, triage common patient questions and translate languages in real time.

    Clinical uses of AI exist but are more limited. At some hospitals, AI is a second eye for radiologists looking for early signs of disease. But physicians are still reluctant to hand decisions over to machines; only about 12% of them currently rely on AI for diagnostic help.

    Suffice to say that health care’s transition to AI will be incremental. Emerging technologies need time to mature, and the short-term needs of health care still outweigh long-term gains. In the meantime, AI’s potential to treat millions and save trillions awaits.

    Turgay Ayer owns shares in Value Analytics Labs, a healthcare technology company. He received funding from government agencies, including NSF, NIH, and CDC.

    – ref. AI in health care could save lives and money − but change won’t happen overnight – https://theconversation.com/ai-in-health-care-could-save-lives-and-money-but-change-wont-happen-overnight-241551

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Files Statement of Interest on Suppression of Competition in the Marketplace of Ideas Through Deplatforming of Rival Viewpoints

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    Today, the Justice Department filed a statement of interest in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in the case of Children’s Health Defense et al. v. Washington Post et al. The lawsuit — led by plaintiffs allegedly deplatformed for sharing independent news and opinion related to the COVID-19 pandemic — alleges that the Washington Post, BBC, AP, and Reuters colluded with one another and with the large digital platforms to suppress competition from independent perspectives that rival mainstream media.  The statement of interest explains how the antitrust laws protect viewpoint competition in news markets.    

    “When companies abuse their market power to block out and deplatform independent voices and protect legacy media, they harm competition and threaten the free flow of information on which consumers depend,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “This Antitrust Division will always defend the principle that the antitrust laws protect free markets, including the marketplace of ideas.”   

    The Antitrust Division routinely files statements of interest and amicus briefs in federal court where doing so will help protect competition and consumers, including by encouraging the sound development of the antitrust laws. A collection of these statements of antitrust and amicus filings is publicly available on the Division’s website.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Health chief begins Nanjing visit

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau arrived in Nanjing this afternoon to meet Commissioner of the Jiangsu Commission of Health Tan Ying and visit the Simcere Pharmaceutical Group.

    Prof Lo introduced Ms Tan to the efforts made by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in promoting the international inheritance and innovation of Chinese medicine, and the high-quality development of public hospitals.

    He noted that Jiangsu and Hong Kong have established a solid foundation in Chinese medicine academic inheritance and talent exchange.

    Prof Lo highlighted that by the end of this year, two flagship projects – the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and the permanent building for the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute – will provide services in phases.

    This will further strengthen the co-operation between the two places in the areas of Chinese medicine services, talent development and testing research, he added.

    On the high-quality development of public hospitals, Prof Lo emphasised that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to promote the accreditation of more public hospitals under “China’s International Hospital Accreditation Standards (2021 Version)”, with a view to maintaining the high standard of hospital management and services in Hong Kong while aligning with the national healthcare service system.

    Both sides also explored ways to further encourage more hospitals in the two places to pursue accreditation under the relevant standards to amplify the impact of national standards.

    At the Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, which is headquartered in Nanjing, Prof Lo briefed the company’s senior management on the Hong Kong SAR Government’s initiatives in developing the city into an international health and medical innovation hub.

    Such initiatives include strengthening the approval regimes for drugs and medical devices as well as promoting the clinical trial industry’s development.

    The health chief welcomed Mainland pharmaceutical companies to conduct clinical trials in Hong Kong, fully leveraging the multiple unique advantages of the Hong Kong SAR to facilitate the translation and clinical application of advanced biomedical technologies.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Harmonised AI standards to reduce fragmented global rules

    Source: International Chamber of Commerce

    Headline: Harmonised AI standards to reduce fragmented global rules

    How can international, market-driven AI standards reduce fragmented global AI governance for business?

    As AI systems become integral to business operations worldwide, fragmented governance approaches create significant challenges for companies of all sizes.

    When different jurisdictions develop their own AI policies, laws and regulations, businesses face:

    1. Increased compliance costs arising from navigating complex regulatory landscapes
    2. Market access barriers that limit where they can operate
    3. Innovation constraints that slow cross-border collaboration.

    These challenges are particularly acute for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which lack the resources to manage complex, jurisdiction-specific requirements.

    International, market-driven standards are consensus-based guidelines that define how technologies should perform, interact and remain safe. They provide practical guidance that works across multiple legal frameworks, essentially creating a common language for AI governance globally.

    Potential overlaps, duplications and divergences in AI standards

    Achieving internationally interoperable AI governance is significantly hindered by overlapping standardisation efforts, inconsistent terminology across different frameworks and limited awareness of existing AI standards.

    These issues contribute to market fragmentation and a complex regulatory landscapes, with regional or national bodies – sometimes even within the same country – issuing overlapping or even competing guidance. At the same time, the use of standards processes to advance specific policy agendas rather than technical excellence, creates standards that may not serve broader global or business needs.

    Without better coordination, these standardisation efforts risk adding complexity instead of reducing it, increasing compliance costs (which are especially burdensome for SMEs), and impeding cross-border collaboration and innovation.

    ICC recommendations: How can policymakers make AI standards work globally?

    1. Promote strategic alignment in AI standards-development to reflect market needs and avoid duplication.
    2. Ensure domestic and local expert participation in shaping market-driven standards.
    3. Prioritise global, industry-driven standards over national or regional-only approaches.
    4. Champion multistakeholder collaboration through transparent, inclusive processes.
    5. Leverage existing standards in regulation to streamline compliance and build trust.
    6. Use standards in public procurement to support adoption and open markets to SMEs.
    7. Support company participation with funding, incentives, and training.
    8. Enhance awareness and education to build capacity for implementing AI standards.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Spacecraft equipped with a solar sail could deliver earlier warnings of space weather threats to Earth’s technologies

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, Associate Research Scientist, University of Michigan

    The SWIFT constellation, shown not to scale in this illustration, will fly farther than its predecessors to improve space weather warning time. Steve Alvey

    The burgeoning space industry and the technologies society increasingly relies on – electric grids, aviation and telecommunications – are all vulnerable to the same threat: space weather.

    Space weather encompasses any variations in the space environment between the Sun and Earth. One common type of space weather event is called an interplanetary coronal mass ejection.

    These ejections are bundles of magnetic fields and particles that originate from the Sun. They can travel at speeds up to 1,242 miles per second (2,000 kilometers per second) and may cause geomagnetic storms.

    They create beautiful aurora displays – like the northern lights you can sometimes see in the skies – but can also disrupt satellite operations, shut down the electric grid and expose astronauts aboard future crewed missions to the Moon and Mars to lethal doses of radiation.

    An animation shows coronal mass ejection erupting from the Sun.

    I’m a heliophysicist and space weather expert, and my team is leading the development of a next-generation satellite constellation called SWIFT, which is designed to predict potentially dangerous space weather events in advance. Our goal is to forecast extreme space weather more accurately and earlier.

    The dangers of space weather

    Commercial interests now make up a big part of space exploration, focusing on space tourism, building satellite networks, and working toward extracting resources from the Moon and nearby asteroids.

    Space is also a critical domain for military operations. Satellites provide essential capabilities for military communication, surveillance, navigation and intelligence.

    As countries such as the U.S. grow to depend on infrastructure in space, extreme space weather events pose a greater threat. Today, space weather threatens up to US$2.7 trillion in assets globally.

    In September 1859, the most powerful recorded space weather event, known as the Carrington event, caused fires in North America and Europe by supercharging telegraph lines. In August 1972, another Carrington-like event nearly struck the astronauts orbiting the Moon. The radiation dose could have been fatal. More recently, in February 2022, SpaceX lost 39 of its 49 newly launched Starlink satellites because of a moderate space weather event.

    Today’s space weather monitors

    Space weather services heavily rely on satellites that monitor the solar wind, which is made up of magnetic field lines and particles coming from the Sun, and communicate their observations back to Earth. Scientists can then compare those observations with historical records to predict space weather and explore how the Earth may respond to the observed changes in the solar wind.

    The Earth’s magnetic field acts as a shield that deflects most solar wind.
    NASA via Wikimedia Commons

    Earth’s magnetic field naturally protects living things and Earth-orbiting satellites from most adverse effects of space weather. However, extreme space weather events may compress – or in some cases, peel back – the Earth’s magnetic shield.

    This process allows solar wind particles to make it into our protected environment – the magnetosphere – exposing satellites and astronauts onboard space stations to harsh conditions.

    Most satellites that continuously monitor Earth-bound space weather orbit relatively close to the planet. Some satellites are positioned in low Earth orbit, about 100 miles (161 kilometers) above Earth’s surface, while others are in geosynchronous orbit, approximately 25,000 miles (40,000 km) away.

    At these distances, the satellites remain within Earth’s protective magnetic shield and can reliably measure the planet’s response to space weather conditions. However, to more directly study incoming solar wind, researchers use additional satellites located farther upstream – hundreds of thousands of miles from Earth.

    The U.S., the European Space Agency and India all operate space weather monitoring satellites positioned around the L1 Lagrange point – nearly 900,000 miles (1,450,000 km) from Earth – where the gravitational forces of the Sun and Earth balance. From this vantage point, space weather monitors can provide up to 40 minutes of advance warning for incoming solar events.

    The Lagrange points are equilibrium points for smaller objects, like the Earth, that orbit around a larger object, like the Sun. The L1 point is between the Earth and the Sun, where the gravitational pulls of the two objects balance out. Since the Sun’s pull is so much stronger than the Earth’s, the point is much closer to Earth.
    Xander89/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    Advance warning for space weather

    Increasing the warning time beyond 40 minutes – the current warning time – would help satellite operators, electric grid planners, flight directors, astronauts and Space Force officers better prepare for extreme space weather events.

    For instance, during geomagnetic storms, the atmosphere heats up and expands, increasing drag on satellites in low Earth orbit. With enough advance warning, operators can update their drag calculations to prevent satellites from descending and burning up during these events. With the updated drag calculations, satellite operators could use the satellites’ propulsion systems to maneuver them higher up in orbit.

    Airlines could change their routes to avoid exposing passengers and staff to high radiation doses during geomagnetic storms. And future astronauts on the way to or working on the Moon or Mars, which lack protection from these particles, could be alerted in advance to take cover.

    Aurora lovers would also appreciate having more time to get to their favorite viewing destinations.

    The Space Weather Investigation Frontier

    My team and I have been developing a new space weather satellite constellation, named the Space Weather Investigation Frontier. SWIFT will, for the first time, place a space weather monitor beyond the L1 point, at 1.3 million miles (2.1 million kilometers) from Earth. This distance would allow scientists to inform decision-makers of any Earth-bound space weather events up to nearly 60 minutes before arrival.

    Satellites with traditional chemical and electric propulsion systems cannot maintain an orbit at that location – farther from Earth and closer to the Sun – for long. This is because they would need to continuously burn fuel to counteract the Sun’s gravitational pull.

    To address this issue, our team has spent decades designing and developing a new propulsion system. Our solution is designed to affordably reach a distance that is closer to the Sun than the traditional L1 point, and to operate there reliably for more than a decade by harnessing an abundant and reliable resource – sunlight.

    SWIFT would use a fuelless propulsion system called a solar sail to reach its orbit. A solar sail is a hair-thin reflective surface – simulating a very thin mirror – that spans about a third of a football field. It balances the force of light particles coming from the Sun, which pushes it away, with the Sun’s gravity, which pulls it inward.

    While a sailboat harnesses the lift created by wind flowing over its curved sails to move across water, a solar sail uses the momentum of photons from sunlight, reflected off its large, shiny sail, to propel a spacecraft through space. Both the sailboat and solar sail exploit the transfer of energy from their respective environments to drive motion without relying on traditional propellants.

    A solar sail could enable SWIFT to enter an otherwise unstable sub-L1 orbit without the risk of running out of fuel.

    NASA successfully launched its first solar sail in 2010. This in-space demonstration, named NanoSail-D2, featured a 107-square-foot (10 m2 ) sail and was placed in low Earth orbit. That same year, the Japanese Space Agency launched a larger solar sail mission, IKAROS, which deployed a 2,110 ft2 (196 m2 ) sail in the solar wind and successfully orbited Venus.

    An illustration of the solar sail used on the IKAROS space probe. These sails use light particles as propulsion.
    Andrzej Mirecki, CC BY-SA

    The Planetary Society and NASA followed up by launching two sails in low Earth orbit: LightSail, with an area of 344 ft2 (32 m2 ), and the advanced composite solar sail system, with an area of 860 ft2 (80 m2 ).

    The SWIFT team’s solar sail demonstration mission, Solar Cruiser, will be equipped with a much larger sail – it will have area of 17,793 ft2 (1,653 m2 ) and launch as early as 2029. We successfully deployed a quadrant of the sail on Earth early last year.

    If successful, the Solar Cruiser mission will pave the way for a small satellite constellation that will monitor the solar wind.

    To transport it to space, the team will meticulously fold and tightly pack the sail inside a small canister. The biggest challenge to overcome will be deploying the sail once in space and using it to guide the satellite along its orbital path.

    If successful, Solar Cruiser will pave the way for SWIFT’s constellation of four satellites. The constellation would include one satellite equipped with sail propulsion, set to be placed in an orbit beyond L1, and three smaller satellites with chemical propulsion in orbit at the L1 Lagrange point.

    The satellites will be indefinitely parked at and beyond L1, collecting data in the solar wind without interruption. Each of the four satellites can observe the solar wind from different locations, helping scientists better predict how it may evolve before reaching Earth.

    As modern life depends more on space infrastructure, continuing to invest in space weather prediction can protect both space- and ground-based technologies.

    Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti receives funding from NASA. He is the Principal Investigator of Space Weather Investigation Frontier (SWIFT).

    – ref. Spacecraft equipped with a solar sail could deliver earlier warnings of space weather threats to Earth’s technologies – https://theconversation.com/spacecraft-equipped-with-a-solar-sail-could-deliver-earlier-warnings-of-space-weather-threats-to-earths-technologies-259877

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: TRA reconsiders recommendation on imports of Chinese excavators

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    TRA reconsiders recommendation on imports of Chinese excavators

    The TRA has initiated a reconsideration of its recommendation to impose a new anti-dumping measure on imports of certain excavators from China.

    The Trade Remedies Authority has initiated a reconsideration of its recommendation to impose a new anti-dumping measure on imports of certain excavators from China.

    Reconsiderations are part of the process that parties can use to ask the TRA to look again at its decisions and are in line with the World Trade Organization rules for free and fair trade. You can read more about reconsiderations on the TRA’s website. 

    The initiation today follows submissions received from LiuGong Group and Caterpillar Group requesting that the TRA reconsider its recommendation.

    LiuGong has claimed that battery electric machines should not be included within the definition of the goods and the tariff imposed. It has asked for battery electric machines to be removed from the description of the goods and all related tariffs.

    Caterpillar has questioned the TRA’s calculation of the individual anti-dumping amount that was calculated for it as the sampled cooperating overseas exporter to the original investigation. It has asked the TRA to recalculate the injury margin, dumping margin, injury and causal link determination and the form of the anti-dumping measures.

    The TRA’s reconsideration will consider the grounds submitted by both applicants as part of one single investigation within the rules set out in the UK’s regulatory framework and the underlying World Trade Organization obligations. It will determine whether the applications received necessitate a different recommendation to that originally given to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade.  

    At the end of the reconsideration process, the TRA will reach a reconsidered decision either upholding or varying its recommendation and will notify this to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. 

    About the TRA’s original recommendation

    The TRA’s original anti-dumping investigation, which was undertaken in response to a request from a UK manufacturer, assessed whether excavators imported from China are being dumped and therefore being sold in the UK at unfairly low prices.

    The final recommended measure, which was accepted by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and came into force on 14 May 2024, imposed tariffs on imports of these goods ranging from 18.81% for a sampled exporter to 40.08% for the residual rate. This measure will remain in force throughout the duration of the reconsideration.

    Background

    • The Trade Remedies Authority is the UK body that investigates whether new trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports.
    • The UK trade remedies regime is set by the Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Act 2018 and the Trade Act 2021, which operationalise the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements covering trade remedies.
    • Reconsiderations are part of the process that parties can use to ask the TRA to look again at its decisions. Many government departments, non-departmental public bodies and other government agencies (including decision-making bodies on taxation and benefits) provide for interested parties to request an internal reconsideration of a decision as part of their standard processes.
    • For a reconsideration to be undertaken by the TRA, applicants must meet the following criteria:
      • Set out the grounds for their application.
      • Explain the outcome they are looking for.
      • Demonstrate that they are eligible to apply for a reconsideration of this decision.
    • If an application does not meet any or all the three criteria set out above, the TRA will review this and may ultimately reject an application.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Virtru Secures $50 Million in New Funding to Accelerate the Future of Data-Centric Security for the AI Era

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Virtru, the leader in data-centric security and the inventor of the open standard Trusted Data Format (TDF), today announced $50 million in new funding led by ICONIQ, with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners, Foundry, and The Chertoff Group. The round doubles Virtru’s valuation to $500 million and signals the next phase of growth for the company, as it becomes the standard bearer for mission-critical data protection in the age of AI.

    A Proven Standard for Securing the World’s Most Sensitive Data
    The investment comes amid significant momentum, driven by rising demand for data security solutions built upon TDF. The TDF open standard was invented by Co-Founder Will Ackerly during his tenure at the National Security Agency, and it has been adopted as the data protection standard for national defense and intelligence missions across the United States and allied partners globally, cementing Virtru’s role as a leader in data security.

    Trusted by over 6,000 organizations across the public and private sectors—including JPMorganChase, Equifax, Capital One, Salesforce, and the U.S. Department of Defense—Virtru’s Data Security Platform has created a new paradigm in data-centric security, where protection travels with the data itself rather than relying on traditional perimeter defenses. As AI reshapes workflows and expands the boundaries of how sensitive data flows in and out of modern businesses, the need for granular data protection is more critical than ever.

    “This is a pivotal moment not just for Virtru, but for global security architecture,” said John Ackerly, CEO and Co-Founder of Virtru. “From day one, Virtru’s mission has been to unlock the full value of data by ensuring it remains under your control, everywhere it travels. AI represents a seismic shift in business workflows, dramatically amplifying the need for precise, data-centric security that moves seamlessly with data across all boundaries. This funding is a seminal moment as we continue to scale Virtru and make TDF the open platform of choice for data-centric security.”

    “In an increasingly connected world, protecting sensitive data across public and private ecosystems is a national and commercial imperative,” said Will Griffith, Partner at ICONIQ. “TDF is fast becoming a global standard for secure data sharing across both public and private sectors. As government agencies and enterprises embrace AI, the need for scalable, purpose-built data security infrastructure has never been greater, and we believe Virtru is at the center of this paradigm shift.”

    A Dual-Sided Future for Data-Centric Security
    While traditional Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) solutions focus on internal controls, today’s environment demands a dual approach: one that secures not only internal assets, but also data shared externally. Virtru addresses this gap with “microsecurity,” where protection and governance travel with the data itself, regardless of where it goes.

    “Data security is undergoing a fundamental shift,” said Will Ackerly, Chief Architect and Co-Founder of Virtru. “Indeed, IT leaders need solutions to protect data inside their walls, but they also need simple tools to protect data shared with the outside world. TDF provides that foundation, enabling what we call ‘microsecurity’—security bound intrinsically to data. Our vision is to cement TDF as the global standard in data-centric security, empowering both commercial enterprises and government agencies to collaborate securely in the AI era.”

    Poised for Expansion
    The new funding will fuel Virtru’s continued growth across both public and private sectors—accelerating the global adoption of TDF, expanding protection for sensitive AI and analytics workflows, and scaling mission-critical solutions for defense and critical infrastructure partners.

    “The evolution toward data security platforms that combine granular policy controls with real-time protection represents a fundamental shift in how organizations must approach data-centric security,” said Andrew Bales, Principal Analyst at Gartner. “The market is clearly moving toward solutions that provide persistent protection that travels with the data itself.”

    In a world where the most valuable and sensitive data must move securely across organizational, national, and classification boundaries, Virtru has established itself as the trusted standard for ensuring that protection and control remain with the data itself—regardless of where it travels.

    About Virtru
    Virtru empowers organizations to unlock the power of data while maintaining control wherever it’s stored and shared. From global enterprises to national defense and intelligence agencies, Virtru’s award-winning solutions provide simple, powerful data-centric security, underpinned by the Trusted Data Format (TDF). Learn more at virtru.com.

    Press Contact

    Nick Michael
    nick.michael@virtru.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Cyabra Uncovers Iranian Bot Operation Undermining UK Democracy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cyabra Strategy Ltd. (“Cyabra”), the AI-powered platform for real-time disinformation detection, has uncovered a coordinated Iranian state-backed bot network designed to infiltrate and influence online discourse around Scottish independence. Active between May and June 2025, the campaign aimed to manipulate UK political sentiment, promote Iranian-aligned narratives, and deepen domestic divisions.

    Cyabra’s investigation found that 26% of accounts engaging in Scottish independence conversations on X (formerly Twitter) were fake, publishing more than 3,000 coordinated messages. These accounts blended pro-independence, anti-Brexit, and anti-UK institutional themes to mimic grassroots sentiment and sway opinion in Iran’s favor.

    The campaign experienced a defining disruption beginning June 13, 2025, immediately following a military escalation between Israel and Iran. The Iranian-linked network went silent for 16 days—then reemerged with renewed coordination and a messaging pivot, praising Iran’s strength and mocking the West. This behavioral shift offered clear evidence of state-backed orchestration behind the campaign.

    “The sudden disruption to Iran’s influence operations capabilities due to their war with Israel exposed the entire operation,” said Dan Brahmy, CEO of Cyabra. “It was like watching state-backed disinformation self-destruct in real time. When Iran paused, so did the bots revealing the strategy, the propaganda, and the 224 million views their fake campaign had already amassed.”

    The network deployed AI-generated personas, recycled content, and strategic use of hashtags like #ScottishIndependence, #FreeScotland, and #BrexitBetrayal to infiltrate legitimate conversations. Cyabra’s platform traced these behaviors to known Iranian influence tactics.

    Importantly, authentic users unknowingly amplified the manipulated content, further obscuring the line between real discourse and engineered narratives.

    Cyabra has entered into a business combination agreement with Trailblazer Merger Corporation I (NASDAQ: TBMC), a blank-check special-purpose acquisition company.

    Download the full report here: Iranian Bot Network Exposed After a 16-Day Silence

    About Cyabra
    Cyabra is a real-time AI-powered platform that uncovers and analyzes online disinformation and misinformation by uncovering fake profiles, harmful narratives, and GenAI content across social media and digital news channels. Cyabra’s AI solutions protect corporations and governments against brand reputation risks, election manipulation, foreign interference, and other online threats. Cyabra’s platform leverages proprietary algorithms and NLP solutions, gathering and analyzing publicly available data to provide clear, actionable insights and real-time alerts that inform critical decision-making. Cyabra uncovers the good, bad, and fake online.

    For more information, visit www.cyabra.com.

    Media Contact:
    Jill Burkes
    Jill@cyabra.com

    Investor Relations Contact:
    ir@cyabra.com

    About Trailblazer
    Trailblazer is a blank check company formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization, or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. For more information, visit: www.trailblazermergercorp.com

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to certain products and services that are the subject of a proposed transaction (the “Business Combination”) between Trailblazer and Cyabra. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding Cyabra’s business strategy, products and services, research and development costs, plans and objectives of management for future operations, and future results of current and anticipated product offerings, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to, the following risks relating to the proposed transaction: the ability to complete the Business Combination or, if Trailblazer does not consummate such Business Combination, any other

    initial business combination; expectations regarding Cyabra’s strategies and future financial performance, including its future business plans or objectives, prospective performance and opportunities and competitors, revenues, products and services, pricing, operating expenses, market trends, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital expenditures, and Cyabra’s ability to invest in growth initiatives and pursue acquisition opportunities; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Trailblazer or Cyabra following announcement of the Business Combination Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; the inability to complete the proposed Business Combination due to, among other things, the failure to obtain Trailblazer stockholder approval; the risk that the announcement and consummation of the proposed Business Combination disrupts Cyabra’s current operations and future plans; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed Business Combination; unexpected costs related to the proposed Business Combination; the amount of any redemptions by existing holders of Trailblazer’s common stock being greater than expected; limited liquidity and trading of Trailblazer’s securities; geopolitical risk and changes in applicable laws or regulations; the size of the addressable markets for Cyabra’s products and services; the possibility that Trailblazer and/or Cyabra may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; the ability to obtain and/or maintain the listing of the combined company’s common stock on Nasdaq following the Business Combination; operational risk; and the risks that the consummation of the proposed Business Combination is substantially delayed or does not occur.

    Important Information for Investors and Stockholders
    In connection with the Business Combination, Trailblazer Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Trailblazer (“Holdings”) has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which includes a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, and certain other related documents, which will be both the proxy statement to be distributed to holders of shares of Trailblazer’s common stock in connection with its solicitation of proxies for the vote by its stockholders with respect to the Business Combination and other matters as may be described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus of Holdings relating to the offer and sale of its securities to be issued in the Business Combination. . After the Registration Statement is declared effective, the proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to all Trailblazer stockholders so that they may vote on the Business Combination.

    INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF TRAILBLAZER ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION AND THE PARTIES INVOLVED.

    Trailblazer stockholders are currently able to obtain copies of the preliminary proxy

    statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference therein, and will be able to obtain the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference therein, once available, in all cases without charge, at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: Trailblazer at 510 Madison Avenue, Suite 1401, New York, NY 10022, Telephone: 646-747-9618.

    Participants in the Solicitation
    Cyabra, Trailblazer, and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Trailblazer stockholders regarding the proposed Business Combination. Information about Trailblazer’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Trailblazer’s securities is set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus pertaining to the proposed Business Combination.

    No Offer or Solicitation
    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval. No sale of securities shall occur in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful before registration or qualification under applicable laws.

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