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  • MIL-OSI Analysis: U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran could fuel a new wave of nuclear proliferation

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Saira Bano, Assistant Professor in Political Science, Thompson Rivers University

    In the wake of recent strikes by Israel and the United States on Iranian cities, military sites and nuclear facilities, a troubling paradox has emerged: actions intended to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons may actually be accelerating its pursuit of them and encouraging other countries to follow suit.

    On June 13, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a military campaign aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear program. The operation began with a series of co-ordinated strikes targeting Iran’s top nuclear scientists, senior military officials and key members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

    Despite establishing air dominance, Israel did not possess the capability to destroy Iran’s most heavily fortified nuclear facilities — especially the Fordow enrichment site, which is buried deep within a mountain.



    Read more:
    Why Israel and the U.S. are sure to encounter the limits of air power in Iran

    On June 21, the U.S. carried out major airstrikes targeting Iran’s critical nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Using B-2 stealth bombers equipped with bunker-busting bombs, the operation aimed to cripple Iran’s deeply fortified nuclear infrastructure.

    Three days later, Iran and Israel agreed to a ceasefire, bringing the 12-day conflict to an end. While both sides declared aspects of the campaign successful, the war marked a dangerous escalation in regional tensions and raised renewed concerns over the future of nuclear nonproliferation and security in the Middle East.

    History of nuclear negotiations

    The U.S. has consistently asserted that Iran must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. In 2006, Iran was subjected to international sanctions after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported the government was not in compliance with its nuclear energy obligations.

    Under former president Barack Obama, the U.S. government pursued a diplomatic path, culminating in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Under the deal, Iran agreed to limit uranium enrichment to 3.67 per cent and allow intrusive IAEA inspections. In exchange, it received relief from some international sanctions.

    In 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA, despite IAEA reports confirming Iran’s compliance. This decision undermined diplomatic trust and prompted Iran to scale back its commitments under the deal.

    The Biden administration sought to revive the JCPOA, but Iran demanded binding guarantees that future U.S. governments would not again withdraw — an assurance Biden could not provide.

    In the aftermath, Iran significantly escalated its nuclear activities. According to IAEA reports, Iran has more than 400 kilograms of enriched uranium to 60 per cent — an amount that, if further refined to 90 per cent, could be sufficient to produce 10 to 12 nuclear weapons.

    Iran has long used its nuclear program as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the U.S. While Iranian officials have maintained their program is purely peaceful, the country produces more highly enriched uranium than it needs for domestic power generation. Enriching uranium has been a way for Iran to raise pressure on the U.S. to lift sanctions.

    The second Trump administration resumed negotiations for a new nuclear deal aimed at imposing stronger constraints on Iran’s nuclear program.

    Although five rounds of negotiations were held, a sixth round scheduled for June 15 was disrupted when Israel conducted a military strike on Iran two days earlier. The attack escalated tensions and derailed the diplomatic process, further complicating the possibility of reaching a renewed agreement.

    Strikes could lead to nuclear proliferation

    Although Trump claimed the U.S. strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program, initial intelligence assessments were more cautious, noting significant damage but not total destruction.

    Although it maintains ambiguity about its nuclear program, Israel is seen to be the only country in the Middle East to possess nuclear weapons. It has taken military action to prevent other countries in the region from developing nuclear programs.

    In 2007, Israel bombed a suspected nuclear reactor under construction in Syria. In 1981, Israeli fighter jets bombed a nuclear reactor in Iraq.

    The Israeli government may have calculated that airstrikes could also effectively work against Iran. However, the difference is that Iran’s nuclear program is far more advanced than Syria or Iraq’s were. While the recent strikes may have set the program back by two years, Iran retains the knowledge and capacity to rebuild.

    Ironically, the Israeli and U.S. strikes, which aimed to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities, may instead encourage Iranian officials to accelerate their efforts. Following the war, Iran ended all co-operation with the IAEA, expelling inspectors and cutting off access to its nuclear sites. Without IAEA personnel on the ground, it has become extremely difficult to monitor or verify the scope of Iran’s nuclear activities.

    Bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities each time it advances its nuclear program is not a sustainable strategy. Israel had hoped that a decisive military strike would trigger widespread unrest and potentially lead to the Iranian government’s collapse.

    Instead, the opposite occurred: the Iranian public rallied around the flag, perceiving the attack as a blatant violation of national sovereignty. As a result, the government strengthened its domestic legitimacy and further suppressed political opposition.

    For now, Iranian officials have maintained that they do not intend to develop a nuclear weapon. However, the Iranian parliament is preparing legislation to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, of which Iran is currently a signatory.

    Exiting the treaty would remove a major legal and diplomatic constraint on Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons. Should Iran decide to go down that path, it would likely trigger a nuclear arms race in the region.

    Saudi Arabia has indicated that if Iran builds a nuclear weapon, it will seek to do the same.

    The most effective way to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons is through sustained diplomacy and a renewed nuclear agreement. A credible deal that includes robust verification mechanisms and IAEA inspections and sanctions relief remains the most viable solution.

    Military strikes, by contrast, tend to backfire, and will likely reinforce the belief in Iran — and elsewhere — that only a nuclear deterrent can shield them from external threats.

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

    – ref. U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran could fuel a new wave of nuclear proliferation – https://theconversation.com/u-s-and-israeli-strikes-on-iran-could-fuel-a-new-wave-of-nuclear-proliferation-260897

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Katy Perry and her fellow space tourists weren’t exceptions – humanity has long cared about interplanetary style

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Berna Akcali Gur, Lecturer in Outer Space Law, Queen Mary University of London

    When pop star Katy Perry and five other women made a much-publicised trip to the edge of space earlier this year, they faced sharp criticism across both social and traditional media, with sceptics questioning multiple aspects of the mission.

    Much of the backlash centred on the emphasis the crew – which included broadcaster Gayle King and Jeff Bezos’s now-wife, journalist Lauren Sánchez – placed on glamour. Detractors saw their uniforms as at odds with the traditional image of astronauts as explorers, scientific pioneers and envoys of humankind venturing into space.

    The flight suits were designed by New York fashion house Monse Maison’s co-founders, Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim. They also created Sánchez’s 2024 Met Gala look.

    The celebrity crew were first revealed in a photo shared by Blue Origin on April 12, two days before the launch. The unveiling was followed by a series of pre-flight interviews that touched on topics such as makeup, lash extensions and hair styling.

    In one such segment, Perry quipped that the crew “put ass in astronaut”. It’s the type of comment that, while playful, reinforced the criticism that the flight prioritised spectacle over substance.

    Having previously conducted research on governance of space suit design and astronaut safety, I think much of the backlash targeting the crew’s emphasis on glamour is misplaced. Fashion and style has long played a role in space exploration, a defining feature of both science fiction and real-world missions.

    The all-women crew of Blue Origin, in their own way, carried forward this tradition, reinforcing the enduring connection between style symbolism, and space travel.

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    Space-faring nations spend millions getting both public and private companies to design suits for intravehicular activity (IVA suits) and extravehicular activities (EVA suits). The priority is not just functionality and safety, but also creating impressive designs.

    High fashion house Prada is currently collaborating with Axiom Inc. to design suits for the forthcoming Artemis Mission, a lunar exploration mission led by Nasa. Another Nasa next-generation spacesuit features an exterior cover designed by Esther M. Marquis, who was enlisted for the project after showcasing her visionary spacesuit designs in For All Mankind, an Apple TV Sci-Fi series.



    Read more:
    For All Mankind: space drama’s alternate history constructs a better vision of Nasa

    The European Space Agency (ESA), meanwhile, has contracted Maison Pierre Cardin to design the uniforms for training in its new lunar mission simulation facility, Luna, in Germany.

    These and many other similar collaborations represent a continuation of the longstanding interplay between art, fashion and space technology. Science fiction books and movies have both influenced and been influenced by advancements developed for space travel.

    Modern space fashion

    Photos and videos from inside the International Space Station (ISS) reveal that their intravehicular activity (IVA) suits are designed for functionality and comfort rather than style.

    It’s a sensible approach, as most crew stay there for extended periods to conduct scientific experiments. In contrast, two of the billionaires most associated with space tourism – Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson – take a different approach. In competing to promote their emerging space tourism ventures, their own trips to space have been carefully curated – with fashion playing a key role.

    From launch to landing, Bezos’ own suborbital space travel with Blue Origin in 2021 lasted 11 minutes, while Branson’s travel in Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity lasted approximately 90 minutes, with four minutes of experience of weightlessness. However, they ensured that their “look” as they walked to their spacecraft would remain entrenched in our memories.

    Jimmy Fallon jokes about Bezos’s cowboy hat.

    Branson entrusted sports brand Under Armour to make a statement with a dark blue jumpsuit. Nine days later, Bezos appeared on the flight platform sporting a cowboy hat with his light blue flight suit.

    Branson’s crew won more fashion points with their sleek and streamlined suits – and he flew before Bezos – beating Blue Origin’s flight by nine days. Yet Bezos and his crew travelled to a higher altitude.

    As of the date of this article, Blue Origin has flown 58 people into space, whereas Virgin Galactic have flown 61 passengers, including crew. Space suits are an integral part of the experience. No less than a picture-perfect design will be expected for the high price tag.

    Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is the foremost private space enterprise of our time and arguably the one with the most political influence – although the effects of the recent fallout between SpaceX founder Elon Musk and the US president, Donald Trump, on the company remain uncertain.

    SpaceX has also stepped up its design efforts before the first-ever commercial astronaut spacewalk during the Polaris Dawn spaceflight, it unveiled its new EVA suit, dubbed the “space tuxedo”.

    SpaceX’s ‘space tuxedo’ suit reveal.

    During spacewalks, EVA suits are essential for keeping humans alive, making them a vital piece of wearable technology. The space tux was designed by Hollywood costume designer, Jose Fernandez, who also designed the suits for Iron Man and Captain America (an interesting twist given the film version of Iron Man’s alter ego, Tony Stark was reportedly partly inspired by Musk).

    Musk reportedly demanded both IVA and EVA suits to look “badass” while remaining practical. The mission was a success, as the four-member civilian team, led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, travelled further into space than any humans since the Apollo Missions to the moon.

    As we continue to explore the cosmos, fashion will continue to play a role in how we present ourselves to the universe. Whether for scientific missions or private ventures, how we dress for space will reflect our identity and aspirations as a species. This phenomenon did not begin with these glamorous star-studded women embarking on space ventures in their signature bold styles, nor will it end with the scrutiny and negative publicity they have faced.

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

    – ref. Katy Perry and her fellow space tourists weren’t exceptions – humanity has long cared about interplanetary style – https://theconversation.com/katy-perry-and-her-fellow-space-tourists-werent-exceptions-humanity-has-long-cared-about-interplanetary-style-256937

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: How soup might soothe symptoms and support recovery from colds and flu – new research

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sandra Lucas, Senior Lecturer, School of Health Sciences, University of the West of Scotland

    New Africa/Shutterstock

    For generations, chicken soup has been a go-to remedy for people feeling under the weather. It holds a cherished place in many cultures as a comforting treatment for colds and flu. But is there any real science behind the idea that soup can help us recover from respiratory infections?

    Alongside colleagues, I conducted a systematic review to explore this question, which examined the scientific evidence on the role of soup in managing acute respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold, influenza and COVID-19.

    Out of more than 10,000 records, we identified four high-quality studies involving 342 participants. These studies tested a variety of soups, including traditional chicken broth, barley soup and herbal vegetable blends. While still early-stage, the evidence was promising.

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    One study found that people who ate soup recovered up to 2.5 days faster than those who didn’t. Symptoms such as nasal congestion, sore throat and fatigue were milder. Some participants also showed reduced levels of inflammation-related markers: substances in the blood that rise when the immune system is fighting an infection.

    Specifically, levels of IL-6 and TNF-α – two proteins that help trigger inflammation – were lower in those who consumed soup. This suggests that soup may help calm an overactive immune response, potentially making symptoms less severe and recovery more comfortable.

    However, none of the studies examined how consuming soup influenced everyday outcomes of acute respiratory tract infections, such as whether people took fewer days off work or were less likely to end up in hospital. That’s a major gap in the evidence, and one that future research needs to address.

    There are several reasons soup may help. It’s warm, hydrating and typically nutrient-rich. Ingredients like garlic, onion, ginger and leafy greens have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immune-supportive properties. The warmth can also help loosen mucus, soothe sore throats and promote overall comfort during illness.

    Not just nourishment

    There’s also a strong cultural and behavioural aspect to food-based self-care: when people use food not just for nourishment, but as an intentional part of managing illness and promoting recovery.

    In many households, food becomes medicine not only because of its ingredients, but because it symbolises care, routine and reassurance.

    My previous research found that parents, in particular often turn to traditional remedies, like soup, as a first line of defence when illness strikes, often well before seeking professional medical advice.

    This reflects a growing interest in home remedies and the importance of culturally familiar treatments: remedies that feel safe, trusted and emotionally resonant because they’re part of a person’s upbringing or community norms. These kinds of treatments can increase confidence and comfort when self-managing illness at home.

    Food-based self-care may become increasingly important as pressure on healthcare systems continues to grow. With rising concerns about antimicrobial resistance, overstretched services, and lingering trauma from global pandemics, simple, evidence-informed home treatments can play a crucial role.

    They help people manage mild illness, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and avoid placing additional strain on GPs or emergency departments for minor ailments that can be safely treated at home. Even a simple phone message about the common cold – “Most common colds get better in a few days and don’t need treatment from your GP” – has been shown to reduce appointment demand by 21%, highlighting how low-cost, home-based care could ease pressure across the system.

    The Local Government Association (LGA) reports that GPs handle approximately 57 million cases of minor conditions such as coughs and colds annually, costing the NHS over £2 billion a year. It argues that educating people about effective self-care could help save GPs an hour a day on average.

    Soup fits the bill

    So chicken soup is easy to prepare, affordable, safe for most people and widely recognised as a comforting, familiar home remedy for minor illness.

    Still, our review highlighted a clear need for more research. Future studies could examine standardised soup recipes and investigate whether particular combinations of nutrients or herbs work best: does chicken soup have the same effect as barley broth or vegetable potage? Is there a difference if it’s homemade versus canned?

    Just as importantly, future research needs to measure meaningful outcomes: how quickly people return to work or school, how well they sleep during illness, how they rate their comfort and energy levels, for example.

    Soup isn’t a replacement for medicine. But alongside rest, fluids and paracetamol, it might offer a simple way to ease symptoms and help people feel better.

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

    – ref. How soup might soothe symptoms and support recovery from colds and flu – new research – https://theconversation.com/how-soup-might-soothe-symptoms-and-support-recovery-from-colds-and-flu-new-research-260960

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NIST Shares Preliminary Findings From Hurricane Maria Investigation

    Source: US Government research organizations

    NIST Hurricane Maria Program | Technical Update (July 2025)

    The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a video update and press release on its study of Hurricane Maria’s impacts on Puerto Rico. 

    Hurricane Maria, which struck Puerto Rico on Sept. 20, 2017, was one of the most devastating and costly hurricanes in U.S. history. The storm caused nearly 3,000 deaths and more than $90 billion in damages. While nature cannot be controlled, communities can reduce the impacts of natural hazards by making their buildings and infrastructure more resilient, upgrading emergency preparedness plans for critical facilities, and strengthening evacuation and communication protocols.

    In 2018, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) launched an investigation into Hurricane Maria’s impacts to learn what went wrong and to take steps to make Americans safer from future hurricanes.

    “Our goal is to learn from that event to recommend improvements to building codes, standards and practices that will make communities more resilient to hurricanes and other hazards, not just in Puerto Rico but across the United States,” said NIST’s lead Hurricane Maria investigator Joseph Main.

    The investigation has been an enormous undertaking. NIST experts have conducted hundreds of surveys and interviews, analyzed dozens of buildings, conducted laboratory experiments, and more. As NIST’s National Construction Safety Team nears the end of its investigation, it has released a video update that highlights significant milestones and preliminary findings.

    What Made Hurricane Maria So Dangerous?

    Hurricane Maria set off a cascade of building and infrastructure failures across Puerto Rico that had lasting impacts on society, including health care, business and education. The storm itself was a Category 4 hurricane, with peak gusts as high as 140 mph over flat terrain, strong enough to topple trees and lift roofs off houses. The wind was even stronger along the ridges of hills and mountains, where power lines and cellphone towers were located. Those lines and towers were damaged or destroyed, knocking out electric, phone and internet service for almost the entire island.

    The steep mountains of Puerto Rico also intensified the rainfall, resulting in extensive flooding and more than 40,000 landslides. This destroyed roads and bridges, blocking routes to hospitals and shelters for those who badly needed them. The hospitals and shelters themselves were heavily damaged by the storm, lifesaving medical equipment was destroyed, and parts of the buildings became uninhabitable. Each of these impacts intensified others. For example, the loss of electricity made it more difficult to move patients and supplies within some hospitals because elevators stopped working.

    Why NIST?

    NIST has a long history of studying disasters and building failures. Under the National Construction Safety Team (NCST) Act, NIST is authorized to establish teams “to assess building performance and emergency response and evacuation procedures in the wake of any building failure that has resulted in substantial loss of life or that posed significant potential of substantial loss of life.”

    Additionally, the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act gives NIST responsibility for “carrying out research and development to improve model building codes, voluntary standards, and best practices for the design, construction, and retrofit of buildings, structures, and lifelines” with the purpose of achieving “measurable reductions in the losses of life and property from windstorms.”

    Previous NIST investigations have led to building code improvements for tornadoes and fires that can save lives in communities across the country.

    Responding to Hurricane Maria, NIST created a team of experts in structural and civil engineering, public health, epidemiology, medicine, anthropology, communications, sociology and economics. These experts came from NIST, other federal agencies and universities, including outside experts based in Puerto Rico.

    “Having a local presence has been critical in carrying out this work, especially during the pandemic,” said Maria Dillard, investigation associate lead.

    The Investigation So Far

    The investigation is wide-ranging and has included reconnaissance of the island, creation of a detailed map of wind speeds during the hurricane, long-term measurements of wind speeds at cell towers, and wind tunnel tests. The NIST team conducted hundreds of interviews with emergency communicators; family members of the deceased; hospital, school and shelter staff members; shipping and transportation sector representatives; infrastructure officials; and others impacted by the storm. They also surveyed more than 1,500 households, 450 businesses, 300 schools and 16 hospitals for the project.

    Understanding the impact on hospitals and emergency shelters was a high priority for the investigators, who conducted detailed evaluations of five hospitals and five shelter facilities.

    This information went into computer models to understand how the hurricane and the long recovery process unfolded.

    During the course of the investigation, Puerto Rico was buffeted by more disasters, including a series of earthquakes that started in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Hurricane Fiona in 2022, and Tropical Storm Ernesto in 2024. These events made the recovery from Hurricane Maria more difficult and presented additional challenges for the investigation.

    Importance of NIST’s Hurricane María Investigation

    Preliminary Findings

    The complete report will not be released until 2026, so these findings may change before the report is finalized. However, in the video Main and Dillard share the following major preliminary findings, which they anticipate will be included in the final version.

    While peak wind speeds over flat terrain reached as high as 140 mph (225 kmh), those winds were accelerated to over 200 mph (322 kmh) in some areas by the shape of steep hills and mountains. The mountains also intensified the rainfall. The most extreme rainfall reached 30 inches (76 centimeters) in some areas.

    A major challenge for the investigation was that many weather-measuring devices were damaged during the storm. Only three out of 22 weather stations were fully functional throughout the hurricane. A Doppler weather radar site was destroyed by high winds, and the majority of rain gauges failed during the storm.

    Surveys with family members of those who died in the two weeks following the hurricane showed that only about one-tenth of the deaths occurred on the day of landfall and that only a small fraction of the deaths were caused by storm-related injuries. Reduced access to health care was found to be a significant factor in the deaths that occurred. The most common causes of death were noncommunicable medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and kidney disease, as those who suffered from these conditions had difficulty obtaining the medical care they needed.

    Landslides, collapsed bridges and fallen trees blocking roads kept people from getting help. Such road disruptions were estimated to have cut off hospital access for just over half of the population immediately following the hurricane. Many patients sought medical care at multiple places before receiving treatment. After arriving at hospitals, patients encountered additional disruptions in care from hospital buildings that were damaged, flooded and without electrical power.

    The investigation also found that 95.3% of schools lost power, for an average of over 100 days. Lack of potable water was also an issue for school recovery. One school emphasized that students needed to bring their own water because the school’s water was not safe to drink.

    Success Stories

    One important preliminary finding from the study is that emergency preparations work. Businesses, schools and hospitals that prepared before Hurricane Maria were able to resume operations more quickly afterward. Preparations included preestablished emergency plans, designated risk mitigation funds, and backup power sources.

    Preliminary findings also showed that financial assistance was effective. Statistically, businesses, schools and hospitals that received financial assistance were able to recover more quickly than those that did not.

    Anticipated Recommendations

    Through the National Construction Safety Team (NCST) Act, NIST has a responsibility to use investigation findings to create recommendations and help implement them.

    Recommendations from the Hurricane Maria Program are anticipated to result in:

    • New building standards to account for faster winds caused by mountains and hills.
    • New standards for storm shelters and refuge areas.
    • Measures that will help hospitals and other critical facilities maintain services during and after hurricanes, such as requiring standby generators for elevators and air-conditioning.
    • Guidance on recording damage to communications systems in a way that will prioritize recovery.
    • More robust tools for measuring wind, rainfall and flooding.
    • New standards for creating death certificates during an emergency.

    These changes will be important for hurricane-prone regions throughout the U.S., not just Puerto Rico. Hurricane Helene, which carved a destructive path from Florida through North Carolina in 2024, shared many similarities with Hurricane Maria, such as significant rainfall in mountainous areas that led to flooding and landslides; neighborhoods and communities being cut off from road access; massive infrastructure failure; and at least one hospital requiring evacuation.

    By applying the lessons of Hurricane Maria, this investigation can help the increasing number of communities that are experiencing intense hurricanes prepare for, respond to, and recover from them.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Over €10 billion has now been pledged for Ukraine’s recovery. It’s nowhere near enough

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham

    Clearly angered by the intensification of Russia’s air campaign against Ukraine, Donald Trump has pivoted from the suspension of US military assistance to Ukraine to promising its resumption. Russia’s strikes on major cities killed more civilians in June than have died in any single previous month, according to UN figures.

    Over the past two weeks, the US president has made several disparaging comments about his relationship with Vladimir Putin, including on July 13 that the Russian president “talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening”.

    Not only will the US resume delivery of long-promised Patriot air defence missiles, Trump is now also reported to be considering a whole new plan to arm Ukraine, including with offensive capabilities. And he has talked about imposing new sanctions on Putin’s regime.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    This is the background against which the eighth Ukraine Recovery Conference took place in Rome on July 10 and 11. The event, attended by many western leaders and senior business executives, was an important reminder that while the war against Ukraine will be decided on the battlefield, peace will only be won as the result of rebuilding Ukraine’s economy and society.

    Ending the war anytime soon and on terms favourable to Kyiv will require an enormous effort by Ukrainians and their European allies. But the country’s recovery afterwards will be no less challenging.

    According to the World Bank’s latest assessment, at the end of 2024 Ukraine’s recovery needs over the next decade stood at US$524 billion (£388 billion). And with every month the war continues, these needs are increasing. Ukraine’s three hardest-hit sectors are housing, transport and energy infrastructure, which between them account for around 60% of all damage.

    At the same time, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) provided a relatively positive assessment of Ukraine’s overall economic situation at the end of June, forecasting growth of between 2% and 3% for 2025 – likely to grow to over 4% in 2026 and 2027. But the IMF also cautioned that this trajectory – and the country’s macroeconomic stability more generally – will remain heavily dependent on external support.

    Taking into account a new €2.3 billion package from the EU, consisting of €1.8 billion of loan guarantees and €580 million of grants, the cumulative pledge of over €10 billion (£8.7 billion) made by countries attending the Ukraine recovery conference is both encouraging and sobering.

    It is encouraging in the sense that Ukraine’s international partners remain committed to the country’s social and economic needs, not merely its ability to resist Russia on the battlefield.

    But it is also sobering that even these eye-watering sums of public money are still only a fraction of Ukraine’s needs. Even if the EU manages to mobilise its overall target of €40 billion for Ukraine’s recovery, by attracting additional contributions from other donors and the private sector, this would be less than 8% of Ukraine’s projected recovery needs as of the end of 2024.

    As the war continues and more of the (diminishing) public funding is directed towards defence expenditure by Kyiv’s western partners, this gap is likely to grow.

    Overcoming the trauma of war

    Money is not the only challenge for Ukraine recovery efforts. Rebuilding the country is not simply about undoing the physical damage.

    The social impact of Russia’s aggression is hard to overstate. Ukraine has been deeply traumatised as a society since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

    Generally reliable Ukrainian casualty counts – some 12,000 civilians and 43,000 troops killed since February 2022 – are still likely to underestimate the true number of people who have died as a direct consequence of the Russian aggression. And each of these will have left behind family members struggling to cope with their loss. In addition, there are hundreds of thousands of war veterans.

    Even before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, there were nearly half a million veterans from the “frozen” conflict that followed Russia’s annexation of Crimea and incursion into eastern Ukraine. By the end of 2024, this number had more than doubled to around 1 million. Most of them have complex social, economic, medical and psychological needs that will have to be considered as part of a society-wide recovery effort.

    Returning refugees

    According to data from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), there are also some 7 million refugees from Ukraine and 3.7 million internally displaced people (IDPs). This is equivalent to one quarter of the country’s population. The financial needs of UNHCR’s operations in Ukraine are estimated at $800 million in 2025, of which only 27% was funded as of the end of April.

    Once the fighting in Ukraine ends, refugees are likely to return in greater numbers. Their return will provide a boost to the country’s economic growth by strengthening its labour force and bringing with them skills and, potentially, investment. But like many IDPs and veterans, they may not be able to return to their places of origin, either because these are not inhabitable or remain under Russian occupation.

    Some returnees are likely to be viewed with suspicion or resentment by those Ukrainians who stayed behind and fought. Tensions with Ukrainians who survived the Russian occupation in areas that Kyiv may recover in a peace deal are also likely, given Ukraine’s harsh anti-collaboration laws.

    As a consequence, reintegration – in the sense of rebuilding and sustaining the country’s social cohesion – will be a massive challenge, requiring as much, if not more, of Ukraine’s partners’ attention and financial support as physical reconstruction and the transition from a war to a peace-time economy.

    Given the mismatch between what is needed and what has been provided for Ukraine’s recovery, one may well be sceptical about the value of the annual Ukraine recovery conferences. But, to the credit of their organisers and attendees, they recognise that the foundations for post-war recovery need to be built before the war ends. The non-military challenges of war and peace must not fall by the wayside amid an exclusive focus on battlefield dynamics.

    Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU’s Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.

    – ref. Over €10 billion has now been pledged for Ukraine’s recovery. It’s nowhere near enough – https://theconversation.com/over-10-billion-has-now-been-pledged-for-ukraines-recovery-its-nowhere-near-enough-260936

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: We can learn a lot from Troy’s trash

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stephan Blum, Research associate, Institute for Prehistory and Early History and Medieval Archaeology, University of Tübingen

    Beneath the epic tales of heroes and gods, Troy’s true story is written in something far less glamorous – its rubbish.

    When we think of Troy, we imagine epic battles, valiant deeds, cunning tricks and the wrath of gods. Thanks to Homer’s Iliad, the city is remembered as a stage for romance and heroism.

    But long before Paris stole Helen and Achilles raged on the battlefield, the people of bronze age Troy lived ordinary lives – with extraordinary consequences. They built, cooked, stored, traded and, crucially, threw things away. And they did it right where they lived.

    Today, waste is whisked away quickly – out of sight, out of mind. But in bronze age Troy (3000–1000BC), trash stayed close, often accumulating in domestic dumping grounds for generations.

    Having spent more than 16 summers excavating and analysing the bronze age layers of Troy, I’ve learned to read the city’s history this waste.

    Hundreds of thousands of animal bones from cattle, sheep, fish – even turtles – were found alongside vast quantities of pottery shards, ash, food scraps, and human waste. Sometimes, these layers were reused to level floors or build walls, showing how closely intertwined daily life and refuse management were.

    Archaeology’s dirty secret

    This wasn’t laziness or neglect, it was pure pragmatism. In a world without rubbish trucks or sanitation systems, managing refuse was neither chaotic nor careless, but a collective, spatially negotiated – and surprisingly strategic – effort.

    The excavations I have worked on as part of the University of Tübingen’s Troy Project, which has been going on since 1988, have revealed just how deliberate these routines were. Where people chose to dump, or not to dump, speaks volumes about status, social roles, and community boundaries. Waste is the diary no one meant to write, yet it records the intimate rhythms of daily life with unfiltered clarity.

    Far from a nuisance, Troy’s waste is an archaeologist’s treasure trove.

    Over nearly 2,000 years, Troy ended up with 15 meters of built-up debris. Archaeologists can see nine major building phases in it, each made up of hundreds of thin layers, which formed as people lived their everyday lives. These layers act like snapshots, quietly recording how the city changed over time. Some capture hearth cleanings, others record the rebuilding of entire city quarters.

    By analysing the layers and their ratios of bones to pottery, ash concentration, presence of storage jars, grinding stones, or production debris, specific spaces of activity become visible: kitchens, workshops, storage areas, rubbish pits. What appears chaotic turns out to be a carefully structured map of everyday routines – showing where meals were prepared, tools made, and discarded objects left behind.

    A schematic cross-section through the settlement mound of Troy, revealing centuries of construction, destruction, and renewal.
    University of Tübingen/Frank Schweizer, CC BY-NC-SA

    The story these remains tell is one of profound transformation. Troy began as a modest agrarian settlement, shaped by the steady rhythms of farming, herding, and small-scale craft. Over time, it grew into a thriving regional centre.

    The archaeological record, rich in refuse, traces this long arc of change. Exotic imports fashioned from stones such as carnelian and lapis lazuli begin to appear, revealing distant trade connections. Specialised metalworking tools emerge alongside monumental architecture. some buildings stretched nearly 30 metres, signalling growing ambitions and expanding capabilities.

    This rise unfolded gradually, reflected not just in grander buildings, but in shifting tools, trade, and how people dealt with what they left behind. Waste management became more organised, with designated areas for different types of waste. This reflects broader shifts in how the community structured space and managed its economy.

    Yet this ascent was interrupted. By the mid-third millennium BC, signs that things were becoming smaller appear. Architecture simplifies, household inventories shrink, production debris declines suggesting economic slowdown or political instability.

    Still, Troy endured. By the mid-second millennium BC, the city revived. Refined ceramics, luxury imports and evidence of social complexity marked a new chapter of recovery and reinvention. This splendid settlement later became the stage for Homer’s Trojan War where Greek warriors faced the daunting task of climbing towering mounds of debris built up over centuries just to reach the palaces.

    A heap worth climbing

    These insights allow us to see Troy not just as a city of walls and towers, but as a living organism shaped by daily routines, unspoken norms and social negotiation. The waste left behind is a remarkably honest archive of bronze age society – beneath myths, stones, and poetry.

    Troy’s trash heaps are the bronze age’s search history. To know what mattered 4,500 years ago, don’t ask poets – ask the garbage. From broken tools to shared meals, from imported luxuries to scraps, this waste reveals the pulse of everyday life and society’s evolving structure.

    Ironically, these mundane refuse layers preserved the bronze age world for us. Without them, we’d know far less about early Troy’s people. Their depth and composition trace changes in economy, technology, and social structure. From scraps to towers of pottery shards, waste archaeology is key to understanding early urban complexity.

    So next time you picture Achilles storming Troy’s gates, remember: the heroes might have been divine, but their city smelled very human.

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

    – ref. We can learn a lot from Troy’s trash – https://theconversation.com/we-can-learn-a-lot-from-troys-trash-260613

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Horseflies and wasps and jellyfish – how to stay safe from stings and bites this summer

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Dan Baumgardt, Senior Lecturer, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol

    Anna Kuzmenko/Shutterstock

    Despite the glorious arrival of summer, there’s definitely a sting in the season’s tail – quite literally. Even in the UK, it’s not just sunburn we need to watch out for. From nettles to jellyfish, summer brings a full cast of prickly, buzzing, biting villains.

    My own back patio is armed with an arsenal of citronella candles and incense sticks to fend them off – not just a lifestyle choice, but a survival strategy for someone as jumpy as me around insects.

    Let’s break down the main culprits.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Plant-based stings: nettles

    First up, the humble but mighty common nettle, which thrives in hedgerows and gardens, often reaching impressive heights of up to two metres by midsummer. Their sting comes from tiny hairs called trichomes, which inject histamine and other irritants into the skin as a form of defence.

    Histamine causes the classic signs of inflammation: redness, swelling, heat and pain – all of which are evident in the raised, red rash known as urticaria (or hives). Unsurprisingly, the Latin name for the nettle family is urtica, meaning “to sting.”

    And what about that old remedy of rubbing a dock leaf on the sting? Honestly, good luck identifying one among the 200-plus species. While the sap might offer a mild soothing effect, there’s no strong evidence of an active compound that reduces symptoms.

    If it works for you, great, but calamine lotion or over-the-counter antihistamines are far more reliable. And use some form of protection in the first place – if you’re clearing them from your garden, or foraging to make nettle pesto, wear gloves and proceed carefully.

    Insects: bees, wasps and horseflies

    As temperatures rise, so do the number of stinging insects like bees and wasps, not to mention the dreaded horseflies. While most don’t sting unless provoked (a mantra I repeat to myself regularly), when they do, it can be unpleasant.

    Most stings cause local irritation – simple pain relief and antihistamines usually do the trick here. But sometimes, either the original sting or subsequent scratching can cause infections.

    Cellulitis is a deeper skin infection that can spread quickly if untreated. While milder cases may clear up with oral antibiotics, some infections can be serious – even life threatening – and require hospital care.

    If a sting site or the surrounding skin becomes red, warm, painful or swollen, seek urgent medical advice. And if you feel unwell with symptoms like fevers, chills or a racing heart, treat it as an emergency.

    Insect stings can also trigger anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. In the UK, stings account for around ten deaths per year: a small, but very sobering figure. Always take anaphylactic symptoms like facial swelling, difficulty breathing or dizziness seriously – and call 999 immediately.

    Ticks: small bites, big risks

    Tick bites are also more common in summer, thanks to more exposed skin and time spent in tall grass or woodlands. Ticks are tiny – often smaller than a poppy seed – and can be easily missed until they become engorged with blood.

    They’re usually harmless, but some ticks carry diseases like Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that can cause fatigue, joint pain and, if untreated, serious complications affecting the nervous system or heart.

    Ticks can also spread tick-borne encephalitis, a viral infection that can lead to inflammation of the brain, though it’s very rare in the UK. Watch out for the telltale bullseye rash and flu-like symptoms after a bite – and seek urgent medical advice if they appear.

    To remove a tick, use fine-tipped tweezers, gripping as close to the skin as possible and pulling steadily. Don’t twist. You want the whole tick out, legs and all. And don’t squeeze its body, as this can force potentially infected fluids into your bloodstream, raising the risk of conditions like Lyme disease, among others.

    Marine stings: jellyfish and friends

    And finally, the unexpected seaside sting. Coastal waters can play host to a range of jellyfish, from the mildly irritating to the impressively painful.

    Most UK species cause minor rashes, but be wary of the lion’s mane and the occasional (though rare) portuguese men o’war – not technically a jellyfish, but still best avoided.

    Even jellyfish washed up on shore can sting, sometimes for days. If stung, rinse the area with seawater (not fresh water), or soak in warm water. Avoid rubbing or using urine – yes, that scene in Friends is not medically sound. Peeing on a jellyfish sting can make things worse by triggering more venom release from stuck tentacles.

    If tentacles are still stuck to the skin, use tweezers or the edge of a credit card to remove them gently. Don’t use your bare hand – you could end up stinging that too.

    And like insect stings, jellyfish can rarely trigger anaphylactic shock. If someone shows symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek emergency help.

    From the garden to the seaside, summer has plenty of sting — but being prepared can make all the difference. Whether it’s nettles, bees or ticks, the best approach is prevention (think gloves, repellent and awareness), followed by prompt treatment if needed.

    Use calamine or antihistamines for rashes, and tweezers for tick or jellyfish tentacle removal. Keep a close eye out for signs of infection or allergic reaction and always seek medical advice if something doesn’t feel right.

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

    – ref. Horseflies and wasps and jellyfish – how to stay safe from stings and bites this summer – https://theconversation.com/horseflies-and-wasps-and-jellyfish-how-to-stay-safe-from-stings-and-bites-this-summer-260670

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: We can learn a lot from Troy’s trash

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stephan Blum, Research associate, Institute for Prehistory and Early History and Medieval Archaeology, University of Tübingen

    Beneath the epic tales of heroes and gods, Troy’s true story is written in something far less glamorous – its rubbish.

    When we think of Troy, we imagine epic battles, valiant deeds, cunning tricks and the wrath of gods. Thanks to Homer’s Iliad, the city is remembered as a stage for romance and heroism.

    But long before Paris stole Helen and Achilles raged on the battlefield, the people of bronze age Troy lived ordinary lives – with extraordinary consequences. They built, cooked, stored, traded and, crucially, threw things away. And they did it right where they lived.

    Today, waste is whisked away quickly – out of sight, out of mind. But in bronze age Troy (3000–1000BC), trash stayed close, often accumulating in domestic dumping grounds for generations.

    Having spent more than 16 summers excavating and analysing the bronze age layers of Troy, I’ve learned to read the city’s history this waste.

    Hundreds of thousands of animal bones from cattle, sheep, fish – even turtles – were found alongside vast quantities of pottery shards, ash, food scraps, and human waste. Sometimes, these layers were reused to level floors or build walls, showing how closely intertwined daily life and refuse management were.

    Archaeology’s dirty secret

    This wasn’t laziness or neglect, it was pure pragmatism. In a world without rubbish trucks or sanitation systems, managing refuse was neither chaotic nor careless, but a collective, spatially negotiated – and surprisingly strategic – effort.

    The excavations I have worked on as part of the University of Tübingen’s Troy Project, which has been going on since 1988, have revealed just how deliberate these routines were. Where people chose to dump, or not to dump, speaks volumes about status, social roles, and community boundaries. Waste is the diary no one meant to write, yet it records the intimate rhythms of daily life with unfiltered clarity.

    Far from a nuisance, Troy’s waste is an archaeologist’s treasure trove.

    Over nearly 2,000 years, Troy ended up with 15 meters of built-up debris. Archaeologists can see nine major building phases in it, each made up of hundreds of thin layers, which formed as people lived their everyday lives. These layers act like snapshots, quietly recording how the city changed over time. Some capture hearth cleanings, others record the rebuilding of entire city quarters.

    By analysing the layers and their ratios of bones to pottery, ash concentration, presence of storage jars, grinding stones, or production debris, specific spaces of activity become visible: kitchens, workshops, storage areas, rubbish pits. What appears chaotic turns out to be a carefully structured map of everyday routines – showing where meals were prepared, tools made, and discarded objects left behind.

    A schematic cross-section through the settlement mound of Troy, revealing centuries of construction, destruction, and renewal.
    University of Tübingen/Frank Schweizer, CC BY-NC-SA

    The story these remains tell is one of profound transformation. Troy began as a modest agrarian settlement, shaped by the steady rhythms of farming, herding, and small-scale craft. Over time, it grew into a thriving regional centre.

    The archaeological record, rich in refuse, traces this long arc of change. Exotic imports fashioned from stones such as carnelian and lapis lazuli begin to appear, revealing distant trade connections. Specialised metalworking tools emerge alongside monumental architecture. some buildings stretched nearly 30 metres, signalling growing ambitions and expanding capabilities.

    This rise unfolded gradually, reflected not just in grander buildings, but in shifting tools, trade, and how people dealt with what they left behind. Waste management became more organised, with designated areas for different types of waste. This reflects broader shifts in how the community structured space and managed its economy.

    Yet this ascent was interrupted. By the mid-third millennium BC, signs that things were becoming smaller appear. Architecture simplifies, household inventories shrink, production debris declines suggesting economic slowdown or political instability.

    Still, Troy endured. By the mid-second millennium BC, the city revived. Refined ceramics, luxury imports and evidence of social complexity marked a new chapter of recovery and reinvention. This splendid settlement later became the stage for Homer’s Trojan War where Greek warriors faced the daunting task of climbing towering mounds of debris built up over centuries just to reach the palaces.

    A heap worth climbing

    These insights allow us to see Troy not just as a city of walls and towers, but as a living organism shaped by daily routines, unspoken norms and social negotiation. The waste left behind is a remarkably honest archive of bronze age society – beneath myths, stones, and poetry.

    Troy’s trash heaps are the bronze age’s search history. To know what mattered 4,500 years ago, don’t ask poets – ask the garbage. From broken tools to shared meals, from imported luxuries to scraps, this waste reveals the pulse of everyday life and society’s evolving structure.

    Ironically, these mundane refuse layers preserved the bronze age world for us. Without them, we’d know far less about early Troy’s people. Their depth and composition trace changes in economy, technology, and social structure. From scraps to towers of pottery shards, waste archaeology is key to understanding early urban complexity.

    So next time you picture Achilles storming Troy’s gates, remember: the heroes might have been divine, but their city smelled very human.

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

    – ref. We can learn a lot from Troy’s trash – https://theconversation.com/we-can-learn-a-lot-from-troys-trash-260613

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Horseflies and wasps and jellyfish – how to stay safe from stings and bites this summer

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Dan Baumgardt, Senior Lecturer, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol

    Anna Kuzmenko/Shutterstock

    Despite the glorious arrival of summer, there’s definitely a sting in the season’s tail – quite literally. Even in the UK, it’s not just sunburn we need to watch out for. From nettles to jellyfish, summer brings a full cast of prickly, buzzing, biting villains.

    My own back patio is armed with an arsenal of citronella candles and incense sticks to fend them off – not just a lifestyle choice, but a survival strategy for someone as jumpy as me around insects.

    Let’s break down the main culprits.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Plant-based stings: nettles

    First up, the humble but mighty common nettle, which thrives in hedgerows and gardens, often reaching impressive heights of up to two metres by midsummer. Their sting comes from tiny hairs called trichomes, which inject histamine and other irritants into the skin as a form of defence.

    Histamine causes the classic signs of inflammation: redness, swelling, heat and pain – all of which are evident in the raised, red rash known as urticaria (or hives). Unsurprisingly, the Latin name for the nettle family is urtica, meaning “to sting.”

    And what about that old remedy of rubbing a dock leaf on the sting? Honestly, good luck identifying one among the 200-plus species. While the sap might offer a mild soothing effect, there’s no strong evidence of an active compound that reduces symptoms.

    If it works for you, great, but calamine lotion or over-the-counter antihistamines are far more reliable. And use some form of protection in the first place – if you’re clearing them from your garden, or foraging to make nettle pesto, wear gloves and proceed carefully.

    Insects: bees, wasps and horseflies

    As temperatures rise, so do the number of stinging insects like bees and wasps, not to mention the dreaded horseflies. While most don’t sting unless provoked (a mantra I repeat to myself regularly), when they do, it can be unpleasant.

    Most stings cause local irritation – simple pain relief and antihistamines usually do the trick here. But sometimes, either the original sting or subsequent scratching can cause infections.

    Cellulitis is a deeper skin infection that can spread quickly if untreated. While milder cases may clear up with oral antibiotics, some infections can be serious – even life threatening – and require hospital care.

    If a sting site or the surrounding skin becomes red, warm, painful or swollen, seek urgent medical advice. And if you feel unwell with symptoms like fevers, chills or a racing heart, treat it as an emergency.

    Insect stings can also trigger anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. In the UK, stings account for around ten deaths per year: a small, but very sobering figure. Always take anaphylactic symptoms like facial swelling, difficulty breathing or dizziness seriously – and call 999 immediately.

    Ticks: small bites, big risks

    Tick bites are also more common in summer, thanks to more exposed skin and time spent in tall grass or woodlands. Ticks are tiny – often smaller than a poppy seed – and can be easily missed until they become engorged with blood.

    They’re usually harmless, but some ticks carry diseases like Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that can cause fatigue, joint pain and, if untreated, serious complications affecting the nervous system or heart.

    Ticks can also spread tick-borne encephalitis, a viral infection that can lead to inflammation of the brain, though it’s very rare in the UK. Watch out for the telltale bullseye rash and flu-like symptoms after a bite – and seek urgent medical advice if they appear.

    To remove a tick, use fine-tipped tweezers, gripping as close to the skin as possible and pulling steadily. Don’t twist. You want the whole tick out, legs and all. And don’t squeeze its body, as this can force potentially infected fluids into your bloodstream, raising the risk of conditions like Lyme disease, among others.

    Marine stings: jellyfish and friends

    And finally, the unexpected seaside sting. Coastal waters can play host to a range of jellyfish, from the mildly irritating to the impressively painful.

    Most UK species cause minor rashes, but be wary of the lion’s mane and the occasional (though rare) portuguese men o’war – not technically a jellyfish, but still best avoided.

    Even jellyfish washed up on shore can sting, sometimes for days. If stung, rinse the area with seawater (not fresh water), or soak in warm water. Avoid rubbing or using urine – yes, that scene in Friends is not medically sound. Peeing on a jellyfish sting can make things worse by triggering more venom release from stuck tentacles.

    If tentacles are still stuck to the skin, use tweezers or the edge of a credit card to remove them gently. Don’t use your bare hand – you could end up stinging that too.

    And like insect stings, jellyfish can rarely trigger anaphylactic shock. If someone shows symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek emergency help.

    From the garden to the seaside, summer has plenty of sting — but being prepared can make all the difference. Whether it’s nettles, bees or ticks, the best approach is prevention (think gloves, repellent and awareness), followed by prompt treatment if needed.

    Use calamine or antihistamines for rashes, and tweezers for tick or jellyfish tentacle removal. Keep a close eye out for signs of infection or allergic reaction and always seek medical advice if something doesn’t feel right.

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

    – ref. Horseflies and wasps and jellyfish – how to stay safe from stings and bites this summer – https://theconversation.com/horseflies-and-wasps-and-jellyfish-how-to-stay-safe-from-stings-and-bites-this-summer-260670

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: How soup might soothe symptoms and support recovery from colds and flu – new research

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sandra Lucas, Senior Lecturer, School of Health Sciences, University of the West of Scotland

    New Africa/Shutterstock

    For generations, chicken soup has been a go-to remedy for people feeling under the weather. It holds a cherished place in many cultures as a comforting treatment for colds and flu. But is there any real science behind the idea that soup can help us recover from respiratory infections?

    Alongside colleagues, I conducted a systematic review to explore this question, which examined the scientific evidence on the role of soup in managing acute respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold, influenza and COVID-19.

    Out of more than 10,000 records, we identified four high-quality studies involving 342 participants. These studies tested a variety of soups, including traditional chicken broth, barley soup and herbal vegetable blends. While still early-stage, the evidence was promising.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    One study found that people who ate soup recovered up to 2.5 days faster than those who didn’t. Symptoms such as nasal congestion, sore throat and fatigue were milder. Some participants also showed reduced levels of inflammation-related markers: substances in the blood that rise when the immune system is fighting an infection.

    Specifically, levels of IL-6 and TNF-α – two proteins that help trigger inflammation – were lower in those who consumed soup. This suggests that soup may help calm an overactive immune response, potentially making symptoms less severe and recovery more comfortable.

    However, none of the studies examined how consuming soup influenced everyday outcomes of acute respiratory tract infections, such as whether people took fewer days off work or were less likely to end up in hospital. That’s a major gap in the evidence, and one that future research needs to address.

    There are several reasons soup may help. It’s warm, hydrating and typically nutrient-rich. Ingredients like garlic, onion, ginger and leafy greens have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immune-supportive properties. The warmth can also help loosen mucus, soothe sore throats and promote overall comfort during illness.

    Not just nourishment

    There’s also a strong cultural and behavioural aspect to food-based self-care: when people use food not just for nourishment, but as an intentional part of managing illness and promoting recovery.

    In many households, food becomes medicine not only because of its ingredients, but because it symbolises care, routine and reassurance.

    My previous research found that parents, in particular often turn to traditional remedies, like soup, as a first line of defence when illness strikes, often well before seeking professional medical advice.

    This reflects a growing interest in home remedies and the importance of culturally familiar treatments: remedies that feel safe, trusted and emotionally resonant because they’re part of a person’s upbringing or community norms. These kinds of treatments can increase confidence and comfort when self-managing illness at home.

    Food-based self-care may become increasingly important as pressure on healthcare systems continues to grow. With rising concerns about antimicrobial resistance, overstretched services, and lingering trauma from global pandemics, simple, evidence-informed home treatments can play a crucial role.

    They help people manage mild illness, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and avoid placing additional strain on GPs or emergency departments for minor ailments that can be safely treated at home. Even a simple phone message about the common cold – “Most common colds get better in a few days and don’t need treatment from your GP” – has been shown to reduce appointment demand by 21%, highlighting how low-cost, home-based care could ease pressure across the system.

    The Local Government Association (LGA) reports that GPs handle approximately 57 million cases of minor conditions such as coughs and colds annually, costing the NHS over £2 billion a year. It argues that educating people about effective self-care could help save GPs an hour a day on average.

    Soup fits the bill

    So chicken soup is easy to prepare, affordable, safe for most people and widely recognised as a comforting, familiar home remedy for minor illness.

    Still, our review highlighted a clear need for more research. Future studies could examine standardised soup recipes and investigate whether particular combinations of nutrients or herbs work best: does chicken soup have the same effect as barley broth or vegetable potage? Is there a difference if it’s homemade versus canned?

    Just as importantly, future research needs to measure meaningful outcomes: how quickly people return to work or school, how well they sleep during illness, how they rate their comfort and energy levels, for example.

    Soup isn’t a replacement for medicine. But alongside rest, fluids and paracetamol, it might offer a simple way to ease symptoms and help people feel better.

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

    – ref. How soup might soothe symptoms and support recovery from colds and flu – new research – https://theconversation.com/how-soup-might-soothe-symptoms-and-support-recovery-from-colds-and-flu-new-research-260960

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Over €10 billion has now been pledged for Ukraine’s recovery. It’s nowhere near enough

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham

    Clearly angered by the intensification of Russia’s air campaign against Ukraine, Donald Trump has pivoted from the suspension of US military assistance to Ukraine to promising its resumption. Russia’s strikes on major cities killed more civilians in June than have died in any single previous month, according to UN figures.

    Over the past two weeks, the US president has made several disparaging comments about his relationship with Vladimir Putin, including on July 13 that the Russian president “talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening”.

    Not only will the US resume delivery of long-promised Patriot air defence missiles, Trump is now also reported to be considering a whole new plan to arm Ukraine, including with offensive capabilities. And he has talked about imposing new sanctions on Putin’s regime.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    This is the background against which the eighth Ukraine Recovery Conference took place in Rome on July 10 and 11. The event, attended by many western leaders and senior business executives, was an important reminder that while the war against Ukraine will be decided on the battlefield, peace will only be won as the result of rebuilding Ukraine’s economy and society.

    Ending the war anytime soon and on terms favourable to Kyiv will require an enormous effort by Ukrainians and their European allies. But the country’s recovery afterwards will be no less challenging.

    According to the World Bank’s latest assessment, at the end of 2024 Ukraine’s recovery needs over the next decade stood at US$524 billion (£388 billion). And with every month the war continues, these needs are increasing. Ukraine’s three hardest-hit sectors are housing, transport and energy infrastructure, which between them account for around 60% of all damage.

    At the same time, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) provided a relatively positive assessment of Ukraine’s overall economic situation at the end of June, forecasting growth of between 2% and 3% for 2025 – likely to grow to over 4% in 2026 and 2027. But the IMF also cautioned that this trajectory – and the country’s macroeconomic stability more generally – will remain heavily dependent on external support.

    Taking into account a new €2.3 billion package from the EU, consisting of €1.8 billion of loan guarantees and €580 million of grants, the cumulative pledge of over €10 billion (£8.7 billion) made by countries attending the Ukraine recovery conference is both encouraging and sobering.

    It is encouraging in the sense that Ukraine’s international partners remain committed to the country’s social and economic needs, not merely its ability to resist Russia on the battlefield.

    But it is also sobering that even these eye-watering sums of public money are still only a fraction of Ukraine’s needs. Even if the EU manages to mobilise its overall target of €40 billion for Ukraine’s recovery, by attracting additional contributions from other donors and the private sector, this would be less than 8% of Ukraine’s projected recovery needs as of the end of 2024.

    As the war continues and more of the (diminishing) public funding is directed towards defence expenditure by Kyiv’s western partners, this gap is likely to grow.

    Overcoming the trauma of war

    Money is not the only challenge for Ukraine recovery efforts. Rebuilding the country is not simply about undoing the physical damage.

    The social impact of Russia’s aggression is hard to overstate. Ukraine has been deeply traumatised as a society since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

    Generally reliable Ukrainian casualty counts – some 12,000 civilians and 43,000 troops killed since February 2022 – are still likely to underestimate the true number of people who have died as a direct consequence of the Russian aggression. And each of these will have left behind family members struggling to cope with their loss. In addition, there are hundreds of thousands of war veterans.

    Even before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, there were nearly half a million veterans from the “frozen” conflict that followed Russia’s annexation of Crimea and incursion into eastern Ukraine. By the end of 2024, this number had more than doubled to around 1 million. Most of them have complex social, economic, medical and psychological needs that will have to be considered as part of a society-wide recovery effort.

    Returning refugees

    According to data from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), there are also some 7 million refugees from Ukraine and 3.7 million internally displaced people (IDPs). This is equivalent to one quarter of the country’s population. The financial needs of UNHCR’s operations in Ukraine are estimated at $800 million in 2025, of which only 27% was funded as of the end of April.

    Once the fighting in Ukraine ends, refugees are likely to return in greater numbers. Their return will provide a boost to the country’s economic growth by strengthening its labour force and bringing with them skills and, potentially, investment. But like many IDPs and veterans, they may not be able to return to their places of origin, either because these are not inhabitable or remain under Russian occupation.

    Some returnees are likely to be viewed with suspicion or resentment by those Ukrainians who stayed behind and fought. Tensions with Ukrainians who survived the Russian occupation in areas that Kyiv may recover in a peace deal are also likely, given Ukraine’s harsh anti-collaboration laws.

    As a consequence, reintegration – in the sense of rebuilding and sustaining the country’s social cohesion – will be a massive challenge, requiring as much, if not more, of Ukraine’s partners’ attention and financial support as physical reconstruction and the transition from a war to a peace-time economy.

    Given the mismatch between what is needed and what has been provided for Ukraine’s recovery, one may well be sceptical about the value of the annual Ukraine recovery conferences. But, to the credit of their organisers and attendees, they recognise that the foundations for post-war recovery need to be built before the war ends. The non-military challenges of war and peace must not fall by the wayside amid an exclusive focus on battlefield dynamics.

    Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU’s Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.

    – ref. Over €10 billion has now been pledged for Ukraine’s recovery. It’s nowhere near enough – https://theconversation.com/over-10-billion-has-now-been-pledged-for-ukraines-recovery-its-nowhere-near-enough-260936

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 9 killed in nursing home fire in Massachusetts

    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

    WASHINGTON, July 14 (Xinhua) — Nine people were killed and dozens were hospitalized in a fire at a nursing home in Fall River, Massachusetts, on Sunday evening, the Fall River Fire Department said.

    At a Monday morning press conference, Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon confirmed that nine people were killed and more than 30 were taken to hospital, including one in critical condition.

    Firefighters called to the Gabriel House care home in Oliver Street at around 9.30pm Sunday local time /1.30am Monday GMT/ found a large blaze at the building’s main entrance.

    Five firefighters sustained minor injuries during the operation. There were about 70 residents in the building.

    Investigators from the city fire department and the state fire marshal’s office are working to determine the cause of the fire. –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: Terrorist attack against a serviceman prevented in Russia

    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

    Moscow, July 14 /Xinhua/ — A terrorist attack planned by Ukrainian special services against one of the servicemen has been prevented in Russia’s Tyumen Region, the press service of the Russian Federal Security Service reported on Monday.

    As was established, the terrorist act was being prepared by a recruited Russian citizen born in 1987. Since the beginning of 2025, he had been transmitting information about strategic facilities in the Ural Federal District and about military trains passing along the Trans-Siberian Railway. Planning to blow up a Russian serviceman’s car, the attacker removed an explosive device from a pre-arranged cache. When detained, he put up active armed resistance and was neutralized by return fire.

    An explosive device, a traumatic pistol modified to fire live ammunition, and ammunition for it were seized at the scene. Two homemade grenades were found at the criminal’s residence. A criminal case has been opened on the fact of illegal trafficking of explosives. –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: In historic first, California powered by two-thirds clean energy – becoming largest economy in the world to achieve milestone

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jul 14, 2025

    What you need to know: Clean energy reliably powered California to levels never seen before – 67% in 2023 – as renewable energy and clean resources continue to advance the state’s world-leading energy transition while fueling the nation’s largest clean energy workforce, more than a half-million strong.

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced California achieved an historic milestone – the state was powered by two-thirds clean energy in 2023, the latest year for which data is available. California is the largest economy in the world to achieve this level of clean energy. 

    The state released new data showing California’s continued progress toward a clean energy future with 67% of the state’s retail electricity sales in 2023 coming from renewable and zero-carbon electricity generation — compared to just 61% the previous year and around 41% a decade ago. Sources of clean energy include generation from solar, wind, hydro, nuclear, geothermal and biomass. 

    In 2024, the state added a record-breaking 7,000 megawatts (MW) of clean capacity to the grid, representing the largest single-year increase in clean energy capacity added to the grid in state history. This new figure broke the previous records set in both 2022 and 2023, marking a third consecutive year of unprecedented clean energy growth.

    As the federal government turns its back on innovation and commonsense, California is making our clean energy future a reality. The world’s fourth largest economy is running on two-thirds clean power – the largest economy on the planet to achieve this milestone.

    And for the first time ever, clean energy provided 100% of the state’s power nearly every day this year for some part of the day. Not since the Industrial Revolution have we seen this kind of rapid transformation. 

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Historic investments over the past 15 years have led to an extraordinary pace of development in new clean energy generation. And as the grid is increasingly powered by clean energy, pollution is down and the economy is up. Greenhouse gas emissions in California are down 20% since 2000 – even as the state’s GDP increased 78% in that same time period. The power sector is a major driver of the decline in greenhouse gases – emissions from electric power have been cut in half since 2009, helping the state achieve its emissions reductions goals years ahead of schedule.

    California is home to the most clean energy jobs in the U.S. and the state’s renewable energy and clean vehicle industries lead the nation in growth. California boasts more than a half-million green jobs and has 7 times more clean jobs than fossil fuel jobs. Solar and wind jobs account for a majority of green jobs, and battery storage and grid modernization is the second-fastest growing sector within California’s clean energy workforce.  

    California continues to move at a rapid pace on bringing clean energy online. Since 2019, a record 25,000 MW of new energy resources statewide have been added to the grid, with most of that being solar and battery storage. This aligns with the Governor’s roadmap to the state’s clean energy future released in 2023, which called for 148,000 megawatts (MW) of new clean power by 2045.

    “California has achieved yet another major milestone on our journey to a clean energy future. The latest numbers show how our state is demonstrating that clean energy is mainstream and is here to stay,” said California Energy Commission (CEC) Chair David Hochschild. 

    Sources eligible under the state’ Renewables Portfolio Standard – such as solar and wind – made up 43% of the power mix in 2023, up from 39% in 2022. Other zero carbon resources continue to power the grid with large hydro accounting for 12% and nuclear power at 12% in 2023.

    “California has set ambitious clean energy goals, and utilities and community choice aggregators have stepped up to deliver clean resources at competitive prices to communities up and down the state,” said California Public Utilities Commission President Alice Reynolds. “We are bringing renewable energy online at an unprecedented scale and pace never seen before.”

    Solar represents the technology with the largest amount of installed renewable energy capacity in the state – over 21,000 MW of solar capacity operates the electric grid and another 19,000 MW of behind-the-meter generation. The California grid regularly breaks solar generation peak record levels  – the latest solar peak recorded in late May was over 21,500 MW of solar generation.

    The state is also doubling down on its goals by swiftly increasing its battery energy storage capacity. The state’s battery fleet now stands at over 15,000 MW – 1,944% higher than when the Governor took office in 2019. The state’s storage fleet is regularly storing any available extra solar energy generated during the day, and supporting the grid by dispatching during the evening.  

    Clean energy days

    More than 9 out of 10 days so far this year have been powered by 100% clean energy for at least some part of the day in California. In 2025, California’s grid has run on 100% clean electricity for an average of 7 hours a day.

    Data compiled by the California Energy Commission shows clean energy has powered the equivalent of 51.9 days in the state – nearly 30% of the year to date running on 100% clean electricity. That already surpasses the amount of “clean energy days” last year – and represents a 750% increase in clean energy days since 2022.

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jul 11, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement today on the court’s decision in Vasquez Perdomo, et al. v. Noem to temporarily stop federal immigration agents from unlawful suspicionless stops in California:  Justice prevailed today…

    Jul 11, 2025

    News What you need to know: Californians are strongly encouraged to use state and local resources to protect themselves from heat illness as triple digit temperatures move across the state. SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom is encouraging Californians to prepare for…

    Jul 11, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom is announcing that the California Employment Development Department is awarding $11 million to help six California organizations connect underserved adults — including veterans, people with disabilities, and at-risk young…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Adam Sherriff-Scott Joins Nicola Real Estate to Lead Leasing and Portfolio Strategy in Toronto

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Toronto, ON, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nicola Real Estate (NRE), the in-house real estate team of Canadian investment firm Nicola Wealth, welcomes industry veteran Adam Sherriff-Scott as Vice President, Leasing and Portfolio Strategy. Based in Toronto, Sherriff-Scott brings more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate to NRE at a pivotal moment of strategic growth for the firm. Adam’s addition reinforces NRE’s long-term commitment to serving clients, tenants, and partners across Central and Eastern Canada and the U.S.

    Adam joins Nicola Real Estate at a time of ongoing expansion, with the firm growing its portfolio in Canada and the U.S. In his new role, he will contribute to strengthening NRE’s leasing platform and portfolio strategy in the East, helping deepen relationships with tenants, brokers, and development partners while supporting value creation for our funds and institutional clients.

    “Adam is very well regarded in the industry. His extensive network in the brokerage community and his deal-making acumen bring immediate firepower to our strategic growth plans,” said Ron Bastin, Managing Director, Real Estate. “The NRE team is excited for Adam to bring his energy and leadership to our Toronto team. Adam’s experience and insights are expected to contribute positively to our clients and partners.”

    Prior to joining Nicola Real Estate, Adam worked as a senior broker representing local, regional, and national tenants as well as owners in both leasing and sales. His collaborative approach, deep network in the brokerage community, and knowledge of market dynamics will help position NRE’s presence for leasing and acquisition opportunities across the region.

    “I’ve had the privilege of working with Nicola Real Estate for over a decade and have consistently been impressed by their disciplined approach and long-term perspective,” said Sherriff-Scott. “What has always stood out is the quality of the people and the professionalism of every interaction. Nicola Real Estate’s client-focused mindset and commitment to creating long-term value for clients align closely with my own values. I’m excited to join a team I’ve long respected and contribute to the continued growth of the platform.”

    Adam’s client-first mindset, dedication to integrity, and willingness to listen and collaborate make him a natural fit with NRE’s culture. His addition reflects NRE’s commitment to delivering investor value through long-term, tenant-first partnerships.

    About Nicola Real Estate

    Nicola Real Estate (NRE) is the in-house real estate team of Nicola Wealth, a premier Canadian financial planning and investment firm with over $17 billion in assets under management as of May 2025. NRE has an experienced and innovative team that sources and asset manages a growing portfolio of properties in major markets across North America. The diversified portfolio includes industrial, self-storage, multi-family rental apartments, retail, seniors housing, and office assets, exceeding $10 billion in gross asset value. For more information, please visit nicolawealth.com/real-estate.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: To’Hajiilee Man Sentenced to 17 Years for 2020 Murder

    Source: US FBI

    ALBUQUERQUE – A To’Hajiilee man was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for the brutal killing of a local man in 2020. Earlier this month, that man also pled guilty in a separate case to assaulting a federal detention officer while he was in custody awaiting trial.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    According to court documents, on June 24, 2020, Antonio Chaco, 42, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, argued with Thomas Anthony Brown outside Chaco’s trailer home in To’Hajiilee. Without warning or cause, Chaco struck Brown in the face and continued to punch and kick Brown until he lost consciousness. Chaco then wrapped Brown in a square of carpet, transported Brown to a remote desert location within the Navajo Nation, and continued his assault before abandoning Brown—leaving Brown to perish in the wilderness without water, food, phone, or shelter.

    On July 4, 2020, Thomas Anthony Brown’s family found Brown’s skeletonized remains in the To’Hajiilee wilderness. The Office of the Medical Investigator later determined Brown’s cause of death was homicidal violence, including blunt-head trauma.

    Thomas Brown’s picture and cowboy hat, as displayed during sentencing

    Upon his release from prison for this crime, Chaco will be subject to five years of supervised release.

    In a separate case, Chaco pled guilty on June 30, 2025, to assaulting a federal detention officer at the Cibola County Correctional Facility while Chaco was in custody pending trial for the murder of Thomas Brown. For this offense, Chaco faces up to 20 years in prison. That sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

    U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary C. Jones and Brittany DuChaussee are prosecuting these cases. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Providence VA Service Representative Admits to Federal Extortion, Bribery, Witness Tampering Charges

    Source: US FBI

    PROVIDENCE, RI – A former benefits service representative with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Providence pleaded guilty today to a six-count indictment that charges him with three counts of bribery and one count each of extortion, gratuity received by a public official, and witness tampering, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

    Michael Darrah, 47, of Taunton, MA., solicited and accepted bribes from veterans and the family member of a veteran to approve requested dependent care benefits and/or disability benefits. In requesting payments, Darrah claimed that some of the money he sought from his victims would be used to purchase gift cards for other purported VA employees who Darrah claimed either could or did assist him in expediting and approving benefits claims.

    As reflected in the indictment:

    • Darrah requested payments and accepted approximately $3,385 from a veteran to “grease the wheels” to push paperwork through and expedite a claim for disability benefits.
    • Darrah corruptly sought and accepted $16,566 from a second veteran to expedite and approve a claim for  disability benefits.
    • Darrah sought and accepted $2,700 from a relative of a third veteran to expedite and approve the veteran’s benefits claim and he sought and accepted a “gratuity” of approximately $5,000 from the same veteran for having successfully used his position at the VA to get other VA employees to expedite and approve the claims. The indictment reflects that Darrah requested this “gratuity” despite being advised that the veteran was facing homelessness as his house was being foreclosed.
    • After becoming aware of the government’s investigation into his conduct, Darrah attempted to corruptly persuade a witness not to cooperate with the investigation and to lie about the nature of payments made to him.

    Darrah is scheduled to be sentenced on October 14, 2025. The defendant’s sentence will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter I. Roklan and Ly T. Chin.

    The matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the FBI, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Veterans Administration Police.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK and Czechia to lead global race on small modular reactors

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    UK and Czechia to lead global race on small modular reactors

    British workers will further benefit from a new generation of nuclear power.

    • Golden age of nuclear receives a major new boost, as the Prime Minister and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala sign first of a kind partnership at Downing Street today
    • both countries will now work closer together on small modular reactors to seize export opportunities, support highly-skilled jobs, boost economic growth and deliver clean, homegrown energy as part of the Plan for Change
    • follows government backing for new nuclear at the Spending Review, including selection of Rolls-Royce SMR as the preferred bidder to build the UK’s first small modular reactors and £14.2 billion investment to build Sizewell C

    British workers will further benefit from a new generation of nuclear power, as the government signs a landmark agreement with Czechia to kickstart the next chapter in the UK’s golden age of nuclear and secure high-skilled jobs. 

    Today’s agreement, set to be signed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala at Downing Street, will unlock new opportunities for industrial collaboration and the potential for the UK and Czechia to export small modular reactors to other countries in Europe. 

    It will also support the delivery of up to six new reactors in Czechia by Rolls-Royce SMR, potentially worth billions of pounds.

    It comes after Rolls Royce SMR and the Czechia’s largest public company, ČEZ, agreed last year to partner on SMR, with ČEZ acquiring a 20% stake.

    The leaders will also host a business roundtable as part of the visit to drive closer trade and investment links between the UK and Czechia to support working people.

    Building more nuclear will help drive the UK’s energy security, as part of the government’s mission to protect family finances by replacing the UK’s dependency on fossil fuel markets controlled by dictators with clean power that we control. 

    Small modular reactors are also smaller and quicker to build than traditional nuclear plants, with costs likely to come down as units are rolled out, helping to delivering clean, homegrown energy for British billpayers. 

    The government’s clean energy mission is the only route to energy security, lower bills and good jobs for the country. Investment is already booming, with over £40 billion of private investment in clean energy announced since last July.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    This agreement is about delivering for Britain – cleaner energy, better jobs, and greater security.

    By working with our Czech partners on small modular reactors, we’re backing British engineering, strengthening our industrial base, and putting the UK in a leading position to export the technologies of the future.

    This is our Plan for Change in action, taking practical steps to rebuild our economy, bring down bills, and give working people a stake in our clean energy transition.

    Peter Fiala, Prime Minister of Czechia, said:

    Nuclear energy holds significant potential for the coming years, as the sector is undergoing a true renaissance. That is why I am especially pleased that ČEZ and Rolls-Royce will cooperate on the development and production of small modular reactors. This collaboration will bring tangible benefits to both Czech and British economies, including job creation.

    The Czech Republic and the United Kingdom share a common approach to energy policy, and we have a very similar vision of what the future of energy should look like. We see the ideal energy mix as a combination of large nuclear power plants, small modular reactors and renewable energy sources.

    I am confident that this partnership with the United Kingdom will help us ensure energy security and affordable energy for future generations — a key priority of our government.

    UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 

    This government is driving to make the UK a clean energy superpower, replacing our dependence on fossil fuel markets controlled by petrostates with clean homegrown power we control. 

    Nuclear power is an essential part of that, which is why this government is ending years of a no-nuclear status quo to seize the benefits of a nuclear golden age for Britain. 

    This agreement will put the UK back where it belongs – at the very forefront of the global race on nuclear, working in lockstep with our Czech partners to deliver economic growth, clean energy and highly-skilled jobs for both nations.

    According to the International Energy Agency, the global SMR market is projected to reach up to nearly £500 billion by 2050, with today’s announcement giving the UK and Czechia the competitive advantage as frontrunners in the global race to build and export new nuclear technology. 

    This follows Rolls-Royce SMR being selected as the preferred bidder to partner with Great British Energy – Nuclear to develop small modular reactors, subject to final government approvals and contract signature – unlocking a new golden age of nuclear in the UK.  

    As part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy to revive Britain’s industrial heartlands, the government has pledged over £2.5 billion for the overall small modular reactor programme – with this project potentially supporting up to 3,000 new skilled jobs and powering the equivalent of around 3 million homes with clean, secure homegrown energy. 

    Great British Energy – Nuclear is aiming to allocate a site later this year and connect projects to the grid in the mid-2030s. Once small modular reactors and Sizewell C come online in the 2030s, combined with the new station at Hinkley Point C, this will deliver more nuclear to the grid than over the previous half century. 

    Last week, during the President Macron’s State Visit to the UK, French energy giant EDF confirmed it will take a 12.5% stake in Sizewell C, taking the project one step closer to being given the green light. At peak construction, Sizewell C will support 10,000 jobs, and thousands more in the nationwide supply chain, and create 1,500 apprenticeships.  

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Raleigh Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Nine Years

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    RALEIGH, N.C. – Enrico Ferrante Cotton, a 55-year-old resident of Raleigh, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for distribution of a quantity of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, and 40 grams or more of fentanyl.  Cotton pleaded guilty on March 26, 2025.

    According to court documents and other information presented in court, law enforcement received a tip from a confidential source in February 2024, indicating that Cotton was selling fentanyl and cocaine in the Raleigh area. On March 1, 2024, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of 32.82 grams of fentanyl from Cotton for $1,500. During this transaction, Cotton and the buyer discussed the sale of cocaine.

    In the following days, authorities learned that Cotton frequently visited a storage unit. On March 6, 2024, the K-9 unit detected substances at the storage unit, leading law enforcement to execute a search warrant. During this search, law enforcement located and seized heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, 4-anilino-N-phenethylpiperidine (ANPP), and various drug paraphernalia.

    On the same day, law enforcement conducted a follow-up search at Cotton’s residence, where they discovered 47.35 grams of fentanyl and ANPP hidden in the toilet. Additionally, they seized $9,231 in cash, four cellular phones, a loaded magazine, a money counter, and 55 rounds of ammunition from various locations within the house.

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Raleigh Police Department investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Nucci prosecuted it.   

    Related court documents and information can be found on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina’s website or on PACER by searching for case number 5:24-CR-00328-BO.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Raleigh Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Nine Years

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    RALEIGH, N.C. – Enrico Ferrante Cotton, a 55-year-old resident of Raleigh, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for distribution of a quantity of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, and 40 grams or more of fentanyl.  Cotton pleaded guilty on March 26, 2025.

    According to court documents and other information presented in court, law enforcement received a tip from a confidential source in February 2024, indicating that Cotton was selling fentanyl and cocaine in the Raleigh area. On March 1, 2024, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of 32.82 grams of fentanyl from Cotton for $1,500. During this transaction, Cotton and the buyer discussed the sale of cocaine.

    In the following days, authorities learned that Cotton frequently visited a storage unit. On March 6, 2024, the K-9 unit detected substances at the storage unit, leading law enforcement to execute a search warrant. During this search, law enforcement located and seized heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, 4-anilino-N-phenethylpiperidine (ANPP), and various drug paraphernalia.

    On the same day, law enforcement conducted a follow-up search at Cotton’s residence, where they discovered 47.35 grams of fentanyl and ANPP hidden in the toilet. Additionally, they seized $9,231 in cash, four cellular phones, a loaded magazine, a money counter, and 55 rounds of ammunition from various locations within the house.

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Raleigh Police Department investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Nucci prosecuted it.   

    Related court documents and information can be found on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina’s website or on PACER by searching for case number 5:24-CR-00328-BO.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Strong Ceremony to Honor Vietnam Veterans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Dale Strong (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON —This August, Congressman Dale W. Strong will host a 50th anniversary pinning ceremony for Vietnam War veterans who live in Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District. The event will honor those who served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces between November 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975.   

    “We owe a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who answered our nation’s call and served with honor in the United States Armed Forces during the Vietnam War. These courageous Americans stood firm in the face of danger and unimaginable hardship to ensure that freedom, democracy, and the values we hold dear would triumph over the evils of communism. This ceremony will honor them not merely as veterans, but as true American heroes who risked everything in the defense of freedom,” said Congressman Strong. 

    In 2024, Congressman Strong personally pinned 200 Vietnam Veterans who reside in Alabama’s 5th Congressional District. His office will be hosting another pinning ceremony this fall.  

    “I am proud to participate in the Vietnam Veterans 50th Anniversary Pin Program, a meaningful initiative to express our nation’s gratitude to those who served with courage and distinction. North Alabama is home to a large and vibrant veteran community whose sacrifices have strengthened the very foundation of our freedom. This program offers us an important opportunity to publicly recognize their service and to present them with a small token of appreciation for their sacrifice,” said Strong.  

    To request a 50th Commemoration pin for yourself or on behalf of a family member, please complete the Vietnam Veterans Anniversary Pin Program form on Strong.House.gov. Pins may be requested regardless of in-person ceremony attendance.   

    2025 Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pinning Ceremony  

    WHEN: August 15, 2025, at 10:00 AM  

     WHERE: Auburn University Research & Innovation Campus 
    345 Voyager Way NW, Huntsville, AL 35806 

    BACKGROUND:  

    The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act approved a program to honor Vietnam War veterans and any other members of the Armed Forces. Any Vietnam veteran living in Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District who served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces between November 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975, is eligible for a commemorative pin and congressional recognition. 

    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ALLEGHENY COUNTY – Shapiro Administration to Kick Off 2025 Urban Agriculture Tour, Highlighting Investments in Innovation, Equity, and Opportunity Feeding Progress in Urban Communities

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    July 14, 2025 – Pittsburgh, PA

    ADVISORY – ALLEGHENY COUNTY – Shapiro Administration to Kick Off 2025 Urban Agriculture Tour, Highlighting Investments in Innovation, Equity, and Opportunity Feeding Progress in Urban Communities

    Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Education Secretary Carrie Rowe will kick off the Shapiro Administration’s 2025 Urban Agriculture Tour at Bidwell Training Center in Pittsburgh, where a high-tech greenhouse expansion funded through a historic Agricultural Innovation Grant is underway, and urban students are training for in-demand culinary and horticulture careers.

    The weeklong tour will feature projects supported by PA Farm Bill Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grants, Agriculture Innovation Grants, Fresh Food Financing Grants and other Shapiro Administration investments to increase economic opportunities and help meet pressing challenges to expanding fresh food access in urban communities.

    Tour stops throughout the week will introduce dynamic Pennsylvanians working to increase fresh food access in areas where it is scarce; break down racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic barriers; and overcome historical inequities to grow opportunities for their urban neighborhoods to thrive. The tour will include stops in Johnstown on Tuesday, Carlisle on Wednesday, Philadelphia on Thursday, and the Lehigh Valley on Friday. (Separate advisories will be issued for each day.)

    WHO:
    Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding
    Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe
    State Representative Emily Kinkead
    Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey
    Bidwell Training Center Sr. Dir. of Horticulture and Agriculture Technology Ryan Gott

    WHEN:
    Monday, July 14 at 1:15 p.m. (kickoff press conference)

    WHERE:
    Bidwell Training Center, Drew Mathieson Greenhouse – 1815 Metropolitan St, Pittsburgh, PA 15233

    RSVP:
    Please email aginfo@pa.gov if you would like to attend and include location.

    ADDITIONAL MONDAY TOUR STOPS

    WHEN:
    Monday, July 14 at 9 a.m.

    WHERE:
    Ballfield Farm, 2544 Crispen Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15214

    WHAT:
    Pittsburgh Food Policy Council will lead a brief tour of an organic, North Side neighborhood farm where families grow food for their homes and donation to area food pantries.

    WHEN:
    Monday, July 14 at 3 p.m.

    WHERE:
    Blackberry Meadows Farm, 7115 Ridge Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065

    WHAT:
    Secretary Redding will tour a farm that hosts farm stays, and supplies fresh produce and pasture-raised pork to Pittsburgh-area farm markets. The farm has received significant state investments in measures to improve soil and water quality.

    WHEN:
    Monday, July 14 at 4:30

    WHERE:
    Jerry’s Custard, 2705 7th Street Road, Lower Burrell, PA 15068

    WHAT:
    Secretary Redding will tour a stop on PA Preferred® and Pennsylvania Tourism’s Scooped: An Ice Cream Trail)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: V. Zelensky discussed ways to establish peace with US special envoy

    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 said on Monday on Telegram that he met in Kyiv with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg to discuss ways to end the Russian-Ukrainian armed conflict.

    V. Zelensky expressed gratitude to K. Kellogg for his current visit to Ukraine, and to US President Donald Trump for important signals of support from official Kyiv.

    The Ukrainian leader also noted that at the meeting with the American special envoy, the main focus was on such issues as strengthening Ukraine’s air defense system, establishing joint weapons production with the United States, providing Kyiv with defensive military assistance together with Europe, etc.

    Kellogg arrived in Ukraine earlier on Monday. –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 Canada: Canada’s new government to consult on its first federal budget

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    July 14, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada 

    In the election, Canadians called for change – and Canada’s new government is moving with urgency to deliver this change. Budget 2025 will spend less and invest more to catalyze private capital, unleash investment, and build the strongest economy in the G7.

    As the new government prepares for the tabling of Budget 2025 in the fall, the Minister of Finance and National Revenue, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, is launching pre-budget consultations. Starting today, until August 28, 2025, Canadians can participate in the consultations by sharing their thoughts on key issues at Canada.ca/YourBudget.

    Consultations will focus on bringing down costs for Canadians – building on measures such as the middle-class tax cut which saves a two-income family up to $840 a year and removing GST on new homes under $1 million for first-time buyers. Consultations will also emphasize job-creation, including measures to build more homes, expedite nation-building projects, and bolster Canada’s defence industrial capacity.

    In the weeks to come, the Minister of Finance, alongside Secretary of State, Wayne Long, and Parliamentary Secretary, Ryan Turnbull, will also be meeting with stakeholders and individuals across the country as part of the pre-budget consultation process.

    This Budget will deliver on the new government’s mandate to bring down costs, keep communities safe, diversify trade, and build one strong Canadian economy. With a responsible fiscal plan – we will spend less, invest more, and build Canada as an economic force for decades to come.  

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President of the Republic of Zambia Receives Shakhboot bin Nahyan

    Source: APO


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    His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, received His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, during an official visit to the capital, Lusaka. 

    H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan conveyed the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, to H.E. President Hichilema, along with their wishes for further development and prosperity for the government and people of Zambia.

    For his part, H.E. President Hichilema, conveyed his greetings to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, along with his wishes for further growth and development for the government and people of the UAE.

    H.E. President Hichilema welcomed the visit by H.E. Shakhboot bin Nahyan, where they discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them. Furthermore, the two sides explored mutual efforts to expand and develop cooperation across various fields, for the benefit of both countries.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Philadelphia Resident Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Leading Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Organization

    Source: US FBI

    JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 180 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, on his convictions of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, crack, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on Mikal Davis, 47.

    According to information presented to the Court, from in and around April 2019 to July 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Davis conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of a mixture of heroin, five kilograms or more of a mixture of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine, and 28 grams or more of crack. Davis, who led the drug trafficking organization’s activity in Philadelphia and Johnstown, was one of the targets of a federal wiretap and was intercepted obtaining quantities of the drugs that he distributed to others. Accompanied by distributors below him, Davis frequently traveled between Philadelphia and Johnstown with drug shipments which were then stored and processed at “stash houses” throughout the Western District of Pennsylvania for distribution. During a meeting with a drug source in California for a resupply, Davis arranged for the drug parcels to be mailed to Johnstown for distribution. In the Philadelphia area, Davis met with drug sources and purchased over 2,000 grams of heroin and fentanyl and over 5,000 grams of cocaine from a source in New Jersey.

    Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

    Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Davis. Additional agencies participating in this investigation included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies.

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Study: This summer, Russians are more likely to travel around the country by car with their families

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) – Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Two thirds (62%) of Russians plan to go on holiday this summer, half (49%) will go on holiday with their spouse, and another 40% will take their children with them.

    Most often, citizens plan tourist trips by car (38%), in second place among modes of transport is the train (29%), in third place is the plane (21%). The demand for various formats of recreation is growing: the most popular were trips along eco-trails (37%) and signature tours (33%). The main motive for summer travel is a reboot. These are the results of a study on the preferences of summer recreation of Russians, conducted by ANO “National Priorities” and the Ministry of Economic Development in June 2025.

    Family vacations are still at the top of our citizens’ preferences: 49% of respondents will vacation with their spouse, and another 40% will take their children with them. This format is most popular among respondents in two age groups: 35–44 years old (57%) and 45–54 years old (54%). Among the types of transport that people will travel by this summer, the most popular is the car: 38% of respondents choose it. 29% of respondents will travel to their vacation spots by train, and 21% by plane.

    “Studies of Russian tourists’ preferences regularly record the growth in popularity of car trips. We expect that this summer the share of car tourists will grow from 38% to 43% compared to last year. For this category, we have created more than 93 ready-made tourist routes together with the regions. Detailed information about them can be found on the National Tourism Portal “Puteshestvoem.rf”. We support the development of car routes, as well as their infrastructure, with measures that are in effect within the framework of the national project “Tourism and Hospitality”. In particular, this is a program for the creation of modular hotels, non-capital infrastructure facilities within the framework of a single subsidy. In these measures, projects related to the development of car tourism are highlighted as a priority. We are working separately with the Russian Ministry of Transport on repairing roads along routes, with the Ministry of Digital Development on developing communications on roads, and with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Natural Resources on equipping tourist attractions with the necessary infrastructure,” notes Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov.

    The main tourist motive this summer is a reboot: 58% of Russians go on vacation to clear their heads and relax. In second place is the search for new experiences (52%), in third place is the restoration and strengthening of health, as well as providing an interesting vacation for their children (29% each).

    48% of respondents plan to spend less than 50 thousand rubles on a summer vacation, 32% – from 50 to 100 thousand rubles. The majority of respondents planning a summer vacation this year are young people aged 18-24 (71%) and 25-34 (73%). Half of the respondents (52%) plan to vacation for one to two weeks, while younger people (18-34) are more likely than others to plan shorter trips.

    “The study shows that Russians have begun to split the classic two-week vacation more often. Modern tourists prefer to vacation several times in the summer, choosing short trips – the so-called weekend trips. This is confirmed by the statistics of the National Tourism Portal “Puteshestvoem.rf”: the corresponding section on it is one of the most popular along with car routes. Today, the portal offers more than 200 options for short trips to almost all regions of the country, and most of them will be of interest to families with children. Family vacations are an ongoing trend, and their popularity will only grow, which is reflected in the demand for a variety of formats. We also see a growing interest in event and cultural and educational tourism,” notes Sofia Malyavina, General Director of ANO “National Priorities”.

    Perhaps the most interesting and unexpected conclusion from the study is the diversity of popular recreation formats. Thus, the leaders are eco-trail travel and signature tours: they are chosen by 37% and 33% of respondents, respectively. These formats are most in demand among young people (25-34 years old). Also popular with this age group are retreats – a quiet holiday that involves removing yourself from society, various spiritual and health practices. Creative tourism is also gaining popularity – active recreation, where you can gain new knowledge and learn new skills: it was noted by 26% of respondents.

    This year, 17% of Russians will go to the Black Sea coast of Krasnodar Krai, 12% plan to vacation in Crimea or take short trips close to home. Almost half (46%) of respondents assess seaside vacations in Krasnodar Krai as safe, 38% of respondents are ready to consider trips to the Black Sea coast if prices drop.

    8% are planning to travel abroad, while 57% of respondents expressed a desire to visit other countries if restrictions are lifted.

    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: Marat Khusnullin: The number of private homes being built using escrow accounts has exceeded 16 thousand

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Since March 1, 2025, a law has been in force in Russia regulating the use of escrow accounts in the sphere of individual housing construction (IHC). This mechanism ensures the protection of citizens’ funds from unscrupulous contractors and increases the reliability of transactions in the construction of private houses. Thus, to date, the number of private houses in the construction of which this mechanism was used has exceeded 16 thousand. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    “We see a significant increase in citizens’ interest in individual housing construction. Our task is to create conditions for people to realize their desire to live in their own home. An important component in this matter is to guarantee the security of transactions. On March 1, 2025, a law came into force providing for the use of an escrow account mechanism for individual housing construction, which has already proven itself in the construction of apartment buildings. If in the spring, about 5 thousand individual residential buildings were built using escrow, today more than 16 thousand private houses in the country are being built using this secure financial mechanism,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    The Deputy Prime Minister recalled that escrow accounts guarantee the protection of equity holders’ funds at all stages of construction. Buyers are assured that their money will be transferred to the contractor only after construction is completed. This means that in the event of a missed deadline or other violations, citizens will be able to return their investments.

    The number of construction companies ready to work with escrow in the construction of private homes is also growing. According to the state company DOM.RF, the number of such contractors has grown more than 2.5 times – from 1.8 thousand on March 1 to 4.7 thousand companies at the current moment.

    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: Dmitry Chernyshenko: Volunteers of “Dobro.RF” have already fulfilled more than 650 thousand requests for assistance to participants of the SVO and their families

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    On July 14, the “Dobro” shift of the 11th All-Russian Youth Educational Forum “Territory of Meanings” of the “Rosmolodezh.Forums” platform opened, which this year became part of the national project “Youth and Children”.

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko greeted the participants and presented them with the “For Good Deeds” badge and the “Volunteer of Russia” badge.

    “As our President Vladimir Putin said, compassion and volunteerism have always been inherent in our country. One of the milestones that we need to remember is the preparation of the volunteer corps for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi. This event was held at the highest level largely due to the fact that our country demonstrated the face of a new, modern, young, energetic, friendly Russia precisely through volunteers, through their work,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

    At that time, 25 thousand volunteers were trained, the competition was higher than in the most prestigious universities – more than 10 people per place. Dmitry Chernyshenko recalled that Vladimir Putin personally presented diplomas to the winners of the volunteer competition.

    The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that in Russia one can realize one’s potential and talents in a wide variety of areas.

    “The President has instructed us to provide all possible, necessary support within the framework of the national project “Youth and Children” so that you can implement this in the most effective way. But of course, you yourselves are the most powerful driving force of volunteerism in our country,” he added.

    Key measures in this area are collected in the federal project “We are together”. Among them are 12 events, including support for the association “Dobro.rf” and the project

    Dmitry Chernyshenko reported that there are already 88 regional centers for the development of volunteerism, more than 1,000 “Dobro.Centers” and 3,500 headquarters in Russia.

    “We understand that this is in fact only the beginning of a long journey, given the task that the President set for us: almost half of all young people should be involved in volunteer and social activities. I am sure that in order to improve the platform, it will be necessary to expand its functionality. The Government gave such an order, but I see that you yourself, with your actions, suggest what these events should be,” the Deputy Prime Minister noted.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko thanked the volunteers and listed a number of key tasks facing them. Firstly, this is support for participants in the special military operation, their families and assistance to residents of border areas. Volunteers have already fulfilled more than 650 thousand requests, and more than 600 humanitarian missions have been carried out in Donbass and border areas. Secondly, the elimination of the consequences of the emergency in Anapa. In Krasnodar Krai alone, volunteers have collected and removed about 150 thousand tons of contaminated sand and soil, and saved 7.5 thousand birds. Thirdly, volunteers have provided invaluable assistance in the fight against fires in Zabaikalsky Krai.

    In conclusion, the Deputy Prime Minister instructed Rosmolodezh, together with the forum participants, to work out ways to reward feats with event-related ties.

    At the opening ceremony of the shift, the Deputy Prime Minister presented the “For Good Deeds” badge and the “Volunteer of Russia” badge.

    The “For Beneficence” badge of distinction was established by the decree of the President. It was awarded for systematic work in the social sphere. It was received by the winners of the International Prize

    The procedure for rewarding and awarding the “Volunteer of Russia” badge was approved by the Government Resolution. The first to receive the award at the opening of the “Dobro.Conference” were nine volunteers from different regions of Russia. Among them were Olga Ponomareva from the Volgograd Region, Kristina Paraskan from the Zaporozhye Region, Valentina Shustova from the Kirov Region, Zayana Abdulova from the Republic of Kalmykia, Eduard Gaitov from the Chelyabinsk Region, Vera Tukhvatullina from the Tyumen Region, Elmira Anokhina from the Astrakhan Region, Elena Gavrilenko from the Krasnoyarsk Region, Natalia Rastegaeva from the Tambov Region.

    “The new award “Volunteer of Russia” is a symbol of recognition and respect for a significant contribution to volunteer activities and a way to thank volunteers for the good deeds that they do without even thinking, at the call of their hearts. It is symbolic that volunteers received their first badges at our flagship forum “Territory of Meanings”, where the traditional “Dobro.Conference” is taking place, bringing together more than 600 people,” said Grigory Gurov, head of Rosmolodezh.

    The Dobro shift united people who actively participate in volunteer activities, create social projects, work in NGOs and develop volunteerism in Russia. The shift’s architect is the Dobro.RF social development ecosystem.

    “By 2030, every second young person will participate in public and volunteer initiatives. To do this, we will design a set of solutions that will unlock the potential of those willing to take part in social projects. Participants will work on creating an exchange of needs for volunteer and charitable assistance in Russia, a standard for attracting volunteers to eliminate emergencies, a program for the social mission of universities, and support measures for NGOs. We will support and scale up best practices – from preventing homelessness to supporting families in new regions,” said Artem Metelev, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Youth Policy and Head of Dobro.RF.

    In total, five shifts are planned for the Territory of Meanings forum this year: Family, Good, Creation, Unity, and Service. The forum is being implemented as part of the national project Youth and Children. It is being held in the Senezh Management Workshop, the educational center of the presidential platform Russia – Country of Opportunities in Solnechnogorsk for the seventh time.

    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: A pilot project for large families to purchase discounted electronic tickets has been launched in St. Petersburg

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    A pilot project for purchasing discounted electronic tickets for suburban trains has been launched in St. Petersburg as part of the development of the “life situation” service for large families on the public services portal. A special application has been developed to implement the project, through which its participants can buy discounted tickets. This eliminates the need to stand in line at the ticket office and personally present a certificate of a large family. To board a train, it is enough to show the inspector the electronic ticket from the smartphone screen.

    When project participants purchase tickets in the application, their right to benefits is confirmed automatically. To do this, you need to enter your SNILS and date of birth. The technical interaction of information systems to ensure such automatic confirmation was organized by the Ministry of Transport together with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, as well as the Analytical Center under the Government.

    The peculiarity of the services “life situations” is that the services that are necessary for people and businesses in certain circumstances are provided comprehensively and in one place. With the help of the services “life situations” the time for receiving government services, the number of visits to departments and documents that need to be provided are reduced.

    Work on launching the “life situations” services is being carried out within the framework of the federal project “State for People”, which is supervised by Deputy Prime Minister – Head of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko.

    “The “life situations” services help people quickly and easily solve the most important issues. Among them are registration and receipt of a pension, replacement of documents, construction of a house and, of course, support for large families. The functions of this service will be expanded based on the results of a pilot project that is currently underway in St. Petersburg. In addition to the possibility of registering the status and electronic certificate of a large family, it is planned to add the purchase of discounted electronic tickets in all regions of the country,” said Dmitry Grigorenko.

    The pilot project for large families – participants of the project will last until October of this year. Based on its results, the issue of the possibility of implementing this project throughout the country will be considered.

    As part of the expansion of the “life situation” functionality for large families, the possibility of including air transport in the program for purchasing discounted electronic tickets is also being considered.

    At the federal level, “life situations” services for citizens and businesses have been implemented since 2023. There are currently 35 of them available. Since 2024, more than 150 regional “life situations” services have also been operating.

    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 –