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Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI China: Ningbo-Zhoushan Port shows major trade rebound

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

    Despite recent volatility in global trade policy, especially the swift changes in US-China tariff regulations since April, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port — the world’s third-largest in terms of container throughput volume in 2024 — has demonstrated remarkable resilience.

    By early June, container throughput volume to the United States had returned to pre-fluctuation levels, said port officials.

    Located on China’s eastern seaboard, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port serves as a vital artery in global logistics. With over 300 container shipping routes connecting to more than 600 ports, across 200 countries and regions, the port handles nearly 300 vessel movements daily. It has become a critical hub in supporting the dual circulation of domestic and international trade.

    In the face of external pressure, the port managed to expand its container throughput volume. From January to April, the port handled 13.568 million twenty-foot equivalent units, marking a 9.9 percent year-on-year increase, said Teng Yahui, deputy general manager of Ningbo Zhoushan Port Co Ltd.

    Notably, full-container exports rose more than 10 percent, while volumes to emerging markets in Southeast Asia, South America and Africa surged over 20 percent, laying a robust foundation for sustained growth.

    From January to May, total container throughput volume exceeded 17 million TEUs — a year-on-year increase of more than 9 percent. Teng confirmed that US-bound container volumes had normalized by early June, reflecting a rebound in trans-Pacific trade following the May 12 joint announcement issued after China-US trade talks in Geneva.

    To meet growing market demand and improve global connectivity, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port has launched a series of new shipping routes in recent months. These routes not only accommodate increased outbound cargo, but also provide exporters with faster, more diversified transport options, further consolidating the port’s global hub status.

    “Ningbo-Zhoushan Port has capitalized on the reorganization of global shipping alliances, strengthening cooperation with shipping lines and optimizing our route network,” said Zhu Miao, general manager of Zhejiang Provincial Seaport Investment & Operation Group.

    Zhu said: “We now operate 307 routes, including 255 international ones and 23 express shipping lines. Our port connectivity index has surpassed Singapore’s, ranking second globally.”

    During periods of reduced US-bound shipments, the port took proactive measures to stabilize services. “We worked closely with carriers to secure capacity and stabilize schedules, ensuring minimal disruptions. At the same time, we collaborated to explore new cargo sources and routes, reinforcing our role as a pivotal gateway,” Teng said.

    Ningbo-Zhoushan Port continues to enhance service quality by deploying tailored solutions. Its dedicated “logistics concierge” team designs optimized transportation plans for clients, with a strong focus on high-growth regions such as South America, the Middle East and Europe. In parallel, the port has accelerated the implementation of facilitation measures to improve operational efficiency. These include reducing vessel waiting times and streamlining Customs clearance — efforts that have significantly enhanced port productivity and competitiveness.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Eurozone inflation rate reaches 2% in June

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

    Photo taken on July 7, 2022 shows the headquarter of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, Germany. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The annual inflation rate in the Eurozone is expected to reach 2 percent for June, up from 1.9 percent in May, according to a flash estimate published Tuesday by Eurostat.

    The inflation is driven by the price of services, which recorded a yearly inflation rate of 3.3 percent in June, up from 3.2 percent the previous month.

    The prices of food, alcohol, and tobacco registered a 3.1 percent year-on-year inflation rate in June, down from 3.2 percent in May.

    Inflation for non-energy industrial goods declined from 0.6 percent in May to 0.5 percent in June. A negative inflation rate of -2.7 percent was recorded for energy prices, an increase from -3.6 percent in May.

    Core inflation, which excludes energy, food, tobacco and alcohol prices, was unchanged at 2.3 percent in June.

    Among the main economies of the Eurozone, Germany recorded an inflation rate of 2 percent, down from 2.1 percent in May. France recorded an inflation rate of 0.8 percent, up from 0.6 percent in May, and Spain’s inflation rate stands at 2.2 percent, up from 2 percent in May.

    The highest inflation rate was recorded in Estonia at 5.2 percent, up from 4.6 percent the previous month, while Cyprus registered the lowest inflation rate for June at 0.5 percent, up from 0.4 percent in May.

    “Inflationary pressures have clearly weakened as wage growth is coming down and economic performance remains sluggish, keeping the door open to another rate cut in autumn,” said Bert Colijn, Chief Economist for the Netherlands at ING.

    According to Colijn, risks such as oil price spikes and the outcome of tariff negotiations between the EU and the U.S. remain.

    The European Central Bank (ECB) last month announced an eighth rate cut, bringing the policy interest rate to the lowest level since December 2022. According to the ECB statement, most measures of underlying inflation suggest that inflation will settle at around the 2 percent medium-term target on a sustained basis. However, the ECB has not yet dropped its guard, insisting that it is determined to ensure inflation stabilizes sustainably at its medium-term target.

    Market expectations for interest rate cuts were unchanged after the June inflation figures were published. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US manufacturing struggles through fourth straight month of decline

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

    U.S. manufacturing activity contracted for the fourth consecutive month in June, with new factory orders plummeting amid escalating trade tensions and soaring input costs that continued to weigh on the world’s largest economy, while the automotive sector showed similar signs of strain after a tariff-driven sales surge had collapsed.

    “The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) registered 49 percent in June, a 0.5-percentage point increase compared to the 48.5 percent recorded in May,” said Susan Spence, chair of the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, in a press release. It was still below the critical 50 percent threshold that separates growth from contraction, according to data released Tuesday.

    The persistent weakness in U.S. industrial backbone reflected broader economic headwinds as trade disputes continued to disrupt global supply chains while manufacturers grappled with sustained price pressures.

    Raw material costs have surged for eight consecutive months, with the ISM Prices Index hitting 69.4 percent in May, according to the previous month’s data.

    The manufacturing downturn coincided with a dramatic collapse in automotive sales momentum. “The springtime surge in U.S. auto sales landed with a thud last month, setting up a slowdown in the months ahead as carmakers digest President Donald Trump’s tariffs on auto imports and consumers find fewer deals,” Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

    “The party is over,” Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for researcher Cox Automotive Inc., said in a Bloomberg interview. “It’s clearly slowing. It’s because of affordability getting worse and forcing what we think will be production declines to keep supply in balance.”

    The automotive sector’s sudden reversal illustrated the broader economic impact of trade policies. The annual automotive selling rate likely fell to 15 million in June — the slowest pace in the last 12 months — from 17.6 million in April as consumers pulled back from major purchases.

    Shoppers rushed to showrooms as beating tariff-induced price increases became a motivation to buy, pushing up second-quarter sales an estimated 2.5 percent from the prior-year period, according to industry researcher J.D. Power. However, that momentum has now evaporated.

    New orders in manufacturing, a key indicator of future production, fell for the fifth straight month to 46.4 percent in June, down 1.2 percentage points from May’s already weak 47.6 percent reading. The employment situation in manufacturing has also remained challenging as companies adjust to reduced demand and elevated operating costs.

    The automotive industry exemplified these broader manufacturing challenges. Ford Motor Company’s second-quarter sales jumped 14.2 percent, helped by employee pricing programs, though growth moderated in June. Hyundai Motor Company reported 10 percent second-quarter growth but only a 3 percent gain in June, down sharply from April’s 19 percent surge, according to Bloomberg data.

    “These tariffs are already hitting the U.S. auto industry,” said Adam Posen, president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, describing the policies as “inflationary, if not stagflationary.”

    According to J.D. Power, average monthly car payments reached a record 747 U.S. dollars in June, up 22 dollars from a year ago. That has more people stretching car loans to 84 months, which accounted for 12 percent of all auto financing last month, up three percentage points from last year.

    “Given the impact of tariffs, prices are likely to start rising at a much faster rate,” Charlie Chesbrough, senior economist for Cox said in a press release on June 25. “Higher vehicle prices are coming to the new vehicle market.”

    Consulting firm AlixPartners predicted automakers will pass along 80 percent of Trump’s tariff costs to consumers, driving up prices by nearly 2,000 dollars per car, though the firm expected the full impact won’t be felt until year-end.

    Manufacturing companies are feeling similar pressures from multiple directions. The Prices Index recorded its highest readings since June 2022, with companies reporting significant increases in aluminum, copper, steel, electrical components, and plastic resin costs, according to earlier ISM reports.

    Supply chain executives surveyed by the ISM reported mixed conditions across different sectors. Only three of the six largest manufacturing industries (Petroleum & Coal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Computer & Electronic Products) reported increased new orders in June.

    The ISM’s analysis suggested the June manufacturing reading “corresponds to a change of plus-1.9 percent in real gross domestic product on an annualized basis,” according to Spence’s statement. This indicated that while manufacturing faces headwinds, the sector’s performance would still support modest economic growth.

    The June slowdown was “a hangover from some of the sales that were pulled ahead,” said Mark Wakefield, global auto market lead for consultant AlixPartners. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Barge capsizes in Gulf of Suez

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    CAIRO, July 2 (Xinhua) — The Adam Marine 12 barge, owned by Offshore Shukheir Oil Company, capsized in the Gulf of Suez on Tuesday, Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources said.

    The agency stressed that it is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating its actions with the relevant authorities and companies in the area of the incident.

    A team led by Oil and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi and Labor Minister Mohamed Ghobran has been dispatched to the site of the shipwreck to oversee rescue operations, the statement said. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Crapo Statement on Senate Passage of One Big Beautiful Bill Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today hailed Senate passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act:

    “With this bill’s passage, the United States Senate is fulfilling President Trump’s promise to secure the border, fortify our national defense and unleash American energy.  This legislation also prevents the biggest tax hike in U.S. history from ever happening, delivers additional tax relief to hardworking families and takes significant steps to get our fiscal house in order. 

    “Making the successful 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent ensures Americans keep more of their hard-earned money, and gives businesses the certainty they need to make the long-term investments that power economic growth.  New tax relief from policies like no taxes on tips, no taxes on overtime, tax relief for seniors and additional child care assistance will overwhelmingly benefit the working class.  

    “The legislation also achieves historic savings by targeting waste, fraud and abuse in our federal spending programs, strengthening them for the most vulnerable citizens they are intended to help.

    “Extending good tax policy, delivering targeted relief and reining in wasteful spending is the best way to restore economic prosperity and opportunity for all Americans.  I look forward to getting it to the President’s desk as soon as possible.”

    Crapo, as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee which has jurisdiction over tax policy, is one of the chief architects of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. 

    For more information on the provisions within the Finance Committee’s jurisdiction, click HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 2, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 2, 2025.

    Parents of kids in daycare are terrified following Melbourne abuse allegations. What can they do?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Danielle Arlanda Harris, Associate Professor in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University Parents have been left reeling by news a male Melbourne childcare worker has been charged with 70 counts related to the alleged sexual abuse of young children in his care. The charges include sexual penetration

    We all have kangaroos hopping around our coin purse – and they’ve been on money since 1795
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Dyer, Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Monash University The one tonne gold kangaroo coin at the Perth Mint. Shutterstock On the Australian one dollar coin, you will often find the famous representation of a mob of five kangaroos. But when did the kangaroo first appear on

    The Bradbury Group features Palestinian journalist Dr Yousef Aljamal, Middle East report and political panel
    Asia Pacific Report In the new weekly political podcast, The Bradbury Group, last night presenter Martyn Bradbury talked with visiting Palestinian journalist Dr Yousef Aljamal. They assess the current situation in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and what New Zealand should be doing. As Bradbury, publisher of The Daily Blog, notes, “Fourth Estate public broadcasting

    New laws to make it harder for large Australian and foreign companies to avoid paying tax
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kerrie Sadiq, Professor of Taxation, QUT Business School, and ARC Future Fellow, Queensland University of Technology The Conversation, CC BY The beginning of the financial year means for the first time in Australia the public will see previously unreleased tax reports produced by multinational taxpayers. These documents,

    ‘Shit in, shit out’: AI is coming for agriculture, but farmers aren’t convinced
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tom Lee, Senior Lecturer, School of Design, University of Technology Sydney David Gray / AFP / Getty Images Australian farms are at the forefront of a wave of technological change coming to agriculture. Over the past decade, more than US$200 billion (A$305 billion) has been invested globally

    The National Anti-Corruption Commission turns 2 – has it restored integrity to federal government?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By A J Brown, Professor of Public Policy & Law, Centre for Governance & Public Policy, Griffith University The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) opened its doors two years ago this week amid much fanfare and high expectations. Since then the body has attracted considerable criticism, overshadowing a solid,

    Gum disease, decay, missing teeth: why people with mental illness have poorer oral health
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bonnie Clough, Senior Lecturer, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University mihailomilovanovic/Getty Images People with poor mental health face many challenges. One that’s perhaps lesser known is that they’re more likely than the overall population to have poor oral health. Research has shown people with serious mental illness

    Farming within Earth’s limits is still possible – but it will take a Herculean effort
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michalis Hadjikakou, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Sustainability, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering & Built Environment, Deakin University Patrick Pleul/Getty The way we currently produce and consume food takes a big toll on the environment. Worldwide, farming is responsible for more than 20%

    News laws to make it harder for large Australian and foreign companies to avoid paying tax
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kerrie Sadiq, Professor of Taxation, QUT Business School, and ARC Future Fellow, Queensland University of Technology The Conversation, CC BY The beginning of the financial year means for the first time in Australia the public will see previously unreleased tax reports produced by multinational taxpayers. These documents,

    What did ancient Rome smell like? Honestly, often pretty rank
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas J. Derrick, Gale Research Fellow in Ancient Glass and Material Culture, Macquarie University minoandriani/Getty Images The roar of the arena crowd, the bustle of the Roman forum, the grand temples, the Roman army in red with glistening shields and armour – when people imagine ancient Rome,

    Memo to Shane Jones: what if NZ needs more regional government, not less?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeffrey McNeill, Honorary Research Associate, School of People, Environment and Planning, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University If the headlines are anything to go by, New Zealand’s regional councils are on life support. Regional Development Minister Shane Jones recently wondered whether “there’s going to be a

    Antarctic summer sea ice is at record lows. Here’s how it will harm the planet – and us
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edward Doddridge, Senior Research Associate in Physical Oceanography, University of Tasmania An icebreaker approaches Denman Glacier in March, when there was 70% less Antarctic sea ice than usual. Pete Harmsen AAD On her first dedicated scientific voyage to Antarctica in March, the Australian icebreaker RSV Nuyina found

    Micronesian Summit in Majuro this week aims to be ‘one step ahead’
    By Giff Johnson, editor, Marshall Islands Journal/RNZ Pacific correspondent in Majuro The Micronesian Islands Forum cranks up with officials meetings this week in Majuro, with the official opening for top leadership from the islands tomorrow morning. Marshall Islands leaders are being joined at this summit by their counterparts from Kiribati, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia,

    Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Reza Shabahang, Research Fellow in Human Cybersecurity, Monash University and Academic Researcher in Media Psychology, Flinders University KieferPix/Shutterstock If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with

    What are police allowed to do at protests and who keeps them in check?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Hine, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, University of the Sunshine Coast Earlier this week, former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas was hospitalised with serious injuries after being arrested at a protest in Sydney. This incident sparked public outcry, raising questions about the limits of police power and what

    Trump demands an end to the war in Gaza – could a ceasefire be close?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marika Sosnowski, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Melbourne Anas-Mohammed/Shutterstock Hopes are rising that Israel and Hamas could be inching closer to a ceasefire in the 20-month war in Gaza. US President Donald Trump is urging progress, taking to social media to demand: MAKE THE DEAL IN

    A new ‘prac payment’ has just kicked in. But it ignores many uni students
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Lambert, Associate Professor Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Wollongong Fly View Productions/ Getting Images On Tuesday, some Australian university students got access to a new payment. The Commonwealth Prac Payment is available to eligible teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students. It will provide A$331.65 a

    ‘I’m going to send letters’: the deadline for Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ trade tariffs is looming
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Draper, Professor, and Executive Director: Institute for International Trade, and Director of the Jean Monnet Centre of Trade and Environment, University of Adelaide Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images US President Donald Trump’s 90-day pause on implementing so-called “reciprocal” tariffs on some 180 trading partners ends on

    2 polls have Tasmania headed for another hung parliament, but disagree on which party is ahead
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Two Tasmanian state polls imply another hung parliament at the July 19 election under Tasmania’s proportional system. In one of these polls, Labor leads the Liberals, while

    Preventive versus pre-emptive strikes.
    Headline: Preventive versus pre-emptive strikes. – 36th Parallel Assessments Photo credit: Reuters. Conceptual clarity is important in any context but especially when it comes to international relations, foreign policy and the initiation of conflict. Recent events in the Middle East have shown once again how clarity in the use of words is often deliberately obfuscated

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Policy effort to bolster growth bears fruit

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

    A worker works at an assembly line of Voyah, a Chinese NEV brand, in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, April 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Stepping up policy support for the manufacturing sector will be necessary for China in the second half of the year in order to stabilize employment and ensure a steady growth trajectory amid lingering uncertainties, economists and analysts said.

    Their remarks came as the latest data showed that earlier policy efforts to bolster economic growth have continued to bear fruit, with key indicators of China’s manufacturing sector improving in June as production and market orders picked up.

    However, they warned that the sector still faces mounting headwinds — including falling sales prices, rising receivables and intensified market competition amid faltering external demand — and these are weighing on employment and reinforcing the need for stronger policy buffers.

    “Supply and demand in the manufacturing sector both improved in June,” said Bai Wenxi, vice-chairman of the China Enterprise Capital Union.

    “Companies, however, remained cautious in arranging production plans amid lingering uncertainties of domestic and external demand,” Bai said, adding that intensified market competition is continuing to squeeze profit margins for manufacturers as the drop in sales prices has been steeper than that for raw material prices.

    The Caixin China General Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index, a privately surveyed barometer of the sector’s health, rose to 50.4 in June from 48.3 in May, showing that the manufacturing sector resumed expansion after a contraction in May, as earlier policy measures aiming to stabilize the economy continued to take effect.

    Despite the improvement, media group Caixin said in a report on Tuesday that in June, manufacturers faced declining output prices at the fastest pace in five months as they had to cut prices to boost sales, while staying generally cautious with hiring due to cost control considerations and reduced optimism regarding output in the next 12 months.

    The official manufacturing PMI survey, released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday, provided a similar picture. Although increased production and market orders sent the PMI reading higher at 49.7 in June from 49.5 in May, sales prices and employment in the sector continued to drop, with the activity of small manufacturers contracting more sharply.

    Charlie Zheng, chief economist at Samoyed Cloud Technology Group Holdings, emphasized the need for additional fiscal and monetary support to sustain the sector’s recovery, including advancing tax cuts for smaller manufacturers and reducing interest rates and the reserve requirement ratio — the amount of cash that banks must keep as reserves — to ease financing costs for businesses.

    Zheng said that such efforts are of great significance, as the impact of international trade policy uncertainties on Chinese exporters may further manifest in the second half of the year, while some manufacturers could face funding difficulties as they pursue industrial upgrading and transformation.

    Bai said that targeted support for industrial upgrading should be considered, including scaling up the issuance of local government special bonds and central bank lending aimed at supporting technological and equipment upgrades and attracting more investors to the newly launched tech-focused board in the bond market.

    The People’s Bank of China, the country’s central bank, vowed on Friday to amplify the intensity of monetary policy adjustments and step up support for technological innovation and equipment upgrades, after launching a series of measures earlier in the week to boost consumption.

    Anna An, president of Henkel China, said the German industrial and consumer goods group recognizes China’s strong commitment to developing high-end manufacturing and related services and has greatly benefited from its rapid growth in key sectors, such as automotive, consumer goods and electronics.

    The National Bureau of Statistics said the PMIs for equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing came in, respectively, at 51.4 and 50.9 in June, staying in expansionary territory for two consecutive months.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Provision to Bring Space Shuttle Discovery to Houston Passed in Senate’s One Big Beautiful Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today celebrated the passage of his provision to reconsider moving the Space Shuttle Discovery from Virginia to its rightful home near the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston in the Senate’s reconciliation legislation:

    “Houston has long been the cornerstone of our nation’s human space exploration program, and it’s long overdue for Space City to receive the recognition it deserves by bringing the Space Shuttle Discovery home,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I am glad to see this pass as part of the Senate’s One Big Beautiful Bill and look forward to welcoming Discovery to Houston and righting this egregious wrong.”“Houston has long stood at the heart of America’s human spaceflight program, and this legislation rightly honors that legacy,” said Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation Chairman Ted Cruz. “It ensures that any future transfer of a flown, crewed space vehicle will prioritize locations that have played a direct and vital role in our nation’s manned space program, making Houston, Texas, a leading candidate. Bringing such a historic space vehicle to the region would underscore the city’s indispensable contributions to our space missions, highlight the strength of America’s commercial space partnerships, and inspire future generations of engineers, scientists, and pioneers who will carry our legacy of American leadership in space.”

    Background:

     The Senator’s provision included in the Senate’s legislation would result in consideration of the Space Shuttle Discovery moving from Virginia to its rightful home near NASA’s JSC in Houston.

    Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center led all of the space shuttle flights throughout the program’s history, and the astronauts who flew aboard the shuttles lived and trained in the area Houston. Four space shuttles were retired from NASA in 2010, and one of them was expected to go on display in the Space City. Congress stated in the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 that the four space shuttles were to be given to states with a “historical relationship with either the launch, flight operations, or processing of the Space Shuttle orbiters or the retrieval of NASA-manned space vehicles, or significant contributions to human space flight.” Unfortunately, this directive was unlawfully ignored by the Obama administration, who played politics to keep Houston from getting one of the shuttles. Notably, the administration gave one of the four shuttles to New York City, which has not made any major contributions to the nation’s history of space exploration and is not home to a NASA center—unlike Houston. The Space Shuttle Discovery should be transferred to Houston. This legislation would authorize the movement of the Space Shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia to an entity near the JSC in Houston.

    Additional space-related provisions led by Sen. Cornyn, including the Mission to Modernize Astronautic Resources (MARS) for Space Act, nearly $10 billion in NASA funding for programs at JSC, funding for National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Artemis program, and resources to support the International Space Station (ISS), were included in the Senate’s legislation.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Staff Completes Governance Diagnostic Mission to Kenya

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    July 1, 2025

    Washington, DC: At the request of the Kenyan authorities, an IMF Technical Assistance mission led by Rebecca A. Sparkman visited Kenya from June 16-30, 2025, to conduct a Governance Diagnostic. This mission followed the scoping mission held on March 3-5, 2025.

    The Governance Diagnostic aims to identify macro-economically critical governance weaknesses and corruption vulnerabilities, and design an action plan with specific, sequenced recommendations and reform priorities.

    Reflecting the breadth of the Governance Diagnostic exercise, the visiting team comprised staff from a number of IMF departments, including the Fiscal Affairs; Legal; Finance; Monetary and Capital Markets; and Strategy, Policy and Review Departments, as well as World Bank staff. They engaged with the government and non-governmental stakeholders to examine governance weaknesses and corruption vulnerabilities across core state functions as provided by the IMF’s 2018 framework for Enhanced Engagement on Governance.

    To this end, the mission team met with Kenyan authorities, including those responsible for public financial management (including procurement), expenditure policy, tax policy, revenue administration, the mining sector, market regulation, rule of law, Central Bank governance and operations, financial sector oversight, and Anti-Money Laundering/Combatting the Financing of Terrorism. Throughout the mission, the team engaged with Kenya’s anti-corruption and oversight institutions to discuss the effectiveness of legal and institutional frameworks in reducing macro-economically critical corruption vulnerabilities. The mission also met members of Kenya’s National Assembly.

    Additionally, the mission met with representatives from civil society, the private sector, business associations, and international development partners to gather perspectives on governance challenges and anti-corruption efforts.

    The IMF team would like to thank the Kenyan authorities and other stakeholders for their hospitality, excellent cooperation, and candid and constructive discussions.

    Collaboration on the Governance Diagnostic will continue over the next several months. A draft report, which will set out the findings and propose a sequenced, prioritized reform plan, is expected to be shared with the authorities for review and additional input before end of 2025.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Pavis Devahasadin

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/07/02/pr25233-kenya-imf-staff-completes-governance-diagnostic-mission-to-kenya

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Univest Securities, LLC Congratulates Client Houston American Energy Corp. on its Latest Acquisition of Abundia Global Impact Group, LLC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Univest Securities, LLC (“Univest”), a member of FINRA and SIPC, and a full-service investment bank and securities broker-dealer firm based in New York, is pleased to congratulate its client, Houston American Energy Corp. (“HUSA”) , on its recent acquisition of Abundia Global Impact Group, LLC (“AGIG”). The acquisition is positioned to create a leading company focused on converting waste plastics into high-value, drop-in low-carbon fuels and chemical products.

    Following the acquisition, AGIG will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of HUSA. The combined company will be led by Abundia’s founder, Ed Gillespie, who will serve as Chief Executive Officer and will join the Board of Directors. The acquisition combines HUSA’s public market platform with Abundia’s proprietary pyrolysis technology, positioning HUSA to serve the growing global demand for sustainable fuels, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and recycled chemical feedstocks.

    Univest has maintained a longstanding strategic partnership with HUSA, supporting HUSA’s growth along its corporate journey. Since 2021, Univest has acted as the sole placement agent for HUSA in multiple capital markets transactions. Through registered direct offerings, private placements, and at-the-market offerings, Univest has successfully assisted HUSA in raising approximately $17 million. These efforts have provided essential capital to support HUSA’s operational needs and strategic initiatives. This close collaboration reflects a strong alignment of vision and mutual commitment to long-term value creation, and paves the way for supporting HUSA continuously as it enters this exciting new chapter following its recent acquisition.

    About Univest Securities, LLC

    Registered with FINRA since 1994, Univest Securities, LLC provides a wide variety of financial services to its institutional and retail clients globally including brokerage and execution services, sales and trading, market making, investment banking and advisory, and wealth management. It strives to provide clients with value-add service and focuses on building long-term relationships with its clients. As a prominent name on Wall Street, Univest has successfully raised over $1.3 billion in capital for issuers across the globe since 2019 and has completed approximately 100 transactions spanning a wide array of investment banking services in various industries, including technology, life sciences, industrial, consumer goods, etc. For more information, please visit: https://www.univest.us/.

    About Houston American Energy Corp.

    Houston American Energy Corp. is a renewable energy company focused on converting waste materials into valuable low-carbon fuels and chemicals. Through its proprietary pyrolysis technology, the company addresses the global plastic waste crisis while supplying high-demand products like sustainable aviation fuel and recycled feedstocks to the energy and chemical industries. For more information, please visit: http://www.houstonamerican.com/.

    For more information, please contact:

    Univest Securities, LLC
    Edric Guo
    Chief Executive Officer
    75 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 18C
    New York, NY 10019
    Phone: (212) 343-8888
    Email: info@univest.us

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Univest Securities, LLC Congratulates Client Houston American Energy Corp. on its Latest Acquisition of Abundia Global Impact Group, LLC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Univest Securities, LLC (“Univest”), a member of FINRA and SIPC, and a full-service investment bank and securities broker-dealer firm based in New York, is pleased to congratulate its client, Houston American Energy Corp. (“HUSA”) , on its recent acquisition of Abundia Global Impact Group, LLC (“AGIG”). The acquisition is positioned to create a leading company focused on converting waste plastics into high-value, drop-in low-carbon fuels and chemical products.

    Following the acquisition, AGIG will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of HUSA. The combined company will be led by Abundia’s founder, Ed Gillespie, who will serve as Chief Executive Officer and will join the Board of Directors. The acquisition combines HUSA’s public market platform with Abundia’s proprietary pyrolysis technology, positioning HUSA to serve the growing global demand for sustainable fuels, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and recycled chemical feedstocks.

    Univest has maintained a longstanding strategic partnership with HUSA, supporting HUSA’s growth along its corporate journey. Since 2021, Univest has acted as the sole placement agent for HUSA in multiple capital markets transactions. Through registered direct offerings, private placements, and at-the-market offerings, Univest has successfully assisted HUSA in raising approximately $17 million. These efforts have provided essential capital to support HUSA’s operational needs and strategic initiatives. This close collaboration reflects a strong alignment of vision and mutual commitment to long-term value creation, and paves the way for supporting HUSA continuously as it enters this exciting new chapter following its recent acquisition.

    About Univest Securities, LLC

    Registered with FINRA since 1994, Univest Securities, LLC provides a wide variety of financial services to its institutional and retail clients globally including brokerage and execution services, sales and trading, market making, investment banking and advisory, and wealth management. It strives to provide clients with value-add service and focuses on building long-term relationships with its clients. As a prominent name on Wall Street, Univest has successfully raised over $1.3 billion in capital for issuers across the globe since 2019 and has completed approximately 100 transactions spanning a wide array of investment banking services in various industries, including technology, life sciences, industrial, consumer goods, etc. For more information, please visit: https://www.univest.us/.

    About Houston American Energy Corp.

    Houston American Energy Corp. is a renewable energy company focused on converting waste materials into valuable low-carbon fuels and chemicals. Through its proprietary pyrolysis technology, the company addresses the global plastic waste crisis while supplying high-demand products like sustainable aviation fuel and recycled feedstocks to the energy and chemical industries. For more information, please visit: http://www.houstonamerican.com/.

    For more information, please contact:

    Univest Securities, LLC
    Edric Guo
    Chief Executive Officer
    75 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 18C
    New York, NY 10019
    Phone: (212) 343-8888
    Email: info@univest.us

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Belgium, China vow to deepen ties, boost mutual trust

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

    Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Brussels on Tuesday, pledging to deepen exchanges and enhance mutual trust with China.

    De Wever noted that Belgium and China have enjoyed a long history of exchanges, with vibrant local-level friendly communications, and that Belgium plays a gateway role in Europe-China cooperation.

    Recalling his multiple visits to China, De Wever said he was deeply impressed by China’s development achievements. Despite differing perspectives, he stressed the importance of enhancing exchanges and increasing mutual trust in the face of the current complex geopolitical landscape.

    Moreover, he reaffirmed Belgium’s commitment to multilateralism and support for a greater autonomous Europe while expressing the hope that the upcoming EU-China leaders’ meeting will yield positive results.

    De Wever also stressed that Belgium firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and this stance will not change.

    Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, highlighted Belgium’s unique role in the European integration process and China-EU relations as a founding member of the European Union (EU) and host of the EU headquarters.

    Wang said that China appreciates the rational and pragmatic China policy pursued by the new Belgian government and is willing to work with Belgium to carry forward the traditional friendship and advance the all-round partnership of friendly cooperation between the two countries in a steady and sustained manner.

    Meanwhile, Wang said China remains committed to high-quality development and high-level opening-up, welcoming more Belgian enterprises to China to develop their businesses and hoping that Belgium will likewise provide Chinese companies investing in Belgium with a fair, secure, and predictable business environment.

    Wang also said this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, which carries significant meaning as a bridge between the past and the future. The half-century-long journey of China-EU engagement has fully demonstrated that the two sides can achieve mutual respect and win-win cooperation, he added.

    Amid a complex and volatile international landscape, Wang said, China and the EU, as two major forces, markets, and civilizations in the world, should uphold the positioning as partners and the main theme of win-win cooperation, strengthening communication, enhancing understanding and consolidating mutual trust to jointly safeguard multilateralism and the free trade system. Together, they should serve as an “anchor of stability” of the world and act as reliable and strong partners who support and empower each other.

    The two sides also exchanged views on issues including Ukraine.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US ramps up trade pressure on multiple fronts as 90-day tariff deadline approaches

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

    Days after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to halt trade talks and impose tariffs, Canada scrapped its planned digital services tax on Sunday. The White House praised the move, saying talks would resume immediately and declaring that Canada had “caved” to the United States.

    The United States is scrambling to wind up trade talks with a large number of trading partners as the self-imposed deadline of July 9 is approaching. Following Canada’s concession, Trump is continuing his efforts to press multiple trade partners.

    While the EU stood firm on protecting its digital sovereignty and rejected U.S. demands to include digital laws in trade talks, Trump moved on to Japan on Sunday, accusing it of refusing to buy American rice amid a shortage and threatening a formal trade complaint shortly after labeling U.S.-Japan trade “unfair.”

    U-turn on talks  

    Canadian Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne announced Sunday that Canada will rescind its digital services tax as it prepares for a broader trade agreement with the United States.

    The tax, which was designed to take effect on Monday, would impose a 3 percent levy on the revenue of U.S. multinational companies like Amazon, Google and Meta earned from Canadian users.

    “It’s very simple: Canadian Prime Minister (Mark) Carney and Canada caved to President Trump and the United States of America,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Monday at a briefing.

    Leavitt’s comments followed remarks by National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, who said the United States will restart trade negotiations with Canada immediately.

    According to him, the White House is likely to push other countries to abandon their digital services taxes in future trade negotiations, building on Canada’s recent reversal.

    “My expectation is that the digital services taxes around the world will be taken off, and that that will be a key part of the … ongoing trade negotiations that we have,” Hassett was quoted by CNBC as saying.

    Hassett suggested that countries planning to maintain or introduce digital services taxes could face the “wrath” from U.S. Trade Representative Jameson Greer over what he called “unfair trade practices.”

    Ineffective strategy 

    Washington’s pressure tactics didn’t prove effective with the EU, where officials have firmly rejected including digital legislation in trade talks with the United States.

    “Our legislation will not be changed. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA) are not on the table in the trade negotiations with the U.S.,” European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier told a briefing Monday.

    Washington has repeatedly slammed the EU’s digital regulations, including the DMA and DSA, as unfair and called for looser oversight of American tech firms. In February, the White House warned it might retaliate if EU regulators targeted U.S. companies under those rules.

    Regnier emphasized that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has made it clear that EU legislation is not up for negotiation, “and this also includes, of course, our digital legislation,” he said.

    “We’re not going to adjust the implementation of our legislation based on the actions of third countries. If we started to do that, then we would have to do it with numerous third countries,” Regnier added.

    Nevertheless, the spokesperson said that the Commission remains committed to reaching a trade deal with the United States by July 9.

    Trump had earlier said the talks were “going nowhere” and threatened a 50 percent tariff on all EU imports starting June 1. After a call with von der Leyen, he agreed to postpone the hike until July 9.

    European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic said on Monday that he would travel to Washington on Tuesday to try to avoid higher U.S. tariffs and reach a deal “fair for both sides.”

    Currently, the EU faces 50 percent U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum and 25 percent on automobiles, alongside 10 percent baseline duties on most other exports.

    Next on list 

    In a Truth Social post on Monday afternoon, Trump claimed that the Japanese people and their government were “spoiled” because they wouldn’t buy American rice.

    “To show people how spoiled Countries have become with respect to the United States of America, and I have great respect for Japan, they won’t take our RICE, and yet they have a massive rice shortage,” Trump wrote. “In other words, we’ll just be sending them a letter.”

    Yet rice, like the EU’s digital regulations, is not on the Japanese menu for trade talks with the United States.

    On Tuesday, Japanese Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa, who is also the chief representative in tariff negotiations with the U.S. administration, said that his country will not sacrifice the agricultural sector as part of its tariff talks with the United States, adding that he would continue to negotiate with his U.S. counterparts to protect Japan’s national interests.

    “I have repeatedly stated that agriculture is the foundation of the nation,” he told a press conference.

    Trump’s rice complaint followed another swipe at Tokyo’s trade practices. In an interview aired on Fox News a day earlier, he slammed Japan for importing too few American cars, saying, “They won’t take our cars, and yet we take millions and millions of their cars into the United States. It’s not fair,” he said.

    “I could send one (letter) to Japan: ‘Dear Mr. Japan, here’s the story. You’re going to pay a 25 percent tariff on your cars,’” Trump said during the interview. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s EVE Energy launches Shenyang battery base targeting cold climates

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

    Chinese lithium battery manufacturer EVE Energy on Monday put into operation its production base in Shenyang, capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province, aiming to develop batteries capable of withstanding extreme cold, and marking a milestone for the region’s new energy sector.

    The Shenyang facility, backed by a 10-billion-yuan (about 1.4 billion U.S. dollars) investment from the Huizhou-based company in south China’s Guangdong Province, will mainly produce low-temperature resistant, high-density and highly reliable energy storage and power batteries, aiming at addressing the critical industry challenge of poor battery performance in frigid regions.

    EVE Energy’s research center on the application of lithium batteries in cold climates was concurrently unveiled. According to its director Li Wei, the center will leverage the company’s technology and regional partnerships to develop new materials and technologies, significantly boosting battery performance in low temperatures including charge-discharge efficiency.

    The center is also committed to becoming a national-level energy innovation platform, providing strong support for the green energy transformation of northeast China’s old industrial base, Li noted.

    Tiexi District, where the base is located, is home to Shenyang’s new energy vehicle industrial cluster and is pursuing high-end, smart, and green manufacturing. The district has amassed 450 key projects worth 181.6 billion yuan this year, including 185 new and 265 ongoing constructions. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Trade in a mythical fish is threatening real species of rays that are rare and at risk

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By James Marcus Drymon, Associate Extension Professor in Marine Fisheries Ecology, Mississippi State University

    These ‘pez diablo,’ or devil fish, are actually guitarfishes that have been caught, killed, dried and carved into exotic shapes. Bryan Huerta-Beltrán, CC BY-ND

    From the Loch Ness monster to Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, to the jackalope of the U.S. West, mythical animals have long captured human imagination.

    Some people are so fascinated with mythical creatures that they create their own, either working from pure fantasy or by modifying real animals. In a newly published study, we show that in countries such as Mexico, people are catching, drying and shaping guitarfishes – members of the rhino ray family, one of the most threatened groups of marine fishes – to create mythical specimens called “pez diablo,” or devil fish.

    Depending on where these curios are sold, they might also be referred to as Jenny Hanivers, garadiávolos or rayas chupacabras. The origin and meaning of the term “Jenny Haniver” is unclear, but the most accepted explanation is “Jeune d’Anvers,” or “young girl from Antwerp” in French.

    We found that pez diablo are made for many reasons, including as curios for the tourist trade and as purported cures for cancer, arthritis and anemia. Some are simply used for hoaxes. Regardless, the pez diablo trade could threaten the survival of guitarfishes.

    Young guitarfishes on display at the New England Aquarium in Boston.

    Fishy talismans

    Skates and rays, including guitarfishes, are flat-bodied fishes related to sharks and are found worldwide. Together, they make up a group known as elasmobranchs, which are characterized by their unique skeletons made of cartilage rather than bone like most other fishes.

    Skates have long been used to craft mythical creatures. The earliest known examples date back to 1558 in Europe, where they were fashioned to resemble dragons. These objects were thought to offer pathways to the divine or medicinal cures.

    In the mid-20th century, dried guitarfishes emerged as a new generation of mythical creatures. This may be because their unique shape can be fashioned into more humanlike forms. Their long nostrils, which are positioned just above their mouths, can resemble eyes.

    The ‘eyes’ of these dried guitarfishes are actually nostrils on top of the fishes’ long, pointed snouts.
    Bryan Huerta-Beltrán, CC BY-ND

    The first known case of a modified guitarfish was described in 1933. Since then, specimens have made their way into museums, and dozens of North American newspapers have published stories featuring modified guitarfishes.

    A real and endangered fish

    Guitarfishes are one of the most threatened vertebrate groups on the planet: Without careful management, they are at risk of global extinction. As many as two-thirds of all guitarfishes are classified as threatened on the IUCN Red List, a global inventory that assesses extinction risks to wild species.

    Guitarfishes are found in warm temperate and tropical oceans around the world. Fishers target them as an inexpensive source of protein. Guitarfishes may also be caught accidentally or collected live for the aquarium trade.

    Ultimately, however, these species are worth more as pez diablo than for other uses. For example, an entire fresh guitarfish in Mexico is worth approximately US$2, whereas guitarfish that have been killed, dried and carved into pez diablo can be worth anywhere from $50–$500 on eBay and other e-commerce sites.

    Curbing the pez diablo trade

    Internationally, the guitarfish trade is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international agreement between governments. This agreement requires member countries to manage guitarfish trade across international borders.

    Most countries where guitarfishes occur, however, do not have national regulations to protect these species. As a result, people who create or sell pez diablo are likely unaware that these fishes are threatened.

    There are as many as 37 species of guitarfish, some of which are at higher risk of extinction than others. Yet to the untrained eye, it can be hard to distinguish one guitarfish species from another. It’s especially hard to identify dried and mutilated guitarfishes that have been processed into pez diablo and look very different from their natural form.

    An intact guitarfish, left, and a carved, dried version.
    Bryan Huerta-Beltrán, CC BY-ND

    This is a common challenge for agencies that monitor trade in animal products. The global wildlife trade is an enormous market, involving billions of animals moving through both legal and illegal channels. Many wildlife products are heavily altered, which makes it hard to identify the species and determine where the product came from.

    Another source of confusion is that many people in Mexico also refer to an invasive freshwater fish that has overrun lakes and rivers across the nation as pez diablo. This “other” pez diablo is actually a suckermouth catfish and is not at all related to any of the threatened guitarfishes. Local education efforts need to distinguish clearly between these two species, since the desired outcome is to protect guitarfish while removing the invasive catfish.

    A dried and modified guitarfish, left, compared with an invasive suckermouth catfish.
    Bryan Huerta-Beltrán, CC BY-ND

    Guitarfish CSI

    Fortunately, advances in wildlife forensics offer a way to distinguish between species. Molecular techniques have been used to identify many illegally traded species, including guitarfishes. By taking a small skin sample, scientists can use DNA to identify the species of individual pez diablo. This method can help protect endangered species by helping to ensure that laws against wildlife trafficking are followed.

    Refining this kind of molecular tool is the most promising way to improve traceability in the trade of guitarfishes. By documenting where and how pez diablo are traded, scientists and conservationists can help clarify the threats to these species. The pez diablo is an imaginary creature, but it is doing real harm to threatened guitarfishes in the world’s warm oceans.

    Bryan Huerta-Beltran receives funding from Save Our Seas Foundation.

    Nicole Phillips is affiliated with the Sawfish Conservation Society and receives funding from the Save Our Seas Foundation.

    James Marcus Drymon and Peter Kyne do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Trade in a mythical fish is threatening real species of rays that are rare and at risk – https://theconversation.com/trade-in-a-mythical-fish-is-threatening-real-species-of-rays-that-are-rare-and-at-risk-247433

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Trade in a mythical fish is threatening real species of rays that are rare and at risk

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By James Marcus Drymon, Associate Extension Professor in Marine Fisheries Ecology, Mississippi State University

    These ‘pez diablo,’ or devil fish, are actually guitarfishes that have been caught, killed, dried and carved into exotic shapes. Bryan Huerta-Beltrán, CC BY-ND

    From the Loch Ness monster to Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, to the jackalope of the U.S. West, mythical animals have long captured human imagination.

    Some people are so fascinated with mythical creatures that they create their own, either working from pure fantasy or by modifying real animals. In a newly published study, we show that in countries such as Mexico, people are catching, drying and shaping guitarfishes – members of the rhino ray family, one of the most threatened groups of marine fishes – to create mythical specimens called “pez diablo,” or devil fish.

    Depending on where these curios are sold, they might also be referred to as Jenny Hanivers, garadiávolos or rayas chupacabras. The origin and meaning of the term “Jenny Haniver” is unclear, but the most accepted explanation is “Jeune d’Anvers,” or “young girl from Antwerp” in French.

    We found that pez diablo are made for many reasons, including as curios for the tourist trade and as purported cures for cancer, arthritis and anemia. Some are simply used for hoaxes. Regardless, the pez diablo trade could threaten the survival of guitarfishes.

    Young guitarfishes on display at the New England Aquarium in Boston.

    Fishy talismans

    Skates and rays, including guitarfishes, are flat-bodied fishes related to sharks and are found worldwide. Together, they make up a group known as elasmobranchs, which are characterized by their unique skeletons made of cartilage rather than bone like most other fishes.

    Skates have long been used to craft mythical creatures. The earliest known examples date back to 1558 in Europe, where they were fashioned to resemble dragons. These objects were thought to offer pathways to the divine or medicinal cures.

    In the mid-20th century, dried guitarfishes emerged as a new generation of mythical creatures. This may be because their unique shape can be fashioned into more humanlike forms. Their long nostrils, which are positioned just above their mouths, can resemble eyes.

    The ‘eyes’ of these dried guitarfishes are actually nostrils on top of the fishes’ long, pointed snouts.
    Bryan Huerta-Beltrán, CC BY-ND

    The first known case of a modified guitarfish was described in 1933. Since then, specimens have made their way into museums, and dozens of North American newspapers have published stories featuring modified guitarfishes.

    A real and endangered fish

    Guitarfishes are one of the most threatened vertebrate groups on the planet: Without careful management, they are at risk of global extinction. As many as two-thirds of all guitarfishes are classified as threatened on the IUCN Red List, a global inventory that assesses extinction risks to wild species.

    Guitarfishes are found in warm temperate and tropical oceans around the world. Fishers target them as an inexpensive source of protein. Guitarfishes may also be caught accidentally or collected live for the aquarium trade.

    Ultimately, however, these species are worth more as pez diablo than for other uses. For example, an entire fresh guitarfish in Mexico is worth approximately US$2, whereas guitarfish that have been killed, dried and carved into pez diablo can be worth anywhere from $50–$500 on eBay and other e-commerce sites.

    Curbing the pez diablo trade

    Internationally, the guitarfish trade is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international agreement between governments. This agreement requires member countries to manage guitarfish trade across international borders.

    Most countries where guitarfishes occur, however, do not have national regulations to protect these species. As a result, people who create or sell pez diablo are likely unaware that these fishes are threatened.

    There are as many as 37 species of guitarfish, some of which are at higher risk of extinction than others. Yet to the untrained eye, it can be hard to distinguish one guitarfish species from another. It’s especially hard to identify dried and mutilated guitarfishes that have been processed into pez diablo and look very different from their natural form.

    An intact guitarfish, left, and a carved, dried version.
    Bryan Huerta-Beltrán, CC BY-ND

    This is a common challenge for agencies that monitor trade in animal products. The global wildlife trade is an enormous market, involving billions of animals moving through both legal and illegal channels. Many wildlife products are heavily altered, which makes it hard to identify the species and determine where the product came from.

    Another source of confusion is that many people in Mexico also refer to an invasive freshwater fish that has overrun lakes and rivers across the nation as pez diablo. This “other” pez diablo is actually a suckermouth catfish and is not at all related to any of the threatened guitarfishes. Local education efforts need to distinguish clearly between these two species, since the desired outcome is to protect guitarfish while removing the invasive catfish.

    A dried and modified guitarfish, left, compared with an invasive suckermouth catfish.
    Bryan Huerta-Beltrán, CC BY-ND

    Guitarfish CSI

    Fortunately, advances in wildlife forensics offer a way to distinguish between species. Molecular techniques have been used to identify many illegally traded species, including guitarfishes. By taking a small skin sample, scientists can use DNA to identify the species of individual pez diablo. This method can help protect endangered species by helping to ensure that laws against wildlife trafficking are followed.

    Refining this kind of molecular tool is the most promising way to improve traceability in the trade of guitarfishes. By documenting where and how pez diablo are traded, scientists and conservationists can help clarify the threats to these species. The pez diablo is an imaginary creature, but it is doing real harm to threatened guitarfishes in the world’s warm oceans.

    Bryan Huerta-Beltran receives funding from Save Our Seas Foundation.

    Nicole Phillips is affiliated with the Sawfish Conservation Society and receives funding from the Save Our Seas Foundation.

    James Marcus Drymon and Peter Kyne do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Trade in a mythical fish is threatening real species of rays that are rare and at risk – https://theconversation.com/trade-in-a-mythical-fish-is-threatening-real-species-of-rays-that-are-rare-and-at-risk-247433

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Trump demands an end to the war in Gaza – could a ceasefire be close?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Marika Sosnowski, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Melbourne

    Anas-Mohammed/Shutterstock

    Hopes are rising that Israel and Hamas could be inching closer to a ceasefire in the 20-month war in Gaza.

    US President Donald Trump is urging progress, taking to social media to demand:

    MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!

    Trump further raised expectations, saying there could be an agreement between Israel and Hamas “within the next week”.

    But what are the prospects for a genuine, lasting ceasefire in Gaza?

    Ceasefires are generally complicated to negotiate because they need to take into account competing demands and pressures. They usually (but not always) require both sides to compromise.

    Gaza is no exception. In a conflict that has been going on for more than 70 years, compromise and concession have become a game of cat and mouse.

    Israel is the cat that holds the military strength and the majority of the political power. Hamas is the mouse that can dart and delay, but in the end has little choice but to accept the terms of a ceasefire if it wants to halt the violence currently being inflicted on Palestinians.

    Trump the peacemaker?

    Trump appears buoyed by what he perceives as the recent success of his efforts to broker a truce in the Israel–Iran war. He may think he can use similar tactics to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into making a ceasefire deal for Gaza.

    US President Donald Trump has posted on social media that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is negotiating a deal with Hamas ‘right now’.
    noamgalai/Shutterstock

    Netanyahu will return to Washington next week for talks at the White House. This is a good sign some US pressure is being brought to bear.

    Trump’s current push for a Gaza ceasefire may also signal he is keen for a return to the normalisation of economic ties previously delivered by the Abraham Accords between Israel and various Arab states. A ceasefire could unlock frozen regional relationships, potentially boosting the US economy (and Trump’s own personal wealth).

    Israeli opportunities

    Another positive sign a ceasefire may be on the cards is Netanyahu’s recent comments that the war with Iran had created opportunities for Israel in Gaza.

    During its 12-day war with Iran, Israel assassinated 30 Iranian security chiefs and 11 nuclear scientists. Iran’s weakened security apparatus might disrupt its support for Hamas and help advance Israeli objectives.

    Similar to what happened in Iran, this might enable Netanyahu to publicly declare Israeli victory in Gaza and agree to a ceasefire without losing face or political backing from his government’s right wing.

    Domestic Israeli politics have also played a role in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations. As part of the current round, Trump reportedly demanded the cancellation of Netanyahu’s ongoing trial on corruption charges. The idea is to enable Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire without the threat of criminal conviction, and potentially prison, awaiting him afterwards.

    Given there are no political or legal prescriptions or rules around what terms need to be included in a ceasefire, it is possible for such a demand to be made, although it is unclear how it would be accommodated by Israeli law.

    Difficult terms

    The current ceasefire deal, as proposed by Qatar and Egypt, seems to pick up where the deal negotiated in January fell apart – with a 60-day ceasefire.

    Reports suggest it requires Hamas’ leadership to go into exile and that four Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, would be tasked with jointly governing Gaza.

    Hamas has said for many months that it is open to a
    more permanent ceasefire deal that Israel has so far refused. However, the proposed terms appear too far-reaching to make it likely Hamas would accept them in their current form.

    The uptick in Israel’s military bombardment, as well as recent evacuation orders for parts of northern Gaza, suggest that even if there is a deal it may well mean Israel retains permanent territorial control of the northern Gaza Strip.

    As part of any ceasefire, it also seems likely Israel would retain control over all Gaza crossings.

    This, and the ongoing highly problematic promotion by Israel and the United States of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation as the only organisation authorised to deliver and administer aid in Gaza, will be difficult for Hamas, and Palestinians, to accept.

    Displaced Palestinians carrying bags of flour distributed by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
    Haitham Imad/Shutterstock

    There have also been reports a deal would enable Gazans wishing to emigrate to be absorbed by several as-yet-unnamed countries. Such a term would continue the Trump administration’s earlier calls for the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, as well as Israel’s insistence such displacement would be a humanitarian initiative rather than a war crime.

    It would also not be the first time the terms of a ceasefire were used to forcibly displace civilian populations.

    Hope for the future?

    Many dynamics are wrapped up in getting to a ceasefire in Gaza.

    They include US allyship and pressure, domestic Israeli politics, and the recent war between Israel and Iran. There is also the international opprobrium of Israel’s actions in Gaza which, for public (if not legal) purposes, amount to a genocide.

    Ideally, any negotiated ceasefire would have detailed terms to ensure the parties know what they should do and when. Detailed terms would also enable international actors and other third parties to denounce any violations of the deal.

    However, a ceasefire would only ever be a short-term win. In the best case, it would enable a reduction in violence and an increase of aid into Gaza, and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

    However, amid the deep-seated sense of injustice and anxiety in the region, any ceasefire that does not address historic oppression and is forced on the parties would inevitably have deleterious consequences in the months and years to come.

    Marika Sosnowski 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. Trump demands an end to the war in Gaza – could a ceasefire be close? – https://theconversation.com/trump-demands-an-end-to-the-war-in-gaza-could-a-ceasefire-be-close-260185

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Trump demands an end to the war in Gaza – could a ceasefire be close?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Marika Sosnowski, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Melbourne

    Anas-Mohammed/Shutterstock

    Hopes are rising that Israel and Hamas could be inching closer to a ceasefire in the 20-month war in Gaza.

    US President Donald Trump is urging progress, taking to social media to demand:

    MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!

    Trump further raised expectations, saying there could be an agreement between Israel and Hamas “within the next week”.

    But what are the prospects for a genuine, lasting ceasefire in Gaza?

    Ceasefires are generally complicated to negotiate because they need to take into account competing demands and pressures. They usually (but not always) require both sides to compromise.

    Gaza is no exception. In a conflict that has been going on for more than 70 years, compromise and concession have become a game of cat and mouse.

    Israel is the cat that holds the military strength and the majority of the political power. Hamas is the mouse that can dart and delay, but in the end has little choice but to accept the terms of a ceasefire if it wants to halt the violence currently being inflicted on Palestinians.

    Trump the peacemaker?

    Trump appears buoyed by what he perceives as the recent success of his efforts to broker a truce in the Israel–Iran war. He may think he can use similar tactics to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into making a ceasefire deal for Gaza.

    US President Donald Trump has posted on social media that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is negotiating a deal with Hamas ‘right now’.
    noamgalai/Shutterstock

    Netanyahu will return to Washington next week for talks at the White House. This is a good sign some US pressure is being brought to bear.

    Trump’s current push for a Gaza ceasefire may also signal he is keen for a return to the normalisation of economic ties previously delivered by the Abraham Accords between Israel and various Arab states. A ceasefire could unlock frozen regional relationships, potentially boosting the US economy (and Trump’s own personal wealth).

    Israeli opportunities

    Another positive sign a ceasefire may be on the cards is Netanyahu’s recent comments that the war with Iran had created opportunities for Israel in Gaza.

    During its 12-day war with Iran, Israel assassinated 30 Iranian security chiefs and 11 nuclear scientists. Iran’s weakened security apparatus might disrupt its support for Hamas and help advance Israeli objectives.

    Similar to what happened in Iran, this might enable Netanyahu to publicly declare Israeli victory in Gaza and agree to a ceasefire without losing face or political backing from his government’s right wing.

    Domestic Israeli politics have also played a role in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations. As part of the current round, Trump reportedly demanded the cancellation of Netanyahu’s ongoing trial on corruption charges. The idea is to enable Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire without the threat of criminal conviction, and potentially prison, awaiting him afterwards.

    Given there are no political or legal prescriptions or rules around what terms need to be included in a ceasefire, it is possible for such a demand to be made, although it is unclear how it would be accommodated by Israeli law.

    Difficult terms

    The current ceasefire deal, as proposed by Qatar and Egypt, seems to pick up where the deal negotiated in January fell apart – with a 60-day ceasefire.

    Reports suggest it requires Hamas’ leadership to go into exile and that four Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, would be tasked with jointly governing Gaza.

    Hamas has said for many months that it is open to a
    more permanent ceasefire deal that Israel has so far refused. However, the proposed terms appear too far-reaching to make it likely Hamas would accept them in their current form.

    The uptick in Israel’s military bombardment, as well as recent evacuation orders for parts of northern Gaza, suggest that even if there is a deal it may well mean Israel retains permanent territorial control of the northern Gaza Strip.

    As part of any ceasefire, it also seems likely Israel would retain control over all Gaza crossings.

    This, and the ongoing highly problematic promotion by Israel and the United States of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation as the only organisation authorised to deliver and administer aid in Gaza, will be difficult for Hamas, and Palestinians, to accept.

    Displaced Palestinians carrying bags of flour distributed by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
    Haitham Imad/Shutterstock

    There have also been reports a deal would enable Gazans wishing to emigrate to be absorbed by several as-yet-unnamed countries. Such a term would continue the Trump administration’s earlier calls for the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, as well as Israel’s insistence such displacement would be a humanitarian initiative rather than a war crime.

    It would also not be the first time the terms of a ceasefire were used to forcibly displace civilian populations.

    Hope for the future?

    Many dynamics are wrapped up in getting to a ceasefire in Gaza.

    They include US allyship and pressure, domestic Israeli politics, and the recent war between Israel and Iran. There is also the international opprobrium of Israel’s actions in Gaza which, for public (if not legal) purposes, amount to a genocide.

    Ideally, any negotiated ceasefire would have detailed terms to ensure the parties know what they should do and when. Detailed terms would also enable international actors and other third parties to denounce any violations of the deal.

    However, a ceasefire would only ever be a short-term win. In the best case, it would enable a reduction in violence and an increase of aid into Gaza, and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

    However, amid the deep-seated sense of injustice and anxiety in the region, any ceasefire that does not address historic oppression and is forced on the parties would inevitably have deleterious consequences in the months and years to come.

    Marika Sosnowski 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. Trump demands an end to the war in Gaza – could a ceasefire be close? – https://theconversation.com/trump-demands-an-end-to-the-war-in-gaza-could-a-ceasefire-be-close-260185

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  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Reza Shabahang, Research Fellow in Human Cybersecurity, Monash University and Academic Researcher in Media Psychology, Flinders University

    KieferPix/Shutterstock

    If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone.

    But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make sense of what’s going on and, for many of us, is an ethical stance.

    So, how can you also take care of your mental health? Here’s how to balance staying informed with the impact negative news can have on our wellbeing.

    Why am I feeling so affected by the news?

    Our brains are wired to prioritise safety and survival, and respond rapidly to danger. Repeatedly activating such processes by consuming distressing news content – often called doomscrolling – can be mentally draining.

    Unfiltered or uncensored images can have an especially powerful psychological impact. Graphic footage of tragedies circulating on social media may have a stronger effect than traditional media (such as television and newspapers) which are more regulated.

    Research shows consuming negative news is linked to lower wellbeing and psychological difficulties, such as anxiety and feelings of uncertainty and insecurity. It can make us feel more pessimistic towards ourselves, other people, humanity and life in general.

    In some cases, consuming a lot of distressing news can even cause vicarious trauma. This means you may experience post-traumatic stress symptoms such as flashbacks and trouble sleeping despite not being directly involved in the traumatic events.

    But this doesn’t stop us seeking it out. In fact, we are more likely to read, engage with, and share stories that are negative.

    Is there a better way to consume news?

    Switching off may not be an option for everyone.

    For example, if you have friends or family in areas affected by conflict, you may be especially concerned and following closely to see how they’re affected.

    Even without personal ties to the conflict, many people want to stay informed and understand what is unfolding. For some, this is a moral decision which they feel may lead to action and positive change.

    This is why, in research I co-authored, we suggest simply restricting your exposure to negative news is not always possible or practical.

    Instead, we recommend engaging more mindfully with news. This means paying attention to shifts in your emotions, noticing how the news makes you feel, and slowing down when needed.

    How to consume news more mindfully

    When you plan to engage with news, there are some steps you can take.

    1. Pause and take a few deep breaths. Take a moment to observe how your body is feeling and what your mind is doing.

    2. Check in. Are you feeling tense? What else do you have going on today? Maybe you’re already feeling worried or emotionally stretched. Think about whether you’re feeling equipped to process negative news right now.

    3. Reflect. What is motivating you to engage right now? What are you trying to find out?

    4. Stay critical. As you read an article or watch a video, pay attention to how credible the source is, the level of detail provided and where the information comes from.

    5. Tune into how it’s making you feel. Do you notice any physical signs of stress, such as tension, sweating or restlessness?

    6. Take time. Before quickly moving on to another piece of news, allow yourself to process the information you’ve received as well as your response. Has it changed your emotions, thoughts or attitudes? Did it fulfil your intention? Do you still have energy to engage with more news?

    It may not always be possible to take all these steps. But engaging more mindfully before, during and after you’re exposed to negative news can help you make more informed decisions about how and when to consume it – and when to take a break.

    Signs the news is affecting your mental health

    If you’re feeling emotionally overwhelmed, you’re more likely to have an automatic and emotion-driven response to what you’re reading or watching.

    Signs your negative news consumption may be affecting your mental health include:

    • compulsive engagement, feeling like you can’t stop checking or following negative news

    • experiencing feelings of despair, hopelessness, or lack of motivation

    • feeling irritable

    • difficulty concentrating

    • fatigue

    • strong physical symptoms (such as an upset stomach)

    • trouble sleeping

    • an increase in rash or risky behaviours, or behaviours you don’t usually display when you’re calm, such as panic shopping and hoarding following news about bad events.

    What should I do when I’m feeling upset?

    First, take a break. This could be a few minutes or a few days – as long as it takes you to feel emotionally steady and ready to re-engage with negative news.

    You might find it useful to reflect by writing down observations about how news is making you feel, and keeping track of intense fluctuations in emotions.

    It can also be helpful to connect with supportive people around you and do activities you enjoy. Spending time outdoors and doing hands-on tasks, such as gardening, painting or sewing, can be particularly helpful when you’re feeling anxious or emotional.

    But if you’re feeling overwhelmed and it’s affecting your work, life or relationships, it’s a good idea to seek professional help.

    In Australia, the government provides free mental health support at walk-in Medicare Mental Health Centres, Kids Hubs or via phone.

    Other free resources – including a symptom checker and links to online chat support – are available at Health Direct.

    If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

    Reza Shabahang 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. Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself – https://theconversation.com/distressed-by-all-the-bad-news-heres-how-to-stay-informed-but-still-look-after-yourself-259913

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  • MIL-OSI Submissions: ‘Shit in, shit out’: AI is coming for agriculture, but farmers aren’t convinced

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Tom Lee, Senior Lecturer, School of Design, University of Technology Sydney

    David Gray / AFP / Getty Images

    Australian farms are at the forefront of a wave of technological change coming to agriculture. Over the past decade, more than US$200 billion (A$305 billion) has been invested globally into the likes of pollination robots, smart soil sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) systems to help make decisions.

    What do the people working the land make of it all? We interviewed dozens of Australian farmers about AI and digital technology, and found they had a sophisticated understanding of their own needs and how technology might help – as well as a wariness of tech companies’ utopian promises.

    The future of farming

    The supposed revolution coming to agriculture goes by several names: “precision agriculture”, “smart farming”, and “agriculture 4.0” are some of the more common ones.

    These names all gesture towards a future in which the relationships between humans, computing and nature have been significantly reconfigured. Perhaps remote sensing technology will monitor ever more of a farm system, autonomous vehicles will patrol it, and AI will predict crop growth or cattle weight gain.

    But there’s another story to tell about the way technological change happens. It involves people and communities creating their own future, their own sense of important change from the past.

    AI, country style

    Our research team conducted more than 35 interviews with farmers, specifically livestock producers, from across Australia.

    The dominant themes of their responses were captured in two pithy quotes: “shit in, shit out” and “more automation, less features”.

    “Shit in, shit out” is an earthier version of the “garbage in, garbage out” adage in computer science. If the data going into a model is unreliable or overly abstract, then the outputs will be shaped by those errors.

    This captured a real concern for many farmers. They didn’t feel they could trust new technologies if they didn’t understand what knowledge and information they had been built with.

    A different kind of automation

    On the other hand, “more automation, less features” is what farmers want: technologies that may not have a lot of bells and whistles, but can reliably take a task off their hands.

    Australian farmers have a ready appetite for labour-saving technologies. When human bodies are scarce, as they often are in rural Australia, machines are created to fill the void.

    Windmills, wire fences, and even the iconic Australian sheepdog have been a crucial part of the technological narrative of settler colonial farming. These things are not “autonomous” in the same way as computer-powered vehicles and drones, but they offer similar advantages to farmers.

    What these classic farm technologies have in common is a simplicity that derives from a clarity of purpose. They are the opposite of the “everything apps” that fuel the dreams of many Silicon Valley entrepreneurs.

    “More automation, less features” is in this sense a farmer envisaging a digital product that fits with their image of a useful technology: transparent in its operations, and a reliable replacement for or an addition to human labour.

    The lesson of the Suzuki Sierra Stockman

    When speaking with one farmer about favoured technologies of her lifetime, she mentioned the Suzuki Sierra Stockman. These small, no-frills, four-wheel-drive vehicles became something of an icon on Australian sheep and cattle farms through the 1970s, ‘80s and ’90s.

    By the 1990s, the Suzuki Sierra Stockman had an iconic status among Australian farmers.
    Turbo_J / Flickr

    Reflecting on her memories of first using the vehicle, the farmer said:

    Once I learnt that I could actually draft cattle out with the Suzuki, that changed everything. You could do exactly what you did on a horse with a vehicle.

    It seems unlikely that Suzuki’s engineers in Japan envisaged their little jeep chasing cattle in the paddocks of Central West of NSW. The Suzuki was in a sense remade by farmers who found innovative uses for it.

    Future technology must be simple, adaptable and reliable

    The combustion engine was a key technological change on farms in the 20th century. Computers may play a similar role in the 21st.

    We are perhaps yet to see a digital product as iconic as wire fences, windmills, sheepdogs and the Suzuki Stockman. Computers are still largely technologies of the office, not the paddock.

    However, this is changing as computers get smaller and are wired into water tanks, soil monitors and in-paddock scales. More data input from these sensors means AI systems have more scope to help farmers make decisions.

    AI may well become a much-loved tool for farmers. But that journey to iconic status will depend as much on how farmers adapt the technology as on how the developers build it. And we can guess at what it will look like: simple, adaptable and reliable.

    This article is based on research conducted by the Foragecaster project, led by AgriWebb and supported by funding from Food Agility CRC Ltd, funded under the Commonwealth Government CRC Program. The CRC Program supports industry-led collaborations between industry, researchers and the community. This project was also supported by funding from Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).

    – ref. ‘Shit in, shit out’: AI is coming for agriculture, but farmers aren’t convinced – https://theconversation.com/shit-in-shit-out-ai-is-coming-for-agriculture-but-farmers-arent-convinced-259997

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  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Gum disease, decay, missing teeth: why people with mental illness have poorer oral health

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Bonnie Clough, Senior Lecturer, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University

    mihailomilovanovic/Getty Images

    People with poor mental health face many challenges. One that’s perhaps lesser known is that they’re more likely than the overall population to have poor oral health.

    Research has shown people with serious mental illness are four times more likely than the general population to have gum disease. They’re nearly three times more likely to have lost all their teeth due to problems such as gum disease and tooth decay.

    Serious mental illnesses include major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. These conditions affect about 800,000 Australians.

    People living with schizophrenia have, on average, eight more teeth that are decayed, missing or filled than the general population.

    So why does this link exist? And what can we do to address the problem?

    Why is this a problem?

    Oral health problems are expensive to fix and can make it hard for people to eat, socialise, work or even just smile.

    What’s more, dental issues can land people in hospital. Our research shows dental conditions are the third most common reason for preventable hospital admissions among people with serious mental illness.

    Meanwhile, poor oral health is linked with long-term health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, and even cognitive problems. This is because the bacteria associated with gum diseases can cause inflammation throughout the body, which affects other systems in the body.

    Why are mental health and oral health linked?

    Poor mental and oral health share common risk factors. Social factors such as isolation, unemployment and housing insecurity can worsen both oral and mental health.

    For example, unemployment increases the risk of oral disease. This can be due to financial difficulties, reduced access to oral health care, or potential changes to diet and hygiene practices.

    At the same time, oral disease can increase barriers to finding employment, due to stigma, discrimination, dental pain and associated long-term health conditions.

    It’s clear the relationship between oral health and mental health goes both ways. Dental disease can reduce self-esteem and increase psychological distress. Meanwhile, symptoms of mental health conditions, such as low motivation, can make engaging in good oral health practices, including brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist, more difficult.

    And like many people, those with serious mental illness can experience significant anxiety about going to the dentist. They may also have experienced trauma in the past, which can make visiting a dental clinic a frightening experience.

    Separately, poor oral health can be made worse by some medications for mental health conditions. Certain medications can interfere with saliva production, reducing the protective barrier that covers the teeth. Some may also increase sugar cravings, which heightens the risk of tooth decay.

    Some medications people take for mental health conditions can affect oral health.
    Gladskikh Tatiana/Shutterstock

    Our research

    In a recent study, we interviewed young people with mental illness. Our findings show the significant personal costs of dental disease among people with mental illness, and highlight the relationship between oral and mental health.

    Smiling is one of our best ways to communicate, but we found people with serious mental illness were sometimes embarrassed and ashamed to smile due to poor oral health.

    One participant told us:

    [poor oral health is] not only [about] the physical aspects of restricting how you eat, but it’s also about your mental health in terms of your self-esteem, your self-confidence, and basic wellbeing, which sort of drives me to become more isolated.

    Another said:

    for me, it was that serious fear of – God my teeth are looking really crap, and in the past they’ve [dental practitioners] asked, “Hey, you’ve missed this spot; what’s happening?”. How do I explain to them, hey, I’ve had some really shitty stuff happening and I have a very serious episode of depression?

    What can we do?

    Another of our recent studies focused on improving oral health awareness and behaviours among young adults experiencing mental health difficulties. We found a brief online oral health education program improved participants’ oral health knowledge and attitudes.

    Improving oral health can result in improved mental wellbeing, self-esteem and quality of life. But achieving this isn’t always easy.

    Limited Medicare coverage for dental care means oral diseases are frequently treated late, particularly among people with mental illness. By this time, more invasive treatments, such as removal of teeth, are often required.

    It’s crucial the health system takes a holistic approach to caring for people experiencing serious mental illness. That means we have mental health staff who ask questions about oral health, and dental practitioners who are trained to manage the unique oral health needs of people with serious mental illness.

    It also means increasing government funding for oral health services – promotion, prevention and improved interdisciplinary care. This includes better collaboration between oral health, mental health, and peer and informal support sectors.

    Amanda Wheeler is an investigator on a MetroSouth Health 2025 grant exploring use of Queensland Emergency Departments for people with mental ill-health seeking acute care for oral health problems.

    Steve Kisely has received a grant on oral health from Metro South Research Foundation and one from the Medical Research Future Fund.

    Bonnie Clough, Caroline Victoria Robertson, and Santosh Tadakamadla do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Gum disease, decay, missing teeth: why people with mental illness have poorer oral health – https://theconversation.com/gum-disease-decay-missing-teeth-why-people-with-mental-illness-have-poorer-oral-health-258403

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  • MIL-OSI Submissions: What did ancient Rome smell like? Honestly, often pretty rank

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Thomas J. Derrick, Gale Research Fellow in Ancient Glass and Material Culture, Macquarie University

    minoandriani/Getty Images

    The roar of the arena crowd, the bustle of the Roman forum, the grand temples, the Roman army in red with glistening shields and armour – when people imagine ancient Rome, they often think of its sights and sounds. We know less, however, about the scents of ancient Rome.

    We cannot, of course, go back and sniff to find out. But the literary texts, physical remains of structures, objects, and environmental evidence (such as plants and animals) can offer clues.

    So what might ancient Rome have smelled like?

    Honestly, often pretty rank

    In describing the smells of plants, author and naturalist Pliny the Elder uses words such as iucundus (agreeable), acutus (pungent), vis (strong), or dilutus (weak).

    None of that language is particularly evocative in its power to transport us back in time, unfortunately.

    But we can probably safely assume that, in many areas, Rome was likely pretty dirty and rank-smelling. Property owners did not commonly connect their toilets to the sewers in large Roman towns and cities – perhaps fearing rodent incursions or odours.

    Roman sewers were more like storm drains, and served to take standing water away from public areas.

    Professionals collected faeces for fertiliser and urine for cloth processing from domestic and public latrines and cesspits. Chamber pots were also used, which could later be dumped in cesspits.

    This waste disposal process was just for those who could afford to live in houses; many lived in small, non-domestic spaces, barely furnished apartments, or on the streets.

    A common whiff in the Roman city would have come from the animals and the waste they created. Roman bakeries frequently used large lava stone mills (or “querns”) turned by mules or donkeys. Then there was the smell of pack animals and livestock being brought into town for slaughter or sale.

    Animals were part of life in the Roman empire.
    Marco_Piunti/Getty Images

    The large “stepping-stones” still seen in the streets of Pompeii were likely so people could cross streets and avoid the assorted feculence that covered the paving stones.

    Disposal of corpses (animals and human) was not formulaic. Depending on the class of the person who had died, people might well have been left out in the open without cremation or burial.

    Bodies, potentially decaying, were a more common sight in ancient Rome than now.

    Suetonius, writing in the first century CE, famously wrote of a dog carrying a severed human hand to the dining table of the Emperor Vespasian.

    Deodorants and toothpastes

    In a world devoid of today’s modern scented products – and daily bathing by most of the population – ancient Roman settlements would have smelt of body odour.

    Classical literature has some recipes for toothpaste and even deodorants.

    However, many of the deodorants were to be used orally (chewed or swallowed) to stop one’s armpits smelling.

    One was made by boiling golden thistle root in fine wine to induce urination (which was thought to flush out odour).

    The Roman baths would likely not have been as hygienic as they may appear to tourists visiting today. A small tub in a public bath could hold between eight and 12 bathers.

    The Romans had soap, but it wasn’t commonly used for personal hygiene. Olive oil (including scented oil) was preferred. It was scraped off the skin with a strigil (a bronze curved tool).

    This oil and skin combination was then discarded (maybe even slung at a wall). Baths had drains – but as oil and water don’t mix, it was likely pretty grimy.

    Scented perfumes

    The Romans did have perfumes and incense.

    The invention of glassblowing in the late first century BCE (likely in Roman-controlled Jerusalem) made glass readily available, and glass perfume bottles are a common archaeological find.

    Animal and plant fats were infused with scents – such as rose, cinnamon, iris, frankincense and saffron – and were mixed with medicinal ingredients and pigments.

    The roses of Paestum in Campania (southern Italy) were particularly prized, and a perfume shop has even been excavated in the city’s Roman forum.

    The trading power of the vast Roman empire meant spices could be sourced from India and the surrounding regions.

    There were warehouses for storing spices such as pepper, cinnamon and myrrh in the centre of Rome.

    In a recent Oxford Journal of Archaeology article, researcher Cecilie Brøns writes that even ancient statues could be perfumed with scented oils.

    Sources frequently do not describe the smell of perfumes used to anoint the statues, but a predominantly rose-based perfume is specifically mentioned for this purpose in inscriptions from the Greek city of Delos (at which archaeologists have also identified perfume workshops). Beeswax was likely added to perfumes as a stabiliser.

    Enhancing the scent of statues (particularly those of gods and goddesses) with perfumes and garlands was important in their veneration and worship.

    An olfactory onslaught

    The ancient city would have smelt like human waste, wood smoke, rotting and decay, cremating flesh, cooking food, perfumes and incense, and many other things.

    It sounds awful to a modern person, but it seems the Romans did not complain about the smell of the ancient city that much.

    Perhaps, as historian Neville Morley has suggested, to them these were the smells of home or even of the height of civilisation.

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

    – ref. What did ancient Rome smell like? Honestly, often pretty rank – https://theconversation.com/what-did-ancient-rome-smell-like-honestly-often-pretty-rank-257111

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: The project “Kila – the national sport of Russia” became the winner of the Grand Prix in the competition “You are in the game”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    On July 1, the winners of the fifth season of the All-Russian competition of sports projects “You’re in the Game” were announced and awarded. The competition is held by the ANO “National Priorities” with the support of the Ministry of Sports. The ceremony, which took place in the National Center “Russia”, was attended by the finalists and experts of the competition, as well as honored guests, including the Minister of Sports, President of the Olympic Committee Mikhail Degtyarev, General Director of the ANO “National Priorities” Sofia Malyavina, Olympic champion in speed skating Svetlana Zhurova, five-time Olympic champion in synchronized swimming, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Sports of the Kaliningrad Region Natalya Ishchenko, Olympic champion in artistic gymnastics Liliya Akhaimova. The award ceremony was held by Dmitry Guberniev.

    “The All-Russian competition “You’re in the Game” has become a large-scale movement uniting sports enthusiasts from all regions of the country. Over five seasons, more than 21 thousand projects have been submitted to the competition. The competition contributes to achieving an important goal set by President Vladimir Putin – to ensure that by 2030 at least 70% of citizens regularly engage in physical education and sports. “You’re in the Game” supports a variety of initiatives – from family sports and running movements to national sports, such as the winner of this season’s Grand Prix – the traditional Russian game Kila, which develops strength, ingenuity and team spirit. With the support of the state, the competition helps to create a society of equal opportunities and form a culture of an active and healthy lifestyle, making sports accessible to everyone,” Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized in his address to the competition participants.

    Regional initiatives that unite people of all ages and professions are of particular importance. It is these projects that become role models and set new standards of involvement.

    “Friends, I am very pleased to be here today. We launched this competition together in the anniversary fifth season. I want to thank our partners, the jury, and, most importantly, all the participants. They submitted their applications from all over our Mother Russia, from Vladivostok to Kaliningrad, from Murmansk to Crimea. And today, those who won, the laureates, I congratulate you with all my heart, on behalf of our entire sports community. Together, we are helping Russia, helping our President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin achieve national goals in developing sports and promoting a healthy lifestyle. I thank all the laureates for your contribution. Because indifference and laziness are not our method. But activity and energy – that’s about us. Thank you very much!” – said the Minister of Sports and the President of the Russian Olympic Committee Mikhail Degtyarev.

    The fifth season of the competition demonstrated noticeable changes: the number of applications increased, the geography of participants expanded, new formats and directions appeared. Each of the finalists of the competition is a success story, behind which there is enthusiasm, work and a desire to make sports accessible to everyone.

    “The fifth season of “You’re in the Game” was a breakthrough for us and confirmation of how the competition is changing the sports landscape of Russia. Over five years, we have almost doubled the number of applications: if in the first season there were just over 2.5 thousand projects, then this year there are already 5,582 initiatives from all corners of the country. We see how participants of “You’re in the Game” become real ambassadors of sports: every third comes on the recommendation of friends, and after the competition, many return with new ideas and scale up their projects several times. It is especially gratifying that our finalists do not just compete, but actively exchange experiences, conduct joint master classes, support each other and launch new areas. “You’re in the Game” is about people who change the life around them and make sports accessible to everyone,” said Sofia Malyavina, General Director of ANO “National Priorities”.

    ***

    The winner of the Grand Prix of 1 million rubles was the project “Kila – the national sport of Russia” from the Moscow region.

    The winners in the main nominations were:

    • “Mashtab” – “Kila is the national sport of Russia” (Moscow region);

    • “Starting point” – “Cyber ice. Play in the future” (Oryol region);

    • “Unlimited Possibilities” – “Inclusive Athletics” (Belgorod Region);

    • “Children in Sports” – “Konubri – Family Sports” (Republic of Crimea);

    • “Transformation in sports” – “Foncode” (Moscow).

    The winners in special partner nominations were:

    • “Corporate Sports” – “Sports Festival Zavodd Fest 4.0 – transformation in motion” (Republic of Karelia);

    • “Sports tourism” – “Eskimo Games in Khibiny” (Murmansk region);

    • “Media” – “The most athletic girl in Russia” (Moscow).

    ***

    The competition included a public vote, in which 280 semi-finalists of “You’re in the Game” participated. The winner with 480 votes was the “School Rowing League” project from Moscow, which received 30 thousand points from the “Another Thing” development program of the ANO “Russia – Land of Opportunities”. In second place was the “With Football for Health!” festival from the Kemerovo Region (384 votes), whose team was awarded a certificate for one of the short-term offline courses of the Russian International Olympic University. In third place was the “Seven Winds” sailing project from the Ulyanovsk Region (319 votes), whose authors received a course on modern presentation design from the Bonnie Presentation Academy.

    Over five seasons, more than 21,000 projects from all over the country have entered the “You’re in the Game” competition. The authors of a record number of initiatives – 5,582 – took part in the anniversary season.

    The expert council of “You’re in the Game” in the fifth season included: Olympic champion in speed skating Svetlana Zhurova, five-time Olympic champion in synchronized swimming, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Sports of the Kaliningrad Region Natalia Ishchenko, Secretary General of the Paralympic Committee Andrei Strokin, President of the Continental Hockey League Alexei Morozov, World and European champion in figure skating Ilya Averbukh, Honored Journalist Dmitry Guberniev and other authoritative representatives of the sports sphere.

    The leaders in the number of participants are Moscow (315), Krasnodar Krai (287), the Republic of Tatarstan (240) and St. Petersburg (224). Also among the most active were Sverdlovsk, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov and Chelyabinsk regions, whose representatives submitted more than 100 applications each.

    The most popular of the main nominations of the competition this time was “Starting Point” (1,400 applications), slightly ahead of “Children in Sports” (1,363). Next came “Scale” (1,046), “Limitless Possibilities” (583) and “Transformation in Sports” (450). In the nominations from the competition partners, the traditional leader was “Sports Tourism” (340 applications), in second place was “Corporate Sports” (233), and in third place was “Media” (167).

    34 projects reached the final of the fifth season of the All-Russian competition of sports projects “You’re in the Game”. The winners in each of the five main nominations received 300 thousand rubles, and the Grand Prix was 1 million rubles.

    ***

    Main nominations

    1. “Starting Point” – projects at the local, municipal, regional level, the activities of which involve up to 500 participants. Nomination partner – OOO “Sveza-Les”/Sveza.

    2. “Children in Sports” – areas of project activity: sports training, infrastructure creation, educational process and organization of special sports events for children under 18. Nomination partner – NOBF “Mantera”.

    3. “Unlimited Possibilities” – projects to promote an active lifestyle, create an accessible environment and inclusive education in the field of sports. Nomination partner – Iron King LLC.

    4. “Transformation in Sports” – areas of activity of the projects: software, applications, aggregators and other digital solutions for organizing sports training, analyzing the training process, promoting sports culture and involving people in an active lifestyle; innovative inventions and devices for practical and mass use in the field of sports.

    5. “Scale” – federal-level projects implemented on a national scale, or whose activities involve more than 500 participants. Nomination partner – OOO “Lestate” (RANK brand).

    Nominations from competition partners

    1. “Corporate Sports” is a special nomination for projects and programs to attract employees to physical education and sports. The nomination partners are ARKS and StayFitt.

    2. “Sports Tourism” is a special nomination for projects in the field of sports tourism. The partners of the nomination are Rosgosstrakh Life Insurance Company and the Federation of Sports Tourism.

    3. “Media” is a special partner nomination for authors who cover sports events on their own information resources (podcasts, blogs, online publications, channels, publics with an audience of 1,000 users). The partner of the nomination is “Sport Business Consulting”.

    ***

    Description of the winning projects

    Main nominations:

    • “Kila – the national sport of Russia” from the Moscow region (“Mashtab”)

    The project was born from a dream to revive the ancient Russian team ball game “kilá” and transform it into a modern mass sport that would contribute to the development of physical and mental qualities of a person, strengthening our cultural identity and sense of patriotism.

    • “Cyber Ice. Play in the Future” from the Oryol Region (“Starting Point”)

    The main goal of the authors is to make hockey in Orel a popular sport for both professionals and amateurs of all ages. The project combines elements of traditional games and modern technologies.

    • “Inclusive Athletics” from the Belgorod Region (“Unlimited Possibilities”)

    One of the elements of adaptation of people with disabilities and disabilities through regular participation in group classes in adaptive motor activity.

    • “Konubri – Family Sports” from the Republic of Crimea (“Children in Sports”)

    “Konubri Games” is an adaptation of obstacle races for a family start for unprepared and poorly prepared athletes.

    • “Foncode” from Moscow (“Transformation in sports”)

    A platform for holding competitions in sports programming.

    Special partner nominations:

    • “Sports Festival Zavodd Fest 4.0 – transformation in motion” from the Republic of Karelia (“Corporate Sports”)

    A large family sports event that has evolved from a corporate event into a large multi-format sports festival.

    • “Eskimo Games in Khibiny” from the Murmansk region (“Sports Tourism”)

    A 5-day competition for children’s teams and anyone who wants to master winter survival skills in the Arctic, promoting active family recreation.

    • “The most athletic girl in Russia” from Moscow (“Media”)

    A reality show created for ordinary girls and women of different professions, without age restrictions, who dream of changing themselves both physically and spiritually.

    ***

    Other competition partners

    Fitmost, Continental Hockey League (KHL), Russian Football Union (RFU), Tricolor (its own nomination –

    ***

    The All-Russian competition of sports projects “You’re in the Game” is held by the ANO “National Priorities” with the support of the Ministry of Sports under the state program “Sport of Russia”. Detailed information about the fifth season of “You’re in the Game” is available on the official website of the competition tyvigre.rf.

    For reference:

    Since 2019, with state support, more and more opportunities for sports have appeared: sports infrastructure is developing, sports events are held, the All-Russian physical education and sports complex “Ready for Labor and Defense” is being implemented, children’s sports are progressing, adaptive sports and resocialization of veterans of the SVO are developing.

    Since 2025, the state program “Sport of Russia” has been in effect, aimed at popularizing mass sports and improving the quality of life and satisfaction of Russians. One of the most important goals of the state program is to involve up to 70% of Russians in sports by 2030 (currently this percentage is 60.3%).

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial News: New Regulation Promotes Transparency in CPC Market

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    The number of CPCs in the first quarter decreased by 6%, to 1247 cooperatives. 86 CPCs were excluded from the register, 45 of them for repeated violations of the law.

    Significantly reduced cases of fictitious build-upnumber of shareholders to obtain the right to work with maternity capital. The number of credit cooperatives operating in this segment, stabilized.

    Activity in the CPC market continued to decline in Q1. The volume of loans issued has been declining over the past three quarters and approached 2020 levels, amounting to 13 billion rubles. The loan portfolio decreased following the reduction in issuances — to 45.6 billion rubles. Market concentration is increasing — the top 50 companies form 73% of the total loan portfolio.

    Read more in the publication “Trends in the consumer credit cooperative market” for the first quarter of 2025.

    Preview photo: Anna_Kim / Shutterstock / Fotodom

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV.KBR.ru/Press/Event/? ID = 24745

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: Over two years, participants in the free economic zone have created 10,000 new jobs and invested over 46.5 billion rubles in the development of enterprises

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    During a meeting on the socio-economic development of the DPR, LPR, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions, the President pointed out the need to pay special attention to supporting all sectors of the economy, industry and agriculture, financial, banking infrastructure and entrepreneurship. Among the mechanisms that operate in the territory of the reunited regions, he noted the free economic zone. To date, the FEZ regime has been operating for exactly two years, having a positive impact on the revival of the economy of the new regions and the growth of the well-being of residents. Within the framework of the FEZ, over 10 thousand new jobs have been created, more than 46.5 billion rubles have been invested in the creation, restoration, modernization of companies and enterprises, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin reported.

    “Two years ago, on July 1, 2023, a free economic zone was created on the territory of Donbass and Novorossiya by order of the President. During this time, it has proven its relevance, becoming one of the most effective mechanisms of state support aimed at restarting the economy, increasing business activity and, accordingly, increasing investment. Over two years, the SEZ has attracted 365 investors who are implementing 400 projects. That is, one participant in the SEZ, especially developers, can carry out several projects at once. The volume of their investments is more than 46.5 billion rubles out of the total planned 257 billion, the number of new jobs is over 10 thousand, and in total, more than 100 thousand people will be involved in the implementation of the projects,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    The authorized body for regulating the free economic zone is the Ministry of Construction, and the functions of the management company are assigned to the PPK “Territorial Development Fund”.

    “The SEZ provides comfortable investment conditions, provides tax benefits, preferential lending, and preferential provision of land plots for rent for participants. These preferences are already used by 144 companies in the LPR, 141 in the DPR, and in the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions – 54 participants and 40, respectively. Project support, attention to the problems and questions of investors is one of the priorities of the fund’s work within the framework of the SEZ management. For the effective functioning of the SEZ, a special portal is in place, consulting and methodological support is provided to participants in person at the FRT offices directly in the reunited regions,” said Vasily Kupyzin, General Director of the PPC “Fund for Development of Territories”.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: GE Aerospace Union Workers from IUE-CWA Ratify National Contract

    Source: Communications Workers of America

    GE Aerospace workers from Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts and New York voted today to approve a historic contract

    Statement from Jerry Carney, IUE-CWA Chief Negotiator and General Electric Coordinated Bargaining Committee Chair

    “After GE’s break up into three separate companies, this 4 year labor contract with GE Aerospace brings back stability to IUE-CWA families, with cost of living (COLA) language which will protect our members from a repeat of runaway inflation like we saw during the pandemic. Wage rates will increase a compounded 16.9% over the life of the contract and are now protected with added Cost of Living Adjustment language on top of that. We made sure our earnings outpace increased healthcare costs.

    Our pension is staying intact, protecting our members close to retirement, and our newer members will get more cash added to their 401ks from GE on a yearly basis, without having to contribute themselves.

    We’ve improved paid time off, with new hires being able to access personal time immediately and our members earning more vacation days at a faster rate. Juneteenth was added as a holiday. We have also improved bereavement time for our members and we have improved parental bonding time, where the Company will now pay full rate for 6 weeks of leave within 12 months following birth or adoption, up from 3 weeks currently.

    Finally we have safeguarded our collectively bargained rights with a Successorship Clause, should GE Aerospace proceed with any further restructuring.”

    Statement from Carl Kennebrew, President, IUE-CWA

    “IUE-CWA has been part of GE’s history for nearly a century, and we will be part of its future. With the ratification of its first labor contract with GE Aerospace as a standalone entity, our membership takes a strong, confident, step forward. GE Aerospace has made commitments to invest in our union plants, and we will work with them, and hold them accountable to turn their commitments into reality. For too long we have suffered a race to the bottom which has destroyed worker prosperity. Because of that, we also have made a commitment to be in solidarity with other GE Aerospace manufacturing workers in the USA and across the world, and we will provide all our union allies an update as to our bargaining results, so we can raise standards together.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Opens Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Myrtle Point Center in Roseburg Relocating

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the opening of a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) in Coos County to assist small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations and residents affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides occurring March 13-20.

    Beginning Thursday, July 10, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Myrtle Point to answer questions and assist with the disaster loan application process. No appointment is necessary, walk-ins are welcome. Those who prefer to schedule an in-person appointment in advance can do so at appointment.sba.gov.

    The center’s hours of operation are as follows:

    COOS COUNTY
    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    Myrtle Point City Hall
    Conference Room
    424 Fifth St.
    Myrtle Point, OR  97458

    Opens at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, July 10

    Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    Permanently closes at 4:30 p.m., Friday, July 11

    Additionally, the SBA also announced today the relocation of its Roseburg Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) from the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) to the Roseburg Public Safety Center beginning Wednesday, July 2 at 8 a.m.

    SBA opened the DLOC to provide personalized assistance to Roseburg residents, small businesses and private nonprofit organizations affected by March Storms and flooding.

    The ODHS DLOC will permanently close Thursday, July 3 at close of business. The Roseburg Public Safety Center DLOC will open Wednesday, July 2 with the location and hours of operation as indicated below.

    DOUGLAS COUNTY
    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    Roseburg Public Safety Center
    Third Floor – Salmon Conference Room 303
    700 SE Douglas Ave.
    Roseburg, OR  97470

    Opens at 8 a.m., Wednesday, July 2

    Mondays – Fridays, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    Closed Friday, July 4 for Independence Day

    DOUGLAS COUNTY
    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS)
    Third Floor Conference Room
    738 W Harvard Ave.
    Roseburg, OR  97471

    Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. -4:30 p.m.
    Fridays, 8:00 a.m. -4:30 p.m.

    Permanently closes at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, July 3

    “When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers perform an important role by assisting small businesses and their communities,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the U.S. Small Business Administration. “At these centers, our SBA specialists help business owners and residents apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to support their recovery.”

    Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

    Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.

    The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofit organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to these disasters. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.75% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Aug. 25, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 24, 2026.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Lightchain AI Announces Final Token Distribution Round Prior to Mainnet Activation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHREWSBURY, United Kingdom, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lightchain AI, the AI-native blockchain infrastructure platform, has entered its Bonus Round after successfully completing 15 presale stages and raising more than $21.1 million from early supporters. The Bonus Round is now live at a fixed token price of $0.007125, marking the final opportunity for contributors to access Lightchain AI tokens before the mainnet launch scheduled for July 2025.

    The Bonus Round is generating sustained participation as investors are drawn to the platform’s combination of technical innovation, transparent governance, and long-term utility. With decentralized infrastructure designed specifically for AI computation, Lightchain AI is enabling the secure and scalable deployment of intelligent applications directly on-chain.

    Real Utility Driving Ecosystem Demand

    Lightchain AI introduces a purpose-built Artificial Intelligence Virtual Machine (AIVM) and a Proof-of-Intelligence (PoI) consensus mechanism that rewards nodes for performing valuable AI tasks. This system transforms raw computational activity into network security and resource optimization—laying the foundation for decentralized AI applications in sectors like automation, data analytics, and predictive modeling.

    The platform has already activated validator and contributor node deployment, allowing for secure testing and participation ahead of the mainnet. Validators can stake tokens and simulate long-term network behavior, supporting the project’s focus on decentralization and performance reliability.

    Developer Tools and Grants Now Live

    In tandem with its growing investor community, Lightchain AI is actively supporting developers through the Lightchain Developer Portal, a comprehensive platform offering SDKs, APIs, and detailed documentation. This empowers teams to build intelligent dApps, infrastructure tools, and AI workflows on-chain with minimal friction.

    To foster innovation and strengthen its ecosystem, Lightchain AI has also launched a $150,000 Developer Grant Program. These grants will fund promising projects that demonstrate high-impact use cases and contribute to the platform’s scalability and growth. The network’s public GitHub repositories are scheduled to go live soon, promoting open-source development and transparency.

    Final Bonus Round – Limited-Time Opportunity

    The ongoing Bonus Round offers contributors the chance to acquire LCAI tokens at fixed pricing before the upcoming mainnet launch. With momentum building, this round represents the final opportunity to participate in Lightchain AI’s early-stage development phase.

    “With more than $21.1 million raised and a growing community of developers and validators, we’re excited to enter the final stage of our presale journey,” said a Lightchain AI spokesperson. “The Bonus Round not only rewards our earliest supporters but also helps position the network for long-term success ahead of mainnet.”

    Upcoming Milestones

    • Mainnet Launch – Targeted for July 2025
    • Public GitHub Release – Imminent
    • Validator Program Expansion – Ongoing
    • Grant Funding Distribution – Begins Q3 2025


    Learn More or Join the Bonus Round

    Website: https://lightchain.ai
    Whitepaper: https://lightchain.ai/lightchain-whitepaper.pdf
    Twitter/X: https://x.com/LightchainAI
    Telegram: https://t.me/LightchainProtocol

    Contact:
    SHAJAN SKARIA
    media@lightchain.ai

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by Lightchain AI. 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.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2ca45c86-bc54-42ea-aa1f-c184b83a856c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Lightchain AI Announces Final Token Distribution Round Prior to Mainnet Activation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHREWSBURY, United Kingdom, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lightchain AI, the AI-native blockchain infrastructure platform, has entered its Bonus Round after successfully completing 15 presale stages and raising more than $21.1 million from early supporters. The Bonus Round is now live at a fixed token price of $0.007125, marking the final opportunity for contributors to access Lightchain AI tokens before the mainnet launch scheduled for July 2025.

    The Bonus Round is generating sustained participation as investors are drawn to the platform’s combination of technical innovation, transparent governance, and long-term utility. With decentralized infrastructure designed specifically for AI computation, Lightchain AI is enabling the secure and scalable deployment of intelligent applications directly on-chain.

    Real Utility Driving Ecosystem Demand

    Lightchain AI introduces a purpose-built Artificial Intelligence Virtual Machine (AIVM) and a Proof-of-Intelligence (PoI) consensus mechanism that rewards nodes for performing valuable AI tasks. This system transforms raw computational activity into network security and resource optimization—laying the foundation for decentralized AI applications in sectors like automation, data analytics, and predictive modeling.

    The platform has already activated validator and contributor node deployment, allowing for secure testing and participation ahead of the mainnet. Validators can stake tokens and simulate long-term network behavior, supporting the project’s focus on decentralization and performance reliability.

    Developer Tools and Grants Now Live

    In tandem with its growing investor community, Lightchain AI is actively supporting developers through the Lightchain Developer Portal, a comprehensive platform offering SDKs, APIs, and detailed documentation. This empowers teams to build intelligent dApps, infrastructure tools, and AI workflows on-chain with minimal friction.

    To foster innovation and strengthen its ecosystem, Lightchain AI has also launched a $150,000 Developer Grant Program. These grants will fund promising projects that demonstrate high-impact use cases and contribute to the platform’s scalability and growth. The network’s public GitHub repositories are scheduled to go live soon, promoting open-source development and transparency.

    Final Bonus Round – Limited-Time Opportunity

    The ongoing Bonus Round offers contributors the chance to acquire LCAI tokens at fixed pricing before the upcoming mainnet launch. With momentum building, this round represents the final opportunity to participate in Lightchain AI’s early-stage development phase.

    “With more than $21.1 million raised and a growing community of developers and validators, we’re excited to enter the final stage of our presale journey,” said a Lightchain AI spokesperson. “The Bonus Round not only rewards our earliest supporters but also helps position the network for long-term success ahead of mainnet.”

    Upcoming Milestones

    • Mainnet Launch – Targeted for July 2025
    • Public GitHub Release – Imminent
    • Validator Program Expansion – Ongoing
    • Grant Funding Distribution – Begins Q3 2025


    Learn More or Join the Bonus Round

    Website: https://lightchain.ai
    Whitepaper: https://lightchain.ai/lightchain-whitepaper.pdf
    Twitter/X: https://x.com/LightchainAI
    Telegram: https://t.me/LightchainProtocol

    Contact:
    SHAJAN SKARIA
    media@lightchain.ai

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by Lightchain AI. 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.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2ca45c86-bc54-42ea-aa1f-c184b83a856c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: FINDMINING launches a new free cloud mining platform to help investors seize new opportunities in the Bitcoin and Litecoin bull market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, UK, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Bitcoin (BTC) breaks through its all-time high in the first half of 2025, the global cryptocurrency market has ushered in a new wave of growth. Riding on the continuous inflow of spot ETF funds and the hot topic of green mining, FINDMINING (https://findmining.com) officially launched its revolutionary free cloud mining platform, dedicated to helping global investors maximize the passive income of mainstream cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Litecoin (LTC).

    FINDMINING: Making cloud mining simpler, safer and more efficient

    As a new generation of cloud mining platform, FINDMINING focuses on breaking the threshold and technical barriers of traditional mining. Users do not need to purchase expensive mining machines or worry about high electricity bills. They only need to register online to remotely rent the computing power of the world’s leading data centers and easily mine BTC, DOGE, XRP and other mainstream currencies. FINDMINING manages the operation and maintenance of equipment throughout the process, and provides users with a stable return with a highly transparent profit structure.

    Core advantages and features

    • Industry-leading computing power and green mining：FINDMINING’s mine site selection strictly adheres to renewable energy standards and uses advanced chips and intelligent heat dissipation technology to significantly reduce energy consumption, responding to the global call for sustainable mining.
    • Bank-level security：The platform integrates SSL encryption, two-factor authentication and 24/7 monitoring system, and the security of funds is jointly protected by McAfee® and Cloudflare®.
    • Flexible and diverse computing power contracts：Users can freely choose diversified mining plans from short-term to long-term according to their personal risk preferences and capital scale.
    • Generous new user rewards：Sign up and you will receive a $15 mining machine computing power reward, you can earn an average of $0.6 per day for free, and there is also a referral reward program of up to $50,000.

    In line with current hot spots: low threshold to participate in bull market dividends

    The Bitcoin market in 2025 is showing an unprecedented growth momentum against the backdrop of massive capital injections from ETFs and the relaxation of mining policies in many U.S. states. FINDMINING was born to follow this trend, and has specially designed entry-level computing power contracts starting from $100 to professional contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to meet the needs of retail investors and institutions at all levels. For example:

    • LTC, DOGE basic computing power：Invest $100, earn $8 in 2 days + $100 principal returned
    • DOGE stable computing power：Invest $500, earn $32.5 in 5 days + $500 principal returned
    • BTC high-quality computing power：Invest $12,000, earn $5,816.4 in 37 days + $12,000 principal returned
    • ETH Advanced Hashrate：Invest $17,500, 40 days profit $9,240.4 + $17,500 principal returned

    All earnings are settled daily and are transparent and traceable, allowing users to truly enjoy continuous passive income and easily seize bull market opportunities.

    How to join FINDMINING

    1. register：Visit the official website https://findmining.com And register an account for free.
    2. Select a computing plan：Choose the most suitable computing power contract based on your personal funds and profit goals.
    3. Start mining：The entire process is operated and maintained by the FINDMINING professional team, and users can enjoy daily returns.
    4. Receive daily payout：The income is credited to your account daily and you can withdraw or reinvest at any time to expand your profits.

    About FINDMINING

    With the mission of “everyone can enjoy mining dividends“, FINDMINING cooperates with the world’s top mining farms through technological innovation to provide global users with safe, flexible and transparent cloud mining services. Whether you are a crypto novice or a professional investor, you can easily seize new opportunities for digital asset wealth at FINDMINING.

    For more information, visit: https://findmining.com
    Official Email: info@findmining.com

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

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    The MIL Network –