Category: Science

MIL-OSI Submissions: Dog thefts: what really happened during the COVID pandemic

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Daniel Allen, Animal Geographer, Keele University

smrm1977/Shutterstock

Dog theft can be a devastating crime. During the COVID pandemic, newspapers suggested there was an epidemic of “dognapping” in the UK. If you have a dog, the reports may have alarmed you at a time when there were already many reasons to feel afraid.

There are mixed views on whether or not lockdown triggered an increase in dog ownership. Animal welfare charity Battersea attributed a 53% increase in dog adoption to lockdown, and online pet adoption service Pets4Homes said in their 2022 report that demand for puppies rose 104% at the peak of lockdown in May 2020.

But animal charity PDSA said its survey data pointed to a gradual increase in dog ownership since 2011 rather than a dramatic surge during lockdown. However, we do know lockdown saw inflated prices for dogs, with some fashionable breeds going for £9,000.

In terms of criminal activity, social distancing restrictions seemed to lead to a decline in some forms of crime, including shoplifting and burglary. But many media outlets reported the number of dog thefts had increased up to 250% during the pandemic.

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

We wanted to explore if the data supported claims of a dognapping epidemic and whether patterns in dog theft could suggest ways to help reduce it. Our recent study found new insights into dog theft patterns and showed the situation was more complicated than it seemed at first glance.

Under the Theft Act 1968, dog theft is not a specific offence. It comes under other theft offences, such as burglary or theft from a person.

This means police records on dog theft were not included in crime statistics. The only way to access such information is through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to individual police forces. There are 45 territorial and three special police forces in the UK, and each has its own reporting and recording practices.

Although police FOI data for dog theft must be approached with caution, it is useful. Previous studies exploring police FOI data found an upward trend in recorded dog thefts in England and Wales: rising nearly 20% from 2015 (1,545) to 2018 (1,849) for 41 police forces combined; and up 3.5% year on year from 2019 (1,452) to 2020 (1,504) for 33 police forces.

DogLost, a UK online community for reuniting lost and stolen dogs with their owners, reported a 170% increase in stolen dogs (with Crime Reference Numbers) registered on their website in 2020 (465), compared to 2019 (172). This figure was widely quoted as a national increase “since lockdown started” by the media.

The 250% increase figure first quoted in December 2020 was actually a comparison of two seven-month periods (January-July 2019 and 2020) for only one police force.

Patterns and trends

Our study found the data for the period covering the COVID pandemic is also incomplete. Data was provided by 32 forces (71%) for 2020, by 27 forces (60%) for 2021, and 23 forces (51%) for 2022.

Patterns and trends do, however, emerge. Between 2020 and 2022, the available data shows a 3.7% rise in dog thefts in the UK, from 1,573 to 1,631. When making adjustments for the number of police forces providing data (which decreased over the period), the estimated national figures suggest there may have been more significant rise of up to 44.2%.

While we cannot assume that the forces who supplied data are representative of all 45 regional forces, if this were the case, it would equate to 2,212 recorded dog thefts in 2020, 2,645 in 2021, and 3,191 in 2022.

There was a lot of variation between different areas. For example, Cambridgeshire, Gwent and Northumbria police forces experienced increases of 36%, 49% and 80% respectively in the number of recorded dog thefts between 2020 and 2021.

Monthly analysis of data from regional police forces and DogLost, show that the number of reports of stolen dogs started to go up when the UK entered its first national lockdown and again during part of the third lockdown. But the average number of police-recorded dog thefts was actually slightly higher outside of lockdown periods than during them between 2020 and 2022.

However, in contrast with police trends, DogLost data shows a 65.2% drop in dogs reported stolen on DogLost’s website in 2022 compared to 2020. Lower DogLost numbers may reflect limited visibility or presence of their networks, the use of alternative lost and stolen dog services, or reluctance to share personal details online due to scams targeting dog theft victims.

Dogs are often stolen from inside their own homes.
GoodFocused/Shutterstock

Our study found that, overall, there probably was an increase in dog theft from
2020 to 2022, following already identified increases in the preceding years. This rise was probably driven by a combination of opportunity (more dogs, higher value) and situational factors (accessibility, dogs unattended in gardens while owners were inside).

Our evidence does not support the notion of a widespread epidemic as portrayed by the media. However, increased media interest probably amplified awareness of the issue, and influenced the creation of the Pet Theft Taskforce, a UK government initiative set up in May 2021 to investigate and tackle dog thefts.

New research appears to confirm the idea that dog abduction has significant welfare effects on both dogs and their owners. We also know that few dog thefts are successfully resolved, with under a quarter of stolen dogs likely to be returned and around 1%-5% of reported dog thefts result in someone being charged.

However, there is potential good news. Our ongoing research suggests the number of police-recorded dog thefts decreased slightly in 2023, and again in 2024. This is supported by research from pet insurer Direct Line, which has estimated a 21% decrease in the number of stolen dogs from 2,290 in 2023 to 1,808 in 2024 in the UK.

Daniel Allen is founder of Pet Theft Reform and patron of the Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance (Sampa).

Melanie Flynn is a member of the Research Advisory Committee of the Vegan Society (UK).

John Walliss 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. Dog thefts: what really happened during the COVID pandemic – https://theconversation.com/dog-thefts-what-really-happened-during-the-covid-pandemic-252061

MIL OSI –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: What are education and health care plans and why are parents worried about them being scrapped?

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jonathan Glazzard, Rosalind Hollis Professor of Education for Social Justice, University of Hull

Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock

For children in England with special educational needs and disabilities, an education and health care plan (EHCP) is a central pillar of support. The government is due to set out its educational strategy for children with special educational needs and disabilities in the autumn, though, and has not ruled out scrapping ECHPs. Their removal would signal radical change in how the system works in England.

ECHPs are individualised plans that set out the needs of a particular child and the support they should receive – from education, health services and social care – in order have the best opportunity to thrive. But demand for ECHPs is soaring and providing support is proving financially catastrophic for local authorities.

One of the criticisms of EHCPs is that they prioritise providing children with individual models of support, rather than developing inclusive cultures within schools and within the broader education system. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson has outlined a vision of building a system where more children with special educational needs and disabilities can attend mainstream schools.

But removing ECHPs leads to the possibility of children who need more specialist support missing out.

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

To secure an ECHP, local authorities carry out a statutory assessment to determine whether a child’s needs warrant additional support. An assessment does not always lead to an EHCP, but if one is issued, it must outline how the child’s needs will be met and the additional resources needed to do so.

These resources might include funding to provide a child with a teaching assistant, funding for equipment and transport to school, or funding to go to a specialist school. This system of support helps school leaders ensure that children and young people have the right support, at the right time.

According to a report published earlier this year, the demand for EHCPs has risen by 140% since 2015. Recent data shows that there are 482,640 children and young people in England with an EHCP.

Many more children have special educational needs, but do not have an ECHP. These pupils are classed as receiving special educational needs support. The percentage of pupils with an EHCP has increased to 5.3%, from 4.8% in 2024. The percentage of pupils with special educational needs support has increased to 14.2%, from 13.6% in 2024.

Despite government investment of £10.7 billion to local authorities in 2024-25, a House of Commons committee report outlines that long waiting times for assessments, as well as to access support such as speech and language therapy, has led to parents losing confidence in the system.

Support may include equipment or additional sessions.
ABO PHOTOGRAPHY/Shutterstock

Funding is allocated to each local authority from central government to fund provision in their areas. It is for local authorities, in consultation with their schools, to determine the individual allocation to schools. However, local authorities are struggling to meet the increased demand for EHCPs. Even when funding is allocated through EHCPs, it is not always sufficient to address the needs of those with complex needs.

And funding is not sufficient to meet demand. Local authorities have accumulated huge deficits due to spending exceeding funding, placing some at risk of going bankrupt.

Future plans

Bridget Phillipson has refused to be drawn on whether EHCPs will be axed. “What I can say very clearly,” she has said, “is that we will strengthen and put in place better support for children.”

Building more inclusive schools is obviously one way of achieving this vision. If scrapping EHCPs means less funding for children for special educational needs and disabilities, though, this cannot be the answer. Children need more support, not less, to enable them to thrive.

The solution is for the government to work out what models of inclusion work well in mainstream schools and to decide how these can be resourced and evaluated. Clarity is also needed on inclusion in mainstream schools can be measured in order to assess whether it is working.

Making more support in mainstream schools work also requires an adequate supply of knowledgeable, well-trained teachers. The government is prioritising this through revision to initial teacher education courses, with an emphasis on all teachers being teachers of special educational needs.

If the government doesn’t get this right, the result may be poorer educational and long-term outcomes for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. It may also lead to issues with teacher recruitment and retention in mainstream schools, particularly if teachers feel that they do not have the level of support in place that they need to meet the needs of their pupils.

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

– ref. What are education and health care plans and why are parents worried about them being scrapped? – https://theconversation.com/what-are-education-and-health-care-plans-and-why-are-parents-worried-about-them-being-scrapped-260622

MIL OSI –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: The A to K of vitamins: what you need and where to get it

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

SpeedKingz/Shutterstock

The late, great comedian Barry Humphries (of Dame Edna fame) once spoke whimsically about the health benefits of kale. Just one fistful, he joked, contained enough essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements to keep you in a sedentary position in the bathroom for two whole days. Apparently, it wasn’t tasty enough to justify a second helping.

In a world where “superfoods” are relentlessly marketed for their supposed ability to deliver all the nutrients we need, it’s worth asking: which vitamins really are essential? And aside from kale (which I actually rather like), what foods help us meet our daily needs?

Vitamin A

Let’s start at the top. Vitamin A – also known as retinol – is found in foods like eggs, oily fish and dairy products. It plays a crucial role in keeping your skin and immune system healthy.

But it’s probably most famous for supporting vision. Vitamin A binds with light-sensitive pigments in the rod and cone cells of your retina, helping you to see, particularly in low light.

A deficiency in vitamin A, though uncommon in wealthy countries, can lead to serious vision problems and even blindness. Another source of vitamin A is beta-carotene, found in colourful fruits and vegetables like carrots, peppers, spinach and pumpkin. Your body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which is why we associate carrots with seeing in the dark.

Vitamin B

The B vitamins are a family of eight different nutrients, each with its own number and role.

B1 (thiamin) helps the nervous system and aids digestion. People with chronic alcoholism are especially at risk of deficiency, which can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a serious neurological disorder that affects memory and movement.

B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin) support similar functions, while B9 (folate) and B12 (cobalamin) are essential for red blood cell production. A lack of either can lead to anaemia.

Folate is especially important in early pregnancy, helping to prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida. That’s why it’s recommended for people who are pregnant or trying to conceive.

You’ll find B vitamins in everything from beans and legumes to meat, fish and dairy; a wide-ranging family of nutrients in a wide-ranging variety of foods.

Vitamin C

The go-to vitamin when we’re under the weather, whether from a virus or a hangover, vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is known as the “healing” vitamin for good reason. It promotes wound healing, supports tissue repair and helps maintain blood vessels and bones.

A deficiency in vitamin C causes scurvy – a condition once common among sailors – with symptoms like fatigue, bruising, depression and gum disease.

Fortunately, vitamin C is found in many different fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits. That’s why 19th-century British sailors were given limes to prevent scurvy, earning them the nickname “limeys”.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for bones, teeth and muscles. It can be absorbed through diet, especially from oily fish, eggs and meat, but your body also makes it in the skin, thanks to sunlight.

In the summer, most people get enough vitamin D from being outside. But in the winter months, diet and, if needed, supplementation become more important.

Deficiency is more common, especially in areas with limited sun exposure. It can lead to soft, weakened bones and symptoms like bone pain, fractures and deformities – including the classic bow-legged appearance. In children, this condition is known as rickets; in adults, it’s called osteomalacia.

Vitamin E

Often overlooked, vitamin E helps protect cells, supports vision and bolsters the immune system. You’ll find it in nuts, seeds and plant oils and it’s usually easy to get enough through a varied diet.

Vitamin F (Sort of)

Not actually a vitamin, “vitamin F” is just a nickname for two omega fatty acids: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA). These essential fats support brain function, reduce inflammation, and help maintain healthy skin and cell membranes. Since they’re technically not vitamins, we’ll let them quietly bow out.

Vitamin K

No, you didn’t miss vitamins G through J: they were renamed over the years. But vitamin K is real, and crucial for blood clotting.

Deficiencies are more common in children, and can lead to bruising and bleeding that’s hard to stop. Supplements are effective and given after birth.

Most adults get enough through foods like leafy greens and grains.

And the winner is…

All these vitamins are important – and all are found in a wide range of everyday foods. But which single food provides the widest variety?

Kale, oily fish and eggs come in strong at second, third and fourth. But number one is: liver.

Yes, liver. The stuff of childhood dread and overcooked school dinners. But it’s also rich in vitamins A, B, D and K. So rich in Vitamin A, in fact, that it’s advised to eat it only once a week to avoid vitamin A toxicity, and not at all if you’re pregnant. Sometimes, you just can’t win.

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

– ref. The A to K of vitamins: what you need and where to get it – https://theconversation.com/the-a-to-k-of-vitamins-what-you-need-and-where-to-get-it-261209

MIL OSI –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: NSF Graduate Research Fellow helps turn ‘forever chemicals’ into valuable resource

Source: US Government research organizations

“Forever chemicals” are everywhere — from Teflon pans and dental floss to raincoats and microwave popcorn bags. Known as PFAS, these chemicals (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are noted for their resistance to heat, oil and water. That same staying power makes them a growing concern. PFAS have been linked to a range of serious health risks, including increased risk of certain cancers, fertility issues, immune system dysfunction and developmental problems. Because PFAS remain in water, soil and air for a long time (hence the name “forever chemicals”), removing them from the environment has become a public priority.

Earlier this year, a team of scientists from Rice University (including U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program alum Kevin Wyss) announced the development of a new method to break down PFAS that is not only extremely effective (removing 99.98% of the most common PFAS pollutant), but also creates the valuable manufacturing material graphene, one of the world’s strongest and lightest materials.

This pioneering method involves combining PFAS with granular activated carbon and salts, then heating it to over 3,000 degrees Celsius in under a second. The intense heat breaks the chemical bonds in PFAS, turning them into harmless fluoride salts. At the same time, the activated carbon in the mixture is turned into graphene, which is used in industries such as manufacturing, electronics and construction.

This new method of PFAS disposal holds both health and economic promise. This article from Rice University notes that it works on a wide range of PFAS compounds, even Teflon-R, the most difficult to remove. The heating process can also be altered to produce carbon nanotubes and nanodiamonds, increasing its economic potential.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: There is no known cure for ALS, but medical tourism exploits desperation for profit

Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Judy Illes, Professor, Neurology, University of British Columbia

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurological disorder of unknown cause, in which motor nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord that transmit signals to muscles progressively degenerate. This weakens limbs and affects speech, swallowing and ultimately the ability to breathe, resulting in death, typically within just a few years.

Each year in Canada, approximately two people per 100,000 are diagnosed with ALS, amounting to about 1,000 cases based on the current population. In British Columbia, where we are located, the rate is estimated at just over three per 100,000 or roughly 190 new cases per year.

This equates to approximately 4,000 Canadians — and 400 British Columbians — living with ALS at any given time.

Rigorous ALS research is underway locally, nationally and internationally to slow — and ideally reverse — the relentless progression of this disease. Significant advances in understanding the genetic and environmental drivers of ALS are providing genuine hope that motor neuron diseases will one day be defeated.

As experts in neurology and ethics, we are committed to delivering the best available health care and information throughout B.C. and across Canada. Trust in science and informed hope are essential to achieving the best possible outcomes and the longest possible trajectories in enjoying life when facing the overwhelming odds of ALS.

A disturbing case

In June, CBC’s The National reported on the case of Geoff Sando, a person living with ALS who pursued an unproven intervention for his condition. Sando travelled to Moose Jaw, Sask., to seek treatment at a clinic that claims to provide a cure for ALS.

CBC’s The National reports on a Saskatchewan clinic claiming to offer ALS treatments.

The ALS Society of Saskatchewan and the provincial New Democrat Party allege the clinic attended by Sando and several other patients is a form of medical tourism — travelling elsewhere to seek treatment — that can prey on the most vulnerable in society: those whose quality of life is deteriorating, and whose futures are tragically cut short.

Medical tourism for a wide variety of other health-related conditions is not new. For example, treatments for cancer, strokes and orthopedic conditions have been available abroad for decades.

In the United States and Mexico, unfounded stem cell interventions for ALS have been advertised for years. But until recently, it had been unusual to find such offerings in Canada. Their emergence speaks to the need for Health Canada to revisit its guidance on both regulated health and unregulated wellness products, including all forms of treatments, medications and device-based approaches.

Read more:
Giving patients the ‘right to try’ experimental drugs is a political maneuver, not a lifesaver

We understand the urgency and desire to pursue any thread of hope in the face of desperation, but claims of dramatic improvement or cures from ALS by unregulated clinics that seem too good to be true are likely just that.

Before investing in alternative treatments, we recommend that patients conduct their due diligence by consulting with their health-care team and their provincial ALS society for guidance. Ineffective interventions can jeopardize not only recipients, but also caregivers, especially when financial resources are drained.

Trusted sources

Developing approved therapies for ALS has been painfully slow, as evidenced by the failure of more than 95 per cent of ALS clinical trials in the past 28 years. Only three drugs — riluzole, edaravone and tofersen — have been approved by Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Although riluzole and edaravone are only modestly effective, they remain the only widely approved pharmacological options for all forms of ALS. Tofersen is the first gene therapy recently approved to treat hereditary ALS caused by SOD1 gene abnormalities. Other treatments are being evaluated worldwide.

This marks only the beginning of such treatment approaches to not only hereditary ALS but also non-hereditary ALS, which makes up about 90 per cent of all cases.

Read more:
A promising new study could lead to a reduction in symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

For those affected by ALS and their families, ample resources are provided by various organizations, including ALS Canada and related provincial organizations, including the ALS Society of BC.

Future hope

Canadians generally trust science and scientists more than citizens of other countries and, on the whole, value science and believe in our government’s support for the work that scientists do.

But in this time of geopolitical upheaval, vast incursions of disinformation and reversals of prior evidence-based human and health rights abroad means keeping up this level of trust — trust that leads to hope — will only become more challenging.

The disproportionate suffering and impact on people who are marginalized by serious health conditions will only grow if dubious treatment offerings become normalized in Canada.

Erik P Pioro consults for MT Pharma, which manufactures edaravone (Radicava) and for Biogen, which manufactures tofersen (Qalsody). He has received funding support for ALS research from the ALS Association and the National Institutes of Health.

Judy Illes 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. There is no known cure for ALS, but medical tourism exploits desperation for profit – https://theconversation.com/there-is-no-known-cure-for-als-but-medical-tourism-exploits-desperation-for-profit-261057

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: Presidio Appoints Tina McNulty as Chief Marketing Officer to Lead Global Marketing and Fuel Growth

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Presidio, a leading technology services and solutions provider, today announced the appointment of Tina McNulty as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). A transformational marketing leader with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and brand leadership, McNulty will report to Vince Trama, Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) and lead Presidio’s global marketing strategy as the company continues to expand its focus on helping clients accelerate innovation and achieve meaningful business outcomes.

“Tina’s data-driven marketing and technical audience engagement expertise makes her the ideal leader to elevate Presidio’s brand and transform our go-to-market strategy,” said Trama. “Her ability to align marketing innovation with business outcomes will be instrumental as we continue to help clients harness the power of AI, cloud, and digital transformation.”

McNulty brings over two decades of experience scaling marketing operations for high-growth software and cybersecurity companies. Most recently, she served as CMO at ScienceLogic and has held senior marketing roles at leading technology firms such as BitSight, Cisco, and BMC, consistently delivering measurable business impact through strategic marketing campaigns, compelling positioning, and customer journey optimization.

“I’m excited to join Presidio as our clients face some of their toughest technology challenges yet,” said Tina McNulty, Chief Marketing Officer. “What drew me here is the deep trust Presidio has earned over time. In an AI-driven world, that trust is invaluable—and when paired with our ability to innovate at scale, it uniquely positions us to lead clients through transformation with confidence. I’m eager to help more organizations discover how that trusted partnership can accelerate their success.”

In her new role, McNulty will oversee Presidio’s global marketing team and drive integrated marketing strategies that support the company’s continued growth trajectory. She will focus on expanding market awareness, deepening client engagement, and positioning Presidio as the premier partner for enterprise digital transformation and cloud initiatives.

Presidio has experienced significant growth over the past year, expanding its AI and cloud capabilities while strengthening its position as a trusted advisor to enterprise clients seeking to modernize their technology infrastructure and accelerate business outcomes.

About Presidio

At Presidio, speed and quality meet technology and innovation. Presidio is a trusted ally for organizations across industries with a decades-long history of building traditional IT foundations and deep expertise in AI and automation, security, networking, digital transformation, and cloud computing. Presidio fills gaps, removes hurdles, optimizes costs, and reduces risk. Presidio’s expert technical team develops custom applications, provides managed services, enables actionable data insights, and builds forward-thinking solutions that drive strategic outcomes for clients globally. For more information, visit www.presidio.com.

The MIL Network –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Sens. Budd, Blunt Rochester Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Streamline American Manufacturing

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, introduced the bipartisan Streamlining American Manufacturing Strategy Act. The bill would amend the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to align the timelines for multiple advanced manufacturing initiatives to every four years on the same cycle.
“Unleashing the next generation of technological innovation will make Americans’ everyday lives easier, create new jobs, and help American companies stay competitive in the global market. North Carolina has one of the most talented workforces in the nation, which has made the Old North State a leader in advanced manufacturing. I am proud to partner with my colleague, Senator Blunt Rochester, on this common-sense bill to ensure that our nation has a clear vision to keep American manufacturers ahead in the technological race and driving our economy forward,” said Senator Budd.
“I have spent my career in Congress working to strengthen American manufacturing to create jobs and lower costs for hardworking people in Delaware and across the nation. The introduction of our bipartisan Streamlining American Manufacturing Strategy Act is another critical step in that effort. This bill will ensure everyone can be on the same page and cut unnecessary red tape across the American manufacturing sector. I am grateful to Senator Budd for his partnership on this effort on behalf of our constituents and look forward to working with our colleagues on the Commerce Committee and throughout the Senate to get this bill passed into law,” said Senator Blunt Rochester.
“The U.S. Manufacturing Innovation Council welcomes the introduction of the Streamlining American Manufacturing Strategy Act. This legislation is a beneficial, commonsense, and bipartisan step that will improve the alignment of important national strategy initiatives for domestic advanced manufacturing. The USMIC appreciates this effort to improve the national planning process,” said Franz Wuerfmannsdobler, Executive Director of the U.S. Manufacturing Innovation Council.
Read the full bill text HERE.
BACKGOUND
As it currently stands, the Manufacturing USA Strategic Plan establishes a 3-year planning cycle for updating the 17 Manufacturing USA Institutes, as mandated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act. However, the National Strategy for Advanced Manufacturing is updated every four years on a different cycle.
The alignment established under the Streamlining American Manufacturing Strategy Act will set clear goals, synchronize data collection, and increase collaboration for U.S. advanced manufacturing stakeholders.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada improves access to health services for Francophone minority communities
Source: Government of Canada News
Backgrounder

The following projects aim to improve access to health services in French for official language minority communities (OLMCs) across Canada.

July 22, 2025

The following projects aim to improve access to health services in French for official language minority communities (OLMCs) across Canada.

Société Santé en français (SSF)

Project: Agir ensemble pour améliorer l’accès aux services de santé pour les communautés francophones et acadienne vivant en situation minoritaire au Canada (“Working together to improve access to health services for Francophone and Acadian minority communities in Canada”)

Funding: $37,125,000

The SSF project will deploy health networking activities in partnership with its 16 networks across the country to improve access to health services for minority francophone communities. This project will also support innovation that focuses on the integration of bilingual health workers, as well as the adaptation of existing health services to improve access for OLMCs. Funding allocated to the SSF includes support for their national secretariat and 16 networks, four of which are located in the Atlantic region:
- SSF secretariat will receive $6,810,300;
- Networks in Atlantic Canada:
Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne – Consortium national de formation en santé (ACUFC – CNFS)

Project: Secrétariat national du Consortium national de formation (CNFS-ACUFC) – projet de Formation et maintien en poste des professionnels de la santé

Funding: $9,463,536

The ACUFC-CNFS project aims to increase access, recruitment and training to health programs in francophone post-secondary institutions, as well as increase internship and placement opportunities in Francophone minority communities. The ACUFC-CNFS is a national secretariat working closely with 16 francophone post-secondary institutions across Canada.

Five Atlantic Canada post-secondary training institutions, members of the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne – Consortium national de formation en santé (ACUFC – CNFS)

Project: Formation et maintien en poste des professionnels de la santé (“Training and retention of health professionals”)

Funding: $32,066,600
- The Université de Moncton will receive $13,775,410 to increase the number of students enrolling in the following health programs: Bachelor’s in nutrition, Baccalaureate in nursing sciences, Master’s degree for nurse practitioners, Certificate and Master’s degree in health services management, Bachelor’s degree in social work and Doctorate in psychology.
- The Gouvernement de Nouveau-Brunswick – Centre de formation médicale will receive $10,439,250 to increase the number of students enrolling in their Undergraduate medicine program.
- The Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick will receive $4,932,535 to increase the number of students enrolling in the following health programs: Personal support work, Auxiliary nurse, Paramedical care, Mental health intervention techniques and aging, Pharmacy techniques, Rehabilitation techniques, Medical electrophysiology technology (cardiology), Medical radiation techniques, Respiratory therapy and Dental assistant.
- The Université Sainte-Anne will receive $1,958,295 to increase capacity in the following health programs: Rehabilitation assistant, Continuing care assistant and Bachelor’s degree in social work.
- The Collège de l’Île will receive $961,110 to increase capacity in the following health programs: Personal support work and Youth support work.
MIL OSI Canada News –
July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Southern Africa Enhances Early Warning Systems as Event-Based Surveillance Guidelines are Launched in Three Countries

Source: APO

.

Three Southern African countries now have Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) Guidelines—a critical tool for detecting and responding to emerging health risks. Event-based surveillance systems collect and analyse information from diverse sources, including communities, the media, and healthcare workers, to detect unusual health events in real time. They complement traditional indicator-based surveillance and are designed to support rapid public health responses.

Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe were supported in developing their guidelines by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC).

The Botswana Event-Based Surveillance Guidelines were launched on 24 June in Gaborone.

“By institutionalising a robust early warning system, the health sector will be empowered to detect signals of potential disease threats at their earliest stages,” said Dr Stephen Modise, MP, Minister of Health and Wellness.

Speaking on Dr Modise’s behalf, Dr Rex Kealebile Segadimo, Acting Secretary for Specialised Health Care, said the launch of these guidelines marks a significant milestone in Botswana’s efforts to strengthen its public health system.

“This will enable the country to assess risks with precision and respond in a science-based manner, preventing threats from escalating into full-blown crises.”

Dr Modise further stated: “The institutionalisation of a robust early warning system will enable us to stay ahead of emerging health risks and respond effectively to protect the health and well-being of our citizens.”

Dr Lul Riek, the Africa CDC Regional Director for Southern Africa, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Botswana and all AU Member States in operationalising these guidelines. This support will include capacity building, mentorship, digital tools, and regional coordination—as well as fostering peer learning and cross-border collaboration—recognising that no country can achieve health security in isolation.

With these guidelines in place, Botswana is now better equipped to respond quickly and effectively to emerging health threats, ultimately protecting the health and well-being of its citizens.

Officiating the launch in Windhoek, Namibia, also on 24 June, the country’s Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Esperance Luvindao, noted that EBS plays a critical role in addressing the increasing number of public health emergencies in the country. The new surveillance system is a timely intervention, as the country faces rising risks of communicable diseases such as malaria and cholera, increasingly influenced by climate-related factors.

She described the launch as a true demonstration of Namibia’s commitment to being proactive in disease preparedness. “Real-time detection of public health threats is essential to mitigate the impact of outbreaks, especially in the face of shifting disease patterns,” she said.

The Minister also called for a multifaceted approach to health security and emphasised the importance of establishing and prioritising National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) to coordinate preparedness, response, and mitigation efforts.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) in Zimbabwe launched its EBS Guidelines on 18 June in Harare.

“We are not gathered here merely to unveil a policy document,” said Dr Aspect Maunganidze, Secretary for Health and Child Care. “We are here to affirm a national commitment—to declare that the health and safety of every Zimbabwean is our highest priority.”

He explained that the EBS guidelines represent a strategic shift from reactive to proactive preparedness, empowering health authorities to detect early warning signs of public health threats before they escalate.

Ms Batsirai Mbodza, Regional Programme Lead for Africa CDC, emphasised the critical importance of implementation.

“Guidelines alone will not stop outbreaks. The real impact lies in how well they are implemented,” she said. “These tools must reach health workers in clinics, surveillance officers in the field, and community leaders, often the first to sense when something is amiss.”

On behalf of UNICEF, Mr Diop Daouda stressed the need for inclusivity in the country’s surveillance systems.

“Surveillance systems must be inclusive, they must reach the most remote villages, informal settlements, and border communities,” he said, adding: “They must consider gender dynamics, disability, and cultural norms. No signal should go unnoticed, because no life is dispensable.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

MIL OSI Africa –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft has certified a software package for modeling technological processes

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

The RN-SIMTEP software package received a certificate of conformity stating that the software for modeling the processes of preparation, transportation and primary processing of hydrocarbon raw materials was developed taking into account the requirements of industry standards and GOSTs.

The functionality of RN-SIMTEP is based on modern mathematical algorithms and methods and allows for precise modeling of the behavior of multicomponent hydrocarbon flows. The advantages of the software package include risk analysis during operation of surface facilities: corrosion, salt deposits, hydrate formation, as well as optimization of equipment operating modes.

Voluntary certification confirms the high quality of the developed mathematical models and algorithms, as well as the software’s compliance with Russian regulatory documents. The presence of a certificate is a prerequisite for coordinating projects for new field development facilities in Russian government agencies.

“RN-SIMTEP” was developed by specialists of the Rosneft scientific institute in Ufa. It is used in the work of employees of 27 subsidiaries of the Company.

Rosneft is the first company in Russia to successfully create science-intensive software covering all key processes of oil and gas production. The Company’s digital solutions are used for production tasks in the field of geology, design, development and operation of fields. They surpass imported analogues in speed, list of tasks solved, use of modern algorithms and clear interface. The unique line of its own software consists of 24 software products.

Department of Information and AdvertisingPJSC NK RosneftJuly 22, 2025

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: Schurz Communications Appoints John Smarrella as General Counsel

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

MISHAWAKA, Ind., July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Schurz Communications, Inc. (“Schurz”) today announced that John Smarrella, Esq. has been appointed as General Counsel, effective July 28, 2025. As General Counsel, Smarrella will join the executive leadership team to manage and direct Schurz’s legal and enterprise risk management operations.

“We are excited to welcome John to the Schurz team,” said John Reardon, President and CEO, Schurz Communications. “He brings decades of legal expertise and a wealth of knowledge of our family-owned business, having worked as outside counsel to the Company for the past decade. He is a team player who works productively with our shareholders, executives, and board to achieve successful results. John will be a valuable addition to the business as we continue to grow and expand.”

Smarrella brings more than two decades of legal expertise as a corporate and M&A transactional attorney with a strong background of serving as outside counsel for closely held and family-owned businesses. Prior to joining Schurz Communications, he was a partner at Barnes & Thornburg, one of the 100 largest law firms in the United States. With a concentration in corporate and business law, he has deep experience in acquisitions, joint ventures, minority investments, as well as contracts, regulations, policies, and more. Smarrella earned a J.D. (magna cum laude) from the University of Notre Dame and holds a Bachelor of Science (magna cum laude) in Business and History/Political Science from Greenville University.

“Schurz is a multi-generational family business that has stood the test of time, evolving and advancing to become a leader in connecting and empowering people through innovative technologies,” said Smarrella. “I greatly admire the entire team and am excited to join this dynamic company. I look forward to contributing to the future of the business.”

Smarrella will be based in the Schurz Communications headquarters office in Mishawaka, Indiana.

About Schurz Communications
Schurz is a family-owned corporation that has been helping businesses, communities and individuals make meaningful connections for five generations. The Schurz legacy began in newspaper publishing, radio, and television, and today, the company remains committed to making information more accessible through the platforms and technology of the digital age. Schurz Communications’ recent investments include regional broadband companies and cloud managed services providers, and the company’s portfolio also includes a variety of minority investments. For more information, visit: www.schurz.com.

The MIL Network –

July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: Micron Launches Space-Qualified Portfolio to Power Mission-Critical Data for Aerospace Innovation
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

BOISE, Idaho, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU), the only-U.S. based memory manufacturer, announced today that it is launching the industry’s highest-density, radiation-tolerant single-layer cell (SLC) NAND product. With a die capacity of 256 gigabits (Gb), this product is the first in a portfolio that will include space-qualified NAND, NOR and DRAM solutions. The product is available now and represents the first in its class to be offered by any major memory manufacturer.

The space economy is skyrocketing, fueled by rapid growth in commercial and government missions. As computing and AI evolve, demand is rising for high-performance technology capable of processing data directly in orbit. AI-enabled edge computing is transforming space operations: allowing spacecraft to analyze sensor data, detect anomalies and make decisions autonomously, reducing reliance on Earth-based systems and preserving bandwidth.

“Micron’s radiation-tolerant memory is essential for storing and processing data as we push the boundaries of computing in space,” said Kris Baxter, corporate vice president and general manager of Micron’s Automotive and Embedded Business Unit. “As AI expands in space operations — from autonomous navigation to real-time analysis — Micron is increasing our focus on delivering solutions that enable the resilience and intelligence needed for next-gen aerospace missions.”

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

Micron SLC NAND: Tested for space’s extreme environment and ready for launch

Spaceborne technologies must withstand harsh environmental conditions to deliver successful mission results. These challenges include extreme temperatures, shock and vibration, vacuum pressure, and radiation exposure from solar energetic particles and galactic cosmic rays.

To verify its radiation-tolerant NAND can meet customers’ requirements, Micron arranges:
- Extended quality and performance testing, aligned with NASA’s PEM-INST-001 Level 2 flow, which subjects components to a yearlong screening, including extreme temperature cycling, defect inspections and 590 hours of dynamic burn-in to enable spaceflight reliability.
- Radiation characterization for total ionizing dose (TID) testing, aligned with U.S. military standard MIL-STD-883 TM1019 condition D, which measures the cumulative amount of gamma radiation that a product can absorb in a standard operating environment in orbit and remain functional, a measurement that is critical in determining mission life cycle.
- Radiation characterization for single event effects (SEE) testing, aligned with the American Society for Testing Materials flow ASTM F1192 and the Joint Electronic Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) standard JESD57. SEE testing evaluates the impact of high-energy particles on semiconductors and verifies that components can operate safely and reliably in harsh radiation environments, reducing the risk of mission failure. This profiling information enables space engineers and architects to design in a way that mitigates the risk and disruption to the mission.
Micron in action: Powering Earth science research for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory

With its DNA in the industrial and automotive markets, Micron has deep expertise in ruggedizing embedded memory and storage for operations at the edge — from factory automation to intelligent vehicles.

While this is its first officially space-qualified product, Micron’s NAND flash is already flying on missions through collaborations and customer testing.

One key partner, Mercury Systems, uses Micron memory in its solid-state data recorders (SSDRs) — equipment that captures and stores vast amounts of scientific and engineering data critical for missions. These SSDRs are currently aboard NASA’s Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT), an imaging spectrometer built by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and launched to the International Space Station in 2022. The spectrometer’s original mission was to gather data on the world’s arid regions, mapping the composition of mineral dust to better understand the effects on Earth and human populations. EMIT’s spectroscopic data has also proven useful for studying such varied topics as water resources, rare earth elements and agriculture.

“Modern space systems are capturing higher volumes of more complex data, demanding solutions that provide vastly more capacity in compact packages — all while operating reliably in space’s high-radiation environment for many years,” said Vincent Pribble, principal product manager at Mercury Systems. “At the heart of Mercury’s data recorders, Micron’s flash memory has proven to be highly reliable in orbit — helping us enable groundbreaking missions and scientific research that is expanding our understanding of our planet and beyond.”

With EMIT capturing 100,000 spectra per second, Micron’s high-density, radiation-tolerant memory provides reliable, long-term data storage and processing vital for mission success.

Micron’s strategy: Expanding aerospace industry support with end-to-end supply chain

As the only U.S.-based memory manufacturer, Micron provides the end-to-end supply chain control paramount for aerospace and government sectors, providing quality, longevity, security, traceability and supply continuity. This advantage is bolstered by recently announced plans to strengthen Micron’s U.S.-based manufacturing. These plans include modernizing the company’s Manassas, Virginia, facility and expanding its portfolio of NOR, SLC NAND and DDR3, with longevity supply of DDR4 and LPDDR4 for critical applications such as aerospace.

Leveraging Micron’s decades of experience in customer engineering labs that enable collaboration, the company is extending its capabilities to support the rapidly growing aerospace industry by building specialized regional customer labs and technical support and architecture teams. Micron is also optimizing a manufacturing process for aerospace solutions, enabling quality — from precision engineering to raw wafer selection to compliance — and addressing critical challenges faced by space platform developers.

Building on its newly launched aerospace portfolio, Micron plans to introduce additional space-qualified memory and storage solutions in the coming year and beyond to address the evolving demands of next-generation space missions.

Additional resources:

About Micron Technology, Inc.
Micron Technology, Inc. is an industry leader in innovative memory and storage solutions, transforming how the world uses information to enrich life for all. With a relentless focus on our customers, technology leadership and manufacturing and operational excellence, Micron delivers a rich portfolio of high-performance DRAM, NAND and NOR memory and storage products through our Micron^® and Crucial^® brands. Every day, the innovations that our people create fuel the data economy, enabling advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and compute-intensive applications that unleash opportunities — from the data center to the intelligent edge and across the client and mobile user experience. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU), visit micron.com.

© 2025 Micron Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Information, products, and/or specifications are subject to change without notice. Micron, the Micron logo, and all other Micron trademarks are the property of Micron Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Micron Product and Technology Communications Contact:
Mengxi Liu Evensen
+1 (408) 444-2276
productandtechnology@micron.com

Micron Investor Relations Contact
Satya Kumar
+1 (408) 450-6199
satyakumar@micron.com

The MIL Network –
July 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: NSU students took part in the first All-Russian festival of student families

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The festival was created with the aim of uniting student families, as well as rectors, vice-rectors and specialists responsible for the implementation of family policy in universities. A pair of young scientists, Tatyana and Danil Sboev, had the opportunity to represent NSU at the first All-Russian Festival of Student Families. Tatyana completed her first year of Master’s degree Physics Department of NSU, and Danil is a 1st year postgraduate student Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of NSU.

— It was an honor for us to represent Novosibirsk State University at the All-Russian Festival of Student Families. Participation in the festival is, first of all, new acquaintances. We talked with the rector and vice-rector of Buryat State University, exchanged experiences and ideas in the field of supporting families within the university, — said Tatyana.

During the festival, a plenary session was held, at which the Chairperson of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Government Dmitry Chernyshenko and the Head of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia Valery Falkov told students in a question-and-answer format about measures to support young families.

— The program was very busy. Unfortunately, we were able to attend only the first day of the festival. But during that day we managed to participate in a quiz dedicated to family traditions, where our team took second place, and we received many memorable prizes, and also participated in a master class on psychological well-being of the family. Among other things, the festival provided an opportunity to voice the questions and problems that young student families face. At the plenary session, we asked a question that concerns us as a family of young scientists, and we hope that measures to support the families of young scientists will be developed at the state level, — Tatyana added.

During the plenary session, Valentina Matvienko personally invited Tatyana and Danil to take part in the V Congress of Young Scientists, which will be held from November 26 to 28, 2025, in the federal territory “Sirius” of Krasnodar Krai. The event is part of the national project “Youth and Children”.

— I liked the festival. We met other student families, exchanged experiences, what kind of support universities offer when entering into marriage. I liked the quiz about family values and traditions. There were guys from Penza, Lugansk and Skolkovo on our team. In addition, despite the busy festival program, Tanya and I managed to take a short walk around summer Moscow, — Danil shared.

Material prepared by: Varvara Frolkina, NSU press service

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI: SINTX Technologies Submits FDA 510(k) for Silicon Nitride Foot & Ankle Medical Devices
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Advanced Material Science Meets Surgical Precision in Groundbreaking New Platform in Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery Market

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SINTX Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SINT) (“SINTX” or the “Company”), an advanced ceramics innovator specializing in silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) for medical applications, today announced the submission of a 510(k) premarket notification to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its novel silicon nitride osteotomy wedges—marking the official entry into the foot and ankle reconstruction market. These next-generation implants blend cutting-edge biomaterials science with surgical precision and are designed to elevate standards in orthopedic procedures.

The devices are manufactured from SINTX’s proprietary medical-grade silicon nitride, a biomaterial with a proven clinical track record of over 50,000 spinal interbody fusion devices implanted since 2008. With this submission, SINTX is extending the success of Si₃N₄ beyond the spine and into the global foot and ankle fusion market, currently valued at approximately $750.5 million and which is expected to grow to $1.38 billion by 2032 according to industry research.

Clinical Advantages of Silicon Nitride

From a clinical standpoint, Si₃N₄ is uniquely positioned among biomaterials to solve several of the most pressing challenges in orthopedic reconstruction:
- Pro-osteogenic: Unlike PEEK or titanium, Si₃N₄ has been shown to actively promote bone cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. In vivo and in vitro studies have shown enhanced osseointegration and fusion potential due to the material’s inherent surface chemistry and nanotopography.
- Antimicrobial Without Additives: Si₃N₄ has been shown to inhibit bacterial colonization and proliferation—including several antibiotic-resistant strains —through inherent surface chemistry without a supplemental coating. This is particularly critical in foot and ankle procedures where occurrences of hardware-related infections persist despite current best practices.
- Radiographic Clarity: Si₃N₄ implants are intrinsically radiolucent with clearly visible boundaries on X-ray and CT scans. This facilitates precise intraoperative placement and clear post-operative evaluation of bone healing—unlike metal implants which obscure fusion assessment.
“We believe Si₃N₄ is the ideal orthopedic biomaterial for fusion procedures where infection risk, healing rate, and long-term stability are paramount,” said Eric Olson, CEO of SINTX Technologies.

Surgical Innovation: Proprietary Designs with Disposable Instrumentation

In parallel with biomaterial excellence, SINTX has engineered proprietary implant geometries and disposable instrumentation to elevate surgical outcomes:
- Implant Geometry: The family of wedges were developed in collaboration with leading foot and ankle surgeons to optimize for biomechanical correction, surface area contact, and ease of insertion.
- Disposable Instrument Set: At full launch we anticipate each implant system to be paired with a sterile, single-use instrument kit to enhance maximum surgical efficiency and sterility. This potentially leads to a reduction in intraoperative delays, elimination of reprocessing errors, and a decrease in OR turnover time—benefits that hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers alike will value.
“We’ve combined the novel clinical advantages of silicon nitride with intuitive implant designs and single-use instrumentation to deliver a truly differentiated solution,” said Lisa Marie Del Re, Chief Commercial Officer of SINTX Technologies. “This approach goes beyond innovation in material science. We’ve reimagined the surgical experience, striving to improve outcomes, enhance efficiency, and deliver stronger economic value across the care continuum.”

Strategic Launch and Financial Outlook
- The FDA submission is backed by over a decade of clinical and preclinical data on SINTX’s Si₃N₄ biomaterial, including peer-reviewed publications, biocompatibility studies, and documented fusion success.
- With compelling clinical advantages and meaningful input from high-volume reconstructive surgeons, the company anticipates strong early adoption of its foot and ankle portfolio. This launch represents a key growth catalyst for SINTX, with the potential to drive meaningful revenue through broader market penetration and increasing procedural demand across both hospital and ambulatory surgery center settings.
Delivering Value to All Stakeholders
- For Patients: The design and material properties of our silicon nitride implants are intended to support successful bone fusion and to reduce infection risk; key considerations in recovery and long-term outcomes.
- For Surgeons: Engineered for enhanced intraoperative visualization and ease of use, our system integrates advanced implant geometry with streamlined instrumentation to support surgical precision and procedural consistency.
- For Providers and Stakeholders: The combination of sterile, single-use kits and differentiated biomaterial technology offers operational efficiencies and clinical distinction, positioning this platform for strong alignment with evolving value-based care models and increased procedural demand.
“This is not just another foot fusion product line—this is a platform,” added Olson. “A platform built on a proven material, rooted in over a decade of clinical experience, and refined with thoughtful surgical design. We believe SINTX is redefining what’s possible in orthopedic advancements.”

The implants will be manufactured at SINTX Technologies FDA audited and ISO certified manufacturing facility and distributed under the company name SiNAPTIC Surgical. SiNAPTIC was acquired by SINTX on July 1, 2025.

For more information, visit www.sintx.com or www.sinaptic.com

About SINTX Technologies, Inc.
Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, SINTX Technologies is an advanced ceramics company that develops and commercializes materials, components, and technologies for medical and agribiotech applications. SINTX is a global leader in the research, development, and manufacturing of silicon nitride, and its products have been implanted in humans since 2008. Over the past several years, SINTX has utilized strategic acquisitions and alliances to enter new markets. For more information on SINTX Technologies or its materials platform, visit www.sintx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”) that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made and reflect management’s current estimates, projections, expectations and beliefs. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Forward-looking statements in this press release include our anticipation that there will be strong early adoption of our foot and ankle portfolio, that the product launch will represent a key growth catalyst for SINTX, with the potential to drive meaningful revenue through broader market penetration and increasing procedural demand across both hospital and ambulatory surgery center settings. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, difficulty in commercializing ceramic technologies and development of new product opportunities. A discussion of other risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements can be found in SINTX’s Risk Factors disclosure in its Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 19, 2025, and in SINTX’s other filings with the SEC. SINTX undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this report, except as required by law.

Business and Media Inquiries for SINTX:
SINTX Technologies, Inc.
801.839.3502
IR@sintx.com

The MIL Network –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI: SINTX Technologies Submits FDA 510(k) for Silicon Nitride Foot & Ankle Medical Devices
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Advanced Material Science Meets Surgical Precision in Groundbreaking New Platform in Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery Market

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SINTX Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SINT) (“SINTX” or the “Company”), an advanced ceramics innovator specializing in silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) for medical applications, today announced the submission of a 510(k) premarket notification to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its novel silicon nitride osteotomy wedges—marking the official entry into the foot and ankle reconstruction market. These next-generation implants blend cutting-edge biomaterials science with surgical precision and are designed to elevate standards in orthopedic procedures.

The devices are manufactured from SINTX’s proprietary medical-grade silicon nitride, a biomaterial with a proven clinical track record of over 50,000 spinal interbody fusion devices implanted since 2008. With this submission, SINTX is extending the success of Si₃N₄ beyond the spine and into the global foot and ankle fusion market, currently valued at approximately $750.5 million and which is expected to grow to $1.38 billion by 2032 according to industry research.

Clinical Advantages of Silicon Nitride

From a clinical standpoint, Si₃N₄ is uniquely positioned among biomaterials to solve several of the most pressing challenges in orthopedic reconstruction:
- Pro-osteogenic: Unlike PEEK or titanium, Si₃N₄ has been shown to actively promote bone cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. In vivo and in vitro studies have shown enhanced osseointegration and fusion potential due to the material’s inherent surface chemistry and nanotopography.
- Antimicrobial Without Additives: Si₃N₄ has been shown to inhibit bacterial colonization and proliferation—including several antibiotic-resistant strains —through inherent surface chemistry without a supplemental coating. This is particularly critical in foot and ankle procedures where occurrences of hardware-related infections persist despite current best practices.
- Radiographic Clarity: Si₃N₄ implants are intrinsically radiolucent with clearly visible boundaries on X-ray and CT scans. This facilitates precise intraoperative placement and clear post-operative evaluation of bone healing—unlike metal implants which obscure fusion assessment.
“We believe Si₃N₄ is the ideal orthopedic biomaterial for fusion procedures where infection risk, healing rate, and long-term stability are paramount,” said Eric Olson, CEO of SINTX Technologies.

Surgical Innovation: Proprietary Designs with Disposable Instrumentation

In parallel with biomaterial excellence, SINTX has engineered proprietary implant geometries and disposable instrumentation to elevate surgical outcomes:
- Implant Geometry: The family of wedges were developed in collaboration with leading foot and ankle surgeons to optimize for biomechanical correction, surface area contact, and ease of insertion.
- Disposable Instrument Set: At full launch we anticipate each implant system to be paired with a sterile, single-use instrument kit to enhance maximum surgical efficiency and sterility. This potentially leads to a reduction in intraoperative delays, elimination of reprocessing errors, and a decrease in OR turnover time—benefits that hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers alike will value.
“We’ve combined the novel clinical advantages of silicon nitride with intuitive implant designs and single-use instrumentation to deliver a truly differentiated solution,” said Lisa Marie Del Re, Chief Commercial Officer of SINTX Technologies. “This approach goes beyond innovation in material science. We’ve reimagined the surgical experience, striving to improve outcomes, enhance efficiency, and deliver stronger economic value across the care continuum.”

Strategic Launch and Financial Outlook
- The FDA submission is backed by over a decade of clinical and preclinical data on SINTX’s Si₃N₄ biomaterial, including peer-reviewed publications, biocompatibility studies, and documented fusion success.
- With compelling clinical advantages and meaningful input from high-volume reconstructive surgeons, the company anticipates strong early adoption of its foot and ankle portfolio. This launch represents a key growth catalyst for SINTX, with the potential to drive meaningful revenue through broader market penetration and increasing procedural demand across both hospital and ambulatory surgery center settings.
Delivering Value to All Stakeholders
- For Patients: The design and material properties of our silicon nitride implants are intended to support successful bone fusion and to reduce infection risk; key considerations in recovery and long-term outcomes.
- For Surgeons: Engineered for enhanced intraoperative visualization and ease of use, our system integrates advanced implant geometry with streamlined instrumentation to support surgical precision and procedural consistency.
- For Providers and Stakeholders: The combination of sterile, single-use kits and differentiated biomaterial technology offers operational efficiencies and clinical distinction, positioning this platform for strong alignment with evolving value-based care models and increased procedural demand.
“This is not just another foot fusion product line—this is a platform,” added Olson. “A platform built on a proven material, rooted in over a decade of clinical experience, and refined with thoughtful surgical design. We believe SINTX is redefining what’s possible in orthopedic advancements.”

The implants will be manufactured at SINTX Technologies FDA audited and ISO certified manufacturing facility and distributed under the company name SiNAPTIC Surgical. SiNAPTIC was acquired by SINTX on July 1, 2025.

For more information, visit www.sintx.com or www.sinaptic.com

About SINTX Technologies, Inc.
Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, SINTX Technologies is an advanced ceramics company that develops and commercializes materials, components, and technologies for medical and agribiotech applications. SINTX is a global leader in the research, development, and manufacturing of silicon nitride, and its products have been implanted in humans since 2008. Over the past several years, SINTX has utilized strategic acquisitions and alliances to enter new markets. For more information on SINTX Technologies or its materials platform, visit www.sintx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”) that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made and reflect management’s current estimates, projections, expectations and beliefs. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Forward-looking statements in this press release include our anticipation that there will be strong early adoption of our foot and ankle portfolio, that the product launch will represent a key growth catalyst for SINTX, with the potential to drive meaningful revenue through broader market penetration and increasing procedural demand across both hospital and ambulatory surgery center settings. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, difficulty in commercializing ceramic technologies and development of new product opportunities. A discussion of other risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements can be found in SINTX’s Risk Factors disclosure in its Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 19, 2025, and in SINTX’s other filings with the SEC. SINTX undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this report, except as required by law.

Business and Media Inquiries for SINTX:
SINTX Technologies, Inc.
801.839.3502
IR@sintx.com

The MIL Network –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Iran: Deliberate Israeli attack on Tehran’s Evin prison must be investigated as a war crime

Source: Amnesty International –

The Israeli military’s deliberate air strikes on Evin prison in Tehran on 23 June 2025 constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law and must be criminally investigated as war crimes, Amnesty International said today, following an in-depth investigation.

Verified video footage, satellite imagery and interviews with eyewitnesses, prisoners’ families and human rights defenders indicate that the Israeli military carried out multiple air strikes on Evin prison, killing and injuring scores of civilians and causing extensive damage and destruction in at least six locations across the prison complex. The attack took place during the working day, at a time when many parts of the prison were packed with civilians. Hours later, the Israeli military confirmed it had attacked the prison and senior Israeli officials boasted about it on social media. According to the Iranian authorities, at least 80 civilians – 79 men and women and a five-year-old boy – were killed.

Under international humanitarian law, a prison or place of detention is presumed a civilian object and there is no credible evidence in this case that Evin prison constituted a lawful military objective.

The evidence establishes reasonable grounds to believe that the Israeli military brazenly and deliberately attacked civilian buildings.

Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns.

“The evidence establishes reasonable grounds to believe that the Israeli military brazenly and deliberately attacked civilian buildings. Directing attacks at civilian objects is strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law. Carrying out such attacks knowingly and deliberately constitutes a war crime,” said Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns.

It is believed that Evin prison held around 1,500-2,000 prisoners at the time of the attack, including arbitrarily detained human rights defenders, protesters, political dissidents, members of persecuted religious minorities, and dual and foreign nationals frequently held for diplomatic leverage. At any given time, there were also hundreds of other civilians in the prison complex. The attack took place during prison visitation hours.

“The Israeli forces should have known that any air strikes against Evin prison could result in significant civilian harm. Prosecution authorities around the world must ensure that all those responsible for this deadly attack are brought to justice, including through use of the principle of universal jurisdiction. The Iranian authorities must also grant the International Criminal Court jurisdiction over all Rome Statute crimes committed on or perpetrated from its territory, said Erika Guevara Rosas.

An overview of Evin prison, with the exterior walled perimeter marked in orange. The six yellow circles highlight areas with the most significant destruction, indicating these were the locations where the munitions landed. The blasts and resulting damage extended beyond the six areas.

A map of Evin prison indicating building names or functions based on Amnesty International’s interviews with former prisoners.

Scores of civilians killed and injured

Between 11am to 12pm Tehran time on 23 June 2025, Israeli air strikes hit multiple locations over 500 metres apart inside Evin prison, destroying or damaging numerous buildings and other structures within the prison complex, as well as nearby residential buildings outside the complex.

Evin prison is located in a populated area with residential buildings to its east and south. A nearby resident described the scene following the attack to Amnesty International:

“I suddenly heard a terrible sound. I looked out of the window and realised that smoke and dust were rising from Evin prison. Both the sound of the explosion and the appearance of the dust and smoke were horrific… I had thought our home would be safe [as] we are near a prison… I couldn’t believe it.”

The authorities have so far named 57 civilians who were killed in the attack including five female social workers, 13 young men performing mandatory national service as prison guards or administrators, and 36 other prison staff – 30 men and six women – and the child of one of the social workers. After drawing public criticism for failing to disclose the identities of prisoners, their relatives and nearby residents killed, the authorities published a report on 14 July 2025 revealing two names: a nearby resident – Mehrangiz Imanpour – and a woman volunteering to help raise funds for debt prisoners – Hasti Mohammadi. Amnesty International had already verified the name of Mehrangiz Imanpour, as well as the names of one prisoner, Masoud Behbahani, a prisoner’s relative, Leila Jafarzadeh, and a passerby Aliasghar Pazouki, who were also killed.

Israeli officials’ self-incriminating admissions

Within hours of the attack, senior Israeli officials boasted about it on social media, framing it as a “targeted strike” against a “symbol of oppression for the Iranian people.”

Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said on X that Israeli forces were attacking with “unprecedented force regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran including…Evin prison.”

Minutes later, Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar posted on X: “We warned Iran time and again: stop targeting civilians! They continued, including this morning. Our response: [Long live freedom…].” Alongside this post was a video purporting to show CCTV footage of the prison gate being blown up. Analysis of the video by Amnesty International indicates the footage was digitally manipulated likely using an old photograph of the prison gate. The video was first posted on Persian-language Telegram channels, but Amnesty International could not trace its original source.

Later the same day, the Israeli military confirmed in a statement that they had carried out “a targeted strike” on “the notorious Evin Prison”. The statement appeared to justify the attack by saying that “enemies of the regime” were held and tortured there and alleging that “intelligence operations against the State of Israel, including counter espionage” were carried out in the prison. However, the interrogation of detainees accused of spying for Israel or the presence of intelligence officials within the prison compound would not render the penal facility itself a legitimate military objective under international humanitarian law.

Entrance gate and prosecution office in the south

Before and after false-colour, near infrared satellite imagery from 10 April 2025 and 30 June 2025 reveals the destruction in four distinct locations in the south and central parts of Evin prison where munitions likely landed (shown with yellow circles) and signs of burning (visible in near-infrared in dark black hues) in many areas, likely from vehicles that caught fire and spread to buildings in the area.

In the south of the prison, the main entrance gate, along with the adjoining wall and the visitor information building to the east of the gate were destroyed. The building to the west of the gate and the adjoining Shahid Moghaddas prosecution office were extensively damaged. Further inside the southern part of the prison, the car park and a building next to the Quarantine section were damaged.

An informed source told Amnesty International that a woman named Leila Jafarzadeh, 35, was killed while visiting the prosecution office to post bail to secure the release of her imprisoned husband.

The destruction of the entrance gate and its surroundings was captured in a verified video showing rescue workers carrying at least one injured person on a stretcher amid scenes of destruction and extensive rubble on the ground.

Footage published by state media and verified by Amnesty International also shows structural damage to the prosecution office’s walls and building framework, indicating that the force of the blast penetrated deep into the building.

Satellite imagery from 30 June 2025 reveals a location (shown with a yellow circle) where munitions likely landed. Ground images (right) geolocated to the north and south areas of the southern entrance gate show major destruction.

Administrative building and quarantine section housing prisoners

Deeper inside the southern area of the prison, the administrative building and a smaller adjoining building which, according to a former prisoner, contained an office of the prison’s security force called the Protection Cohort, were significantly impacted, while several nearby structures were destroyed.

Satellite imagery from 30 June 2025 shows significant damage to part of the roof on the west side of the Protection Cohort building. Satellite imagery further shows that to the east of the building, an internal gate, perimeter wall and two small structures – likely guard posts – were all destroyed in the strike.

The two identified locations are consistent with the analysis of video footage and information received from two former prisoners of conscience Atena Daemi and Hossein Razagh.

Verified videos also depict destroyed windows, collapsed walls and extensive rubble on both the western and eastern sides of the administrative building. The first floor appears to be largely obliterated, with missing structural walls visible in multiple sections.

An image published by state media and verified by Amnesty International shows what appears to be a crater inside the west side of the administrative building showing the first floor collapsed downward.

According to a state media report on 6 July 2025, at least nine women, one man and a child were killed in the administrative building. Shargh Daily and Hammihan, two prominent newspapers in Iran, named three of the victims in reports published on 25 June and 1 July 2025, respectively. They included social worker Zahra Ebadi, 52, who was killed along with her five-year-old son, Mehrad Kheiri; and an administrative staff member, Hamid Ranjbari, 40.

Satellite imagery (left) from 30 June 2025 reveals two locations (shown with yellow circles) where munitions likely landed. Ground images (right) show extensive damage to the administrative building.

Analysis of a verified video footage also shows that the quarantine section housing newly admitted prisoners, located near the administrative building, also sustained damage.

Medical clinic, kitchen and sections housing prisoners in the central part

In the central part of the prison, the medical clinic, central kitchen, section 4 housing male prisoners, section 209 which consists of solitary confinement cells where female and male prisoners are detained by the Minister of Intelligence, and the women’s section were extensively damaged.

Satellite imagery shows significant damage to structures adjacent to the medical clinic, while verified videos reveal damage to the clinic from the blast and burning cars.

A verified video shows the outside of the medical clinic covered in black soot and black smoke billowing from the windows. Another video shows significant destruction inside, with shattered windows, beds and medical equipment overturned and extensive rubble.

Satellite imagery (left) from 30 June 2025 reveals two locations (shown with yellow circles) where munitions likely landed. Geolocated photos and videos (right) show that the vehicle entrance gate collapsed. The clinic’s interior was significantly damaged, with walls and windows blown out, while the exterior shows severe fire damage and smoke.

The verified video evidence supports accounts from human rights defenders Narges Mohammadi and Sepideh Gholian, both based in Iran, who told Amnesty International that multiple eyewitnesses in Evin prison described to them extensive damage to the medical clinic. Narges Mohammadi shared that male prisoners in section 4, which is opposite the medical clinic, informed her the prison’s ambulance was destroyed, an account supported by video showing nearby vehicles reduced to wreckage. She also said the prisoners told her they witnessed an individual with extensive burns on their body walking out of the medical clinic and collapsing on the ground.

Two prisoners – Abolfazl Ghodiani and Mehdi Mahmoudian – who survived the Evin prison attack and were transferred to Greater Tehran Penitentiary wrote in a letter from inside prison published online on 1 July 2025:

“Evin prison shook with several consecutive explosions. Two or three blasts occurred near Section 4 and when prisoners exited the section’s door, they saw the medical clinic burning… Prisoners recovered the bodies of around 15-20 people, including medical clinic personnel, prisoners, warehouse staff, guards and agents from beneath the rubble.”

Saeedeh Makarem, a doctor volunteering in Evin prison who was injured, including with burns, described in a series of posts on Instagram in July 2025 how prisoners helped her:

“They dragged me to the corner of the wall. I was half-conscious. They brought me water and a blanket, put a splint in my leg, wiped the blood from my face… They could have left, but they didn’t… They saved me.”

Political dissident Hossein Razagh also told Amnesty International that section 4 prisoners described to him how prisoners were thrown against the walls due to the force of the blast and sustained head and face injuries.

These testimonies are corroborated by a verified video showing extensive damage to the front parts of sections 4 and 209. External doors and windows of sections 4 and 209 appear to have been shattered, with parts of the roof structure collapsed and large piles of rubble visible in the road.Multiple vehicles are destroyed and burned out, with black smoke damage on the surrounding building walls, indicating some of the fire may have originated from the cars. Satellite imagery from 30 June 2025 shows the burned buildings and black scorch marks from the cars The blast also appears to have affected the roof of the prison kitchen and damaged its windows.

According to Amnesty International’s research, the blast also affected section 209 staff offices, trapping some agents and guards under the rubble. Authorities have provided no information about the fate and whereabouts of prisoners held in solitary confinement in section 209, raising concerns about possible deaths or injuries.

Image showing the road with Section 209 on one side (left) and the vehicle entrance gate on the opposite side (right).

Amnesty International confirmed through an informed source the name of a prisoner in section 4, Masoud Behbahani, aged 71, who was killed. He suffered a heart attack when the blast threw him onto a chair and several prisoners fell on him. According to the source, instead of transferring him to a hospital, authorities transferred him to Greater Tehran Penitentiary where he died two days later after a second heart attack.

Amnesty International also analysed an image taken from inside the Women’s section showing visible damage to the ceiling and electrical infrastructure.

Entrance gate, judicial complex, visitation building and sections housing prisoners in the North

Before and after false-colour, near infrared imagery from 10 April 2025 and 27 June 2025 reveals the destruction in two distinct locations where munitions likely landed in the northern part of Evin prison (shown with yellow circles): the internal security walls and road in front of sections 240 and 241 and the north entrance gate in front of the visitation building and Shaheed Kachouyee judicial complex.

In the northern part of the prison, as visible in satellite imagery and verified videos, the entrance gate and adjacent wall were destroyed; the front part of the building containing the Shahid Kachouyee judicial complex and visitation building were extensively damaged; and two internal walls near sections 240 and 241 housing prisoners were destroyed.

Verified video and photographs also show blast-related damage to nearby high-rise residential buildings and vehicles outside the northern area of Evin prison. One video captures dozens of distressed people in Ahmadpour Street, at least one of whom appears to be injured.

An informed source described to Amnesty International how a nearby resident, Mehrangiz Imanpour, a 61-year-old painter who lived in Ahmadpour Street, was killed on her way home.

Shargh Daily reported that another passerby, Ali Asghar Pazouki, 69, was killed in front of the judicial complex and visitation building.

State media published videos and photographs which show blast damage in this area.

Satellite imagery (left) from 30 June 2025 reveals a location (shown with a yellow circle) where munitions likely landed. Geolocated images and videos (right) show extensive damage to the exterior and interior of the visitation building with windows shattered and parts of the roof and facade collapsed.

Satellite imagery analysed by Amnesty International indicates that a road and two security walls deeper within the northern part of the prison, near a building containing sections 240 and 241, were also destroyed. These sections are known to contain hundreds of solitary confinement cells, but no images showing the condition of the building have emerged and the authorities have not released any information about the fate of prisoners held there.

Amnesty International received accounts from prisoners’ families indicating that section 8, near sections 240 and 241, was damaged. Human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh told Amnesty International that her arbitrarily imprisoned husband, human rights defender, Reza Khandan, and other prisoners, were injured when rubble was propelled into the courtyard.

Political dissident Mohammad Nourizad, who was in section 8, called his family while the air strikes were ongoing. A recording of his call was published online on 24 June:

“They are dropping bombs on us. Some people are injured, the windows have broken, and everyone has scattered… They just hit again. I don’t know, it seems intentional… but bombing a prison is incompatible with any logic or code of conduct…They [prison authorities] closed the doors on us and we have no news.”

International law and standards

Under international humanitarian law, direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects are prohibited. Attacks may only be directed at combatants and military objectives. Military objectives are limited to those objects which by their nature, location, purpose or use make an effective contribution to military action and whose partial or total destruction, capture or neutralization, in the circumstances ruling at the time, offers a definite military advantage.

Attacking forces have an obligation to do everything feasible to protect civilians including by distinguishing between military targets and civilian objects; verifying whether their intended target is a military objective and canceling an attack if there is doubt; choosing means and methods of attack that will avoid, or in any event, minimize civilian harm; and providing effective advance warning to civilians unless circumstances do not permit. Even when targeting a legitimate military objective, an attack must not be carried out which may cause civilian harm that would be disproportionate in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated. If distinguishing between civilian objects and military targets is not feasible, the attack must not proceed.

States responsible for violations of international humanitarian law are required to make full reparations for the loss or injury caused. The UN Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law enshrine the duty of states to provide effective remedies, including reparation to victims, including restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition.

Methodology

Amnesty International’s Evidence Lab analyzed satellite images from before and after the strikes and verified 22 videos and 59 photographs, which show extensive damage and destruction to six areas in the south, central, and northern parts of Evin prison complex.

Additionally, Amnesty International reviewed statements by Israeli and Iranian authorities and interviewed 23 people inside and outside Iran, including seven prisoners’ relatives; a nearby resident who witnessed the attack; two sources with information about two victims killed; two journalists; and 11 former prisoners including dissidents and human rights defenders who received information from prisoners, prisoners’ families, prison staff and emergency services attending the site. The organization also obtained from a source the recordings of four telephone calls between four prisoners and their families hours after the attack.

Amnesty International sent questions regarding the attack to the Israeli Minister of Defence on 3 July. At the time of publication, no response had been received.

Background

During the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, at least 1,100 people were killed in Iran, including 132 women and 45 children, according to Iran’s Foundation for Martyrs and Veterans Affairs. At least 29 people, including women and children, were killed in Israel, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.

As part of Amnesty International’s ongoing investigations into violations of international humanitarian law and other human rights violations in the context of the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, the organization will also publish findings relating to attacks by the Iranian authorities against Israel.

MIL OSI NGO –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Iran: Deliberate Israeli attack on Tehran’s Evin prison must be investigated as a war crime – new evidence

Source: Amnesty International –

Video footage, satellite imagery, and eyewitness accounts reveal extensive civilian casualties and destruction

According to Iranian authorities, at least 80 civilians – 79 men and women and a five-year-old boy – were killed

Israeli military quickly claimed responsibility for the attack – senior officials boasted about it online

‘The evidence establishes reasonable grounds to believe that the Israeli military brazenly and deliberately attacked civilian buildings’ – Erika Guevara Rosas

The Israeli military’s deliberate air strikes on Evin prison in Tehran on 23 June constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law and must be criminally investigated as war crimes, Amnesty International said today following a detailed investigation.

Verified video footage, satellite imagery, and interviews with eyewitnesses, prisoners’ families and human rights defenders indicate that the Israeli military carried out multiple air strikes on Evin prison, killing and injuring scores of civilians and causing extensive damage and destruction in at least six locations across the prison complex.

The attack occurred during the working day and prison visiting hours, when many parts of Evin prison were packed with civilians. At the time, the prison reportedly held between 1,500 and 2,000 detainees, including arbitrarily detained human rights defenders, protesters, political dissidents, persecuted religious minorities, and dual or foreign nationals often used as diplomatic leverage. Hundreds of civilians were also present within the complex. Hours after the strike, the Israeli military confirmed the attack, with senior officials publicly boasting about it on social media. According to Iranian authorities, at least 80 civilians – 79 men and women and a five-year-old boy – were killed.

Under international humanitarian law, a prison or place of detention is presumed a civilian object and there is no credible evidence in this case that Evin prison constituted a lawful military objective.

Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns, said:

“The evidence establishes reasonable grounds to believe that the Israeli military brazenly and deliberately attacked civilian buildings. Directing attacks at civilian objects is strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law. Carrying out such attacks knowingly and deliberately constitutes a war crime.

“The Israeli forces should have known that any air strikes against Evin prison could result in significant civilian harm. Prosecution authorities around the world must ensure that all those responsible for this deadly attack are brought to justice, including through use of the principle of universal jurisdiction. The Iranian authorities must also grant the International Criminal Court jurisdiction over all Rome Statute crimes committed on or perpetrated from its territory.”

Scores of civilians killed and injured

Between 11am to 12pm Tehran time on 23 June, Israeli air strikes hit multiple locations over 500 metres apart inside Evin prison, destroying or damaging numerous buildings and other structures within the prison complex, as well as nearby residential buildings outside it.

An overview of Evin prison, with the exterior walled perimeter marked in orange. The six yellow circles highlight areas with the most significant destruction, indicating these were the locations where the munitions landed. The blasts and resulting damage extended beyond the six areas.

A map of Evin prison indicating building names or functions based on Amnesty’s interviews with former prisoners.

Evin prison is located in a populated area with residential buildings to its east and south. A nearby resident described the scene following the attack to Amnesty:

“I suddenly heard a terrible sound. I looked out of the window and realised that smoke and dust were rising from Evin prison. Both the sound of the explosion and the appearance of the dust and smoke were horrific… I had thought our home would be safe [as] we are near a prison… I couldn’t believe it.”

The authorities have so far named 57 civilians who were killed in the attack including five female social workers, 13 young men performing mandatory national service as prison guards or administrators, and 36 other prison staff – 30 men and six women – and the child of one of the social workers. After drawing public criticism for failing to disclose the identities of prisoners, their relatives and nearby residents who were killed, the authorities published a report on 14 July revealing two names: a nearby resident – Mehrangiz Imanpour – and a woman volunteering to help raise funds for debt prisoners – Hasti Mohammadi.

Amnesty had already verified the name of Mehrangiz Imanpour, as well as the names of one prisoner, Masoud Behbahani, a prisoner’s relative, Leila Jafarzadeh, and a passerby Aliasghar Pazouki, who were also killed.

Israeli officials’ self-incriminating admissions

Within hours of the attack, senior Israeli officials boasted about it on social media, framing it as a “targeted strike” against a “symbol of oppression for the Iranian people.”

Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said on X that Israeli forces were attacking with “unprecedented force regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran including…Evin prison”.

Minutes later, Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar posted on X: “We warned Iran time and again: stop targeting civilians! They continued, including this morning. Our response: [Long live freedom…].” Alongside this post was a video purporting to show CCTV footage of the prison gate being blown up. Analysis of the video by Amnesty indicates the footage was digitally manipulated likely using an old photograph of the prison gate. The video was first posted on Persian-language Telegram channels, but Amnesty could not trace its original source.

Later the same day, the Israeli military confirmed in a statement that they had carried out “a targeted strike” on “the notorious Evin prison”. The statement appeared to justify the attack by saying that “enemies of the regime” were held and tortured there and alleging that “intelligence operations against the State of Israel, including counter espionage” were carried out in the prison. However, the interrogation of detainees accused of spying for Israel or the presence of intelligence officials within the prison compound would not render the penal facility itself a legitimate military objective under international humanitarian law.

Entrance gate and prosecution office in the south

In the south of the prison, the main entrance gate, along with the adjoining wall and the visitor information building to the east of the gate were destroyed. The building to the west of the gate and the adjoining Shahid Moghaddas prosecution office were extensively damaged. Further inside the southern part of the prison, the car park and a building next to the quarantine section were damaged.

Before and after: false-colour, near infrared satellite imagery from 10 April and 30 June reveal the destruction in four distinct locations in the south and central parts of Evin prison where munitions likely landed (shown with yellow circles) and signs of burning (visible in near-infrared in dark black hues) in many areas, likely from vehicles that caught fire and spread to buildings in the area.

An informed source told Amnesty that a woman named Leila Jafarzadeh, 35, was killed while visiting the prosecution office to post bail in order to secure the release of her imprisoned husband.

The destruction of the entrance gate and its surroundings was captured in a verified video showing rescue workers carrying at least one injured person on a stretcher amid scenes of destruction and extensive rubble on the ground.

Footage published by state media and verified by Amnesty also shows structural damage to the prosecution office’s walls and building framework, indicating that the force of the blast penetrated deep into the building.

Satellite imagery from 30 June reveals a location (shown with a yellow circle) where munitions likely landed. Ground images (right) geolocated to the north and south areas of the southern entrance gate show major destruction.

Administrative building and quarantine section housing prisoners

Deeper inside the southern area of the prison, the administrative building and a smaller adjoining building which, according to a former prisoner, contained an office of the prison’s security force called the Protection Cohort, were significantly impacted, while several nearby structures were destroyed.

Satellite imagery from 30 June shows significant damage to part of the roof on the west side of the Protection Cohort building. Satellite imagery further shows that to the east of the building, an internal gate, perimeter wall and two small structures – likely guard posts – were all destroyed in the strike.

The two identified locations are consistent with the analysis of video footage and information received from two former prisoners of conscience Atena Daemi and Hossein Razagh.

Verified videos also depict destroyed windows, collapsed walls and extensive rubble on both the western and eastern sides of the administrative building. The first floor appears to be largely obliterated, with missing structural walls visible in multiple sections.

An image published by state media and verified by Amnesty shows what appears to be a crater inside the west side of the administrative building showing the first floor collapsed downward.

According to a state media report on 6 July, at least nine women, one man and a child were killed in the administrative building. Shargh Daily and Hammihan, two prominent newspapers in Iran, named three of the victims in reports published on 25 June and 1 July, respectively. They included social worker Zahra Ebadi, 52, who was killed along with her five-year-old son, Mehrad Kheiri; and an administrative staff member, Hamid Ranjbari, 40.

Satellite imagery (left) from 30 June reveals two locations (shown with yellow circles) where munitions likely landed. Ground images (right) show extensive damage to the administrative building.

Analysis of a verified video footage also shows that the quarantine section housing newly admitted prisoners, located near the administrative building, also sustained damage.

Medical clinic, kitchen and sections housing prisoners in the central part

In the central part of the prison, the medical clinic, central kitchen, section 4 housing male prisoners, section 209 which consists of solitary confinement cells where female and male prisoners are detained by the Minister of Intelligence, and the women’s section were extensively damaged.

Satellite imagery shows significant damage to structures adjacent to the medical clinic, while verified videos reveal damage to the clinic from the blast and burning cars.

A verified video shows the outside of the medical clinic covered in black soot and black smoke billowing from the windows. Another video shows significant destruction inside, with shattered windows, beds and medical equipment overturned and extensive rubble.

Satellite imagery (left) from 30 June reveals two locations (shown with yellow circles) where munitions likely landed. Geolocated photos and videos (right) show that the vehicle entrance gate collapsed. The clinic’s interior was significantly damaged, with walls and windows blown out, while the exterior shows severe fire damage and smoke.

The verified video evidence supports accounts from human rights defenders Narges Mohammadi and Sepideh Gholian, both based in Iran, who told Amnesty that multiple eyewitnesses in Evin prison described to them extensive damage to the medical clinic.

Narges Mohammadi said that male prisoners in section 4, which is opposite the medical clinic, informed her the prison’s ambulance was destroyed, an account supported by video showing nearby vehicles reduced to wreckage. She also said the prisoners told her they witnessed an individual with extensive burns on their body walking out of the medical clinic and collapsing on the ground.

Two prisoners – Abolfazl Ghodiani and Mehdi Mahmoudian – who survived the Evin prison attack and were transferred to Greater Tehran Penitentiary wrote in a letter from inside prison, which was published online on 1 July:

“Evin prison shook with several consecutive explosions. Two or three blasts occurred near Section 4 and when prisoners exited the section’s door, they saw the medical clinic burning… Prisoners recovered the bodies of around 15-20 people, including medical clinic personnel, prisoners, warehouse staff, guards and agents from beneath the rubble.”

Saeedeh Makarem, a doctor volunteering in Evin prison who was injured, including with burns, described in a series of posts on Instagram in July how prisoners helped her:

“They dragged me to the corner of the wall. I was half-conscious. They brought me water and a blanket, put a splint in my leg, wiped the blood from my face… They could have left, but they didn’t… They saved me.”

Political dissident Hossein Razagh also told Amnesty that section 4 prisoners described to him how prisoners were thrown against the walls due to the force of the blast and sustained head and face injuries.

These testimonies are corroborated by a verified video showing extensive damage to the front parts of sections 4 and 209. External doors and windows of sections 4 and 209 appear to have been shattered, with parts of the roof structure collapsed and large piles of rubble visible in the road. Multiple vehicles are destroyed and burned out, with black smoke damage on the surrounding building walls, indicating some of the fire may have originated from the cars. Satellite imagery from 30 June shows the burned buildings and black scorch marks from the cars. The blast also appears to have affected the roof of the prison kitchen and damaged its windows.

According to Amnesty’s research, the blast also affected section 209 staff offices, trapping some agents and guards under the rubble. Authorities have provided no information about the fate and whereabouts of prisoners held in solitary confinement in section 209, raising concerns about possible deaths or injuries.

Image showing the road with Section 209 on one side (left) and the vehicle entrance gate on the opposite side (right).

Amnesty confirmed through an informed source the name of a prisoner in section 4, Masoud Behbahani, aged 71, who was killed. He suffered a heart attack when the blast threw him onto a chair and several prisoners fell on him. According to the source, instead of transferring him to a hospital, authorities transferred him to Greater Tehran Penitentiary where he died two days later after a second heart attack.

Amnesty also analysed an image taken from inside the women’s section showing visible damage to the ceiling and electrical infrastructure.

Entrance gate, judicial complex, visitors’ building and sections housing prisoners in the north

In the northern part of the prison, as visible in satellite imagery and verified videos, the entrance gate and adjacent wall were destroyed; the front part of the building containing the Shahid Kachouyee judicial complex and visitors’ building were extensively damaged; and two internal walls near sections 240 and 241 housing prisoners were destroyed.

Verified video and photographs also show blast-related damage to nearby high-rise residential buildings and vehicles outside the northern area of Evin prison. One video shows dozens of distressed people in Ahmadpour Street, at least one of whom appears to be injured.

Before and after false-colour, near infrared imagery from 10 April and 27 June reveals the destruction in two distinct locations where munitions likely landed in the northern part of Evin prison (shown with yellow circles): the internal security walls and road in front of sections 240 and 241 and the north entrance gate in front of the visitation building and Shaheed Kachouyee judicial complex.

An informed source described to Amnesty how a nearby resident, Mehrangiz Imanpour, a 61-year-old painter who lived in Ahmadpour Street, was killed on her way home.

Shargh Daily reported that another passerby, Ali Asghar Pazouki, 69, was killed in front of the judicial complex and visitors’ building. State media published videos and photographs which show blast damage in this area.

Satellite imagery (left) from 30 June reveals a location (shown with a yellow circle) where munitions likely landed. Geolocated images and videos (right) show extensive damage to the exterior and interior of the visitors’ building with windows shattered and parts of the roof and facade collapsed.

Satellite imagery analysed by Amnesty indicates that a road and two security walls deeper within the northern part of the prison, near a building containing sections 240 and 241, were also destroyed. These sections are known to contain hundreds of solitary confinement cells, but no images showing the condition of the building have emerged and the authorities have not released any information about the fate of prisoners held there.

Amnesty received accounts from prisoners’ families indicating that section 8, near sections 240 and 241, was damaged. Human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh told Amnesty that her arbitrarily imprisoned husband, human rights defender, Reza Khandan, and other prisoners, were injured when rubble was propelled into the courtyard.

Political dissident Mohammad Nourizad, who was in section 8, called his family while the air strikes were ongoing. A recording of his call was published online on 24 June:

“They are dropping bombs on us. Some people are injured, the windows have broken, and everyone has scattered… They just hit again. I don’t know, it seems intentional… but bombing a prison is incompatible with any logic or code of conduct…They [prison authorities] closed the doors on us and we have no news.”

International law and standards

Under international humanitarian law, direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects are prohibited. Attacks may only be directed at combatants and military objectives. Military objectives are limited to those objects which by their nature, location, purpose or use make an effective contribution to military action and whose partial or total destruction, capture or neutralisation, in the circumstances ruling at the time, offers a definite military advantage.

Attacking forces have an obligation to do everything feasible to protect civilians including by distinguishing between military targets and civilian objects; verifying whether their intended target is a military objective and cancelling an attack if there is doubt; choosing means and methods of attack that will avoid, or in any event, minimise civilian harm; and providing effective advance warning to civilians unless circumstances do not permit.

Even when targeting a legitimate military objective, an attack must not be carried out which may cause civilian harm that would be disproportionate in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated. If distinguishing between civilian objects and military targets is not feasible, the attack must not proceed.

Governments responsible for violations of international humanitarian law are required to make full reparations for the loss or injury caused. The UN Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law enshrine the duty of states to provide effective remedies, including reparation to victims, including restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition.

Evidence gathered

Amnesty’s Evidence Lab analysed satellite images from before and after the strikes and verified 22 videos and 59 photographs, which show extensive damage and destruction to six areas in the south, central, and northern parts of Evin prison complex.

Additionally, Amnesty reviewed statements by Israeli and Iranian authorities and interviewed 23 people inside and outside Iran, including seven prisoners’ relatives; a nearby resident who witnessed the attack; two sources with information about two victims killed; two journalists; and 11 former prisoners including dissidents and human rights defenders who received information from prisoners, prisoners’ families, prison staff and emergency services attending the site. Amnesty also obtained from a source the recordings of four telephone calls between four prisoners and their families hours after the attack.

Amnesty sent questions regarding the attack to the Israeli Minister of Defence on 3 July. At the time of publication, no response had been received.

As part of Amnesty’s ongoing investigations into violations of international humanitarian law and other human rights violations in the context of the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, Amnesty will also publish findings relating to attacks by the Iranian authorities against Israel.

Urgent action

Take action to support hundreds of displaced prisoners from Tehran’s Evin Prison, who are currently being held in cruel and inhuman conditions. See Amnesty’s Urgent Action for how to help.

MIL OSI NGO –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Nearly 22 000 W Cape matrics attend ’Back on Track’ classes over school holidays

Source: Government of South Africa

The Western Cape Education MEC, David Maynier, has announced that a total of 21 700 matric learners attended the “Back on Track” programme during the winter school holidays across the eight educational districts in the province.

The classes covered a variety of subjects depending on the venue.

Last week, Maynier visited one of the province’s winter school venues, Protea Heights Academy in Brackenfell, where learners were being tutored in mathematics and physical science.

“Learners indicated that the extra lessons have made a big difference, as content is covered in more depth.

“They also highlighted that attending lessons in a different environment, with learners from several other schools, had kept them interested and helped them to focus on the work more effectively,” the MEC said.

As learners head back to school today, Maynier said matrics will continue with extra classes during the term, starting from this coming weekend.

However, extra classes for Grade 4 and 7 learners will take place on selected weekends later in the term.

According to the MEC, the province also held intensive “Back on Track” mathematics training for Grade 10 and 11 teachers during the holidays, with 95 teachers attending across the two grades.

Maynier believes that this training will help to improve their teaching skills and prepare for the term ahead.

“A big thank you to all the learners, teachers and tutors who participated in the programme during the holidays. While they have had to sacrifice part of their holidays to do so, they will reap the rewards when exam time comes and help to improve learning outcomes in the Western Cape.”

Meanwhile, the Western Cape Infrastructure MEC, Tertuis Simmers, donated computers, laptops and stationery to three schools in Cape Town.

The handover took place at Fairview Primary School in Grassy Park, Bramble Way Primary School in Bonteheuwel, and Sinethemba High School in Philippi.

What started as 67 Minutes of giving back to local communities as part of a Mandela Day event in 2024 has grown into a year-long department’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) outreach across the province.

Other CSI events have taken place over the past year in the Central Karoo, Cape Winelands, Garden Route, West Coast and City of Cape Town districts.

The computers that were donated have been refurbished, while the stationery was donated by some of the department’s private sector partners. – SAnews.gov.za

MIL OSI Africa –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Journal of Advanced Research Design

Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

Mission

This journal offers overall strategy that researchers choose to integrate the different components of the research in a coherent and logical way, thereby, ensuring effectively address the research problem; it constitutes the blueprint for the collection, measurement, and analysis of data spanning the interdisciplinary field of applied researches. Scope of the journal includes: biology, chemistry, physics, environmental, business and economics, finance, mathematics and statistics, geology, engineering, computer science, social sciences, natural and technological sciences, linguistics, medicine, and architecture.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to Spotlight Energy, Mining Finance Solutions at African Mining Week (AMW) 2025

Source: APO – Report:

.

Thabiso Sekano, Head of Mining and Metals at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of South Africa, will join African Mining Week (AMW) as a featured speaker on the high-level panel, The Investor Perspective – Financing Africa’s Mineral Industrialization. He is expected to share insights into innovative financing mechanisms that are accelerating project development across Africa’s mining and energy value chains.

Sekano will highlight the IDC’s instrumental role in advancing South Africa’s mining sector, particularly its platinum group metals (PGMs), which represent over 70% of global reserves. Among the IDC’s recent investments, in June 2025, the agency approved R622 million in funding to Canadian firm Theta Gold Mines to develop multiple sites under the TGME Project in Mpumalanga Province. This seven-year facility is expected to extract 1.24 million ounces of gold, creating jobs and contributing to national revenue growth.

AMW serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

In April 2025, the IDC approved a further R1.6 billion facility to support the operational stability of ArcelorMittal South Africa, helping preserve jobs and strengthen South Africa’s position as a top global steel producer. Beyond South Africa, Sekano will spotlight the IDC’s growing regional footprint. The corporation is considering a $16 million loan to Giyani Metals to advance the K.Hill manganese project in Botswana – an important development aimed at boosting supply chains for lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles.

As African governments increasingly focus on formalizing small-scale mining and empowering junior miners, AMW will also offer a platform for Sekano to discuss the IDC’s initiatives targeting these groups. In 2024, the IDC launched a R400 million Junior Mining Exploration Fund in collaboration with South Africa’s Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources and the Council for Geoscience, aimed at addressing funding constraints that limit entry and scale-up of junior mining companies.

In addition, the IDC is driving synergies between the mining and energy sectors to foster energy resilience and decarbonization. In June 2025, it announced that four utility-scale energy projects it financed are now delivering a combined 219 MW to the national grid – powering mining operations and creating 442 annualized jobs. The agency also signed a EUR 17 million agreement with Germany’s KfW to support green hydrogen projects in South Africa, further enhancing the role of PGMs in electrolyzer technology. In March 2025, the IDC raised R2 billion through a sustainable bond issuance to scale up investments across both mining and energy.

At AMW 2025, Sekano will unpack these developments and more, reinforcing the IDC’s commitment to sustainable, inclusive growth in Africa’s extractive and energy sectors.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pharaoh’s fungus yields cancer-fighting compounds

Source: Anglia Ruskin University

The sarcophagus inside the tomb of King Tutankhamun

By Justin Stebbing, Anglia Ruskin University

In November 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter peered through a small hole into the sealed tomb of King Tutankhamun. When asked if he could see anything, he replied: “Yes, wonderful things.” Within months, however, Carter’s financial backer Lord Carnarvon was dead from a mysterious illness. Over the following years, several other members of the excavation team would meet similar fates, fuelling legends of the “pharaoh’s curse” that have captivated the public imagination for just over a century.

For decades, these mysterious deaths were attributed to supernatural forces. But modern science has revealed a more likely culprit: a toxic fungus known as Aspergillus flavus. Now, in an unexpected twist, this same deadly organism is being transformed into a powerful new weapon in the fight against cancer.

Aspergillus flavus is a common mould found in soil, decaying vegetation and stored grains. It is infamous for its ability to survive in harsh environments, including the sealed chambers of ancient tombs, where it can lie dormant for thousands of years.

When disturbed, the fungus releases spores that can cause severe respiratory infections, particularly in people with weakened immune systems. This may explain the so-called “curse” of King Tutankhamun and similar incidents, such as the deaths of several scientists who entered the tomb of Casimir IV in Poland in the 1970s. In both cases, investigations later found that A flavus was present, and its toxins were probably responsible for the illnesses and deaths.

Despite its deadly reputation, Aspergillus flavus is now at the centre of a remarkable scientific finding. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that this fungus produces a unique class of molecules with the potential to fight cancer.

These molecules belong to a group called ribosomally synthesised and post-translationally modified peptides, or RiPPs. RiPPs are made by the ribosome – the cell’s protein factory – and are later chemically altered to enhance their function.

While thousands of RiPPs have been identified in bacteria, only a handful have been found in fungi – until now.

The process of finding these fungal RiPPs was far from simple. The research team screened a dozen different strains or types of aspergillus, searching for chemical clues that might indicate the presence of these promising molecules. Aspergillus flavus quickly stood out as a prime candidate.

The researchers compared the chemicals from different fungal strains to known RiPP compounds and found promising matches. To confirm their discovery, they switched off the relevant genes and, sure enough, the target chemicals vanished, proving they had found the source.

Purifying these chemicals proved to be a significant challenge. However, this complexity is also what gives fungal RiPPs their remarkable biological activity.

The team eventually succeeded in isolating four different RiPPs from Aspergillus flavus. These molecules shared a unique structure of interlocking rings, a feature that had never been described before. The researchers named these new compounds “asperigimycins”, after the fungus in which they were found.

The next step was to test these asperigimycins against human cancer cells. In some cases, they stopped the growth of cancer cells, suggesting that asperigimycins could one day become a new treatment for certain types of cancer.

The team also worked out how these chemicals get inside cancer cells. This discovery is significant because many chemicals, like asperigimycins, have medicinal properties but struggle to enter cells in large enough quantities to be useful. Knowing that particular fats (lipids) can enhance this process gives scientists a new tool for drug development.

Further experiments revealed that asperigimycins probably disrupt the process of cell division in cancer cells. Cancer cells divide uncontrollably, and these compounds appear to block the formation of microtubules, the scaffolding inside cells that are essential for cell division.

Tremendous untapped potential

This disruption is specific to certain types of cells, so this may in turn reduce the risk of side-effects. But the discovery of asperigimycins is just the beginning. The researchers also identified similar clusters of genes in other fungi, suggesting that many more fungal RiPPs remain to be discovered.

Almost all the fungal RiPPs found so far have strong biological activity, making this an area with tremendous untapped potential. The next step is to test asperigimycins in other systems and models, with the hope of eventually moving to human clinical trials. If successful, these molecules could join the ranks of other fungal-derived medicines, such as penicillin, which revolutionised modern medicine.

The story of Aspergillus flavus is a powerful example of how nature can be both a source of danger and a wellspring of healing. For centuries, this fungus was feared as a silent killer lurking in ancient tombs, responsible for mysterious deaths and the legend of the pharaoh’s curse. Today, scientists are turning that fear into hope, harnessing the same deadly spores to create life-saving medicines.

This transformation, from curse to cure, highlights the importance of continued exploration and innovation in the natural world. Nature has in fact provided us with an incredible pharmacy, filled with compounds that can heal as well as harm. It is up to scientists and engineers to uncover these secrets, using the latest technologies to identify, modify and test new molecules for their potential to treat disease.

The discovery of asperigimycins is a reminder that even the most unlikely sources – such as a toxic tomb fungus – can hold the key to revolutionary new treatments. As researchers continue to explore the hidden world of fungi, who knows what other medical breakthroughs may lie just beneath the surface?

Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The opinions expressed in VIEWPOINT articles are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARU.

If you wish to republish this article, please follow these guidelines: https://theconversation.com/uk/republishing-guidelines

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets cross-party Irish Oireachtas delegation

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Details
2025-07-22
President Lai meets official delegation from European Parliament’s Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield
On the morning of July 22, President Lai Ching-te met with an official delegation from the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS). In remarks, President Lai thanked the committee for choosing to visit Taiwan for its first trip to Asia, demonstrating the close ties between Taiwan and Europe. President Lai emphasized that Taiwan, standing at the very frontline of the democratic world, is determined to protect democracy, peace, and prosperity worldwide. He expressed hope that we can share our experiences with Europe to foster even more resilient societies. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Firstly, on behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a warm welcome to your delegation, which marks another official visit from the European Parliament. The Special Committee on the EUDS aims to strengthen societal resilience and counter disinformation and hybrid threats. Having been constituted at the beginning of this year, the committee has chosen to visit Taiwan for its first trip to Asia, demonstrating the close ties between Taiwan and Europe and the unlimited possibilities for deepening cooperation on issues of concern. I am also delighted to see many old friends of Taiwan gathered here today. I deeply appreciate your longstanding support for Taiwan. Taiwan and the European Union enjoy close trade and economic relations and share the values of freedom and democracy. However, in recent years, we have both been subjected to information manipulation and infiltration by foreign forces that seek to interfere in democratic elections, foment division in our societies, and shake people’s faith in democracy. Taiwan not only faces an onslaught of disinformation, but also is the target of gray-zone aggression. That is why, after taking office, I established the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee at the Presidential Office, with myself as convener. The committee is a platform that integrates domestic affairs, national defense, foreign affairs, cybersecurity, and civil resources. It aims to strengthen the capability of Taiwan’s society to defend itself against new forms of threat, pinpoint external and internal vulnerabilities, and bolster overall resilience and security. The efforts that democracies make are not for opposing anyone else; they are for safeguarding the way of life that we cherish – just as Europe has endeavored to promote diversity and human rights. The Taiwanese people firmly believe that when our society is united and people trust one another, we will be able to withstand any form of authoritarian aggression. Taiwan stands at the very frontline of the democratic world. We are determined to protect democracy, peace, and prosperity worldwide. We also hope to share our experiences with Europe and deepen cooperation in such fields as cybersecurity, media literacy, and societal resilience. Thank you once again for visiting Taiwan. Your presence further strengthens the foundations of Taiwan-Europe relations. Let us continue to work together to uphold freedom and democracy and foster even more resilient societies. EUDS Special Committee Chair Nathalie Loiseau then delivered remarks, saying that the delegation has members from different countries, including France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Belgium, and different political parties, but that they have in common their desire for stronger relations between the EU and Taiwan. Committee Chair Loiseau stated that the EU and Taiwan, having many things in common, should work more together. She noted that we have strong trade relations, strong investments on both sides, and strong cultural relations, while we are also facing very similar challenges and threats. She said that we are democracies living in a world where autocracies want to weaken and divide democracies. She added that we also face external information manipulation, cyberattacks, sabotage, attempts to capture elites, and every single gray-zone activity that aims to divide and weaken us. Committee Chair Loiseau pointed out another commonality, that we have never threatened our neighbors. She said that we want to live in peace and we care about our people; we want to defend ourselves, not to attack others. We are not being threatened because of what we do, she emphasized, but because of what we are; and thus there is no reason for not working more together to face these threats and attacks. Committee Chair Loiseau said that Taiwan has valuable experience and good practices in the area of societal resilience, and that they are interested in learning more about Taiwan’s whole-of-society approach. They in Europe are facing interference, she said, mainly from Russia, and they know that Russia inspires others. She added that they in the EU also have experience regulating social media in a way which combines freedom of expression and responsibility. In closing, the chair said that they are happy to have the opportunity to exchange views with President Lai and that the European Parliament will continue to strongly support relations between the EU and Taiwan. The delegation also included Members of the European Parliament Engin Eroglu, Tomáš Zdechovský, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Kathleen Van Brempt, and Markéta Gregorová.

Details
2025-07-17
President Lai meets President of Guatemalan Congress Nery Abilio Ramos y Ramos
On the morning of July 17, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Nery Abilio Ramos y Ramos, the president of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala. In remarks, President Lai thanked Congress President Ramos and the Guatemalan Congress for their support for Taiwan, and noted that official diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Guatemala go back more than 90 years. As important partners in the global democratic community, the president said, the two nations will continue moving forward together in joint defense of the values of democracy and freedom, and will cooperate to promote regional and global prosperity and development. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I recall that when Congress President Ramos visited Taiwan in July last year, he put forward many ideas about how our countries could promote bilateral cooperation and exchanges. Now, a year later, he is leading another cross-party delegation from the Guatemalan Congress on a visit, demonstrating support for Taiwan and continuing to help deepen our diplomatic ties. In addition to extending a sincere welcome to the distinguished delegation members who have traveled so far to be here, I would also like to express our concern and condolences for everyone in Guatemala affected by the earthquake that struck earlier this month. We hope that the recovery effort is going smoothly. Official diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Guatemala go back more than 90 years. In such fields as healthcare, agriculture, education, and women’s empowerment, we have continually strengthened our cooperation to benefit our peoples. Just last month, Guatemala’s President Bernardo Arévalo and the First Lady led a delegation on a state visit to Taiwan. President Arévalo and I signed a letter of intent for semiconductor cooperation, and also witnessed the signing of cooperation documents to establish a political consultation mechanism and continue to promote bilateral investment. This has laid an even sounder foundation for bilateral exchanges and cooperation, and will help enhance both countries’ international competitiveness. Taiwan is currently running a semiconductor vocational training program, helping Guatemala cultivate semiconductor talent and develop its tech industry, and demonstrating our determination to share experience with democratic partners. At the same time, we continue to assist Taiwanese businesses in their efforts to develop overseas markets with Guatemala as an important base, spurring industrial development in both countries and increasing economic and trade benefits. I want to thank Congress President Ramos and the Guatemalan Congress for their continued support for Taiwan’s international participation. Representing the Guatemalan Congress, Congress President Ramos has signed resolutions in support of Taiwan, and has also issued statements addressing China’s misinterpretation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. Taiwan and Guatemala, as important partners in the global democratic community, will continue moving forward together in joint defense of the values of democracy and freedom, and will cooperate to promote regional and global prosperity and development. Congress President Ramos then delivered remarks, first noting that the members of the delegation are not only from different parties, but also represent different classes, cultures, professions, and departments, which shows that the diplomatic ties between Guatemala and the Republic of China (Taiwan) are based on firm friendships at all levels and in all fields. Noting that this was his second time to visit Taiwan and meet with President Lai, Congress President Ramos thanked the government of Taiwan for its warm hospitality. With the international situation growing more complex by the day, he said, Guatemala highly values its longstanding friendship and cooperative ties with Taiwan, and hopes that both sides can continue to deepen their cooperation in such areas as the economy, technology, education, agriculture, and culture, and work together to spur sustainable development in each of our countries. Congress President Ramos said that the way the Taiwan government looks after the well-being of its people is an excellent model for how other countries should promote national development and social well-being. Accordingly, he said, the Guatemalan Congress has stood for justice and, for a second time, adopted a resolution backing Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly. Regarding President Arévalo’s state visit to Taiwan the previous month, Congress President Ramos commented that this high-level interaction has undoubtedly strengthened the diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Guatemala and led to more opportunities for cooperation. Congress President Ramos emphasized that democracy, freedom, and human rights are universal values that bind Taiwan and Guatemala together, and that he is confident the two countries’ diplomatic ties will continue to grow deeper. In closing, on behalf of the Republic of Guatemala, Congress President Ramos presented President Lai with a Chinese translation of the resolution that the Guatemalan Congress proposed to the UN in support of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, demonstrating the staunch bonds of friendship between the two countries. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Guatemala Ambassador Luis Raúl Estévez López.

Details
2025-07-08
President Lai meets delegation led by Foreign Minister Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste of Republic of Haiti
On the morning of July 8, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste of the Republic of Haiti and his wife. In remarks, President Lai noted that our two countries will soon mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and that our exchanges have been fruitful in important areas such as public security, educational cooperation, and infrastructure. The president stated that Taiwan will continue to work together with Haiti to promote the development of medical and health care, food security, and construction that benefits people’s livelihoods. The president thanked Haiti for supporting Taiwan’s international participation and expressed hope that both countries will continue to support each other, deepen cooperation, and face various challenges together. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I am delighted to meet and exchange ideas with Minister Jean-Baptiste, his wife, and our distinguished guests. Minister Jean-Baptiste is the highest-ranking official from Haiti to visit Taiwan since former President Jovenel Moïse visited in 2018, demonstrating the importance that the Haitian government attaches to our bilateral diplomatic ties. On behalf of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I extend a sincere welcome. Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries. Our bilateral exchanges have been fruitful in important areas such as public security, educational cooperation, and infrastructure. Over the past few years, Haiti has faced challenges in such areas as food supply and healthcare. Taiwan will continue to work together with Haiti through various cooperative programs to promote the development of medical and health care, food security, and construction that benefits people’s livelihoods. I want to thank the government of Haiti and Minister Jean-Baptiste for speaking out in support of Taiwan on the international stage for many years. Minister Jean-Baptiste’s personal letter to the World Health Organization Secretariat in May this year and Minister of Public Health and Population Bertrand Sinal’s public statement during the World Health Assembly both affirmed Taiwan’s efforts and contributions to global public health and supported Taiwan’s international participation, for which we are very grateful. I hope that Taiwan and Haiti will continue to support each other and deepen cooperation. I believe that Minister Jean-Baptiste’s visit will open up more opportunities for cooperation for both countries, helping Taiwan and Haiti face various challenges together. In closing, I once again offer a sincere welcome to the delegation led by Minister Jean-Baptiste, and ask him to convey greetings from Taiwan to Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and the members of the Transitional Presidential Council. Minister Jean-Baptiste then delivered remarks, saying that he is extremely honored to visit Taiwan and reaffirm the solid and friendly cooperative relationship based on mutual respect between the Republic of Haiti and the Republic of China (Taiwan), which will soon mark its 70th anniversary. He also brought greetings to President Lai from Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council and Prime Minister Fils-Aimé. Minister Jean-Baptiste emphasized that over the past few decades, despite the great geographical distance and developmental and cultural differences between our two countries, we have nevertheless established a firm friendship and demonstrated to the world the progress resulting from the mutual assistance and cooperation between our peoples. Minister Jean-Baptiste pointed out that our two countries cooperate closely in agriculture, health, education, and community development and have achieved concrete results. Taiwan’s voice, he said, is thus essential for the people of Haiti. He noted that Taiwan also plays an important role in peace and innovation and actively participates in global cooperative efforts. Pointing out that the world is currently facing significant challenges and that Haiti is experiencing its most difficult period in history, Minister Jean-Baptiste said that at this time, Taiwan and Haiti need to unite, help each other, and jointly think about how to move forward and deepen bilateral relations to benefit the peoples of both countries. Minister Jean-Baptiste said that he is pleased that throughout our solid and friendly diplomatic relationship, both countries have demonstrated mutual trust, mutual respect, and the values we jointly defend. He then stated his belief that Haiti and Taiwan will together create a cooperation model and future that are sincere, friendly, and sustainable. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Francilien Victorin of the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Taiwan.

Details
2025-07-01
President Lai meets delegation from 2025 Taiwan International Ocean Forum
On the afternoon of July 1, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the 2025 Taiwan International Ocean Forum (TIOF). In remarks, President Lai noted that the people of Taiwan will continue to work with democratic partners throughout the world in a maritime spirit of freedom and openness to contribute to ocean governance and jointly ensure maritime security. He expressed hope that their visit will help forge stronger friendships between Taiwan and international maritime partners, so that all can work together to spur shared maritime prosperity and sustainable development for the next generation. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I want to thank our guests for coming here to the Presidential Office. The 2025 TIOF will take place tomorrow and the day after, and I thank you all for making the long trip to Taiwan to attend the event and share your valuable insights and experiences. This year’s forum will focus on strategies for strengthening maritime security and pathways to achieving a sustainable blue economy. By attending this forum, our guests are highlighting their commitment to safeguarding the oceans, and beyond that, taking concrete action to demonstrate support for Taiwan. I once again offer deepest gratitude on behalf of the people of Taiwan. Taiwan holds a key position on the first island chain, is one of the world’s top 10 shipping nations, and accounts for close to 10 percent of global container shipping by volume. As such, Taiwan occupies a unique and important position in maritime strategy. For Taiwan, the ocean is more than just a basis for survival and development; it is also an important driver of national prosperity. In my inaugural address last year, I spoke of a threefold approach to further Taiwan’s development. One of these involves further developing our strengths as a maritime nation. Our government must actively help deepen our connections with the ocean, and must continue to promote green shipping, a sustainable fishing industry, marine renewable energy, and other forms of industrial transformation. It must also make use of marine technology and digital innovation to create a new paradigm that balances environmental, economic, and social inclusion concerns. This will help enhance Taiwan’s responsibilities and competitiveness as a maritime nation. Taiwan is surrounded by ocean, and our territorial waters are a natural protective barrier. However, continued gray-zone aggression from China creates serious threats and challenges to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Our government continues to invest resources to deal with increasingly complex maritime security issues. In addition to building coast guard patrol vessels, we must also step up efforts to build underwater, surface, and airborne unmanned vehicles and smart reconnaissance equipment, so as to demonstrate Taiwan’s determination to defend democracy and freedom and commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Oceans are Taiwan’s roots, and provide the channels by which we engage with the world. The people of Taiwan will continue to work with democratic partners throughout the world in a maritime spirit of freedom and openness to contribute to ocean governance and jointly ensure maritime security. The TIOF was first launched in 2020, and has now become an important platform for enhancement of cooperation between Taiwan and other countries. I hope that our distinguished guests will reap great benefits at this year’s forum, and further hope that this visit will help forge stronger friendships between Taiwan and international maritime partners, so that all can work together to spur shared maritime prosperity and sustainable development for the next generation. Chairman of The Washington Times Thomas McDevitt, a member of the delegation, then delivered remarks, noting first that July 4th, this Friday, is Independence Day in America. Independence is a sacred, powerful word which has great meaning in this part of the world, he said. Chairman McDevitt indicated that Taiwan has truly become a global beacon of democracy and a key partner for many nations. He then quoted President Lai’s 2024 inaugural address: “We will work together to combat disinformation, strengthen democratic resilience, address challenges, and allow Taiwan to become the MVP of the democratic world.” Chairman McDevitt went on to say that he appreciated the president’s speech with regard to his philosophical depth, sensitivity, and both moral and political clarity. He said that he was deeply moved by the speech, but within a few days of it, China responded with military activities and many threats. The chairman then emphasized that we are in a civilization crisis. Chairman McDevitt mentioned that President Lai has begun a series of 10 lectures, and remarked that they would help the world to understand the identity and the nature of Taiwan, as well as the situation we are in in the world. On behalf of all the delegation, Chairman McDevitt thanked the president for his leadership in dealing with these issues thoughtfully. Chairman McDevitt concluded with a line from the Old Testament which states that if the people have no vision, they will perish. He said that he believes Taiwan’s president has led the people of Taiwan, and the world, with a vision of how to navigate this great civilization crisis together. The delegation also included Members of the Japanese House of Representatives Kikawada Hitoshi, Aoyama Yamato, and Genma Kentaro, and Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom Gavin Williamson.

Details
2025-06-30
President Lai meets Minister of State at UK Department for Business and Trade Douglas Alexander
On the morning of June 30, President Lai Ching-te met with Douglas Alexander, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade of the United Kingdom. In remarks, President Lai thanked the UK government for its longstanding support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, demonstrating that Taiwan and the UK share similar goals. Noting that two years ago, Taiwan and the UK signed an enhanced trade partnership (ETP) arrangement, the president said that today Taiwan and the UK have signed three pillars under the ETP, which will help promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation. He expressed hope of the UK publicly supporting Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) so that together we can create an economic and trade landscape in the Indo-Pacific characterized by shared prosperity and development. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: First, on behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a warm welcome to Minister Alexander and wish a fruitful outcome for the 27th round of Taiwan-UK trade talks later today. Taiwan-UK relations have grown closer in recent years. We have not only continued to strengthen cooperation in such fields as offshore wind power, innovative technologies, and culture and education but also have established regular dialogue mechanisms in the critical areas of economics and trade, energy, and agriculture. The UK is currently Taiwan’s fourth-largest European trading partner, second-largest source of investment from Europe, and third-largest target for investment in Europe. Two years ago, Taiwan and the UK signed an ETP arrangement. This was particularly meaningful, as it was the first institutionalized economic and trade framework between Taiwan and a European country. Today, this arrangement is yielding further results. I am delighted that Taiwan and the UK have signed three pillars under the ETP covering investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero. This will help promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation and advance industrial development on both sides. I also want to thank the UK government for its longstanding support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. This month, the UK published its Strategic Defence Review 2025 and National Security Strategy 2025, which oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. These not only demonstrate that Taiwan and the UK share similar goals but also show that security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region are inseparable from those of the transatlantic regions. In addition, last November, the House of Commons passed a motion which made clear that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 neither established the sovereignty of the People’s Republic of China over Taiwan nor determined Taiwan’s status in the United Nations. The UK government also responded to the motion by publicly expressing for the first time its position on UNGA Resolution 2758, opposing any attempt to broaden the interpretation of the resolution to rewrite history. For this, on behalf of the people of Taiwan, I once again want to extend my deepest gratitude. Taiwan and the UK have the advantage of being highly complementary in the technology sector. In facing the restructuring of global supply chains and other international economic and trade developments, I believe that Taiwan and the UK are indispensable key partners for one another. I look forward to the UK publicly supporting Taiwan’s accession to the CPTPP so that together, we can create an economic and trade landscape in the Indo-Pacific characterized by shared prosperity and development. In closing, I wish Minister Alexander a pleasant and successful visit. And I hope he has the opportunity to visit Taiwan for personal travel in the future. Minister Alexander then delivered remarks, saying that it is a great personal honor to meet with everyone today to discuss further deepening the UK-Taiwan trade relationship and explore the many opportunities our two sides can pursue together. He mentioned that he traveled to Taiwan in 2022 when he was a private citizen, a visit he thoroughly enjoyed, so he is delighted to be back to see the strength of the UK-Taiwan relationship and the strengthening of that relationship. He said that relationship is built on mutual respect, democratic values, and a shared vision for open, resilient, and rules-based economic cooperation. As like-minded partners, he pointed out, our collaboration continues to grow across multiple sectors, and he is here today to further that momentum. Minister Alexander stated that on trade and investment, he is proud that this morning we signed the ETP Pillars on Investment, Digital Trade, Energy and Net Zero, which will provide a clear framework for our future cooperation and lay the foundation for expanded access and market-shaping engagement between our two economies. The minister said he believes that together with our annual trade talks, this partnership will help UK’s firms secure new commercial opportunities, improve regulatory alignment, and promote long-term investment in key growth areas, which in turn will also support Taiwan’s efforts to expand high-quality trade relationships with trusted partners. Minister Alexander said that President Lai’s promotion of the Five Trusted Industry Sectors and the UK’s recently published industrial and trade strategies are very well-aligned, as both cover clean energy and semiconductors as well as advanced manufacturing. He then provided an example, saying that both sides plan to invest in AI infrastructure and compute power-creating opportunities for great joint research in the future. By combining our strengths in these areas, he said, we can open the door to innovative collaboration and commercial success for both sides. He mentioned that yesterday he visited the Taiwan Space Agency, commenting that in sectors such as satellite technology, green energy, and cyber security, British expertise and trusted standards can provide meaningful solutions. Noting that President Lai spoke in his remarks of the broader challenge of peace and security in the region, Minister Alexander stated that the United Kingdom has, of course, also continued to affirm its commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, along with its G7 partners. The UK-Taiwan relationship is strategic, enduring, and growing, he stated, and they reaffirm and remain firm in their longstanding position and confident in their ability to work together to support both prosperity and resilience in both of our societies. Minister Alexander said that, as Taiwan looks to diversify capital and build global partnerships, they believe the UK represents a strong and ambitious investment destination, particularly for Taiwanese companies at the very forefront of robotics, clean tech, and advanced industry. He pointed out that the UK’s markets are stable, open, and aligned with Taiwan’s vision of a high-tech, sustainable future, adding that he looks forward to our discussion on how we can further deepen our cooperation across all of these areas and more. The delegation also included Martin Kent, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific at the UK Department for Business and Trade. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by British Office Taipei Representative Ruth Bradley-Jones.

Details
2025-05-20
President Lai interviewed by Nippon Television and Yomiuri TV
In a recent interview on Nippon Television’s news zero program, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions from host Mr. Sakurai Sho and Yomiuri TV Shanghai Bureau Chief Watanabe Masayo on topics including reflections on his first year in office, cross-strait relations, China’s military threats, Taiwan-United States relations, and Taiwan-Japan relations. The interview was broadcast on the evening of May 19. During the interview, President Lai stated that China intends to change the world’s rules-based international order, and that if Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted. Therefore, he said, Taiwan will strengthen its national defense, prevent war by preparing for war, and achieve the goal of peace. The president also noted that Taiwan’s purpose for developing drones is based on national security and industrial needs, and that Taiwan hopes to collaborate with Japan. He then reiterated that China’s threats are an international problem, and expressed hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war. Following is the text of the questions and the president’s responses: Q: How do you feel as you are about to round out your first year in office? President Lai: When I was young, I was determined to practice medicine and save lives. When I left medicine to go into politics, I was determined to transform Taiwan. And when I was sworn in as president on May 20 last year, I was determined to strengthen the nation. Time flies, and it has already been a year. Although the process has been very challenging, I am deeply honored to be a part of it. I am also profoundly grateful to our citizens for allowing me the opportunity to give back to our country. The future will certainly be full of more challenges, but I will do everything I can to unite the people and continue strengthening the nation. That is how I am feeling now. Q: We are now coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and over this period, we have often heard that conflict between Taiwan and the mainland is imminent. Do you personally believe that a cross-strait conflict could happen? President Lai: The international community is very much aware that China intends to replace the US and change the world’s rules-based international order, and annexing Taiwan is just the first step. So, as China’s military power grows stronger, some members of the international community are naturally on edge about whether a cross-strait conflict will break out. The international community must certainly do everything in its power to avoid a conflict in the Taiwan Strait; there is too great a cost. Besides causing direct disasters to both Taiwan and China, the impact on the global economy would be even greater, with estimated losses of US$10 trillion from war alone – that is roughly 10 percent of the global GDP. Additionally, 20 percent of global shipping passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, so if a conflict breaks out in the strait, other countries including Japan and Korea would suffer a grave impact. For Japan and Korea, a quarter of external transit passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, and a third of the various energy resources and minerals shipped back from other countries pass through said areas. If Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted, and therefore conflict in the Taiwan Strait must be avoided. Such a conflict is indeed avoidable. I am very thankful to Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide, and Kishida Fumio, as well as US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, and the other G7 leaders, for continuing to emphasize at international venues that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are essential components for global security and prosperity. When everyone in the global democratic community works together, stacking up enough strength to make China’s objectives unattainable or to make the cost of invading Taiwan too high for it to bear, a conflict in the strait can naturally be avoided. Q: As you said, President Lai, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is also very important for other countries. How can war be avoided? What sort of countermeasures is Taiwan prepared to take to prevent war? President Lai: As Mr. Sakurai mentioned earlier, we are coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. There are many lessons we can take from that war. First is that peace is priceless, and war has no winners. From the tragedies of WWII, there are lessons that humanity should learn. We must pursue peace, and not start wars blindly, as that would be a major disaster for humanity. In other words, we must be determined to safeguard peace. The second lesson is that we cannot be complacent toward authoritarian powers. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. They will keep growing, and eventually, not only will peace be unattainable, but war will be inevitable. The third lesson is why WWII ended: It ended because different groups joined together in solidarity. Taiwan, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region are all directly subjected to China’s threats, so we hope to be able to join together in cooperation. This is why we proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, we will strengthen our national defense. Second, we will strengthen economic resilience. Third is standing shoulder to shoulder with the democratic community to demonstrate the strength of deterrence. Fourth is that as long as China treats Taiwan with parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China, and seek peace and mutual prosperity. These four pillars can help us avoid war and achieve peace. That is to say, Taiwan hopes to achieve peace through strength, prevent war by preparing for war, keeping war from happening and pursuing the goal of peace. Q: Regarding drones, everyone knows that recently, Taiwan has been actively researching, developing, and introducing drones. Why do you need to actively research, develop, and introduce new drones at this time? President Lai: This is for two purposes. The first is to meet national security needs. The second is to meet industrial development needs. Because Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines are all part of the first island chain, and we are all democratic nations, we cannot be like an authoritarian country like China, which has an unlimited national defense budget. In this kind of situation, island nations such as Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines should leverage their own technologies to develop national defense methods that are asymmetric and utilize unmanned vehicles. In particular, from the Russo-Ukrainian War, we see that Ukraine has successfully utilized unmanned vehicles to protect itself and prevent Russia from unlimited invasion. In other words, the Russo-Ukrainian War has already proven the importance of drones. Therefore, the first purpose of developing drones is based on national security needs. Second, the world has already entered the era of smart technology. Whether generative, agentic, or physical, AI will continue to develop. In the future, cars and ships will also evolve into unmanned vehicles and unmanned boats, and there will be unmanned factories. Drones will even be able to assist with postal deliveries, or services like Uber, Uber Eats, and foodpanda, or agricultural irrigation and pesticide spraying. Therefore, in the future era of comprehensive smart technology, developing unmanned vehicles is a necessity. Taiwan, based on industrial needs, is actively planning the development of drones and unmanned vehicles. I would like to take this opportunity to express Taiwan’s hope to collaborate with Japan in the unmanned vehicle industry. Just as we do in the semiconductor industry, where Japan has raw materials, equipment, and technology, and Taiwan has wafer manufacturing, our two countries can cooperate. Japan is a technological power, and Taiwan also has significant technological strengths. If Taiwan and Japan work together, we will not only be able to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and security in the Indo-Pacific region, but it will also be very helpful for the industrial development of both countries. Q: The drones you just described probably include examples from the Russo-Ukrainian War. Taiwan and China are separated by the Taiwan Strait. Do our drones need to have cross-sea flight capabilities? President Lai: Taiwan does not intend to counterattack the mainland, and does not intend to invade any country. Taiwan’s drones are meant to protect our own nation and territory. Q: Former President Biden previously stated that US forces would assist Taiwan’s defense in the event of an attack. President Trump, however, has yet to clearly state that the US would help defend Taiwan. Do you think that in such an event, the US would help defend Taiwan? Or is Taiwan now trying to persuade the US? President Lai: Former President Biden and President Trump have answered questions from reporters. Although their responses were different, strong cooperation with Taiwan under the Biden administration has continued under the Trump administration; there has been no change. During President Trump’s first term, cooperation with Taiwan was broader and deeper compared to former President Barack Obama’s terms. After former President Biden took office, cooperation with Taiwan increased compared to President Trump’s first term. Now, during President Trump’s second term, cooperation with Taiwan is even greater than under former President Biden. Taiwan-US cooperation continues to grow stronger, and has not changed just because President Trump and former President Biden gave different responses to reporters. Furthermore, the Trump administration publicly stated that in the future, the US will shift its strategic focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. The US secretary of defense even publicly stated that the primary mission of the US is to prevent China from invading Taiwan, maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific, and thus maintain world peace. There is a saying in Taiwan that goes, “Help comes most to those who help themselves.” Before asking friends and allies for assistance in facing threats from China, Taiwan must first be determined and prepared to defend itself. This is Taiwan’s principle, and we are working in this direction, making all the necessary preparations to safeguard the nation. Q: I would like to ask you a question about Taiwan-Japan relations. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, you made an appeal to give Japan a great deal of assistance and care. In particular, you visited Sendai to offer condolences. Later, you also expressed condolences and concern after the earthquakes in Aomori and Kumamoto. What are your expectations for future Taiwan-Japan exchanges and development? President Lai: I come from Tainan, and my constituency is in Tainan. Tainan has very deep ties with Japan, and of course, Taiwan also has deep ties with Japan. However, among Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities, Tainan has the deepest relationship with Japan. I sincerely hope that both of you and your teams will have an opportunity to visit Tainan. I will introduce Tainan’s scenery, including architecture from the era of Japanese rule, Tainan’s cuisine, and unique aspects of Tainan society, and you can also see lifestyles and culture from the Showa era. The Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan was completed by engineer Mr. Hatta Yoichi from Kanazawa, Japan and the team he led to Tainan after he graduated from then-Tokyo Imperial University. It has nearly a century of history and is still in use today. This reservoir, along with the 16,000-km-long Chianan Canal, transformed the 150,000-hectare Chianan Plain into Taiwan’s premier rice-growing area. It was that foundation in agriculture that enabled Taiwan to develop industry and the technology sector of today. The reservoir continues to supply water to Tainan Science Park. It is used by residents of Tainan, the agricultural sector, and industry, and even the technology sector in Xinshi Industrial Park, as well as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Because of this, the people of Tainan are deeply grateful for Mr. Hatta and very friendly toward the people of Japan. A major earthquake, the largest in 50 years, struck Tainan on February 6, 2016, resulting in significant casualties. As mayor of Tainan at the time, I was extremely grateful to then-Prime Minister Abe, who sent five Japanese officials to the disaster site in Tainan the day after the earthquake. They were very thoughtful and asked what kind of assistance we needed from the Japanese government. They offered to provide help based on what we needed. I was deeply moved, as former Prime Minister Abe showed such care, going beyond the formality of just sending supplies that we may or may not have actually needed. Instead, the officials asked what we needed and then provided assistance based on those needs, which really moved me. Similarly, when the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 or the later Kumamoto earthquakes struck, the people of Tainan, under my leadership, naturally and dutifully expressed their support. Even earlier, when central Taiwan was hit by a major earthquake in 1999, Japan was the first country to deploy a rescue team to the disaster area. On February 6, 2018, after a major earthquake in Hualien, former Prime Minister Abe appeared in a video holding up a message of encouragement he had written in calligraphy saying “Remain strong, Taiwan.” All of Taiwan was deeply moved. Over the years, Taiwan and Japan have supported each other when earthquakes struck, and have forged bonds that are family-like, not just neighborly. This is truly valuable. In the future, I hope Taiwan and Japan can be like brothers, and that the peoples of Taiwan and Japan can treat one another like family. If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem; if Japan has a problem, then Taiwan has a problem. By caring for and helping each other, we can face various challenges and difficulties, and pursue a brighter future. Q: President Lai, you just used the phrase “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” In the event that China attempts to invade Taiwan by force, what kind of response measures would you hope the US military and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take? President Lai: As I just mentioned, annexing Taiwan is only China’s first step. Its ultimate objective is to change the rules-based international order. That being the case, China’s threats are an international problem. So, I would very much hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war – prevention, after all, is more important than cure.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Youth summer programs in full swing at National Aquatics Center

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

[Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The National Aquatics Center in Beijing is bustling this summer as it welcomes young people to a wide range of sports programs. From ice skating and swimming to dance and science camps, the venue is offering diverse options to help children stay active, learn new skills and enjoy the summer break.

Ice skating has emerged as the most popular choice this year. The venue is running more than 10 small-group classes for young participants of varying ages and skill levels. Enrollment has jumped nearly 70% compared to earlier in the year, with all training sessions on the center’s 1,830-square-meter standard rink.

[Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Swimming courses and group training camps at the venue are also drawing large numbers of students. To ensure a focused training environment, the venue’s swimming pool is closed to the public on weekday mornings and reserved exclusively for instruction.

Indoor kayaking has also returned to the venue’s summer lineup, allowing young participants to try paddle sports in a controlled environment while avoiding sun exposure and seasonal allergens.

[Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Beyond ice and water sports, the venue is also offering a range of other programs to support youth development. These include dance, tennis and physical fitness classes tailored to school-aged children.

The Water Cube Dance Studio launched a Chinese dance summer camp in July to help students prepare for graded examinations and improve their technique. The venue’s youth development club has also introduced other camp options, including science research, project-based learning programs, drone and model aircraft building, and nature journaling to help students explore interests and develop skills. An overnight camp with Olympic-themed activities is also available.

The diversification reflects the venue’s strategy to maximize year-round use of its dual-Olympic legacy and develop it as a hub for youth development each summer.

MIL OSI China News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Long-stay tourism boom ignites ‘cool economy’ in highlands

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

A drone photo taken on July 18, 2025 shows a local Yizu Dage team performing during a parade show on the ancient street of Nanzhao in Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

At his guesthouse in southwest China’s Kunming, Zhang Cheng wiped down the counter in preparation for the next wave of arrivals, as the country’s highland summer migration unfolded, a seasonal drift measured not in days but in months.

“Since summer began, we’ve had almost no vacancies,” he said. A steady stream of guests from the sweltering nearby regions of Sichuan and Chongqing is replacing the usual ebb and flow of tourists in this capital city of Yunnan Province.

As scorching heat blankets much of China, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces, with average summer temperatures of 15 to 21 degrees Celsius, are experiencing the explosive growth of “cool summer residencies.”

Yunnan alone hosted 2.8 million long-stay visitors in the first half of 2025, a surge of 45.4 percent year on year. These visitors stayed an average of 91 days, 11 days longer than the previous year.

In the province’s Qujing City, famed for its cooler summers, companies like Licheng Residential Leasing are transforming idle homes into managed residences. This summer, Licheng has provided over 100 beds and three meals daily through contracted residential homes in the city’s Niujie community, hosting over 200 guests so far.

Industry experts believe that traditional tourism often funnels spending into transportation and tickets, limiting local economic benefits, whereas tourism engaging local residents retains more spending within the community.

In Qujing, for example, dining accounts for 40 percent of long-stay visitors’ spending, vastly exceeding the 10 percent typical of short-stay tourists. The city welcomed 2 million long-stay visitors in last summer, peaking at 270,000 daily, generating 23.6 billion yuan (around 3.3 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue.

Leveraging its national forest park, Xishui County in Guizhou has developed 28 summer residence projects across six townships, now housing 36,000 households, mostly from other provinces. Since June, hotels and homestays have reported peak seasons.

Dai Bin, head of the China Tourism Academy, highlighted the shift of the tourism model “from simply leveraging cool climates to integrating culture, wellness and learning.” He cited the example of children joining forest rangers for plant identification in a nature science camp while parents learn local crafts, as well as one in Yunnan’s Dali that combines cool air with holistic healing through yoga in the forest.

Recognizing the potential, China’s National Development and Reform Commission issued guidelines in 2023 to boost summer tourism, urging better products and infrastructure.

According to Rao Xiangbi, deputy director of Yunnan’s culture and tourism department, long-stay visitors now flock not just from nearby Sichuan and Chongqing, but increasingly from Guangdong, Zhejiang, and even the northernmost Heilongjiang Province, with over 80 percent being young and middle-aged people.

Experts from the United Nations World Tourism Organization have noted that such climate-adaptive tourism is a growing necessity globally and is poised to become a defining future trend as climate change intensifies.

MIL OSI China News –

July 22, 2025
India’s BioE3 policy to spearhead green growth and biomanufacturing revolution

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The Government’s ambitious BioE3 Policy—short for Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment—emerged as the focal point of a high-level joint review meeting of all Science Ministries, chaired by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. Held in the national capital on Monday, the review convened top scientific officials to evaluate inter-ministerial initiatives and promote a unified, outcome-driven vision in alignment with India’s Vision 2047.

Approved by the Cabinet in August 2024, the BioE3 Policy is designed to transform India into a global hub for sustainable biomanufacturing by leveraging biotechnology and artificial intelligence. The Minister was informed about the overwhelming response to the policy’s first round of DBT-BIRAC ( Department of Biotechnology- Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance) joint calls, which attracted over 2,000 proposals. Calling it a “national mission,” Dr. Singh emphasized its role in driving green growth, expanding the bioeconomy, and generating employment across sectors.

The BioE3 framework focuses on five critical domains—Carbon Capture and Utilization, Precision Biotherapeutics, Smart Proteins, Enzymes, and Climate-Resilient Agriculture. Nearly 40% of the selected proposals are being led by startups and private industry through public-private partnership (PPP) models. Academic institutions, meanwhile, are at the forefront of agri-biotech innovations. These initiatives are being supported by the national MoolankurBioEnabler Network, a cutting-edge platform comprising Bio-AI Hubs, biofoundries, and biomanufacturing centers.

In a strategic move to reverse brain drain, the Minister also reviewed a proposal to introduce 100 post-doctoral fellowships for Indian scientists working abroad. “We must offer meaningful opportunities to attract our talent back,” Dr. Singh stated, underlining the importance of building domestic research capabilities.

The review also covered developments in India’s energy sector. Officials provided updates on ongoing site assessments in Bihar for new nuclear power plants. These evaluations, focusing on land availability, water resources, seismic stability, and soil conditions, are being conducted in collaboration with state authorities. Final approval will rest with the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.

India’s space programme also received significant attention. A recent technological advancement is set to boost the payload capacity of the GSLV Mark-3 rocket by 20%—achieved without structural modifications. Officials further disclosed that a near-crisis during an international satellite launch was averted after a crack in the fuel line was promptly detected and rectified. Dr. Singh lauded the swift action and high level of preparedness demonstrated by the technical teams.

Preparations are now underway for National Space Day, which will highlight the contributions of India’s thriving space startup ecosystem. Over 300 private firms are expected to participate in live demonstrations and exhibitions, showcasing innovations that are fast becoming integral to India’s space ambitions.

Educational outreach also featured prominently in the discussions. The Ministry is exploring ways to expand initiatives such as Vigyan Jyoti, which has witnessed growing participation from schoolgirls nationwide. In response to rising interest from students in Classes 6 to 10, efforts are being made to broaden early-stage mentorship and innovation programmes.

Calling for greater inter-ministerial alignment, Dr. Singh directed departments to channel key proposals through the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser for better strategic coordination. “We must avoid overlaps and work in unison to achieve national outcomes,” he said.

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The MHRA and the global flu vaccine: How the UK is helping shape the world’s flu vaccine
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

News story

The MHRA and the global flu vaccine: How the UK is helping shape the world’s flu vaccine

Ensuring the seasonal flu vaccine is ready, safe and effective involves months of international planning, testing and collaboration
Each year, millions of people across the globe catch influenza, commonly known as the flu. While many recover quickly, flu can be deadly, particularly for older adults, young children, and those with weakened immune systems. In the UK alone, seasonal flu can cause thousands of deaths in a bad year. This is why having an effective and up-to-date flu vaccine is crucial.

Millions of people around the world prepare for seasonal influenza by getting vaccinated. It’s something many of us take for granted – a quick injection at the GP or pharmacy. But behind the scenes, ensuring that vaccine is ready, safe, and effective involves months of international planning, testing, and collaboration.

At the heart of that global effort is the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) – the UK’s regulator for medicines and medical devices. The MHRA’s role goes far beyond approving medicines for the UK. It also leads on the international stage by hosting the MHRA Global Influenza Meeting, a key event that helps guide the development and delivery of the world’s flu vaccines.

Why the flu vaccine needs updating every year

Unlike some viruses, like measles, the influenza virus constantly changes and evolves. This means that last year’s vaccine may not protect against this year’s strains. Each year, scientists and regulators across the world work together to track the latest strains of the virus and decide which ones should be included in the next season’s vaccine.

The World Health Organization (WHO) leads this process through a network of research centres and laboratories known as Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System. However, transforming that scientific research and development into safe, effective, and timely licensed vaccines involves regulators. The MHRA plays a key role in both aspects.

A meeting 20 years in the making

This year marks the 40th MHRA influenza meeting, held twice a year for the past 20 years. This year, it was held last week. What began as a European-focused gathering has grown into a major global event, drawing together public health experts, scientists, manufacturers, and regulators from across the world.

As Dr Othmar Engelhardt, the MHRA’s Head of Seasonal Influenza and organiser of the meetings, explains, the MHRA provides “a well-established venue for discussions within the community, bringing together everyone involved in the process of producing and delivering the vaccine after the strains relevant to a particular season are recommended by the WHO strain selection committee.”

What happens at the meeting?

The aim of the meeting is to ensure that all players have the information they need to ensure that the provision of the annual flu vaccine is the best it can be – delivered on time, with as few hurdles as possible. It’s a forum to share science, streamline processes, and keep the world prepared.

Topics covered are wide-ranging, including:

Update on influenza in the world: Which flu viruses are circulating globally, and which are most likely to pose a threat in the coming season?

Reagents and standards: What laboratory materials are available for testing and manufacturing? How can the community help speed up access to these materials?

Vaccine production updates: How ready are manufacturers for the upcoming flu season following the WHO strain recommendation, and what’s needed to smooth the supply chain?

Importantly, there is also a focus on zoonotic influenza – flu viruses that jump from animals, such as birds or pigs, to humans. These have the potential to spark the next influenza pandemic, so surveillance and preparation of potential vaccine candidates are essential.

The disappearance of B/Yamagata

One notable scientific development in recent years is the apparent disappearance of the B/Yamagata flu lineage since the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, flu vaccines were quadrivalent, meaning that they contained four virus components (two A types and two B types). Now, many have moved to a trivalent vaccine, with only three components – a shift that required regulatory review and approval.

Special topics: new vaccines and testing methods

Day three of the meeting was dedicated to a special topic, namely a workshop on new vaccine platforms and targets for influenza. As technology evolves, researchers are exploring faster and potentially more effective ways to develop, test and produce vaccines – including using mRNA technology and exploring universal flu vaccines (i.e. a vaccine against most flu strains -which would not have to be changed between seasons).

Another key area is vaccine potency (i.e. dose) testing. The current gold-standard method, called Single Radial Immunodiffusion (SRD), was developed in the 1970s by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), now part of the MHRA. Though still recommended by the WHO, researchers are now working on faster and more flexible alternatives, supported by a working group that reports back into the MHRA meeting.

The 40th meeting also featured reflections from former NIBSC/MHRA staff who were key contributors to SRD methodology, underscoring the UK’s longstanding leadership in this space.

MHRA’s international role

As one of the four WHO Essential Regulatory Laboratories (ERLs) – alongside labs in the US, Japan, and Australia – the MHRA plays a unique role. Its Influenza Resource Centre (IRC) helps develop candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs), ships CVVs and reagents around the world, contributes scientific expertise to vaccine strain selection, prepares biological standards and reagents for use in vaccine manufacture and testing, and our regulatory colleagues advise on the global regulatory process.

This role also places the MHRA at the forefront of pandemic preparedness, including contributing to the WHO’s Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Preparedness framework. This involves all the above. staying alert to emerging zoonotic threats and ensuring the global community is ready to respond.

A diverse and united audience

What makes the MHRA Global Influenza Meeting especially valuable is its diversity. It brings together the WHO, regulators, researchers and manufacturers in one open forum. In a field as complex and fast-moving as influenza, open communication is vital.

As Othmar noted, “The flu field can be difficult because the viruses change all the time, meaning that the vaccines have to change as well.” The meeting provides a rare opportunity for all the key players to align their goals, share progress, and prepare together.

Why it matters to the UK and the world

Ultimately, the MHRA’s role in facilitating this global collaboration helps ensure that flu vaccines are timely, safe, and effective, not just in the UK but across the world. From setting scientific standards to hosting crucial conversations, the MHRA continues to play a central role in protecting global health.

For us in the UK, this means protection each winter. For the global community, it means stronger defences against one of the world’s most common infectious threats.

So next time you’re offered a flu vaccination, remember that behind that quick appointment lies a year of global planning, science, and collaboration – with a lot of this happening right here in the UK.

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)

Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

Updates to this page

Published 22 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: KZN steps up FMD fight with widespread vaccination drive

Source: Government of South Africa

While the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has made significant progress in containing the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in affected areas, non-compliance by some commercial farmers continues to undermine control efforts.

Speaking to SAnews on the sidelines of the national Foot and Mouth Disease Indaba, currently underway at the ARC-VIMP Campus in Roodeplaat, northeast of Pretoria, KwaZulu-Natal Agriculture and Rural Development Chief Director for Veterinary Services, Dr Themba Sikhakhane, said the province is on course in managing the outbreak.

“We have made great strides, especially in communal areas like Newcastle in the Amajuba District, where the initial outbreak occurred. There, we have vaccinated over 600 000 animals,” said Sikhakhane.

However, Sikhakhane expressed concern over the conduct of some commercial farmers, who hide their animals after seeing symptoms of FMD, and move them.

“When they [commercial farmers] see clear symptoms of FMD, they hide the animals, which is impossible to do because your neighbour and everyone will see it. We strongly believe that this is the reason we find feedlot that have animals coming up late on their management with the symptoms,” Sikhakhane told SAnews.

He added that effective containment will require active cooperation from the beef industry and farmer organisations, particularly in addressing these practices.

Hotspots and disease transmission

Sikhakhane said the Amajuba and uMzinyathi Districts remain the most affected by the outbreak, with recent cases also detected in one or two dairy operations.

He said investigations are underway to determine how the disease reached these facilities.

“We know FMD is spread by people [and] in communal areas, it is often due to lack of fencing and free movement of unvaccinated livestock. We know the permanent FMD sources around Hluhluwe Game Reserve and other smaller reserves, where animals test positive,” Sikhakhane said.

The department is expanding its containment measures, including the deployment of dip tank dip facilities.

Sikhakhane confirmed that 14 dip tanks will be completed this week in the King Cetshwayo District, with work beginning next week in Mtubatuba and Nongoma municipalities, where 76 additional dip tanks are planned.

“It is in control, only if we can get assistance from red meat producers to contain the spread with the commercial farmers. Our farmers in communal setup are cooperating, we just need these few commercial farmers to work with government and stop this problem,” Sikhakhane said.

Held under the theme: “Building a Resilient System to Fight FMD,” the FMD Indaba comes at a time when South Africa is grappling with widespread outbreaks across several provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and most recently, the Free State.

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, alongside Deputy Minister Nokuzola Capa, is leading the national effort in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).

The Indaba has drawn participation from provincial leaders, including Free State MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs Elizabeth Cornelia Rockman, KZN Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, and Limpopo Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Nakedi Sibanda-Kekana.

Maintaining FMD-free zones

In his opening address, Steenhuisen emphasised the need to confront the infrastructure deficit in the country’s protection zones.
He underscored the urgent need to address infrastructure gaps within the country’s FMD protection zones.

“As long as animals are forced to be moved illegally because of the absence of local abattoirs or feedlots, we will never be able to enforce movement control effectively,” the Minister said.

He stressed that the issue extends beyond veterinary science,

“This is not just a veterinary issue; it is a spatial planning and rural development issue. That is why we will be earmarking funds in this fiscal year to support the establishment of feedlots and abattoirs within the protection zones, particularly in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga.

“These facilities will provide alternatives to illicit trade. They will create rural jobs. Furthermore, they will help us enforce the very measures we need to maintain our FMD-free zones,” the Minister said – SAnews.gov.za

MIL OSI Africa –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: South Africa’s police serve the ANC insiders, not the people: here’s how it happened

Source: The Conversation – Africa (2) – By Ivor Chipkin, Professional Professor, GIBS, University of Pretoria

After South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, there was significant optimism about police reform in the country. Impressive steps were taken to bring the South African Police Service under civilian control and to create a service responsive to calls for assistance from the public.

During the apartheid period, South Africa’s police worked to preserve the political order and pursue political opponents. It did not focus on dealing with crime. This is why the achievements of the 1990s are so important. For the first time, black South Africans could call upon officers to respond to personal emergencies. This period also saw a drop in crime levels.

However, this promising early transformation was interrupted. The appointment of Jackie Selebi as national police commissioner in 2000 heralded a new era. Selebi was an African National Congress (ANC) insider. The ANC originated as a liberation movement and has governed the country since 1994.

Selebi had served as the head of the ANC’s Youth League in the 1980s, when it was banned. In 1987 he was appointed to the organisation’s national executive committee, its highest decision-making organ.

His appointment as police commissioner was the start of significant change in the purpose of policing. It marked the end of the focus on civilian control of the police force and prosecuting authorities. As an ANC insider, Selebi led efforts to establish party control over the police.

This politicisation gained momentum over the next two decades. In the early years it was exemplified by the suspension of the head of the National Prosecuting Authority, Advocate Vusi Pikoli,, by then president Thabo Mbeki, amid corruption allegations against Selebi himself.

Other telling developments ensued. The Scorpions were disbanded in 2009 by acting president Kgalema Motlanthe. The unit’s job was to pursue high-profile cases against senior ANC politicians (among others).

The police became increasingly entangled in the ANC’s internal political conflicts. At the same time the office of the national police commissioner experienced high turnover due to intense political manoeuvring. Between 2009 and 2022, there were seven national commissioners.

Recent developments have once again brought the intermingling of police work and power battles in the ANC to the fore. In early July 2025, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the commissioner of police in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, made some startling claims. He called a press conference and, wearing camouflage uniform, he implicated the minister of police, Senzo Mchunu, together with the deputy national commissioner for crime detection, in a scheme to close down investigations into political assassinations in the province.

President Cyril Ramaphosa rushed back from a meeting of the Brics countries in Brazil to attend to the matter. He announced that the police minister had been placed on leave with immediate effect. He also announced a judicial inquiry into the allegations.

I have conducted research into South Africa’s security apparatus over the last decade. Based on this work, and new research forthcoming in the Journal of Southern African Studies done with Jelena Vidojevic, co-founder of the New South Institute, it is clear that elite contestation in the ANC is intensifying.

In other words, the ability of internal party structures to manage gatekeeping is declining. Many of the people involved are indifferent or even hostile to South Africa’s democratic and constitutional order.

As the ability of some political elites to access state resources through the party declines, some are linked with organised criminal networks. Organised crime has been on the edges of South African politics. It now risks taking a more central role.

In this environment, the police service will often be the thin (blue) line between multiparty contestation according to constitutional rules and the criminalisation of politics in South Africa.

The shift

Large organisational changes within the police vividly illustrate this shift away from its core function.

The Visible Policing programme was meant to meant to deter crime through patrols, checkpoints and roadblocks. But, instead, there was a steady decline in resource allocation. Employee numbers dropped between 2015 and 2021.

Detective services and crime intelligence also experienced such declines.

Conversely, employee numbers in the Protection and Security Services programme, responsible for providing bodyguards to politicians, increased sharply between 2014 and 2016.

Evidence heard by the commission of inquiry into state capture suggested that some officers and budgets in the service were even used to supply President Jacob Zuma and other politicians with what amounted to a private militia.

This reorientation of resources coincided with a rise in crime across the country, a decline in arrests by 24.5%, and a drop in the police’s efficacy in solving crimes.

Furthermore, a politicised police leadership effectively stopped policing various categories of crime. This was particularly true of offences like fraud, corruption, and certain types of theft, and particularly when politically connected persons were involved.

The state capture commission heard extensive evidence about the failure of the police to pursue politically sensitive investigations. Investigations into senior officials were frequently frustrated or impeded, and cases at state-owned enterprises were abandoned.

This shows how police resources were actively redirected as weapons of elite competition, pursuing political enemies and protecting allies within the ruling party.

Mkhwanazi’s claims, if substantiated, suggest that this political policing remains entrenched.

What now?

Ramaphosa has announced the appointment of Firoz Cachalia as the acting minister of police. Cachalia, a well regarded legal academic, served as ANC minister for community safety. Between 2019 and 2022 he was part of the ANC’s national executive committee.

His appointment raises serious questions.

If the core problem with the police is that it has become embroiled in ANC internal politics, having an ANC insider head the ministry of police (even if only on an acting basis) threatens only to compound the problem.

Moreover, South Africans have already witnessed a long and expensive judicial inquiry into state capture. And despite extensive evidence of police failure to pursue politically sensitive investigations, nothing concrete has come of it.

How likely is it that this new initiative will be any different, especially if those investigating it and presiding over key institutions are themselves ANC insiders?

To depoliticise the police service and redirect its attention and activities towards crime and emergencies, a crucial first step is to reconsider the appointment processes for the national police commissioner and other top managers.

Under the current system the president has sole discretion. This bakes party-political considerations into the decision-making process.

Without structural changes, genuine democratic policing will remain an elusive ideal.

In 2024/25 the murder rate in South Africa stood at 42 per 100,000, among the highest in the world and close to levels not seen since the early 2000s.

At the very least, the minister of police must not be an ANC insider. Democratic renewal in South Africa requires bringing the police firmly under parliamentary control.

Ivor Chipkin teaches public policy at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) at the University of Pretoria. He is the director of the New South Institute.

– ref. South Africa’s police serve the ANC insiders, not the people: here’s how it happened – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-police-serve-the-anc-insiders-not-the-people-heres-how-it-happened-261301

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets official delegation from European Parliament’s Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Details
2025-07-17
President Lai meets President of Guatemalan Congress Nery Abilio Ramos y Ramos
On the morning of July 17, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Nery Abilio Ramos y Ramos, the president of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala. In remarks, President Lai thanked Congress President Ramos and the Guatemalan Congress for their support for Taiwan, and noted that official diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Guatemala go back more than 90 years. As important partners in the global democratic community, the president said, the two nations will continue moving forward together in joint defense of the values of democracy and freedom, and will cooperate to promote regional and global prosperity and development. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I recall that when Congress President Ramos visited Taiwan in July last year, he put forward many ideas about how our countries could promote bilateral cooperation and exchanges. Now, a year later, he is leading another cross-party delegation from the Guatemalan Congress on a visit, demonstrating support for Taiwan and continuing to help deepen our diplomatic ties. In addition to extending a sincere welcome to the distinguished delegation members who have traveled so far to be here, I would also like to express our concern and condolences for everyone in Guatemala affected by the earthquake that struck earlier this month. We hope that the recovery effort is going smoothly. Official diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Guatemala go back more than 90 years. In such fields as healthcare, agriculture, education, and women’s empowerment, we have continually strengthened our cooperation to benefit our peoples. Just last month, Guatemala’s President Bernardo Arévalo and the First Lady led a delegation on a state visit to Taiwan. President Arévalo and I signed a letter of intent for semiconductor cooperation, and also witnessed the signing of cooperation documents to establish a political consultation mechanism and continue to promote bilateral investment. This has laid an even sounder foundation for bilateral exchanges and cooperation, and will help enhance both countries’ international competitiveness. Taiwan is currently running a semiconductor vocational training program, helping Guatemala cultivate semiconductor talent and develop its tech industry, and demonstrating our determination to share experience with democratic partners. At the same time, we continue to assist Taiwanese businesses in their efforts to develop overseas markets with Guatemala as an important base, spurring industrial development in both countries and increasing economic and trade benefits. I want to thank Congress President Ramos and the Guatemalan Congress for their continued support for Taiwan’s international participation. Representing the Guatemalan Congress, Congress President Ramos has signed resolutions in support of Taiwan, and has also issued statements addressing China’s misinterpretation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. Taiwan and Guatemala, as important partners in the global democratic community, will continue moving forward together in joint defense of the values of democracy and freedom, and will cooperate to promote regional and global prosperity and development. Congress President Ramos then delivered remarks, first noting that the members of the delegation are not only from different parties, but also represent different classes, cultures, professions, and departments, which shows that the diplomatic ties between Guatemala and the Republic of China (Taiwan) are based on firm friendships at all levels and in all fields. Noting that this was his second time to visit Taiwan and meet with President Lai, Congress President Ramos thanked the government of Taiwan for its warm hospitality. With the international situation growing more complex by the day, he said, Guatemala highly values its longstanding friendship and cooperative ties with Taiwan, and hopes that both sides can continue to deepen their cooperation in such areas as the economy, technology, education, agriculture, and culture, and work together to spur sustainable development in each of our countries. Congress President Ramos said that the way the Taiwan government looks after the well-being of its people is an excellent model for how other countries should promote national development and social well-being. Accordingly, he said, the Guatemalan Congress has stood for justice and, for a second time, adopted a resolution backing Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly. Regarding President Arévalo’s state visit to Taiwan the previous month, Congress President Ramos commented that this high-level interaction has undoubtedly strengthened the diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Guatemala and led to more opportunities for cooperation. Congress President Ramos emphasized that democracy, freedom, and human rights are universal values that bind Taiwan and Guatemala together, and that he is confident the two countries’ diplomatic ties will continue to grow deeper. In closing, on behalf of the Republic of Guatemala, Congress President Ramos presented President Lai with a Chinese translation of the resolution that the Guatemalan Congress proposed to the UN in support of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, demonstrating the staunch bonds of friendship between the two countries. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Guatemala Ambassador Luis Raúl Estévez López.

Details
2025-07-08
President Lai meets delegation led by Foreign Minister Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste of Republic of Haiti
On the morning of July 8, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste of the Republic of Haiti and his wife. In remarks, President Lai noted that our two countries will soon mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and that our exchanges have been fruitful in important areas such as public security, educational cooperation, and infrastructure. The president stated that Taiwan will continue to work together with Haiti to promote the development of medical and health care, food security, and construction that benefits people’s livelihoods. The president thanked Haiti for supporting Taiwan’s international participation and expressed hope that both countries will continue to support each other, deepen cooperation, and face various challenges together. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I am delighted to meet and exchange ideas with Minister Jean-Baptiste, his wife, and our distinguished guests. Minister Jean-Baptiste is the highest-ranking official from Haiti to visit Taiwan since former President Jovenel Moïse visited in 2018, demonstrating the importance that the Haitian government attaches to our bilateral diplomatic ties. On behalf of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I extend a sincere welcome. Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries. Our bilateral exchanges have been fruitful in important areas such as public security, educational cooperation, and infrastructure. Over the past few years, Haiti has faced challenges in such areas as food supply and healthcare. Taiwan will continue to work together with Haiti through various cooperative programs to promote the development of medical and health care, food security, and construction that benefits people’s livelihoods. I want to thank the government of Haiti and Minister Jean-Baptiste for speaking out in support of Taiwan on the international stage for many years. Minister Jean-Baptiste’s personal letter to the World Health Organization Secretariat in May this year and Minister of Public Health and Population Bertrand Sinal’s public statement during the World Health Assembly both affirmed Taiwan’s efforts and contributions to global public health and supported Taiwan’s international participation, for which we are very grateful. I hope that Taiwan and Haiti will continue to support each other and deepen cooperation. I believe that Minister Jean-Baptiste’s visit will open up more opportunities for cooperation for both countries, helping Taiwan and Haiti face various challenges together. In closing, I once again offer a sincere welcome to the delegation led by Minister Jean-Baptiste, and ask him to convey greetings from Taiwan to Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and the members of the Transitional Presidential Council. Minister Jean-Baptiste then delivered remarks, saying that he is extremely honored to visit Taiwan and reaffirm the solid and friendly cooperative relationship based on mutual respect between the Republic of Haiti and the Republic of China (Taiwan), which will soon mark its 70th anniversary. He also brought greetings to President Lai from Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council and Prime Minister Fils-Aimé. Minister Jean-Baptiste emphasized that over the past few decades, despite the great geographical distance and developmental and cultural differences between our two countries, we have nevertheless established a firm friendship and demonstrated to the world the progress resulting from the mutual assistance and cooperation between our peoples. Minister Jean-Baptiste pointed out that our two countries cooperate closely in agriculture, health, education, and community development and have achieved concrete results. Taiwan’s voice, he said, is thus essential for the people of Haiti. He noted that Taiwan also plays an important role in peace and innovation and actively participates in global cooperative efforts. Pointing out that the world is currently facing significant challenges and that Haiti is experiencing its most difficult period in history, Minister Jean-Baptiste said that at this time, Taiwan and Haiti need to unite, help each other, and jointly think about how to move forward and deepen bilateral relations to benefit the peoples of both countries. Minister Jean-Baptiste said that he is pleased that throughout our solid and friendly diplomatic relationship, both countries have demonstrated mutual trust, mutual respect, and the values we jointly defend. He then stated his belief that Haiti and Taiwan will together create a cooperation model and future that are sincere, friendly, and sustainable. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Francilien Victorin of the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Taiwan.

Details
2025-07-01
President Lai meets delegation from 2025 Taiwan International Ocean Forum
On the afternoon of July 1, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the 2025 Taiwan International Ocean Forum (TIOF). In remarks, President Lai noted that the people of Taiwan will continue to work with democratic partners throughout the world in a maritime spirit of freedom and openness to contribute to ocean governance and jointly ensure maritime security. He expressed hope that their visit will help forge stronger friendships between Taiwan and international maritime partners, so that all can work together to spur shared maritime prosperity and sustainable development for the next generation. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I want to thank our guests for coming here to the Presidential Office. The 2025 TIOF will take place tomorrow and the day after, and I thank you all for making the long trip to Taiwan to attend the event and share your valuable insights and experiences. This year’s forum will focus on strategies for strengthening maritime security and pathways to achieving a sustainable blue economy. By attending this forum, our guests are highlighting their commitment to safeguarding the oceans, and beyond that, taking concrete action to demonstrate support for Taiwan. I once again offer deepest gratitude on behalf of the people of Taiwan. Taiwan holds a key position on the first island chain, is one of the world’s top 10 shipping nations, and accounts for close to 10 percent of global container shipping by volume. As such, Taiwan occupies a unique and important position in maritime strategy. For Taiwan, the ocean is more than just a basis for survival and development; it is also an important driver of national prosperity. In my inaugural address last year, I spoke of a threefold approach to further Taiwan’s development. One of these involves further developing our strengths as a maritime nation. Our government must actively help deepen our connections with the ocean, and must continue to promote green shipping, a sustainable fishing industry, marine renewable energy, and other forms of industrial transformation. It must also make use of marine technology and digital innovation to create a new paradigm that balances environmental, economic, and social inclusion concerns. This will help enhance Taiwan’s responsibilities and competitiveness as a maritime nation. Taiwan is surrounded by ocean, and our territorial waters are a natural protective barrier. However, continued gray-zone aggression from China creates serious threats and challenges to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Our government continues to invest resources to deal with increasingly complex maritime security issues. In addition to building coast guard patrol vessels, we must also step up efforts to build underwater, surface, and airborne unmanned vehicles and smart reconnaissance equipment, so as to demonstrate Taiwan’s determination to defend democracy and freedom and commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Oceans are Taiwan’s roots, and provide the channels by which we engage with the world. The people of Taiwan will continue to work with democratic partners throughout the world in a maritime spirit of freedom and openness to contribute to ocean governance and jointly ensure maritime security. The TIOF was first launched in 2020, and has now become an important platform for enhancement of cooperation between Taiwan and other countries. I hope that our distinguished guests will reap great benefits at this year’s forum, and further hope that this visit will help forge stronger friendships between Taiwan and international maritime partners, so that all can work together to spur shared maritime prosperity and sustainable development for the next generation. Chairman of The Washington Times Thomas McDevitt, a member of the delegation, then delivered remarks, noting first that July 4th, this Friday, is Independence Day in America. Independence is a sacred, powerful word which has great meaning in this part of the world, he said. Chairman McDevitt indicated that Taiwan has truly become a global beacon of democracy and a key partner for many nations. He then quoted President Lai’s 2024 inaugural address: “We will work together to combat disinformation, strengthen democratic resilience, address challenges, and allow Taiwan to become the MVP of the democratic world.” Chairman McDevitt went on to say that he appreciated the president’s speech with regard to his philosophical depth, sensitivity, and both moral and political clarity. He said that he was deeply moved by the speech, but within a few days of it, China responded with military activities and many threats. The chairman then emphasized that we are in a civilization crisis. Chairman McDevitt mentioned that President Lai has begun a series of 10 lectures, and remarked that they would help the world to understand the identity and the nature of Taiwan, as well as the situation we are in in the world. On behalf of all the delegation, Chairman McDevitt thanked the president for his leadership in dealing with these issues thoughtfully. Chairman McDevitt concluded with a line from the Old Testament which states that if the people have no vision, they will perish. He said that he believes Taiwan’s president has led the people of Taiwan, and the world, with a vision of how to navigate this great civilization crisis together. The delegation also included Members of the Japanese House of Representatives Kikawada Hitoshi, Aoyama Yamato, and Genma Kentaro, and Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom Gavin Williamson.

Details
2025-06-30
President Lai meets Minister of State at UK Department for Business and Trade Douglas Alexander
On the morning of June 30, President Lai Ching-te met with Douglas Alexander, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade of the United Kingdom. In remarks, President Lai thanked the UK government for its longstanding support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, demonstrating that Taiwan and the UK share similar goals. Noting that two years ago, Taiwan and the UK signed an enhanced trade partnership (ETP) arrangement, the president said that today Taiwan and the UK have signed three pillars under the ETP, which will help promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation. He expressed hope of the UK publicly supporting Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) so that together we can create an economic and trade landscape in the Indo-Pacific characterized by shared prosperity and development. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: First, on behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a warm welcome to Minister Alexander and wish a fruitful outcome for the 27th round of Taiwan-UK trade talks later today. Taiwan-UK relations have grown closer in recent years. We have not only continued to strengthen cooperation in such fields as offshore wind power, innovative technologies, and culture and education but also have established regular dialogue mechanisms in the critical areas of economics and trade, energy, and agriculture. The UK is currently Taiwan’s fourth-largest European trading partner, second-largest source of investment from Europe, and third-largest target for investment in Europe. Two years ago, Taiwan and the UK signed an ETP arrangement. This was particularly meaningful, as it was the first institutionalized economic and trade framework between Taiwan and a European country. Today, this arrangement is yielding further results. I am delighted that Taiwan and the UK have signed three pillars under the ETP covering investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero. This will help promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation and advance industrial development on both sides. I also want to thank the UK government for its longstanding support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. This month, the UK published its Strategic Defence Review 2025 and National Security Strategy 2025, which oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. These not only demonstrate that Taiwan and the UK share similar goals but also show that security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region are inseparable from those of the transatlantic regions. In addition, last November, the House of Commons passed a motion which made clear that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 neither established the sovereignty of the People’s Republic of China over Taiwan nor determined Taiwan’s status in the United Nations. The UK government also responded to the motion by publicly expressing for the first time its position on UNGA Resolution 2758, opposing any attempt to broaden the interpretation of the resolution to rewrite history. For this, on behalf of the people of Taiwan, I once again want to extend my deepest gratitude. Taiwan and the UK have the advantage of being highly complementary in the technology sector. In facing the restructuring of global supply chains and other international economic and trade developments, I believe that Taiwan and the UK are indispensable key partners for one another. I look forward to the UK publicly supporting Taiwan’s accession to the CPTPP so that together, we can create an economic and trade landscape in the Indo-Pacific characterized by shared prosperity and development. In closing, I wish Minister Alexander a pleasant and successful visit. And I hope he has the opportunity to visit Taiwan for personal travel in the future. Minister Alexander then delivered remarks, saying that it is a great personal honor to meet with everyone today to discuss further deepening the UK-Taiwan trade relationship and explore the many opportunities our two sides can pursue together. He mentioned that he traveled to Taiwan in 2022 when he was a private citizen, a visit he thoroughly enjoyed, so he is delighted to be back to see the strength of the UK-Taiwan relationship and the strengthening of that relationship. He said that relationship is built on mutual respect, democratic values, and a shared vision for open, resilient, and rules-based economic cooperation. As like-minded partners, he pointed out, our collaboration continues to grow across multiple sectors, and he is here today to further that momentum. Minister Alexander stated that on trade and investment, he is proud that this morning we signed the ETP Pillars on Investment, Digital Trade, Energy and Net Zero, which will provide a clear framework for our future cooperation and lay the foundation for expanded access and market-shaping engagement between our two economies. The minister said he believes that together with our annual trade talks, this partnership will help UK’s firms secure new commercial opportunities, improve regulatory alignment, and promote long-term investment in key growth areas, which in turn will also support Taiwan’s efforts to expand high-quality trade relationships with trusted partners. Minister Alexander said that President Lai’s promotion of the Five Trusted Industry Sectors and the UK’s recently published industrial and trade strategies are very well-aligned, as both cover clean energy and semiconductors as well as advanced manufacturing. He then provided an example, saying that both sides plan to invest in AI infrastructure and compute power-creating opportunities for great joint research in the future. By combining our strengths in these areas, he said, we can open the door to innovative collaboration and commercial success for both sides. He mentioned that yesterday he visited the Taiwan Space Agency, commenting that in sectors such as satellite technology, green energy, and cyber security, British expertise and trusted standards can provide meaningful solutions. Noting that President Lai spoke in his remarks of the broader challenge of peace and security in the region, Minister Alexander stated that the United Kingdom has, of course, also continued to affirm its commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, along with its G7 partners. The UK-Taiwan relationship is strategic, enduring, and growing, he stated, and they reaffirm and remain firm in their longstanding position and confident in their ability to work together to support both prosperity and resilience in both of our societies. Minister Alexander said that, as Taiwan looks to diversify capital and build global partnerships, they believe the UK represents a strong and ambitious investment destination, particularly for Taiwanese companies at the very forefront of robotics, clean tech, and advanced industry. He pointed out that the UK’s markets are stable, open, and aligned with Taiwan’s vision of a high-tech, sustainable future, adding that he looks forward to our discussion on how we can further deepen our cooperation across all of these areas and more. The delegation also included Martin Kent, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific at the UK Department for Business and Trade. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by British Office Taipei Representative Ruth Bradley-Jones.

Details
2025-06-27
President Lai confers decoration on former Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Ohashi Mitsuo
On the morning of June 27, President Lai Ching-te conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon upon former Chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Ohashi Mitsuo in recognition of his firm convictions and tireless efforts in promoting Taiwan-Japan exchanges. In remarks, President Lai stated that Chairman Ohashi cares for Taiwan like a family member, and expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan continue to deepen their partnership, bring about the early signing of an economic partnership agreement (EPA), and jointly build secure and stable non-red supply chains as we boost the resilience and competitiveness of our economies and jointly safeguard the values of freedom and democracy. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Every meeting I have with Chairman Ohashi, with whom I have worked side by side for many years, is warm and friendly. I recall that when we met last year, Chairman Ohashi said that he often thinks about what Japan can do for Taiwan and what Taiwan can do for Japan, and that it is that mutual concern that makes us so close. This was a truly moving statement illustrating the relationship between Taiwan and Japan. Chairman Ohashi has also said numerous times that our bilateral relations may very well be the best in the entire world, and that in fact they may serve as a model to other countries. Indeed, Chairman Ohashi is himself an exemplary model for friendly relations between Taiwan and Japan. His spirit of always working tirelessly to promote Taiwan-Japan exchanges is truly admirable. Assuming the position of chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association in 2011, he served during the terms of former Presidents Ma Ying-jeou and Tsai Ing-wen, continuously making positive contributions to Taiwan-Japan relations. Over these past 14 years, Taiwan and Japan have signed over 50 major agreements, spanning the economy and trade, fisheries, and taxes, among other areas. In 2017, the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association and the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association underwent name changes, strengthening the essence and significance of Taiwan-Japan relations. These great achievements were all made possible thanks to the firm convictions and tireless efforts of Chairman Ohashi. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I am delighted to confer upon Chairman Ohashi the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon to express our deepest thanks for his outstanding contributions. Chairman Ohashi is not just a good friend of Taiwan, but someone who cares for Taiwan like a family member. When a major earthquake struck in 2016, he personally went to Tainan to assess the situation and meet with the city government. This outpouring of friendship and support across borders was deeply moving. As we look to the future, I hope that Taiwan and Japan can continue to deepen our partnership. In addition to bringing about the early signing of an EPA, I also hope that we can expand collaboration in key areas such as semiconductors, energy, and AI, continue building secure and stable non-red supply chains, and boost the resilience and competitiveness of our economies as well as peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. As Chairman Ohashi has said, the close bilateral relationship between Taiwan and Japan is one the world can be proud of. I would like to thank him once again for his contributions to deepening Taiwan-Japan ties. Taiwan will continue to forge ahead side by side with Japan, jointly safeguarding the values of freedom and democracy and mutually advancing prosperous development. I wish Chairman Ohashi good health, happiness, peace, and success in his future endeavors, and invite him to return to Taiwan often to visit old friends. Chairman Ohashi then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for his kind words. He stated that the Taiwan-Japan relationship is not only worthy of praise; it can also serve as a superb model in the world for bilateral relations that is worthy of study by other countries. He added that this is the result of the collective efforts of President Lai as well as many other individuals. Chairman Ohashi said that the current international situation is rather severe, with wars and conflicts occurring between many neighboring countries. He said that there is a growing trend of nuclear weapon proliferation, emphasizing that use of such weapons would cause significant harm between nations. He also pointed out that some countries even use nuclear weapons as a threat, leading to instability and impacting the global situation. Chairman Ohashi said that neither Taiwan nor Japan possesses nuclear weapons, which is something to be proud of. That is why, he said, we can declare that a world without nuclear weapons is a peaceful world. He also mentioned that during his tenure as chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, he consistently upheld this principle in his work. Chairman Ohashi said that the mission of the World Federalist Movement (WFM) is to promote world peace. He said that the WFM has branches in countries worldwide, with the WFM of Japan being one of the most prominent, and that it also aspires to achieve the goal of world peace. Having served as chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association for 14 years, he said, he is now stepping down from this role and will serve as the chairman of the WFM of Japan, aiming to promote peace in countries around the world. Chairman Ohashi said that both Taiwan and Japan can take pride in our friendly bilateral relationship, emphasizing that if the good relationship between Japan and Taiwan could be offered as an example to countries around the world, there would be no more wars. He expressed his sincere hope that under President Lai’s leadership, Taiwan and Japan can work together to jointly promote world peace. Also in attendance at the ceremony was Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.

Details
2025-05-20
President Lai interviewed by Nippon Television and Yomiuri TV
In a recent interview on Nippon Television’s news zero program, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions from host Mr. Sakurai Sho and Yomiuri TV Shanghai Bureau Chief Watanabe Masayo on topics including reflections on his first year in office, cross-strait relations, China’s military threats, Taiwan-United States relations, and Taiwan-Japan relations. The interview was broadcast on the evening of May 19. During the interview, President Lai stated that China intends to change the world’s rules-based international order, and that if Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted. Therefore, he said, Taiwan will strengthen its national defense, prevent war by preparing for war, and achieve the goal of peace. The president also noted that Taiwan’s purpose for developing drones is based on national security and industrial needs, and that Taiwan hopes to collaborate with Japan. He then reiterated that China’s threats are an international problem, and expressed hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war. Following is the text of the questions and the president’s responses: Q: How do you feel as you are about to round out your first year in office? President Lai: When I was young, I was determined to practice medicine and save lives. When I left medicine to go into politics, I was determined to transform Taiwan. And when I was sworn in as president on May 20 last year, I was determined to strengthen the nation. Time flies, and it has already been a year. Although the process has been very challenging, I am deeply honored to be a part of it. I am also profoundly grateful to our citizens for allowing me the opportunity to give back to our country. The future will certainly be full of more challenges, but I will do everything I can to unite the people and continue strengthening the nation. That is how I am feeling now. Q: We are now coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and over this period, we have often heard that conflict between Taiwan and the mainland is imminent. Do you personally believe that a cross-strait conflict could happen? President Lai: The international community is very much aware that China intends to replace the US and change the world’s rules-based international order, and annexing Taiwan is just the first step. So, as China’s military power grows stronger, some members of the international community are naturally on edge about whether a cross-strait conflict will break out. The international community must certainly do everything in its power to avoid a conflict in the Taiwan Strait; there is too great a cost. Besides causing direct disasters to both Taiwan and China, the impact on the global economy would be even greater, with estimated losses of US$10 trillion from war alone – that is roughly 10 percent of the global GDP. Additionally, 20 percent of global shipping passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, so if a conflict breaks out in the strait, other countries including Japan and Korea would suffer a grave impact. For Japan and Korea, a quarter of external transit passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, and a third of the various energy resources and minerals shipped back from other countries pass through said areas. If Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted, and therefore conflict in the Taiwan Strait must be avoided. Such a conflict is indeed avoidable. I am very thankful to Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide, and Kishida Fumio, as well as US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, and the other G7 leaders, for continuing to emphasize at international venues that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are essential components for global security and prosperity. When everyone in the global democratic community works together, stacking up enough strength to make China’s objectives unattainable or to make the cost of invading Taiwan too high for it to bear, a conflict in the strait can naturally be avoided. Q: As you said, President Lai, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is also very important for other countries. How can war be avoided? What sort of countermeasures is Taiwan prepared to take to prevent war? President Lai: As Mr. Sakurai mentioned earlier, we are coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. There are many lessons we can take from that war. First is that peace is priceless, and war has no winners. From the tragedies of WWII, there are lessons that humanity should learn. We must pursue peace, and not start wars blindly, as that would be a major disaster for humanity. In other words, we must be determined to safeguard peace. The second lesson is that we cannot be complacent toward authoritarian powers. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. They will keep growing, and eventually, not only will peace be unattainable, but war will be inevitable. The third lesson is why WWII ended: It ended because different groups joined together in solidarity. Taiwan, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region are all directly subjected to China’s threats, so we hope to be able to join together in cooperation. This is why we proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, we will strengthen our national defense. Second, we will strengthen economic resilience. Third is standing shoulder to shoulder with the democratic community to demonstrate the strength of deterrence. Fourth is that as long as China treats Taiwan with parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China, and seek peace and mutual prosperity. These four pillars can help us avoid war and achieve peace. That is to say, Taiwan hopes to achieve peace through strength, prevent war by preparing for war, keeping war from happening and pursuing the goal of peace. Q: Regarding drones, everyone knows that recently, Taiwan has been actively researching, developing, and introducing drones. Why do you need to actively research, develop, and introduce new drones at this time? President Lai: This is for two purposes. The first is to meet national security needs. The second is to meet industrial development needs. Because Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines are all part of the first island chain, and we are all democratic nations, we cannot be like an authoritarian country like China, which has an unlimited national defense budget. In this kind of situation, island nations such as Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines should leverage their own technologies to develop national defense methods that are asymmetric and utilize unmanned vehicles. In particular, from the Russo-Ukrainian War, we see that Ukraine has successfully utilized unmanned vehicles to protect itself and prevent Russia from unlimited invasion. In other words, the Russo-Ukrainian War has already proven the importance of drones. Therefore, the first purpose of developing drones is based on national security needs. Second, the world has already entered the era of smart technology. Whether generative, agentic, or physical, AI will continue to develop. In the future, cars and ships will also evolve into unmanned vehicles and unmanned boats, and there will be unmanned factories. Drones will even be able to assist with postal deliveries, or services like Uber, Uber Eats, and foodpanda, or agricultural irrigation and pesticide spraying. Therefore, in the future era of comprehensive smart technology, developing unmanned vehicles is a necessity. Taiwan, based on industrial needs, is actively planning the development of drones and unmanned vehicles. I would like to take this opportunity to express Taiwan’s hope to collaborate with Japan in the unmanned vehicle industry. Just as we do in the semiconductor industry, where Japan has raw materials, equipment, and technology, and Taiwan has wafer manufacturing, our two countries can cooperate. Japan is a technological power, and Taiwan also has significant technological strengths. If Taiwan and Japan work together, we will not only be able to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and security in the Indo-Pacific region, but it will also be very helpful for the industrial development of both countries. Q: The drones you just described probably include examples from the Russo-Ukrainian War. Taiwan and China are separated by the Taiwan Strait. Do our drones need to have cross-sea flight capabilities? President Lai: Taiwan does not intend to counterattack the mainland, and does not intend to invade any country. Taiwan’s drones are meant to protect our own nation and territory. Q: Former President Biden previously stated that US forces would assist Taiwan’s defense in the event of an attack. President Trump, however, has yet to clearly state that the US would help defend Taiwan. Do you think that in such an event, the US would help defend Taiwan? Or is Taiwan now trying to persuade the US? President Lai: Former President Biden and President Trump have answered questions from reporters. Although their responses were different, strong cooperation with Taiwan under the Biden administration has continued under the Trump administration; there has been no change. During President Trump’s first term, cooperation with Taiwan was broader and deeper compared to former President Barack Obama’s terms. After former President Biden took office, cooperation with Taiwan increased compared to President Trump’s first term. Now, during President Trump’s second term, cooperation with Taiwan is even greater than under former President Biden. Taiwan-US cooperation continues to grow stronger, and has not changed just because President Trump and former President Biden gave different responses to reporters. Furthermore, the Trump administration publicly stated that in the future, the US will shift its strategic focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. The US secretary of defense even publicly stated that the primary mission of the US is to prevent China from invading Taiwan, maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific, and thus maintain world peace. There is a saying in Taiwan that goes, “Help comes most to those who help themselves.” Before asking friends and allies for assistance in facing threats from China, Taiwan must first be determined and prepared to defend itself. This is Taiwan’s principle, and we are working in this direction, making all the necessary preparations to safeguard the nation. Q: I would like to ask you a question about Taiwan-Japan relations. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, you made an appeal to give Japan a great deal of assistance and care. In particular, you visited Sendai to offer condolences. Later, you also expressed condolences and concern after the earthquakes in Aomori and Kumamoto. What are your expectations for future Taiwan-Japan exchanges and development? President Lai: I come from Tainan, and my constituency is in Tainan. Tainan has very deep ties with Japan, and of course, Taiwan also has deep ties with Japan. However, among Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities, Tainan has the deepest relationship with Japan. I sincerely hope that both of you and your teams will have an opportunity to visit Tainan. I will introduce Tainan’s scenery, including architecture from the era of Japanese rule, Tainan’s cuisine, and unique aspects of Tainan society, and you can also see lifestyles and culture from the Showa era. The Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan was completed by engineer Mr. Hatta Yoichi from Kanazawa, Japan and the team he led to Tainan after he graduated from then-Tokyo Imperial University. It has nearly a century of history and is still in use today. This reservoir, along with the 16,000-km-long Chianan Canal, transformed the 150,000-hectare Chianan Plain into Taiwan’s premier rice-growing area. It was that foundation in agriculture that enabled Taiwan to develop industry and the technology sector of today. The reservoir continues to supply water to Tainan Science Park. It is used by residents of Tainan, the agricultural sector, and industry, and even the technology sector in Xinshi Industrial Park, as well as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Because of this, the people of Tainan are deeply grateful for Mr. Hatta and very friendly toward the people of Japan. A major earthquake, the largest in 50 years, struck Tainan on February 6, 2016, resulting in significant casualties. As mayor of Tainan at the time, I was extremely grateful to then-Prime Minister Abe, who sent five Japanese officials to the disaster site in Tainan the day after the earthquake. They were very thoughtful and asked what kind of assistance we needed from the Japanese government. They offered to provide help based on what we needed. I was deeply moved, as former Prime Minister Abe showed such care, going beyond the formality of just sending supplies that we may or may not have actually needed. Instead, the officials asked what we needed and then provided assistance based on those needs, which really moved me. Similarly, when the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 or the later Kumamoto earthquakes struck, the people of Tainan, under my leadership, naturally and dutifully expressed their support. Even earlier, when central Taiwan was hit by a major earthquake in 1999, Japan was the first country to deploy a rescue team to the disaster area. On February 6, 2018, after a major earthquake in Hualien, former Prime Minister Abe appeared in a video holding up a message of encouragement he had written in calligraphy saying “Remain strong, Taiwan.” All of Taiwan was deeply moved. Over the years, Taiwan and Japan have supported each other when earthquakes struck, and have forged bonds that are family-like, not just neighborly. This is truly valuable. In the future, I hope Taiwan and Japan can be like brothers, and that the peoples of Taiwan and Japan can treat one another like family. If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem; if Japan has a problem, then Taiwan has a problem. By caring for and helping each other, we can face various challenges and difficulties, and pursue a brighter future. Q: President Lai, you just used the phrase “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” In the event that China attempts to invade Taiwan by force, what kind of response measures would you hope the US military and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take? President Lai: As I just mentioned, annexing Taiwan is only China’s first step. Its ultimate objective is to change the rules-based international order. That being the case, China’s threats are an international problem. So, I would very much hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war – prevention, after all, is more important than cure.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University and Rossotrudnichestvo held an international chess day

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, together with the Rossotrudnichestvo representative office in India, held an educational master class for Indian schoolchildren who are passionate about chess.

Chess as a physical education discipline appeared at the Polytechnic University in 2021. Every semester, chess classes are attended by more than a hundred first- and second-year students. The Polytechnic University Chess Club, named after a university graduate, the first Soviet world champion, grandmaster Mikhail Botvinnik, regularly holds tournaments, including online ones. Our club’s Interuniversity project is the largest international online tournament among students in the world (more than 1,000 participants from 20 different countries). The Polytechnic University team is the champion of St. Petersburg and Russia in chess, and winners of the All-Russian Summer Universiade. The honor of the team was defended by FIDE masters, international masters, and grandmaster Kirill Alekseenko, who was a contender for the world chess crown at the time of his studies at the Polytechnic University.

The event, dedicated to the development of Russian-Indian cooperation in the field of education and sports, brought together young chess players from India. The program was rich and informative. Polytechnic University was represented by Pavel Martynov, an international FIDE master and candidate of pedagogical sciences with more than 10 years of experience, speaking via videoconference. He gave the children a remote lecture on how chess develops critical thinking, memory, concentration and strategic planning skills, and shared practical strategies that are useful both at the board and in studies.

The participants of the master class were shown a film about the Polytechnic University. The schoolchildren learned about the history, traditions, modern scientific achievements and the rich student life of the university. The children were reminded that the legendary Mikhail Botvinnik, the 6th world chess champion, the founder of the Soviet chess school, was a graduate of the Electromechanical Faculty of the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute (now SPbPU) in 1932. This fact aroused keen interest among young Indian chess players, for whom the name Botvinnik is synonymous with chess greatness. The children got acquainted with his biography at a photo exhibition dedicated to outstanding chess players.

The theoretical part smoothly turned into the practical. Pavel Martynov held a session of simultaneous play with the schoolchildren. The children were able to test their strength and apply some of the ideas they heard in practice.

“It is a great honor for the Polytechnic University to continue the traditions established by such giants as Mikhail Botvinnik,” noted Pavel Martynov. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to share our developments with young talents of India and strengthen our friendly ties through the universal language of chess. The enthusiasm and level of play of Indian schoolchildren are impressive!”

The Rossotrudnichestvo Representative Office in India expressed gratitude to SPbPU and personally to Pavel Martynov for organizing and holding a highly professional and educational event that promotes the popularization of the Russian language, Russian education and culture, and also strengthens friendship between the youth of the two countries.

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 22, 2025