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Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI: Alchemy Markets Limited, a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of FDCTech, Inc., Launches TradingView Integration

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Seamless Charting and Real-Time Execution—Now Trade Directly from TradingView on the Alchemy Platform 

    Irvine, CA:, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FDCTech, Inc. (“FDC” or the “Company,” PINK: FDCT), a fintech-driven firm specializing in acquiring and scaling small to mid-size legacy financial services companies, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Alchemy Markets Limited (“Alchemy”), has launched full TradingView integration into its multi-asset trading platform.

    This seamless integration empowers Alchemy clients to trade directly from TradingView charts, the world’s most popular charting and analytics platform, used by over 50 million traders and investors in more than 190 countries. TradingView processes over one billion charts monthly and supports real-time data across global markets, making it the go-to solution for traders ranging from beginners to hedge fund professionals.

    The integration with TradingView marks a major leap in platform functionality and client experience – whether trading forex, crypto, or other instruments, users now have access to institutional-grade tools right from their Alchemy account.

    What Users Can Expect:

    • Execute trades directly from TradingView charts
    • Analyze markets with 100+ built-in indicators and drawing tools
    • Access real-time data across forex, crypto, and other asset classes
    • Create and deploy custom indicators with Pine Script
    • Enjoy a responsive and intuitive interface optimized for all devices

    By August 2025, the Company anticipates being listed as a Gold Broker on TradingView’s broker directory in the 10 largest European countries where Alchemy Markets is regulated. This elevated designation is expected to increase visibility among TradingView’s vast user base and drive client acquisition across key markets. Being a Gold Broker provides a competitive edge by showcasing regulatory credibility, technology integration, and execution quality—critical factors for traders seeking trusted platforms within the TradingView ecosystem.

    Alchemy Markets, regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) under MiFID II, has been enhancing its trading infrastructure and user experience as part of the Company’s broader growth and uplisting strategy. The TradingView integration reinforces Alchemy’s commitment to providing an elite trading environment with next-generation tools, security, and compliance.

    This development aligns with the Company’s mission to deliver robust, regulated, and technologically advanced financial services across multiple jurisdictions, thereby accelerating value creation for both clients and shareholders.

    For more information on the Company’s results and strategic plans, please visit our SEC filings or the Company’s website.

    Alchemy Markets Limited

    Alchemy Markets Limited is a licensed investment firm regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority under MiFID II. Offering multi-asset execution, custody, and institutional-grade trading infrastructure, Alchemy serves clients across Europe and other regulated jurisdictions. As a core part of the Company’s international expansion, Alchemy plays a pivotal role in delivering regulated and scalable trading solutions globally.

    FDCTech, Inc.

    FDCTech, Inc. (“FDC”) is a regulatory-grade financial technology infrastructure developer designed to serve the future financial markets. Our clients include regulated and OTC brokerages, as well as prop and algo trading firms of all sizes, across various asset classes, including forex, stocks, commodities, indices, ETFs, precious metals, and other financial instruments. Our growth strategy involves acquiring and integrating small to mid-size legacy financial services companies, leveraging our proprietary trading technology and liquidity solutions to deliver exceptional value to our clients.

    Press Release Disclaimer

    This press release’s statements may be forward-looking statements or future expectations based on currently available information. Such statements are naturally subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors such as the development of general economic conditions, future market conditions, unusual catastrophic loss events, changes in the capital markets, and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different from those anticipated by such statements. The Company does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or updated status of such forward-looking statements or information provided by the third party. Therefore, in no case will the Company and its affiliate companies be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction with the information and/or statements in this press release or any related damages.

    Contact Media Relations

    FDCTech, Inc.
    info@fdctech.com
    www.fdctech.com
    +1 877-445-6047
    200 Spectrum Center Drive, Suite 300,
    Irvine, CA, 92618

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Alchemy Markets Limited, a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of FDCTech, Inc., Launches TradingView Integration

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Seamless Charting and Real-Time Execution—Now Trade Directly from TradingView on the Alchemy Platform 

    Irvine, CA:, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FDCTech, Inc. (“FDC” or the “Company,” PINK: FDCT), a fintech-driven firm specializing in acquiring and scaling small to mid-size legacy financial services companies, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Alchemy Markets Limited (“Alchemy”), has launched full TradingView integration into its multi-asset trading platform.

    This seamless integration empowers Alchemy clients to trade directly from TradingView charts, the world’s most popular charting and analytics platform, used by over 50 million traders and investors in more than 190 countries. TradingView processes over one billion charts monthly and supports real-time data across global markets, making it the go-to solution for traders ranging from beginners to hedge fund professionals.

    The integration with TradingView marks a major leap in platform functionality and client experience – whether trading forex, crypto, or other instruments, users now have access to institutional-grade tools right from their Alchemy account.

    What Users Can Expect:

    • Execute trades directly from TradingView charts
    • Analyze markets with 100+ built-in indicators and drawing tools
    • Access real-time data across forex, crypto, and other asset classes
    • Create and deploy custom indicators with Pine Script
    • Enjoy a responsive and intuitive interface optimized for all devices

    By August 2025, the Company anticipates being listed as a Gold Broker on TradingView’s broker directory in the 10 largest European countries where Alchemy Markets is regulated. This elevated designation is expected to increase visibility among TradingView’s vast user base and drive client acquisition across key markets. Being a Gold Broker provides a competitive edge by showcasing regulatory credibility, technology integration, and execution quality—critical factors for traders seeking trusted platforms within the TradingView ecosystem.

    Alchemy Markets, regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) under MiFID II, has been enhancing its trading infrastructure and user experience as part of the Company’s broader growth and uplisting strategy. The TradingView integration reinforces Alchemy’s commitment to providing an elite trading environment with next-generation tools, security, and compliance.

    This development aligns with the Company’s mission to deliver robust, regulated, and technologically advanced financial services across multiple jurisdictions, thereby accelerating value creation for both clients and shareholders.

    For more information on the Company’s results and strategic plans, please visit our SEC filings or the Company’s website.

    Alchemy Markets Limited

    Alchemy Markets Limited is a licensed investment firm regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority under MiFID II. Offering multi-asset execution, custody, and institutional-grade trading infrastructure, Alchemy serves clients across Europe and other regulated jurisdictions. As a core part of the Company’s international expansion, Alchemy plays a pivotal role in delivering regulated and scalable trading solutions globally.

    FDCTech, Inc.

    FDCTech, Inc. (“FDC”) is a regulatory-grade financial technology infrastructure developer designed to serve the future financial markets. Our clients include regulated and OTC brokerages, as well as prop and algo trading firms of all sizes, across various asset classes, including forex, stocks, commodities, indices, ETFs, precious metals, and other financial instruments. Our growth strategy involves acquiring and integrating small to mid-size legacy financial services companies, leveraging our proprietary trading technology and liquidity solutions to deliver exceptional value to our clients.

    Press Release Disclaimer

    This press release’s statements may be forward-looking statements or future expectations based on currently available information. Such statements are naturally subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors such as the development of general economic conditions, future market conditions, unusual catastrophic loss events, changes in the capital markets, and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different from those anticipated by such statements. The Company does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or updated status of such forward-looking statements or information provided by the third party. Therefore, in no case will the Company and its affiliate companies be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction with the information and/or statements in this press release or any related damages.

    Contact Media Relations

    FDCTech, Inc.
    info@fdctech.com
    www.fdctech.com
    +1 877-445-6047
    200 Spectrum Center Drive, Suite 300,
    Irvine, CA, 92618

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Alchemy Markets Limited, a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of FDCTech, Inc., Launches TradingView Integration

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Seamless Charting and Real-Time Execution—Now Trade Directly from TradingView on the Alchemy Platform 

    Irvine, CA:, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FDCTech, Inc. (“FDC” or the “Company,” PINK: FDCT), a fintech-driven firm specializing in acquiring and scaling small to mid-size legacy financial services companies, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Alchemy Markets Limited (“Alchemy”), has launched full TradingView integration into its multi-asset trading platform.

    This seamless integration empowers Alchemy clients to trade directly from TradingView charts, the world’s most popular charting and analytics platform, used by over 50 million traders and investors in more than 190 countries. TradingView processes over one billion charts monthly and supports real-time data across global markets, making it the go-to solution for traders ranging from beginners to hedge fund professionals.

    The integration with TradingView marks a major leap in platform functionality and client experience – whether trading forex, crypto, or other instruments, users now have access to institutional-grade tools right from their Alchemy account.

    What Users Can Expect:

    • Execute trades directly from TradingView charts
    • Analyze markets with 100+ built-in indicators and drawing tools
    • Access real-time data across forex, crypto, and other asset classes
    • Create and deploy custom indicators with Pine Script
    • Enjoy a responsive and intuitive interface optimized for all devices

    By August 2025, the Company anticipates being listed as a Gold Broker on TradingView’s broker directory in the 10 largest European countries where Alchemy Markets is regulated. This elevated designation is expected to increase visibility among TradingView’s vast user base and drive client acquisition across key markets. Being a Gold Broker provides a competitive edge by showcasing regulatory credibility, technology integration, and execution quality—critical factors for traders seeking trusted platforms within the TradingView ecosystem.

    Alchemy Markets, regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) under MiFID II, has been enhancing its trading infrastructure and user experience as part of the Company’s broader growth and uplisting strategy. The TradingView integration reinforces Alchemy’s commitment to providing an elite trading environment with next-generation tools, security, and compliance.

    This development aligns with the Company’s mission to deliver robust, regulated, and technologically advanced financial services across multiple jurisdictions, thereby accelerating value creation for both clients and shareholders.

    For more information on the Company’s results and strategic plans, please visit our SEC filings or the Company’s website.

    Alchemy Markets Limited

    Alchemy Markets Limited is a licensed investment firm regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority under MiFID II. Offering multi-asset execution, custody, and institutional-grade trading infrastructure, Alchemy serves clients across Europe and other regulated jurisdictions. As a core part of the Company’s international expansion, Alchemy plays a pivotal role in delivering regulated and scalable trading solutions globally.

    FDCTech, Inc.

    FDCTech, Inc. (“FDC”) is a regulatory-grade financial technology infrastructure developer designed to serve the future financial markets. Our clients include regulated and OTC brokerages, as well as prop and algo trading firms of all sizes, across various asset classes, including forex, stocks, commodities, indices, ETFs, precious metals, and other financial instruments. Our growth strategy involves acquiring and integrating small to mid-size legacy financial services companies, leveraging our proprietary trading technology and liquidity solutions to deliver exceptional value to our clients.

    Press Release Disclaimer

    This press release’s statements may be forward-looking statements or future expectations based on currently available information. Such statements are naturally subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors such as the development of general economic conditions, future market conditions, unusual catastrophic loss events, changes in the capital markets, and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different from those anticipated by such statements. The Company does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or updated status of such forward-looking statements or information provided by the third party. Therefore, in no case will the Company and its affiliate companies be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction with the information and/or statements in this press release or any related damages.

    Contact Media Relations

    FDCTech, Inc.
    info@fdctech.com
    www.fdctech.com
    +1 877-445-6047
    200 Spectrum Center Drive, Suite 300,
    Irvine, CA, 92618

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Enovix Appoints Srikanth Kethu as Head of Enovix India to Accelerate Global Innovation and Regional Expansion

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FREMONT, Calif., July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enovix Corporation (Nasdaq: ENVX) (“Enovix”), a leader in advanced silicon battery technology, today announced the appointment of Srikanth Kethu as Head of Enovix India, effective today. In this key leadership role, Mr. Kethu will oversee the company’s Hyderabad R&D center and play a strategic role in supporting the ramp-up of Enovix’s high-volume manufacturing facility in Malaysia, while driving the broader expansion of Enovix’s footprint in India.

    Mr. Kethu brings more than two decades of experience leading high-performance engineering teams and scaling offshore operations for global automotive and industrial leaders including ZF, Mercedes-Benz, and as an external consultant to BMW’s R&D center in Germany. His deep expertise in product development, systems integration, and cross-border team building makes him uniquely qualified to help lead Enovix through its next phase of global growth.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Srikanth to the Enovix leadership team,” said Dr. Raj Talluri, President and CEO of Enovix. “India has always had a tremendous depth of engineering talent. I was fortunate to have been part of establishing and growing India’s cutting-edge R&D teams for Texas Instruments, Qualcomm and Micron — and now Enovix. As head of Enovix India, Srikanth will not only strengthen our world-class R&D center in Hyderabad but also support our efforts to industrialize at scale — including helping ensure the success of our new facility in Malaysia. He brings the experience and leadership we need to accelerate innovation and execution.”

    Enovix’s Hyderabad R&D center plays a critical role in developing next-generation battery technology. Under Mr. Kethu’s leadership, the India team will expand its contributions to core cell and pack design, advanced manufacturing, and reliability testing. In addition to scaling R&D efforts, Mr. Kethu will help Enovix establish broader operational capabilities in India as the company grows its regional presence.

    “I’m excited to join Enovix at such an important time for the battery industry and to make an impact,” said Mr. Kethu. “The Hyderabad team has already demonstrated exceptional technical capability. I look forward to working with our talented and dedicated teams across India and Southeast Asia to scale world-class solutions, support our factory in Malaysia, and help Enovix deliver breakthrough battery performance on a global scale. India offers a vast and highly skilled talent pool, and we remain committed to leveraging this strength to drive Enovix’s continued growth as a leading R&D hub in the region.”

    About Enovix Corporation

    Enovix is a leader in advancing lithium-ion battery technology with its proprietary cell architecture designed to deliver higher energy density and improved safety. The Company’s breakthrough silicon-anode batteries are engineered to power a wide range of devices from wearable electronics and mobile communications to industrial and electric vehicle applications. Enovix’s technology enables longer battery life and faster charging, supporting the growing global demand for high-performance energy storage. Enovix holds a robust portfolio of issued and pending patents covering its core battery design, manufacturing process, and system integration innovations. For more information, visit https://www.enovix.com.

    Forward‐Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Enovix’s global growth strategy, expected plans for expansion in India, research and development in India, operational scale-up in Malaysia, product development roadmap, and other future events or expectations. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “believes,” “will,” “plans,” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements.

    Actual results may differ materially due to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including those identified in the “Risk Factors” section of Enovix’s most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. All forward-looking statements in this release speak only as of the date hereof, and Enovix undertakes no obligation to update any such statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

    Investor Contact:
    Robert Lahey
    ir@enovix.com

    Media Contact:
    Bateman Agency for Enovix
    Kaelyn Attridge
    enovix@bateman.agency

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Solaris Enters Final Presale Phase with 150% Built-In Upside Before Exchange Listing

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLINN, Estonia, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin Solaris (BTC-S), a next-generation crypto protocol blending high performance with early-stage accessibility, has officially entered the final phase of its highly anticipated presale. With over $6.6 million already raised and more than 14,150 participants onboarded, BTC-S is rapidly becoming one of 2025’s most talked-about blockchain projects.

    Now priced at $12 per token, Bitcoin Solaris is set to increase to $13 in the next phase before reaching its launch value of $20—a built-in 150% gain for early adopters.

    Why Bitcoin Solaris Is Gaining Real Momentum

    Bitcoin Solaris isn’t riding on hype alone. It’s ticking boxes that most projects can’t even reach. The technology backing it makes it more than a speculative bet; it’s a calculated one.

    • Dual Consensus: A hybrid architecture combining Proof-of-Work and Delegated Proof-of-Stake creates a balance between decentralization and performance.
    • Validator Rotation: Prevents monopolies by automatically shifting block production roles.
    • Over 10,000 TPS: With sub-2-second finality, BTC-S is built to handle scale, not just promise it.
    • Energy Efficient: Uses 99.95% less power than traditional PoW systems.
    • Rust-Based Smart Contracts: Flexible for DeFi, NFTs, cross-chain apps, and enterprise adoption.

    It’s also fully mobile-first, engineered for scalability on phones via the upcoming Solaris Nova App. That part alone unlocks billions of potential users. And influencers like Crypto Show have taken notice with detailed coverage breaking down why the coin has so much upside.

    This isn’t another testnet coin. It’s a fully audited, community-backed protocol preparing for a real breakout. Independent audits from Cyberscope and Freshcoins back up the claim.

    Crypto Innovation Just Got Its Engine Back: Meet Bitcoin Solaris

    Presale Panic? Or Smart Entry Point?

    Right now, Bitcoin Solaris is in phase 12 of its presale. The current token price sits at $12, with a next phase set to jump to $13, and a final launch price locked at $20. That’s a clean 150% upside baked into the structure.

    With over 14,150 users already onboarded and $6.6M+ raised, this has become one of the fastest-moving presales in 2025. And it’s closing in just under two weeks. That doesn’t leave much time for hesitation.

    To ensure smooth token delivery after launch, wallets like Trust Wallet and Metamask are recommended for receiving BTC-S. You don’t need them to join the presale, just to get your tokens later.

    Not Just Talk. Real Wealth Mechanics Built In

    Bitcoin Solaris isn’t another buzzword coin. It’s designed with wealth generation in mind.

    • Easy mining via the upcoming mobile app.
    • A mobile-friendly network structure with validator flexibility.
    • DeFi-ready infrastructure with real smart contract utility.
    • TPS performance and security are audited by trusted firms.
    • Early-stage access before listings even begin.

    And unlike Bitcoin, this one didn’t start in obscurity. It’s building momentum with a loud, excited community and attention from respected creators.

    Final Verdict

    Sei laid a foundation. But for those seeking real upside potential, Bitcoin Solaris offers a very different path, one that looks less like waiting for the next bull run and more like building value now.

    It’s rare for a coin to combine polished tech with first-mover wealth positioning. BTC-S is doing both. And this might just be the last window to get in before the market wakes up.

    The Final Entry Window Is Closing

    With the presale now in its twelfth and penultimate stage, investor interest is surging. As the price edges closer to the final $20 listing, Bitcoin Solaris is positioning itself as both a technological leap forward and a rare opportunity for early-stage participation in a crypto ecosystem before market saturation.

    BTC-S can be purchased directly from the project’s official website using credit cards or crypto payments. No wallet is required for initial purchase; tokens will be claimable post-launch via supported wallets.

    About Bitcoin Solaris

    Bitcoin Solaris is a next-generation blockchain protocol focused on accessibility, decentralization, and performance. Designed to support a wide range of use cases—from DeFi to real-world commerce—it offers a mobile-friendly, energy-efficient platform for scalable, secure digital transactions.

    For more information on Bitcoin Solaris:
    Website: https://www.bitcoinsolaris.com/
    Telegram: https://t.me/Bitcoinsolaris
    X: https://x.com/BitcoinSolaris

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

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

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

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5dda26d7-4ebc-4566-ae41-88e08879341d

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cfa017e9-68d1-4b65-98f4-277502b28397

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/71cd8986-ca43-42a4-a3dd-f5829bc04a5f

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f2d5527a-8703-469c-b1ce-d214006382b2

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Statement by Palazzo Chigi on letter from the European Commission

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    14 Luglio 2025

    With regard to the European Commission’s letter on the application of special powers regarding UniCredit’s offer for Banco BPM, the Italian Government will respond to the requested clarifications in a collaborative and constructive spirit, as it already did before the Regional Administrative Court (‘Tribunale Amministrativo Regionale’) within the time frames and with the justifications already deemed legitimate by the administrative court judges.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Zohran Mamdani’s last name reflects centuries of intercontinental trade, migration and cultural exchange

    Source: The Conversation – USA (3) – By Iqbal Akhtar, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Florida International University

    Zohran Mamdani takes photos with union members during a campaign rally at the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council headquarters in New York on July 2, 2025. AP Photo/Richard Drew

    When Zohran Mamdani announced his candidacy for mayor of New York City, political observers noted his progressive platform and legislative record. But understanding the Democratic candidate’s background requires examining the rich cultural tapestry woven into his very surname: Mamdani.

    He takes the name from his father, Mahmood Mamdani, a prominent academic who was raised in Uganda and whose work focuses on postcolonial Uganda. I studied the history of the Khoja community for my doctoral work and have helped develop Khoja studies as an academic discipline. The Mamdani surname tells a story of migration, resilience and community-building that spans centuries and continents.

    The Khoja history

    Mamdanis in Uganda belong to the Khoja community, a South Asian Muslim merchant caste, that shaped economic development across the western Indian Ocean for centuries.

    The name originates from greater Sindh, a region in South Asia that today includes southeastern Pakistan and Kachchh in western India.

    Its etymology is twofold. Mām is an honorific title in Kachchhi and Gujarati languages, meaning kindness, courage and pride. Māmadō is a local version of the name Muhammad that often appeared in surnames in Hindu castes that converted to Islam, such as the Memons.

    The Khoja were categorized by the British in the early 19th century as “Hindoo Mussalman” because their traditions spanned both religions.

    Over time, the Khoja came to be identified only as Muslim and then primarily as Shiite Muslim. Today, the majority of Khoja are Ismaili: a branch of Shiite Islam that follows the Aga Khan as their living imam.

    The Mamdani family, however, is part of the Twelver community of Khoja, whose Twelfth Imam is believed to be hidden from the world and only emerges in times of crisis. Twelvers believe he will help usher in an age of peace during end times.

    Around the late 18th century, the Khoja helped export textiles, manufactured goods, spices and gems from the Indian subcontinent to Arabia and East Africa. Through this Western Indian Ocean trading network, they imported timber, ivory, minerals and cloves, among other goods.

    Khoja family firms were built on kinship networks and trust. They built networks of shops, communal housing and warehouses, and extended credit for thousands of miles, from Zanzibar in Tanzania to Bombay – now Mumbai – on the western coast of India.

    Cousins and brothers would send money and goods across the ocean with only a letter. The precarious nature of trade in this period meant that families also served as insurance for each other. In times of wealth, it was shared; in times of disaster, help was available.

    Khoja contributions in Africa

    The Khoja became instrumental in building the commercial infrastructure of eastern, central and southern Africa. But the Khoja contribution to the development of Africa extended far beyond trade.

    In the absence of colonial investment in public infrastructure, they helped build institutions that formed the foundation of the modern nation-states that emerged after colonization. The institutions both facilitated trade and established permanent communities.

    For example, the first dispensary and public school in Zanzibar were constructed by a Khoja magnate, Tharia Topan, who made his wealth through the ivory and clove trades. Topan eventually became so prominent that he was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1890 for his service to the British Empire in helping to end slavery in East Africa.

    The Khoja community continues to invest in East Africa. The most famous example is the Aga Khan Development Network, whose hospitals and schools operate in 30 countries. In places such as Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, they are considered the best.

    Khoja in Uganda

    Like in other parts of Africa, the Khoja settled in Uganda as a liaison business community to develop a market to serve both African and European needs. The linguistic and cultural knowledge, developed over centuries, helped facilitate business despite the challenges of colonization.

    Ugandan President Idi Amin and his wife, Sarah, in Rome on Sept. 10, 1975.
    AP Photo

    However, in 1972, Ugandan dictator Idi Amin expelled all Asians – approximately 80,000 – forcing families like the Mamdanis into exile. These included indentured laborers, who were brought in to help build the railroad and farm during the British colonial period, and free traders, like the Mamdani family.

    Amin saw them all as the same and famously said: “Asians came to Uganda to build the railway. The railway is finished. They must leave now.”

    The experience was a bitter one. Families lost everything, and many left with only the clothes on their backs.

    Mahmood Mamdani, who came from a Khoja merchant family, was 26 when he was exiled. Yet, unlike most Ugandan Asians, he chose to go back. At Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, Mamdani set up the Institute for Social Research, which helped to provide rigorous social science training to Ugandan researchers trying to improve their society.

    While the earlier generations of the Khoja tended to choose business or adjacent professions, such as accounting, the subsequent generations – particularly those educated in the West – embraced the knowledge economy as professionals, academics and nonprofit leaders.

    Several of Mahmood Mamdani’s generation of Khoja academics conducted path-breaking work on Afro-Asian solidarity – a way of thinking about the world beyond colonial categories, such as the category of religion as a separate domain from the secular. These scholars, such as Tanzania’s Issa Shivji and Abdul Sheriff, worked on creating solidarity among the newly independent states of the Global South.

    Mahmood Mamdani is known for his influential post-9/11 academic work, “Good Muslim, Bad Muslim,” which examined how Muslim identities are stereotyped. He argued that these identities are complex and varied, shaped by accumulated history and present experiences.

    Interfaith identity

    The Khoja community – known globally as the Khoja Shia Ithnasheri Muslim Community – has developed strong transnational connections. Today, they are concentrated in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States and France. However, Khoja can be found in almost any country in the world. In 2013, I met members of the community in Hong Kong.

    The Khoja community plays an important role in interfaith dialogue and global development initiatives. A prominent Ismaili Khoja, Eboo Patel, the founder of Interfaith America, has dedicated his life to pluralism and mutual understanding through building up civil society.

    Zohran Mamdani’s mother, acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair, is Hindu by birth. This interfaith marriage exemplifies the flexibility, diversity and tolerance of Khoja Islam, which has historically navigated between Hindu and Islamic traditions.

    Whether Mamdani’s policies prove practical remains to be seen, but his background offers something valuable: a deep understanding of how communities build resilience across generations and geographies.

    Iqbal Akhtar 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. Zohran Mamdani’s last name reflects centuries of intercontinental trade, migration and cultural exchange – https://theconversation.com/zohran-mamdanis-last-name-reflects-centuries-of-intercontinental-trade-migration-and-cultural-exchange-259967

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Zohran Mamdani’s last name reflects centuries of intercontinental trade, migration and cultural exchange

    Source: The Conversation – USA (3) – By Iqbal Akhtar, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Florida International University

    Zohran Mamdani takes photos with union members during a campaign rally at the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council headquarters in New York on July 2, 2025. AP Photo/Richard Drew

    When Zohran Mamdani announced his candidacy for mayor of New York City, political observers noted his progressive platform and legislative record. But understanding the Democratic candidate’s background requires examining the rich cultural tapestry woven into his very surname: Mamdani.

    He takes the name from his father, Mahmood Mamdani, a prominent academic who was raised in Uganda and whose work focuses on postcolonial Uganda. I studied the history of the Khoja community for my doctoral work and have helped develop Khoja studies as an academic discipline. The Mamdani surname tells a story of migration, resilience and community-building that spans centuries and continents.

    The Khoja history

    Mamdanis in Uganda belong to the Khoja community, a South Asian Muslim merchant caste, that shaped economic development across the western Indian Ocean for centuries.

    The name originates from greater Sindh, a region in South Asia that today includes southeastern Pakistan and Kachchh in western India.

    Its etymology is twofold. Mām is an honorific title in Kachchhi and Gujarati languages, meaning kindness, courage and pride. Māmadō is a local version of the name Muhammad that often appeared in surnames in Hindu castes that converted to Islam, such as the Memons.

    The Khoja were categorized by the British in the early 19th century as “Hindoo Mussalman” because their traditions spanned both religions.

    Over time, the Khoja came to be identified only as Muslim and then primarily as Shiite Muslim. Today, the majority of Khoja are Ismaili: a branch of Shiite Islam that follows the Aga Khan as their living imam.

    The Mamdani family, however, is part of the Twelver community of Khoja, whose Twelfth Imam is believed to be hidden from the world and only emerges in times of crisis. Twelvers believe he will help usher in an age of peace during end times.

    Around the late 18th century, the Khoja helped export textiles, manufactured goods, spices and gems from the Indian subcontinent to Arabia and East Africa. Through this Western Indian Ocean trading network, they imported timber, ivory, minerals and cloves, among other goods.

    Khoja family firms were built on kinship networks and trust. They built networks of shops, communal housing and warehouses, and extended credit for thousands of miles, from Zanzibar in Tanzania to Bombay – now Mumbai – on the western coast of India.

    Cousins and brothers would send money and goods across the ocean with only a letter. The precarious nature of trade in this period meant that families also served as insurance for each other. In times of wealth, it was shared; in times of disaster, help was available.

    Khoja contributions in Africa

    The Khoja became instrumental in building the commercial infrastructure of eastern, central and southern Africa. But the Khoja contribution to the development of Africa extended far beyond trade.

    In the absence of colonial investment in public infrastructure, they helped build institutions that formed the foundation of the modern nation-states that emerged after colonization. The institutions both facilitated trade and established permanent communities.

    For example, the first dispensary and public school in Zanzibar were constructed by a Khoja magnate, Tharia Topan, who made his wealth through the ivory and clove trades. Topan eventually became so prominent that he was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1890 for his service to the British Empire in helping to end slavery in East Africa.

    The Khoja community continues to invest in East Africa. The most famous example is the Aga Khan Development Network, whose hospitals and schools operate in 30 countries. In places such as Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, they are considered the best.

    Khoja in Uganda

    Like in other parts of Africa, the Khoja settled in Uganda as a liaison business community to develop a market to serve both African and European needs. The linguistic and cultural knowledge, developed over centuries, helped facilitate business despite the challenges of colonization.

    Ugandan President Idi Amin and his wife, Sarah, in Rome on Sept. 10, 1975.
    AP Photo

    However, in 1972, Ugandan dictator Idi Amin expelled all Asians – approximately 80,000 – forcing families like the Mamdanis into exile. These included indentured laborers, who were brought in to help build the railroad and farm during the British colonial period, and free traders, like the Mamdani family.

    Amin saw them all as the same and famously said: “Asians came to Uganda to build the railway. The railway is finished. They must leave now.”

    The experience was a bitter one. Families lost everything, and many left with only the clothes on their backs.

    Mahmood Mamdani, who came from a Khoja merchant family, was 26 when he was exiled. Yet, unlike most Ugandan Asians, he chose to go back. At Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, Mamdani set up the Institute for Social Research, which helped to provide rigorous social science training to Ugandan researchers trying to improve their society.

    While the earlier generations of the Khoja tended to choose business or adjacent professions, such as accounting, the subsequent generations – particularly those educated in the West – embraced the knowledge economy as professionals, academics and nonprofit leaders.

    Several of Mahmood Mamdani’s generation of Khoja academics conducted path-breaking work on Afro-Asian solidarity – a way of thinking about the world beyond colonial categories, such as the category of religion as a separate domain from the secular. These scholars, such as Tanzania’s Issa Shivji and Abdul Sheriff, worked on creating solidarity among the newly independent states of the Global South.

    Mahmood Mamdani is known for his influential post-9/11 academic work, “Good Muslim, Bad Muslim,” which examined how Muslim identities are stereotyped. He argued that these identities are complex and varied, shaped by accumulated history and present experiences.

    Interfaith identity

    The Khoja community – known globally as the Khoja Shia Ithnasheri Muslim Community – has developed strong transnational connections. Today, they are concentrated in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States and France. However, Khoja can be found in almost any country in the world. In 2013, I met members of the community in Hong Kong.

    The Khoja community plays an important role in interfaith dialogue and global development initiatives. A prominent Ismaili Khoja, Eboo Patel, the founder of Interfaith America, has dedicated his life to pluralism and mutual understanding through building up civil society.

    Zohran Mamdani’s mother, acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair, is Hindu by birth. This interfaith marriage exemplifies the flexibility, diversity and tolerance of Khoja Islam, which has historically navigated between Hindu and Islamic traditions.

    Whether Mamdani’s policies prove practical remains to be seen, but his background offers something valuable: a deep understanding of how communities build resilience across generations and geographies.

    Iqbal Akhtar 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. Zohran Mamdani’s last name reflects centuries of intercontinental trade, migration and cultural exchange – https://theconversation.com/zohran-mamdanis-last-name-reflects-centuries-of-intercontinental-trade-migration-and-cultural-exchange-259967

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Who was the first pirate?

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Brandon Prins, Professor of Political Science, University of Tennessee

    Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com.

    Who was the first pirate? – Yandel R., age 11, Lakewood Ranch, Florida

    When most people imagine a pirate, they picture actor Johnny Depp playing the mad but likable swashbuckler Jack Sparrow, captain of the sailing ship the Black Pearl.

    Depp’s pirate portrayal was inspired by seafaring bandits in older make-believe tales, such as Long John Silver in “Treasure Island,” Captain Hook in “Peter Pan,” or sailor Edmond Dantès in “The Count of Monte Cristo.”

    A 1915 edition of ‘Treasure Island’ illustrated Long John Silver with iconic pirate features.
    Louis Rhead/Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images via Getty Images

    Pirates in these stories were mischievous but also glamorous, courageous and mostly kindhearted. They wore flashy costumes. They had missing limbs, like Captain Cook’s iron hook for a left hand and Long John Silver’s wooden peg leg. They buried treasure chests of gold and silver, forced enemies to walk the plank and had talking parrots as shipboard companions. They flew the Jolly Roger skull and crossbones flag from the ship’s mast to frighten enemies. The new Netflix series “One Piece,” which is based on a Japanese comic book, continues this popular depiction of pirates.

    While fun, these portrayals of pirates are mostly invented.

    I’m a political scientist who studies modern-day commerce raiding: robbing of private cargo vessels on the high seas. I’m interested in where it happens in the world, who does it and what can be done to stop it. My research finds today’s pirates to be less like swashbuckling Jack Sparrow and more like regular old thieves.

    Pirates in the ancient world

    Since pirates have been around for as long as people have moved things by boat, it is hard to pin down the very first pirate.

    Ancient Egyptians tied bundles of reeds together to form watertight boats.
    Werner Forman/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    But archaeological evidence shows that boatbuilding goes all the way back to the ancient Egyptians, who used boats made from papyrus reeds as early as 6,000 years ago. These vessels likely carried valuable goods up and down the Nile River, and where valuable goods can be found, you can usually find thieves too. In fact, researchers know that pirates – basically just thieves on the water – targeted these river boats, because Egyptian pharaohs left records grumbling about pirates and their widespread pillaging.

    By 3,500 years ago, thieves were using sailing vessels to raid coastal towns and villages in and around the Nile Delta, as well as the Aegean and Adriatic basins. Attacking ships far from land on the high seas and stealing the cargo was a logical next step in the tactics of seafaring raiders.

    As trade increased across the Mediterranean Sea, boats carrying valuable cargo, such as pottery, silk, glass, spices and metals, became the targets of ancient pirates. Given the worth of these goods, pirate attacks became widespread across the ancient Mediterranean Sea. With money from the Roman senate and strong effort by a military leader named Pompey, the Roman navy worked hard to stop the pirates – and for a while it did.

    The earliest named pirate?

    The first mention of a pirate by name may have been in a Greek history book written in the fifth century BCE by an ancient historian named Herodotus.

    He briefly describes the adventures of a naval commander by the name of Dionysius who was from Ionia, which is in modern-day Turkey. Dionysius set up a pirate base on the island of Sicily that allowed him and his fellow pirates to plunder ships that happened to sail past.

    Pirates of the Caribbean

    While Dionysius may have been the first recorded pirate, the most famous pirates lived during the 17th and 18th centuries, which came to be known as the golden age of sea piracy.

    This was the heyday of pirates such as Blackbeard, also known as Edward Teach; William Kidd; Henry Morgan; Calico Jack; and Anne Bonny. They plundered Spanish treasure ships in the Caribbean, known as the Spanish Main, that were carrying silver from the mines in Bolivia back to the king of Spain.

    Islands such as Jamaica, Tortuga and the Bahamas, as well the North Carolina coast, all became notable pirate havens. Port Royal, on the island of Jamaica, in particular, was a notorious pirate refuge. It was ideally positioned for preying upon Spanish galleons sailing across the Atlantic from ports in Panama and Venezuela. Johnny Depp’s character, Jack Sparrow, swashbuckled around a fictionalized Port Royal in the first “Pirates of the Caribbean” film.

    Each dot represents a maritime pirate attack that happened between 1995 and 2023.
    Brandon Prins

    21st-century pirates

    The 2013 Hollywood movie “Captain Phillips,” starring Tom Hanks, drew attention back to real-world pirates and piracy. The movie was based on a real-life 2009 attack by Somali pirates on a ship named the MV Maersk Alabama, which was carrying food to Kenya. The 500-foot-long vessel and its crew were rescued by the U.S. Navy.

    To better understand 21st-century piracy, my research team compiled data on all pirate attacks from 1995 to the present day. We found three main piracy hot spots: the Gulf of Aden near Somalia, the Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia and the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of West Africa. All three locations experience the conditions that attract pirates: ship traffic, valuable cargo and weak governments.

    Why become a pirate?

    People become pirates for many reasons, not the least of which is to escape poverty and enslavement. Others just want adventure and to travel the world. These are the same motivations that drove commerce raiding in the ancient world, during the golden age of piracy, and even today.

    While we may never know the first pirate, just like we will never know the very first thief, historical evidence shows that sea-raiding has been around since the very first boats traversed the world’s waterways. Despite efforts to end piracy, my research shows that the conditions that produce ship looting remain and will likely always exist.

    Hello, curious kids! Do you have a question you’d like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. Please tell us your name, age and the city where you live.

    And since curiosity has no age limit – adults, let us know what you’re wondering, too. We won’t be able to answer every question, but we will do our best.

    Brandon Prins received funding from the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Naval Research, through the Minerva Initiative, awards #N00014-21-1-2030 and #N00014-14-1-0050.

    – ref. Who was the first pirate? – https://theconversation.com/who-was-the-first-pirate-256314

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: LADA Sport ROSNEFT Racing Team Wins Two RSKG Stage in Nizhny Novgorod

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The LADA Sport ROSNEFT racing team won two victories at the third stage of the Russian Circuit Racing Series in Nizhny Novgorod. The pilots became the best in two classifications at once: personal and team.

    In the Super-Production class, LADA Sport ROSNEFT pilot Leonid Panfilov finished first. In Saturday’s race, he pulled ahead and led until the end of the race, winning his second victory this season. Gold in the competition allowed Panfilov to become the leader in the personal standings of the Russian Cup.

    Thanks to Andrey Petukhov finishing the race in the top ten, LADA Sport ROSNEFT was able to win the team cup.

    Rosneft has been the general sponsor of LADA Sport ROSNEFT since 2015. During this time, the team has achieved impressive results in all classes of circuit racing, classic rally and karting, winning 45 championship titles.

    Thanks to this cooperation, the market received a number of innovative products: high-octane gasoline Pulsar-100 and sports racing oil Rosneft Magnum Racing. Since 2021, the LADA Sport ROSNEFT team has been using this engine oil, which provides increased engine protection in extreme competition conditions. Technologies tested on race tracks are available to motorists. Pulsar fuel and Magnum Racing oil can be purchased at Rosneft filling stations.

    Department of Information and AdvertisingPJSC NK RosneftJuly 14, 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: China Vice Chairman Meets Indian Foreign Minister

    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 14 (Xinhua) — Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Beijing on Monday.

    Han Zheng said that the successful meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kazan last October brought China-India relations to a new starting point. Stressing that China and India are both major developing countries and important members of the Global South, he pointed out that the win-win partnership strategy is the right choice for both sides.

    Han Zheng called on the two sides to step up the implementation of the important agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries, unswervingly adhere to the policy of the top leadership, steadily deepen pragmatic cooperation, respect each other’s concerns, and promote the steady, healthy and stable development of China-India relations.

    S. Jaishankar said that after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan, India-China relations have shown steady improvement. The Indian side is ready, guided by the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, to maintain the positive dynamics of bilateral ties, promote mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthen communication and coordination in multilateral mechanisms, he added.

    “India supports China, which has assumed the rotating chairmanship of the SCO, in hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit this year,” S. Jaishankar stressed. -0-

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  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Data for Climate Action: Expert Forum for Climate Change-Related Statistics

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    01 September (9:00) – 03 September (12:30) 2025

    Palais des Nations, Building E, Room XXIII, Geneva Switzerland

    Information note, programme and templates

    Session I: Setting the Scene

    Session II: Climate Change Adaptation-Related Statistics

    Session III: Biennial Transparency Reports

    Session IV: Meeting data user needs

    Session V: Climate and Health Statistics

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Shanghai Port Handles Record Number of International Vessels in H1 2025

    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 14 (Xinhua) — The Port of Shanghai handled 23,000 international vessels in January-June 2025, up 3.2 percent year-on-year and setting a new all-time high, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.

    According to the department, of the above-mentioned total, container ships accounted for 17,000, up 2.6 percent from the previous year. They transported 16.346 million standard containers (TEU) of cargo, up 7 percent year-on-year. The number of international cruise ships and ro-ro ships handled by the Port of Shanghai showed particularly rapid growth, up 80.1 percent and 13.5 percent, respectively. -0-

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: PRC Defense Ministry: China strongly supports the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Southeast Asia /detailed version-1/

    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 14 (Xinhua) — China firmly supports the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Southeast Asia, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin said Monday, adding that it is of great significance to promoting regional peace and stability and conducive to safeguarding the core security interests of ASEAN countries.

    According to him, China has clearly stated its readiness to be the first to sign the Protocol to the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Southeast Asia.

    Jiang Bin made the remarks in response to recent comments by the Philippines’ defense secretary, who said China’s willingness to sign the protocol was purely symbolic and that to show sincerity it should first denuclearize.

    He stressed that China is the only nuclear-weapon state that has made an unconditional commitment not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones.

    China’s nuclear forces and nuclear policy have made significant contributions to world peace, which is widely recognized by the international community, Jiang Bin added. -0-

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Songshan Lake: A Microcosm of China’s Innovation Ecosystem

    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

    GUANGZHOU, July 14 (Xinhua) — The area around Songshan Lake in southern China’s Guangdong Province exudes youthful energy. Just two decades ago, it was a quiet orchard, but now it is home to a thriving innovation hub. These days, it is not harvesting fruits, but ideas.

    The 103 square kilometer high-tech zone is home to more than 17,000 market players, including seven national manufacturing champions and 770 national high-tech enterprises. Each is contributing to the rise of next-generation technologies, from connected vehicles and robotics to intelligent engineering, biomedicine, and advanced materials and energy.

    The rapid growth of enterprises is facilitated by the innovative ecosystem of Songshan Lake, which is home to six universities and 18 provincial-level new R&D institutions. It is also home to several key scientific facilities, including the China Spallation Neutron Source and an advanced attosecond laser infrastructure currently under construction.

    The evolution of ePropulsion, co-founded by Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) alumnus Pan Zongliang and three of his classmates, is a vivid illustration of this dynamic ecosystem.

    In 2012, recognizing the significant potential in marine renewable energy, they formed a startup team dedicated to research and development in marine electric propulsion systems. By 2014, they had completed the prototype of their first electric outboard motor. However, the process of turning this innovation into a market-ready product was fraught with challenges. The industrialization process proved to be a complex undertaking that required considerable effort and resources to manage.

    Fortunately, HKUST professor Li Zexiang founded the XbotPark robotics base in Songshan Lake area in 2014. He also facilitated the relocation of ePropulsion’s five-person staff to Songshan Lake, providing them with valuable assistance.

    “As a marine renewable energy company, we needed a water area to test our products,” explained Pan Zongliang, co-founder and COO of ePropulsion. The Songshan Lake Administrative Committee provided the team with a key asset: a special dock for conducting water tests. “It was a huge support,” Pan Zongliang recalled.

    In addition to political support, Songshan Lake’s strategic location allows XbotPark companies to take advantage of the supply chain advantages of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

    According to the director of the XbotPark robotics base, teams working in this environment often say: “If you can imagine it, you can build it.” “Finding suppliers for good ideas can usually be completed in about thirty minutes,” he says.

    ePropulsion currently operates from a manufacturing facility in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, southern China, where Lake Songshanhu is located. The product range includes a wide range of overhead electric systems from 500 to 1000 kW, as well as overhead drives, embedded systems, batteries and control systems, which are sold worldwide.

    “Our main market is Europe and the United States, and our small and medium-sized electric outboard motors ranked first in the world in terms of shipment volume last year,” Pan Zongliang said. “The domestic market share is also growing as the new energy boat sector expands in China,” he added.

    Their eco-friendly propulsion systems now power boats at events such as SailGP and the America’s Cup, as well as on scenic waters across China, including Donghu Lake in Wuhan, West Lake in Hangzhou and the Lijiang River in Guilin.

    According to XbotPark, it has helped create more than 80 startups in the field of robotics and intelligent equipment, of which six are included in the list of unicorn companies whose estimated value has grown to a billion US dollars in a short period of time. At the same time, their survival rate has exceeded 80%. The total value of the leading companies in the base is $ 10 billion.

    Nearby, at the Guangdong Institute of Intelligent Robotics (GIRI), another industrial park near Songshan Lake, a bright yellow robot maneuvers in a test tank, rising and falling with the agility of a fish. This intelligent underwater inspection robot, developed by BlueDiveBot, conducts comprehensive inspections with no blind spots.

    “Underwater robots can perform equipment maintenance, garbage collection, water quality monitoring and emergency response, overcoming human limitations and safety risks,” said Hu Gangyi, CEO of BlueDiveBot.

    Incubated by GIRI and founded in 2023, BlueDiveBot has established a collaborative innovation platform integrating industry, education, research and application for advanced underwater equipment. The company has mastered a number of advanced technologies in the field of unmanned underwater intelligent systems, some of which are the first of their kind in the country.

    “The well-developed industrial chain in Dongguan and surrounding areas accelerates the commercialization of our R&D,” Hu Gangyi said. “We have quickly achieved the expansion of production capacity and significant growth in market sales.”

    Since its establishment in August 2015, GIRI has focused its R&D and commercialization efforts on key robotics components such as high-power lasers, sensors and machine vision systems, in addition to its core products that include industrial robots, high-end intelligent equipment, unmanned autonomous systems and industrial big data.

    GIRI Deputy Director Zhou Xiaoxiao compares prototype technologies to an “unripe green apple.” In order to become a “ripe red apple,” the technology must undergo a process of refinement, she says, and this transformation is necessary for the technology to become the basis for producing a wide range of products, including both “apple jam” and “apple juice.”

    Further development of innovation was supported by Songshan Lake High-tech Zone’s partnership with Huawei Cloud to build the “Developer Village” in April 2022. It meets the digitalization needs of enterprises through deep integration and joint innovation between various developer organizations, promoting digital innovation and industrial upgrading. Currently, 29 companies are located there.

    “The Songshan Lake High-Tech Zone has carried out cutting-edge basic research,” concluded Wang Qianqian, deputy director of the Songshan Lake Science, Technology and Innovation Bureau. “Based on the results of basic research, we have built a complete innovation chain from pioneering research to commercialization and industrial development.” -0-

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s Digital Smart Manufacturing to Benefit Industrial Transformation in SCO Countries

    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

    TIANJIN, July 14 (Xinhua) — Umar Suleimanov, a student from Tajikistan who chose the Chinese name Wu Mofan, actively gestures with his hands in front of a video camera, showing various configurations of his wrist and fingers, and a bionic robotic arm installed nearby, equipped with tens of hundreds of multi-dimensional tactile sensors, instantly repeats these movements as a mirror image.

    All this took place at the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Forum on Digital Economy in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin and attracted the attention of many guests from SCO countries.

    “I learned that these bionic arms can sense mechanical information, sense temperatures, and differentiate between materials and textures. They can be applied to industrial production on a large scale, and can greatly improve the production efficiency of factories through data collection, algorithm integration, and other technological systems,” said Wu Mofan, a student at Tianjin Nankai University. He hopes that China’s digital smart manufacturing solutions and products can be spread to more countries to promote local development.

    The development of digital economy is a strategic direction in the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation. With the promotion of targeted policies and guidelines, iterative approach in technology, huge market demand and other driving factors, China has shown impressive achievements in industrial upgrading through the development of digital manufacturing.

    According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China, there are currently more than 30,000 smart factories with basic automation, over 230 smart factories with full digitalization of production, and about 421 national-level smart manufacturing demonstration factories in China. In the first quarter of 2025, the operating revenue of China’s digital sector reached 8.5 trillion yuan (about 1.19 trillion US dollars), growing 9.4 percent year on year.

    “I am very impressed that more and more AI and robotics projects are being implemented in various industrial scenarios in China. In this regard, China has made very impressive progress,” said Mehmet Bozkurt, a senior expert at the Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies.

    Pan Yuanyuan, deputy director of the International Investment Department at the Institute of World Economy and Politics under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, attributes the rapid development of China’s digital economy to its huge population, strong market demand, and rich application scenarios. “China’s achievements and accumulated experience in the digital economy are useful for countries seeking development,” she said.

    China has repeatedly reaffirmed its determination not only to digitalize its own industry, but also to assist other SCO countries in modernizing their production by exporting more and more digital technologies.

    Among the significant projects of cooperation between China and other SCO countries in the digital economy, Song Xianrong, a responsible official for international cooperation at the State Data Administration of the People’s Republic of China, highlighted the smart railway project in Mongolia with the participation of a Chinese enterprise, thanks to which the volume of coal production in areas located along the railway increased by 3-4 times, and the cost of transporting each ton of coal decreased from 32 to 15 US dollars, and the cost of operation and maintenance of the railway fell by 50 percent.

    Another striking example of such cooperation was a joint project between the Tianjin Design and Research Institute of the Cement Industry and the oil and gas company SOUTH-OIL of Kazakhstan, in which Chinese technologies and standards for digital intelligence were introduced into the production scenario in one of the modern industrial parks in the south of Kazakhstan.

    “China provides impressive intellectual solutions in the process of digital transformation of energy and industry,” said Gulnaziya Almakhanova, head of the International Relations Department at Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University in Kazakhstan. “We hope that China will be able to share successful experience and solutions with other members of the SCO family so that more countries can benefit from this wave of technological revolution.”

    As it became known, at the SCO Forum on Digital Economy-2025 in Tianjin, a ceremony was held to sign documents in 12 projects of cooperation on the digital economy between China, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Egypt and other countries. These projects are related to such areas as cross-border e-commerce and the construction of “smart” cities. -0-

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/HAITI – The Camillians celebrate their founder by dreaming of a clinic for the people of Pourcine

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Monday, 14 July 2025

    MM

    Pic Makaya (Agenzia Fides) – On the feast day of Saint Camillus of Lellis, founder of the Order of the Ministers of the Sick (MI), Father Massimo Miraglio, parish priest of the small community of Pourcine Pic-Makaya, shared with Fides that this will also be an important day for the entire Camillian religious family in Haiti, which always strives to help those most in need.”This year, too, we Camillians in Haiti want to live the feast of Saint Camillus with great hope and the desire to continue to witness to the merciful love for the sick that our Father and Founder left us as a legacy, not only spiritually but also in our active life, in our daily lives,” he emphasized.”On this occasion,” the missionary added, “there will be no shortage of initiatives in favor of the poor and sick, with food distributions and the hospital’s open doors, ready to welcome all those in need.””Unfortunately, the country has been in an extremely difficult situation for years, and the work is becoming more complicated every day,” Father Massimo said, referring to the catastrophic humanitarian situation the island has been experiencing for years (see Fides, 17/6/2025). My brothers and sisters in Port-au-Prince, who have been running the St. Camillus Hospital with its foyer for disabled children for years, are also feeling this. Despite a thousand difficulties, they manage to keep it open and welcome sick and poor people every day who are looking for a solution and the means to continue.”Working in Port-au-Prince and in many areas of the country has become truly difficult today, because of the gangs that control the territory and in the face of a state that no longer exists, a police force, and an army that are powerless against the strength and violence of the gangs, even in Jeremie,” he reports.”Especially in the parish of Pic Makaya, we are trying to continue our work and, following the example of Saint Camillus, we want to be especially close to the poorest and sickest people. All the projects we carry out in the parish always have the goal of preserving the population and supporting it with various activities. Our commitment to healthcare certainly remains a priority, but so too is the aqueduct, which will allow us to bring water to the center of the country and control it, and the effort to make the roads and mule tracks more accessible to avoid a whole series of accidents that systematically occur. School is another area in which we are strongly involved. It is a reference point for the education of children and young people, and for adults, where we can share information and practice prevention (see Fides, 15/4/2025). And we dream of soon being able to open a clinic for the population.” “This is truly the dream we have,” emphasizes the missionary, “to soon be able to begin construction of the St. Camillus Outpatient Clinic, where we can accommodate the sick. It won’t be a large clinic, but rather an emergency room, a place where the people in the area—currently around 4,000/5,000 people, who will be a potential catchment area—can receive the minimum of necessary, initial treatment. It would be a truly important point of contact that would fundamentally change the lives of the people in this area.””At the moment,” Father Massimo concludes, “we are unfortunately forced to continue with a very small informal clinic in my rectory, which is not even sufficient to meet the basic needs of the population.” “We hope that, through the intercession of St. Camillus, we will be able to establish this outpatient clinic next year, which will allow us to assist the sick and also bear witness to the love that St. Camillus passed on to us,” he affirms. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 14/7/2025)

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/PAKISTAN – Christians accused of blasphemy continue to seek justice

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – Asif Pervaiz, a 42-year-old Pakistani Christian, has been in prison for 12 years after being sentenced to death for blasphemy by a Lahore court in 2020. This is just one of many cases in which the accusations are false and an innocent person has been accused. Today, his family denounces to Fides the delays in the Pakistani justice system: “Last April, finally, thanks to lawyer Saif-ul-Malook, a date for the appeal was set. But the judge canceled it unexpectedly and without giving any reason,” said Waseem Anwar, the convicted man’s brother, who had to move with his family and Asif Pervaiz’s family for security reasons, fearing reprisals that can occur against relatives of those accused of blasphemy. Waseem Anwar, who, like his brother, works in a textile factory, also cares for Asif’s wife and their four children. The incident underlying the verdict occurred in 2013 in the textile factory where Asif worked. Someone took his cell phone and sent blasphemous text messages. “It was his co-workers who did this out of envy, jealousy, and contempt for Christians,” says Waseem. “Unfortunately, the court at first instance rejected Asif’s statement denying the allegations and sentenced him to death.” Asif Pervaiz had also reiterated that the supervisor at his factory had confronted him and asked him to convert to Islam, which he refused. Muhammad Saeed Khokher, the plaintiff, however, denied that he wanted to convert Parvaiz. Following the conviction at first instance, the family sought assistance in organizing the appeal process. However, a new trial has not yet been opened. “Cases of false accusations of blasphemy can also lead to a positive outcome after a long trial,” Catholic lawyer Khalil Tahir Sandhu, who has defended many victims in court, told Fides. “However, the fact remains that innocent defendants often spend many years in prison, and their families suffer irreparable damage, without compensation and without punishment for those who make false accusations,” he notes. Among the cases with positive outcomes, on July 8, a court in Lahore acquitted two young Christians of a false blasphemy charge that arose from a minor dispute. Adil Babar and Simon Nadeem were 18 and 14 years old, respectively, when they were charged in 2023 and have now been acquitted two years later. The case of a Catholic who was acquitted of blasphemy charges after 23 years in prison caused a stir. Anwar Kenneth, now 71, was arrested in 2001 for alleged blasphemy and sentenced to death by a Lahore court in July 2002. Last June, after reviewing the case, the Supreme Court finally ordered his acquittal on the grounds that he was mentally ill. A report by the human rights organization Human Rights Watch, titled “A Conspiracy to Grab the Land,” published in June 2025, states: “Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are discriminatory, deny non-Muslims equality before the law, and encourage violence against anyone accused of the crime. Blasphemy is a crime officially punishable by death in Pakistan, and the laws have long been used to pursue personal vendettas and persecute members of religious minorities with serious consequences. A simple accusation of blasphemy can mean a death sentence: dozens of people have been killed in mass violence over the past decade based on blasphemy allegations.” The text continues: “People who make blasphemy allegations often do so for economic reasons, such as acquiring land owned by others. Although victims of blasphemy allegations and the violence resulting from the law come from all socioeconomic and religious groups in Pakistan, most victims come from marginalized groups.” These groups are often unable to afford defense for economic reasons: “A deep-rooted prejudice in the criminal justice system leads to miscarriages of justice against people accused of blasphemy. Authorities almost never bring to justice those who commit violent acts in the name of blasphemy, while those charged under discriminatory laws – usually without evidence – suffer long pretrial detentions, lack of due process, and unfair trials that can lead to years in prison.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 14/7/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/SYRIA – Archbishop Jacques Mourad: Jesus wants His Church to remain in Syria

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    L’Œuvre d’Orient

    by Gianni ValenteHoms (Agenzia Fides) – Archbishop Jacques Mourad returned just a few days ago from participating in the Synod of Bishops of the Syriac Catholic Church in Rome. And he had a lot to do after his return to Homs. “These days, I am celebrating the First Communion of boys and girls in the village parishes. This is a joy that touches the heart. We thank the Lord for all these signs of hope that He gives us in our poverty,” said Bishop Maurad.He weighs every word when speaking about the present situation his homeland and its people are currently experiencing. The monk of the Deir Mar Musa community, who was appointed Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Homs, Hama, and Nabek, is particularly moved by the massacre of Christians who were murdered in Damascus on June 22 while they were gathered with their brothers and sisters for Sunday Mass at St. Elias Church.The words of Bishop Jacques, who was born in Aleppo and joined the monastic community founded by the Roman Jesuit Paolo Dall’Oglio, are at times moving when he speaks about the current situation in Syria.He reiterates that “Syria as a country is at an end today.” But he also recognizes that the Church in Syria must nevertheless continue its path and its work for the good of all. And this, he says, is only happening “because this is the will of Jesus. Jesus wants His Church to remain in Syria. And the idea of emptying Syria of Christians is certainly not the will of God.”The Massacre of ChristiansThe new rulers in Damascus are trying to reassure the people. Even after the massacre at St. Elias’s Church, government representatives reiterated that Christians are an indelible part of the Syrian people. “And I would like to say,” Archbishop Mourad emphasizes, “that the government bears direct responsibility for everything that has happened. Because every government is responsible for the security of the people. And I’m not just talking about the Christians. Many Sunnis, many Alawites have also been killed, many have disappeared. If a team sent by an international organization were to inspect the prisons, they would find many people who had nothing to do with the crimes of the previous regime. I think it’s fair to say that this government is persecuting the people. The entire people.”The Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Homs also sees hostility in the new Syrian regime’s toward the baptized: “Every time I hear about ‘protecting’ Christians, I feel like we’re being accused, that we’re being threatened. These are words that don’t serve to show benevolence; they burden us. I must say that this government is doing the same things the Assad regime did against the population. Both regimes, the Assad regime and the current one, have no respect for the Syrian people and their history.”Syria is at an endSyria, according to the aArchbishop, has a great heritage and the presence of its young people. But the latest governments “seem to want to erase, to destroy this civilization, the civilization of this people. This is a global crime; it’s not just about us.””UNESCO has declared so many places in Syria as World Heritage Sites. But no one protects them. And today we must protect our living heritage, not just the monuments.”First loudspeakers, then terrorThe acronyms of terror often change their “labels.” Syrian government sources have blamed unidentified Islamic State (IS) fighters for the attack on the church in Damascus. However, the massacre of Christians was claimed by a newly formed jihadist group, Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, possibly created by defectors from Tahrir al-Sham.Marketing strategies, “professional” management of communications and propaganda.The Orthodox Christians of St. Elias Church in Damascus—as repeated by several sources and witnesses on the ground—were massacred “as punishment” after some of them had a confrontation with militant Islamists who, with car-mounted loudspeakers, continually drove up to the church, blaring Koranic verses at high volume to call for conversion to Islam. The same thing, Archbishop Jacques confirms, is happening in Homs and throughout Syria: “They drive up in state security vehicles and use loudspeakers to call on Christians to convert. But when we question the security personnel about this behavior, they reply that these are individual initiatives. People no longer believe in this government.”Western sponsorsMeanwhile, those in charge in Syria continue to seek approval from external circles and powers. Government officials have declared that they are ready to renegotiate the 1974 ceasefire with Israel.”I,” Archbishop Mourad admits, “am not a politician. And I see that almost the entire Syrian people want peace. They also want a peace agreement with Israel, for all the countries of the Middle East. After all these years, everyone is really tired of this war and of seeing the Jews as enemies. But if we were to sign an agreement with Israel now, it would only happen because Syria is weak now. And such an agreement, at a time like this, would only be another act of humiliation of the people.” “So before the president signs such an agreement,” the Archbishop continued, “he should at least speak clearly and unequivocally to the people and explain to them what such an agreement means and what it entails. What the conditions are for Israel and for the Syrians.”The Israeli army, the Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Homs continued, “has occupied many Syrian territories since the end of the Assad regime. This means that we may have to forget the Golan Heights forever. And this means that the Syrian people, especially in Damascus, will always be threatened with the instrument of thirst, because the water in Damascus comes from the Golan. And if we remain dependent on Israel for water, we can imagine other things as well…”Today, the Archbishop adds, referring to the dramatic situation in Syria: “Syria as a country is at its end. We keep repeating that it is the first country in the world, that Damascus and Aleppo are the oldest cities in the world, but that means nothing today. It is at its end; most people live below the poverty line; we are massacred and humiliated, and we are tired. We don’t have the strength to reclaim our dignity ourselves. If there is no sincere political support for the people and not for the government, we are at our end.” And: “No one should condemn the Syrian people for emigrating and seeking their fortune outside Syria. No one has the right to judge.” And this in a situation where the entire economy, the education system, and even the healthcare system are on the brink.Where to start againIs it possible to find ways forward when the horizon is so dark and there seems to be no respite? The Archbishop chooses challenging words to outline the situation and mission of the Syrian churches and Christians today.”In my opinion,” he says, “the Church is the only point of reference for hope for the entire Syrian people. For everyone, not just Christians. Because we are doing everything we can to support our people.””After the fall of Assad, many in our communities and parishes fell into crisis and fear. A terrible despair. I, too, visited the parishes, in every village, to encourage Christians and speak about the future. Thank God, I feel accompanied by the Lord each time, in the words I speak to the people. And so, in this situation, we are busy organizing regular meetings for young people, for children, for groups involved in the Church in various ways.”Even in a situation that is tragic in many respects, the normal life of the church communities continues. And it is precisely the parishes that, in a torn, painful context, are trying to promote dialogue for the coexistence of all groups and components.”In Aleppo and also in Damascus, they are truly committed. The bishops have also given lay people space to reflect and take the initiative,” the Archbishop said. “In Homs, we are trying to organize meetings with all other communities: Alawites, Ismailis, Sunnis, Christians,” he continued. “The people we meet are all concerned about the government’s policies, even the Muslims. We are united because we are all in the same boat, as Pope Francis repeatedly said.”The Encounter with Pope LeoIt was Pope Leo who asked the Syriac Catholic bishops to come to Rome to hold their Ordinary Synod in the Eternal City, which took place from July 3 to 6. “It was a wonderful opportunity to meet him, get to know him, and receive his blessing.” “I followed his speeches on the Eastern Churches and the Christian East with great attention. I used this meeting to thank him and ask him to encourage the entire Catholic Church to take the initiative to support the Syrian people, in particular, in their basic needs.”Hope is reflected in concrete works”For me,” Jacques Mourad emphasizes, “it is important that the Church work intensively on the reconstruction of schools and the entire education system in Syria.” We already have schools in Aleppo and Damascus, but they are not enough. In Homs there is nothing. We must work on this, because it can also help curb Christian emigration. All parents think about the future of their children. And if they cannot guarantee them schools where they can learn and functioning hospitals, their only choice is to leave.””We need everything. We must also revitalize pastoral and cultural centers that can accompany the human and cultural growth of our young people. And also houses for young people who want to get married. In this way, we can encourage all young people to stay in the country and not leave,” the Archbishop emphasizes. Resources are lacking, but the horizon is clear: “And this is how we can advance on the path of our Church in Syria. Because that is certainly the will of Jesus. Jesus wants his Church to remain in Syria. This idea of emptying Syria of Christians is certainly not the will of God,” he affirms. “And we, the disciples of Christ and those who bear responsibility in his name, have, first and foremost, the duty to protect our faithful and do everything possible to ensure the future of the Church in Syria,” he concluded. (Agenzia Fides, 14/7/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lord Mayor welcomes plaque outside Pineapple Dance Studios | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    The great and the good from the world of dance joined the Lord Mayor of Westminster as a plaque was unveiled to honour the work of its founder, Debbie Moore. 

    Dame Arlene Phillips, Louis Spence, Bonnie Langford were some of the famous faces to share the moment with dance fans and well-wishers for the ceremony. A small showcase of dancers from the studios entertained the crowds after the plaque was unveiled by Debbie and lifelong friend Dame Arlene Phillips. 

    In June 1979, Pineapple opened its doors out of a derelict pineapple warehouse following Covent Garden fruit market’s departure being reborn as ‘Pineapple Dance Studios’. Since then, it has gone onto teach countless performers for some of the biggest show on stage and screen. 

    The plaque, organised by The Seven Dials Trust, now stands proudly outside the entrance to the studio on Langley Street. The People’s Plaques celebrate individuals and institutions who have contributed to London and beyond.

    The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg said:

    It was a privilege to join dancing royalty at Pineapple Dance Studios to unveil a plaque celebrating the remarkable Debbie Moore. Her dedication has supported generations of performers, helping them take their first steps — and leaps — into the world of dance and performance.”

    “Pineapple Studios has well and truly chassé-ed its way into dancing folklore, nurturing talent that has graced both stage and screen. Debbie’s vision continues to inspire, and today’s celebration was a testament to the vibrant creative community she helped build.”

    David Bieda, Seven Dials Trust chairman said:

    We are delight to have Dame Arlene Phillips OBE, Wayne Sleep and The Lord Mayor of Westminster participate in the ceremony. The Seven Dials Trust People’s Plaques commemorate those who have made a contribution to London, and in this case internationally.”

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Royal Parade improvement scheme off starting block

    Source: City of Plymouth

    The fencing is up, the bus lane closed and temporary bus stops are in place around the city centre – work to change the layout of Royal Parade starts today.

    The scheme aims to reduce congestion and improve the reliability of bus services to and from the city centre by increasing the number of bus stops on the shop side and constructing a saw tooth design to make it easier and more efficient for buses to pick up and drop passengers.

    It will also see:

    • clearer information about where and what bus to get in the new shelters and upgraded Real Time Passenger Information displays
    • bigger shelters to make it easier for people with pushchairs or wheelchairs to use them. They will have living roofs to support biodiversity
    • an upgraded toucan crossing at Armada Way for pedestrians and cyclists
    • average speed camera system to replace existing static cameras, supporting a safe environment for pedestrians
    • upgraded granite paving down the length of the shop side of Royal Parade.

    The scheme, which will be carried out by Morgan Sindall, is expected to take around nine months. But while the bus lane is closed and stops have been moved, businesses along Royal Parade are very much open.

    Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport said: “Nearly 25 per cent of households in Plymouth do not have a car and with the city’s population expected to grow, improving sustainable travel choices is vital to keeping the city moving.

    “With 100 services an hour using Royal Parade, this is a key part of the bus network. Making improvements at this key point will cut queuing and double stacking of buses and help to make services across the city more reliable as a result.

    “I was really pleased to hear that the initial bus stop move had gone extremely smoothly and that passengers were getting the message about where to get on and off in the city centre.

    “I would also like to remind shoppers that the shops on Royal Parade are very much still open for business – we will be keeping access to businesses open throughout the scheme. So, while the bus lane is shut, businesses are very much open!”

    All bus stops on the shop side of Royal Parade between Courtenay Street and St Andrew’s Cross Roundabout have now been moved to temporary stops and information about where they are is here Royal Parade travel information | PLYMOUTH.GOV.UK

    Bus stops on Royal Parade have information on the fencing about the temporary bus stops.

    There is also information in the Plymouth Citybus shop on Royal Parade, Central Library and in bus shelters at key destinations around the city.  

    The Plymotion Team and project team will also be on the ground every weekday until Friday 18 July to hand out information leaflets and make sure everyone knows where to get their bus from.

    City Centre Company Chief Executive Steve Hughes said: “We’re pleased to see this important scheme start and we know that once its finished, it will create a more pleasant experience for passengers coming in and out of the city centre.

    “Businesses along Royal Parade are very much open during the work and we know the contractors and the project team are liaising with them. We in the City Centre Company are also here to support our businesses – free pop-up space in the city centre is available for our businesses for instance. It is fantastic to see this scale of investment in the city centre.”

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Empty Homes Team gets into full swing to bring much-needed properties back into use

    Source: City of Manchester

    A new Council team dedicated to bringing empty homes across Manchester back into use has achieved almost 300 successes in its first few months.

    Since autumn last year, the Empty Homes Team has brought 276 long-term empty properties back into use. The majority have been sold or rented on the private market, but a small number have been sold to registered providers for use as social housing or rented out by the council to accommodate people facing homelessness. Almost £500,000 per year in Council Tax has also been added to the city’s coffers to help fund public services.

    More than 400 further live cases are currently being worked on with more being identified all the time and these will be followed up with sites visits all over the city.

    The dedicated Empty Homes Team was set up as part of the city’s response to the housing challenge, action which also includes overseeing the building of 10,000 social, council and genuinely affordable homes by 2032.

    As well as creating these much-needed new homes, the Council is working to maximise the city’s housing stock by addressing the wasted resource of existing homes sitting empty. These long-term empty properties – which have been unoccupied for six months or more – can also blight their neighbourhoods, becoming eyesores or attracting litter, pests or anti-social behaviour.

    While the high demand for properties across Manchester means that long-term empty properties are at historically low levels, it is still estimated that there are around 1,465 long-term empty properties dotted around the city.

    Previous initiatives to tackle long-term empty homes have focused on regenerating whole areas which had clusters of ‘void’ properties. But now the Empty Homes Team is taking a targeted approach to tackling unoccupied homes dotted around the city.

    Many of these long-term empty properties are tough nuts to crack. A high proportion have been left empty because the owner of the property has died and it is not known who should inherit it. Others are properties which require major structural work or refurbishment, which the owner cannot afford, before they can go on the market.

    These long-term empty properties dotted around the city are identified through council tax data, tip-offs from neighbourhood teams and councillors, and referrals from local residents. Owners can even self-refer if they are struggling to know what to do with their properties.

    The Empty Homes Team then engages with property owners to establish why the property is empty and explore options with them to bring it back into use. They also conduct site visits to assess the condition of properties and the extent to which they are causing a detriment to the area.

    Where ownership details are not clear, the team employs four established genealogist firms to identify property owners, in a process which will be familiar to viewers of BBC One’s Heir Hunters programme.

    The team’s work is detailed in a report to the Council’s Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee which meets on 22 July, along with a draft Empty Homes Strategy.

    Cllr Gavin White, Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration, said: “Getting empty properties back into use is a multiple win for the city. It helps provides much-needed housing for people who want it, removes blights on neighbourhoods and also generates Council Tax which supports vital council services.

    “We’re doing a great deal of work to bring forward new council, social and other types of affordable homes which this is complementing.

    “I’m pleased to see that the Empty Homes Team has got off to a cracking start, already bringing hundreds of homes back into use and setting their sights on many more. We would encourage anyone who is concerned about an empty home in their area, or even owners who find themselves stuck with a property they don’t know what to do with, to get in touch.”

    Deputy Council Leader Cllr Joanna Midgley said: “Tackling homelessness is a complex challenge and making the most of our existing housing stock is one of the ways in which we are trying to prevent it.

    “The Empty Homes Team has made excellent progress in the last few months and we look forward to this momentum being maintained.

    “We would encourage anyone who is concerned about an empty home in their area, and even owners who find themselves stuck with a property they don’t know what to do with, to get in touch.”

    Long-term empty properties can be referred to the Empty Homes Team via the council’s website at www.manchester.gov.uk (search Empty Homes) or by emailing emptyhomesteam@manchester.gov.uk

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 105-year-old gets active with Cycle Derby

    Source: City of Derby

    A local Second World War veteran has proved you’re never too old to get on a bike.

    Victor, aged 105, contacted Derby City Council with a desire to get more active. The Cycle Derby team carried out an assessment and initially set Victor up with a side-by-side bike for his first sessions.

    Victor’s story highlights the possibilities offered by Cycle Derby’s Inclusive programme, which has a range of adapted bikes to cater for a broad range of abilities. The accessible fleet of over 40 bikes are available for self-hire, instructor-led sessions, and larger community clubs.

    Thanks to the weekly sessions, Victor and many others, have found a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors, connect with new people, and move more freely. The programme has also helped him gradually rebuild his strength and confidence. In May, Victor proudly cycled over four miles, marking a significant milestone in his fitness journey.  After this ride, Victor said:

    My age aside it’s important to recognise that cycling has been revolutionary in my recovery from a stroke. 

    “I wish I’d done this years ago – it’s enabled me to walk again without my sticks. The opportunity for improved mobility is invaluable.

    Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability, said: 

    This is such a heartwarming story. The Inclusive Hub was set up for people like Victor. People of any age or ability. Active Travel isn’t just about getting from A to B, it’s also about maintaining our physical health, moving more and generally broadening our horizons.

    I’m delighted to see that people of all ages are taking advantage of this offering that we have here in Derby. If you’re looking to get active but are nervous about cycling or unable to use a regular bike, get in touch with the team at Cycle Derby.

    Cycle Derby exist to support people of any age or ability become more active, healthier, help them have fun on a bike. You can find more details about their services at www.cyclederby.co.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: In the first half of 2025, 365 China-Europe/China-Central Asia freight trains were dispatched from Tianjin checkpoint

    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 14 (Xinhua) — The number of China-Europe/China-Central Asia international freight train departures from Tianjin Port in the north Chinese port city of Tianjin from January to June 2025 totaled 365, up 18.4 percent from a year earlier, data from the General Administration of Customs showed.

    According to the agency, the number of standard container cargoes transported by these trains amounted to 39 thousand, an increase of 18.4 percent year-on-year.

    Tianjin Port, located on the coast of the Bohai Sea, is a major shipping hub in northern China, the eastern starting point of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, and an important hub of the New Eurasian Transcontinental Bridge Economic Corridor. -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: Chinese Foreign Ministry: China will ensure the success of the SCO summit in Tianjin

    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 14 (Xinhua) — China is willing to seize the opportunity of holding the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to ensure the full success of the SCO Tianjin Summit, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Monday.

    He noted that China is chairing the SCO in 2024-2025 and the organization’s summit will be held in Tianjin this fall, adding that the upcoming meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the SCO member states is aimed at facilitating political preparations for the Tianjin summit.

    According to the Chinese diplomat, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will chair the meeting. The heads of the SCO member states’ foreign ministries will exchange views on cooperation within the organization in various fields and on key issues on the international and regional agenda. They will also sign a number of resolutions and documents.

    China is willing to seize the opportunity of the meeting to work with all parties to reach major agreements and take major cooperation measures to ensure the full success of the Tianjin Summit and promote the SCO to enter a new stage of high-quality development, Lin Jian concluded. -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: Using a radio telescope on the “roof of the world,” astronomers have begun searching for traces of the Big Bang

    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 14 (Xinhua) — Astronomers have begun searching for traces of the Big Bang using a radio telescope installed at an altitude of 5,250 meters above sea level in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region.

    The AliCPT-1 radio telescope has captured the first images of the Moon and Jupiter at 150 GHz, marking a key step toward probing primordial gravitational waves, the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IHEP CAS) announced on Sunday.

    Gravitational waves are faint whispers from the dawn of time that may hold the key to explaining how the universe came into being.

    Imagine the universe at birth; primordial gravitational waves would be its very first cry. Born from quantum fluctuations in spacetime during the inflationary stage, primordial gravitational waves are thought to be the most pristine ripples ever recorded in the universe.

    In this regard, probing primordial gravitational waves is important for testing the Big Bang theory, the quantum theory of gravity.

    “If we successfully detect primordial gravitational waves, we will be able to see the Universe at the very first moment of its existence,” said Xinmin Zhang, the principal investigator of the AliCPT-1 project and a senior researcher at the IHEP.

    “At the same time, it could lead to breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies such as cryogenic superconducting detectors and cryogenic readout electronics, bringing cosmology into an era of unprecedented precision,” the scientist added.

    The construction of the radio telescope took eight years. The project involved 16 research institutions, including the National Astronomical Observatory of the ANC and Stanford University in the United States.

    According to the results of the study, the list of areas on Earth suitable for probing primary gravity waves includes only Antarctica, the Atacama Desert in Chile, the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and Greenland, said project leader Liu Congzhan.

    Obtaining images of the Moon and Jupiter is just the beginning. The AliCPT-1 radio telescope fills a gap in China and, together with devices in Antarctica and Chile, forms a global network, said IHEP researcher Li Hong of the ANC. -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 –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: V. Zelensky proposed to extend martial law and general mobilization in Ukraine until November 5

    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

    KYIV, July 14 (Xinhua) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted to the Verkhovna Rada on Monday bills to extend martial law and general mobilization in the country for another 90 days, until November 5 this year. The cards of both bills were published on the official website of the Ukrainian parliament.

    The martial law and general mobilization are set to expire on August 7. The main reason for the need to extend both legal regimes is cited in the explanatory notes to the bills as the ongoing armed conflict with Russia.

    Martial law and general mobilization were introduced in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The Verkhovna Rada has extended them 15 times already. –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 –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosaviatsiya is searching for the missing Mi-8 helicopter of APK Vzlet

    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 14 /Xinhua/ – Rosaviatsia is searching for a Mi-8 helicopter belonging to APK Vzlet that went missing in Khabarovsk Krai. According to preliminary data, there were five people on board, RIA Novosti reported today.

    “In Khabarovsk Krai, Rosaviatsia is searching for a Mi-8T helicopter from APK Vzlet. The helicopter has an operator’s certificate for performing aviation work,” the agency reported.

    “Preliminary: there are five people on board the Mi-8T /three crew members and two technical specialists/,” they specified there. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese and Serbian armies to conduct joint training in Northern China

    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 14 (Xinhua) — The ground forces of China and Serbia will hold joint training, codenamed “Guardians of Peace 2025”, in Hebei Province (north China) in mid- to late July, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Jiang Bin said on Monday.

    This will be the first joint training of Chinese and Serbian armed forces, Jiang Bin noted.

    The training is expected to help strengthen the combat capabilities of the participating troops and deepen cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries, he added. -0-

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Demystifying the Link Between Major Depression and Alzheimer’s Disease

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Over 7 million people in the United States live with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD). Some risk factors for ADRD, like genetics, can’t be controlled, but others can be treated. One of the most prevalent is depression (known clinically as major depressive disorder, or MDD). Between 11.1% and 14.7% of ADRD cases – affecting roughly one million individuals in the US – are attributable to MDD.  

    Now, researchers at the UConn Center on Aging have uncovered a variety of mechanisms linking these conditions, giving at-risk individuals and health care providers a greater understanding of how the disease may be prevented and mitigated. 

    “We’ve known for a long time that depression is one of the most relevant, potentially preventable risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease,” says Breno Diniz, MD, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry at UConn Health and the Center on Aging, who has devoted his research career to tackling this issue. “However, we didn’t know why.”  

    Diniz’s latest publication, in the journal Nature Mental Health, has uncovered two key factors linking these diseases: proteostasis, or how the body synthesizes and metabolizes proteins; and dysregulation of inflammatory responses.  

    “Depression is a disease that is bigger than a depressed mood,” Diniz says. “It has consequences that are silent, that may appear many years later.” 

    The Power in the Proteins

    Diniz’s research team identified a series of protein markers in the body that seemed to increase the risk of ADRD for everyone – patients both with and without a history of MDD. These markers are related to general processes in the body that tend to change with age, such as inflammation, cell division, and apoptosis (the destruction and removal of damaged cells from the body). 

    But in patients with MDD, the researchers found a unique change in the process of proteostasis. This change increased inflammation in the brain, which in turn increased the risk of developing ADRD. 

    “What we have here is a causal effect,” says Diniz, explaining that these two factors – changes in proteostasis and an increase in neuroinflammation – “seem to work together, synergistically, to increase the risk of dementia.” 

    Using this insight, the team developed a Proteomic Risk Score that can be used to assess the risk for an individual patient with depression developing ADRD. This unique tool evaluates multiple proteins and offers “a more concrete way of looking at the risk of dementia in these individuals,” says Diniz. 

    To the research team’s surprise, the newly developed tool was a better predictor of ADRD risk than any previous model. It was more effective than models which evaluate the classic risk factors for ADRD, both in the general population and among those with depression – signaling hope for early detection and prevention. 

    “It’s a very robust model,” says Diniz, “and it has concrete clinical applications.” 

    The Proteomic Risk Score tool will help clinicians and patients holistically examine their ADRD risk factors, and it may also enable researchers to better select human subjects for ADRD intervention and prevention efforts. 

    Breaking it Down

    In this study, Diniz and his co-authors used a combination of proteomic and genomic approaches to analyze data available from the United Kingdom Biobank, specifically tracking ADRD outcomes among middle-aged adults with depression.  

    Proteomics is the study of the proteins that are created by cells in the body. And genomics – the study of someone’s entire set of DNA – is a natural complement to proteomics, since DNA determines which proteins are produced by cells. Combining these two analytical approaches is called proteogenomics, and it can give researchers a deeper insight into complex biological processes and how they are related to different pathologies.  

    “Every molecular layer – from genes to epigenetics, RNA, and proteins – conveys different biological information, and they can have different roles in … creating prediction models,” explains Diniz. “Their combination makes the models more powerful, and brings them a step closer to precision geroscience.” This is a major goal of the UConn Pepper Center, led by the paper’s co-authors George Kuchel, MD, and Richard Fortinsky, Ph.D.

    To enable this multifaceted analysis, Diniz partnered with other researchers across departments at UConn and UConn Health, including Kuchel; Fortinsky; Zhiduo Chen, Ph.D.; David C. Steffens, MD; and Chia-Ling Kuo, Ph.D. The research team also included scientists from the University of Exeter (UK) and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Canada. 

    Depression’s ‘Silent Consequences’

    This research emphasizes the profound interconnection between mind and body, especially the long-term health impacts of untreated mental illness. For those outside the scientific community, Diniz hopes this work will spur people to take their mental health just as seriously as their physical health. 

    “It’s extremely important to seek help,” Diniz urges. “Not only when you’re 50 or older – anytime in your life. Lots of studies in the past decade have shown that any depressive episode throughout the lifespan, even in your 20s, can increase the risk of dementia later on. So, it’s very important to seek help, and it’s very important to treat – and try to reach full remission of – the depressive episode.” 

    Fortunately, he notes, many of the lifestyle recommendations which have been shown to improve depressive symptoms – like exercise and not smoking – also improve other health outcomes, so treating depression does not need to occur in isolation. 

    Offering patients and health care providers tools like the Proteomic Risk Score and a more holistic understanding of health, this research joins a growing body of literature dedicated to preventing many cases of ADRD before it’s too late. 

    This work was supported by the NIA grant P30AG067988 (UConn Pepper Center, PIs: Kuchel and Fortinsky).  

    MIL OSI USA News –