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Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Roche and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) launch partnership to strengthen diagnostic leadership across Africa

    Source: APO

    • The partnership dubbed, Leadership Excellence for African Diagnostics (LEAD) between Roche and ASLM is a three-year programme to strengthen lab leadership in Africa
    • The initiative focuses on mentorship and training to build lab leadership capabilities

    Roche Diagnostics Africa (www.Roche.com) and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) (www.ASLM.org) have announced the launch of a three-year partnership to elevate laboratory leadership and improve access to quality diagnostic services across the continent. The initiative — titled LEAD: Leadership Excellence for African Diagnostics — brings together health ministries, laboratory directors, academic partners and technical experts to develop a new generation of capable, connected and future-ready lab leaders.

    “This partnership will build long-term leadership that would  shape the future of diagnostics in Africa — practically, strategically and sustainably. In a time where we need African healthcare systems to become less reliant on external funding sources, we are focused on increasing domestic diagnostics capacity more than ever,” says Dr Allan Pamba, Executive Vice President, Diagnostics, Africa, at Roche Diagnostics.

    “We are entering a new chapter where African health systems take the lead in their own transformation. By growing diagnostic leadership we support long-term resilience and impact. LEAD equips professionals who can influence policy, drive national strategy and build sustainable healthcare capacity.”

    Under the partnership, LEAD will deliver a series of integrated interventions including baseline leadership assessments to guide a tailored context-specific training approach, development of a pan-African curriculum in collaboration with a leading academic institution, structured mentorship and professional development for emerging lab leaders, peer learning and regional collaboration through workshops and best practise exchanges.

    ASLM Chief Executive Officer, Nqobile Ndlovu, added: “Diagnostics are the foundation of resilient health systems – but strong labs require strong leaders. LEAD focuses on people: their vision, their reach and their ability to transform public health from within. With this programme, we are supporting the leadership needed to move African healthcare forward.”

    Roche will provide funding, technical support and global platforms for visibility while ASLM will lead country-level implementation, stakeholder coordination and curriculum development.

    Laboratory strengthening is a key enabler for stronger health systems and this partnership is a commitment towards a healthier future for Africans.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Roche Diagnostics.

    Media queries: 
    Precious Nkabinde 
    Communications Lead 
    precious.nkabinde@roche.com 

    Nelly Rwenji
    Communications Lead
    ASLM
    nrwenji@aslm.org

    About Roche:
    Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world’s largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.

    In recognising our endeavor to pursue a long-term perspective in all we do, Roche has been named one of the most sustainable companies in the pharmaceuticals industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for the thirteenth consecutive year. This distinction also reflects our efforts to improve access to healthcare together with local partners in every country we work.

    Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.

    For more information, please visit www.Roche.com.

    All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.

    About ASLM:
    The African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) is a pan-African organization committed to achieving a healthier Africa by increasing access to quality laboratory services for all. We work to convene and mobilize stakeholders at all levels to improve access to diagnostic services and strengthen laboratory systems and networks.

    Since its founding in 2011, ASLM has played a key role in advancing laboratory medicine in Africa, collaborating with partners and stakeholders to promote disease diagnosis, surveillance, and control. Through its programs and initiatives, ASLM has contributed to the development of laboratory policies and guidelines, the expansion of laboratory networks, and the improvement of laboratory infrastructure and equipment. ASLM’s experience highlights the importance of laboratory medicine in public health and demonstrates the impact of collaborative efforts in advancing health outcomes in Africa.

    Learn more: www.ASLM.org

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025 Panel to Assess Onshore, Shallow Water Prospects in Angola

    Source: APO

    Angola – one of Africa’s leading deepwater producers – is making a strong play for onshore exploration, leveraging its multi-year licensing strategy and flexible investment structures to entice new players to invest in onshore projects. On the back of a licensing round which concluded in 2024, the country is witnessing a surge of investment onshore, unlocking new opportunities for production growth as Angola strives to sustain output above one million barrels per day.

    A panel discussion during the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference will examine the impact ongoing onshore and shallow water projects will have on Angola’s production portfolio. Titled The Role of Onshore and Shallow Water Operations in Maintaining Production, the session will feature companies active in the onshore market and will delve into the strategic significance of onshore assets in maintaining output and maximizing resources in Angola. Speakers include Ricardo Van-Deste, CEO, Sonangol E&P; Edson dos Santos, CEO, Etu Energias; George Toriola, Chief Strategy Officer, FIRST E&P; Gianni Martins, General Manager, Alfort Petroleum; and Scott Gilbert, CEO, Corcel.

    The 2024/2025 period has seen robust growth across Angola’s onshore market as companies invest in drilling and data acquisition in pursuit of new discoveries. In May 2025, Etu Energias signed a Risk Service Contract for Block CON 4 in the onshore Congo basin, granting the company operatorship with 67.5%. The agreement covers a 25-year operating license, with five years allocated for exploration and 20 years for production. The agreement follows two separate deals signed by Corcel in May 2025 for the accelerated development of Block KON 16 in the Kwanza basin. The agreements saw Corcel enhance its stake in the block to 71/5% through transactions signed with Intank Global DMCC and Sintana. Proceeds from the transactions will support de-risking and exploration activities planned for 2026. Corcel completed the data acquisition phase of KON 16 in 2024. Alfort Petroleum is also pursuing onshore exploration, following its qualification as an operator under the country’s 2023 licensing round. The company operates Block KON 8 and is currently interpreting seismic data at the block.

    Meanwhile, while FIRST E&P is not yet active in Angola, other Nigerian players have recently expanded into the country, showcasing the potential for Nigerian players in Angola’s onshore market. Notably, Nigeria’s Walcot Group signed a production sharing contract in April 2025 for three onshore blocks in Angola. These include a 100% equity interest and operatorship of Block KON 1; a 100% equity interest and operatorship of Block CON 3; and a 10% non-operating interest in Block KON 13. Oando Energy Resources – another Nigerian firm – entered the Angolan market in January 2025, gaining operatorship of Block KON 13. The block has two exploration wells previously drilled, with oil and gas identified across various depths. Effimax and Sonangol represent partners on the block.

    Recent onshore investments are largely due to Angola’s 2023 licensing round, which featured 12 blocks for exploration in the Lower Congo and Kwanza basins. Nine companies qualified as operators while five qualified as non-operators. Since the conclusion of the round, the country’s upstream regulatory the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency has since received proposals from three international companies for nine blocks that were not awarded during the 2023 tender. This underscores the level of interest in Angola’s onshore acreage, laying a strong foundation for future discoveries.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Nigeria: Collaboration is Key to Unlocking Marginal Field Potential (By Grace Orife)

    Source: APO


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    By Grace Orife, African Energy Chamber (www.EnergyChamber.org) board member

    Nigeria’s oil and gas sector stands at a strategic inflection point and the country’s marginal fields are vital for growth and sustaining upstream activity. These smaller, often undercapitalised fields, especially in shallow waters, are rich with potential. But the obstacle isn’t the geology—it’s fragmentation.

    Marginal fields in Nigeria are primarily operated by indigenous companies building pursuing parallel strategies and competing for capital, technology and talent. The result? Redundant investments, suboptimal recovery, and a lack of scalable impact. What the sector needs now is not more competition, but more cooperation with an outlook on investment.

    Shared Infrastructure, Shared Value

    The current model of asset duplication—each operator investing separately in logistics, facilities and maintenance—is financially and operationally inefficient. A shared infrastructure model dramatically reduces cost per barrel and enhances asset longevity. Value creation replaces asset control as the strategic lens. A great example of this is the 48Km pipeline Umutu to Kwale, Delta state ­– a joint venture between Platform Petroleum and Newcross Petroleum. Indigenous joint ventures can create more bankable projects, unlock blended finance models and even attract ESG-linked capital. Scale is no longer just a metric—it’s a signal.

    Another example is the Otakikpo onshore terminal in OML 11, completed in 2025. Developed by Green Energy International, the terminal is the first indigenous facility constructed in the country in five decades. With a storage capacity of 750,000 barrels – set to increase to three million barrels depending on market demand – and an export capacity of 360,000 barrels per day, the facility reduces operating costs for marginal fields. The terminal is expected to unlock previously-stranded resources from up to 40 marginal fields, highlighting the value of shared infrastructure in Nigeria.

    Strengthened Policy

    The recently passed Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) is a game-changer for Nigeria’s energy industry. By promoting transparency, streamlining regulations, and reforming tax and royalty structures, the PIA creates a more attractive environment for global investors. Crucially, the PIA also addresses marginal field development, providing a clear licensing framework and resolving legal ambiguities. With the PIA in place, Nigeria’s energy sector is poised for a revival, enabling the country to better meet its domestic needs, including reliable electricity and economic growth.

    From Possibility to Practice: Building the Architecture for Collaboration

    When operators share more than just facilities—when they share insights, talent, and lessons learned—sector-wide operational resilience improves. Peer-to-peer learning reduces downtime, enhances safety practices, and fosters innovation. In high-risk environments, agility is a competitive edge.

    To translate this vision into operational reality, indigenous firms must move beyond handshake agreements to structured partnerships. Such partnerships must incorporate strong governance models – featuring transparent rules for decision-making, risk-sharing and conflict resolution. The utilization of neutral operators – third parties who manage shared infrastructure – will also ensure fair access, while structures such as joint operating agreements will enable companies to formalize roles, reduce costs and enhance performance.

    In this scenario, government regulators have a catalytic role to play. By offering fiscal incentives, easing licensing for consortia and prioritising collaborative proposals, they can turn policy into progress.

    The Future Belongs to the Connected

    The next chapter of Nigeria’s upstream oil industry won’t be written by solitary operators: it will be shaped by those who recognise that collaboration is not a compromise, but a competitive advantage. In an era of tighter margins, increasing stakeholder expectations, and declining investment in fossil fuels, the old model of isolated operation is no longer sustainable.

    Marginal fields represent more than untapped reserves – they are an opportunity to reimagine how indigenous oil and gas companies create value. By sharing infrastructure, pooling resources, and aligning strategies, local operators can unlock performance at scale, attract investment, and meet rising ESG standards with credibility.

    This is not just a call to cooperate – it’s a strategic imperative. The future will favour those who embrace a new mindset: one that values partnership over ownership, ecosystem thinking over individual ambition, and shared impact over siloed success.

    The time to act is now.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Italy-KZN boat building partnership to boost local economy

    Source: Government of South Africa

    KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has described a boatbuilding partnership between KwaZulu-Natal and Italy as a strategic milestone that is set to unlock significant economic potential for the province.

    Ntuli, accompanied by MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Reverend Musa Zondi, attended the KZN–NAVIGO Boat Building and Yachting Industry roundtable to strengthen KZN’s boat-building and yachting sector.

    Held in Umhlanga, north of Durban, on Tuesday, the high-level engagement brought together Italian maritime stakeholders, including provincial economic development leaders, and industry experts to explore collaborative opportunities in the boatbuilding and marine manufacturing sectors.

    Aligned with the objectives of the KwaZulu-Natal Integrated Maritime Strategy, the round table forms part of the provincial government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its position within the global oceans economy.

    The collaboration with NAVIGO, a leading Italian yachting industry cluster with over 400 members across the boat building value chain, aims to explore opportunities for economic growth, technical skills development, global market access, and investment in aftersales services.

    Ntuli hailed the partnership as a major milestone for KwaZulu-Natal’s industrial and economic development.

    “This is more than a business exchange – it is a platform for economic renewal, capacity building, and global positioning. We welcome this collaboration as a driver of innovation and growth within the maritime sector,” Ntuli said.

    The round table served as an opportunity to map out a joint action plan for developing KwaZulu-Natal’s local boatbuilding capacity by leveraging Italy’s extensive experience and advanced marine technologies.

    The discussions focused on investment facilitation, local manufacturing, technology transfer, technical training, and establishing KwaZulu-Natal as a competitive hub for marine craft production and export.

    The Premier underscored the importance of positioning coastal provinces like KwaZulu-Natal to lead in ocean economy development, in line with South Africa’s Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy strategy. He also stressed the value of international partnerships that bring tangible benefits to local communities.

    “Our goal is to ensure that partnerships like this one translate into real economic opportunities for our people – from the youth being trained in high-demand technical skills to entrepreneurs breaking into global marine value chains,” he said.

    The event also highlighted plans to build stronger linkages between industry and academic institutions in KwaZulu-Natal, ensuring that local training programmes align with international standards and equip local talent for future opportunities in the marine sector.

    Premier Ntuli reaffirmed the provincial government’s full support for initiatives that promote industrialisation, trade, skills development, and economic inclusion.

    “KwaZulu-Natal is open for business and ready to lead in Africa’s emerging maritime economy.” – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Major progress on Welmoed housing development

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Western Cape MEC for Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, has announced significant progress on the Welmoed housing development in Cape Town, where bulk civil engineering infrastructure works have already been completed.

    The Welmoed development is part of the Southern Corridor Integrated Human Settlements Programme and will provide a total of 3 296 housing opportunities. 

    This includes a mix of affordable housing and private development units.

    Beneficiaries of the housing project will mainly come from sub council 14 and nearby informal settlements, addressing a critical housing need in the area.

    Providing an update on the project, on Tuesday, Simmers said the project will be implemented in phases and is expected to create up to 6 000 job opportunities. 

    “These jobs will arise as contractors are encouraged to employ local labour and subcontractors within the sub council area,” Simmers said.

    Electrical works well underway

    Meanwhile, the MEC noted that the electrical engineering works are well underway and expected to be completed by August 2026. 

    Simmers said civil and bulk earthworks commenced earlier this year, while the installation of internal engineering services is scheduled to start in May 2026. 

    This will be followed by the construction of the housing units, which is set to commence in October 2026.

    “We are pleased with the steady progress made at Welmoed, despite significant challenges posed by unlawful occupations. 

    “The Western Cape Government condemns and continues to fight the unlawful occupation of land and buildings earmarked for affordable housing delivery. We strongly urge communities, activist groups, and political parties in the Western Cape to support our efforts and refrain from encouraging unlawful activities,” the MEC said. 

    A beneficiary verification process is scheduled for September 2025 to determine the final housing allocations, ensuring inclusivity and transparency throughout.

    “Since the start of my current term in office, building partnerships has become paramount to ensure the successful delivery of vital infrastructure projects, including human settlements, and our communities are our most valued partners.”

    Simmers and officials of the department will soon host public meetings in each ward within subcouncil 14 to provide communities with a detailed progress update of the Welmoed housing project. 

    “I look forward to meeting with residents soon to discuss the progress of this much-needed housing development in the area. I also encourage all potential beneficiaries to participate actively in the verification drive to help us achieve a fair and inclusive outcome,” he added. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators King, Collins, Smith Introduce Bill to Combat Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tina Smith (D-MN) today introduced legislation to reauthorize the Kay Hagan Tick Act, their landmark legislation to improve research, prevention, diagnostics, and treatment for tick-borne diseases, which became law in 2019. Senator Angus King (I-ME) joins them as an original co-sponsor. The Kay Hagan Tick Act unites the effort to confront the alarming public health threat posed by Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. Confirmed cases of Lyme disease reached a record number in Maine – 3,035 – last year. Senators Collins and Smith named their bill in honor of former Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) who passed away on October 28th, 2019, due to complications from the tick-borne disease known as the Powassan virus.

    “Our state has been battling diseases like Lyme for decades, so it is critical we continue to invest in our research and understanding of these vector-borne diseases to better protect Maine residents and visitors,” said Senator King. “The Kay Hagan Tick Act will further the prevention efforts that keep us safe by funding research, testing and diagnostics along with resources for improved data collection. I am proud to work on this critical bipartisan legislation that will help mitigate this long-term public health threat for the future safety and health of all Maine people.”

    “Last year, Maine reported over 3,000 cases of Lyme disease—a record in our state. The reauthorization of our Tick Act is urgently needed to continue to support those who struggle with Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses and keep improving research, diagnostics, treatment, and prevention for these terrible diseases,” said Senator Collins. “Resources from the Tick Act have led to exciting developments such as the first-ever clinical trial for a Lyme disease vaccine for people, which is underway right now at the MaineHealth Institute for Research.”

    “My home state of Minnesota is proud to have more than 10,000 lakes and thousands of rivers for us to enjoy, and we’re always especially eager to get outside after a long winter,” said Senator Smith. “Unfortunately, the number of Lyme disease cases in the state—and states across the country—is on the rise. This bill would empower regional centers to lead the response against these diseases and expanded the federal government’s role in researching, testing and treating these diseases. For the sake of Americans’ health and well-being, we need to keep moving this bill forward.”

    “Reauthorizing the Kay Hagan Tick Act will continue the nation’s coordinated framework for tick-borne disease surveillance, diagnostics, and prevention”, said Griffin Dill, Director of the University of Maine Tick Lab. Continued support means earlier detection, targeted interventions, and fewer families facing the physical and financial burden of Lyme disease and other emerging infections. Through this investment, Congress can ensure a proactive approach to safeguarding our communities from increasing threats related to ticks.”

    “With an estimated 500,000 new cases of Lyme disease each year, it is critical that the United States is equipped to effectively prevent, detect, and respond to this growing public health threat,” said Bonnie Crater, co-founder and board member at Center for Lyme Action. “We applaud the foundation laid by the Kay Hagan Tick Act, which established the National Public Health Strategy to Prevent and Control Vector-Borne Diseases in Humans and we are committed to working with Congress and federal agencies to ensure this strategy is fully implemented and strengthened.  We commend Senator Collins, Senator King, and Senator Smith for their bipartisan leadership in advancing the reauthorization of this vital legislation to protect the health and safety of Americans nationwide.”

    Using a three-pronged approach, the Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act would:

    1. Require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to continue implementing and updating, as appropriate, its National Public Health Strategy to Prevent and Control Vector-Borne Diseases in People.  This strategy has been integral in expanding research into tick-borne diseases, improving testing and diagnostics, and coordinating efforts across the federal government.
    1. Reauthorize Regional Centers of Excellence in Vector-Borne Disease for five years. Funding for these centers, which was allotted in 2017, expires this year. These Centers have led the scientific response against tick-borne diseases, which now make up 75 percent of vector-borne diseases in the U.S.  There are four centers located at universities in California, Florida, Texas, and Wisconsin. 
    1. Reauthorize CDC Grants to State Health Departments to improve data collection and analysis, support early detection and diagnosis, improve treatment, and raise awareness.  These awards would help states continue to build a public health infrastructure for Lyme and other vector-borne diseases and amplify their initiatives through public-private partnerships.   

    In May, Senator Collins delivered the opening remarks at the Center for Lyme Action Congressional Series and spoke to the need for continued federal funding for tick-borne disease research. Click here to watch and here to download her remarks. Senator Collins has also urged leading health officials to continue to support the development of treatment for these illnesses, including the clinical trials currently ongoing in Maine for the first Lyme disease vaccine for people.

    Senator King is a longtime advocate for the elimination of vector-borne diseases. His SMASH Act, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize critical public health tools that support states and localities in their mosquito surveillance and control efforts, especially those linked to mosquitos that carry the Zika virus, and improve the nation’s preparedness for Zika and other mosquito-borne threats like West Nile virus, chikungunya, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (“triple-e”) virus was signed into law in 2019. A re-authorization of SMASH was introduced in 2023 and included in the Pandemic All-Hazards Preparedness Act Reauthorization.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Following Senator Hassan’s Push, Manchester Wage and Hour Office to Stay Open After DOGE Targeted It for Closure

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
    WASHINGTON – Following advocacy by U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), the U.S. Department of Labor will keep open its Manchester Wage and Hour Division office, which recovers an average of nearly $2 million annually in back pay for New Hampshire workers. The office had previously been slated for closure by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). After learning of the planned closure, Senator Hassan pressed the U.S. Department of Labor about preserving the office, warning that closing this facility would jeopardize workers’ ability to get the wages that they are owed.
    “I am pleased that the Manchester Wage and Hour Division office will remain open to continue serving Granite Staters,” said Senator Hassan. “This office has delivered for New Hampshire workers by recovering wages that they have earned. We need to work together to eliminate waste and fraud in government in ways that help everyday people, not hurt them. DOGE’s arbitrary cuts to offices that are effectively serving constituents do not make our government more efficient and this closure would have threatened the ability of hardworking Granite Staters to recover wages that they are owed.”
    Senator Hassan has opposed the planned closure of the Manchester office, pressing Department of Labor officials on the issue in recent months. The office investigates reports of workers not receiving the full pay that they are entitled to, and it has recovered nearly $8 million for almost 5,600 New Hampshire workers over the last five years – more money per person than in 40 other states. Last month, Senator Hassan secured a commitment from Andrew Rogers, the nominee for Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division at the Department of Labor, to review DOGE’s decision to close the Manchester office. Senator Hassan later met with Rogers to personally underscore the importance of keeping the office open. The Department of Labor recently shared that the office will stay open and that the lease has been re-signed.
    Senator Hassan has also been speaking out against other DOGE targets, including Social Security offices. Following news that DOGE planned to close the Littleton Social Security office – the only Social Security field office accessible to Granite Staters in Northern New Hampshire – Senators Hassan and Shaheen called on the leaders of the General Services Administration and Social Security Administration to halt any efforts to close the Littleton office and stop broader attacks on Social Security services. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: United Kingdom reaffirms commitment to protect Guatemalan forests

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    United Kingdom reaffirms commitment to protect Guatemalan forests

    The British Ambassador, Juliana Correa, met with the Manager of the National Forest Institute (INAB), Bruno Enrique Arias Rivas, to strengthen bilateral collaboration in the protection of biodiversity and sustainable forest management.

    The meeting allowed for the exchange of priorities and exploration of new opportunities for technical and institutional cooperation, including within the framework of the UK’s environmental flagship project in Guatemala, the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund (BLF). 

    Among the topics discussed were INAB’s support for the BLF and other UK-funded projects, such as the Darwin projects, as well as the Aim4Forests programme, which seeks to strengthen forest monitoring through innovative technologies and sustainable solutions. 

    Progress was discussed in key areas such as Paso Caballos, in Laguna del Tigre National Park, and the Trifinio region, where forests conservation and ecosystem restoration are promoted.  

    The meeting reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to protecting biodiversity in Guatemala and promoting joint solutions to climate change, deforestation, and forest degradation.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: How marketers are using AI-driven digital twins to scale creative content faster, more efficiently

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: How marketers are using AI-driven digital twins to scale creative content faster, more efficiently

    AI offers retail and consumer goods brands a wealth of solutions that transform creativity and reduce time and cost of resource-intensive tasks across the content supply chain. As witnessed at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity in June 2025, AI is the new “plus one” to marketing chiefs and agency leaders. However, the potential of AI unleashed new pressure to chief marketing officers to not only scale proof of concepts (POCs), but prove their value—all while keeping the marketing engine running at a breakneck pace.

    For consumer packaged goods (CPGs), delivering personalized content across channels requires multiple iterations of product images, constant reshoots, tweaks, packaging design adjustments, and localization by region. This can be all-consuming for creatives, who are rebuilding or recreating imagery constantly to meet the moment.

    Discover solutions with Microsoft Cloud for Retail

    Imagine if brands could leverage AI digital twins to create and integrate high-quality, personalized product content at scale—simply, cost-effectively, and in a fraction of the time. AI and 3D digital twins make it possible, proving AI investments deliver on reduced time and speed to innovation.

    In a recent post, we discussed how AI isn’t just a tool—it’s the foundation for building competitive advantage. Let’s walk through three strategic areas where digital twins offer exceptional outcomes for marketing teams looking to deliver more.

    1. Starting with product imagery

    According to EMARKETER, content creation will be the top budget priority AI use case for chief marketing officers worldwide. Why? Producing product images today requires brands to spend a massive chunk of their budget to constantly reshoot and edit images. With digital twins, brands have the flexibility and scalability at low cost to create thousands of variants on a single product image, including labels, packaging, and language formats—all within a single file.

    AI empowers not only productivity but creativity. Digital twins are hyper-realistic, enabling content managers to easily and endlessly modify or expand on a concept using a 3D product model with a few clicks. Creatives can reallocate time spent in operational “to do’s” to storytelling, strategy, and delivery by channel. Brands can even showcase products in both static and dynamic formats because AI models aren’t limited to one dimension.

    Net-net: Digital twins for product images, videos, and interactive experiences simplify content workflows and allow you to:

    • Generate endless product images or videos using a single digital twin.
    • Refresh imagery for markets or seasons without reshoots.
    • Reduce repetitive labor for creatives while shortening production timelines.
    • Test creative concepts instantly without adding costs.
    • Update visuals across brands seamlessly.

    Making it real: Nestlé reduces associated time and cost by 70% with scaling digital twins

    Recently, Nestlé—the world’s largest food and beverage company—collaborated with Microsoft, Accenture Song, and NVIDIA to build and launch a new AI-powered in-house service to create high-quality product content at scale.

    With its new digital twin content supply chain powered by NVIDIA Omniverse on Microsoft Azure and using Microsoft AI solutions, content creators across Nestlé’s 45 content studios around the world can deliver high-quality creative assets at scale for e-commerce and marketing communications. Nestlé’s Integrated Marketing Services (IMS)—250 marketing experts in seven hubs—are working on scaling the digital twins and driving content localization.

    Nestlé already has a baseline of 4,000 3D digital products, mainly for global brands, with the ambition to convert a total of 10,000 products into digital twins in the next two years across global and local brands.

    Proving the value of AI investments in digital twins:

    • 70% reduced time and cost associated with scaling digital twins.
    • Faster content production for several brands, including Purina, Nescafé Dolce Gusto, and Nespresso.
    • Better ability to position iconic brands in a fast-moving digital environment.
    • Seamless updates for seasonal campaigns or channel-specific formats.

    For Nestlé, these technologies are proving to be catalysts for creative ingenuity, revolutionizing creative workflows in design, supercharging content creation, and enabling nuanced personalization—positioning Nestlé at the forefront of marketing.

    Learn more from this video about conversations Chief Marketing Officers had with Microsoft at the recent Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity event:

    2. Digital twins enable game-changing one-to-one consumer experiences

    Digital twins are generating realistic virtual experiences that not only enhance the shopper journey but also hyper-personalize each touchpoint to create memorable brand moments. AI has enabled interoperability between datasets to unlock online configurators, virtual reality product trials and visualizations, and in-store displays.

    Net-net: Embedding AI in user experiences is allowing consumer and retail goods companies to enable:

    • Try-ons for beauty products and fashion.
    • Configurators for custom merchandise.
    • Interactive, 360-degree product views.

    The era of AI ushers in a world of “intelligence on tap.”

    Imagine if AI-powered digital product twins merge product imagery and consumer insights to create visuals targeted to specific audience segments or even individual customers.

    A combination of insights and digital twin content creation empowers marketers to optimize for better impact and even map future trends. The value of building digital twins goes beyond endless product image creation. CPG brands are now leveraging AI to connect real-time campaign insights to their content studios as a primary use case to prove value. Agents are being built to perform audience simulations, test images, content, and even segmentation strategy to drive higher return on ad spend (ROAS) or even predict impact.

    Net-net: Use AI to connect media insights and content to:

    • Simulate, refine, and test marketing scenarios and consumer responses.
    • Increase campaign effectiveness with real-time, iterative feedback.
    • Test and optimize personalized marketing strategies at scale.
    • Model customer segments and predict campaign outcomes.

    As AI continues to evolve traditional processes and enhance productivity, marketers know human creativity remains a critical resource. With digital simulations and AI together, you can reallocate your valuable resources to more strategic, creative tasks; reduce costs and risk; and help your marketing teams optimize spend and focus on your number one KPI: growth.

    Learn more

    Microsoft Cloud for Retail

    Connect your customers, your people, and your data

    Michele Fisher

    Global Strategy Director

    Michele Fisher (she/her) is a Global Strategy Director at Microsoft and a sought-after brand consultant specializing in marketing innovation with AI. Her expertise spans multiple sectors, with particular focus on retail and consumer goods. She’s led innovative solution strategies at the intersection of technology and customer experience at Microsoft, Amazon Ads, and The Walt Disney Company. Michele lives in Kirkland, Washington, with her husband, three kids, and furry coworker, Butters the Labradoodle.

    See more articles from this author

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: In the world of books and artifacts: participants of the SPbPU library forum visited a rare excursion

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    A library forum was recently held at the Polytechnic University “KorFor-2025”A special gift for the forum guests was a tour of rare and often closed to the general public libraries of St. Petersburg.

    For example, the tour participants got acquainted with the oldest military library in Russia, which is located in the historical building of the General Staff on Palace Square. Over 210 years, the Military Historical Library of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation has collected a unique collection on military history and military art from ancient times to the present day. A special pride is the richest collection of maps of military operations for more than 200 years of history. The employees talked about their work, about new technologies used in the library, which carefully stores not only documents, but also the memory of great events in the history of our Motherland.

    The history of the Scientific Library of the Russian Academy of Arts begins at the time of the founding of the Academy of Arts in 1757. The basis of the library’s collection was a gift from the founder of the Academy of Arts, Ivan Ivanovich Shuvalov. Currently, the library collection contains more than half a million printed publications, engravings, photographs, reproductions, illustrations, revealing the entire diversity of world artistic culture.

    The excursionists walked through the unique halls of the library, learned about the history of its creation and development. And what awe and admiration were caused by the rare editions of the 15th-18th centuries, offsets, engravings, lithographs! The time spent in a warm, welcoming atmosphere flew by in an instant and left unforgettable impressions on all the excursion participants.

    During the visit to the Scientific Library of the Russian Geographical Society, the specialists got acquainted with a rare collection of books, maps and documents. These materials reflect almost all expeditions in Russia and other countries that took place under the auspices of the Russian Geographical Society. The reports on Arctic expeditions and the history of the discovery of the Northern Sea Route deserve special attention. The guests had the opportunity to get acquainted with rare editions of the 17th-19th centuries, representing historical and cultural significance.

    Head of the library Maria Bystrova told the guests in detail about the unique collections and modern methods of cataloguing and storing valuable materials.

    The librarians also got a glimpse into the inner life of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy of the Russian Orthodox Church: they walked along the rector’s corridor, visited the museum and classrooms, looked into the cozy reading room and, of course, into the library, the largest in the Orthodox world. Currently, its collection contains about 315,000 books, periodicals and musical editions. The library collection contains books mainly of theological and church-historical content. The excursionists were especially impressed by the academic temple in the name of the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, which houses the revered icon of the Mother of God “The Sign” of Tsarskoye Selo and other holy relics.

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pic of the Week – Bizzell Memorial Library, Historic Landmark and Home to Library of Congress History

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    My summer travels always end at a library. Every library I have visited, from the one of my childhood home to my current place of employment, is special to me, not to mention the communities they continue to serve. On a visit to Oklahoma, I discovered another.

    The Bizzell Memorial Library is located in Norman, on the campus of the University of Oklahoma. Built in 1929, the library’s architectural style is Cherokee Gothic, like many other buildings on the campus. In 2001, it was made a National Historic Landmark.

    The Peggy V. Helmerich Great Reading Room of Bizzell Library on a summer day. Photo by Bailey DeSimone.

    While exploring the halls, I learned that the library was an important part of a civil rights case. In McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents (229 U.S. 637 (1950)), a unanimous court ruled that George W. McLaurin, the first African American to attend the University of Oklahoma, was deprived of his 14th Amendment rights in the “separate but equal” segregation practices of the University. Before this ruling, McLaurin “was required to sit apart at a designated desk in an anteroom adjoining the classroom” and “a designated desk on the mezzanine floor of the library, but not to use the desks in the regular reading room.” (p. 4.) The ruling was also delivered on the same day as Sweatt v. Painter (339 U.S. 629 (1950)), a case in which Herman Marion Sweatt, an African American applicant to the University of Texas School of Law, was ruled to have had his 14th Amendment rights violated when he was denied admittance on the grounds of his race.

    Also in the Bizzell Library is a select collection of awards granted to, and publications by, Daniel J. Boorstin, a notable author and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1974. He went on to serve as the Librarian of Congress from 1975 to 1987. Though not an alumnus of the University, Boorstin did grow up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was inducted into the Tulsa Hall of Fame in 1989.

    The Daniel J. Boorstin Collection at the University of Oklahoma Bizzell Memorial Library. Photo by Bailey DeSimone.

    I am grateful to every library that has welcomed me through its doors, and I am glad to add Bizzell Library to the list. I learn something new and interesting every time. This summer, check out your local library for their current displays and see what you learn!

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pic of the Week – Bizzell Memorial Library, Historic Landmark and Home to Library of Congress History

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    My summer travels always end at a library. Every library I have visited, from the one of my childhood home to my current place of employment, is special to me, not to mention the communities they continue to serve. On a visit to Oklahoma, I discovered another.

    The Bizzell Memorial Library is located in Norman, on the campus of the University of Oklahoma. Built in 1929, the library’s architectural style is Cherokee Gothic, like many other buildings on the campus. In 2001, it was made a National Historic Landmark.

    The Peggy V. Helmerich Great Reading Room of Bizzell Library on a summer day. Photo by Bailey DeSimone.

    While exploring the halls, I learned that the library was an important part of a civil rights case. In McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents (229 U.S. 637 (1950)), a unanimous court ruled that George W. McLaurin, the first African American to attend the University of Oklahoma, was deprived of his 14th Amendment rights in the “separate but equal” segregation practices of the University. Before this ruling, McLaurin “was required to sit apart at a designated desk in an anteroom adjoining the classroom” and “a designated desk on the mezzanine floor of the library, but not to use the desks in the regular reading room.” (p. 4.) The ruling was also delivered on the same day as Sweatt v. Painter (339 U.S. 629 (1950)), a case in which Herman Marion Sweatt, an African American applicant to the University of Texas School of Law, was ruled to have had his 14th Amendment rights violated when he was denied admittance on the grounds of his race.

    Also in the Bizzell Library is a select collection of awards granted to, and publications by, Daniel J. Boorstin, a notable author and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1974. He went on to serve as the Librarian of Congress from 1975 to 1987. Though not an alumnus of the University, Boorstin did grow up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was inducted into the Tulsa Hall of Fame in 1989.

    The Daniel J. Boorstin Collection at the University of Oklahoma Bizzell Memorial Library. Photo by Bailey DeSimone.

    I am grateful to every library that has welcomed me through its doors, and I am glad to add Bizzell Library to the list. I learn something new and interesting every time. This summer, check out your local library for their current displays and see what you learn!

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: How rising living costs are changing the way we date, live and love

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Melise Panetta, Lecturer of Marketing in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University

    Young adults in their 20s and 30s face an altered social landscape where financial realities influence their relationships. (Rene Ranisch/Unsplash)

    If it feels like rising prices are affecting your dating life or friendships, you’re not imagining it. Around the world, economic pressures are taking a significant toll on personal relationships.

    From strained romantic partnerships to postponed life milestones, financial uncertainty is changing the way people connect and relate to with one another.

    Young adults in their 20s and 30s, in particular, are facing an altered social landscape where even the most fundamental aspects of relationships are being influenced by financial realities.

    Dating today can feel like a mix of endless swipes, red flags and shifting expectations. From decoding mixed signals to balancing independence with intimacy, relationships in your 20s and 30s come with unique challenges. Love IRL is the latest series from Quarter Life that explores it all.

    These research-backed articles break down the complexities of modern love to help you build meaningful connections, no matter your relationship status.

    Financial stress and relationship strain

    Money has long been one of the biggest sources of conflict in relationships, but today’s economic landscape has made financial stress an even greater burden.

    In Canada, a staggering 77 per cent of couples report financial strain, and 62 per cent say they argue over money. The rising cost of rent, food and everyday expenses has forced many couples to make difficult financial decisions, sometimes at the expense of their relationship.

    These concerns are not unique to Canadian couples. A study in the United Kingdom found that 38 per cent of people in a relationship admit to having a secret account or “money stashed away” that their partner doesn’t know about. And in the United States, couples surveyed reported having 58 money-related arguments per year.

    Money has long been one of the biggest sources of conflict in relationships.
    (Shutterstock)

    Even more concerning, financial instability is affecting how long relationships last. A recent RBC poll found 55 per cent of Canadians feel they need to be in a relationship to afford their lifestyle.

    The economic barriers to independence are particularly pronounced for those contemplating separation or divorce. Traditionally, a breakup meant one partner moving out, but now more divorced and separated couples are finding themselves cohabitating simply because they can’t afford to live alone.

    Understanding how to maintain a healthy relationship when facing financial troubles is essential for couples to navigate these difficult times.

    Postponing major life decisions

    The cost-of-living crisis is also delaying key life milestones for young adults worldwide. A Statistics Canada survey found that 38 per cent of young adults have postponed moving out due to economic uncertainty, an increase from 32 per cent in 2018.

    This issue is not only delaying the journey to independent adulthood, it is also reversing it. For example, in the United Kingdom, one in five young adults who moved out have had to move back into their family home due to the cost of living crisis.

    Housing affordability plays a major role in these delays. With housing prices soaring in Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and elsewhere, home ownership feels out of reach for many. For instance, 55 per cent of young Canadians report the housing crisis is fuelling their decision to delay starting a family.

    The cost-of-living crisis is also delaying key life milestones for young adults worldwide. Real estate signs seen in Calgary in May 2023.
    (Shutterstock)

    These delays have cascading effects on individuals and on broader societal trends, including lower fertility rates and shifts toward smaller families.

    Dating in a cost-conscious era

    One side effect of the rising cost of living is that couples are moving in together sooner than they might have otherwise in order to split living expenses. Others are adopting a more pragmatic approach to dating and bringing up topics like financial stability, job security and housing much earlier in their relationships.

    A dating trend known as “future-proofing” is also spreading. According to Bumble’s annual trend report, 95 per cent of singles say their worries about the future are impacting who they date and how they approach relationships. Top concerns include finances, job security, housing and climate change.



    Read more:
    The price of love: Why millennials and Gen Zs are running up major dating debt

    At the same time, financial strain is leading to simpler and cheaper date nights. More than half of Canadians say the rising cost of living is affecting dating. Many people are opting for budget-friendly activities like coffee dates, picnics or home-cooked meals instead of expensive dinners or weekend getaways.

    In the U.K., inflation and other day-to-day expenses have also made 33 per cent of the nation’s young singles less likely to go on dates. Around one-quarter of them say it has made them less likely to seek out a romantic partner altogether.

    Financial strain is leading fewer people to go on expensive, extravagent date nights.
    (Shutterstock)

    These costs are forcing single Americans to adjust their dating plans. With 44 per cent of single Americans reporting adjusting a date for financial reasons, and 27 per cent outright cancelling plans due to financial pressures, it is clear that the cost of living is fundamentally changing how Americans date.

    Also, with 38 per cent of dating Canadians saying the costs associated with dating have negatively impacted their ability to reach their financial goals, some are even skipping dating altogether.

    The cost of friendship

    Friendships, too, are feeling the pinch. Gone are the days of casually grabbing dinner or catching a concert on the weekend. Nearly 40 per cent of Canadians, 42 per cent of Britons and 37 per cent of Americans have cut back on social outings due to financial constraints.

    While this may seem like a small sacrifice, the decline in social interactions carries serious consequences. Regular social engagement is critical for mental health, resilience and career development. The more social activities are reduced, the greater the risk of loneliness and isolation — two factors that can significantly impact emotional well-being.

    For many, socializing now means opting for budget-friendly alternatives. However, even with creative adjustments, financial pressures are making it harder to maintain strong social ties.

    The changing landscape of connection

    If you’re in your 20s or 30s, you’ve probably felt the way the economic realities of today are reshaping what relationships look like. Rising costs are influencing everything, from who you live with, how you date and when — or if — you take major life steps.

    Maybe you’ve moved in with a partner sooner than planned to split rent, swapped nights out for budget-friendly hangs or put off milestones like starting a family. You’re not alone. Financial pressures are redefining how we connect with each other.

    Finding ways to maintain strong relationships under economic stress is essential. Research shows providing emotional support to your partner, employing positive problem-solving skills and engaging in open communication are key maintaining high-quality relationships.

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

    – ref. How rising living costs are changing the way we date, live and love – https://theconversation.com/how-rising-living-costs-are-changing-the-way-we-date-live-and-love-252709

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ showcases Donald Trump’s penchant for visual cruelty

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Marycarmen Lara Villanueva, PhD Candidate, Department of Social Justice Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

    The United States government recently announced the opening of a massive immigrant detention facility built deep within the Florida Everglades that’s been dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a media briefing that “there is only one road leading in … and the only way out is a one-way flight.”

    For some taking in her remarks, the moment felt dystopian. According to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the facility is surrounded by swamps and alligators and is equipped with more than 200 security cameras, 8,500 metres of barbed wire and a security force of 400 personnel.

    Accounts from some of the first detainees at the facility have shed light on the inhumane conditions. They’ve described limited access to water and fresh air, saying they received only one meal a day and that the lights are on 24/7.

    Apparently designed to be an immigration deterrence and a display of cruelty, Alligator Alcatraz is much more than infrastructure. It is visual policy aimed to stage terror as a message while making Trump’s authoritarian and fascist politics a material reality.

    Contributing to this fascist visual apparatus, AI-generated images of alligators wearing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hats have circulated widely on social media. Some have questioned whether these images were satire or state propaganda.

    A screenshot of a June 2025 Homeland Security post on X, formerly Twitter.

    Surveillance, migration, debilitation

    In a moment of growing right-wing rhetoric and support for anti-immigrant violence, understanding how visual regimes operate, and what they attempt to normalize, is important.



    Read more:
    Nearly 54% of extreme conservatives say the federal government should use violence to stop illegal immigration

    Surveillance and deterrence technologies used along the U.S.–Mexico border for decades were intentionally designed to restrict the movement of undocumented migrants. According to Human Rights Watch, this has resulted in more than 10,000 deaths.

    Since 1994, U.S. Border Patrol has been accused of directing migrants away from urban crossings along the southern border, intentionally funnelling them into harsh and inhospitable terrain like the Sonora Desert.

    The desert serves as a deterrent to prevent immigrants from reaching their destiny. American theorist Jasbir Puar’s concept of debility is useful in making sense of the strategic process whereby the state works not to kill, but to weaken, as a form of slow violence that wears people down over time. The desired outcome is deterrence.

    On the southern U.S. border, severe dehydration and kidney failure can be outcomes of this debilitating process, potentially resulting in disability or death.

    Infrastructures of violence

    Sarah Lopez, a built environment historian and migration scholar in the U.S., describes the architecture of migrant immobilization as existing on a continuum with prison design. She’s highlighted the increasingly punitive conditions of immigration detention facilities, such as small dark cells or the absence of natural light.

    French architect and writer Léopold Lambert explains that architecture isn’t just about buildings, but about how space is used to organize and control people. He coined and developed the term weaponized architecture to describe how spaces are designed to serve the political goals of those in power.

    Colonialism, capitalism and modernity are closely connected, and architecture has played a key role in making them possible. Alligator Alcatraz sits at the intersection of all three, intentionally created to invoke danger and isolation. In other words, it’s cruel by design.

    As Leavitt put it, the facility is “isolated and surrounded by dangerous wildlife and unforgiving terrain.” The Trump administration has essentially transformed land into infrastructure and migrants into disposable threats.

    Terrorizing the marginalized

    State-sanctioned “unforgiving terrains” are not new, and the use of alligators to terrorize people of colour isn’t new either.

    The grotesque history of Black children being used as “alligator bait” in Jim Crow-era imagery is well-documented.

    So when Trump publicly fantasized about alligators eating immigrants trying to escape the new detention centre, it came as no surprise to those familiar with the long racist visual history linking alligators to representations of Black people.

    This logic is redeployed in the form of a racial terror that is made visible, marketable and even humorous in mainstream political discourse.

    Visuality and migration

    “Visuality” is a key term in the field of visual and cultural studies, originally coined by Scottish historian Thomas Carlyle and reintroduced in the early 2000s by American cultural theorist Nicholas Mirzoeff. It can be understood as the socially, historically and culturally constructed ways of seeing and understanding the visual world.

    Visual systems have historically been used to justify western imperial and colonial rule by controlling how people see and understand the world.

    While Alligator Alcatraz is a brand-new detention facility, it draws from a longer visual and spatial history of domination.

    The AI-generated images of alligators wearing ICE hats can be seen as part of a broader visual system that makes racialized violence seem normal, justified and even funny. In this absurd transformation, the alligator is reimagined as a legitimate symbol of border enforcement.

    Migrant death by water

    The spectacle of Alligator Alcatraz, with its swampy inhospitable landscape, cannot be divorced from the long visual history of migrant death by water that’s relied on the circulation of images to provoke outrage — and sometimes state action.

    Examples include the iconic image of Aylan Kurdi, the Syrian child whose lifeless body washed ashore in Turkey in 2015, and the devastating photo of Oscar Alberto Martínez Ramírez and his two-year-old daughter who both drowned crossing the Rio Grande in 2019.

    These images sparked global concern, but they also reinforced the idea that migrant lives only matter when they end in death — as if borders only become visible when they cause deaths.

    Alligator Alcatraz was built in eight days. The fact that a detention camp — or what some have called a concentration camp — can be assembled almost overnight, while basic human needs like clean drinking water or emergency warning systems go unmet for years, speaks volumes about where political will and government priorities lie.

    Marycarmen Lara Villanueva 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. ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ showcases Donald Trump’s penchant for visual cruelty – https://theconversation.com/alligator-alcatraz-showcases-donald-trumps-penchant-for-visual-cruelty-260566

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Biology is complex and diverse, so scientific research approaches need to be too

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Thomas Merritt, Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Laurentian University

    The beautiful, fascinating and often perplexing world around us grows from intricate and convoluted interactions of millions of pieces. As scientists, we work to understand and describe the parts and interactions of these systems.

    Scientific understanding is only as good as the questions we ask. Observing the world from a variety of viewpoints and asking questions from a diversity of perspectives helps us recognize and understand biological complexity. Science, and our own experience, tells us that diverse collaborations lead to better questions and more innovative solutions — but diversity in research is under threat.

    A major advancement in modern biology, specifically in the world of modern genetics that our research team works in, has been the realization that genes are far more complicated than we thought 20 years ago. When the human genome was first sequenced in 2001, scientists realized that each person’s DNA contained around 20,000 genes. Earlier estimates had been between 80,000 and 100,000.

    This drastic downsize may seem like a step back in complexity, but the reduced number means genes must be more complex in order to fulfil multiple roles and functions. There are fewer genes, but each gene has a complicated set of multiple functions modulated through intricate, interconnected and interactive gene-regulation mechanisms.

    Model species, surprising discoveries

    Our research group studies gene regulation using the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) as a model species — a non-human species studied extensively to reveal more about other organisms. Flies, like humans, have two copies of each chromosome, each copy with a full set of genes. Typically, regulation of each copy has been assumed to be independent.

    Flies, like humans, have two copies of each chromosome.
    (Mr.checker/Wikimedia)

    Unexpectedly, our research has found that in fruit flies, the copies on separate chromosomes physically interact to modulate each other’s regulation. This means that the chromosomes aren’t independent: they co-regulate in a way that depends on genome structure, or what we call chromosome architecture.

    This form of inter-chromosomal gene regulation, called transvection, was originally described in the 1950s, but is largely unknown. Its potential role to drive biological complexity is underappreciated because its effects are often (but not always) subtle and generally overshadowed by “typical” mechanisms of gene regulation along a single chromosome, cis-regulation.



    Read more:
    How to kill fruit flies, according to a scientist

    Complex genetic interactions

    Our transvection research focuses on subtle differences between individuals and environments. Too often, biology assumes that phenomena are simple, uniform and discreet.

    A classic example, taught in high school biology classes, demonstrates this thinking. Austrian biologist Gregor Mendel studied genetics in pea plants to propose dominant and recessive hereditary traits. His data was a little too clean, too good to be true: Mendel’s peas were either wrinkled or round, yellow or green.

    Genetics is works in more complex ways: think of eye colour. Our eyes are not a dichotomous brown or blue. Colour varies in a spectrum of shades of blues, greens, grays, hazels and browns.

    Similarly, we have shown that transvection, itself an unexpected twist, varies subtly and substantially, in unexpected ways. Recognizing that inter-chomosomal regulation was even possible, let alone could itself be modulated and variable, meant looking at our results from a non-typical view point, a different perspective.

    Our research into stress biology has drawn similar conclusions; diverse responses are the norm and appreciating this variability is absolutely fundamental to understanding the system.

    Differences between male and female biologies

    In our research into metabolism, we have repeatedly found significant and substantial differences between male and females. For example, in recent unpublished data, we find that differences between male and female fruit fly responses to metal toxicity were as large as we would have expected to occur between different species.

    Past conventional wisdom in the field assumed that the biology in the two sexes was interchangeable, with females essentially being just hypervariable males, although recent research in our lab and others is broadly pushing back against this misconception.



    Read more:
    Sex matters: Male bias in the lab is bad science

    The male and female responses are similar but distinct, and this is an important point. To understand biology, our research indicates, we need to identify, appreciate and study these subtle differences in order to produce more thorough scientific investigations.

    Unexpected complexity

    Our research regularly reveals unexpected biological complexity and, not coincidentally, the studies listed above were all collaborations. The technical complexity of research often requires involving experts in multiple disciplines.

    A typical project can involve half a dozen or more experiments and methods, ranging from biochemistry to genetics to life history, and techniques from enzyme kinetic assays to mass spectrometry and DNA sequencing.

    We are part of a genetics research group at Laurentian University whose diversity has greatly strengthened the quality and originality of contributions we have made to the field. In our experience, diverse collaborations combining different perspectives and viewpoints lead to innovative conclusions.

    The literature bears this out: a series of large-scale studies involving millions of researchers and publications repeatedly show that diverse groups of scientists ask more interesting, perceptive and innovative questions and pose more interesting solutions.

    Diversity and innovation

    But this diversity-innovation connection is under attack in the current social and political climate. This has been most visible under the current political regime in the United States, but is also present here in Canada.

    If successful, these attacks will narrow the perspective of scientific research and cripple scientific advances. Current diversity is the result of decades of programs fighting generations of systematic discrimination. Many researchers have been making research a more diverse and inclusive place.



    Read more:
    Want to reach out to an Indigenous scholar? Awesome! But first, here are 10 things to consider

    Sustainability is essential to the long-term health of scientific research. The research, and our own experiences, clearly shows that diverse groups of researchers conduct more creative, innovative and impactful science. Visibility in scientific research is important to ensure its sustainability. More young students will pursue careers in research if they can see themselves in that role.

    Our hope is that a broader appreciation of the importance of diversity in research, will lead to greater community and political, support for research programs that recognize the fundamental importance of diversity, equity and inclusion.

    The biological world is a beautifully diverse and complex place. To truly understand that world, the research laboratory must to be, too.

    Thomas Merritt receives funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council.

    Allie Hutchings 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. Biology is complex and diverse, so scientific research approaches need to be too – https://theconversation.com/biology-is-complex-and-diverse-so-scientific-research-approaches-need-to-be-too-260696

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Burlison Announces Hearing on Advancing Nuclear Energy

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Eric Burlison (R-Missouri 7th District)

    WASHINGTON—Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs Chairman Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) today announced a hearing titled “The New Atomic Age: Advancing America’s Energy Future.” The hearing will examine advancements made in nuclear power technology and the importance of making small and micro modular reactors (SMRs and MMRs) commercially viable and available. Members will also evaluate supply chain challenges that limit access to nuclear fuel and discuss what Congress can do to grow and strengthen American energy.

    “America is at risk of falling behind in the global energy race—and that should concern every one of us. The hard truth is that excessive regulations and red tape from previous administrations have stifled private-sector innovation, preventing us from fully unleashing America’s energy potential. Fortunately, the Trump Administration is implementing common-sense policies designed to redefine power generation and open new pathways to solving our domestic energy challenges. Advanced nuclear reactors will make energy more accessible, more affordable, and more abundant for hardworking Americans. I look forward to hearing from witnesses on how Congress can bolster nuclear energy development and ensure American energy dominance,” said Subcommittee Chairman Burlison.  

    WHAT: Hearing titled “The New Atomic Age: Advancing America’s Energy Future”

    DATE: Tuesday, July 22, 2025

    TIME: 1:00 P.M. ET

    LOCATION: HVC-210, U.S. Capitol Visitors Center

    WITNESSES:

    Alex Epstein, President and Founder, Center for Industrial Progress  
    Joshua Smith, Energy Policy Lead, Abundance Institute  
     

    BACKGROUND:

    On July 11, 2025, Subcommittee Chairman Burlison and members of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs traveled to Los Angeles County, California, to examine nuclear power reactors and evaluate next steps toward advancing nuclear energy. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Honors Downwinders on 80th Anniversary of The Trinity Test

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – On July 16, 2025, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) issued the following statement on the 80th anniversary of the Trinity Test:

    “For 80 years, generations of New Mexican Downwinders have endured the Trinity Test’s devastating legacy while the government looked the other way,” said Vasquez. “Today, I’m proud that Congress has finally reauthorized and expanded the Radiation Expansion Compensation Act, delivering long overdue justice for the New Mexican families that were exposed to harm without their consent, knowledge, or recourse. This moment is about honoring the lives lost, the voices ignored, and the communities left behind — making sure they are never forgotten.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: What is peer review? The role anonymous experts play in scrutinizing research before it gets published

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Joshua Winowiecki, Assistant Professor of Nursing, Michigan State University

    Reviewer 1: “This manuscript is a timely and important contribution to the field, with clear methodology and compelling results. I recommend publication with only minor revisions.”

    Reviewer 2: “This manuscript is deeply flawed. The authors’ conclusions are not supported by data, and key literature is ignored. Major revisions are required before it can be considered.”

    These lines could be pulled from almost any editorial decision letter in the world of academic publishing, sent from a journal to a researcher. One review praises the work, while another sees nothing but problems. For scholars, this kind of contradiction is common. Reviewer 2, in particular, has become something of a meme: an anonymous figure often blamed for delays, rejections or cryptic critiques that seem to miss the point.

    But those disagreements are part of the peer-review process.

    A world of memes – like this one shared on Reddit – has sprung up about the ridiculous feedback provided by a mythical Reviewer #2.
    Reddit/r/medicalschool

    As a clinical nurse specialist, educator and scholar who reviews studies in nursing and health care and teaches others to do so critically as well, I’ve seen how peer review shapes not just what gets published, but what ultimately influences practice.

    Peer review is the checkpoint where scientific claims are validated before they are shared with the world. Researchers and scholars submit their findings to academic journals, which invite other scholars with similar expertise – those are the peers – to assess the work. Reviewers look at the way the scholar designed the project, the methods they used and whether their conclusions stand up.

    The point of peer review

    This process isn’t new. Versions of peer review have been around for centuries. But the modern form – anonymous, structured and managed by journal editors – took hold after World War II. Today, it is central to how scientific publishing works, and nowhere more so than health, nursing and medicine. Research that survives review is more likely to be trusted and acted upon by health care practitioners and their patients.

    Millions of research papers move through this process annually, and the number grows every year. The sheer volume means that peer review isn’t just quality control, it’s become a bottleneck, a filter of sorts, and a kind of collective judgment about what counts as credible.

    In clinical fields, peer review also has a protective role. Before a study about a new medication, procedure or care model gains traction, it is typically evaluated by others in the field. The point isn’t to punish the authors – it’s to slow things down just enough to critically evaluate the work, catch mistakes, question assumptions and raise red flags. The reviewer’s work doesn’t always get credit, but it often changes what ends up in print.

    So, even if you’ve never submitted a paper or read a scientific journal, peer-reviewed science still shows up in your life. It helps shape what treatments are available, what protocols and guidelines your nurse practitioner or physician uses, and what public health advice gets passed along on the news.

    This doesn’t mean peer review always works. Plenty of papers get published despite serious limitations. And some of these flawed studies do real harm. But even scholars who complain about the system often still believe in it. In one international survey of medical researchers, a clear majority said they trusted peer-reviewed science, despite frustrations with how slow or inconsistent the process can be.

    What actually happens when a paper is reviewed?

    Before a manuscript lands in the hands of reviewers, it begins with the researchers themselves. Scientists investigate a question, gather and analyze their data and write up their findings, often with a particular journal in mind that publishes new work in their discipline. Once they submit their paper to the journal, the editorial process begins.

    At this point, journal editors send it out to two or three reviewers who have relevant expertise. Reviewers read for clarity, accuracy, originality and usefulness. They offer comments about what’s missing, what needs to be explained more carefully, and whether the findings seem valid. Sometimes the feedback is collegial and helpful. Sometimes it’s not.

    Peer reviewers’ comments can help researchers revise and strengthen their work.
    AJ_Watt/E+ via Getty Images

    Here is where Reviewer 2 enters the lore of academic life. This is the critic who seems especially hard to please, who misreads the argument, or demands rewrites that would reshape the entire project. But even these kinds of reviews serve a purpose. They show how work might be received more broadly. And many times they flag weaknesses the author hadn’t seen.

    Review is slow. Most reviewers aren’t paid, with nearly 75% reporting they receive no compensation or formal recognition for their efforts. They do this work on top of their regular clinical, teaching or research responsibilities. And not every editor has the time or capacity to sort through conflicting feedback or to moderate tone. The result is a process that can feel uneven, opaque, and, at times, unfair.

    It doesn’t always catch what it is supposed to. Peer review is better at catching sloppy thinking than it is at detecting fraud. If data is fabricated or manipulated, a reviewer may not have the tools, or the time, to figure that out. In recent years, a growing number of published papers have been retracted after concerns about plagiarism or faked results. That trend has shaken confidence in the system and raised questions about what more journals should be doing before publication.

    Imperfect but indispensable

    Even though the current peer-review system has its shortcomings, most researchers would argue that science is better off than it would be without the level of scrutiny peer review provides. The challenge now is how to make peer review better.

    Some journals are experimenting with publishing reviewer comments alongside articles. Other are trying systems where feedback continues after publication. There are also proposals to use artificial intelligence to help flag inconsistencies or potential errors before human reviewers even begin.

    These efforts are promising but still in the early stages of development and adoption. For most fields, peer review remains a basic requirement for legitimacy, while some, such as law and high-energy physics, have alternate methods of communicating their findings. Peer review assures a reader that a journal article’s claim has been tested, scrutinized and revised.

    Peer review doesn’t guarantee truth. But it does invite challenge, foster transparency, offer reflection and force revision. That’s often where the real work of science begins.

    Even if Reviewer 2 still has notes.

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

    – ref. What is peer review? The role anonymous experts play in scrutinizing research before it gets published – https://theconversation.com/what-is-peer-review-the-role-anonymous-experts-play-in-scrutinizing-research-before-it-gets-published-258255

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Examining mushrooms under microscopes can help engineers design stronger materials

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Mohamed Khalil Elhachimi, PhD Student in Mechanical Engineering, Binghamton University, State University of New York

    White button mushrooms are one of the types studied to inform stronger materials. DigiPub/Moment via Getty Images

    Pick up a button mushroom from the supermarket and it squishes easily between your fingers. Snap a woody bracket mushroom off a tree trunk and you’ll struggle to break it. Both extremes grow from the same microscopic building blocks: hyphae – hair-thin tubes made mostly of the natural polymer chitin, a tough compound also found in crab shells.

    As those tubes branch and weave, they form a lightweight but surprisingly strong network called mycelium. Engineers are beginning to investigate this network for use in eco-friendly materials.

    Filaments called hyphae are a mushroom’s support structures both above and below ground, and the mycelium network links multiple mushrooms together.
    Milkwood.net/Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA

    Yet even within a single mushroom family, the strength of a mycelium network can vary widely. Scientists have long suspected that how the hyphae are arranged – not just what they’re made of – holds the key to understanding, and ultimately controlling, their strength. But until recently, measurements that directly link microscopic arrangement to macroscopic strength have been scarce.

    I’m a mechanical engineering Ph.D. student at Binghamton University who studies bio-inspired structures. In our latest research, my colleagues and I asked a simple question: Can we tune the strength of a mushroomlike material just by changing the angle of its filaments, without adding any tougher ingredients? The answer, it turns out, is yes.

    2 edible species, many tiny tests

    In our study, my team compared two familiar fungi. The first was the white button mushroom, whose tissue uses only thin filaments called generative filaments. The second was the maitake, also called hen-of-the-woods, whose tissue mixes in a second, thicker type of hyphae called skeletal filaments. These skeletal filaments are arranged roughly in parallel, like bundles of cables.

    The two types of mushrooms used in the study: The white button mushroom is monomitic, shown on the left, meaning it has only one type of hyphae. The maitake is shown on the right, and is dimitic, meaning it has two types of hyphae.
    Mohamed Khalil Elhachimi

    After gently drying the caps and stems to remove any water, which can soften the material and skew the results, we zoomed in with scanning electron microscopes and tested the samples at two very different scales.

    First, we tested macro-scale compression. A motor-driven piston slowly squashed each mushroom while sensors recorded how hard the sample pushed back – the same way you might squeeze a marshmallow, only with laboratory precision.

    Then we pressed a diamond tip thinner than a human hair into individual filaments to measure their stiffness.

    The white mushroom filaments behaved like rubber bands, averaging about 18 megapascals in stiffness – similar to natural rubber. The thicker skeletal filaments in maitake measured around 560 megapascals, more than 30 times stiffer and approaching the stiffness of high-density polyethylene – the rigid plastic used in cutting boards and some water pipes.

    The two mushrooms tested include the maitake, left, and the button mushroom.
    Lance Cheung/USDA and edenpictures/Flickr, CC BY

    But chemistry is only half the story. When we squeezed entire chunks, the direction we squeezed in mattered even more for the maitake. Pressing in line with its parallel skeletal filaments made the block 30 times stiffer than pressing across the grain. By contrast, the tangled filaments in white mushrooms felt equally soft from every angle.

    A digital mushroom and twisting the threads

    To separate geometry from chemistry, we converted snapshots from the microscope into a computer model using a 3D Voronoi network – a pattern that mimics the walls between bubbles in a foam. Think of ping-pong balls crammed in a box: Each ball is a cell, and the walls between cells become our simulated filaments.

    We assigned those filaments by the stiffness values measured in the lab, then virtually rotated the whole network to angles of 0 degrees, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees and completely random.

    Horizontal (0 degrees) filaments flexed like a spring mattress. Vertical (90 degrees) filaments supported weight almost as firmly as dense wood. Simply tilting the network to 60 degrees nearly doubled its stiffness compared with 0 degrees – all without changing a single chemical ingredient.

    The researchers modeled structures with different fiber orientations to see which are the strongest: (a) represents a horizontal fiber orientation, (b) a 30-degree fiber orientation, (c) a 60-degree fiber orientation, (d) a vertical fiber orientation, and (e) a random fiber orientation.
    Mohamed Khalil Elhachimi

    Basically, we found that orientation alone could turn a mushy sponge into something that stands up to serious pressure. That suggests manufacturers could make strong, lightweight, biodegradable parts – such as shoe insoles, protective packaging and even interior panels for cars – simply by guiding how a fungus grows rather than by mixing in harder additives.

    Greener materials – and beyond

    Startups already grow “leather” made from mycelium – the threadlike fungal network – for handbags, and mycelium foam as a Styrofoam replacement.

    Guiding fungi to lay their filaments in strategic directions could push performance much higher, opening doors in sectors where strength-to-weight ratio is king: think sporting goods cores, building-insulation panels or lightweight fillers inside aircraft panels.

    The same digital tool kit also works for metal or polymer lattices printed layer by layer. Swap the filament properties in the model, let the algorithm pick the best angles, and then feed that layout into a 3D printer.

    One day, engineers might dial up an app that says something like, “I need a panel that’s stiff north-south but flexible east-west,” and the program could spit out a filament map inspired by the humble maitake.

    Our next step is to feed thousands of these virtual networks into a machine learning model so it can predict – or even invent – filament layouts that hit a targeted stiffness in any direction.

    Meanwhile, biologists are exploring low-energy ways to coax real fungi to grow in neat rows, from steering nutrients toward one side of a petri dish to applying gentle electric fields that encourage filaments to align.

    This study taught us that you don’t always need exotic chemistry to make a better material. Sometimes it’s all about how you line up the same old threads – just ask a mushroom.

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

    – ref. Examining mushrooms under microscopes can help engineers design stronger materials – https://theconversation.com/examining-mushrooms-under-microscopes-can-help-engineers-design-stronger-materials-260477

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Inflation increased to 2 percent in June 2025

    Source: Bank of Botswana

    Headline inflation increased from 1.9 percent in May to 2 percent in June 2025, remaining below the lower bound of the medium-term objective range of 3 – 6 percent and was lower than the 2.8 percent recorded in June 2024. The marginal increase in inflation between May and June 2025 was mainly on account of the acceleration in the rate of annual price changes of a few categories of goods and services, notably Transport and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & other Fuels. Similarly, the 16 percent trimmed mean inflation and inflation excluding administered prices increased from 1.8 percent and 3.7 percent to 2 percent and 3.9 percent, respectively, between May and June 2025.

    Inflation for domestic tradeables decreased from 4.5 percent to 4.3 percent between May and June 2025, mainly on account of the deceleration in the rate of annual price changes of some food items in this category, including sorghum meal, white bread flour, and samp. Conversely, inflation for imported tradeables increased from 0.8 percent to 1.1 percent over the same period, mainly on account of the increase in the price of most alcoholic beverages and vehicles. Overall, all tradeables inflation increased from 1.8 percent to 2 percent between May and June 2025. Meanwhile, inflation for non-tradeables was unchanged at 2 percent in the same period.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Apply for the 2026 Criminal Defence Direct Contract

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Apply for the 2026 Criminal Defence Direct Contract

    The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) is inviting tenders for Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) Contracts to deliver 24/7 telephone-based legal advice.

    The LAA is inviting tenders for two new CDD Contracts to deliver 24/7 telephone-based legal advice from 4 May 2026. These services support individuals detained at police stations in England and Wales for non-indictable offences.

    Key Dates

    • Tender opens: 16 July 2025
    • Deadline for questions: 30 July 2025 (5pm)
    • TUPE data request deadline: 30 July 2025 (5pm)
    • Tender submission deadline: 28 August 2025 (11:59pm)

    Who Can Apply

    The tender is open to any organisation that meets the LAA’s Conditions of Participation.

    How to Apply

    Applicants must submit a complete tender via two platforms:

    1. Central Digital Platform (CDP) for supplier registration and core information,
    2. LAA eTendering System for the CDD Tender Response. A share code linking the CDP response must be included in the Qualification envelope of the CDD Tender Response.

    For full details of the procurement process please read the Application Guide which is available at 2026 Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) – GOV.UK

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grants Awarded to Support Veteran Facilities

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced $1 million in grants to 16 veterans organizations across New York State through the third round of the Veterans’ Nonprofit Capital Program. These grants will support capital improvements to facilities that serve the state’s veterans, service members and their families.

    “Our veterans, who have courageously served to protect our country, need and deserve to have access to safe, quality facilities to gather with family and loved ones,” Governor Hochul said. “This investment will not only allow for critical infrastructure upgrades, but it will also allow veterans to come together and bond with their community and families.”

    The grants, administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) in partnership with the Department of Veterans’ Services, provide reimbursement for capital improvement projects ranging from $25,000 to $75,000. Veterans organizations will use the funding for critical infrastructure upgrades including new roofs, HVAC systems, electrical improvements, ADA-compliant modifications and renovations to kitchens and common areas.

    Recipients are located across six regions: Capital Region (4), Central New York (1), Finger Lakes (4), Long Island (2), Mid-Hudson (1) and Western New York (4). Projects include roof replacements, parking lot reconstruction, generator installations and facility accessibility improvements. A list of awards is located here.

    Dormitory Authority of the State of New York President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez said, “DASNY is proud to administer this program alongside our partners at the Department of Veterans’ Services, delivering on Governor Hochul’s continued commitment to supporting veterans. These capital improvements will help ensure that veterans have access to safe, modern facilities where they can gather, receive services, and maintain the important connections forged through their service to our nation.”

    New York State Department of Veterans’ Services General Counsel Jonathan Fishbein said, “Round three of the Veterans’ Nonprofit Capital Program was one of our strongest to date, both in the quality of applications received and in the range of services supported across the state. These grants are making a real difference on the ground. DVS remains deeply committed to ensuring that Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families in every corner of New York have access to strong, stable, and growing networks of support. Governor Hochul continues to deliver much-needed support for all who served.”

    The Veterans’ Nonprofit Capital Program provides funding for architecture, design, engineering, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or expansion of eligible facilities, and purchase of eligible furnishings or equipment. Since its inception, the program has awarded $4.6 million to veterans organizations statewide.

    About the NYS Department of Veterans’ Services

    The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services proudly serves New York’s Veterans, Service Members and Military Families, connecting them with benefits, services and support. All who served should contact the Department at 888-838-7697 or via its website — veterans.ny.gov — to meet in-person or virtually with an accredited Veterans Benefits Advisor to receive the benefits they have earned. Follow DVS on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

    About DASNY

    Founded in 1944, DASNY is New York State’s capital project development authority. It finances and constructs sustainable and resilient science, health and education institutions that help New York thrive. It is one of the largest issuers of tax-exempt bonds in the nation with an outstanding bond portfolio of approximately $60.1 billion as of March 31, 2025. DASNY is also a prolific public builder with a construction pipeline of approximately 1,000 projects valued at more than $13 billion as of March 31, 2025. To learn more about DASNY, visit www.dasny.org.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Three MS-13 Members Charged with Racketeering Conspiracy Involving Murder

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Three alleged members of the notorious gang La Mara Salvatrucha, commonly known as MS-13, made their initial appearance in the District of Maryland yesterday for their role in a racketeering conspiracy, including murder and drug trafficking.

    “As alleged, the defendants are MS-13 members who carried out a brutal and senseless murder in exchange for promotions within the gang and drugs,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Their actions furthered MS-13’s reign of terror across communities in Maryland. The Criminal Division will continue to pursue charges against MS-13 members and associates and will not relent until this dangerous gang is eradicated from our streets.”

    “The brutal retaliatory murder of this victim is a chilling reminder of the MS-13 gang’s callous disregard for human life,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. “Those who assault and kill others must be brought to justice and ultimately held accountable for their actions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland will continue to work relentlessly with our law enforcement partners to dismantle violent criminal organizations that terrorize our communities.”

    “The FBI and our partners are committed to using every tool available to prevent violent criminals from terrorizing the communities they live in,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “We will not let up. We will relentlessly pursue those who engage in violent activity like murder and drug trafficking until they are held accountable.”

    According to court documents, on July 4, 2024, Maxwell Ariel Quijano-Casco, 24, of El Salvador; Daniel Isaias Villanueva-Bautista, 19, of El Salvador; and Josue Mauricio Lainez, 21, of Hyattsville, Maryland, allegedly killed a homeless man as part of their involvement with MS-13. On July 5, 2024, a passerby called 911 after seeing the victim sitting in a blue 2008 Dodge Caravan that was parked in a used car lot in Hyattsville, Maryland. When the police arrived, they found the deceased victim, who appeared to have been stabbed in the neck. Investigators obtained video surveillance from a nearby business that captured the incident.

    The surveillance video shows that at approximately 11:35 p.m Quijano-Casco and another person approach the victim. The video shows the victim wielding what looks like a metal pole at Quijano-Casco, at which point Quijano-Casco and the other person flee on foot and the victim returns to the Dodge Caravan. About 15 minutes later, Quijano-Casco returns with co-defendants Villanueva-Bautista, Lainez, and another person. At approximately 11:48 p.m., the video surveillance shows all four of them approaching the blue Dodge Caravan. 

    The surveillance video then shows Quijano-Casco, Villanueva-Bautista, Lainez, and the unnamed person opening the van’s rear sliding driver’s side door, reaching inside, and moving as if striking someone. 

    The victim does not exit the blue Dodge Caravan after the attack.

    On Aug. 23, 2024, Prince George’s County Police arrested Quijano-Casco and Villanueva-Bautista. Quijano-Casco was in possession of a black Ruger P95DC semi-automatic handgun and about eight grams of cocaine at the time of his arrest. Quijano-Casco and Villanueva both admitted that they were present for the altercation where the victim was murdered. Quijano-Casco allegedly admitted to Prince George’s County Police to stabbing the individual.

    Quijano-Casco, Villanueva-Bautista, and Lainez are each charged with racketeering conspiracy, including the July 4, 2024, murder. If convicted, Quijano-Casco, Villanueva-Bautista, and Lainez face a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The FBI and Prince George’s County Police Department are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney Christina Taylor of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Crespo for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case.

    An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

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

    Source: US FBI

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Springfield Man Sentenced to 95 Months for Illegally Possessing Firearm

    Source: US FBI

    SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for unlawfully possessing a firearm.

    Michael G. Caldwell, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Stephen R. Bough to 95 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

    Caldwell pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon on Aug. 29, 2024.

    On April 2, 2024, officers with the Springfield Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge Charger driven by Caldwell. As the Charger slowed to pull over, officers observed Caldwell making furtive movements and reaching near the center console.

    The officers removed Caldwell from the vehicle and Caldwell physically resisted arrested. After a brief struggle, the officers were ultimately able to detain him. When detectives searched the Charger, they found a Ruger pistol between the center console and front passenger seat. Officers also seized $1,610 in cash from Caldwell.

    The Ruger pistol linked Caldwell to a shooting that occurred in the Springfield, Missouri area, on March 21, 2024, in that the shell casings from that shooting were a presumptive match to the shell casings from the Ruger seized from Caldwell. In addition, cell site data from a cell phone seized from Caldwell on April 2, 2024, confirmed that Caldwell’s cell phone was at the shooting.   

    Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who is convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Caldwell has prior felony convictions for robbery, possession of a controlled substance, and delivery of a controlled substance.

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Wan. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.

    Project Safe Neighborhoods

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Kansas City Man Indicted for Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine

    Source: US FBI

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Ramon Arambula, 44, was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

    Today’s indictment alleges that on July 9, 2025, Arambula possessed cocaine with the intent to distribute. This charge stems from a vehicle stop conducted on a vehicle being operated by Arambula on July 9. After a drug detection K-9 gave a positive alert on the vehicle, officers recovered 5 brick-shaped packages that contained cocaine. The total amount of cocaine seized was approximately 5,892 grams.

    The charge contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan A. Baker. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kansas City Missouri Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Jackson County Drug Task Force and Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

    KC Metro Strike Force

    This prosecution was brought as a part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Co-located Strike Forces Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations against a continuum of priority targets and their affiliate illicit financial networks. These prosecutor-led co-located Strike Forces capitalize on the synergy created through the long-term relationships that can be forged by agents, analysts, and prosecutors who remain together over time, and they epitomize the model that has proven most effective in combating organized crime. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Southwest Missouri Man Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of Stolen Firearm

    Source: US FBI

    SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Bolivar, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for unlawfully possessing a firearm.

    Timothy E. Parker, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Stephen R. Bough to 48 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

    On Sept. 25, 2024, Parker pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    On Sept. 23, 2023, deputies with the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a U-Haul that Parker was driving. Instead of stopping, Parker initially fled the area.  Eventually, Parker pulled the vehicle over and when contacted and searched, the deputies located a loaded Taurus G3C pistol concealed in a chest sling holster. Deputies also seized a backpack belonging to Parker that contained a 50-round box of ammunition, a Kydex style gun holster, a lock picking set, and 2.42 grams of methamphetamine during the stop. Police records indicated that the pistol and holster had been reported as stolen earlier that month.

    Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who is convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Parker has prior felony convictions for property damage, forgery, burglary, driving stolen motor vehicles, and resisting arrest.

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    Project Safe Neighborhoods

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on the Government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan. 

    David Seymour, Director of Data Partnerships, Health Data Research UK, said: 

    “The ambition in these new government plans is much needed, but it is colliding with a system full of potholes that disrupt, delay and damage vital health data research.

    “Our life sciences sector holds the key to faster discovery of treatments, better patient care, prevention of diseases and the essential economic growth required to fund a revitalised NHS.  Yet in access to health data, researchers and innovators are gridlocked by legal, governance and contractual complexity, coupled with a lack of people with the capacity and authority to unblock barriers and make decisions.  This is the harsh reality that undermines our boldest plans.

    “While major investments in the genomics revolution and Health Data Research Service are welcome, there is a real danger of ‘planning blight,’ where the focus on designing the future system stops us from improving the performance of the current system.  The most radical thing we can do is get the basics right.  This means a relentless focus on maximising the value of our existing world-class data assets – the likes of the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) research service, UK BioBank, Genomics England and Our Future Health – enriched through data linkage and novel data collection.

    “Fixing today’s ‘potholes’ isn’t a distraction from the long-term vision – it’s the only way to make it happen.  Anything less holds back the UK’s global competitiveness and fails patients and the public.”

    Prof Bryan Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer, British Heart Foundation, said:

    “A thriving life science sector is key to unlocking the next generation of treatments and cures for some of the UK’s biggest killers, including cardiovascular disease. It’s great to see the Government recognising this in today’s plan, which will help researchers grasp this moment of immense scientific opportunity.

    “We welcome the pledge to continue investing in science which drives life-changing discoveries in medicine, whilst ensuring that patients benefit quickly from those discoveries.  The commitment to shift health research funding towards making advances in prevention is also very encouraging.

    “As key funders of UK research and development, charities like the British Heart Foundation are vital in helping to achieve this plan’s vision.  We look forward to working in close partnership with Government and the wider sector to fully deliver the improvements needed.”

    Prof Patrick Chinnery, Executive Chair, Medical Research Council, said:

    “The new Life Sciences Sector Plan sets out a bold vision to transform how one of the UK’s most dynamic and globally competitive sectors delivers for our economy and for people around the world.

    “The Medical Research Council is committed to playing a central role in realising this vision by accelerating the translation of curiosity-driven research into innovations that support disease prevention, earlier diagnosis and better treatments.

    “In partnership with researchers, charities and industry, we will help more people live healthier, more productive lives, and attract further investment to strengthen the UK’s life sciences sector.”

    Nicola Perrin MBE, Chief Executive, Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), said: 

    “We’re pleased to see life sciences recognised as a priority sector for the UK.  This is a triple win for the economy, for the NHS and for patients.  It will benefit people across the country and unlock new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat disease.

    “We welcome the positioning of research at the heart of the Life Sciences Sector Plan, from the earliest stages of discovery science and beyond.  We also welcome the focus on ensuring that the NHS embraces new discoveries and innovations – these will only have an impact if they get to patients quickly and effectively.

    “It’s reassuring to see a clear focus on implementation and accountability in the plan.  This will help to ensure urgent action and real change.  Medical research charities must be key delivery partners – they support R&D that focuses on patients, addresses areas of unmet need and accelerates impact.”

    Dr Iain Foulkes, Executive Director of Research and Innovation, Cancer Research UK, said:

    “The Life Sciences Sector Plan sets out promising ambitions to make the UK a global leader in science, but it doesn’t do enough to tackle the challenges holding back clinical research.

    “We need government, industry and charities to work together so that people get faster access to the most promising new cancer treatments.

    “The Plan rightly highlights the delays in setting up commercial clinical trials in the UK, but it overlooks the fact that non-commercial trials – often led by charities or the NHS – are facing the same issues.  These trials are being held back by slow and complicated processes, excessive red tape, and a lack of capacity across the system.

    “Government action is needed to strip away these barriers and build more time for research in NHS staff contracts.”

    Prof Andrew Morris CBE FRSE PMedSci, President, Academy of Medical Sciences, said:

    “The Government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan delivers a robust framework that industry, academia and the NHS have long needed to help unlock the full potential of one of the UK’s most important sectors.

    “As we highlighted in our Future-proofing UK Health Research report, a coordinated and people-centred approach is essential to secure a sustainable future for life sciences research and deliver maximum health benefits for people everywhere.  With over £2bn of funding and clear accountability mechanisms, this plan provides actionable commitments that can drive economic growth, improve the UK’s standing on a world stage and transform health equity.

    “The six headline actions align closely with priorities the Academy of Medical Sciences has consistently championed, including cutting clinical trials times, strengthening health data infrastructure, and streamlining regulation and procurement.  These measures have the potential to transform how we develop and deploy new treatments, placing people at the heart of the UK health research system whilst maximising discovery science and the research potential of the NHS.

    “Recognising that the NHS must become a thriving site of research is key to improving health and prosperity in the UK and driving health outcomes globally.  The plan’s effectiveness will depend on sustained coordination across all sectors and funders, and engagement with patients and the public, to enable the UK’s life sciences sector to flourish and deliver health benefits for people everywhere.” 

    Plan: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/687653fb55c4bd0544dcaeb1/Life_Sciences_Sector_Plan.pdf; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/life-sciences-sector-plan

    Press release: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/life-sciences-sector-plan-to-grow-economy-and-transform-nhs

    Declared interests

    The nature of this story means everyone quoted above could be perceived to have a stake in it. cAs such, our policy is not to ask for interests to be declared – instead, they are implicit in each person’s affiliation.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Leeds reaffirms its commitment to LGBT+ inclusive support in time for Pride weekend

    Source: City of Leeds

    The event is expected to attract over 60,000 people as the city centre is transformed with a colourful parade on Sunday 20 July.

    For this year’s celebration, which is the largest free Pride in the UK, Leeds City Council is reaffirming its commitment to LGBT+ inclusive support.

    The council first set out its aim for Leeds to be an LGBT+ inclusive city in 2018, and this was renewed last year with the launch of the 2024-2029 LGBT+ Inclusive Leeds plan.

    The council’s LGBT+ hub provides a forum for the LGBT+ community to speak to, hear from and provide feedback to council services, partners in the statutory and voluntary sectors and the business sector, about how they shape their services and policies. 

    For more information on the council’s work to make Leeds an LGBT+ Inclusive City and the LGBT+ hub, visit LGBT+ Hub | Leeds.gov.uk.

    This year’s Pride parade will be kicking off at 12.15pm on Sunday opposite Leeds Town Hall before making its way down to Lower Briggate.

    As every year, the council has contributed an access bus to ensure the Pride event is open to everyone. The bus will take part in the parade where spaces have been booked in advance.

    Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s executive member for equality, health and wellbeing said: “We love seeing everyone coming together for Pride in Leeds, it’s a brilliant celebration of equality and of our vibrant LGBT+ community.

    “As always, we are working hard for Leeds to be a truly LGBT+ safe and inclusive city. The council recently launched an anti-discrimination campaign in recognition that alongside other forms of discrimination, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia remain a real issue.”

    Accessibility information:

    There will be a raised access platform in Millennium Square (also known as Accessible Viewing Area (AVA)), reserved for disabled people and their carers. Next to the AVA there is a changing places toilet and other disabled toilets. There are also accessible toilets in the permanent toilet provision under Millennium Square. Down at Lower Briggate there is also an AVA with its own dedicated accessible toilet provision.

    Read more about accessibility at the event at https://leedspride.com/accessibility/.

    For more information about Leeds Pride, visit https://leedspride.com/.

    For more information about the anti-discrimination campaign, visit https://www.leeds.gov.uk/strongerleeds.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: I. Repin’s canvases will soon meet the Chinese public

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) — Crates designed to store and transport exhibits that will be displayed at the upcoming exhibition of works by Russian artist Ilya Repin at the National Museum of China (NMC) in Beijing were unveiled on Wednesday after being transported long-distance to the Chinese capital.

    In front of the press present, two canvases by I. Repin were carefully unpacked and checked – the sketch “Barge Haulers on the Volga” and “Rest. Portrait of Vera Repina, the Artist’s Wife”. Representatives from the two organizations shared with the media the history of these paintings and their features.

    “Before Repin, there were Russian artists who tried to paint a picture on the theme of barge haulers’ labor, but none of them managed to reveal it on such a full scale as Repin did. He was the first Russian artist who touched upon a very important, interesting and curious topic. We are very glad that it was in China that this topic found such a response,” said Svetlana Kapyrina, head of the painting department of the second half of the 19th – early 20th century at the State Tretyakov Gallery.

    At the exhibition, the creative team dedicated to the creation of “Barge Haulers on the Volga” will demonstrate portrait sketches of barge haulers, script sketches, oil sketches and other materials related to this most recognizable famous painting in China. This will provide viewers with a unique opportunity to deeply immerse themselves in the history of the birth of this masterpiece and feel how I. Repin step by step transformed the initial idea into a work that conquered the whole world, the NMC statement notes.

    Moving on to the portrait of the artist’s wife, Svetlana Kapyrina said: “My colleagues and I thought many years ago whether there were other examples in world art where a sleeping wife poses for her husband. However, when we x-rayed this painting, we saw that she had one /open/ eye – she was not sleeping.”

    “She got tired while posing and fell asleep, and the artist, with tenderness and love, did not wake her up,” added S. Kapyrina.

    As one of the main events within the framework of the China-Russia Cross Years of Culture, this exhibition, jointly organized by the NMC and the State Tretyakov Gallery with the support of the State Russian Museum, will open on July 23 and run until January 11, 2026.

    With 92 works to be displayed, the exhibition will be the largest and most representative exhibition of its kind ever held in China. It is worth noting that such famous masterpieces by Repin as “Tsarevna Sophia”, “Religious Procession in Kursk Province”, “They Didn’t Expect Him” and “Sadko” will be brought to China and presented to the Chinese public for the first time.

    During the exhibition, NMK will also hold a number of thematic events, including lectures, educational excursions for teenagers and young people, and a visit to the exhibition via live broadcast. -0-

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

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    MIL OSI Russia News –