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Category: Science

  • MIL-OSI: BEN Expands into Hospitality with AI Concierge

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WILMINGTON, Del., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — What happens when an AI innovator enters one of the world’s most service-driven industries? For BEN, it enters a new vertical—reimagining hospitality with personalized, intelligent AI. That journey begins at one of Eastern Europe’s top luxury hotels, delivering a next-generation guest experience that blends high-touch service with human-like intelligence.

    Brand Engagement Network Inc. (BEN) (Nasdaq: BNAI), an innovator in AI-powered customer engagement, announced it has entered into a formal agreement with Seven Visions Resort & Places, The Dvin (The Dvin), to develop and deploy BEN’s expert Concierge AI Agent at the iconic Yerevan destination. This collaboration signifies BEN’s entry into the hospitality sector, which the parties believe will establish a new standard for AI-enhanced luxury guest experiences on a larger scale.

    A Two-Phase Pilot Initiative Designed for Impact

    The collaboration will begin with a two-phase pilot initiative, starting with a 24/7 Concierge AI Agent and following with a Reservation AI Agent. Both are powered by BEN’s modular iSKYE platform, allowing clients to deploy high-impact use cases quickly and scale across the guest journey. 

    With this initiative, BEN enters the hospitality industry, offering secure, guest-first AI tailored for high-touch customer experience, marking a strategic expansion into a new vertical.

    A Setting Built for Innovation

    “Introducing AI at this level isn’t just about adopting new technology—it’s about redefining luxury,” said Dvin owner Artak Tovmasyan, who also holds a 30% stake in a cybersecurity firm serving over 85% of Dubai’s hotels. “We chose BEN for their secure, guest-first platform—designed with trust, speed, and world-class execution in mind.”

    “This is an opportunity to demonstrate the versatility of BEN’s AI platform in a setting where service excellence is paramount,” said Paul Chang, CEO of Brand Engagement Network.

    For more information about BEN, visit www.beninc.ai.

    About Seven Visions Resort & Places, The Dvin
    Seven Visions Resort & Places, The Dvin stands as Armenia’s crown jewel — a historical and cultural entertainment destination where timeless heritage meets bold innovation. Globally recognized with 15 international awards and several Guinness nominations, it stands as a symbol of excellence on the world stage — including titles such as World’s Leading Hotel Dining & Entertainment Experience 2023 and 2024, World’s Best New MICE Hotel 2023, as well as multiple awards as Europe’s and Armenia’s Leading Hotel. Seven Visions plays a key role in making Armenia a top MICE destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions worldwide. Its mission is clear: to place Armenia on the global touristic map. The resort features 153 artfully appointed rooms and suites, providing guests with unparalleled comfort and an immersive stay. At the heart of Seven Visions Resort & Places lies The Dvin Music Hall — the largest ceremony venue in the region, having hosted weddings, prestigious events, and prominent guests. The One & Only Theatre, home to the world’s only ceiling-stage, redefines live entertainment with an immersive experience. Hayrik Restaurant by Seven Visions elevates Armenian cuisine, blending tradition with modern techniques and global influences in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. For a unique entertainment experience, the Stage Gastro Show Club pairs fine cuisine with live acrobatic performances, creating a memorable sensory experience. Relaxation flows seamlessly at The Pool, a breathtaking infinity pool designed for inspiration and serenity. Guests can also focus on wellness at Body & Soul Fitness Center, featuring advanced training equipment, a tennis court, and a Cross Fit zone. For business meetings, Hartak Meeting Places offers 12 high-tech venues ideal for conferences, networking events, expos, summits, and exclusive gatherings. The resort also houses ARTaments in Future Tower, a premium business center where only market-leading companies rent exclusive office spaces. Finally, N7 Beach Club, located 1,111 meters above sea level and enclosed by a one-glass facade, boasts the 4th biggest infinity pool of its kind in the world, making it one of the most iconic aquatic experiences globally. And this is just the beginning — with visionary new projects on the horizon, including a world-class casino and an opulent, internationally acclaimed spa, Seven Visions Resort & Places, The Dvin continues to shape the future of hospitality, culture, and global tourism.
    Learn more at 7visionshotels.com.

    About Brand Engagement Network Inc. (BEN)
    Brand Engagement Network Inc. (BEN) (Nasdaq: BNAI) innovates in AI-powered customer engagement by delivering safe, intelligent, scalable solutions. Its proprietary Enterprise Language Model (ELM™) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG™) architecture enable highly personalized interactions supported by customers’ curated data in closed-loop environments. BEN develops AI-driven engagement solutions for the life sciences, automotive, and retail industries, featuring AI-powered avatars for outbound campaigns, inbound customer service, and real-time recommendations. With a global AI research and development team, BEN provides secure cloud-based and on-premises deployments, granting complete control of the technology stack and ensuring compliance with GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, and SOC 2 Type 1 standards. The company holds 21 patents, with 28 pending, demonstrating its commitment to advancing AI-driven consumer engagement.
    Learn more at www.beninc.ai.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements in this communication are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws. They are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect, among other things, BEN’s current expectations, assumptions, plans, strategies, and anticipated results. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance.

    There are a number of risks, uncertainties and conditions that may cause BEN’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A of Risk Factors in BEN’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the other risk factors identified from time to time in the BEN’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Filings with the SEC are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

    Many of these circumstances are beyond BEN’s ability to control or predict. These forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions on BEN’s part. These forward-looking statements may include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” “may,” “will,” “might,” “could,” “would,” or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on BEN’s behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements that appear throughout this communication. Furthermore, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which are based on the information currently available to the Company and speak only as of the date they are made. BEN disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements.

    Media Contact 
    Amy Rouyer
    P: 503-367-7596
    E: amy@beninc.ai

    Investor Relations
    Susan Xu
    P: 778-323-0959
    E: sxu@allianceadvisors.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c4acfcc4-228d-4129-803b-0a67ff1bf6b6

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Tough Drill at Witch Hazel Hill

    Source: NASA

    Written by Alex Jones, Ph.D. candidate at Imperial College London 

    After a busy few months exploring the outer slopes of the Jezero crater rim at an area named “Witch Hazel Hill,” the Perseverance Science Team was eyeing another sample of these truly ancient rocks, which likely predate Jezero crater itself.  
    The target? A rock containing spherules, which could shed a light on volcanic- or impact-related processes occurring in Mars’ most ancient past. After a search of several outcrops, the “Hare Bay” abrasion patch at “Pine Pond” revealed suitably accessible and spherule-bearing bedrock for sampling. 
    On Sol 1483 of the mission, sampling was a-go… But Mars wasn’t keen to give its secrets away too easily. 
    As data began arriving on Earth, it became clear Perseverance had managed to drill into the rock but had stopped short of retracting the drill and storing the sample. It transpired that this rock was particularly hard — a far cry from the crumbly rocks of the upper crater rim that fell apart when faced with Perseverance’s drill bit.  
    This isn’t the first time a hard rock has gotten in the way of sampling; an extremely hard-to-crack boulder on the Jezero fan top stopped the drill short. This time though, the drill penetrated the rock as expected, but faulted during retraction. After a few sols of hard work by the engineering team, however, there were smiles all round as images of the successfully retracted drill reached Earth.
    But Mars wasn’t finished with surprises yet.
    The “Bell Island” core contained the spherules the team were looking for, but the sample tube was overfilled. This meant that excess core length would prevent the sample from being sealed. In the end, the team opted to execute a dump activity to clear at least some of the sample out of the tube. This activity succeeded in removing enough sample that the tube can now be sealed in the future. As has been the case in the past on Mars, the most exciting discoveries often require a little Perseverance…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Eclipses, Auroras, and the Spark of Becoming: NASA Inspires Future Scientists

    Source: NASA

    In the heart of Alaska’s winter, where the night sky stretches endlessly and the aurora dances across the sky in a display of ethereal beauty, nine undergraduate students from across the United States were about to embark on a transformative journey. These students had been active ‘NASA Partner Eclipse Ambassadors’ in their home communities, nine of more than 700 volunteers who shared the science and awe of the 2024 eclipse with hundreds of thousands of people across the country as part of the NASA Science Activation program’s Eclipse Ambassadors project. Now, these nine were chosen to participate in a once-in a lifetime experience as a part of the “Eclipses to Aurora” Winter Field School at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Organized by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and NASA’s Aurorasaurus Citizen Science project, supported by NASA, this program offered more than just lectures—it was an immersive experience into the wonders of heliophysics and the profound connections between the Sun and Earth.
    From January 4 to 11, 2025, the students explored the science behind the aurora through seminars on solar and space physics, hands-on experiments, and tours of cutting-edge research facilities like the Poker Flat Research Range. They also gained invaluable insight from Athabaskan elders, who shared local stories and star knowledge passed down through generations. As Feras recalled, “We attended multiple panels on solar and space physics, spoke to local elders on their connection to the auroras, and visited the Poker Flat Research Range to observe the stunning northern lights.”
    For many students, witnessing the aurora was not only a scientific milestone, but a deeply personal and emotional experience. One participant, Andrea, described it vividly: “I looked to the darkest horizon I could find to see my only constant dream fulfilled before my eyes, so slowly dancing and bending to cradle the stars. All I could do, with my hands frozen and tears falling, I began to dream again with my eyes wide open.” Another student, Kalid, reflected on the shared human moment: “Standing there under the vast Alaskan sky… we were all just people, looking up, waiting for something magical. The auroras didn’t care about our majors or our knowledge—they brought us together under the same sky.”
    These moments of wonder were mirrored by a deeper sense of purpose and transformation. “Over the course of the week, I had the incredible opportunity to explore auroras through lectures on solar physics, planetary auroras, and Indigenous star knowledge… and to reflect on these experiences through essays and presentations,” said Sophia. The Winter Field School was more than an academic endeavor—it was a celebration of science, culture, and shared human experience. It fostered not only understanding but unity and awe, reminding everyone involved of the profound interconnectedness of our universe.
    The impact of the program continues to resonate. For many students, that one aurora-lit week in Alaska became a turning point in the focus of their careers. Sophia has since been accepted into graduate school to pursue heliophysics. Vishvi, inspired by the intersection of science and society, will begin a program in medical physics at the University of Pennsylvania this fall. And Christy, moved by her time at the epicenter of aurora research, has applied to the Ph.D. program in Space Physics at the University of Alaska Fairbanks—the very institution that helped spark her journey. Their stories are powerful proof that the Winter Field School didn’t just teach—it awakened purpose, lit new paths, and left footprints on futures still unfolding.
    Eclipse Ambassadors is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number 80NSS22M0007 and is part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. Learn more about how Science Activation connects NASA science experts, real content, and experiences with community leaders to do science in ways that activate minds and promote deeper understanding of our world and beyond: https://science.nasa.gov/learn/about-science-activation/

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Awards Launch Service Task Order for Aspera’s Galaxy Mission

    Source: NASA

    NASA has selected Rocket Lab USA Inc. of Long Beach, California, to launch the agency’s Aspera mission, a SmallSat to study galaxy formation and evolution, providing new insights into how the universe works.
    The selection is part of NASA’s Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) launch services contract. This contract allows the agency to make fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity launch service task order awards during VADR’s five-year ordering period, with a maximum total contract value of $300 million.
    Through the observation of ultraviolet light, Aspera will examine hot gas in the space between galaxies, called the intergalactic medium. The mission will study the inflow and outflow of gas from galaxies, a process thought to contribute to star formation.
    Aspera is part of NASA’s Pioneers Program in the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington, which funds compelling astrophysics science at a lower cost using small hardware and modest payloads. The principal investigator for Aspera is Carlos Vargas at the University of Arizona in Tucson. NASA’s Launch Services Program, based at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, manages the VADR contract.
    To learn more about NASA’s Aspera mission and the Pioneers Program, visit:
    https://go.nasa.gov/42U1Wkn
    -end-
    Joshua Finch / Tiernan DoyleHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1600joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov / tiernan.doyle@nasa.gov
    Patti BiellingKennedy Space Center, Florida321-501-7575patricia.a.bielling@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Ireland’s Competitiveness Confirmed – Minister Peter Burke

    Source: Government of Ireland – Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation

    15th May 2025

    The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, has welcomed the publication of Re-estimating Ireland’s International Competitiveness Performance, the latest bulletin by the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC).

    Minister Burke said:

     “This analysis marks a very welcome contribution by the Council and confirms that the Irish economy is internationally competitive. However, we cannot become complacent, and there remains work to do in many areas. The Council’s findings will make a valuable contribution in the preparation of the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity.”

    “Despite our strong international performance, we are also aware that there are challenges, and it is important that we do not take our current strengths for granted. This is reflected in the decision taken by Cabinet to expedite delivery of the Action Plan, which will play a key role in addressing these challenges and safeguarding our competitiveness performance into the future.”

    This Bulletin explores how Ireland’s performance in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2024 is affected when selected indicators are rescaled using Modified Gross National Income (GNI*) in place of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 

    The findings show that Ireland’s competitiveness performance remains strong with this adjustment. In fact, it rises by one position in the ranking, with improvements in three of the four pillars. The analysis explores how Ireland’s competitiveness profile changes when key metrics are recalibrated to better reflect the scale of the domestic economy.

    The IMD World Competitiveness Ranking is a widely used international benchmark, assessing over 60 economies across four key pillars and 20 sub-pillars, and based on 250 individual measures. In the 2024 IMD results, Ireland was ranked 4th overall. The analysis included in this Bulletin involves replicating the IMD methodology from the ground up, in order to facilitate the substitution of GNI* for GDP for Ireland. 

    Key findings from the Bulletin include:

    • Ireland’s competitiveness ranking improves by one place when GDP-based indicators are adjusted using GNI*, with notable gains in Economic Performance (up seven places) and Infrastructure (up two places). Business Efficiency is unchanged, while Government Efficiency declines slightly, reflecting a more constrained fiscal profile when public finance metrics are expressed over a smaller income base.
    • The analysis underscores the importance of context-sensitive benchmarking, especially when using international indices to inform national policy. This Bulletin highlights the need to interpret international indices critically, understanding their underlying assumptions, and where necessary, supplementing them with alternative analyses that better capture national circumstances.

    NOTES TO EDITORS

    The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) was established in 1997 (then the National Competitiveness Council) to report to the Taoiseach, through the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, on key competitiveness issues facing the Irish economy.   In 2019, the NCPC was designated as Ireland’s National Productivity Board. 

     As part of its work, the NCPC makes recommendations on policy actions required to enhance Ireland’s competitive position. The NCPC publishes three main research outputs:

    • The Competitiveness Scorecard benchmarks Ireland against international competitors on areas of competitiveness and productivity. This is published every three years (and was last published in 2024).
    • The Competitiveness Challenge is an annual publication in which the NCPC makes recommendations for Government on key challenges to Ireland’s international competitiveness.
    • NCPC Bulletins are short and focused research notes, examining specific topics within the sphere of competitiveness and productivity. The NCPC releases multiple Bulletins each year. These short pieces often feed into the NCPC’s main Challenges report.

     The members of the Council are:

    Dr. Frances Ruane      Chair, National Competitiveness and Productivity Council

    Dr. Laura Bambrick    Head of Social Policy & Employment Affairs, ICTU

    Edel Clancy                Group Director of Corporate Affairs, Musgrave Group

    Kevin Sherry               Interim Chief Executive, Enterprise Ireland 

    Ciaran Conlon             Director of Public Policy, Microsoft Ireland

    Luiz de Mello             Director of Country Studies, Economics Department, OECD

    Maeve Dineen             Chair of Ireland’s Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman

    Brian McHugh            Chairperson, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission

    Gary Tobin                 Assistant Secretary, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

    Michael Lohan            Chief Executive, IDA Ireland

    Liam Madden             Independent Consultant, Semiconductor Industry

    Neil McDonnell          Chief Executive, ISME 

    Bernadette McGahon  Director of Innovation Services, Industry Research & Development Group 

    Danny McCoy             Chief Executive, IBEC

    Michael Taft               Research Officer, SIPTU

    Representatives from the Departments of An Taoiseach; Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Environment, Climate and Communications; Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Social Protection; Finance; Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Justice; Public Expenditure and Reform; Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and Transport attend Council meetings in an advisory capacity.

    Research, Analysis and Secretariat from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment:

    Dr. Dermot Coates      

    Rory Mulholland                    

    Dr. Keith Fitzgerald

    Pádraig O’Sullivan                 

    Erika Valiukaite

    Jordan O’Donoghue

    Patrick Connolly

    ENDS

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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Science Unites: Polytechnic and Universities of Uzbekistan Build a Sustainable Future

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    Teachers of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade of SPbPU took part in the largest scientific events in the leading universities of Uzbekistan – inKarshi State University and the Tashkent State Technical University named after Islam Karimov, and also held open lectures for students of the Tashkent State University of Economics.

    The international conference “Green Energy and Green Economy” was held at Karshi University, bringing together specialists from various countries. It was attended by teachers from three Higher Schools of IPMEiT: the Higher School of Engineering and Economics (HSE), the Higher School of Industrial Management (HSIM), and the Higher School of Service and Trade (HSST).

    Professor of VIES Alexander Babkin, at the invitation of the organizing committee, became a speaker, plenary speaker and moderator of the section “Formation of a green economy”. He presented a report on the topic “Green digital intelligent economy and Industry 5.0/6.0”, in which he outlined a new paradigm of a green intelligent economy based on the ESG concept, focusing on the rapid development of digital technologies both in the economy and industry.

    Interaction with specialists from the Faculty of Economics of Karshi State University has been going on for more than two years and is developing successfully. Having gathered on its site representatives of universities, scientific and public organizations, industrial enterprises, this conference has become a platform for exchanging knowledge and experience in the field of sustainable ESG development, – emphasized Alexander Vasilyevich.

    At the plenary session in an online format, Olga Kalinina, Director of the Higher School of Industrial Management, spoke with a report on the results of the work obtained by the teachers of the Higher School of Industrial Management, working within the framework of the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in energy management.

    The second day of work was held in the format of sectional meetings, where the discussion of current issues on the conference topic continued. The sections in the online format were attended by teachers of the Higher School of Management and Management — associate professors Maxim Izmailov, Alexander Titov, Roman Okorokov and assistant Sergey Chayuk. They presented their scientific research in the field of strategies and methods for reducing the carbon footprint, prospects for using wave power plants in the context of digital transformation, features of digital transformation in the energy sector, as well as the practical application of artificial intelligence in the energy sector.

    The second significant event for the development of international cooperation of the Polytechnic University was the participation of IPMEiT teachers at the invitation of the Tashkent State Technical University named after Islam Karimov (TashSTU) in the international scientific and practical conference “Optimization of Industrial Economics and Management Based on Innovative Technologies: Modern Approaches”.

    Professor of VIES Alexander Babkin spoke at the plenary session with a report on the topic “The concept of digital strategizing the development of intelligent industrial ecosystems in the context of Industry 5.0/6.0”. At the plenary session of the TashSTU conference, Olga Kalinina, Director of the Higher School of Industrial Management, and Irina Zaychenko, Head of Educational Programs of the Functional Management Cluster, Associate Professor, spoke with a joint report on the topic: “The Role of Higher Education in the Sustainable Development of Society in the Training of Management Personnel for Industry in the Context of Digitalization”. In their speech, the colleagues highlighted the main features of training highly qualified personnel in the context of ensuring technological leadership.

    Our cooperation with the Department of Economics and Management in Industry of TashSTU, headed by Professor Gulchekhra Allaeva, began in April 2022. During this time, not only certain scientific results were achieved, but also partnership and friendly relations were established between our structural divisions. I hope that we will not stop there and will continue to increase cooperation, – Olga Kalinina noted.

    At the sectional meeting, Ekaterina Fedorakhina, an intern at the Higher School of Management and Management of Management, a 2nd-year Master of the educational program “Digital Business Management”, presented a report on the topic “Trends in the development of industry in the Russian Federation in the context of digital transformation.”

    The reports of our colleagues from St. Petersburg set a high scientific level for the discussion. Their approaches to training personnel are especially relevant for our educational environment, – emphasized the organizer of the conference, head of the Department of Economics and Management in Industry at TashSTU Gulchekhra Allaeva.

    Concluding the visit of Polytechnic representatives to universities in Uzbekistan, Acting Director of the Higher School of Public Administration Olga Nadezhina visited the Tashkent State University of Economics (TSUE), which is partner of our university from 2022.

    She took part in a methodological seminar for teachers, organized by the Department of Economic Security of TSUE, where key areas of development of personnel training in the field of AML/CFT were discussed, including the introduction of advanced educational and scientific practices of the HSSU IPMEiT, the organization of joint scientific events for teachers and students, and the development of partnerships between the educational structural divisions of the two universities.

    Cooperation between our universities opens new horizons for students and teachers, combining best practices and innovative approaches in education and science. I am confident that joint initiatives will make a significant contribution to the development of academic dialogue and the training of highly qualified specialists for our countries, Olga Nadezhina emphasized.

    In addition, lectures and practical classes on the course “Food Security” were held for TSUE students, which aroused great interest and facilitated the exchange of relevant knowledge in this area.

    Participation of IPMET representatives in major events of three universities of the Republic of Uzbekistan became another important step in strengthening scientific and educational cooperation and exchange of experience between Russian and Uzbek universities. Colleagues presented the results of fundamental, applied and methodological research that are part of the joint international research agenda in the field of green economy, industry and economic security in the context of digitalization and new reality, – summed up the work of IPMET representatives, Director of the Institute Vladimir Shchepinin.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Scientists from Akademgorodok have proven that terahertz radiation can become an effective method for diagnosing cancer and eye diseases

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    Researchers from the Laboratory of Nuclear and Innovative Medicine of Novosibirsk State University, together with specialists from the Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology (NIIKEL, a branch of the ICG SB RAS), the Novosibirsk branch of the S.N. Fedorov National Medical Research Center for Scientific and Technical Complex “Microsurgery of the Eye” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS (NIOC SB RAS), and the G.I. Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP SB RAS) conducted a series of experiments to study the effects of various protocols for irradiating rabbit eyes with terahertz radiation. The results of the study were published in the article “Assessment of the general clinical condition and functional properties of the eyes of rabbits after THz irradiation” published in the journal Biomedical Optics Express.

    The studies were conducted on a unique source of terahertz radiation of the biological user station of the Novosibirsk Free Electron Laser (NFEL) of the Institute of Nuclear Physics SB RAS with a frequency of 2.3 THz and an intensity of 0.012–0.024 mW/cm2. Irradiation durations of 15 and 30 minutes with different intensities were used.

    The scientists specified that all observed changes in the cornea of the laboratory animals were subclinical, i.e. asymptomatic, and did not lead to significant pathological changes. These scientific studies are aimed at developing future instructions and recommendations for working with THz radiation and have been approved by the Ethics Committee.

    — In the process of preparing and conducting the experiment, it was necessary to generate a lot of know-how and life hacks related to both purely practical issues, for example, with the delivery of rabbits to the INP for irradiation in winter, and with the organization of their ophthalmological examination. Some of the diagnostic studies were carried out on equipment provided to us by the Interra veterinary network and its director Elena Drobot, which greatly simplified our logistics. And in general, this is a very large-scale experiment in terms of the number of participants, which was conceived by NSU and which was completely impossible to implement without the INP, namely without the unique FEL installation and this user station. The task that we set for ourselves — to see how terahertz radiation affects the tissues of a healthy organism of a large model animal — we accomplished. And it is rabbits as an object of research that are good because the data obtained on them are most extrapolated to humans, — said the head of the Laboratory of Nuclear and Innovative Medicine Physics Department of NSU Vladimir Kanygin.

    The collaboration of scientists approached the preparation and setting up of the experiment very carefully, performing each stage as thoroughly as possible. This was necessary to cut off any external factors affecting living organisms, such as a change in the usual temperature regime, stress from transportation, etc. Before the experiment, the laboratory animals underwent a 14-day quarantine in the vivarium of the NIOC SB RAS. Before the start of the experiments, the veterinarians participating in the work conducted a full examination of the animals to exclude possible eye diseases, such as cataracts.

    Diagnostic examinations of rabbits were conducted on day zero, i.e. on the day of irradiation, the next day, a week later and a month later by specialists of the Scientific and Technical Complex “Microsurgery of the Eye”. Veterinarians monitored the condition of the rabbits at each stage of irradiation and after it.

    — Ophthalmologists conducted diagnostic studies of the rabbits’ eyes using optical computed tomography and endothelial microscopy. Our study confirms the fact of the dose-dependent effect of terahertz radiation at high frequencies on the structures of the anterior segment of the eye, in particular, on the endothelial layer of the cornea, which is a unique “pump” for maintaining optimal hydration and homeostasis of the cornea, — explained Kristina Krasner, assistant of the Department of Surgical Diseases of the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies of NSU, ophthalmologist of the Novosibirsk branch of the Scientific and Technical Complex “Microsurgery of the Eye”, junior researcher of the laboratory of cell technologies of the Research Institute of Cellular and Electron Microsurgery.

    On the day of irradiation, the animals’ blood was tested, which showed that a systemic inflammatory process was occurring in the body. However, scientists came to the conclusion that this was the body’s reaction to stress, since living organisms have no mechanisms of protection against terahertz radiation.

    Further studies have shown that terahertz radiation with parameters of 2.3 THz and intensity of 0.012–0.024 mW/cm2 for 30 minutes is conditionally safe for the structures of the rabbit eye. However, the detected changes in the cornea require further study to determine safe exposure limits. It was noted that irradiation of the rabbit cornea led to a decrease in the density of endothelial cells. The detected changes were reversible and did not lead to pathological changes in the cornea.

    — Terahertz radiation and terahertz spectroscopy based on it can really enter clinical practice as an effective method for diagnosing oncological diseases or for possible diagnostics of diseases of the organ of vision. Despite the fact that this type of diagnostics is currently experimental and is at the development stage, it is already necessary to start thinking about safety recommendations when working with sources of terahertz radiation. In the course of this study, we studied the effect of various terahertz radiation protocols in time and intensity on the cornea of the eyes of eight laboratory animals – rabbits. We assessed only changes in the anterior segment of the eyeball. Based on the data we obtained, it is premature to draw final conclusions, but the study is a good foundation for drawing up such recommendations in the future, — commented Ekaterina Butikova, Junior Researcher at the Laboratory of Cell Technologies, Research Institute of Cellular and Electron Chemistry, Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

    Scientists involved in the experiments emphasize that the generation of terahertz radiation with the parameters required to conduct the study is only possible at the biological user station of the Novosibirsk Free Electron Laser (NFEL) of the INP SB RAS.

    — In terms of average power, NLSE exceeds any existing sources in the world by many orders of magnitude, which allows us to conduct absolutely unique experiments in a very wide range of wavelengths with various biological objects. If we affect living systems with terahertz radiation, we can quite strongly influence the work of their cells, the processes occurring inside them. Such experiments are of interest from the point of view that no living organism has developed any protective mechanisms against intense THz radiation, since it is completely absorbed by the atmosphere, which means that by affecting biological objects, we can study how they adapt, what protective mechanisms they activate. For such biological experiments, a special user station was created at NLSE, which implemented the technology for regulating the average and peak radiation power, as well as the intensity of exposure. For the purity of the experiments, the station was equipped with a shutter and a thermal imager — these devices maintain and control the desired temperature. Thanks to this, we understand that we are receiving the system’s reaction specifically to the effect of radiation, and not to an increase or decrease in temperature, explained Vasily Popik, a senior researcher at the INP SB RAS and a candidate of physical and mathematical sciences.

    Experiments on laboratory animals are widely used all over the world to obtain fundamental knowledge, as well as to identify the root causes of various diseases in humans and animals, to study treatment options. All such experiments are conducted in accordance with ethical standards for the treatment of laboratory animals and are approved by the ethics committee before they begin. The Bioethics Committee of the ICG SB RAS approved the experimental work with animals on the topic: “Clinical changes in the rabbit cornea after exposure to THz radiation.”

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: HSE scientists have applied a new method to study the mechanism of memorizing new words

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    Researchers Center of Language and Brain HSE was one of the first to use transcranial alternating current stimulation to find out whether it could affect the memorization of new words. The authors of the experiment have not yet found a connection between the acquisition of words and brain stimulation, but they believe that changing the stimulation parameters may show different results in the future. The study was published in the journal Language, Cognition and Neuroscience.

    The ability to remember and correctly use new words is a vital skill for human communication. Throughout life, a person learns new words in their native language and also studies foreign languages. Learning new words is a complex cognitive process, the mechanisms of which are not yet well understood.

    Modern neuroimaging techniques such as electroencephalography, magnetic resonance imaging, or magnetoencephalography allow us to look inside the brain and see which areas are activated during certain processes. However, it is impossible to establish the nature of the connection between stimulation and brain processes—whether it is random or causal. The use of alternating current in experiments changes the situation: it allows us to modulate rhythms of a certain frequency and track their role in neuronal processes.

    Researchers from the HSE Center for Language and Brain were among the first to test whether weak electrical stimulation of the brain in the theta frequency can help a person memorize new words more effectively. They invited 30 healthy volunteers to participate and asked them to learn 80 fictitious words that were matched with Russian nouns. During the training, the participants were stimulated with a weak current in the theta rhythm range (3.5–7.5 Hz) over the left frontal-temporal areas of the brain, which are associated with speech and memory. The theta frequency was also chosen for a reason. Previous studies have shown that it is the theta rhythms that help transfer information from short-term memory to long-term memory.

    After training with stimulation, the authors of the experiment checked how the participants remembered the words. There was also a separate stage with training and testing without stimulation to compare the results of the participants.

    The researchers found no improvement in learning new words with stimulation compared to placebo. The researchers note that learning new words activates complex neural networks that include both the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus, which is difficult to stimulate from the surface of the head.

    “Although our study did not find a direct effect of alternating current stimulation on memorization, we have made an important step towards creating new methods for supporting language learning. We will continue research in this direction, but subsequent experiments will be aimed at other areas of the brain and types of stimulation,” notes the lead author of the work, junior research fellow at the HSE Center for Language and Brain Anna Komissarenko.

    In the future, the team plans to test a different frequency and phase of electrical stimulation, change the location of the electrodes, and expand the experiments to various cognitive functions. This will help to more accurately understand how the brain’s electrical activity affects learning and memory, which, in turn, will allow us to develop methods for accelerated language learning, create rehabilitation programs after strokes and injuries, and optimize neurostimulation to improve memory.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New action to expand Scottish exports

    Source: Scottish Government

    US Export Plan among steps to boost business.

     

    A bespoke plan to help Scottish companies export to the United States will be drawn up as part of new measures aimed at boosting trade.

    It is one of six actions announced in the First Minister’s Programme for Government to assist exporters and address global trade challenges.

    Other steps include increased funding for product development, market research and attendance at international trade shows.

    Within the current financial year, the Six Point Export Plan will:

    • produce a US Export Plan to identify states offering the best markets for Scottish products, as part of wider support for trade with North America
    • use the International Growth Support Programme to unlock opportunities through trade shows, distributor visits, market research and product development
    • bring more global buyers to Scotland to showcase what companies have to offer
    • expand funding for overseas trade missions through the International Trade Partnership with Scottish Chambers of Commerce
    • increase funding for exporters in the technology, life sciences, renewables and hydrogen sectors
    • widen support for businesses through Scottish Enterprise’s international team, Scottish Development International, including more overseas trade missions and exporter showcase events

    During a visit to Summerhall Distillery in Edinburgh, which exports to more than a dozen countries including the US, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said:

    “In the face of global uncertainty, I am determined to protect and grow Scotland’s business interests around the world.

    “As the USA remains the single largest destination for Scottish exports outside the European Union, action to maintain and grow the market share while recognising the changing dynamics of US export opportunities is an important focus of our Programme for Government.

    “These steps will build on the significant support we already provide through Scottish Development International and its network of 34 offices across the world, including four in the US.

    “We must grasp all opportunities to strengthen Scotland’s reputation in world markets. Demand for Scottish products and services around the world is high and global customers recognise the innovation, quality and ambition of our businesses.”

    Commercial Director of Summerhall Distillery Dave Quinnell said:

    “We export around the world, including the US where we recently signed a new contract to sell more than 100,000 bottles a year.

    “Without Scottish Development International, we would not have been able to access the majority of our international markets.

    “We received help to draw up our initial export plan, to access specialist advice and to fund trade visits overseas. All of this has been vital to our business as we grow and continue to explore markets across the world.”

    Background

    Programme for Government 2025 to 2026 – gov.scot

    Summerhall Distillery was opened as the first exclusive gin distillery established in Edinburgh for over 150 years, producing Pickering’s Gin. It has since become home to The Broody Hen Scotch Whisky and Coldsnap Vodka. The business has diversified into private and own label products, culminating in the formation of Edinburgh Bottlers & Co-Pack, specialising in premium private label spirits services.

    In the last financial year Scottish Enterprise, whose overseas brand is Scottish Development International, reported £2.15 billion in planned international sales from the Scottish companies it has helped – among the highest results ever achieved.

    The International Trade Partnership Programme is run with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and will expand access to business membership organisations to provide support for trade missions to established and emerging markets.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tongzhou district ranks first in Beijing for GDP growth in Q1

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

    In the first quarter this year, Tongzhou district, where Beijing’s sub-center is located, recorded a year-on-year GDP growth rate of 14.5%, 9 percentage points higher than the city’s average, ranking first among Beijing’s 16 districts.

    During this period, Tongzhou district’s industrial output doubled, with the total output value of large-scale industries reaching 37.36 billion yuan ($5.23 billion), up 107.3% year-on-year. Its share of the city’s total rose from 2.7% a year ago to 5.3%, with its ranking in the city rising from 9th to 6th place. The district also recorded the highest growth rate among all the districts of the capital.

    Meanwhile, fixed asset investment in Tongzhou district excluding rural households, rose by 13.5% year-on-year, showing momentum on a high statistical base. 

    At the beginning of the year, Tongzhou district launched a science and technology innovation resources multiplication initiative, approving and supporting 20 research projects across six key fields, including next-generation information technology, bioengineering, and new pharmaceuticals. Over the past five months of its implementation, the initiative has attracted a growing concentration of innovation resources to Beijing’s sub-center.

    In the first quarter, 222 new key projects went under negotiation and 113 key enterprises established operations in the sub-center. Additionally, 6,402 new business entities were registered here – the fourth highest number among all districts in the city.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fresh start for the Greens, with new leader Larissa Waters

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nathan Fioritti, Lecturer in Politics, School of Social Sciences, Monash University

    Queensland Senator Larissa Waters is the new leader of the Australian Greens, following a two-hour partyroom meeting held in the wake of the party’s lacklustre performance in the May 3 election.

    Waters was elected unopposed.

    New South Wales Senator Mehreen Faruqi will continue as Greens deputy, while South Australian Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will be the Greens Manager of Business.

    Besides having an apt surname for an ecological party leader, what do we know about Waters?

    And as Australia’s 48th parliament prepares to sit, what might we expect from her leadership of the country’s largest minor party?

    Who is Larissa Waters?

    Waters first entered parliament in 2011, following a career as an environmental lawyer.

    She was the first Greens senator to be elected in Queensland and is now the second-longest serving Green in parliament after Hanson-Young.

    Born in Canada, Waters’ tenure was briefly interrupted in 2017–2018 when she discovered she had breached section 44 of the Constitution by failing to renounce her dual citizenship.

    Waters is the second woman after Christine Milne to lead the party. She has leadership experience, serving as Senate leader since 2020 and co-deputy leader prior to that.

    Waters’ re-election on May 3 for another six-year term will ensure leadership stability following the unexpected departure of her predecessor, Adam Bandt.

    Beyond her clear passion for environmental protection, Waters has dedicated her time in parliament to advancing gender equity, ending gender-based violence, and addressing corporate donations and influence in politics.

    She made international news in 2017 when she became the first politician to breastfeed in federal parliament.

    New direction?

    So what does new leadership mean for the direction of the Greens and the role the party will play in the new parliament?

    Will it opt for pragmatism or hold firm on principle?

    Will it continue to campaign hard on a diverse set of policy issues, or choose to focus more on its core environmental offering?

    Waters is viewed by many in the party as a compromise candidate between Faruqi and Hanson-Young, who according to speculation, were also considering a tilt at the leadership. Faruqi represents the more radical wing of the Greens, while Hanson-Young is a prominent moderate figure who would likely have pushed the party closer to the political centre and faced resistance from elements of the membership.

    Given this, Waters is expected to play a unifying role, much like Bandt did during his tenure.

    While the Greens held all their seats up for re-election in the Senate, they were close to a wipe-out in the lower house, where they lost three of their four members from the previous parliament.

    The party will likely concentrate in future elections on expanding and then retaining their presence in the Senate.

    In the lower house, Queensland will be a major focus for the Greens as they try to win back seats they lost at the election – Griffith and Brisbane. Waters’ leadership should help with this aim.

    Senate power

    Waters will conceivably command more power than Bandt, given the Greens will hold the sole balance of power in the new Senate.

    She’s pledged to keep Labor accountable, while urging the government to “be brave” and “actually do what the country needs them to do”.

    There’s now no excuse for the Labor Party not to take the climate crisis seriously, to take real action on the housing crisis, to genuinely tackle the cost of living. People deserve more than just tinkering. They deserve real reform that will help them in their daily lives, and nature cannot be put last like it has been for so long.

    This, together with the presentation of Waters as a leader who represents continuity, suggests any changes to the party’s approach will likely focus on presentation rather than policy.

    Waters is now tasked with reframing the 2025 election result as a moment of short-term pain and setting the party on a path of long-term gain.

    Whether or not this will be achieved, and how important Waters’ leadership will be to achieving this, remains to be seen.

    How was Waters selected?

    The Greens’ leadership selection relies entirely on the federal party room. Unlike the Labor Party, where members have a say on who becomes leader, grassroots Greens are excluded from the process.

    Like Waters, all previous leaders – Adam Bandt, Richard Di Natale, Christine Milne and party founder Bob Brown – were elected unopposed, reflecting the party’s consensus style of decision making.

    In 2020, there was an unsuccessful push to include the membership base in the leadership process. A “one member, one vote” option received majority support in a party-wide plebiscite. But it failed to meet the two-thirds majority required to force a change.

    Nathan Fioritti 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. Fresh start for the Greens, with new leader Larissa Waters – https://theconversation.com/fresh-start-for-the-greens-with-new-leader-larissa-waters-256453

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ExerciseNZ – Winter Wellness Starts with Sleep: The Overlooked Key to Achieving Exercise Goals

    Source: ExerciseNZ

    As the colder months settle in across Aotearoa, ExerciseNZ is encouraging Kiwis to take stock of their winter wellness routines — with a special focus on a crucial yet often overlooked pillar of health: sleep.

    New research from Uppsala University, published in Biomarker Research (April 2025), reveals that just three consecutive nights of restricted sleep (approximately 4.25 hours per night) can significantly alter blood biomarkers associated with cardiovascular disease — even in young, healthy individuals. Alarmingly, the study also found that regular physical activity does not offset these negative effects, making sleep more important than ever for those with fitness and wellbeing goals.

    “As winter rolls in and we shift our routines indoors, we want to remind people that sleep isn’t a luxury — it’s a foundational part of health and recovery,” says Richard Beddie, CEO of ExerciseNZ. “Quality sleep might just be the secret weapon for smashing your fitness goals this winter.” While many Kiwis double down on exercise to combat seasonal lethargy, the combination of colder temperatures, darker days, and disrupted sleep patterns can actually hinder performance and recovery if not managed properly.

    In fact, research published in the Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology shows that sleep loss can impair muscle glycogen repletion, reduce time to exhaustion, and decrease strength and aerobic capacity — all of which can compromise training outcomes. The study underscores how sleep enhances performance, cognitive functioning, and outcomes across 1-rep max testing, endurance training, and high-intensity interval workouts.

    The Science of Sleep and Exercise: Why Recovery Matters More in Winter

    Restricted sleep increases levels of inflammation-related proteins in the blood, raising the risk for cardiovascular issues — even in fit, active people.
    Sleep plays a key role in muscle repair, hormone regulation, and mental clarity — all essential to getting the most from your workouts.
    A consistent sleep routine can reduce injury risk, support immunity during colder months, and enhance energy levels for winter training.

    Top Tips for Winter Wellness:

    Prioritise Consistency: Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep each night. Try going to bed and waking up at the same time daily, even on weekends.
    Wind Down Naturally: Reduce screen time in the hour before bed. Try stretching, light reading, or mindfulness exercises instead.
    Pair Exercise with Recovery: Listen to your body and allow for adequate rest between intense sessions.

    This winter, instead of trying to “power through” with more training, ExerciseNZ challenges everyone to train smarter — by recognising the power of rest, especially as the mercury drops.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – AUT LAUNCHES IMPACT-FOCUSED $5 MILLION INNOVATION FUND

    Source: AUT

    AUT today launches the AUT Innovation Fund with an allocation of $5 million to invest into spinout companies and impact initiatives.  
     
    Managed by AUT Ventures, the fund will empower some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most innovative minds to commercialise research and transform it into real-world solutions.  
     
    Vice-Chancellor Damon Salesa says that growing research impact is a key focus, and the AUT Innovation Fund extends the way that AUT Ventures supports innovation and research commercialisation. “The AUT Innovation Fund is more than just a financial instrument. It’s a signal — to our researchers, our partners, and our country — that AUT is ready to lead. Ready to invest. Ready to go first.”
     
    AUT Ventures Chief Executive Michael Fielding says the fund is about accelerating commercialisation, as well as linking research to industry. “It’s a game-changer. The fund lets us back promising ideas and teams at a very early stage, committing support to innovators before they’re ready to seek investment from the angel and VC community. But it’s also going to give us new ways to connect with organisations outside the university.”  
     
    The fund is being launched with investments into Dot Ingredients and CONICAL.  
     
    Motion Capital is the lead investor in the $350k early funding round in Dot Ingredients, alongside Climate Venture Capital Fund and the AUT Innovation Fund. Formerly known as Spherelose, Dot is the brainchild of Associate Professor Jack Chen, who developed a new way to make critical ingredients for everyday products like soaps, detergents and cosmetics, but using wood pulp instead of petrochemicals or palm oil. Based in laboratories at AUT, the company is currently participating in the Aurora Climate Lab accelerator programme run by Creative HQ, while scaling production and developing new applications.
     
    $110,000 will be invested into CONICAL to support the upcoming launch of its indie role-playing game, Faeborne. Launched out of AUT in 2016 by alumnus Alejandro Davila and entirely staffed by AUT graduates, CONICAL quickly gained headlines through the success of its Green Fairy TV series. After earning a reputation for developing cutting edge virtual reality exhibits and activations for businesses across New Zealand and worldwide, Faeborne marks a return to the company’s fairy fantasy origins. Faeborne is a fast-paced, story-driven co-op game centred around the conflict between two fairy sisters in the fantasy realm of Lamparis, and is slated for a multi-platform launch in late 2025.
     
    AUT Ventures has appointed Craigs Investment Partners, a leading New Zealand investment manager, to manage the fund’s assets until they’re invested into new innovations. The income generated under Craig’s management will provide grants to AUT researchers to help kickstart new collaborations with businesses, government and NGOs, expanding the pipeline of future commercialisation opportunities.  
     
    AUT’s Innovation Fund will be launched at city campus by Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, the Hon. Dr Shane Reti today.  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: End to the American War on Vietnam Remembered 50 years on

    Source: Workers First Union

    MEDIA RELEASE ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE ON VIETNAM
    The 50th anniversary of the end of the War on Vietnam will be commemorated in Wellington on Friday, 16 May 2025.
    30 April 1975 saw the “fall of Saigon” that brought an end to this horrendous war.
    Former members and supporters of the Wellington Committee on Vietnam (CoV) and associated groups such as Release All Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience (RAVPOC), the Organisation to Halt Military Service (OMHS) and Medical Aid for Vietnam have been invited to the gathering. Younger and current anti-war activists have also been invited.
    The gathering has been called by former chairs of the Wellington Committee of Vietnam in the early 1970s, Michael Law and Robert Reid, and will include an “Extraordinary Special Meeting of the CoV” to mark the occasion.
    The events will be held at the National Library in Molesworth Street, Wellington.
    From 2.00 pm until 4.30 pm Friday 16 May the Alexander Turnbull Library will have some of its archived material on anti-war protests on display (especially from the Rona Bailey Collection).
    At 5.00 pm the reunion meeting will take place in the Malaga Pasifika Room of the National Library.
    The events will remember the brave struggle of the Vietnamese people for independence, the horrific action and atrocities of the US and allied forces in Vietnam and the protest activity that took place against the war on Vietnam in New Zealand in the 1960s and 1970s.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Marshall and Ernst Lead Effort to Streamline Conservation Practice Standards at USDA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
    Washington –U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), both members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced the Streamlining Conservation Practice Standards Act – legislation that modernizes the process for updating conservation standards at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This legislation would remove bureaucratic barriers and better support farmers in implementing conservation practices that improve soil health and water quality.
    “Streamlining updates to conservation practice standards helps cut the bureaucratic red tape that our farmers have been wrongly forced to navigate. Our producers work hard to find new, innovative ways to work the land while conserving its resources, and the federal government should be a partner in doing so – not a roadblock,” said Senator Marshall. “I’m proud to work on this bipartisan solution with Senator Ernst to ensure farmers have the tools necessary to support conservation efforts and help producers leave their land better than they found it.”
    “Traveling across Iowa, I regularly hear from farmers who are eager to implement conservation practices that improve soil health, water quality, and long-term productivity – but they face real barriers when rigid USDA standards slow things down,” said Senator Ernst. “I’m leading the Streamlining Conservation Practice Standards Act to modernize how USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service updates its technical standards. Ultimately, the goal is simple: let’s cut the red tape, let’s keep standards science-based and flexible, and help farmers get conservation tools in use faster.”
    This bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico) and Richard Durbin (D-Illinois).
    “By leveraging innovations in regenerative agriculture and soil health practices, we can help farmers and producers make their working lands more resilient,” said Senator Heinrich. “Our bipartisan legislation accomplishes this by updating and streamlining the process for developing new conservation practice standards at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service. This will allow producers to build more resilience into their operations.” 
    “Illinois ranks fourth in the nation in planted cropland, but for years, has ranked as low as 37th in farm conservation funds that USDA distributes to help farmers adopt cover crops, conservation tillage, and other critical environmental practices. USDA’s statewide one-size-fits-all conservation practice rules do not always match the unique needs of each farm,” said Senator Durbin. “This bill creates a process to add more flexibility to these standards, provide routine updates to keep up with the latest innovations, and ensure more academic and farmer input into developing the conservation practices.”  
    The Streamlining Conservation Practice Standards Act would update the USDA’s process to:
    Require a regular review of existing conservation practice standards.
    Create a public process for submitting and adopting new practices.
    Prioritize the integration of innovative tools like nutrient efficiency technologies – biological fertilizer being one example that’s proven to improve plant growth.
    The full text of the legislation can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Summer Family Cine Fest to take families on fantastical cinematic adventures (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Film Programmes Office (FPO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present the Summer Family Cine Fest (SFCF) from July 12 to August 16, offering over 40 fun-filled film screenings at the Hong Kong Film Archive, Hong Kong City Hall, the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Hong Kong Space Museum (HKSpM) and the North District Town Hall. The programme is one of the highlights of the International Arts Carnival (IAC).
     
         The Feature Films section features 15 works. Blending animation and live action, “Diplodocus” (2024) tells the story of a cute little comic dinosaur, which, in order to save itself and its family, must help its creator regain his confidence to create. In the animated film “Into the Wonderwoods” (2024), while on the way to visit his grandmother, 10-year-old Angelo is accidentally left behind in the wild. With his imagination and courage, he embarks on a solo journey while braving monsters and demons in the forest.
     
         In “Fox and Hare Save the Forest” (2024), a selfish beaver causes a flood in the forest, and other animals bravely come together to save their home. “Tummy Tom and the Lost Teddy Bear” (2024) follows a cat on an adventurous journey to find its favourite cuddle toy bear. In “Benjamin Bat” (2024), a little bat named Benjamin is bullied by his brothers for loving singing and becoming friends with a bat’s sworn enemy, a bird. For himself and his friend, he needs to muster his courage to stand up against the odds. A cute penguin in “Thelma’s Perfect Birthday” (2024) accidentally travels from the Land of Ice to the warm Great Forest and learns the meaning of growth through this whimsical journey.
     
         “Buffalo Kids” (2024) from Spain tells the story of two young siblings and their disabled new friend teaming up to battle wits and strength against outlaws of the Wild West in a thrilling adventure of courage and inclusion. Starting from the parents of a young boy building a sailboat in their home garden, “A Boat in the Garden” (2024) tells a story of perseverance and dedication of a family of three in the pursuit of dreams.
     
         The Swedish film “The Pinchers’ High Voltage Heist” (2023) delivers a comedic portrayal of a quirky family of thieves and their hilarious lives together. In the award-winning “Coco Farm” (2023), three youngsters strive to build a business guided by conscience. In “Lampo, The Travelling Dog” (2023), a social media-famous dog and a sick girl cross paths at a train station, leading to a heartwarming tale of mutual care between human and canine. “Greetings from Mars” (2024) tells the story of how Tom turns his passion for space exploration into strength when his mother has to travel a long way away.
     
         The SFCF also features three sports-themed films. “King Richard” (2021) depicts the parenting story of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams’ father and coach, who meticulously guided them to success. Lead actor Will Smith won Best Actor awards at the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards and British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards for his performance. “Lioness” (2023) follows a South American migrant girl in the Netherlands pursuing her dream of becoming a football player in a strange land. “The Hill” (2023) delivers a passionate and inspiring true story of a baseball prodigy overcoming adversity despite suffering from a degenerative spinal condition.
     
         In addition, the FPO will co-organise with the HKSpM to present the dome show, “The Great Solar System Adventure!” (2024), at the Space Theatre of the HKSpM. Audiences will be guided through an exhilarating journey across the solar system. After the screenings, audiences will be invited to join a post-screening activity at the HKSpM Lecture Hall to make Mars paper models and learn about the major discoveries of various Mars exploration missions. This activity will be conducted in Cantonese.
     
         Veteran dubbing artists Yip Ka-man and Kinson Lai will perform live Cantonese dubbing for “Thelma’s Perfect Birthday”, “Benjamin Bat” and “Into the Wonderwoods” with no subtitles. “The Great Solar System Adventure!” is in Cantonese, with English available through the headphone system, with no subtitles. Other films will feature Chinese and English subtitles.
     
         Apart from the feature films, the FPO has hand-picked 20 animated short films from around the world to present three World Animation & Shorts programmes, titled “All About Love”, “Is That OK?” and “Craving For Food!”. Professional actor and drama tutor Man Jai (Raymond Chan) will host an introduction in Cantonese for the programmes.
     
         The FPO will also present a two-day event titled Summer of Light: Cinematic Adventure at Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre on July 12 and 13. The event consists of free activities and ticketed workshops for the public to participate. Details will be available in early June on the FPO website www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp.
     
         Tickets are priced at $88 and will be available from tomorrow (May 16) at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2734 2900 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en/listing.html?id=75.
     
         For details of other IAC programmes, please visit the website www.hkiac.gov.hk.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU discusses best practices for interaction between educational organizations and employers

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The IX International Conference “Best Practices of Interaction between Educational Organizations and Employers” is being held at Novosibirsk State University from May 14 to 17. Representatives from 10 regions of Russia from Khabarovsk to St. Petersburg are taking part in the in-person events of the conference. An online broadcast is also organized.

    The conference is aimed at the heads and specialists of regional executive authorities, vice-rectors in charge of international cooperation, academic mobility and career development centers, as well as heads and employees of career development centers. The event is aimed at analyzing the current state and determining the further development vector of career centers, forming new ideas and approaches to improving their activities, opportunities for business cooperation with colleagues from other regions, inter-university cooperation through career centers and education export.

    These days, NSU has become a platform for discussing current issues affecting the problems of employment of university graduates in the new realities, according to the methodological recommendations of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia dated 02/25/2025, the organization and forecasting of employment of NSU graduates, identifying the professional intentions of future graduates, as well as graduates at risk of unemployment. The conference participants will exchange views on the formation of the National Rating of Higher Education Organizations and Professional Educational Organizations, the role of university career centers in the formation of a professional community and human resources, analyze the interaction of universities and businesses, as well as the dynamics of the labor market in the regions of Russia.

    — This conference is being held for the ninth time. It was first held in 2017 and brought together representatives of several career development centers and departments involved in student employment at universities. During the discussion of the current situation, the conference participants came to the conclusion that they face the same problems in their work. In order to take joint measures to solve them, the All-Russian Organization of Career Centers was created, and the conference became annual. The number of its participants is constantly growing. Here, at our horizontal level, we discuss the most important issues related to monitoring the situation on the labor market, career guidance work at universities and various tests that students must pass. The state is currently paying a lot of attention to career development centers, which currently act as the flagship of career guidance and establishing a career path for university graduates, because their activities are directly related to the implementation of the National Project “Personnel”. Therefore, such meetings of the professional community are very important, — said Svetlana Dovgal, Director of the NSU Career Development Center.

    This year, representatives of secondary vocational education institutions are taking part in the conference. The round table “Interaction of secondary vocational education institutions with employers: experience, problems, prospects” will be held on May 16 and is devoted to discussing their problems. It is noteworthy that employers and business partners of NSU are taking part in the conference, including SHIFT specialists, who will conduct a quiz “Transformation of education, from Y to Z” for representatives of career development centers.

    In her welcoming speech to the conference participants, Olga Yakovleva, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Educational Work at NSU, noted that the current conference is taking place at a very difficult time – over the past year and a half, the vector of the issues being discussed, in the center of which are representatives of Generation Z, has changed significantly: if earlier the focus was on its characteristics, shortcomings, quality of knowledge and motivation, now the emphasis has shifted to the sphere of employment.

    — For current applicants, it is important to choose from a variety of universities the one and only one that will become a bridge to the employer, and the task of the university is to ensure that each student is as useful as possible in the labor market. And today, career development centers are entrusted with the important work of building such tracking. We organize meetings of our CRC representatives with first-year students, because this work with students should begin at the very beginning of their studies at the university. The Career Development Center also participates in Open Days — so that applicants understand what career opportunities studying at our university gives them, and all their years of study develop the skill of effective employment. And we must learn to effectively build communication with these new people of Generation Z and make sure that they are as useful as possible to society and the state, — said Olga Yakovleva.

    Deputy Minister of Education of the Novosibirsk Region Svetlana Malina noted in her speech at the plenary session of the conference that the role of career centers in the educational and career guidance processes will only increase.

    — The trends in federal and regional policy are that in the next 2-3 years, the number of ninth and eleventh grade graduates is expected to decrease. The situation is aggravated by the general aging of the population. In the Novosibirsk Region, the unemployment rate is currently quite low and amounts to only 2%. The labor market is undergoing radical changes, and if earlier, graduates of universities and secondary specialized educational institutions looked for employers upon completion of their studies, now the opposite situation is often observed: employers are looking for graduates. Now, in the labor market, the conditions are determined by the candidate for employment. Enterprises — especially in the defense industry — compete with each other for graduates, raising salaries and offering various social packages. Graduates, in turn, are not always ready to agree to working conditions that do not suit them. In the current situation, our universities should receive motivated applicants, so career guidance should be carried out from a fairly early age. This is especially important for engineering specialties. It is necessary to implement career guidance activities for middle school students, for which purpose a unified career guidance system was introduced – the so-called career guidance minimum, according to which career guidance activities of different levels are implemented in each school, said Svetlana Malina.

    Conference participants shared their experience in career guidance and career development of their graduates in their speeches. Head of the Novosibirsk branch of the Center for Public Diplomacy, Associate Professor of the Siberian State University of Telecommunications and Informatics Dmitry Kaznacheev spoke about the specifics of interaction between universities and employers in the employment of foreign students. Director of the Career Center of the Chelyabinsk State University Svetlana Eremeeva gave a report on “Successful cooperation between universities and enterprises: interaction models and their impact on the educational process”. Project Manager of the School of Information Financial Technologies Vera Vyacheslavova introduced the participants to the formats of interaction with universities from the standpoint of an industrial partner. Deputy Head of the Department for Work with Students and Alumni of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Director of the ANO “Unified Center for Career Development” Anastasia Voitsitskaya presented the key career trends of this year.

    The first day of the conference ended with a round table on “Features of Higher Education Development” as part of the celebration of the 270th anniversary of Lomonosov Moscow State University.

    In the future, conference participants will take part in two round tables: “Features of employment of generation Z: from Y to Z” and “Interaction of educational organizations of secondary vocational education with employers: experience, problems, prospects”.

    Director of the Career Center of Chelyabinsk State University Svetlana Eremeeva:

    — The Career Center is designed to help our students enter the labor market as trained specialists and navigate it correctly, so I never miss events like today’s conference. For us, career center specialists, this is a unique opportunity to exchange opinions, learn something new, master new approaches and models implemented in other universities and designed to help our students find their place in the labor market. This conference is especially relevant now, when new methodological recommendations have been released by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. The exchange of opinions, experience, methods and information is very important for our professional community. We apply the experience of our colleagues in our educational organizations. In my speech at the conference, I will talk about the models of interaction with employers that we implement. Previously, the educational process was closed in on itself and concluded within the certain framework of a specific educational organization. Now, career centers ensure interaction between universities and enterprises that are actively involved in the educational process. This is very important for us, because we want to adapt our students to the labor market, and not just provide higher education.

    Head of the organizational and educational department of the center for advanced professional training in the direction of “Social sphere in the Sverdlovsk region” Svetlana Larionova:

    — I represent a career center in the secondary vocational education sector. It is still poorly represented in the All-Russian Association of Career Centers, but we are concerned with the same problems as career centers of universities. And our tasks in this regard are similar. Therefore, professional communication and exchange of experience are of great interest to us. Establishing interaction between educational organizations and employers is very important, and we are now increasingly focusing on employers themselves formulating the criteria by which we then send our own to them. It is necessary to structure the educational process in such a way that these criteria are necessarily taken into account when developing the skills and knowledge of students. Then the employer will not have to retrain graduates, and they will immediately successfully join the work process.

    Vice-Rector for Personnel Policy of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University) of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Morozov:

    — The topics discussed and worked on at this conference, dedicated to the labor market and relations with employers, have always been and remain the most relevant for all universities, because the purpose of a university’s existence is not studying for the sake of studying, but training certified specialists who must receive a profession and, importantly, a good salary.

    Any university works to provide its graduates with, at a minimum, an education, and so that a specialist can find himself in life, receive professional guidance from the university and meet a reliable employer.

    Unfortunately, in some universities, in some specialties, there is a certain disconnect between education and the real labor market, which creates problems for university graduates upon completion of their studies. In order to prevent this from happening, universities are actively working to ensure that the employer comes to the university as early as possible, gets to know the students, makes a presentation of their business, company or government agency. And the maximum is, of course, the participation of the employer in the educational process. In this we see the highest degree of cooperation between the university and employers.

    The decision to establish the All-Russian Association of Career Centers was made in 2018. Today, it includes more than 110 universities of the Russian Federation, which, cooperating horizontally with each other, develop a unified policy and a unified vision of the problems and issues that need to be resolved jointly. And this allows us to formulate our common position and contact government bodies with any proposals and wishes, with the confidence that they will be taken into account when developing regulations.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: The Lost Generator Under Review: DIY Edison Generator Energy Plan to Create Free Electricity (Step-by-Step Guide)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Denver, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    In This Article, You’ll Discover:

    • A comprehensive review of The Lost Generator blueprint and how it enables users to generate free electricity using a DIY Edison generator method
    • The real-world energy crisis pain points that this step-by-step guide is designed to solve, especially for homeowners facing high electricity bills
    • A clear explanation of how thermal energy conversion is used to power essential devices without solar panels or grid dependency
    • Who The Lost Generator is best suited for — including preppers, off-grid households, and individuals seeking energy independence
    • What’s included in the digital download, including parts lists, assembly instructions, and safety guidelines
    • Current pricing information, refund policies, and secure ordering instructions from the official website
    • Real customer testimonials sharing practical experiences with building and using this DIY home energy system
    • Answers to frequently asked questions about legitimacy, effectiveness, safety, and scaling potential

    TL;DR – Summary:

    The Lost Generator Under Review: DIY Edison Generator Energy Plan to Create Free Electricity (Step-by-Step Guide) explores a growing interest in affordable off-grid power solutions amidst rising energy costs and unstable grid infrastructure. This in-depth article examines The Lost Generator — a downloadable blueprint that teaches users how to build a home-based, thermal-powered electricity generator without relying on solar panels or batteries.

    Developed by Barnaby Brown, a retired engineer, The Lost Generator is designed for accessibility, offering beginner-friendly instructions to help users reduce electricity bills, prepare for outages, and gain long-term energy resilience. The article covers key benefits, safety protocols, parts sourcing, and practical applications, while embedding trending terms like “DIY free electricity,” “off-grid energy system,” and “self-sustaining power source.”

    Readers also gain clarity on pricing, refund policies, customer support, and real-world testimonials. All claims are presented with disclaimers and accurate sourcing, ensuring that both potential buyers and media syndication partners can reference and republish the content responsibly.

    Introduction

    What Is The Lost Generator and Why Are People Talking About It?

    In a world dominated by rising energy prices, frequent power outages, and growing concern over grid reliability, individuals are looking for smarter, more affordable ways to power their homes. This growing interest has sparked a surge in demand for DIY alternative energy solutions, and one blueprint stands out among the rest — The Lost Generator.

    This guide, inspired by the forgotten principles of Thomas Edison’s early generator experiments, which focused on [brief history of Thomas Edison’s early generator experiments], claims to help everyday people build a self-sustaining, off-grid electricity source without needing solar panels or wind turbines. The system has attracted buzz across survivalist forums, prepper communities, and households that simply want to slash their power bills or become energy independent.

    This comprehensive article explores every angle of The Lost Generator, from how it works and what’s inside, to real-world benefits and potential limitations. If you’re someone who has felt frustrated by the grip of energy companies, or if the idea of creating your own DIY free energy generator appeals to your independence, read on — this could be the step-by-step system you’ve been looking for.

    What This Article Will Cover

    • Discover the true pain points of modern electricity dependence and the liberating relief that The Lost Generator offers.How The Lost Generator proposes to solve them
    • What’s inside the blueprint and how it works
    • Uncover the detailed pros, cons, cost breakdowns, and money-back guarantee that could make you feel financially savvy and secure with The Lost Generator.Get a glimpse into the trending buzzwords, energy freedom concepts, and real user insights that will make you feel informed and part of a community with The Lost Generator.This long-form guide is not just a review. It’s an investigative breakdown of what makes this blueprint potentially revolutionary for anyone ready to take power back into their own hands.

    This long-form guide is not just a review. It’s an investigative breakdown of what makes this blueprint potentially revolutionary for anyone ready to take power back into their own hands.

    Understanding the Energy Crisis

    Why the Modern Grid Is Failing Homeowners

    The traditional energy grid was built for a different era — a time when consumption was lower, outages were rare, and electricity didn’t cost a fortune. Fast-forward to today, and millions are feeling the pressure of skyrocketing energy bills, unstable service, and a centralized power model that no longer fits the reality of our modern needs.

    Recent events — from hurricanes and wildfires to grid overloads during extreme weather and government-regulated energy shutdowns — have exposed a serious flaw in the system: homeowners are vulnerable. One storm, one blackout, or one bill spike can disrupt your entire household. And for many, the pain is not just financial, but emotional and logistical.

    Real Pain Points Consumers Are Facing Today

    • Unpredictable power outages that leave families in the dark
    • Soaring monthly utility bills with no relief in sight
    • Overdependence on outdated grid infrastructure
    • Lack of control over one of the most essential elements of modern life: electricity
    • Growing anxiety over energy security, especially during emergencies or natural disasters

    These aren’t just minor inconveniences — they’re constant stressors that can impact quality of life. It’s no wonder so many are seeking ways to break free from the system and find more self-reliant, off-grid energy alternatives.

    The Rising Popularity of Off-Grid Living and DIY Energy Hacks

    With trending search terms like “prepper energy solutions” (which are energy solutions designed for emergency preparedness) and “free energy survival blueprints” (which are guides for creating sustainable energy sources in survival situations) gaining traction in 2025, a shift is clearly happening. People want more than just savings — they want independence, reliability, and long-term peace of mind.

    The Lost Generator, a comprehensive guide to building your own off-grid power system, taps into this movement by offering a blueprint that promises to do more than reduce costs — it aims to eliminate the need for the grid entirely for many users, especially when used as a supplemental or emergency backup power solution.

    Start producing your own power at home using science-backed methods from Edison’s original concepts. Get The Lost Generator guide and start saving money immediately.

    Introducing The Lost Generator

    A DIY Edison-Inspired Energy Plan for Modern Times

    The Lost Generator isn’t just another energy-saving tip or solar panel tutorial. It’s a comprehensive, yet simple, step-by-step digital blueprint that empowers you to create your own free energy generator using basic materials. This concept is inspired by Thomas Edison’s forgotten principles of thermal energy conversion, making it accessible to everyone.

    This system is not just a theoretical concept. It’s a practical, at-home solution that focuses on affordability, simplicity, and functionality. Even if you have no engineering background, you can confidently use this DIY plan to gain more control over rising electric bills and potential grid failures.

    Meet the Creator: Barnaby Brown

    The blueprint was developed by Barnaby Brown, a retired mechanical engineer from Boulder, Colorado. After a prolonged blackout left his family without power, food preservation, or safety, Barnaby began looking for a way to generate reliable electricity without relying on the grid.

    Through his research, he discovered archived notes connected to Edison’s lesser-known experiments in thermal electricity. These notes became the foundation for what is now known as The Lost Generator — a system that uses readily available components and a proven energy conversion process to produce real power.

    According to Barnaby, this generator can produce enough energy to power essential appliances — offering critical support during outages, or even supplementing daily use to cut electric bills dramatically.

    The Core Promise Behind the Blueprint

    The Lost Generator is marketed as a way to:

    • Break free from energy companies
    • Gain peace of mind during emergencies
    • Cut your bills by up to 90%
    • Build a working generator in just a weekend
    • Avoid solar panel costs, permits, or maintenance hassles

    The program is built for accessibility — meaning no technical knowledge or engineering degree is required. Every detail is explained in plain language, and the materials list includes affordable parts you can pick up locally or online.

    Disclaimer: Individual results may vary depending on how accurately the guide is followed, the quality of components used, and power demands. This product is intended to supplement energy needs, not serve as a full-time replacement for commercial utilities in every scenario.

    How The Lost Generator Works

    Simple Science Meets Practical Engineering

    At the core of The Lost Generator system is a straightforward DIY energy generation method that relies on heat-based electricity conversion. This concept, once explored by Thomas Edison, is now presented in an easy-to-follow guide for everyday users. The key mechanism involves harnessing thermal energy and converting it into usable power through a low-resistance process.

    Unlike solar panels, which depend on weather conditions and expensive equipment, or wind turbines that require space and mechanical complexity, The Lost Generator uses thermal differentials. This principle, which refers to the difference in temperature between two points, is a reliable energy source available in nearly every home.

    The Energy Conversion Process Explained

    While the exact technical schematics are provided in the blueprint itself, the general process includes:

    • A heat source (such as a small flame or controlled burn)
    • A series of metal components designed to channel and amplify thermal gradients
    • A simple generator motor that transforms the heat into electrical energy
    • Wiring and circuit instructions to safely store or distribute the energy created

    Everything is broken down into step-by-step visual instructions within the package, making the process accessible even to those without prior experience. The system uses basic physics and proven mechanical laws, not fringe pseudoscience or perpetual motion fallacies.

    Disclaimer: This system does not generate infinite electricity and is not a perpetual energy machine. Instead, it offers a legitimate alternative power method that may supplement household energy needs based on setup quality and consistency of use.

    Materials and Tools Required

    Most of the materials can be found at local hardware stores or ordered online at minimal cost. A preview of what’s typically needed includes:

    • Heat-safe metal plates
    • Small DC motor
    • Thermoelectric modules or conductors
    • Basic wiring and connectors
    • Multimeter (optional for testing output)
    • Simple hand tools (screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutters)

    The Lost Generator is designed to make DIY power generation affordable, achievable, and scalable. There’s no need for rare metals, high-voltage equipment, or advanced tools. This aligns with the system’s goal and makes it accessible to a wide range of users.

    Assembly Time and Ease-of-Use

    According to the blueprint’s estimates and user feedback:

    • Build time: 3–5 hours total for most users
    • Learning curve: Low to moderate, depending on comfort with basic tools
    • Support materials: Diagrams, checklists, safety warnings, and video guides included

    This makes The Lost Generator particularly attractive to DIY enthusiasts, off-grid homesteaders, and even senior citizens or families who want a hands-on, educational power project.

    Want to reduce your energy bills by up to 90%? Learn how others are building their own generators with The Lost Generator blueprint — and start your journey today.

    Benefits of Using The Lost Generator

    Why This DIY Power Plan Is Gaining National Attention

    In a market saturated with expensive power gadgets, solar scams, and overpriced backup battery packs, The Lost Generator shines as a cost-effective and empowering solution. Instead of selling you another product to plug in, it equips you with the knowledge to generate electricity yourself — giving you the confidence to keep your home running, even when the grid fails.

    This blueprint is more than just a tool. It’s a freedom-focused energy movement, tapping into trending lifestyle shifts like off-grid living, sustainable survival solutions, and energy self-sufficiency. It resonates with consumers not just because of cost savings, but because it gives them something the grid never could: control over their energy usage.

    Key Benefits That Matter to Real People

    • Cut Electricity Bills by Up to 90% Use the generator to supplement daily power use, especially during peak rate hours. This alone can significantly reduce costs over time.
    • Total Energy Independence Power your essential appliances, tools, or even medical devices without needing the grid. Ideal for emergencies, outages, or full off-grid living.
    • Reliable During Crises Whether it’s a hurricane, wildfire, or planned blackout, this system works when others don’t — as long as you have a heat source.
    • Budget-Friendly Entry into DIY Energy Unlike solar setups that cost thousands upfront and often require permits, this plan can be built for a fraction of the cost with no bureaucratic red tape.
    • Eco-Conscious and Sustainable No emissions. No fossil fuels. The process supports a greener lifestyle and adds to your household’s environmental sustainability.
    • Educational and Empowering Learn real-world physics, engineering, and survival skills — great for families, classrooms, and preparedness communities.

    Who This Is NOT For

    • Those seeking a full-home energy replacement for high-wattage usage
    • Anyone unwilling to follow instructions or work with basic tools
    • People expecting a “magic box” that generates unlimited free energy without effort

    Disclaimer: While The Lost Generator offers a powerful supplement to traditional energy, it is not intended to power an entire modern household independently or act as a replacement for all conventional power needs.

    A Shift Toward Self-Sufficiency

    The surge in popularity for terms like“self-reliant home energy,” “emergency electricity backup,”and“free energy DIY hack”signals a powerful consumer trend. The Lost Generator meets this demand by providing more than just a product — it provides the knowledge to build resilience.

    For many, it’s not just about saving money — it’s about taking back control in a world where control is often sold off by the kilowatt.

    Who Can Benefit from The Lost Generator

    The Lost Generator, a versatile and reliable power solution, isn’t just for Preppers — It’s for Everyone Who Wants Control(H2)The Lost Generator is not limited to survivalists or rural homesteaders. It’s built for ordinary people with extraordinary concerns — from suburban homeowners and off-grid enthusiasts to urban renters looking for backup electricity solutions.

    What unites them is a shared desire to stop depending on an outdated, unstable power system and start building resilience at home.

    Homeowners Dealing with High Utility Bills

    For those who feel trapped in a cycle of rising electricity costs, this DIY plan, which includes step-by-step instructions and all necessary components, offers a practical path toward savings. You won’t need to deal with contractors, permit offices, or confusing solar lease agreements — just a hands-on project with a long-term payoff.

    Off-Grid Living Advocates and Homesteaders

    Whether you’re living remotely by choice or necessity, The Lost Generator can offer a portable, low-cost power source that runs independently from the grid. It’s ideal for cabins, RVs, tiny homes, or bug-out locations.

    Trending buzzwords like “energy autonomy,” “homestead power hacks,” and “green off-grid tech” all point to the growing interest in exactly what this system provides: low-maintenance electricity in unpredictable environments.

    Preppers and Emergency Planners

    In survival and preparedness circles, redundancy is key. The Lost Generator adds a new layer of energy security — one that doesn’t rely on fuel stockpiles, solar exposure, or battery shelf life. It’s a reliable source of power that gives peace of mind when everything else goes dark.

    DIY Enthusiasts and Hobbyists

    Even if you’re not trying to escape the grid entirely, this system offers a fun, educational challenge. Many buyers use it as a weekend project with their kids or as an experiment to test out Edison-style electrical theories, such as circuit design and power generation, in real life.

    Seniors or Families in Vulnerable Areas

    For those in hurricane zones, wildfire regions, or rural areas where blackouts are common, The Lost Generator can serve as an essential backup system. It’s a quiet, compact, and reliable source of power that requires no ongoing maintenance or fuel, providing a sense of security and peace of mind.

    Disclaimer: Always follow all safety instructions when assembling and operating the system. While the guide is designed for non-technical users, care must be taken when handling electrical components or open heat sources.

    Affordable, effective, and beginner-friendly — The Lost Generator shows you exactly how to build your own DIY generator and slash your bills. Start now while supplies last.

    What’s Included in the Package

    Everything You Need to Build the DIY Edison Generator at Home

    The Lost Generator isn’t a physical device you order and plug in — it’s a comprehensive digital package that equips you with the knowledge and step-by-step instructions to build your own thermal-based energy generator using commonly available parts.

    What sets it apart from other energy guides is the clarity of instruction, simplicity of materials, and universal accessibility — no prior electrical experience is needed.

    Here’s What You Get with Your Purchase

    • The Lost Generator Main Guide: A downloadable PDF blueprint with detailed, illustrated instructions on assembling your thermal generator. Every phase of the process — from materials selection to power output testing — is clearly documented.
    • Parts List with Sourcing Tips: A full breakdown of all required components, including estimated pricing and sourcing tips for budget-friendly hardware. Many items can be found at local home improvement stores or ordered online.
    • Step-by-Step Assembly Instructions: Each step is broken down in a beginner-friendly manner, supported by illustrations and checklists to minimize confusion or error.
    • Safety Guidelines and Testing Protocols: Includes warnings and best practices for safely handling components, operating heat sources, and checking electrical output to ensure performance and safety.
    • Free Bonus Guides (subject to availability)
    • Depending on current promotions, buyers may receive bonus content such as:
      • How to Expand Your Generator’s Output
      • Emergency Survival Energy Tips
      • Maintenance-Free Energy Storage Tricks

    Disclaimer: Bonus items may vary based on availability and ongoing promotions on the official website. Always check thelostgenerator.com for the latest updates and bundle offers.

    Digital Format, Instant Access

    Once your payment is processed, you’ll gain immediate digital access to all materials. This means you can dive into the exciting process of building your generator on the very same day you make your purchase.

    No shipping delays. No subscription. Just a one-time download with the added peace of mind of lifetime access. You can revisit the materials whenever you need, ensuring you’re always equipped for your DIY energy project.

    Note: To access your materials, you’ll need a device that can open PDFs and an internet connection. Please be aware that physical components are not included in the package. However, you’ll be guided on how to source these locally or online.

    The next power failure isn’t a matter of if, but when. Download The Lost Generator now and have your emergency energy system ready before the grid lets you down.

    Pricing and Purchase Information

    How Much Does The Lost Generator Cost?

    The Lost Generator stands out for its affordability, a key advantage over traditional energy solutions. While solar panel systems can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000, and even basic home generators often run $1,000+, The Lost Generator blueprint is available for a one-time digital purchase.

    As of the latest update:

    • Standard Price:
    • Current Discounted Offer:$49 one-time payment
    • (no recurring subscription, no upsells required to access core content)

    With your purchase, you’ll receive the complete digital blueprint, a detailed materials list, a comprehensive safety guide, and access to any promotional bonuses currently offered on the official website. This ensures you have everything you need to get started with The Lost Generator.

    Disclaimer on Pricing: Always check the official website before purchasing. Prices, promotions, and bonus content are subject to change at any time without notice based on availability and marketing offers.

    Is There a Money-Back Guarantee?

    Yes, you can purchase with confidence as the system is backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee. This gives you a full two months to test the guide, try building the system, and evaluate whether it meets your expectations. If you’re unsatisfied for any reason, you can request a full refund through our support team.

    This risk-free offer has made the system more accessible to skeptical users, providing a sense of security who might otherwise hesitate to try a DIY power plan without proof it works.

    How to Order Safely Online

    To ensure you receive the authentic, up-to-date version of the blueprint:

    • Only purchase through the official website: https://thelostgenerator.com
    • A trusted third-party platform handles secure checkout processing
    • Instant digital access after purchase — no physical shipment required
    • Customer support contact info is included with your order confirmation for any questions or refund requests

    Caution: Avoid third-party resellers or “free download” sites claiming to offer the blueprint, as these may contain outdated files or potential security risks.

    Customer Testimonials

    What Real Users Are Saying About The Lost Generator

    One of the most compelling ways to assess a DIY system like this is to listen to the people who have already put it to the test. Below are several firsthand reviews from users who’ve successfully built and used The Lost Generator, experiencing a sense of accomplishment, cutting costs, preparing for emergencies, and feeling more energy independent.

    Verified Experiences from Around the Country

    John M. – Texas

    “After last year’s winter blackout, I swore I’d never be unprepared again. I built the generator in a weekend using The Lost Generator blueprint. Now I have backup power for my freezer, lights, and even my radio. Best $49 I’ve ever spent.”

    Lana B. – Oregon

    “I’m a single mom with no tech experience. I followed the guide and built the generator step-by-step. It powers my camper and saves me serious money when off-grid camping with the kids. Instructions were super clear.”

    Daniel K. – Florida

    “This is now part of my hurricane prep kit. The heat-to-power setup is ingenious. I’m not fully off-grid, but I can keep the fridge and fans running when the grid fails. The savings have already paid for the blueprint.”

    Greg S. – Pennsylvania

    “I didn’t expect much at first, but after seeing how it actually works with thermal energy, I was blown away. I’ve tested it during two outages, and it delivered. Plus, I got to build it with my teenage son, which was an added bonus.”

    Common Themes Across Reviews

    • Ease of setup, even for those with no engineering background
    • Functional power output for essential devices and lights
    • Reliability in emergencies, especially during blackouts or storms
    • Cost-effectiveness of building a generator from basic components
    • Educational value for families, preppers, and DIY tinkerers

    Disclaimer: These testimonials reflect individual experiences. Results may vary depending on technical accuracy, environment, component quality, and personal use. This product is not guaranteed to eliminate energy bills entirelybutmay significantly supplement household electricity in specific scenarios.

    Build confidence, peace of mind, and a backup energy source all in one weekend. Get The Lost Generator plan now and learn the step-by-step method to generate your own electricity.

    Addressing Common Concerns

    Is The Lost Generator Too Good to Be True?

    It’s natural to approach claims of “free energy” with skepticism. In a marketplace filled with overhyped products and pseudoscientific schemes, many wonder whether a DIY power generation system like this can actually deliver real results.

    Here, we address the most common questions and concerns surrounding The Lost Generator to give you a balanced perspective before making any decisions.

    Concern #1: Does It Really Work?

    Yes — for many users who follow the guide accurately and use quality parts, The Lost Generator system has successfully produced usable electricity. It’s based on real thermal conversion principles, which involve harnessing heat to generate small but functional electrical outputs. This process is not a perpetual motion machine, but a reliable method of energy generation.

    That said, it’s important to note that this is not a perpetual motion machine, nor does it promise to replace your entire home’s electrical system. It’s designed to supplement your power, reduce bills, and serve as a reliable off-grid or emergency energy source. Understanding these limitations will help you make an informed decision about whether The Lost Generator is right for you.

    Disclaimer: Performance depends on proper assembly, safe operation, and realistic energy expectations. Results vary based on how the system is built and what it’s being used to power.

    Concern #2: Is It Safe?

    The guide is meticulously crafted with detailed safety precautions to ensure your responsible handling of heat sources and electrical components. It’s designed with beginners in mind, and when the directions are followed correctly, the risk is minimal.

    However, users should always:

    • Avoid using flammable materials near open heat
    • Use proper insulation when handling wiring
    • Keep the system away from children and pets
    • Operate in a well-ventilated area
    • Test output with a multimeter before regular use

    Concern #3: Is It a Scam or Legitimate?

    The Lost Generator has gained popularity not only because of its promises, but becausebuyers are protected by a 60-day money-back guarantee. That safety net alone speaks to its legitimacy and gives skeptical users a chance to test it with zero risk.

    Additionally, the creator, Barnaby Brown, is transparent in his messaging: this is not a magic box, it’s a DIY educational energy plan built on scientific principles and practical application.

    Concern #4: What If I’m Not Tech-Savvy?

    The system was specifically designed for everyday users — not electricians or engineers. The digital blueprint provides:

    • Clear visuals
    • Plain-language instructions
    • Tool and part checklists
    • Testing guidance to verify output

    Even users who’ve never done a DIY electronics project before have reported success with the system.

    For best results, it’s crucial to go slowly, follow each step carefully, and not skip any safety protocols. You can even involve a friend or family member to make the project more approachable and ensure all safety measures are in place.

    Conclusion

    Is The Lost Generator Worth It? A Final Takeaway

    In a time of mounting energy bills, unpredictable grid failures, and a growing desire for sustainability and control, The Lost Generator emerges as more than just a DIY project — it’s a practical response to real-world problems.

    This isn’t a gimmick or a pie-in-the-sky promise. It’s a blueprint designed to empower everyday people with the tools to generate real, usable electricity using principles that date back to Edison’s own workshop. This is about you taking control of your energy needs, not being at the mercy of utility companies. And it’s doing so in a way that aligns with today’s most important consumer trends: off-grid readiness, survival planning, self-reliance, and environmental awareness.

    Who This Is Really For

    The Lost Generator is a standout choice for:

    • People tired of being at the mercy of utility companies
    • Anyone preparing for grid outages, blackouts, or emergencies
    • Budget-conscious homeowners looking to cut recurring costs
    • Homesteaders, preppers, and off-grid lifestyle adopters
    • Families looking for an educational DIY challenge with real benefits

    It’s not a silver bullet. But it does exactly what it promises — give you the power (literally and figuratively) to produce your own electricity when and where you need it most.

    Your Next Step to Energy Freedom

    With instant digital access, a 60-day money-back guarantee, and a proven system that has already helped thousands of users, The Lost Generator is a choice that offers high-impact benefits with low risk. It’s a secure investment for those ready to take back control of their energy future.

    If you’re looking for a simple, sustainable, and smart energy solution, you’ll find few options more practical and effective than this one. The Lost Generator is not just a theoretical concept, it’s a proven system that has already helped thousands of users.

    Pricing Notice: The current discounted price is $49 (regularly $97), but this offer may not last.

    Always verify pricing, bonuses, and refund terms on the official website, as details are subject to change at any time.

    Energy freedom is closer than you think. With The Lost Generator, you can build your own sustainable power solution and stop paying sky-high bills. Get the blueprint today.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    These FAQs are crafted to support primary and long-tail SEO keywords, address real user concerns, and help reinforce the article’s credibility while encouraging conversions.

    What exactly is The Lost Generator?

    The Lost Generator is a digital step-by-step guide that teaches you how to build a DIY generator system using heat conversion — based on energy principles connected to Thomas Edison’s original inventions. It allows you to create free electricity at home using affordable, commonly available parts.

    Can The Lost Generator really help me cut my electricity bill?

    Yes, many users report significant savings on their monthly utility bills by using The Lost Generator as a supplemental power source. While it’s not a total grid replacement, it can reduce dependence on expensive utility rates — especially during peak hours or outages.

    Disclaimer: Results may vary depending on your energy consumption, the size of the build, and how frequently it’s used.

    Is this a physical generator or a download?

    The Lost Generator is a digital product. You’ll receive a downloadable PDF blueprint that contains all the instructions, parts list, and safety guidance tobuild your own generator. It does not include any physical hardware.

    How long does it take to build The Lost Generator?

    Most users complete the assembly in 3 to 5 hours. It depends on your comfort level with basic tools and how quickly you gather the materials. The guide is broken down clearly to make the process smooth, even for beginners.

    Do I need any prior electrical or mechanical experience?

    Not at all. The Lost Generator is built for everyday users, not engineers. If you can follow a checklist and use basic hand tools, you’ll be able to build the system. It’s a great introduction to DIY energy generation and off-grid electricity solutions.

    Is this a perpetual motion or free energy scam?

    No — this is a real system based on thermal-to-electric energy conversion. It is not a perpetual motion machine or unscientific scheme. The output depends on the heat source and generator configuration as taught in the guide.

    Disclaimer: This is a practical DIY generator system, not a mystical or “infinite power” device. All claims are grounded in tested mechanical processes.

    What can The Lost Generator power?

    Depending on your setup, it can power:

    • LED lighting systems
    • Emergency radios
    • Small fans
    • Laptops and USB-charging devices
    • Refrigerators (with extended setups)
    • Sump pumps or electric tools (in limited use)

    It’s ideal for off-grid survival, power outages, or reducing utility costs by covering some of your home’s daily load.

    What does The Lost Generator cost?

    As of the latest update, the guide is available for a one-time payment of $49 (discounted from $97). There are no hidden fees or recurring subscriptions.

    Pricing Disclaimer: Always check the official website for the most current price and promotions, as these may change at any time.

    Is there a refund policy?

    Yes, The Lost Generator comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with the product or your results, you can request a full refund — no questions asked. This makes it a risk-free investment in your energy independence.

    Is this system legal to use in my home or community?

    Yes. Since it is a low-voltage, heat-powered system, there are no legal or permit requirements in most areas. You’re building a private-use generator, not installing a large-scale power source. It’s considered a personal project — just like solar cookers or water collection systems.

    Where do I get the parts?

    The guide includes a fullparts list with sourcing tips. Most items can be found at local hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s, or ordered online via Amazon or specialty electronics stores. Total estimated material cost ranges from $72 to $200, depending on location and upgrades.

    Can I scale or upgrade The Lost Generator?

    Absolutely. Once you understand the core principles, you can build multiple units or modify your build to increase output. Many users customize their setup to power larger devices or charge battery storage systems for extended use.

    No solar? No problem. The Lost Generator guide shows you how to use heat to power your home affordably — order now and get everything you need in one easy download.

    Disclaimers & Disclosures

    General Information Disclaimer

    This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice of any kind. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation, whether technical, electrical, medical, or legal. Always consult a qualified professional before beginning any do-it-yourself electrical or energy project. Readers assume full responsibility for the use of the information provided.

    Performance Disclaimer

    Results mentioned in this article, including but not limited to energy savings, performance capabilities, and system functionality, are based on individual use cases and may not be typical. There is no guarantee that every user will achieve the same results, and performance may vary depending on numerous factors including user skill, quality of components, environmental conditions, and adherence to instructions.

    No Energy or Utility Claims

    This content does not claim to eliminate dependence on public utilities, replace full-house energy systems, or promise uninterrupted power delivery. The product referenced is marketed as a supplemental energy solution and should not be interpreted as a substitute for commercial or regulated electricity services.

    Medical and Safety Disclaimer

    Any mention of health or safety benefits related to emergency preparedness or backup energy use is not intended to be construed as medical or therapeutic advice. Always follow official safety protocols and local codes when dealing with heat sources, wiring, or electrical components. Improper setup or misuse of components may result in injury, damage, or fire hazards.

    Affiliate Disclosure

    This article may contain affiliate links, meaning the publisher could receive a commission if readers decide to make a purchase through those links, at no additional cost to the reader. This helps support the content and research efforts behind the article. All opinions expressed are those of the writer and are based on publicly available information or direct product research.

    Accuracy Disclaimer

    While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the information presented, the publisher makes no warranties or representations as to the accuracy, applicability, or completeness of any content. Product features, availability, terms, and pricing are subject to change at any time without notice. Readers are encouraged to verify all details on the official product website before making purchasing decisions.

    Liability Waiver

    Neither the author, the publisher, nor any content syndication partners assume responsibility or liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from the use or misuse of the product or information described in this article. Use of this content implies acceptance of these terms.

    Third-Party Independence Statement

    This article is not sponsored by or affiliated with any third-party company or energy supplier. All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective owners.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins Questions HHS Secretary Kennedy on Cuts to NIH Research, Alzheimer’s Program Workforce

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
    Q&A on NIH Research Indirect Costs Cap: Click HERE to watch and HERE to download
    Q&A on Alzheimer’s Law Implementation: Click HERE to watch and HERE to download
    Washington, D.C. – Today, at a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Senator Susan Collins questioned HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Her questions focused on the Department’s proposed cap on indirect costs for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded research, as well as how workforce reductions at the Department could harm the implementation of laws such as the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Reauthorization Act, a bill Senator Collins authored that was signed into law last year.
    Q&A on NIH Research Indirect Costs Cap
    Senator Collins:
    I chaired, recently, the first Appropriations Committee hearing of the year, and we focused on biomedical research and how important it is that America not lose its global edge in innovation that’s producing life-saving and life-enhancing discoveries. Among the many issues that we covered, as you might expect, the hearing explored the 15%, arbitrary, one-size-fits-all cap that NIH has imposed on indirect, but still research-related, costs for its grants.
    What we heard is that this cap will mean less basic research, fewer clinical trials, and that it will also cause our scientists and researchers to leave the United States and go to other countries. I believe strongly that this proposed cap is poorly thought out, that it’s harmful, and I know that it violates current law, because since 2018 we’ve included in the appropriations bill specific language that prevents NIH from imposing such a cap. So, I know the system needs to be looked at, but are you reviewing how NIH’s approach of this one-size-fits-all 15% cap on indirect costs would affect laboratories, whether they’re private nonprofit labs, or whether they’re in universities, as far as doing crucial biomedical research?
    Secretary Kennedy:
    Senator, we are, and you and I have talked about this issue. And I think the impetus for the cap was that there were a lot of private universities with giant endowments, like Stanford and Harvard, that were getting indirect payments of 78%. What that means, if you get a million-dollar grant, the NIH then has to pay you an extra $780,000 for administrative costs. And a lot of those costs weren’t even going to anything to do with science.
    But I understand the University of Maine, the University of Alabama, many other universities and state universities were not abusing it. We lost about $9 billion a year in those kinds of costs. And so, we have a plan for how to address issues like what’s happening at the University of Maine.
    Q&A on Alzheimer’s Law Implementation
    Senator Collins:
    Mr. Secretary, nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and caring for people with this devastating chronic disease costs us some $360 billion a year. I am the author of a law that’s known as the BOLD Act. It takes a public health approach to Alzheimer’s, it educates providers, promotes earlier diagnosis, it helps caregivers and it also promotes lifestyle changes. I have worked very hard to make sure that HHS has the resources to carry out this law, which was just recently extended. I’m concerned that the reductions in force, of approximately 10,000 staff across HHS, will completely undermine this Act.
    For example, the Healthy Aging Branch administers the BOLD Act for Alzheimer’s. It has lost all of its staff. So, how can you ensure that the CDC continues to implement the BOLD Act and the Alzheimer’s programs under it, when all of the staff responsible for that administration have either been placed on administrative leave or let go?
    Secretary Kennedy:
    I know that that division has been folded into the Agency for a Healthy America. And a lot of the reports that whole divisions have been liquidated were just wrong. They were divisions that were being reassigned under the reorg.
    On that budget line, I will work with you, I’m committed. You know, Alzheimer’s has run in my family, as you know. You know my cousin, Maria Shriver, who’s deeply involved in it. The NIH had a very, very checkered history on studying Alzheimer’s because of the amyloid plaque scandal. And we have an opportunity now to do really good science and find a cure very quickly, and also find out, equally importantly, why so many people are getting Alzheimer’s in this generation. I want to make that happen. I want to work with you, Senator, to make sure that that happens and that those programs continue.
    +++
    At a recent U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee hearing chaired by Senator Susan Collins, she questioned Dr. Hermann Haller, President of the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, on how the proposed NIH cap on indirect costs would affect the important biomedical research occurring in Maine and at institutions across the country.
    With Senator Collins’ support, funding for the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act has grown from $10 million in fiscal year 2020 to $34 million in fiscal year 2024. In September 2020, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services received one of the first BOLD Program Awards. This investment has allowed for great progress in implementing the Maine State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. In September 2023, Maine received a second BOLD award from the CDC for Alzheimer’s prevention programs, which provides implementation funding to build on its initial investments and allow the state to carry out the Maine Alzheimer’s Prevention Program and the CDC’s Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for May 15, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 15, 2025.

    Ferocity, fitness and fast bowling: how Virat Kohli revolutionised Indian cricket
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vaughan Cruickshank, Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, University of Tasmania Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday. While his Instagram message just said this was the “right time”, his poor recent Test form, mental fatigue and desire to spend more time with

    Curious Kids: if our eyes see upside down, how does the brain flip the picture?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Joyce, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of Southern Queensland I heard that we see upside down, but our brain flips the image. How does it do that? –Jasmine, Mount Evelyn, Victoria Our eyes work thanks to light. Objects we can see are either sources of light

    Return of the huia? Why Māori worldviews must be part of the ‘de-extinction’ debate
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nic Rawlence, Associate Professor in Ancient DNA, University of Otago A museum specimen of the extinct huia. Wikimedia Commons/Auckland Museum collection, CC BY-SA The recent announcement of the resurrection of the dire wolf generated considerable global media attention and widespread scientific criticism. But beyond the research questions,

    After an autocratic leader was toppled in Bangladesh, democratic renewal remains a work in progress
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Intifar Chowdhury, Lecturer in Government, Flinders University Last July, a powerful student-led uprising in Bangladesh toppled the authoritarian, corrupt government led for 15 years by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh now shows modest signs of democratic recovery. Months into its tenure, a transitional government has reopened political

    Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior to return for 40th anniversary of French bombing
    By Russel Norman The iconic Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior will return to Aotearoa this year to mark the 40th anniversary of the bombing of the original campaign ship at Marsden Wharf in Auckland by French secret agents on 10 July 1985. The return to Aotearoa comes at a pivotal moment — when the fight to

    Can we confront cancel culture by finding common ground between moderate leftists and ‘wokists’?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hugh Breakey, Deputy Director, Institute for Ethics, Governance & Law, Griffith University A.C. Grayling’s new book Discriminations: Making Peace in the Culture Wars sees the renowned philosopher wading into the ethical minefields of “woke” activism, cancellation, and conservative backlash. Filled with thoughtful analysis, deep reflection, and fascinating

    Justice on demand? The true crime podcasts serving up Erin Patterson’s mushroom murder trial
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Cantrell, Senior Lecturer – Writing, Editing, and Publishing, University of Southern Queensland The trial of the so-called “mushroom cook” Erin Patterson, currently underway in the Victorian town of Morwell, continues to generate global attention. The mother of two is charged with three counts of murder and

    This 6-point plan can ease Australia’s gambling problems – if our government has the guts
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Charles Livingstone, Associate Professor, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University WHYFRAME/Shutterstock We have a refreshed and revitalised Australian government, enriched with great political capital. During the last term of parliament before the election, opportunities to address Australia’s raging gambling habit were neglected. Could this

    Whatever happened to Barbie’s feet? Podiatrists studied 2,750 dolls to find out
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cylie Williams, Professor, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University elinaxx1v/Shutterstock What do you get when a group of podiatrists (and shoe lovers) team up with a Barbie doll collector? A huge opportunity to explore how Barbie reflects changes in the types of shoes women

    Economic pessimism is behind the drift of voters to minor parties and independents
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viet Nguyen, Principal Research Fellow, Macroeconomics Research Program, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne Growing economic pessimism appears to have pushed many voters away from Australia’s two major parties, Labor and the Coalition. Support for minor parties and independents has doubled

    A law change will expand who we remember on Anzac Day – the New Zealand Wars should be included too
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato The New Zealand Wars memorial in new Plymouth. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA Anzac Day has come and gone again. But – lest we forget – war and its consequences are not confined to single days in the calendar. Nor

    Newly discovered frog species from 55 million years ago challenges evolutionary tree
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Roy M. Farman, Adjunct Associate Lecturer, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney Australian Green Tree Frog (_Litoria caerulea_). indrabone/iNaturalist, CC BY-NC Australian tree frogs today make up over one third of all known frog species on the continent. Among this group, iconic species such

    Two lizard-like creatures crossed tracks 355 million years ago. Today, their footprints yield a major discovery
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Long, Strategic Professor in Palaeontology, Flinders University Marcin Ambrozik The emergence of four-legged animals known as tetrapods was a key step in the evolution of many species today – including humans. Our new discovery, published today in Nature, details ancient fossil footprints found in Australia that

    Politics with Michelle Grattan: Andrew Leigh on more productive work in the age of AI
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Australia’s productivity performance has stagnated for years, and Treasurer Jim Chalmers has declared addressing this is a second term priority. “Productivity” is now an added part of the remit of Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh, along with his responsibility for competition,

    Caitlin Johnstone: Israel admits it bombed a hospital to kill a journalist for doing journalism
    Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone The IDF has admitted to bombing a hospital in order to assassinate a prominent Palestinian journalist in Gaza, Hassan Aslih, explicitly stating that they assassinated him for engaging in journalistic activities. The official Israel Defense Forces account made the following post on

    Men are shaving off their eyelashes on TikTok. Here’s why that might be a bad idea
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amanda Meyer, Senior Lecturer, Anatomy and Pathology, James Cook University Bhatakta Manav/Shutterstock Videos of men removing their eyelashes, by trimming or shaving, have been circulating on social media in recent weeks. This trend is based on the idea short eyelashes look more masculine. Hair can tell us

    Soon, your boss will have to pay your wages and super at the same time. Here’s how everyone could benefit
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Helen Hodgson, Professor, Curtin Law School and Curtin Business School, Curtin University Dragon Images/Shutterstock If you have a job in Australia, you’ve probably noticed each of your payslips has a section telling you how much superannuation will be paid alongside your wages. But while your wages are

    What is the ‘glass cliff’ phenomenon – and why do women often find themselves on the precipice?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kerrie-Anne Hammermeister, PhD Candidate in the School of Humanities and Communication, University of Southern Queensland GoodStudio/Shutterstock Speaking to the media after being named leader of the Liberal Party, Sussan Ley was asked if this appointment was an example of the “glass cliff effect”. Ley said “I don’t

    Fiji Indians in NZ ‘not giving up’ on Pasifika classification struggle
    By Susana Suisuiki, RNZ Pacific Waves presenter/producer, and Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor The co-founder of Auckland’s Fiji Centre is concerned that Indo-Fijians are not classified as Pacific Islanders in Aotearoa. This week marks the 146th anniversary of the arrival of the first indentured labourers from British India to Fiji, who departed from Calcutta.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: How China, LAC countries bolster shared development, boost Global South unity

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum and delivers a keynote speech at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, capital of China, May 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

    Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on Tuesday the launch of five major programs to advance China’s shared development and revitalization with Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries at the just concluded fourth ministerial meeting of a key cooperation platform for the two sides in Beijing.

    A container with the words “from Chancay to Shanghai” printed on it is pictured at Yangshan Port, east China’s Shanghai, Dec. 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

    The five programs, ranging from solidarity, development and civilization to peace and people-to-people connectivity, provide a clear roadmap for deepening cooperation and advancing the common goals of both sides.

    Over the past decade since the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum was established, political trust between China and LAC countries has been strengthened, their development strategies aligned, and cultural exchanges promoted.

    FROM SAPLING TO PILLAR

    The seeds of the forum were sown in July 2014, when President Xi paid a state visit to Brazil and attended the first meeting between leaders of China and LAC countries.

    At that meeting in Brasilia almost 11 years ago, the leaders agreed to establish the China-CELAC Forum, an institutional framework to advance the vision of building a China-LAC community with a shared future.

    “At that meeting, President Xi held a very frank dialogue with Latin American leaders, focusing on issues such as poverty alleviation and infrastructure improvement,” recalled Valdemar Carneiro Leao, who witnessed the historic event as then Brazilian ambassador to China.

    “The China-CELAC Forum is a newborn, just like a young shoot sprouting out of the earth, whose sturdy growth into a towering tree needs meticulous cultivation of both sides,” Xi said at the first ministerial meeting of the forum in 2015.

    In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the forum on Tuesday, Xi revisited the metaphor, saying that 10 years on, with dedicated nurturing of both sides, the forum has grown from a tender sapling into a towering tree.

    Having witnessed how China-LAC relations have withstood global turbulence with ever-growing mutual political trust, Leao said Xi’s initiative to create the China-CELAC Forum has a forward-looking vision of the times.

    Since its inception, the forum has grown into a robust platform for cooperation as China and the CELAC Quartet have held eight rounds of foreign ministerial dialogues to date, alongside more than 100 events spanning agricultural production, technological innovation, poverty reduction, green development, disaster response, defense cooperation, think tank exchanges and anti-corruption efforts.

    Meanwhile, a range of institutional platforms, including the China-LAC Sustainable Food Innovation Center and the China-LAC Technology Transfer Center, have also taken root, helping the forum become a pillar of China-LAC cooperation.

    “China-LAC cooperation has experienced a splendid golden decade, and is about to enter an even more promising diamond decade,” said Song Junying, director of the Department for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the China Institute of International Studies.

    COMMON GROWTH, SHARED FUTURE

    An electric and combustion dual-power train manufactured by China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd. awaits departure at the central station in Santiago, Chile, Jan. 19, 2024. (Photo by Jorge Villegas/Xinhua)

    China and LAC countries ride the tide of progress together to pursue win-win cooperation, Xi said on Tuesday, noting that while embracing the trend of economic globalization, the two sides have deepened cooperation in trade, investment, finance, science and technology, infrastructure, among other fields.

    In the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, China and LAC countries have implemented more than 200 infrastructure projects, creating over a million jobs and forging a path of cooperation bridging the Pacific.

    Notable examples include the China-LAC satellite cooperation program, which has become a model for high-tech South-South collaboration and the inauguration of Chancay Port in Peru, which has created a new land-and-sea connectivity link between Asia and Latin America.

    China has also signed free trade agreements with Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Nicaragua. Last year, trade between China and LAC countries exceeded 500 billion U.S. dollars for the first time, an increase of over 40 times from the beginning of this century.

    For ordinary people like Leonardo Talledos, an operations control engineer for Colombia’s Bogota Metro Line 1, the significance of China-LAC cooperation today goes far beyond trade figures and project counts — it shapes his career and supports his aspirations.

    Built and operated by Chinese companies, Bogota Metro Line 1 is Colombia’s largest infrastructure project to date. Once operational in 2028, it will cut travel time between terminal stations from nearly three hours to just 27 minutes.

    In 2023, Talledos traveled to Xi’an, capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, for a year-long training program in metro operations, where he witnessed the rapid development of China’s urban transit systems. Inspired by the experience, he returned to Colombia to help compile training materials and operational guidelines for the metro line.

    Trainees from Bogota pose for a group photo during the commencement of a metro operation training program in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, Nov. 12, 2024. (Xinhua)

    “From the moment we were hired, we were told that being part of this project was being part of Bogota’s history, because it was the beginning, the first line of many lines to come in the future,” said Talledos.

    GREATER SOLIDARITY, BIGGER VOICE

    As part of the Year of the Snake celebrations, Brazilian soprano Marilia Vargas gave a moving performance of the Chinese song “I Love You, China” at Rio de Janeiro’s Municipal Theater. Dressed in a flowing red gown, her voice echoed powerfully throughout the hall.

    Vargas, who has learned many Chinese songs in recent years, said her bond with China has deepened alongside the growth of the China-CELAC Forum. “Since the forum’s foundation, many more opportunities for cultural exchange between LAC countries and China have opened up.”

    She told Xinhua that in the future, she will continue to “explore more Chinese musical treasures” and remain dedicated to advancing cultural exchanges between China and Brazil as well as between China and other LAC countries.

    Over the past decade, cultural exchanges under the China-CELAC Forum have flourished. Joint archaeological projects have yielded substantial results, the number of exchange students has steadily increased, and interest in the Chinese language continues to surge across LAC countries.

    “Mutual respect, diversity, knowledge and understanding” were the words used by Rogelio Rivero, Mexican archaeologist and director of the Archaeological Zone of Teotihuacan, to describe his experience in the cultural exchanges and dialogues held in China.

    Members of China National Symphony Orchestra perform at the Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sept. 9, 2024. (Photo by Claudia Martini/Xinhua)

    Rivero believes that LAC countries, by strengthening cultural exchanges with China and other Global South countries, will effectively contribute to breaking with “Western-centrism” and balancing unilateral narratives at the global level.

    Despite differences in civilizations and cultures, independence and self-determination remain a shared and defining spirit of the Global South, said Ninfa Montano, president of the China-Mexico Cultural Development Foundation.

    “The China-CELAC Forum unites the strength of the Global South, promoting unity and cooperation among many developing countries, and will contribute to establishing a more just and equitable global governance system,” Montano said.

    Montano’s view was echoed by many analysts, who see the ministerial meeting as a chance to deepen cooperation, address global challenges and reinforce South-South solidarity.

    The cooperation between China and LAC countries has set a model of mutually beneficial South-South collaboration, said Manuel Alberto Hidalgo, economist at Peru’s National University of San Marcos.

    By deepening bilateral partnership, both sides have effectively strengthened solidarity and cooperation in the Global South and made positive contributions to promoting the bloc’s greater role in global governance, he said.

    For Ingrid Chavez, executive director of the Colombian-Chinese Chamber of Investment and Commerce, the cooperation helps build up “a common voice as a bloc,” empowering LAC countries to negotiate more effectively on the global stage.

    It helps LAC countries “establish interregional, multilateral relations and somewhat change the power dynamics that have existed until now at the global level,” she added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China launches scientific expedition to glacial headwaters of Yellow River

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

    China launches scientific expedition to glacial headwaters of Yellow River

    Xinhua | May 15, 2025

    A scientific expedition to Mount Anyemaqen, a critical water conservation area at the headwaters of the Yellow River, was launched Tuesday in Xining, capital of northwest China’s Qinghai Province, as part of the country’s broader efforts to protect its second-longest river.

    Researchers will monitor changes in glaciers, permafrost and water resources to better understand the region’s response to climate change. The findings are expected to guide long-term ecological protection and restoration strategies, according to the organizers of the expedition.

    Located in the Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Mount Anyemaqen is the largest snow-capped mountain in the Yellow River source area. The mountain is home to more than 40 glaciers, key components of the cryosphere and sensitive indicators of climate change.

    With more than 100 square kilometers of glacial coverage, the area plays a vital role in maintaining water levels in source lakes that feed the Yellow River.

    “With global warming, the glaciers of Mount Anyemaqen are experiencing profound changes,” said Hou Guangliang, a professor at Qinghai Normal University’s school of geographical sciences. “We’re seeing declining glacier surface elevations, rapidly retreating glacier tongues and more frequent ice avalanches.”

    Experts say the research will support China’s broader efforts to safeguard water security and biodiversity in the Yellow River basin amid global changes.

    The mission is being led by the Sanjiangyuan Ecological Protection Foundation, the Three-River-Source National Park administration, and Qinghai Normal University.

    The Yellow River, measuring 5,464 km in length, originates in Qinghai Province and flows through Sichuan, Gansu, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Shanxi and Henan, before passing through Shandong in east China and emptying into the Bohai Sea. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Return of the huia? Why Māori worldviews must be part of the ‘de-extinction’ debate

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nic Rawlence, Associate Professor in Ancient DNA, University of Otago

    A museum specimen of the extinct huia. Wikimedia Commons/Auckland Museum collection, CC BY-SA

    The recent announcement of the resurrection of the dire wolf generated considerable global media attention and widespread scientific criticism.

    But beyond the research questions, there are other issues we must consider – in particular, the lack of Indigenous voices in discussions about de-extinction.

    It is undeniable that biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences achieved a major scientific breakthrough. It has successfully changed the genome of a vertebrate species, introduced desired traits, and created apparently healthy hybrid wolf pups.

    The main scientific criticisms were that genetically engineering gray wolves with dire wolf traits doesn’t constitute de-extinction. And regardless of the achievement, we still have to ask whether we should bring back extinct species in the first place.

    But given the company’s goals of resurrecting species significant to Indigenous groups, including the thylacine (Tasmanian tiger) and the moa, it is vital Indigenous views contribute to decisions.

    Gene technologies in conservation

    Colossal Biosciences’ achievement shows the potential of new gene-editing technologies to contribute to conservation efforts. This could include introducing desirable traits into threatened species or removing harmful ones.

    It could even mean creating ecological equivalents of extinct species, as the company has suggested.

    In Aotearoa New Zealand, hapori Māori (tribal groups) are the kaitiaki (guardians) of many threatened taonga (treasured) species. There is growing international interest in the resurrection of some of New Zealand’s extinct birds, including the moa, Haast’s eagle and huia, despite Māori concerns.

    Their voices in this debate are crucial, as are those of other Indigenous groups when biotech proposals are relevant to them.

    Colossal Biosciences has an Indigenous Council (made up of North American Indian Nations) and has established an advisory committee for the thylacine de-extinction project with Indigenous representation.

    New Zealand has lost several bird species, including the moa, Haast’s eagle and huia.
    Paul Martinson, CC BY-SA

    But in our engagements with Māori from around the country over the past decade, we’ve found virtually no Māori support for the de-extinction of taonga species.

    Lost ecosystems and opportunity costs

    One reason we have heard involves a lack of suitable habitats for de-extinct species. Most of Aotearoa New Zealand is highly modified, with only 25% of native forest remaining. This requires ongoing predator control.

    That means there are very few suitable sites to release de-extinct species. For some lost ecosystems, there is no suitable analogue at all. The effort required to establish and manage sites would be substantial.

    There would also need to be ongoing financial resourcing to support kaitiaki responsibilities, which would be expected of Māori communities within whose rohe (traditional boundaries) de-extinct species might be released.

    In our view, kaitiaki prefer gene technology funding to be spent on applications that support their guardianship role, such as environmental DNA. Or they would like it expanded for the management of remaining and often threatened taonga species.

    Without new funding, there is a real opportunity-cost risk of money being pulled from other areas, potentially resulting in further extinctions of endangered taonga species.

    In all likelihood, maintaining a genetically diverse population of a de-extinct species (with at least 500 individuals) would be a challenging exercise, given how slowly New Zealand’s taonga species breed.

    Treaty breaches and tikanga

    Without meaningful Māori support and involvement, the release of a de-extinct species would effectively constitute a breach of Article Two of te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi). The te reo Māori version states Māori have exclusive rights to taonga.

    This is also the essence of the Waitangi Tribunal WAI262 claim that Māori have intellectual property rights over flora and fauna. Māori have whakapapa (genealogy) relationships with taonga species and a moral obligation to look after their welfare and the taiao (environment) they are in.

    This has led to concerns that altering the whakapapa of an existing species to resemble another species is unnatural and disrespectful (compared to natural hybridisation). This could have negative consequences for hybrid species as well as other organisms and the taiao.

    Hybrids may not be sufficiently adapted to existing threats (such as introduced mammalian predators) or the new environments they find themselves in. Conversely, they could be so well adapted they disrupt the ecosystem and become a pest.

    There are long-held concerns that Māori have been excluded from conversations about applying gene technologies. This is despite the successful use of tikanga-based frameworks (customs) for evaluating specific uses of the technologies in individual cases.

    These concerns include potential biopiracy, bioprospecting and trademarking of taonga species by overseas companies. They are echoed in submissions to the draft Gene Technology Bill, which all but eliminates Māori consultation on the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment.

    Looking to the future

    Without substantive Māori involvement, internationally led and resourced de-extinction of a taonga species could well become yet another negative colonisation experience.

    Such conversations need to involve a wide range of Māori, and employ tikanga-based protocols, to ensure sufficiently thorough and holistic evaluation of potential de-extinction projects.

    There is currently nothing to stop biotechnology companies utilising specimens of taonga species housed in museums worldwide.

    We argue that addressing these issues and reaching a national consensus should be a prerequisite for any application of gene-editing technology in conservation, whether it is to suppress pest species or support struggling taonga species.

    Many of the concerns raised by Māori will no doubt be shared by Indigenous people around the world. They need to be part of the conversation and critical commentary around de-extinction and potential reintroduction of organisms into the wild. Their knowledge of environmental management, which dates back hundreds to tens of thousands of years, is something we must learn from.

    Phillip Wilcox receives research funding from various NZ government sources. He is co-chair of Te Ira Tātai Whakaeke Trust, a Māori-owned charitable trust aimed at promoting ethically appropriate use of genomic technologies for the benefit of Māori communities, particularly Māori health.

    Nic Rawlence 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. Return of the huia? Why Māori worldviews must be part of the ‘de-extinction’ debate – https://theconversation.com/return-of-the-huia-why-maori-worldviews-must-be-part-of-the-de-extinction-debate-255605

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Curious Kids: if our eyes see upside down, how does the brain flip the picture?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Joyce, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of Southern Queensland

    I heard that we see upside down, but our brain flips the image. How does it do that?

    –Jasmine, Mount Evelyn, Victoria

    Our eyes work thanks to light. Objects we can see are either sources of light themselves – like a candle or a phone screen – or light bounces off them and makes its way to our eyes.

    First, light passes through the optical components of the eyes such as the cornea, pupil and lens.

    Together, they help focus the light onto the retina that senses light, while also controlling the intensity of light to help us see well while avoiding damage to the eye.

    The function of the lens is to correctly focus light that comes from objects at different distances. This process is known as accommodation.


    Marochkina Anastasiia/Shutterstock

    While performing this important task, light passing through the lens becomes inverted. This means that light from the top of the object falls lower on the retina than light from the bottom, which falls higher on the retina.

    So, light exiting the lens to land on the retina is indeed flipped upside down. But that doesn’t mean the brain is actually flipping the picture “back”. Here’s why.

    The orientation doesn’t actually matter

    While the light being interpreted by the brain is “upside down” compared to the real world, the question is: is that actually a problem for us?

    From your own experience you can tell the answer is probably no. We seem to navigate and interact with the world just fine.

    So, where in the brain is the image flipped or rotated 180 degrees to be the “right way up” again?

    You may be surprised to learn that vision scientists reject the idea a flipping or rotation needs to happen at all. This is because of how our brains process visual information.

    The object you perceive is “encoded” by the firing of various neurons – brain cells that process information – in various locations in the brain. This pattern of firing is what encodes the information about the object you’re focusing on. That info takes into account the object’s relation to everything else in the scene, your body in the world, and your movements.

    As long as the relative encodings of these are all consistent with one another, as well as stable, there’s no need for a flip to happen at all.

    We can function with ‘upside down’ goggles!

    Several studies have looked at how we adapt to large changes in visual input by asking people to wear goggles that flip the image coming in.

    This means the image lands on the retina the “right way up”, so to speak, but upside down from what the brain has learned it should be.

    In the 1930s, two scientists in Austria performed the Innsbruck Goggle Experiments. For weeks or even months at a time, participants in these studies wore goggles that altered the way the world around them looked. This included goggles that turn the incoming image upside down.

    A person blinks while wearing an ‘invertoscope’ – goggles that turn the incoming image upside down.
    Dmitry Hoh/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    As you can imagine, people wearing these goggles at first found it really difficult to get by in their day-to-day activities. They would stumble and bump into things.

    But this was temporary.

    Participants reported seeing the world upside-down for the first few days, with difficulties navigating the environment, including trying to step over ceiling lights that appeared to them as on the floor.

    Around the fifth day, however, performance seemed to improve. Things that were at first seen upside down now appeared the right way up, and this tended to improve with more time.

    In other words, with continued exposure to the upside-down world, the brain adapted to the changed input.

    More recent studies are beginning to identify which areas of the brain are involved in being able to adapt to changes in visual input, and what the limits of our ability to adapt might be.

    Adaptation may even allow “colour blind” people to see colour better than is predicted from their condition.

    Daniel Joyce 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. Curious Kids: if our eyes see upside down, how does the brain flip the picture? – https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-if-our-eyes-see-upside-down-how-does-the-brain-flip-the-picture-254303

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Two lizard-like creatures crossed tracks 355 million years ago. Today, their footprints yield a major discovery

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By John Long, Strategic Professor in Palaeontology, Flinders University

    Marcin Ambrozik

    The emergence of four-legged animals known as tetrapods was a key step in the evolution of many species today – including humans.

    Our new discovery, published today in Nature, details ancient fossil footprints found in Australia that upend the early evolution timeline of all tetrapods. It also suggests major parts of the story could have played out in the southern supercontinent of Gondwana.

    This fossil trackway whispers that we have been looking for the origin of modern tetrapods in the wrong time, and perhaps the wrong place.

    The first feet on land

    Tetrapods originated a long time ago in the Devonian period, when strange lobe-finned fishes began to haul themselves out of the water, probably around 390 million years ago.

    This ancestral stock later split into two main evolutionary lines. One led to modern amphibians, such as frogs and salamanders. The other led to amniotes, whose eggs contain amniotic membranes protecting the developing foetus.

    Today, amniotes include all reptiles, birds and mammals. They are by far the most successful tetrapod group, numbering more than 27,000 species of reptiles, birds and mammals.

    They have occupied every environment on land, have conquered the air, and many returned to the water in spectacularly successful fashion. But the fossil record shows the earliest members of this amniote group were small and looked rather like lizards. How did they emerge?

    The oldest known tetrapods have always been thought to be primitive fish-like forms like Acanthostega, barely capable of moving on land.

    Acanthostega, an early tetrapod that lived about 365 million years ago, was a member of the ancestral stock that gave rise to amphibians and amniotes.
    The authors

    Most scientists agree amphibians and amniotes separated at the start of the Carboniferous period, about 355 million years ago. Later in the period, the amniote lineage split further into the ancestors of mammals and reptiles-plus-birds.

    Now, this tidy picture falls apart.

    A curious trackway

    Key to our discovery is a 35 centimetre wide sandstone slab from Taungurung country, near Mansfield in eastern Victoria.

    The slab is covered with the footprints of clawed feet that can only belong to early amniotes, most probably reptiles. It pushes back the origin of the amniotes by at least 35 million years.

    Mansfield slab, dated between 359-350 million years old, showing positions of early reptile tracks.
    The authors

    Despite huge variations in size and shape, all amniotes have certain features in common. For one, if we have limbs with fingers and toes, these are almost always tipped with claws – or nails, in the case of humans.

    In other tetrapod groups, real claws don’t occur. Even claw-like, hardened toe tips seen in some amphibians are extremely rare.

    Claws usually leave obvious marks in footprints, providing a clue to whether a fossil footprint was made by an amniote.

    Close up showing the oldest known tracks with hooked claws from Mansfield, Victoria. Left, photo; right, optical scan.
    The authors

    The oldest clawed tracks

    The previous oldest fossil record of reptiles is based on footprints and bones from North America and Europe around 318 million years ago.

    The oldest record of reptile-like tracks in Europe is from Silesia in Poland, a new discovery also revealed in our paper. They are around 328 million years old.

    However, the Australian slab is much older than that, dated to between 359 and 350 million years old. It comes from the earliest part of the Carboniferous rock outcropping along the Broken River (Berrepit in the Taungurung language of the local First Nations people).

    This area has long been known for yielding many kinds of spectacular fossil fishes that lived in lakes and large rivers. Now, for the first time, we catch a glimpse of life on the riverbank.

    Fossil hunters search the Carboniferous red sandstone in the Mansfield area of Victoria. Such outcrops recently yielded the trackways of the world’s oldest reptile.
    John Long

    Two trackways of fossil footprints cross the slab’s upper surface, one of them overstepping an isolated footprint facing the opposite direction. The surface is covered with dimples made by raindrops, recording a brief shower just before the footprints were made. This proves the creatures were moving about on dry land.

    All the footprints show claw marks, some in the form of long scratches where the foot has been dragged along.

    The shape of the feet matches that of known early reptile tracks, so we are confident the footprints belong to an amniote. Our short animation below gives a reconstruction of the ancient environment around Mansfield 355 million years ago, and shows how the tracks were made.

    A short animation showing the creature making the tracks and its scientific significance. By Flinders University and Monkeystack Productions.

    Rewriting the timeline

    This find has a massive impact on the origin timeline of all tetrapods.

    If amniotes had already evolved by the earliest Carboniferous, as our fossil shows, the last common ancestor of amniotes and amphibians has to lie much further back in time, in the Devonian period.

    We can estimate the timing of the split by comparing the relative lengths of different branches in DNA-based family trees of living tetrapods. It suggests the split took place in the late Devonian, maybe as far back as 380 million years ago.

    This implies the late Devonian world was populated not just by primitive fish-like tetrapods, and intermediate “fishapods” like the famous Tiktaalik, but also by advanced forms including close relatives of the living lineages. So why haven’t we found their bones?

    The location of our slab provides a clue.

    Big evolutionary questions

    All other records of Carboniferous amniotes have come from the northern hemisphere ancient landmass called Euramerica that incorporated present-day North America and Europe. Euramerica also produced the great majority of Devonian tetrapod fossils.

    The new Australian fossils come from Gondwana, a gigantic southern continent that also contained Africa, South America, Antarctica and India.

    In all of this vast landmass, which stretched from the southern tropics down across the South Pole, our little slab is currently the only tetrapod fossil from the earliest part of the Carboniferous.

    The Devonian record is scarcely much better. The Gondwana fossil record of early tetrapods is shockingly incomplete, with enormous gaps that could conceal – well, just about anything.

    This find now raises a big evolutionary question. Did the first modern tetrapods, our own distant ancestors, emerge in the temperate Devonian landscapes of southern Gondwana, long before they spread to the sun-baked semi-deserts and steaming swamps of equatorial Euramerica?

    It’s quite possible. Only more fieldwork, bringing to light new discoveries of Devonian and Carboniferous fossils from the old Gondwana continents, might one day answer that question.

    We acknowledge the Taungurung people of Mansfield area where this scientific work has taken place.

    John Long receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Grzegorz Niedzwiedzki receives funding from the Swedish Research Council and the European Research Council.

    Per Ahlberg receives funding from the European Research Council and the Knut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

    – ref. Two lizard-like creatures crossed tracks 355 million years ago. Today, their footprints yield a major discovery – https://theconversation.com/two-lizard-like-creatures-crossed-tracks-355-million-years-ago-today-their-footprints-yield-a-major-discovery-254301

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Curious Kids: if our eyes see upside down, how does the brain flip the picture?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Daniel Joyce, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of Southern Queensland

    I heard that we see upside down, but our brain flips the image. How does it do that?

    –Jasmine, Mount Evelyn, Victoria

    Our eyes work thanks to light. Objects we can see are either sources of light themselves – like a candle or a phone screen – or light bounces off them and makes its way to our eyes.

    First, light passes through the optical components of the eyes such as the cornea, pupil and lens.

    Together, they help focus the light onto the retina that senses light, while also controlling the intensity of light to help us see well while avoiding damage to the eye.

    The function of the lens is to correctly focus light that comes from objects at different distances. This process is known as accommodation.


    Marochkina Anastasiia/Shutterstock

    While performing this important task, light passing through the lens becomes inverted. This means that light from the top of the object falls lower on the retina than light from the bottom, which falls higher on the retina.

    So, light exiting the lens to land on the retina is indeed flipped upside down. But that doesn’t mean the brain is actually flipping the picture “back”. Here’s why.

    The orientation doesn’t actually matter

    While the light being interpreted by the brain is “upside down” compared to the real world, the question is: is that actually a problem for us?

    From your own experience you can tell the answer is probably no. We seem to navigate and interact with the world just fine.

    So, where in the brain is the image flipped or rotated 180 degrees to be the “right way up” again?

    You may be surprised to learn that vision scientists reject the idea a flipping or rotation needs to happen at all. This is because of how our brains process visual information.

    The object you perceive is “encoded” by the firing of various neurons – brain cells that process information – in various locations in the brain. This pattern of firing is what encodes the information about the object you’re focusing on. That info takes into account the object’s relation to everything else in the scene, your body in the world, and your movements.

    As long as the relative encodings of these are all consistent with one another, as well as stable, there’s no need for a flip to happen at all.

    We can function with ‘upside down’ goggles!

    Several studies have looked at how we adapt to large changes in visual input by asking people to wear goggles that flip the image coming in.

    This means the image lands on the retina the “right way up”, so to speak, but upside down from what the brain has learned it should be.

    In the 1930s, two scientists in Austria performed the Innsbruck Goggle Experiments. For weeks or even months at a time, participants in these studies wore goggles that altered the way the world around them looked. This included goggles that turn the incoming image upside down.

    A person blinks while wearing an ‘invertoscope’ – goggles that turn the incoming image upside down.
    Dmitry Hoh/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    As you can imagine, people wearing these goggles at first found it really difficult to get by in their day-to-day activities. They would stumble and bump into things.

    But this was temporary.

    Participants reported seeing the world upside-down for the first few days, with difficulties navigating the environment, including trying to step over ceiling lights that appeared to them as on the floor.

    Around the fifth day, however, performance seemed to improve. Things that were at first seen upside down now appeared the right way up, and this tended to improve with more time.

    In other words, with continued exposure to the upside-down world, the brain adapted to the changed input.

    More recent studies are beginning to identify which areas of the brain are involved in being able to adapt to changes in visual input, and what the limits of our ability to adapt might be.

    Adaptation may even allow “colour blind” people to see colour better than is predicted from their condition.

    Daniel Joyce 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. Curious Kids: if our eyes see upside down, how does the brain flip the picture? – https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-if-our-eyes-see-upside-down-how-does-the-brain-flip-the-picture-254303

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: US think tanks need to be less confrontational in their China-related analysis

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    Recently, the American Atlantic Council published an article titled “Competing with China: Either a Quick Victory or a Crushing Defeat,” which argues that in the event of a conflict between China and the United States, the United States must seek a quick conclusion or face “catastrophic consequences.” The author of the article, Glick, argues that a “short, regional, and limited war” best suits the capabilities and interests of the United States, and that an excessive focus on a “protracted war” will only lead to defeat.

    Glick’s view is just one of many analyses in the American strategic community on this topic. Analysis of the military power ratio of China and the United States, or modeling the so-called “China-US standoff,” has always been the focus of research by American think tanks and often becomes an important reference point for Washington in making strategic decisions. It can be said that the research and assessments of some American think tanks have, to a certain extent, become “indirect factors” contributing to the deterioration of China-US relations.

    In this regard, China needs to conduct an in-depth analysis in three areas:

    First, we should be wary of the cognitive limitations of viewing Sino-US relations through the prism of confrontation. Such thinking is essentially a narrow zero-sum logic. The problem is this: first, it ignores the multidimensional and complex nature of Sino-US relations. Second, it overestimates the inevitability and severity of confrontation. Historical experience shows that Sino-US relations have always developed in a dynamic balance between tension and détente, and the potential for cooperation has never disappeared completely despite competition. Finally, there is a hidden risk of strategic miscalculation.

    Second, it is important to understand the logic behind the “insecurity” of some in the United States that is behind the confrontational thinking. The current crisis of US self-confidence is due to many problems. In a period of adjustment, the United States, unlike in its heyday, needs international cooperation to address global challenges.

    Third, it is necessary to clearly understand the future development trend of China-US relations. In the era of globalization, when science and technology are rapidly developing, the degree of exchange between countries is deepening, and the interrelations between countries are reaching an unprecedented level, peaceful coexistence between China and the US is no longer just a choice based on the interests of the two countries, but a necessary condition for safeguarding the common interests of mankind and the common development of the world.

    American think tanks need to understand that the outdated logic of the zero-sum game does not apply to modern Sino-US relations. The economic complementarity of the two countries, as well as the inevitability of cooperation in security and public goods, should be the basis for the healthy development of Sino-US relations.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: University Research – Fossil tracks show reptiles appeared on Earth up to 40 million years earlier – Flinders

    Source: Flinders University

    The origin of reptiles on Earth has been shown to be up to 40 million years earlier than previously thought – thanks to evidence discovered at an Australian fossil site that represents a critical time period.

    Flinders University Professor John Long and colleagues have identified fossilised tracks of an amniote with clawed feet – most probably a reptile – from the Carboniferous period, about 350 million years ago.

    “Once we identified this, we realised this is the oldest evidence in the world of reptile-like animals walking around on land – and it pushes their evolution back by 35-to-40 million years older than the previous records in the Northern Hemisphere,” says Professor Long, Strategic Professor in Palaeontology at Flinders.

    Published today in the journal Nature, this discovery indicates that such animals originated in the ancient southern supercontinent of Gondwana, of which Australia was a central part

    The fossil tracks, discovered in the Mansfield district of northern Victoria in Australia, were made by an animal that Professor Long predicts would have looked like a small, stumpy, Goanna-like creature.

    “The implications of this discovery for the early evolution of tetrapods are profound,” says Professor Long.

    “All stem-tetrapod and stem-amniote lineages must have originated during the Devonian period – but tetrapod evolution proceeded much faster, and the Devonian tetrapod record is much less complete than we have believed.”

    Fossil records of crown-group amniotes – the group that includes mammals, birds and reptiles – begin in the Late Carboniferous period (about 318 million years old), while previously the earliest body fossils of crown-group tetrapods were from about 334 million years ago, and the oldest trackways about 353 million years old.

    This had suggested the modern tetrapod group originated in the early Carboniferous period, with the modern amniote group appearing in the early part of the Late Carboniferous period.

    “We now present new trackway data from Australia that falsify this widely accepted timeline,” says Professor Long, who worked with Australian and international experts on the major Nature journal paper.

    “My involvement with this amazing fossil find goes back some 45 years, when I did my PhD thesis on the fossils of the Mansfield district, but it was only recently after organizing palaeontology field trips to this area with Flinders University students that we got locals fired up to join in the hunt for fossils.

    “Two of these locals – Craig Eury and John Eason (coauthors on the paper) – found this slab covered in trackways and, at first, we thought they were early amphibian trackways, but one in the middle has a hooked claw coming off the digits, like a reptile – an amniote, in fact.

    “It was amazing how crystal clear the trackways are on the rock slab. It immediately excited us, and we sensed we were onto something big – even though we had no idea just how big it is.”

    The Flinders palaeontology team working on this project included Dr Alice Clement, who scanned the fossil footprints to create digital models that were then analysed in detail, working closely with a team from Uppsala University led by Professor Per Erik Ahlberg, a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

    “We study rocks and fossils of the Carboniferous and Devonian age with specific interest to observe the very important fish-tetrapod transition,” says Dr Clement.

    “We’re trying to tease apart the details of how the bodies and lifestyles of these animals changed, as they moved from being fish that lived in water, to becoming tetrapods that moved about on land.”

    Another coauthor Dr Aaron Camens, who studies animal trackways from around Australia, produced heatmaps that explain details of the fossil footprints much more clearly.

    “A skeleton can tell us only so much about what an animal could do, but a trackway actually records its behaviour and tells us how this animal was moving,” says Dr Camens.

    Because Professor Long had been studying ancient fish fossils of this area since 1980, he had a clear idea of the age of rock deposits in the Mansfield district – from the Carboniferous period, which started about 359 million years ago.

    “The Mansfield area has produced many famous fossils, beginning with spectacular fossil fishes found 120 years ago, and ancient sharks. But the holy grail that we were always looking for was evidence of land animals, or tetrapods, like early amphibians. Many had searched for such trackways, but never found them – until this slab arrived in our laboratory to be studied.

    “This new fossilised trackway that we examined came from the early Carboniferous period, and it was significant for us to accurately identify its age – so we did this by comparing the different fish faunas that appear in these rocks with the same species and similar forms that occur in well-dated rocks from around the world, and that gave us a time constraint of about 10 million years.”

    La Trobe University’s Dr Jillian Garvey, who liaised with the Taungurung Land and Waters Council for the study, has researched in the Mansfield basin since the early 2000s.

    “This discovery rewrites this part of evolutionary history,” Dr Garvey says. “It indicates there is so much that has happened in Australia and Gondwana that we are still yet to uncover.”

    The research – ‘Earliest amniote tracks recalibrate the timeline of tetrapod evolution’ (2025) by John A Long, Grzegorz Niedźwiedzki, Jillian Garvey, Alice M Clement, Aaron B Camens, Craig A Eury, John Eason and Per E Ahlberg (Uppsala University) – has been published in Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08884-5

    Available online: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08884-5

    Fossil tracks show reptiles appeared on Earth up to 40 million years earlier – Google Drive

    Acknowledgements: P.E.A. acknowledges the support of ERC Advanced Grant ERC-2020-ADG 10101963 “Tetrapod Origin”. J.A.L. and A.M.C. receive funding from the Australian Research Council, DP 220100825 and DP 200103398. The authors acknowledge that NMV P258240 comes from Taungurung Country, and pay their respects to Taungurung Elders past and present, and all of the Taungurung community.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Advocacy – Commemorating 77 Years of the Palestinian Nakba: A Call for Justice, Memory, and Solidarity

    Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

    On 15 May 2025, Palestinians and their allies around the world mark Nakba Day, commemorating 77 years since the catastrophic displacement of over 750,000 Palestinians from their homes in 1948. Known as al-Nakba, or “the Catastrophe,” this moment in history saw the systematic destruction of Palestinian villages, towns, and society — a tragedy whose consequences are still being felt today.

    For Palestinians, the Nakba is not confined to history books; it is a lived and ongoing reality. Millions remain refugees and exiles, denied their internationally recognised right of return, while those in the occupied Palestinian territories and within historic Palestine continue to endure military occupation, siege, and systematic oppression.

    “Nakba Day is a solemn reminder of both the injustice that befell the Palestinian people in 1948 and the ongoing violations of their rights to this day,” said Maher Nazzal, spokesperson for the Palestine Forum of New Zealand. “It is a call to the international community — including here in Aotearoa — to stand with Palestinians in their struggle for freedom, justice, and self-determination.”

    This year’s commemoration comes amid intensified violence in Gaza, relentless settlement expansion in the West Bank, and a growing humanitarian catastrophe. The Palestine Forum of New Zealand calls on the New Zealand government to uphold its moral and legal responsibilities by advocating for an end to the occupation, supporting the right of return for refugees, and taking decisive action against ongoing violations of international law.

    “The Nakba is not a chapter of the past — it is a continuing story of dispossession and resistance,” Nazzal added. “We urge all people of conscience to honour the memory of the Nakba by standing in solidarity with Palestine today.”

    Maher Nazzal
    Palestine Forum of New Zealand

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese FM meets with counterparts from LAC countries

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

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held meetings with Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina, Bolivian Foreign Minister Celinda Sosa Lunda, and Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente in Beijing on Wednesday.

    Reina, Sosa and De la Fuente are in China for the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum.

    When meeting with Reina, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China appreciates Honduras’ reaffirmation that it adheres to the one-China principle, and supports Honduras in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and dignity.

    China is willing to share its governance experience with Honduras, stands ready to assist Honduras in exploring a development path that suits its national conditions and is supported by its people, and will continue to provide assistance — within its own ability — to improve people’s livelihoods and capacity-building in Honduras, Wang said.

    Reina said the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries were deeply inspired by the important cooperation initiatives proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and noted that Honduras will firmly abide by the one-China principle and translate the important consensus reached between the two heads of state into more tangible achievements.

    During his meeting with Sosa, Wang said that China appreciates Bolivia’s resolute commitments to upholding national dignity and legitimate rights and interests, undeterred by external interference.

    Wang extended congratulations to Bolivia on joining BRICS as a partner country, saying that China is willing to enhance communication and cooperation with Bolivia within multilateral mechanisms. Both sides should work together to continue advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, he added.

    Sosa said that Bolivia is a firm defender of multilateralism and the right to national self-determination, attaches great importance to BRICS cooperation, and is willing to leverage this platform to strengthen solidarity and mutual support within the Global South. She also noted that adherence to the one-China principle is Bolivia’s firm position.

    When meeting with De la Fuente, Wang said that China places its relations with Mexico in a pivotal position in its diplomacy with LAC countries. He said that guided by the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, China is ready to share with Mexico its experience in comprehensively advancing Chinese modernization and the opportunities presented by China’s vast market.

    China welcomes more high-quality products from Mexico to enter the Chinese market, and will encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in Mexico, Wang added.

    De la Fuente said that Mexico upholds its sovereignty and independence, and will continue to abide by the one-China principle, adding that Mexico will strengthen cooperation between the two countries in areas such as connectivity, science and technology, agriculture, tourism and direct flights, and constantly enrich the substance of Mexico-China relations. 

    MIL OSI China News –