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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Jaws’ and the two musical notes that changed Hollywood forever

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jared Bahir Browsh, Assistant Teaching Professor of Critical Sports Studies, University of Colorado Boulder

    Many film historians see ‘Jaws’ as the first true summer blockbuster. Steve Kagan/Getty Images

    “Da, duh.”

    Two simple notes – E and F – have become synonymous with tension, fear and sharks, representing the primal dread of being stalked by a predator.

    And they largely have “Jaws” to thank.

    Fifty years ago, Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster film – along with its spooky score composed by John Williams – convinced generations of swimmers to think twice before going in the water.

    As a scholar of media history and popular culture, I decided to take a deeper dive into the staying power of these two notes and learned about how they’re influenced by 19th-century classical music, Mickey Mouse and Alfred Hitchcock.

    When John Williams proposed the two-note theme for ‘Jaws,’ Steven Spielberg initially thought it was a joke.

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    The first summer blockbuster

    In 1964, fisherman Frank Mundus killed a 4,500-pound great white shark off Long Island.

    After hearing the story, freelance journalist Peter Benchley began pitching a novel based on three men’s attempt to capture a man-eating shark, basing the character of Quint off of Mundus. Doubleday commissioned Benchley to write the novel, and in 1973, Universal Studios producers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown purchased the film rights to the novel before it was published. The 26-year-old Spielberg was signed on to be the director.

    Tapping into both mythical and real fears regarding great white sharks – including an infamous set of shark attacks along the Jersey Shore in 1916 – Benchley’s 1974 novel became a bestseller. The book was a key part of Universal’s marketing campaign, which began several months before the film’s release.

    Starting in the fall of 1974, Zanuck, Brown and Benchley appeared on a number of radio and television programs to simultaneously promote the release of the paperback edition of the novel and the upcoming film. The marketing also included a national television advertising campaign that featured emerging composer Williams’ two-note theme. The plan was for a summer release, which, at the time, was reserved for films with less than stellar reviews.

    TV ads promoting the film featured John Williams’ two-note theme.

    Films at the time typically were released market by market, preceded by local reviews. However, Universal’s decision to release the film in hundreds of theaters across the country on June 20, 1975, led to huge up-front profits, sparking a 14-week run as the No. 1 film in the U.S.

    Many consider “Jaws” the first true summer blockbuster. It catapulted Spielberg to fame and kicked off the director’s long collaboration with Williams, who would go on to earn the second-highest number of Academy Award nominations in history – 54 – behind only Walt Disney’s 59.

    The film’s beating heart

    Though it’s now considered one of the greatest scores in film history, when Williams proposed the two-note theme, Spielberg initially thought it was a joke.

    But Williams had been inspired by 19th and 20th century composers, including Claude Debussy, Igor Stravinsky and especially Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.” In the “Jaws” theme, you can hear echoes of the end of Dvorak’s symphony, as well as the sounds of another character-driven musical piece, Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf.”

    “Peter and the Wolf” and the score from “Jaws” are both prime examples of leitmotifs, or a musical piece that represents a place or character.

    The varying pace of the ostinato – a musical motif that repeats itself – elicits intensifying degrees of emotion and fear. This became more integral as Spielberg and the technical team struggled with the malfunctioning pneumatic sharks that they’d nicknamed “Bruce,” after Spielberg’s lawyer.

    As a result, the shark does not appear until the 81-minute mark of the 124-minute film. But its presence is felt through Williams’ theme, which some music scholars have theorized evoke the shark’s heartbeat.

    Mechanical issues with ‘Bruce,’ the mechanical shark, during filming forced Steven Spielberg to rely more on mood and atmosphere.
    Screen Archives/Moviepix via Getty Images

    Sounds to manipulate emotions

    Williams also has Disney to thank for revolutionizing character-driven music in film.

    The two don’t just share a brimming trophy case. They also understood how music can heighten emotion and magnify action for audiences.

    Although his career started in the silent film era, Disney became a titan of film, and later media, by leveraging sound to establish one of the greatest stars in media history, Mickey Mouse.

    When Disney saw “The Jazz Singer” in 1927, he knew that sound would be the future of film.

    On Nov. 18, 1928, “Steamboat Willie” premiered at Universal’s Colony Theater in New York City as Disney’s first animated film to incorporate synchronized sound.

    Unlike previous attempts to bring sound to film by having record players concurrently play or deploying live musicians to perform in the theater, Disney used technology that recorded sound directly on the film reel.

    It wasn’t the first animated film with synchronized sound, but it was a technical improvement to previous attempts at it, and “Steamboat Willie” became an international hit, launching Mickey’s – and Disney’s – career.

    The use of music or sound to match the rhythm of the characters on screen became known as “Mickey Mousing.”

    “King Kong” in 1933 would deftly deploy Mickey Mousing in a live action film, with music mimicking the giant gorilla’s movements. For example, in one scene, Kong carries away Ann Darrow, who’s played by actress Fay Wray. Composer Max Steiner uses lighter tones to convey Kong’s curiosity as he holds Ann, followed by ominous, faster, tones as Ann escapes and Kong chases after her. In doing so, Steiner encourages viewers to both fear and connect with the beast throughout the film, helping them suspend disbelief and enter a world of fantasy.

    Mickey Mousing declined in popularity after World War II. Many filmmakers saw it as juvenile and too simplistic for the evolving and advancing film industry.

    When less is more

    In spite of this criticism, the technique was still used to score some iconic scenes, like the playing of violins in the shower as Marion Crane is stabbed in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho.”

    Spielberg idolized Hitchcock. A young Spielberg was even kicked off the Universal lot after sneaking on to watch the production of Hitchcock’s 1966 film “Torn Curtain.”

    Although Hitchcock and Spielberg never met, “Jaws” clearly exhibits the influence of Hitchcock, the “Master of Suspense.” And maybe that’s why Spielberg initially overcame his doubts about using something so simple to represent tension in the thriller.

    Steven Spielberg was just 26 years old when he signed on to direct ‘Jaws.’
    Universal/Getty Images

    The use of the two-note motif helps overcome the production issues Spielberg faced directing the first feature length movie to be filmed on the ocean. The malfunctioning animatronic shark forced Spielberg to leverage Williams’ minimalist theme to represent the shark’s ominous presence in spite of the limited appearances by the eponymous predatory star.

    As Williams continued his legendary career, he would deploy a similar sonic motif for certain “Star Wars” characters. Each time Darth Vader appeared, the “Imperial March” was played to set the tone for the leader of the dark side.

    As movie budgets creep closer to a half-billion dollars, the “Jaws” theme – and the way those two notes manipulate tension – is a reminder that in film, sometimes less can be more.

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

    – ref. ‘Jaws’ and the two musical notes that changed Hollywood forever – https://theconversation.com/jaws-and-the-two-musical-notes-that-changed-hollywood-forever-255379

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ticks carry decades of history in each troublesome bite

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sean Lawrence, Assistant Professor of History, West Virginia University

    The black-legged tick, or deer tick, _Ixodes scapularis_, can transmit Lyme disease and other health hazards. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

    When you think about ticks, you might picture nightmarish little parasites, stalking you on weekend hikes or afternoons in the park.

    Your fear is well-founded. Tick-borne diseases are the most prevalent vector-borne diseases – those transmitted by living organisms – in the United States. Each tick feeds on multiple animals throughout its life, absorbing viruses and bacteria along the way and passing them on with its next bite. Some of those viruses and bacteria are harmful to humans, causing diseases that can be debilitating and sometimes lethal without treatment, such as Lyme, babesiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

    But contained in every bite of this infuriating, insatiable pest is also a trove of social, environmental and epidemiological history.

    In many cases, human actions long ago are the reason ticks carry these diseases so widely today. And that’s what makes ticks fascinating for environmental historians like me.

    Ticks can be tiny and hard to spot. This is an adult and nymph Ixodes scapularis on an adult’s index finger.
    CDC

    Changing forests fueled tick risks

    During the 18th and 19th centuries, settlers cleared more than half the forested land across the northeastern U.S., cutting down forests for timber and to make way for farms, towns and mining operations. With large-scale land clearing came a sharp decline in wildlife of all kinds. Predators such as bears and wolves were driven out, as were deer.

    As farming moved westward, Northeasterners began to recognize the ecological and economic value of trees, and they returned millions of acres to forest.

    The woods regrew. Plant-eaters such as deer returned, but the apex predators that once kept their populations in check did not.

    As a result, deer populations carrying borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, grew rapidly. And with the deer came deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis). When a tick feeds on an infected deer, it can take up the bacteria. The tick isn’t harmed, but it can pass the bacteria to its next victim. In humans, Lyme disease can cause fever and fatigue, and if left untreated it can affect the nervous system.

    The eastern U.S. became a global hot spot for tick-borne Lyme disease starting around the 1970s. Lyme disease affected over 89,000 Americans in 2023, and possibly many more.

    Californians move into tick territory

    For centuries, changing patterns of human settlements and the politics of land use have shaped the role of ticks and tick-borne illnesses within their environments.

    In short, humans have made it easier for ticks to thrive and spread disease in our midst.

    In California, the Northern Inner Coast and Santa Cruz mountain ranges that converge on San Francisco from the north and south were never clear-cut, and predators such as mountain lions and coyotes still exist there. But competition for housing has pushed human settlement deeper into wildland areas to the north, south and east of the city, reshaping tick ecology there.

    A range map for the western black-legged tick.
    National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases

    While western black-legged ticks (Ixodes pacificus) tend to swarm in large forest preserves, the Lyme-causing bacterium is actually more prevalent in small, isolated patches of greenery. In these isolated patches, rodents and other tick hosts can thrive, safe from large predators, which need more habitat to move freely. But isolation and lower diversity also means infections are spread more easily within the tick’s host populations.

    People tend to build isolated houses in the hills, rather than large, connected developments. As the Silicon Valley area south of San Francisco sprawls outward, this checkerboard pattern of settlement has fragmented the natural landscape, creating a hard-to-manage public health threat.

    Fewer hosts, more tightly packed, often means more infected hosts, proportionally, and thus more dangerous ticks.

    A tick’s mouth is barbed so it can hold on as it draws blood over hours.
    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

    Six counties across these ranges, all surrounding and including San Francisco, account for 44% of recorded tick-borne illnesses in California.

    A lesson from Texas cattle ranches

    Domesticated livestock have also shaped the disease threat posed by ticks.

    In 1892, at a meeting of cattle ranchers at the Stock Raiser’s Convention in Austin, Texas, Dr. B.A. Rogers introduced a novel theory that ticks were behind recent devastating plagues of Texas cattle fever. The disease had arrived with cattle imported from the West Indies and Mexico in the 1600s, and it was taking huge tolls on cattle herds. But how the disease spread to new victims had been a mystery.

    A 1905 illustration of Rhipicephalus annulatus, a hard tick that causes cattle fever.
    Nathan Banks, A treatise on the Acarina, or mites. Proceedings of the United States National Museum

    Editors of Daniel’s Texas Medical Journal found the idea of ticks spreading disease laughable and lampooned the hypothesis, publishing a satire of what they described as an “early copy” of a forthcoming report on the subject.

    The tick’s “fluid secretion, it is believed, is the poison which causes the fever … [and the tick] having been known to chew tobacco, as all other Texans do, the secretion is most probably tobacco juice,” they wrote.

    Fortunately for the ranchers, not to mention the cows, the U.S. Department of Agriculture sided with Rogers. Its cattle fever tick program, started in 1906, curbed cattle fever outbreaks by limiting where and when cattle should cross tick-dense areas.

    Engorged ticks feed on a calf’s ear.
    Alan R Walker, CC BY-NC-SA

    By 1938, the government had established a quarantine zone that extended 580 miles by 10 miles along the U.S.-Mexico border in South Texas Brush Country, a region favored by the cattle tick.

    This innovative use of natural space as a public health tool helped to functionally eradicate cattle fever from 14 Southern states by 1943.

    Ticks are products of their environment

    When it comes to tick-borne diseases the world over, location matters.

    Take the hunter tick (Hyalomma spp.) of the Mediterranean and Asia. As a juvenile, or nymph, these ticks feed on small forest animals such as mice, hares and voles, but as an adult they prefer domesticated livestock.

    For centuries, this tick was an occasional nuisance to nomadic shepherds of the Middle East. But in the 1850s, the Ottoman Empire passed laws to force nomadic tribes to become settled farmers instead. Unclaimed lands, especially on the forested edges of the steppe, were offered to settlers, creating ideal conditions for hunter ticks.

    As a result, farmers in what today is Turkey saw spikes in tick-borne diseases, including a virus that causes Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, a potentially fatal condition.

    Where to check for ticks and how to remove them.

    It’s probably too much to ask for sympathy for any ticks you meet this summer. They are bloodsucking parasites, after all.

    Still, it’s worth remembering that the tick’s malevolence isn’t its own fault. Ticks are products of their environment, and humans have played many roles in turning them into the harmful parasites that seek us out today.

    Sean Lawrence has nothing to disclose.

    – ref. Ticks carry decades of history in each troublesome bite – https://theconversation.com/ticks-carry-decades-of-history-in-each-troublesome-bite-257110

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: AI helps tell snow leopards apart, improving population counts for these majestic mountain predators

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Eve Bohnett, Assistant Scholar, Center for Landscape Conservation Planning, University of Florida

    Snow leopards are hard to find and count, which makes protecting them difficult. zahoor salmi/Moment via Getty Images

    Snow leopards are known as the “ghosts of the mountains” for a reason. Imagine waiting for months in the harsh, rugged mountains of Asia, hoping to catch even a glimpse of one. These elusive big cats move silently across rocky slopes, their pale coats blending so seamlessly with snow and stone that even the most seasoned biologists seldom spot them in the wild.

    Travel writer Peter Matthiessen spent two months in 1973 searching the Tibetan plateau for them and wrote a 300-page book about the effort. He never saw one. Forty years later, Peter’s son Alex retraced his father’s steps – and didn’t see one either.

    Researchers have struggled to come up with a figure for the global population. In 2017, the International Union for Conservation of Nature reclassified the snow leopard from endangered to vulnerable, citing estimates of between 2,500 and 10,000 adults in the wild. However, the group also warned that numbers continue to decline in many areas due to habitat loss, poaching and human-wildlife conflict. Those who study these animals want to help protect the species and their habitat – if only we can determine exactly where they live and how many there are.

    Traditional tracking methods – searching for footprints, droppings and other signs – have their limits. Instead of waiting for a lucky face-to-face encounter, conservationists from the Wildlife Conservation Society, led by experts including Stéphane Ostrowski and Sorosh Poya Faryabi, began deploying automated camera traps in Afghanistan. These devices snap photos whenever movement is detected, capturing thousands of images over months, all in hopes of obtaining a rare glimpse of a snow leopard.

    But capturing images is only half the battle. The next, even harder task is telling one snow leopard apart from another.

    Are these the same animal or different ones? It’s really hard to tell.
    Eve Bohnett, CC BY-ND

    At first glance, it might sound simple: Each snow leopard has a unique pattern of black rosettes on its coat, like a fingerprint or a face in a crowd. Yet in practice, identifying individuals by these patterns is slow, subjective and prone to error. Photos may be taken at odd angles, under poor lighting, or with parts of the animal obscured – making matches tricky.

    A common mistake happens when photos from different cameras are marked as depicting different animals when they actually show the same individual, inflating population estimates. Worse, camera trap images can get mixed up or misfiled, splitting encounters of one cat across multiple batches and identities.

    I am a data analyst working with Wildlife Conservation Society and other partners at Wild Me. My work and others’ has found that even trained experts can misidentify animals, failing to recognize repeat visitors at locations monitored by motion-sensing cameras and counting the same animal more than once. One study found that the snow leopard population was overestimated by more than 30% because of these human errors.

    To avoid these pitfalls, researchers follow camera sorting guidelines: At least three clear pattern differences or similarities must be confirmed between two images to declare them the same or different cats. Images too blurry, too dark or taken from difficult angles may have to be discarded. Identification efforts range from easy cases with clear, full-body shots to ambiguous ones needing collaboration and debate. Despite these efforts, variability remains, and more experienced observers tend to be more accurate.

    Now people trying to count snow leopards are getting help from artificial intelligence systems, in two ways.

    Spotting the spots

    Modern AI tools are revolutionizing how we process these large photo libraries. First, AI can rapidly sort through thousands of images, flagging those that contain snow leopards and ignoring irrelevant ones such as those that depict blue sheep, gray-and-white mountain terrain, or shadows.

    Unique spots and spot patterns are key to telling snow leopards apart.
    Eve Bohnett, CC BY-NC-ND

    AI can identify individual snow leopards by analyzing their unique rosette patterns, even when poses or lighting vary. Each snow leopard encounter is compared with a catalog of previously identified photos and assigned a known ID if there is a match, or entered as a new individual if not.

    In a recent study, several colleagues and I evaluated two AI algorithms, both separately and in tandem.

    The first algorithm, called HotSpotter, identifies individual snow leopards by comparing key visual features such as coat patterns, highlighting distinctive “hot spots” with a yellow marker.

    The second is a newer method called pose invariant embeddings, which operates similar to facial recognition technology: It recognizes layers of abstract features in the data, identifying the same animal regardless of how it is positioned in the photo or what kind of lighting there may be.

    We trained these systems using a curated dataset of photos of snow leopards from zoos in the U.S., Europe and Tajikistan, and with images from the wild, including in Afghanistan.

    Alone, each model worked about 74% of the time, correctly identifying the cat from a large photo library. But when combined, the two systems together were correct 85% of the time.

    These algorithms were integrated into Wildbook, an open-source, web-based software platform developed by the nonprofit organization Wild Me and now adopted by ConservationX. We deployed the combined system on a free website, Whiskerbook.org, where researchers can upload images, seek matches using the algorithms, and confirm those matches with side-by-side comparisons. This site is among a growing family of AI-powered wildlife platforms that are helping conservation biologists work more efficiently and more effectively at protecting species and their habitats.

    A view from an online wildlife-tracking system suggests a possible match for a snow leopard caught by a remote camera.
    Wildbook/Eve Bohnett, CC BY-ND

    Humans still needed

    These AI systems aren’t error-proof. AI quickly narrows down candidates and flags likely matches, but expert validation ensures accuracy, especially with tricky or ambiguous photos.

    Another study we conducted pitted AI-assisted groups of experts and novices against each other. Each was given a set of three to 10 images of 34 known captive snow leopards and asked to use the Whiskerbook platform to identify them. They were also asked to estimate how many individual animals were in the set of photos.

    The experts accurately matched about 90% of the images and delivered population estimates within about 3% of the true number. In contrast, the novices identified only 73% of the cats and underestimated the total number, sometimes by 25% or more, incorrectly merging two individuals into one.

    Both sets of results were better than when experts or novices did not use any software.

    The takeaway is clear: Human expertise remains important, and combining it with AI support leads to the most accurate results. My colleagues and I hope that by using tools like Whiskerbook and the AI systems embedded in them, researchers will be able to more quickly and more confidently study these elusive animals.

    With AI tools like Whiskerbook illuminating the mysteries of these mountain ghosts, we have another way to safeguard snow leopards – but success depends on continued commitment to protecting their fragile mountain homes.

    Eve Bohnett receives funding from San Diego State Research Foundation and Wildlife Conservation Society. She is affiliated with University of Florida.

    – ref. AI helps tell snow leopards apart, improving population counts for these majestic mountain predators – https://theconversation.com/ai-helps-tell-snow-leopards-apart-improving-population-counts-for-these-majestic-mountain-predators-258154

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Gay Men’s Health Crisis showed how everyday people stepped up when institutions failed during the height of the AIDS epidemic – providing a model for today

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sean G. Massey, Associate Professor of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Binghamton University, State University of New York

    GMHC was the world’s first AIDS service organization.
     Sean Massey, CC BY-ND

    The story of the AIDS movement is one of regular people: students, bartenders, stay-at-home mothers, teachers, retired lawyers, immigrants, Catholic nuns, newly out gay men who had just arrived in New York, and many others. Some had lost friends or lovers. Some felt a moral calling. Some were just trying to balance their sexual karma. Many were angry. Most had no medical background or professional credentials – just a sense of urgency, tenacity and an unwillingness to look away.

    When Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the world’s first AIDS service organization, was founded in 1982, it was regular people trying to meet the needs of all people living with AIDS. Its workforce of volunteers provided HIV prevention education as well as physical, emotional and legal support.

    At the start of the epidemic, AIDS was considered a “gay plague,” and to be openly queer was to risk abandonment, eviction, assault or worse. Families disowned their children. Hospitals turned patients away. Funeral homes refused bodies. And many people with AIDS found themselves alone and in need.

    Public officials didn’t just fail to act – they refused to acknowledge that anything was happening at all. Elected leaders such as President Ronald Reagan and Sen. Jesse Helms stoked the moral panic guiding public policy by declaring people with AIDS “perverted human being(s).”

    In 2025, with the Trump administration cutting federal funding for HIV research and support services and restricting protections and services for LGBTQ+ people, studying how everyday people approached the early AIDS crisis provides a model for surviving through innovation, commitment and community.

    Stories informing the present

    “I think 26,000 people died before (Reagan) even bothered to utter the word ‘AIDS,’” said Tim Sweeney, former executive director of Gay Men’s Health Crisis.

    This quote is featured in the GMHC Stories Oral History Project, a collection of over 100 interviews with former volunteers, staff and donors from the first 15 years of the organization. Along with our colleague Julia Haager, we and our team at Binghamton University’s Human Sexualities Lab compiled these interviews. Acquired by the Manuscripts and Archives Division of The New York Public Library, the collection is scheduled to open in fall 2025, showcasing how everyday people responded to the AIDS crisis.

    These stories document how a community presented with a set of circumstances threatening their very existence built a self-sustaining organization to advocate for and provide care to each other outside institutional support. They did this while enduring grief, standing up to external threats and navigating internal tensions.

    The GMHC stood up for the community when other institutions would not.
    Sean Massey, CC BY-ND

    Improvisation for survival

    The work was an ongoing challenge. Organizations dedicated to aiding people affected by AIDS such as Gay Men’s Health Crisis were left to fund their own survival – and defend their right to do the work. When North Carolina Sen. Jesse Helms moved in 1988 to eliminate federal support for AIDS service programs that mentioned homosexuality, it severely limited AIDS prevention efforts nation wide. However, GMHC had the foresight to fund its more explicit education materials with private donations.

    At the beginning of the epidemic, queer New Yorkers and their allies had to improvise new systems of care in the absence of state and federal support. “People often (ask) me, what was the model you worked off of?” said Sweeney. “And I said, there was no model, there was just a muddle. We just made it up the whole time.”

    What they created almost overnight was staggering. “There were over 1,000 volunteers in the agency,” recalled staff member Tom Weber, who started at GMHC as an office volunteer in 1988. “We would have orientations every single week, and they would flood in.”

    One of the most well-known expressions of that volunteer labor was the buddy program, where lay caregivers provided emotional and practical support to people living with AIDS. “A lot of people were not alone in their death because of the work that we did,” said Barbara Danish, who led the buddy program from 1996 to 2002.

    Community members took it upon themselves to educate each other about AIDS.
    AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler

    Education and prevention were also grounded in queer culture and community. Unlike early depictions of AIDS in the media that reduced patients to “vectors” of transmission, it was defiantly sex-positive. “We came up with shit that no one in the world had ever done,” Sweeney said. “Because finally it was gay men saying … we’re going to talk to each other about how to stay safe, healthy and sexy.”

    When that sense of mission extended to emotional survival, humor and unapologetically queer culture were critical to bearing the weight of the work. “Sometimes you just break down and cry for an hour. But that’s how you survive it – by staying authentic to your emotions,” said Tommy Thomson, former director of client programs. She recalled how staff member “Carolotta,” or Carl, would sometimes put condoms and chocolate in a basket and go from office to office, frequently in drag. He would offer either or both to make people feel better. “He’d make you remember that you weren’t alone, and that we all know how hard it is. That’s part of what held you together.”

    Internal tensions

    Although Gay Men’s Health Crisis remained mission-driven, its internal politics were never simple. As it grew in size and national stature, it confronted the limits of its founding identity.

    Founded by, and initially serving, primarily white gay men, GMHC sometimes struggled to adapt to the emerging realities of the epidemic. While AIDS also affected people of color, women and intravenous drug users from the outset, much of the agency’s early prevention and outreach work was designed with gay men in mind.

    By the late 1980s, the increase in AIDS cases among white gay men had begun to plateau, while rates among Black and Latino people, women and IV drug users continued to rise sharply into the next decade. Women and people of color who were deeply embedded in GMHC’s operations nonetheless had to navigate assumptions about whose needs were prioritized – assumptions that often manifested in how resources were allocated and services were designed. As GMHC expanded its outreach to Black and Latino populations, it struggled to be culturally responsive and build trust in communities that had long been underserved and stigmatized.

    Racial disparities in HIV persist.

    As GMHC grew, it became more and more successful in fundraising and visibility, while smaller organizations sometimes struggled to access resources. This led to growing tensions, particularly in communities of color, where local groups feared that GMHC’s expansion would limit funding and undercut their efforts at community-specific approaches to care and prevention. In addition, efforts to address racism, sexism and cultural insensitivity encountered both support and indifference.

    Yet, staff and volunteers continued to push – reshaping messaging, fighting for inclusive programming, and holding conversations about race, gender, power and public health. For staff and volunteers, the agency was a complicated institution that could both empower and marginalize. Its strength, and its struggle, was learning how to expand without losing sight of the legacy and history it was built on.

    A guide for today

    Forty years later, LGBTQ+ people face a new set of crises in a landscape riddled with dangers.

    Trans health care is being banned in multiple states. Book bans and surveillance laws are targeting queer youth. Anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric is fueling violence and censorship. Funding for HIV prevention and research is disappearing even as new infections persist. Black and brown communities still face disproportionate barriers to health care and housing. Decades of scientific progress and medical discoveries are coming to a halt with funding cuts under the Trump administration.

    Protesters at the Iowa state Capitol in February 2025, demonstrating against a bill that would remove protections based on gender identity from the state civil rights code.
    AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

    And yet many of the same questions and challenges remain: Who gets left behind when public health systems collapse under political pressure or moral panic? Who will do the work when institutions fail? What does it mean to care for one another in the midst of the wreckage? How do people come together across differences?

    The history of GMHC is more than memory – it is a lesson in the possibility of care, creativity and community, especially in the face of fear and uncertainty today. It shows how people can come together – not just to demand policy change, but to directly meet one another’s needs with whatever resources they have. It is a reminder that mutual aid is powerful; that grief can coexist with joy; and that queer resilience has always included laughter, desire and shared vulnerability. In a time of renewed political backlash and public health failures, GMHC’s story is more than history – it’s a guide. Today, the staff and volunteers at GMHC continue their work to confront the epidemic and uplift the lives of all people affected by AIDS.

    “We’d say to them, ‘You’re just ordinary citizens doing extraordinary things,’” Sweeney said. “And we really meant that.”

    Sean G. Massey was a volunteer and staff member at Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), the organization that is being discussed in this article, from 1988-1998.

    Casey W. Adrian and Eden Lowinger do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Gay Men’s Health Crisis showed how everyday people stepped up when institutions failed during the height of the AIDS epidemic – providing a model for today – https://theconversation.com/gay-mens-health-crisis-showed-how-everyday-people-stepped-up-when-institutions-failed-during-the-height-of-the-aids-epidemic-providing-a-model-for-today-258139

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Testing between intervals: a key to retaining information in long-term memory

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Émilie Gerbier, Maîtresse de Conférence en Psychologie, Université Côte d’Azur

    The proverb “practice makes perfect” highlights the importance of repetition to master a skill. This principle also applies to learning vocabulary and other material. In order to fight our natural tendency to forget information, it is essential to reactivate it in our memory. But, how often?

    Research in cognitive psychology provides answers to this question. However, it is also important to understand underlying principles of long-term learning to apply them in a useful and personalised way.

    The ‘spacing effect’

    There are two key principles for memorising information in the long term.

    First, test yourself to learn and review content. It is much more effective to do this using question-and-answer cards than just to reread the material. After each attempt to recall pieces of information, review the one that could not be retrieved.

    The second principle is to space out reactivations over time. This phenomenon, known as the “spacing effect”, suggests that when reviews of specific content are limited to, for instance, three sessions, it is preferable to space them over relatively longer periods (eg every three days) rather than shorter ones (every day).

    Reviewing material at long intervals requires more effort, because it is more difficult to recall information after three days than one. However, it is precisely this effort that reinforces memories and promotes long-term retention.

    When it comes to learning, we must therefore be wary of effortlessness: easily remembering a lesson today does not indicate how likely we are to remember it in a month, even though this feeling of easiness can cause us to mistakenly believe that review is unnecessary.

    Robert Bjork of the University of California coined the term “desirable difficulty” to describe an optimal level of difficulty between two extremes. The first extreme corresponds to learning that is too easy (and therefore ineffective in the long run), while the other extreme corresponds to learning that is too difficult (and therefore ineffective and discouraging).

    Finding the right pace

    There is a limit to how much time can pass between information retrievals. After a long delay, such as a year, information will have greatly declined in memory and will be difficult, if not impossible, to recall. This situation may generate negative emotions and force us to start learning from scratch, rendering our previous efforts useless.

    The key is to identify the right interval between retrievals, ensuring it is not too long and not too short. The ideal interval varies depending on several factors, such as the type of information that needs to be learned or the history of that learning. Some learning software use algorithms taking these factors into account, to test each piece of information at the “ideal” time.

    There are also paper-and-pencil methods. The simplest method is to follow an “expansive” schedule, which uses increasingly longer intervals between sessions. This technique is used in the “méthode des J” (method of days), which some students may be familiar with. The effectiveness of this method lies in a gradual strengthening of the memory.


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    When you first learn something, retention is fragile, and memorised content needs to be reactivated quickly not to be forgotten. Each retrieval strengthens the memory, allowing the next retrieval opportunity to be delayed. Another consequence is that each retrieval is moderately difficult, which places the learner at a “desirable” level of difficulty.

    Here is an example of an expansive schedule for a given piece of content: Day 1, Day 2, D5, D15, D44, D145, D415, etc. In this schedule, the interval length triples from one session to the next: 24 hours between Day 1 and Day 2, then three days between D2 and D5, and so on.

    Gradually incorporating new knowledge

    There is no scientific consensus on the optimal interval schedule. However, carrying out the first retrieval on the day after the initial moment of learning (thus, on D2) seems beneficial, as a night’s sleep allows the brain to restructure and/or reinforce knowledge learned the previous day. The subsequent intervals can be adjusted according to individual constraints.

    This method is flexible; if necessary, a session can be postponed a few days before or after the scheduled date without affecting long-term effectiveness. It is the principle of regular retrieval that is key here.

    The expansive schedule also has a considerable practical advantage in that it allows new information to be gradually integrated. For instance, new content can be introduced on D3, because no session on the initial content is scheduled for that day. Adding content gradually makes it possible to memorise large amounts of information in a lasting way without spending more time studying it.

    The other method is based on the Leitner box system. In this case, the length of interval before the next retrieval depends on the outcome of the attempt to retrieve information from memory. If the answer was easily retrieved, the next retrieval should happen in a week. If the answer was retrieved with difficulty, then three days need to elapse before the next test. If the answer could not be retrieved, the next test should take place the following day. With experience, you will be able to adjust these intervals and develop your own system.

    In short, effective and lasting learning not only requires that a certain amount of effort be made to retrieve information from memory, but a regular repetition of this process, at appropriate intervals, to thwart the process of forgetting.

    Émilie Gerbier ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possède pas de parts, ne reçoit pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’a déclaré aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche.

    – ref. Testing between intervals: a key to retaining information in long-term memory – https://theconversation.com/testing-between-intervals-a-key-to-retaining-information-in-long-term-memory-246511

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Alexander Novak: The entrepreneurship sector adapts to new challenges as quickly as possible

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The President and the Government of Russia pay great attention to the development of the SME sector. Over the past few years, its share in GDP has grown by several percent and, according to the latest data, is 21.7%. The key task is to ensure high-quality growth of the sector, an increase in the income of SME workers at a higher rate in relation to GDP growth. Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexander Novak said this during the plenary session “The Role of SMEs in Achieving New National Goals” of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum – 2025.

    According to him, small and medium-sized businesses have demonstrated better adaptation to new challenges and uncertainty compared to other sectors of the economy.

    “SMEs are better adapted to ensure the formation of new transport and logistics chains, to ensure the supply of goods for export and import, the production of necessary products within the framework of import substitution, within the framework of the goals that are set for infrastructural changes in our economy,” noted Alexander Novak.

    This was largely made possible by the successful implementation of the national project to support entrepreneurship: almost every second Russian is employed in SMEs.

    “One of the indicators of the national project was the growth of the number of entrepreneurs to 25 million people. In fact, according to the results of last year, statistics show that more than 29 million people are already working in this sector. This is about 40% of all those employed in the economy,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

    During his speech, Alexander Novak also outlined the current challenges facing SMEs. Firstly, this is a more active participation in achieving technological leadership and sovereignty, national goals for economic development. Secondly, in the context of historically low unemployment, increased labor productivity will not only resolve the issue of competition, but also increase the efficiency of the economy as a whole. Finally, active integration of digital technologies will allow more efficient solutions to be introduced into production processes.

    The updated support measures within the current federal project will facilitate business development. Their fine-tuning by the Ministry of Economic Development took into account the life cycle of small and medium-sized businesses.

    “For start-up businesses, these are microloans; it is planned to attract 1.6 trillion rubles by 2030. For mature companies, this is targeted provision of loans, umbrella guarantees of the SME Corporation. For businesses that are ready to enter the public market and attract investment, the state provides support in the form of subsidizing the costs of preparing for an IPO,” noted Alexander Novak, adding that the “traditional” business support infrastructure will also be developed: the digital platform “MSP.RF”, regional centers “My Business”, industrial and technology parks.

    The need for entrepreneurs to keep up with current business development trends and actively implement the practice of working on digital platforms was also confirmed by the Minister of Economic Development of Russia Maxim Reshetnikov.

    “The merger of the Growth Platform program and the My Business centers will allow entrepreneurs to be trained in modern trends. The world is changing so quickly that it is important to move forward, not to catch up,” the head of the Ministry of Economic Development emphasized.

    The session was also attended by the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Kingdom of Bahrain Abdullah Adel Abdullah Fakhro, the founder of Wildberries, head of RWB Tatyana Kim, the president of the All-Russian public organization of small and medium-sized businesses “Opora Rossii” Alexander Kalinin, entrepreneurs who shared their experience of doing business.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The first unmanned tram in Russia has been running along the streets of Moscow for a year now.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    During this time, the tram covered more than 5 thousand km and never violated traffic rules.

    Main test results:

    We integrated a neural network for recognizing objects using lidar data into the software.

    Improved interaction with infrastructure using V2X technology with traffic lights and turnouts.

    We have improved the motion control system for smooth and precise movement.

    We have improved software solutions for controlling turnouts via a secure communication channel.

    We have developed a new system to prevent wheel slippage during rain and snow.

    In 2024, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin launched the first unmanned tram in Russia in urban conditions. Our priority is the comfort and safety of travel. Therefore, specialists are improving existing systems and creating new ones. This autumn, innovative transport will begin regular trips along the route with passengers. Unmanned technologies are the future of urban transport, which will eventually become part of the daily life of Muscovites, added Maxim Liksutov.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The first driverless tram in Russia has been running through the streets of Moscow for one year now!

    Over this time, the tram has covered more than 5,000 kilometers without a single traffic violation.

    Key results of the trials:

    A neural network for object recognition into the software, using data from lidars was integrated.

    An interaction with infrastructure using V2X technology for communication with traffic lights and track switches was improved.

    The motion control system for smoother and more precise operation was refined.

    Software solutions for managing track switches via a secure communication channel were enhanced.

    A new system to prevent wheel slip during rain and snow was developed.

    In 2024, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin launched the first autonomous tram in Russia to operate in real city conditions. Our priority is the comfort and safety of every trip, which is why specialists are constantly improving existing systems and developing new ones. This fall, the innovative tram will begin regular passenger service on its route. Autonomous technologies are the future of urban transport. And soon, they’ll become a part of daily life for Muscovites, — added Maksim Liksutov.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SEC Announces Departure of David Saltiel

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that David Saltiel, who has served as Acting Director of the Division of Trading and Markets, will depart the agency effective July 4, 2025. He has served as Acting Director since December 2024, and he also did so for several months in 2021.

    “I want to thank David for his wise counsel since I became Chairman, and he has been a critical member of the Division’s leadership team for nearly a decade,” said Chairman Paul S. Atkins. “Throughout his career at the SEC, David’s steady leadership has clearly demonstrated his commitment to the core mission of the agency, the highest ethical standards, a dedication to rigorous data-driven policymaking, and a strategic mindset. David’s contributions have made our markets stronger. The SEC will lose an outstanding resource; nevertheless, I wish him the very best in his next pursuits.”

    “David’s reputation as a technical expert who cares deeply about investor protection and fair and orderly markets has been well-earned,” said Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw. “David has consistently been a source of well-researched, principled, and balanced insights for Commissioners.”

    Mr. Saltiel has made critical contributions to a wide range of policy issues including equity, fixed-income, Treasury, and derivatives market structure topics, key transparency and disclosure initiatives such as the recent amendments to Rule 605, efforts to ensure that investors are protected from market manipulation, fostering competition among trading and listing markets, and the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence by market participants. In addition, Mr. Saltiel has significantly enhanced the Commission’s ability to monitor the health and operations of markets, improved key data and analysis platforms, and worked tirelessly to more closely integrate empirical analysis into the Commission’s policymaking process. During his tenure, Mr. Saltiel was consistently recognized for his work, including with the Commission’s Excellence in Leadership Award in 2020.

    “David’s departure is a loss for the Commission, but he leaves the Division a legacy of culture and capabilities that will benefit our team for years to come. We are grateful and with him all the best,” said Jamie Selway, the newly appointed Director of the Division of Trading and Markets.

    “I want to thank Chairman Atkins, all the Commissioners, and my colleagues in the Division as well as across the SEC,” said Mr. Saltiel. “The staff in the Division are smart and dedicated people of integrity. It’s been an honor to work with them and learn from them. I will miss the interesting and critical work of the Commission.”

    In addition to his time serving as the Acting Director of the Division of Trading and Markets in 2025 and 2021, Mr. Saltiel served as a Deputy Director of the Division since November 2021 and Associate Director of the Division’s Office of Analytics and Research since 2016. Mr. Saltiel came to the SEC from the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board where he was that organization’s first Chief Economist. Prior to that, Mr. Saltiel has held roles in the public and private sector facilitating growth and innovation in capital markets and energy infrastructure.

    He received his undergraduate degree from Williams College and earned his master’s degree in economics from St. Antony’s College at the University of Oxford.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SEC Announces Departure of David Saltiel

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that David Saltiel, who has served as Acting Director of the Division of Trading and Markets, will depart the agency effective July 4, 2025. He has served as Acting Director since December 2024, and he also did so for several months in 2021.

    “I want to thank David for his wise counsel since I became Chairman, and he has been a critical member of the Division’s leadership team for nearly a decade,” said Chairman Paul S. Atkins. “Throughout his career at the SEC, David’s steady leadership has clearly demonstrated his commitment to the core mission of the agency, the highest ethical standards, a dedication to rigorous data-driven policymaking, and a strategic mindset. David’s contributions have made our markets stronger. The SEC will lose an outstanding resource; nevertheless, I wish him the very best in his next pursuits.”

    “David’s reputation as a technical expert who cares deeply about investor protection and fair and orderly markets has been well-earned,” said Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw. “David has consistently been a source of well-researched, principled, and balanced insights for Commissioners.”

    Mr. Saltiel has made critical contributions to a wide range of policy issues including equity, fixed-income, Treasury, and derivatives market structure topics, key transparency and disclosure initiatives such as the recent amendments to Rule 605, efforts to ensure that investors are protected from market manipulation, fostering competition among trading and listing markets, and the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence by market participants. In addition, Mr. Saltiel has significantly enhanced the Commission’s ability to monitor the health and operations of markets, improved key data and analysis platforms, and worked tirelessly to more closely integrate empirical analysis into the Commission’s policymaking process. During his tenure, Mr. Saltiel was consistently recognized for his work, including with the Commission’s Excellence in Leadership Award in 2020.

    “David’s departure is a loss for the Commission, but he leaves the Division a legacy of culture and capabilities that will benefit our team for years to come. We are grateful and with him all the best,” said Jamie Selway, the newly appointed Director of the Division of Trading and Markets.

    “I want to thank Chairman Atkins, all the Commissioners, and my colleagues in the Division as well as across the SEC,” said Mr. Saltiel. “The staff in the Division are smart and dedicated people of integrity. It’s been an honor to work with them and learn from them. I will miss the interesting and critical work of the Commission.”

    In addition to his time serving as the Acting Director of the Division of Trading and Markets in 2025 and 2021, Mr. Saltiel served as a Deputy Director of the Division since November 2021 and Associate Director of the Division’s Office of Analytics and Research since 2016. Mr. Saltiel came to the SEC from the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board where he was that organization’s first Chief Economist. Prior to that, Mr. Saltiel has held roles in the public and private sector facilitating growth and innovation in capital markets and energy infrastructure.

    He received his undergraduate degree from Williams College and earned his master’s degree in economics from St. Antony’s College at the University of Oxford.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: South Africa’s cricket team just made history: how the ‘chokers’ became world champions

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Mogammad Sharhidd Taliep, Associate Professor, Cape Peninsula University of Technology

    When Kyle Verreynne hit the winning runs at the “home of cricket” (Lord’s Cricket Ground in London) on 14 June, South Africa erupted in celebration. The Proteas had just claimed their first major cricket cup in history. And nothing less than the International Cricket Council World Test Championship at that, the premier international competition for five-day (test) cricket that’s played over two years.

    Branded as “chokers” for 26 years for underperforming or spoiling their advantage in crunch situations in major tournaments, the national men’s cricket team has transformed to become world champions.

    I’m a sport scientist with a focus on cricket. Research can help us understand how the Proteas have managed to do this and what core qualities of a winning team they’ve embodied on their way to turning things around.

    What is choking?

    The term “chokers” started being used to describe the Proteas team after the 1999 International Cricket Council Men’s Cricket World Cup semi-finals for games played over one day. The Proteas gave up a commanding position against Australia. This curse tormented them in high-stakes games, particularly world cups, where they often ended second best.

    In sports psychology, choking has been defined as:

    An acute and considerable decrease in skill execution and performance when self-expected standards are normally achievable, which is the result of increased anxiety under perceived pressure performance decline when highly motivated individuals are subjected to pressure.

    Anxiety disrupts a player’s automatic motor response, leading to poor decisions and inaccurate skill execution. This happens at critical moments of the game. And the aftermath of these continued inferior performances can lead to a long-lasting stigma.

    Proteas captain Temba Bavuma emphasised this in his match-winning speech:

    We have gone through the heartache, we have gone through the pain, seeing it with past players.

    Clutch performance

    The opposite to choking is clutch performance. This can be defined as improved or maintained performance under pressure. Some of the contributing characteristics of clutch performances are confidence, complete and deliberate focus, automatic movements, and the absence of negative thoughts.

    I believe the shift towards these clutch characteristics was the difference in the Proteas shrugging off their “choker” curse.

    What made the difference?

    Bavuma, in the post-match interview, recounted how teammate Aiden Markram embodied those clutch qualities, calmly telling Bavuma after every over:

    Lock in and give them nothing.

    In interviews Proteas coach Shukri Conrad stressed how calm the players were. He pointed out Markram and Bavuma for their poise and reliability under pressure, another defining trait of expert performers.

    Conrad emphasised the importance of removing distraction by telling them to “play the conditions” and not the situation. This allows players to focus on the moment and not be overwhelmed by the broader context of the match.

    The calm and composed demeanour of Bavuma and Markram as they prepared to face the barrage of deliveries during their match-defining partnership also relates to a phenomenon scientists refer to as the “quiet eye”.



    Read more:
    What is cricket’s World Test Championship and how did Australia qualify for the final?

    The quiet eye is the period of visual fixation or visual tracking of the body cues of the bowler and the early ball flight trajectory before the execution of a motor task. It’s been associated with superior performance under pressure.

    Bavuma and Markram were able to sustain long periods of quiet eye while processing critical information from the bowlers’ action and early ball path, while remaining focused on task-relevant cues, all the while blocking out anxiety-related distractions.

    Conrad succeeded because he was able to combine cultural wisdom and emotional intelligence to truly transform the psychology and ability of the Proteas team.

    His philosophy of selection, “character first then matching up the skill”, pays tribute to his vision of peaking when it counts – a quality lacking in Proteas teams of the past.

    When Conrad was first appointed as Proteas coach, he made two big decisions. He selected Bavuma as captain and he recalled a struggling test batter, Markram. Conrad explained:

    Obviously Temba, a quiet leader, leads from the back, but certainly from the front with the bat … Aiden Markram was always going to be my opening bat. He always delivers on the big stage.

    The vision of Conrad to appoint Bavuma captain has resulted in a record 10 successive test wins. In the winning match Bavuma led from the front and held firm. He was up to the task with the bat, and despite suffering a hamstring injury during the game, was able to join forces with Markram in the fourth innings to set up a match-winning third wicket partnership of 143 runs.

    Three of the most experienced players for South Africa in test matches, Bavuma, Markram and Kagiso Rabada, stood out as true champions in this final. Markram scored a match-winning 136 runs in the fourth innings, while Rabada laid the foundation for victory by taking a decisive nine wickets.



    Read more:
    T20 World Cup: South Africa reached its first final ever – but staying at the top will take a rethink of junior cricket

    For the first time in 26 years, the senior Proteas players all stepped up when it mattered most to secure a world championship. Conrad bore testimony to this in the post-match interview:

    When our two senior pros in Aiden and Temba put that big stand together, I felt that is obviously where the game was won for us.

    The Proteas’ victory on 14 June 2025 lifted a 26-year choker curse. With the visionary leadership of Conrad and the composed stewardship of Bavuma, the Proteas revealed that mental clarity, cultural cohesion, and emotional intelligence were key to their success. The “chokers” tag is buried beneath the turf of the “home of cricket”.

    Mogammad Sharhidd Taliep 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. South Africa’s cricket team just made history: how the ‘chokers’ became world champions – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-cricket-team-just-made-history-how-the-chokers-became-world-champions-259167

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: South Africa’s cricket team just made history: how the ‘chokers’ became world champions

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Mogammad Sharhidd Taliep, Associate Professor, Cape Peninsula University of Technology

    When Kyle Verreynne hit the winning runs at the “home of cricket” (Lord’s Cricket Ground in London) on 14 June, South Africa erupted in celebration. The Proteas had just claimed their first major cricket cup in history. And nothing less than the International Cricket Council World Test Championship at that, the premier international competition for five-day (test) cricket that’s played over two years.

    Branded as “chokers” for 26 years for underperforming or spoiling their advantage in crunch situations in major tournaments, the national men’s cricket team has transformed to become world champions.

    I’m a sport scientist with a focus on cricket. Research can help us understand how the Proteas have managed to do this and what core qualities of a winning team they’ve embodied on their way to turning things around.

    What is choking?

    The term “chokers” started being used to describe the Proteas team after the 1999 International Cricket Council Men’s Cricket World Cup semi-finals for games played over one day. The Proteas gave up a commanding position against Australia. This curse tormented them in high-stakes games, particularly world cups, where they often ended second best.

    In sports psychology, choking has been defined as:

    An acute and considerable decrease in skill execution and performance when self-expected standards are normally achievable, which is the result of increased anxiety under perceived pressure performance decline when highly motivated individuals are subjected to pressure.

    Anxiety disrupts a player’s automatic motor response, leading to poor decisions and inaccurate skill execution. This happens at critical moments of the game. And the aftermath of these continued inferior performances can lead to a long-lasting stigma.

    Proteas captain Temba Bavuma emphasised this in his match-winning speech:

    We have gone through the heartache, we have gone through the pain, seeing it with past players.

    Clutch performance

    The opposite to choking is clutch performance. This can be defined as improved or maintained performance under pressure. Some of the contributing characteristics of clutch performances are confidence, complete and deliberate focus, automatic movements, and the absence of negative thoughts.

    I believe the shift towards these clutch characteristics was the difference in the Proteas shrugging off their “choker” curse.

    What made the difference?

    Bavuma, in the post-match interview, recounted how teammate Aiden Markram embodied those clutch qualities, calmly telling Bavuma after every over:

    Lock in and give them nothing.

    In interviews Proteas coach Shukri Conrad stressed how calm the players were. He pointed out Markram and Bavuma for their poise and reliability under pressure, another defining trait of expert performers.

    Conrad emphasised the importance of removing distraction by telling them to “play the conditions” and not the situation. This allows players to focus on the moment and not be overwhelmed by the broader context of the match.

    The calm and composed demeanour of Bavuma and Markram as they prepared to face the barrage of deliveries during their match-defining partnership also relates to a phenomenon scientists refer to as the “quiet eye”.



    Read more:
    What is cricket’s World Test Championship and how did Australia qualify for the final?

    The quiet eye is the period of visual fixation or visual tracking of the body cues of the bowler and the early ball flight trajectory before the execution of a motor task. It’s been associated with superior performance under pressure.

    Bavuma and Markram were able to sustain long periods of quiet eye while processing critical information from the bowlers’ action and early ball path, while remaining focused on task-relevant cues, all the while blocking out anxiety-related distractions.

    Conrad succeeded because he was able to combine cultural wisdom and emotional intelligence to truly transform the psychology and ability of the Proteas team.

    His philosophy of selection, “character first then matching up the skill”, pays tribute to his vision of peaking when it counts – a quality lacking in Proteas teams of the past.

    When Conrad was first appointed as Proteas coach, he made two big decisions. He selected Bavuma as captain and he recalled a struggling test batter, Markram. Conrad explained:

    Obviously Temba, a quiet leader, leads from the back, but certainly from the front with the bat … Aiden Markram was always going to be my opening bat. He always delivers on the big stage.

    The vision of Conrad to appoint Bavuma captain has resulted in a record 10 successive test wins. In the winning match Bavuma led from the front and held firm. He was up to the task with the bat, and despite suffering a hamstring injury during the game, was able to join forces with Markram in the fourth innings to set up a match-winning third wicket partnership of 143 runs.

    Three of the most experienced players for South Africa in test matches, Bavuma, Markram and Kagiso Rabada, stood out as true champions in this final. Markram scored a match-winning 136 runs in the fourth innings, while Rabada laid the foundation for victory by taking a decisive nine wickets.



    Read more:
    T20 World Cup: South Africa reached its first final ever – but staying at the top will take a rethink of junior cricket

    For the first time in 26 years, the senior Proteas players all stepped up when it mattered most to secure a world championship. Conrad bore testimony to this in the post-match interview:

    When our two senior pros in Aiden and Temba put that big stand together, I felt that is obviously where the game was won for us.

    The Proteas’ victory on 14 June 2025 lifted a 26-year choker curse. With the visionary leadership of Conrad and the composed stewardship of Bavuma, the Proteas revealed that mental clarity, cultural cohesion, and emotional intelligence were key to their success. The “chokers” tag is buried beneath the turf of the “home of cricket”.

    Mogammad Sharhidd Taliep 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. South Africa’s cricket team just made history: how the ‘chokers’ became world champions – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-cricket-team-just-made-history-how-the-chokers-became-world-champions-259167

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: G20 countries could produce enough renewable energy for the whole world – what needs to happen

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Sven Teske, Prof. Dr. | Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney

    The world’s most developed economies have also burnt the most oil and coal (fossil fuels) over the years, causing the most climate change damage. Preventing further climate change means a global fossil fuel phase-out must happen by 2050. Climate change mitigation scientists Sven Teske and Saori Miyake analysed the potential for renewable energy in each of the G20 countries. They concluded that the G20 is in a position to generate enough renewable energy to supply the world. For African countries to benefit, they must adopt long term renewable energy plans and policies and secure finance from G20 countries to set up renewable energy systems.

    Why is the G20 so important in efforts to limit global warming?

    The G20 group accounts for 67% of the world’s population, 85% of global gross domestic product, and 75% of global trade. The member states are the G7 (the US, Japan, Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Canada), plus Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Russia, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.

    We wanted to find out how G20 member states could limit global warming. Our study examined the solar and wind potential for each of G20 member countries (the available land and solar and wind conditions). We then compared this with projected electricity demands for 2050. This is, to our knowledge, the first research of its kind.



    Read more:
    G20 is too elite. There’s a way to fix that though – economists

    We found that the potential for renewable energy in G20 countries is very high – enough to supply the projected 2050 electricity demand for the whole world. They have 33.6 million km² of land on which solar energy projects could be set up, or 31.1 million km² of land on which wind energy projects could be set up.

    This potential varies by geography. Not all G20 countries have the same conditions for generating solar and wind energy, but collectively, the G20 countries have enough renewable energy potential to supply the world’s energy needs.

    But for the G20 countries to limit global warming, they also need to stop emitting greenhouse gases. Recent figures show that the G20 countries were responsible for generating 87% of all energy-related carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming.

    On the other hand, African Union countries (apart from South Africa, which is a high greenhouse gas emitter), were responsible for only 1.2% of the global total historical emissions until 2020.

    The G20 countries with the highest renewable energy potential (especially Australia and Canada) are major exporters of the fossil fuels that cause global warming. Along with every other country in the world, the G20 nations will need to end their human-caused carbon emissions by 2050 to prevent further climate change.

    Where does Africa fit into the picture?

    African countries cannot set up new electricity plants based on burning fossil fuels, like coal. If they do that, the world will never end human-caused greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The continent must generate electricity for the 600 million Africans who do not currently have it but will need to move straight past fossil fuels and into renewable energy.

    For this, Africa will need finance. The African Union hosts the G20 summit later this year. This meeting begins just after the world’s annual climate change conference (now in its 30th year and known as COP30). These two summits will give Africa the chance to lobby for renewable energy funding from wealthier nations.

    Africa already has the conditions needed to move straight into renewable energy. The continent could be generating an amount of solar and wind power that far exceeds its projected demand for electricity between now and 2050.

    We are launching an additional analysis of the solar and wind potential of the entire African continent in Bonn, Germany on 19 June 2025 at a United Nations conference. This shows that only 3% of Africa’s solar and wind potential needs to be converted to real projects to supply Africa’s future electricity demand.



    Read more:
    Africa’s power pools: what the G20 can do to help countries share electricity

    This means that Africa has great untapped potential to supply the required energy for its transition to a middle-income continent – one of the African Union’s goals in Agenda 2063, its 50 year plan.

    But to secure enough finance for the continent to build renewable energy systems, African countries need long-term energy policies. These are currently lacking.

    So what needs to be done?

    The countries who signed up to the 2015 international climate change treaty (the Paris Agreement) have committed to replacing polluting forms of energy such as coal, fuelwood and oil with renewable energy.

    South Africa, through its G20 presidency, must encourage G20 nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and support renewable energy investment in Africa.



    Read more:
    Fossil fuels are still subsidised: G20 could push for the funds to be shifted to cleaner energy

    Because financing the global energy transition is already high on the priority list of most countries, South Africa should push for change on three fronts: finance, sound regulations and manufacturing capacity for renewable technologies. These are the among the main obstacles for renewables, particularly in Africa.

    Finance: Financing the energy transition is among the highest priorities for COP30. Therefore, the COP30 meeting will be an opportunity for the African Union to negotiate finance for its renewable energy infrastructure needs.

    For this, fair and just carbon budgets are vital. A carbon budget sets out how much carbon dioxide can still be emitted in order for the global temperature not to rise more than 2°C higher than it was before the 1760 industrial revolution.

    A global carbon budget (the amount of emissions the whole world is allowed) has been calculated, but it needs to be divided up fairly so that countries that have polluted most are compelled to limit this.

    To divide the global carbon budget fairly, energy pathways need to be developed urgently that consider:

    • future developments of population and economic growth

    • current energy supply systems

    • transition times for decarbonisation

    • local renewable energy resources.

    The G20 platform should be used to lobby for fair and just carbon budgets.



    Read more:
    Wealthy nations owe climate debt to Africa – funds that could help cities grow

    Sound regulations that support the setting up of new factories: Governments must put policies in place to support African solar and wind companies. These are needed to win the trust of investors to invest in a future multi-billion dollar industry. Long-term, transparent regulations are needed too.

    These regulations should:

    • say exactly how building permits for solar and wind power plants will be granted

    • prioritise linking renewable energy plants to national electricity grids

    • release standard technical specifications for stand-alone grids to make sure they’re all of the same quality.

    Taking steps now to speed up big renewable energy industries could mean that African countries end up with more energy than they need. This can be exported and increase financial income for countries.

    Sven Teske receives funding from the European Climate Foundation and Power Shift Africa (PSA).

    Saori Miyake receives funding from European Climate Foundation and Power Shift Africa.

    – ref. G20 countries could produce enough renewable energy for the whole world – what needs to happen – https://theconversation.com/g20-countries-could-produce-enough-renewable-energy-for-the-whole-world-what-needs-to-happen-258463

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Southeast Asian nations look to hedge their way out of troubled waters in the South China Sea

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By John Rennie Short, Professor Emeritus of Public Policy, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

    A Philippine coast guard vessel patrols near Pagasa, part of the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea. Daniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty Images

    The South China Sea has long been a bubbling geopolitical hot spot. Recently, a series of moves by the various nations claiming a stake in the waters has stirred up yet more trouble.

    Malaysia has of late reaffirmed its commitment to oil and gas exploration in waters claimed by China while quietly building up its military on the islands off Borneo.

    Meanwhile, Chinese coast guard vessels have deployed water cannons against Filipino fishing boats. And the accidental grounding of a Chinese boat in shallow waters around the Philippines’ Thitu Island on June 8, 2025, was enough to put Filipino forces on alert.

    Vietnam, too, has been active in the disputed waters. A Beijing-based think tank on June 7 flagged that Vietnamese engineers had been busy reclaiming land and installing military-related ports and airstrips around the Spratly Islands.

    What the three Southeast Asian nations of Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia have in common is that they, along with others in the region, are trying to navigate a more assertive China at a time when the U.S. policy intentions under the second Trump Administration are fluid and hard to read. And in lieu of a coordinated response from the regional body Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, each member nation has been busy charting its course in these choppy waters.

    US-China relations all at sea

    Why is China trying to assert control in the South China Sea? In a 2023 speech, President Xi Jinping noted that “Western countries led by the United States have implemented all round containment, encirclement and suppression of China.”

    This fear has been long held in Beijing and was reinforced by a U.S. Indo-Pacific policy announced in 2011 of rebalancing military forces away from Europe and toward Asia to confront China.

    In response, China has in recent years embarked on an ambitious policy of attempting to outmuscle U.S. naval power in the South China Sea.

    China is now the world’s leading builder of naval vessels and is estimated to have 440 battleships by 2030, compared with the United States’ 300.

    And it comes at a time when U.S. naval power is spread around the world. China’s, meanwhile, is concentrated around the South China Sea where, since 2013, Chinese vessels have pumped sand onto reefs, turning them into islands and then weaponizing them.

    Satellite imagery shows the Fiery Cross Reef in the South China Sea, part of the Spratly Islands group, being built by Chinese dredges.
    Maxar via Getty Images

    Then there is the activity of China’s maritime militia of approximately 300 nominally fishing boats equipped with water cannons and reinforced hulls for ramming. This so-called gray zone fleet is increasingly active in confronting Southeast Asia nations at sea.

    The U.S. response to China’s militarization in the sea has been through so-called “freedom of navigation” exercises that often deploy carrier groups in a show of force. But these episodic displays are more performative than effective, doing little to deter China’s claims.

    The U.S. has also strengthened military alliances with Australia, India, Japan and the Philippines, and has increased coast guard cooperation with the Philippines and Japan.

    A fleet from the U.S. Navy patrolling the Pacific Ocean.
    Sean M. Castellano US Navy via Getty Images

    The sea is a valuable resource

    Yet the battle over control of the South China Seas is more than just geopolitical posturing between the two superpowers.

    For adjoining countries, the sea is a valuable biological resource with rich fishing grounds that provide a staple of fish protein for close to 2 billion people. There are estimates of 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 11 billion barrels of oil.

    The U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS, guarantees a nation an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 200 nautical miles from around its coastline.

    China is a signatory of the UNCLOS. Yet it views ownership of the South China Sea through the lens of its nine-dash line, a reference to the boundary line that Beijing has invoked since 1948. While the claim has no legal or historical basis, the delineation makes major incursions into waters around Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia and, to a lesser extent, Brunei and Indonesia as well.

    Despite China’s expansive claim to the South China Sea being dismissed in 2016 by the international Permanent Court of Arbitration, Beijing continues to assert its claim.

    Hedging positions

    As I explore in my recent book “Hedging and Conflict in the South China Sea,” part of the problem Southeast Asian nations face is that they have failed to forge a unified position.

    ASEAN, the regional bloc representing 10 nations in Southeast Asia, has long been governed by the principle that major decisions need unanimous agreement. China is a major trading partner to ASEAN nations, so any regional country aligning too close to the U.S. comes with the real risk of economic consequences. And two ASEAN members, Cambodia and Laos, are especially close to China, making it difficult to generate a unified ASEAN policy that confronts China’s maritime claim.

    Instead, ASEAN has promoted a regional code of conduct that effectively legitimizes China’s maritime claims, fails to mention the 2016 ruling and ignores the issue of conflicting claims.

    Further complicating a united front against China is the competing claims among ASEAN nations themselves to disputed islands in the South China Sea.

    In lieu of a coordinated response, Southeast Asian nations have instead turned to hedging — that is, maintaining good relationships with both China and the U.S. without fully committing to one or other.

    A balancing act for Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines

    Malaysia’s approach sees its government partition off the South China Sea dispute from its overall bilateral ties with China while continuing to promote an ASEAN code of conduct.

    Until recently, Malaysia’s oil and gas activities were well within Malaysia’s EEZ and not far enough out to fall into China’s nine-dash claim.

    But as these close-to-shore fields become exhausted, subsequent exploration will need to extend outward and into China’s nine-dash claim, putting Malaysia’s dealings with China under pressure.

    China’s nine-dash line claims a significant amount of Vietnam’s EEZ, and the contested maritime area is a source of friction between the two countries; China’s maritime militia regularly harasses Vietnamese fishermen and disrupts drilling operations in Vietnam’s EEZ .

    But Vietnam has to tread carefully. China plays a significant role in the Vietnamese economy as a major destination of exports and an important provider of foreign investment. China also has the ability to dam the Mekong River upstream of Vietnam — something that would disrupt agricultural production.

    As a result, Vietnam’s hedging involves a careful calibration to avoid angering China. However, part of Vietnam’s heavy hedging involves the promotion of the South China Sea dispute as a core issue for domestic public opinion, which limits the Vietnamese government’s ability to offer concessions to China.

    A Philippine coast guard ship and fishing boats are seen in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, on May 26, 2025.
    Daniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty ImagesDaniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty Images

    China’s nine-dash claim also includes a wide swath of the Philippines’ EEZ.

    The Philippines has zigzagged in its dealings with China. The presidencies of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2001–2010) and Rodrigo Duterte (2016-2022) pursued a pro-China tack that downplayed Filipino claims in the South China Sea. Presidents Benigno Aquino (2010-2016) and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (2022-present), in contrast, have given U.S. forces greater access to its maritime bases and mobilized national and international opinion in favor of its claims.

    Since coming to power, Marcos has also pursued even closer naval ties with the U.S.. But this has come at a cost: China now views the Philippines as a U.S. ally. As such, Beijing sees little to be gained by pulling back from its assertive activity in and around its waters.

    The future

    In the shadow of two major powers battling for power in the South China Sea, Southeast Asian nations are making the best of their position along a geopolitical fracture line by advancing their claims and interests while not overly antagonizing a more assertive China or losing the support of the U.S.

    This may work to tamp down tensions in the South China Sea. But it is a fluid approach not without risk, and it could yet prove to be another source of instability in a geopolitically contested and dangerous region.

    John Rennie Short received funding from Fulbright Foundation

    – ref. Southeast Asian nations look to hedge their way out of troubled waters in the South China Sea – https://theconversation.com/southeast-asian-nations-look-to-hedge-their-way-out-of-troubled-waters-in-the-south-china-sea-257092

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Iran’s long history of revolution, defiance and outside interference – and why its future is so uncertain

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University; and Vice Chancellor’s Strategic Fellow, Victoria University

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gone beyond his initial aim of destroying Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons. He has called on the Iranian people to rise up against their dictatorial Islamic regime and ostensibly transform Iran along the lines of Israeli interests.

    United States President Donald Trump is now weighing possible military action in support of Netanyahu’s goal and asked for Iran’s total surrender.

    If the US does get involved, it wouldn’t be the first time it’s tried to instigate regime change by military means in the Middle East. The US invaded Iraq in 2003 and backed a NATO operation in Libya in 2011, toppling the regimes of Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi, respectively.

    In both cases, the interventions backfired, causing long-term instability in both countries and in the broader region.

    Could the same thing happen in Iran if the regime is overthrown?

    As I describe in my book, Iran Rising: The Survival and Future of the Islamic Republic, Iran is a pluralist society with a complex history of rival groups trying to assert their authority. A democratic transition would be difficult to achieve.

    The overthrow of the shah

    The Iranian Islamic regime assumed power in the wake of the pro-democracy popular uprising of 1978–79, which toppled Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi’s pro-Western monarchy.

    Until this moment, Iran had a long history of monarchical rule dating back 2,500 years. Mohammad Reza, the last shah, was the head of the Pahlavi dynasty, which came to power in 1925.

    In 1953, the shah was forced into exile under the radical nationalist and reformist impulse of the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh. He was shortly returned to his throne through a CIA-orchestrated coup.

    Despite all his nationalist, pro-Western, modernising efforts, the shah could not shake off the indignity of having been re-throned with the help of a foreign power.

    The revolution against him 25 years later was spearheaded by pro-democracy elements. But it was made up of many groups, including liberalists, communists and Islamists, with no uniting leader.

    The Shia clerical group (ruhaniyat), led by the Shah’s religious and political opponent, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, proved to be best organised and capable of providing leadership to the revolution. Khomeini had been in exile from the early 1960s (at first in Iraq and later in France), yet he and his followers held considerable sway over the population, especially in traditional rural areas.

    When US President Jimmy Carter’s administration found it could no longer support the shah, he left the country and went into exile in January 1979. This enabled Khomeini to return to Iran to a tumultuous welcome.

    Birth of the Islamic Republic

    In the wake of the uprising, Khomeini and his supporters, including the current supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, abolished the monarchy and transformed Iran to a cleric-dominated Islamic Republic, with anti-US and anti-Israel postures. He ruled the country according to his unique vision of Islam.

    Khomeini denounced the US as a “Great Satan” and Israel as an illegal usurper of the Palestinian lands – Jerusalem, in particular. He also declared a foreign policy of “neither east, nor west” but pro-Islamic, and called for the spread of the Iranian revolution in the region.

    Khomeini not only changed Iran, but also challenged the US as the dominant force in shaping the regional order. And the US lost one of the most important pillars of its influence in the oil-rich and strategically important Persian Gulf region.

    Fear of hostile American or Israeli (or combined) actions against the Islamic Republic became the focus of Iran’s domestic and foreign policy behaviour.

    A new supreme leader takes power

    Khomeini died in 1989. His successor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ruled Iran largely in the same jihadi (combative) and ijtihadi (pragmatic) ways, steering the country through many domestic and foreign policy challenges.

    Khamenei fortified the regime with an emphasis on self-sufficiency, a stronger defence capability and a tilt towards the east – Russia and China – to counter the US and its allies. He has stood firm in opposition to the US and its allies – Israel, in particular. And he has shown flexibility when necessary to ensure the survival and continuity of the regime.

    Khamenei wields enormous constitutional power and spiritual authority.

    He has presided over the building of many rule-enforcing instruments of state power, including the expansion of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its paramilitary wing, the Basij, revolutionary committees, and Shia religious networks.

    The Shia concept of martyrdom and loyalty to Iran as a continuous sovereign country for centuries goes to the heart of his actions, as well as his followers.

    Khamenei and his rule enforcers, along with an elected president and National Assembly, are fully cognisant that if the regime goes down, they will face the same fate. As such, they cannot be expected to hoist the white flag and surrender to Israel and the US easily.

    However, in the event of the regime falling under the weight of a combined internal uprising and external pressure, it raises the question: what is the alternative?

    The return of the shah?

    Many Iranians are discontented with the regime, but there is no organised opposition under a nationally unifying leader.

    The son of the former shah, the crown prince Reza Pahlavi, has been gaining some popularity. He has been speaking out on X in the last few days, telling his fellow Iranians:

    The end of the Islamic Republic is the end of its 46-year war against the Iranian nation. The regime’s apparatus of repression is falling apart. All it takes now is a nationwide uprising to put an end to this nightmare once and for all.

    Since the deposition of his father, he has lived in exile in the US. As such, he has been tainted by his close association with Washington and Jerusalem, especially Netanyahu.

    If he were to return to power – likely through the assistance of the US – he would face the same problem of political legitimacy as his father did.

    What does the future hold?

    Iran has never had a long tradition of democracy. It experienced brief instances of liberalism in the first half of the 20th century, but every attempt at making it durable resulted in disarray and a return to authoritarian rule.

    Also, the country has rarely been free of outside interventionism, given its vast hydrocarbon riches and strategic location. It’s also been prone to internal fragmentation, given its ethnic and religious mix.

    The Shia Persians make up more than half of the population, but the country has a number of Sunni ethnic minorities, such as Kurds, Azaris, Balochis and Arabs. They have all had separatist tendencies.

    Iran has historically been held together by centralisation rather than diffusion of power.

    Should the Islamic regime disintegrate in one form or another, it would be an mistake to expect a smooth transfer of power or transition to democratisation within a unified national framework.

    At the same time, the Iranian people are highly cultured and creative, with a very rich and proud history of achievements and civilisation.

    They are perfectly capable of charting their own destiny as long as there aren’t self-seeking foreign hands in the process – something they have rarely experienced.

    Amin Saikal 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. Iran’s long history of revolution, defiance and outside interference – and why its future is so uncertain – https://theconversation.com/irans-long-history-of-revolution-defiance-and-outside-interference-and-why-its-future-is-so-uncertain-259270

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Iran’s long history of revolution, defiance and outside interference – and why its future is so uncertain

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University; and Vice Chancellor’s Strategic Fellow, Victoria University

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gone beyond his initial aim of destroying Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons. He has called on the Iranian people to rise up against their dictatorial Islamic regime and ostensibly transform Iran along the lines of Israeli interests.

    United States President Donald Trump is now weighing possible military action in support of Netanyahu’s goal and asked for Iran’s total surrender.

    If the US does get involved, it wouldn’t be the first time it’s tried to instigate regime change by military means in the Middle East. The US invaded Iraq in 2003 and backed a NATO operation in Libya in 2011, toppling the regimes of Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi, respectively.

    In both cases, the interventions backfired, causing long-term instability in both countries and in the broader region.

    Could the same thing happen in Iran if the regime is overthrown?

    As I describe in my book, Iran Rising: The Survival and Future of the Islamic Republic, Iran is a pluralist society with a complex history of rival groups trying to assert their authority. A democratic transition would be difficult to achieve.

    The overthrow of the shah

    The Iranian Islamic regime assumed power in the wake of the pro-democracy popular uprising of 1978–79, which toppled Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi’s pro-Western monarchy.

    Until this moment, Iran had a long history of monarchical rule dating back 2,500 years. Mohammad Reza, the last shah, was the head of the Pahlavi dynasty, which came to power in 1925.

    In 1953, the shah was forced into exile under the radical nationalist and reformist impulse of the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh. He was shortly returned to his throne through a CIA-orchestrated coup.

    Despite all his nationalist, pro-Western, modernising efforts, the shah could not shake off the indignity of having been re-throned with the help of a foreign power.

    The revolution against him 25 years later was spearheaded by pro-democracy elements. But it was made up of many groups, including liberalists, communists and Islamists, with no uniting leader.

    The Shia clerical group (ruhaniyat), led by the Shah’s religious and political opponent, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, proved to be best organised and capable of providing leadership to the revolution. Khomeini had been in exile from the early 1960s (at first in Iraq and later in France), yet he and his followers held considerable sway over the population, especially in traditional rural areas.

    When US President Jimmy Carter’s administration found it could no longer support the shah, he left the country and went into exile in January 1979. This enabled Khomeini to return to Iran to a tumultuous welcome.

    Birth of the Islamic Republic

    In the wake of the uprising, Khomeini and his supporters, including the current supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, abolished the monarchy and transformed Iran to a cleric-dominated Islamic Republic, with anti-US and anti-Israel postures. He ruled the country according to his unique vision of Islam.

    Khomeini denounced the US as a “Great Satan” and Israel as an illegal usurper of the Palestinian lands – Jerusalem, in particular. He also declared a foreign policy of “neither east, nor west” but pro-Islamic, and called for the spread of the Iranian revolution in the region.

    Khomeini not only changed Iran, but also challenged the US as the dominant force in shaping the regional order. And the US lost one of the most important pillars of its influence in the oil-rich and strategically important Persian Gulf region.

    Fear of hostile American or Israeli (or combined) actions against the Islamic Republic became the focus of Iran’s domestic and foreign policy behaviour.

    A new supreme leader takes power

    Khomeini died in 1989. His successor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ruled Iran largely in the same jihadi (combative) and ijtihadi (pragmatic) ways, steering the country through many domestic and foreign policy challenges.

    Khamenei fortified the regime with an emphasis on self-sufficiency, a stronger defence capability and a tilt towards the east – Russia and China – to counter the US and its allies. He has stood firm in opposition to the US and its allies – Israel, in particular. And he has shown flexibility when necessary to ensure the survival and continuity of the regime.

    Khamenei wields enormous constitutional power and spiritual authority.

    He has presided over the building of many rule-enforcing instruments of state power, including the expansion of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its paramilitary wing, the Basij, revolutionary committees, and Shia religious networks.

    The Shia concept of martyrdom and loyalty to Iran as a continuous sovereign country for centuries goes to the heart of his actions, as well as his followers.

    Khamenei and his rule enforcers, along with an elected president and National Assembly, are fully cognisant that if the regime goes down, they will face the same fate. As such, they cannot be expected to hoist the white flag and surrender to Israel and the US easily.

    However, in the event of the regime falling under the weight of a combined internal uprising and external pressure, it raises the question: what is the alternative?

    The return of the shah?

    Many Iranians are discontented with the regime, but there is no organised opposition under a nationally unifying leader.

    The son of the former shah, the crown prince Reza Pahlavi, has been gaining some popularity. He has been speaking out on X in the last few days, telling his fellow Iranians:

    The end of the Islamic Republic is the end of its 46-year war against the Iranian nation. The regime’s apparatus of repression is falling apart. All it takes now is a nationwide uprising to put an end to this nightmare once and for all.

    Since the deposition of his father, he has lived in exile in the US. As such, he has been tainted by his close association with Washington and Jerusalem, especially Netanyahu.

    If he were to return to power – likely through the assistance of the US – he would face the same problem of political legitimacy as his father did.

    What does the future hold?

    Iran has never had a long tradition of democracy. It experienced brief instances of liberalism in the first half of the 20th century, but every attempt at making it durable resulted in disarray and a return to authoritarian rule.

    Also, the country has rarely been free of outside interventionism, given its vast hydrocarbon riches and strategic location. It’s also been prone to internal fragmentation, given its ethnic and religious mix.

    The Shia Persians make up more than half of the population, but the country has a number of Sunni ethnic minorities, such as Kurds, Azaris, Balochis and Arabs. They have all had separatist tendencies.

    Iran has historically been held together by centralisation rather than diffusion of power.

    Should the Islamic regime disintegrate in one form or another, it would be an mistake to expect a smooth transfer of power or transition to democratisation within a unified national framework.

    At the same time, the Iranian people are highly cultured and creative, with a very rich and proud history of achievements and civilisation.

    They are perfectly capable of charting their own destiny as long as there aren’t self-seeking foreign hands in the process – something they have rarely experienced.

    Amin Saikal 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. Iran’s long history of revolution, defiance and outside interference – and why its future is so uncertain – https://theconversation.com/irans-long-history-of-revolution-defiance-and-outside-interference-and-why-its-future-is-so-uncertain-259270

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI China: China activates emergency response to flooding in 5 provinces

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

    BEIJING, June 18 — China’s State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Wednesday launched a Level-IV emergency response to flooding in Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Chongqing and Guizhou, as these regions brace for a new round of torrential rainfall.

    Three work teams have been dispatched to key areas to assist with flood prevention and relief efforts, according to the headquarters.

    China’s National Meteorological Center on Wednesday renewed a yellow alert for rainstorms, as heavy downpours are expected to lash parts of the country.

    From 8:00 p.m. Wednesday to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, heavy rains and storms are expected to lash parts of Guizhou, Sichuan, Chongqing, Guangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Henan, Hebei, Shandong, Tianjin and Liaoning. Some regions may see rainfall of 100 to 180 millimeters.

    Local authorities have been urged to step up inspections and implement risk mitigation measures in key areas, including zones vulnerable to mountain floods, regions prone to geological disasters, and low-lying urban and rural areas susceptible to waterlogging. They have also been asked to issue timely warnings and carry out evacuations if necessary.

    China has a four-tier emergency response system for flood control, with Level I being the most severe.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: The Sciences Po Summer School has officially begun!

    Source: Universities – Science Po in English

    The Sciences Po Summer School opened its doors for its 14th edition on our Paris campus! This summer, Sciences Po is welcoming over 900 students from around the world, with a session in June and a second session in July.

    The University Programme

       Credits: Annie for the Summer School

    The University Programme began on 2 June with a sunny orientation day. Just over 150 students have joined for the June session. Participants will study an intensive course for 4 weeks, in either social sciences or French as a foreign language. Courses in social sciences are offered by faculty members of Sciences Po, researchers and experts in their respective fields. The topics range from global challenges on inequality, through the course Tackling Inequality and Social Risks: A Global Perspective, diplomacy, with the course Diplomacy in Times of Global Crises: Theory & Practice, digital challenges on politicisation, with the course Internet & Politics, and major international challenges, through the course World Politics.

    42 nationalities are represented in the June cohort, and 35 students are supported by programmes with partner universities, namely the organisation Pour le Brésil, the Mastercard Foundation, and the Professional Certificate for Young Refugees. 

    A Custom Programme

       Credits: Annie for the Summer School

    On 10 June, we welcomed 200 students from ESADE Business and Law School for our annual custom programme. These students, with an average age of 19, will spend 2 weeks on our Paris campus studying public international law and European law, with members of Sciences Po’s faculty and a team of young researchers specialized in these areas. 

    Like each programme held at the Summer School, before embarking on a programme of intensive study, the students were able to enjoy a river cruise on the Seine, under a bright blue and sunny sky!

    Pre-College Programmes

    Finally, the Pre-College Programmes kicked off on 16 June with an online programme centred on the risks and regulations of artificial intelligence and new technologies. This innovative programme has welcomed 14 high school students from 11 countries, with an average age of 16, to explore global questions and the regulatory challenges related to new technologies as well as the corresponding law and policy development processes, both from a practical and theoretical perspective.

    The theoretical teachings within the framework of these programmes are supplemented by simulation sessions which allow students to develop their analytical comprehension of the issues, while also gaining practical negotiation skills.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Griffin Park showcases skills to ONR guests

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Griffin Park showcases skills to ONR guests

    The new Chair of the nuclear industry regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), enjoyed a visit to Griffin Park last week.

    Superintendent Keith McCarthy, Paul Dicks, Dr Nicola Crauford and Chief Superintendent Shree Owen at Griffin Park.

    Dr Nicola Crauford, who was appointed as Chair on 1 March 2025, was introduced to the training division and, along with colleagues Gary Cook, Paul Dicks and Martin Burgess, treated to a demonstration of CNC’s capabilities in the live fire tactical training area. 

    Chief Superintendent Sheree Owen, head of training, said: “We were delighted to be approached by ONR to host Nicki and her colleagues and to make the most of an opportunity to showcase our skills and facilities. Building relationships and increasing stakeholder understanding of how we work is always time well spent. 

    “I would like to thank all those involved in making the visit so successful, especially the NFIs and the officers from Sellafield OPU who facilitated the capability demonstration.” 

    Dr Nicola Crauford, the Office for Nuclear Regulation’s Chair, said: “I’d like to thank the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) for this fascinating and informative visit. It provided a very useful understanding of the important role the CNC provides in keeping the nuclear sector safe.” 

    The ONR is the UK’s independent nuclear regulator for safety and security. It regulates nuclear safety, nuclear security and conventional health and safety at the 36 licensed nuclear sites in Great Britain. This includes ensuring the adequacy of security arrangements for dealing with special nuclear material and special nuclear information within the civil nuclear industry as well as the safety and security of the transport of civil nuclear and radioactive materials.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: Preparations for construction of Mariupol bypass have begun in the DPR

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Construction of a bypass road around the city of Mariupol.

    In order to form a single backbone network of Russian highways and develop the federal highway R-280 “Novorossiya” in the Donetsk People’s Republic, it is planned to build a bypass road around the city of Mariupol. At present, a contract has been signed and specialists have begun preparatory work, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin reported.

    “The federal highway R-280 “Novorossiya” is one of the important directions of the south of the country. It is part of the Azov Transport Ring. Last year, the highway began to be expanded in stages. And from the border of the Rostov region to Mariupol – this is 37 km – it became a completely four-lane. Now they are expanding new sections with a length of about 70 km – from Mariupol to the border with the Zaporozhye region and further to Berdyansk. Preparatory work has also begun as part of the construction of a bypass road around Mariupol with a length of more than 30 km. It will not only increase the throughput capacity threefold – up to 40 thousand cars per day, but also significantly reduce travel time. In addition, the quality of life of local residents will improve due to a decrease in noise and pollution levels,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    The Deputy Prime Minister added that the Mariupol bypass project envisages the construction of 6 multi-level interchanges, 14 overpasses and three bridges. For traffic safety, oncoming traffic flows will be separated by a barrier fence, and outdoor electric lighting is planned along the entire route. The construction of the facility is planned to be completed by the end of 2028.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Technological repatriation scenarios discussed at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Denis Manturov took part in the panel session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum “Scenarios of Technological Repatriation: the Role and Place of Foreign Companies in the Russian Market.”

    In 2022, a number of foreign companies from unfriendly countries unilaterally terminated cooperation with Russian partners, demonstrating their unreliability as business counterparties. At the same time, as Denis Manturov noted, many of them made investments before their departure and left the enterprises in an intermediate stage of localization.

    “Not all foreign investors have made so-called smart investments by investing in the creation of R

    In particular, this affected the packaging segment. The largest manufacturer left the Russian market, which caused interruptions in the supply of thick cardboard and special paints. As Denis Manturov emphasized, the industry managed to ensure import substitution of these products, meeting all consumer demands and simultaneously allowing a number of companies from other industries to gain new competencies.

    “Today we can say that our management is able to cope with the most difficult challenges and tasks in terms of import substitution. Therefore, in the future, of course, we must be guided by at least several principles of doing business with foreign investors. At the same time, we are definitely not refusing foreign investments. But, as I have already said, it is necessary for these investments to be smart. So that these are investments not just in the creation of capacities, but first of all in the creation of new technological competencies in those areas that still require additional development and investments,” Denis Manturov emphasized.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local support you can find on the Local Offer!

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    We have taken on board valuable feedback received from families with children and young people with SEND and created a section on the website for local support available to families.

    Support for young people | Wolverhampton SEND Local Offer
    Support for parents/carers | Wolverhampton SEND Local Offer
    Autism and ADHD assessment and diagnosis | Wolverhampton SEND Local Offer

    Parents and carers have shared that these pages are ‘ helpful, useful and definitely worth looking at for seeking advice, joining a support group or finding a service they can speak to.
     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Transport Secretary draws line under HS2 ‘mismanagement’ with bold reset plan

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Transport Secretary draws line under HS2 ‘mismanagement’ with bold reset plan

    All recommendations from the James Stewart review into HS2 to be accepted by government as Mike Brown takes over as HS2 Ltd Chair.

    • report reveals historic mishandling, lack of ministerial oversight and inadequate control of the project from HS2 Ltd
    • all recommendations to be accepted to grip failing HS2 project and get it back on track
    • new HS2 Ltd Chair Mike Brown appointed as progress made on resetting project

    The Transport Secretary has today (18 June 2025) announced that she will accept all recommendations from the landmark James Stewart review to address years of mismanagement and restore public trust in HS2.

    First commissioned by the government in October last year, the report sets out evidence of the historic mishandling of HS2 including a lack of ministerial oversight and scrutiny, inadequate control of the project by HS2 Ltd and a lack of effective incentives with the supply chain, which will collectively cost the taxpayer billions more than planned. 

    In a statement to Parliament, the Secretary of State condemned the ‘litany of failure’ that has plagued HS2, citing spiralling costs, ineffective oversight and broken promises.

    Without action, Phase 1 alone risks becoming one of the most expensive railway lines in the world – with costs ballooning by £37 billion and £2 billion wasted on cancelled Phase 2 works.

    That’s why since entering office, the government has taken decisive action to get back control of HS2 including: appointing new leadership to reset the project, commissioning the James Stewart review, reducing financial delegations to HS2 Ltd, limiting what the company can do without government approval to place a lid on spiralling costs until the reset is complete and providing £25 billion in the recent Spending Review to support all of this work.

    Speaking from the House of Commons earlier this afternoon, the Transport Secretary set out how the department is already delivering on Mr Stewart’s 5 key recommendations: 

    • Lack of effective ministerial oversight – the HS2 taskforce has been re-established with full senior official and ministerial attendance, offering much-needed oversight and accountability.
    • Stricter cost control – the department is ensuring HS2 Ltd and its suppliers negotiate incentives that ensure cost savings for taxpayers.
    • Lack of capability, skills and trust – the Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd, Mark Wild, is instilling a new era of leadership, reforming the organisation with a focus on building the rest of the railway safely and at the lowest reasonable cost. Wild has previous experience in this, having turned the delayed and over-budget Elizabeth line into one of the most successful and celebrated new operating railways in the world.
    • Lack of clarity on Euston station – the government has already committed funding to start the tunnelling from Old Oak Common to Euston and further detail on delivery of the station will be set out in due course.
    • Lessons for the wider transport portfolio – the government is committing to learning the lessons of the past 15 years to delivering infrastructure differently across its projects, with more to be set out in the upcoming 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy.

    The Prime Minister has asked the Cabinet Secretary to consider the implications for the Civil Service and wider public sector of the issues raised in the report, including whether further action or investigation is warranted.

    The Transport Secretary confirmed that Mike Brown will be taking over as HS2 Ltd Chair, working alongside CEO Mark Wild to deliver a programme reset, including reviewing the costs and schedule, renegotiating HS2’s large construction contracts and reviewing HS2 Ltd’s skills and structure. The Transport Secretary has asked Mark Wild to be ready to provide an update on revised costs and delivery timescales at the end of the year.

    He brings decades of experience to the role, having previously delivered major projects such as the successful delivery of London Underground and mainline rail for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, and a multi-billion pound investment programme on London’s roads, rail and cycling network. 

    Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:

    This must be a line in the sand. This government is delivering HS2 from Birmingham to London after years of mismanagement, flawed reporting and ineffective oversight.  

    Mark Wild and Mike Brown were part of the team, with me, that turned Crossrail into the Elizabeth Line – we have done it before, we will do it again.

    Passengers and taxpayers deserve new railways the country can be proud of and the work to get HS2 back on track is firmly underway. 

    The initial assessment of the newly appointed CEO, Mark Wild was also published today, reiterating that the overall project in terms of cost, schedule and scope is unsustainable. Due to the scale of the mismanagement of the project, it set out that there is no route by which trains can be running by 2033 as previously planned and warns that costs would continue to increase if not taken in hand. The Transport Secretary accepted this conclusion.

    HS2 is supporting over 33,000 jobs and over 3,400 UK businesses across all UK nations and regions. Over 44 miles of tunnels have been completed to date and the 2.1-mile deck of the Colne Valley Viaduct, the UK’s new longest railway bridge, was completed in September 2024. 

    HS2 will deliver high-speed rail services between London and the West Midlands, providing much-needed extra capacity between London and Birmingham and delivering faster and more reliable trains from London to Manchester, Liverpool and Scotland. Research estimates that HS2 will be responsible for the generation of £10 billion and 30,000 new jobs in the West Midlands, as well as £10 billion and over 18,000 new jobs in west London.

    HS2 and major projects media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Resetting the High Speed Two (HS2) programme

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Oral statement to Parliament

    Resetting the High Speed Two (HS2) programme

    A statement outlining the future of High Speed Two (HS2), including new management and a bold reset plan.

    Mr Speaker, with permission, I’d like to make a statement on HS2.

    As a London Councillor over 15 years ago, I remember hearing the then Labour government’s bold plans for high-speed rail.

    To link our major cities, to address the capacity needs of the future and in the words of then Prime Minister, Gordon Brown: ‘to join the high-speed revolution sweeping the world’.

    It was a vision of a confident nation, a clear signal our great towns and cities in the Midlands and the North.

    With potential that had been untapped at best and ignored at worst, could be places of opportunity and aspiration again.

    That was the promise of HS2.

    Inheritance

    But after [political redaction].

    Routes drawn up then cancelled, budgets calculated then blown, promises made then broken, we inherited a project that had lost the trust of the public.

    That created an image of a Britain woefully unable to deliver big infrastructure projects. And that axed swathes of the country it was originally meant to serve.

    Phase 1 could end up becoming one of the most expensive railway lines in the world.

    With projected costs soaring by £37 billion [political redaction]. And £2 billion of taxpayers’ money sunk into phase 2 work before it was cancelled by the previous government.

    There was also clear evidence of poor management [political redaction].

    Gripping the project

    It has been no less than a litany of failure.

    And today (18 June 2025), I’m drawing a line in the sand – calling time on years of mismanagement, flawed reporting and ineffective oversight.

    It means this government will get the job done between Birmingham and London.

    We won’t reinstate cancelled sections we can’t afford.

    But we will do the hard, but necessary, work to rebuild public trust – and we’ve not wasted any time.

    Since July, we have:

    • appointed new leadership of HS2 Ltd to turn this project around
    • we’ve made clear to the new Chief Executive, Mark Wild, that the priority is building the rest of the railway safely, at the lowest reasonable cost – even if this takes longer
    • we’ve started the year long task of fundamentally resetting the project, including commissioning infrastructure expert James Stewart to lead a review into governance and oversight
    • as part of the reset, we have reduced financial delegations to HS2 Ltd – placing a lid on spiralling costs until the reset is complete and we regain confidence
    • and we’ve supported Mark Wild’s review of the size and cost of HS2 as an organisation

    But today we’re going further.

    James Stewart review

    Mr Speaker, I can confirm we’ve published the landmark James Stewart review and the department’s response.

    The review, commissioned in October of last year by my predecessor, was a tough independent look at how Department for Transport and government delivers major projects.

    The government not only welcomes the review, but we have accepted all its recommendations.

    My department is already delivering on these, specifically across 5 key areas.

    First, the lack of oversight and scrutiny.

    Quite simply, there have been too many dark corners for failure to hide in.

    [Political redaction].

    This government has re-established the taskforce, with full senior attendance, as per the review’s recommendation.

    And new performance, programme and shareholder boards will offer much needed oversight and accountability.

    Secondly, the report highlights HS2 could cost the taxpayer billions more than planned.

    We’ll stop this spiralling any further by delivering all the recommendations on cost control.

    That starts with HS2 fundamentally changing their approach to estimating costs.

    It includes certainty over funding – which the Spending Review has given.

    And it also means HS2 working with suppliers so their contracts incentivise saving costs for taxpayers.

    As far as I’m concerned, suppliers should make a better return the more taxpayer money they save.

    Thirdly, the review identified a deficit in capability and skills, with a fundamental lack of trust between my department and HS2 Ltd. 

    I am clear, both capability and cultural issues within HS2 must be addressed.

    The new chief executive is already strengthening the organisation, including filling critical gaps in areas such as commercial expertise. And he will be backed by Mike Brown, announced today as the new chair.

    This is a new era of leadership the project desperately needs, with Mike bringing significant experience as a former TfL Commissioner.

    Mark and Mike were part of the team, with me, that turned Crossrail into the Elizabeth Line.

    We have done it before, we will do it again.

    Fourthly, Euston Station.

    Between 2019 and 2023, HS2 Ltd provided initial designs for Euston Station, coming in almost £2 billion over budget.

    When asked for a more affordable option, they offered one costing £400 million more than the first attempt.

    The word ‘affordable’ was clearly not part of the HS2 lexicon.

    The combined costs for these 2 failed designs, which has now been written off, was more than a quarter of a billion pounds.

    What’s more, the previous government announced a Euston ministerial taskforce.

    Unbelievably, the taskforce never met.

    Mr Speaker, this government recognises Euston’s huge potential.

    And we’ve already committed funding to start the tunnelling from Old Oak Common to Euston and we’ll set out more details in our 10-year Infrastructure Strategy.

    And finally, we will use James Stewart’s findings to transform infrastructure delivery across government.

    Implementing real change in how we deliver infrastructure is not just for the Department for Transport.

    This government is committed to implementing these recommendations and adopting a new approach to delivering infrastructure, as will be set out in our upcoming 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy.

    In that spirit, the Prime Minister has also asked the Cabinet Secretary to consider the implications for the Civil Service and wider public sector of the issues raised in the report, including whether further action or investigation is warranted.

    Mr Speaker, we’re wasting no time in delivering on this review.

    And I will update Parliament on our progress through my 6-monthly reports, even if the information is uncomfortable.

    Because for a government that, last week, pledged billions in capital investment for new major projects.

    That believes in the power of transport infrastructure to improve lives and deliver on our Plan for Change.

    This level of failure cannot stand.

    We will learn the lessons of the past 15 years and restore our reputation of delivering world-class infrastructure projects.

    Mark Wild assessment

    Mr Speaker, I’ve spoken about our inheritance; I’ve spoken about James Stewart’s review.

    Let me finally turn to Mark Wild’s initial assessment, [political redaction].

    I will place a copy of his interim findings in the library.

    He stated, in no uncertain terms, the overall project with respect to cost, schedule and scope is unsustainable.

    Based on this advice, I see no route by which trains can be running by 2033 as planned.

    He reveals costs will continue to increase if not taken in hand, further outstripping the budget set by the previous government.

    And he cannot be certain that all cost pressures have yet been identified.

    Mr Speaker, it gives me no pleasure to deliver news like this.

    Billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money has been wasted by constant scope changes, ineffective contracts and bad management.

    There are also allegations that parts of the supply chain have been defrauding taxpayers, and I have been clear these need to be investigated rapidly and rigorously.

    If fraud is proven, the consequences will be felt by all involved.

    Mr Speaker, I have to be honest: it’s an appalling mess. But it’s one we will sort out.

    We need to set targets which we can confidently deliver – that the public can trust – and that will take time.

    But rest assured, where there are inefficiencies – we will root them out.

    Where further ministerial interventions are needed – I’ll make them without fear or favour.

    HS2 will finally start delivering on our watch.

    Conclusion

    Mr Speaker, years of mismanagement and neglect have turned HS2 into a shadow of the vision put forward 15 years ago.

    But this government was elected on a mandate to restore trust to our politics.

    That’s why we won’t shirk away from this challenge and why today, we turn the page on infrastructure failures. 

    I can think of no better mission than delivering new economic opportunities, new homes and commercial regeneration, of an upskilled supply chain, all of which HS2 can still unlock.

    But no one should underestimate the scale of the reset required.

    Passengers and taxpayers deserve new railways the country can be proud of.

    The work to get HS2 back on track is firmly underway under this government.

    And I commend this statement to the House.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: HS2 Ltd CEO’s initial assessment of HS2’s current position on cost and schedule

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Correspondence

    HS2 Ltd CEO’s initial assessment of HS2’s current position on cost and schedule

    A summary of the new HS2 Ltd CEO’s assessment of HS2’s current position on cost and schedule.

    Documents

    Letter to the Secretary of State for Transport: assessment of HS2’s current position on cost and schedule

    PDF, 271 KB, 5 pages

    This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    Details

    Letter from High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd CEO, Mark Wild, sent to the Secretary of State for Transport on 31 March 2025.

    The letter outlines Mark Wild’s initial findings and assessment of HS2’s current position regarding cost and schedule.

    See the major transport projects governance and assurance review.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 June 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sergei Sobyanin launched the tunnel boring for the Biryulevskaya metro line

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Sergei Sobyanin took part in the ceremony to mark the start of tunnel boring for the Biryulevskaya Line of the Moscow Metro.

    The first (right) transfer tunnel, 1.67 kilometers long and six meters in diameter, will be built between the Ostrov Mechty and Klenovy Bulvar stations. In addition, construction of the second (left) tunnel between them is planned to begin in the coming months. Part of the tunnels will pass under the Moskva River, which is a complex engineering task. Their construction is planned to be completed in the spring of 2026.

    “A historic event in Moscow metro construction: today we are launching the tunneling of a new radius of the Moscow metro – the Biryulevskaya line. Long awaited. Residents of the Biryulyovo Zapadnoye and Biryulyovo Vostochnoye districts have long asked for the metro to be built in their districts,” noted Sergei Sobyanin.

    The new metro line will be put into operation in stages. The construction of the first stage – the ZIL – Kuryanovo section (8.65 kilometers, four stations) is expected to be completed in 2028, and the second stage on the Kuryanovo – Biryulevo section (13.55 kilometers, six stations) – in 2030.

    “Today, the active phase of work begins: the first shield, in a couple of months the second shield will go. In general, of course, the project is very complex. 22 kilometers, 10 stations, four passages under the Moscow River. But I am sure that the builders will cope,” added the Mayor of Moscow.

    It is expected that the first four stations of the line will be used by 32 thousand passengers per day, and after full commissioning, the daily passenger flow will increase to 170 thousand people.

    At the first stage, the Yuzhnoye electric depot will service the trains on the line, and from 2030, the new Biryulevskoye electric depot will service them.

    Biryulevskaya metro line

    “The excavation of the right tunnel of the Biryulevskaya line between the stations “Dream Island” and “Klenovy Bulvar” has begun – the first stage of a large-scale and complex engineering project. As a result, 10 stations will be built. The length of the entire line is 22 kilometers. The first three stations – “ZIL”, “Dream Island” and “Klenovy Bulvar” – have already begun to be built,” Sergei Sobyanin wrote in

    on your telegram channel.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

    The Biryulevsky radius will be the seventh new line on the Moscow metro map since 2014. It will mainly serve residents of the south of the capital. The long-awaited metro will first come to the territory of the Biryulevo Vostochnoye and Biryulevo Zapadnoye districts, where about 260 thousand people will live by 2030.

    The first plans to build a metro line in Biryulyovo appeared half a century ago, in the early 1970s, when mass residential construction began on the site of the workers’ settlement of the same name and the adjacent territory, which became part of the capital in 1960. Then, the construction of the Biryulevskaya metro line was included in the General Plan of the City of Moscow for the period up to 2025, approved in 2010. On the instructions of Sergei Sobyanin, projects for the planning of sections of the Biryulevskaya line were developed and approved in 2021–2023.

    It will stretch from ZIL to the Biryulevo East and West districts and as a result will allow:

    — improve transport services for residents (including new neighborhoods being built as part of the renovation program) and the operating developing areas of ZIL, the Danilovsky, Nagatinsky Zaton, Nagatino-Sadovniki, Pechatniki, Moskvorechye-Saburovo, Tsaritsyno, Biryulevo Vostochnoye and Biryulevo Zapadnoye districts with a population of over one million people;

    — improve transport accessibility of the Dream Island amusement park;

    — reduce the load on sections of the Zamoskvoretskaya and Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya metro lines;

    — reduce the intensity of traffic on adjacent streets, which in turn will improve the environmental situation in the listed areas of the city;

    — provide transfers for passengers to the Moscow Central Circle (MCC), the Big Circle, Zamoskvoretskaya and Troitskaya metro lines, as well as to the Paveletskaya direction of the Moscow Railway.

    By 2030, it is planned to create more than 400 thousand jobs at the stations of the Biryulevskaya line.

    The new radial line, more than 22 kilometers long, will include 10 stations:

    — “ZIL” — at the intersection of Likhachev Avenue and Bratyev Ryabushinskikh Street, near the MCC station of the same name (transfer to the MCC and the Troitskaya metro line under construction);

    — “Dream Island” — near the theme park of the same name, between Andropov Avenue and the Southern Landscape Park (transfer to the Zamoskvoretskaya metro line);

    — “Klenovy Boulevard” — along the boulevard of the same name at the intersection with Novinki Street (transfer to the Big Circle Line of the metro);

    — “Kuryanovo” — near the junction of 4th Kuryanovskaya Street and Batyuninskaya Street;

    — “Moskvorechye” – near the junction of Koshkina Street and Kashirskoe Highway;

    — “Kavkazsky Boulevard” — along Kavkazsky Boulevard near the junction with Yerevanskaya Street;

    — “Caspian” — near the intersection of 6th Radial Street and Projected Driveway No. 6631;

    — “Lipetskaya” — along the street of the same name near the junction with Pedagogical Street;

    — “Lebedyanskaya” — along Lipetskaya Street near the junction with Lebedyanskaya Street;

    — “Biryulevo” — along Bulatnikovskaya Street near the junction with Bulatnikovsky Proezd, not far from the Biryulevo-Passazhirskaya railway station.

    Three stations are currently under construction: ZIL, Ostrov Mechty, and Klenovy Bulvar. Work is underway to install enclosing structures and excavate the soil for the pits.

    At all other future stations of the Biryulevskaya line, preparatory work is underway.

    Monument to Russian metro builders to be erected on Sokolnicheskaya SquareSergei Sobyanin: Four more stations of the Troitskaya metro line will open in 2025Moscow Metro Turns 90 — Sergei Sobyanin

    Results of the implementation of the Moscow metro construction program

    Since 2011, 255.5 kilometers of lines, 123 stations, 13 electric depots of the Moscow Metro and the Moscow Central Circle have been built and reconstructed in the capital. Jointly with JSC Russian Railways, the MCD-1, MCD-2, MCD-3 and MCD-4 ground metro lines were also put into operation: 303 kilometers of tracks and 137 stations.

    New lines and stations of the Moscow metro, MCC and MCD

    Lublin-Dmitrovskaya line:

    — section from Maryino station to Zyablikovo station (three stations);

    — the section from the Maryina Roshcha station to the Fiztekh station (nine stations).

    Kalininskaya and Solntsevskaya lines:

    — section from Novogireevo station to Novokosino station (one station);

    — section from Delovoy Tsentr station to Vnukovo Airport station (14 stations).

    Zamoskvoretskaya line:

    — section from Krasnogvardeyskaya station to Alma-Atinskaya station (one station);

    — Technopark station;

    — section from Rechnoy Vokzal station to Khovrino station (two stations).

    Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya line:

    — section from Mitino station to Pyatnitskoe Shosse station (one station).

    Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya line:

    — section from Vykhino station to Kotelniki station (three stations);

    — Spartak station.

    Butovskaya line:

    — section from the station “Ulitsa Starokachalovskaya” to the station “Bitsevsky Park” (two stations).

    Sokolnicheskaya line:

    — the section from the Yugo-Zapadnaya station to the Potapovo station (eight stations).

    Nekrasovskaya line: eight stations.

    Large Circle Line: 31 stations.

    Trinity Line:

    — section from Novatorskaya station to Novomoskovskaya station (seven stations).

    Moscow Central Circle: 31 stations.

    Moscow Central Diameters (MCD-1, MCD-2, MCD-3, MCD-4): 137 stations, of which 53 are transfer stations to metro, MCC and MCD lines.

    Electric depots (including reconstruction): Mitino, Brateevo, Pechatniki, Vykhino, Planernoye, Nizhegorodskoye, Likhobory, Solntsevo, Vladykino, Rudnevo, Sokol, Aminyevskoye, Yuzhnoye (Brateevo-2).

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12957050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Province Invests in Training More Doctors

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The Province is funding more seats for Nova Scotians who want to study to become doctors.

    Starting this fall, there will be five more first-year seats reserved for Nova Scotia students in the doctor of medicine program at Dalhousie University in Halifax, with another five first-year seats in 2026-27.

    “Our government is investing to train more doctors so Nova Scotians can get the care they need,” said Brendan Maguire, Minister of Advanced Education. “Through investments in our post-secondary partners, we are training the doctors we need today and for tomorrow.”

    With the additional seats, there will be 99 first-year seats in the program at Dalhousie’s Halifax campus and 30 first-year seats at the Cape Breton medical campus – a partnership with Dalhousie – at Cape Breton University in Sydney.

    Of these seats, 114 are reserved for Nova Scotia students for entry in 2025. The remaining are designated for six Prince Edward Island residents and nine people from outside the Maritimes, including priority pathways (Indigenous admissions pathway, Black learners admissions pathway). If any of these designated seats remain unfilled, priority is given to Nova Scotian residents.

    As part of the bilateral agreements between the Province and universities, admissions for Nova Scotian residents in undergraduate health programs are to be prioritized starting in 2026.

    Quotes:

    “We are focused on transforming Nova Scotia’s healthcare system, and part of that is bringing more doctors to communities across the province. Adding more medical school seats is an important part of boosting the number of doctors available to work in the province. Nova Scotia is a great place to train and work as a doctor – we have great compensation for family doctors, strong financial incentives and we are renovating and building new facilities to create modern places to work.”
    — Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness

    “Dalhousie Medical School proudly trains skilled physicians who deliver high-quality, sustainable health care in Nova Scotia. I am very pleased government is making this significant investment in undergraduate medical education and continuing to create more pathways for Nova Scotians choosing medicine as a career.”
    — Dr. David Anderson, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University

    “This is great news for Nova Scotians and for physicians. We look forward to welcoming and mentoring these new medical students into the system and increasing access to family medicine and specialist care for Nova Scotians.” — Dr. Shelly McNeil, President, Doctors Nova Scotia

    Quick Facts:

    • the Province’s total investment for 10 additional seats is just over $2.2 million
    • the Cape Breton medical campus will welcome students this fall

    Additional Resources:

    Dalhousie University’s doctor of medicine program: https://medicine.dal.ca/programs/md-program.html

    Cape Breton medical campus: https://www.cbu.ca/current-students/student-services/health-wellness/cape-breton-medical-campus/

    News release – Funding, Plans for New Medical School Campus in Cape Breton: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2023/03/07/funding-plans-new-medical-school-campus-cape-breton

    News release – More Funding for Cape Breton Medical School Campus: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/04/30/more-funding-cape-breton-medical-school-campus

    Bilateral agreements with universities: https://novascotia.ca/lae/HigherEducation/documents.asp

    Other than cropping, Province of Nova Scotia photos are not to be altered in any way.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Applauds Passage of Legislation to Protect Consumers and Small Businesses

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today applauded the passage of legislation to protect consumers and small businesses. The Fostering Affordability and Integrity through Reasonable Business Practices Act, or FAIR Business Practices Act, sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie and Assemblymember Micah Lasher, and advanced by Attorney General James in March 2025, updates New York’s consumer protection law, GBL §349, for the first time in 45 years. The bill protects New Yorkers from a wide array of common schemes and scams, including artificial intelligence (AI)-based schemes, deed theft, predatory lending, data breaches, and more.

    “Too many New Yorkers are being taken advantage of by mortgage servicers charging unnecessary high fees, debt collectors stealing Social Security benefits, and health insurance companies with unfair billing practices,” said Attorney General James. “The FAIR Business Practices Act will close loopholes that make it easy for New Yorkers to be cheated out of their time and hard-earned money. This legislation advanced by Senator Comrie and Assemblymember Lasher will help us protect working families and their wallets from predatory lenders, abusive debt collectors, scammers, and more. I applaud Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for their support in passing this legislation at a time when the federal government is abandoning its responsibility to protect consumers and small businesses.”

    “For too long, New York’s consumer protection laws have lagged behind the fast-moving tactics used to exploit our communities,” said Senator Leroy Comrie. “By updating General Business Law §349, we are giving consumers and small businesses the tools they need to fight back against predatory practices and modern-day scams. I’m proud to have sponsored the FAIR Business Practices Act alongside Attorney General James and Assemblymember Lasher, and I thank my colleagues for recognizing the urgency of protecting New Yorkers in this evolving digital and economic landscape.” 

    “Since the general business law was enacted in 1970, our entire society has grown dramatically more complicated, and we have seen the complete revolution of commerce,” said Assemblymember Micah Lasher. “In all that time, we have done nothing to modernize our laws to protect New Yorkers from being taken advantage of. That stasis comes to a welcome end with the passage of the FAIR Business Practices Act, a critical step forward to protect New Yorkers, their pocketbooks, and affordability in our great state. I am grateful to Attorney General James and her team for their leadership, and to Senator Comrie for his partnership in passing this long overdue legislation.”

    The FAIR Business Practices Act would help stop lenders, including auto lenders, mortgage servicers, and student loan servicers, from deceptively steering people into higher cost loans. It would reduce unnecessary and hidden fees, stop unfair billing practices by health care companies, and prevent companies from taking advantage of New Yorkers with limited English proficiency. New York’s current consumer protection law, GBL §349, was passed in 1970 and only prohibits deceptive business acts and practices, leaving consumers vulnerable to unfair or abusive acts by companies. The FAIR Business Practices Act will protect New Yorkers from unfair and abusive business acts, such as: 

    • Student loan servicers that steer borrowers into the most expensive repayment plans;
    • Car dealers that refuse to return a customer’s photo ID until a deal is finalized and charge for add-on warranties that the customer did not actually purchase;
    • Nursing homes that routinely sue relatives of deceased residents for their unpaid bills despite not having any basis for liability;
    • Companies that take advantage of consumers with limited English proficiency and obscure pricing information and fees;
    • Debt collectors that collect and refuse to return a senior’s Social Security benefits, even though they are exempt from debt collection; and
    • Health insurance companies that use long lists of in-network doctors who turn out not to accept the insurance. 

    With the federal government rolling back protections for consumers and small businesses, the FAIR Business Practices Act authorizes OAG to take action to protect vulnerable New Yorkers.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Nearly Three Million New Yorkers to Receive Tax Relief

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that nearly three million New Yorkers will receive $2.2 billion in tax relief this summer and fall through New York’s School Tax Relief (STAR) program. STAR provides property tax relief to eligible homeowners and seniors statewide. While some STAR recipients have already received their benefit in the form of a tax exemption this year, many other recipients will receive their benefit as a tax credit and will be sent a check in the mail this summer and fall. Check deliveries will begin next week and will continue statewide throughout the coming months. Most homeowners eligible for a STAR credit will receive a check between $350 and $600. Most seniors eligible for an Enhanced STAR credit will receive a check between $700 and $1,500. STAR recipients can visit ny.gov/STAR to track their check delivery or enroll in direct deposit.

    “Summer is here — and it’s also the start of STAR tax relief season for millions of New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “From tax credits to child care assistance and much more, we’re continuing to put more money back in New Yorkers’ pockets.”

    New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller said, “The STAR program delivers welcome tax relief, and we want every eligible homeowner to take advantage of it. If you’re a new homeowner, or you are currently not receiving a STAR benefit on your primary residence, check out the Tax Department’s website to see how you can enroll and start saving.”

    Regional breakdown of this year’s $2.2 billion in STAR tax relief for nearly 3 million New Yorkers:

    REGION STAR TAX RELIEF RECIPIENTS
    Capital District $144.5 million 242,000
    Central New York $131.1 million 176,000
    Finger Lakes $205.2 million 279,000
    Long Island $698.4 million 582,000
    Mid-Hudson $488.5 million 404,000
    Mohawk Valley $66.3 million 101,000
    New York City $158.6 million 483,000
    North Country $47.2 million 88,000
    Southern Tier $109.6 million 156,000
    Western New York $178.5 million 320,000
    TOTAL $2.2 BILLION 2.83 MILLION

    Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “While Washington advances tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy and mega-corporations at the expense of millions of working Americans, we in New York continue to champion the well-being of the middle class. The Senate Democratic Majority has worked with Governor Hochul and the Assembly to put more money back in the pockets of everyday New Yorkers. We look forward to continuing the fight to make New York more affordable.”

    Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “As we head into the summer, millions of homeowners and seniors across the state will get these STAR tax relief checks, putting money back into their pockets and allowing them to spend their hard-earned money in the best way for their family. We will continue working together with our partners in government to find commonsense ways to ease the financial burden on New York families.”

    Homeowners and seniors who are eligible and enrolled in the STAR program receive their benefit each year in one of two ways: as an exemption that reduces their school tax bill, or as a credit issued as a check or direct deposit.

    The STAR benefits received by each recipient are based in part on local school taxes and vary based on the county in which the individual resides, among other factors.

    Homeowners who are registered and eligible for the STAR credit can expect to receive their STAR credit before the deadline for their school taxes. Some parts of the state — including New York City, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse — have due dates in July and will receive their STAR benefits between the end of June and mid-July. Benefits across other parts of the state will continue to roll out statewide throughout the summer and fall.

    Those who receive the STAR credit as a check or direct deposit can visit the STAR Credit Delivery Schedule to learn when credits will be issued in their area. Property owners who are looking for details about STAR credits that have already been issued should visit the Property Tax Credit Lookup.

    Enroll in STAR Direct Deposit

    Homeowners can enroll in the STAR Credit Direct Deposit program through the Homeowner Benefit Portal within the Tax Department’s secure Online Services system. Homeowners will also be able to use the Homeowner Benefit Portal to manage their STAR benefits easily and efficiently.

    The direct deposit option enables eligible STAR credit recipients to get their STAR credits without having to wait for and cash a check. To ensure homeowners receive their STAR credit by direct deposit this year, they should enroll as soon as possible. Homeowners who enroll fewer than 15 days before STAR credits are issued will receive a check this year and direct deposit will begin next year.

    For more information about the STAR program, visit the Tax Department’s STAR Resource Center.

    State Senator José M. Serrano said, “The New York State School Tax Relief (STAR) program is a vital resource for homeowners and seniors throughout New York State. I am happy that this year’s program will provide much needed property tax relief to nearly three million people statewide. My sincere thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul and my colleagues in government for their continued investment in our homeowners.”

    State Senator Leroy Comrie said, “As the cost of living continues to rise, property tax relief through the STAR program is a lifeline for working families and seniors across New York. I commend Governor Hochul for prioritizing this critical support, which will provide meaningful relief to nearly three million homeowners statewide. Including thousands in Southeastern Queens. These investments help keep our communities stable and our residents secure in their homes”

    State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud said, “I encourage all eligible individuals to enroll in the STAR program. The STAR tax relief program puts money back into the hands of hardworking homeowners and seniors, which helps to ease the burden of rising costs and ensure families can continue to thrive in the communities they love.”

    State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey said, “With the cost of living continuing to rise, this year’s STAR tax relief program delivers real and timely support for millions of New Yorkers. Whether it’s helping seniors on fixed incomes or working families trying to stay afloat, these checks offer critical relief and stability. I thank Governor Hochul for her work in supporting this program that puts money back into the pockets of homeowners and strengthens our communities.”

    State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am pleased that millions of New Yorkers, including over 400,000 residents in the Hudson Valley, receive tax relief this summer and fall through the New York School Tax Relief (STAR) program. Many families in Westchester struggle with the high cost of living, and the STAR program will offer much-needed assistance. I encourage those eligible for STAR to enroll in direct deposit to simplify the process of receiving your STAR checks. I would also like to thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her commitment towards a hassle-free program that helps alleviate the burden of property taxes.”

    State Senator Pete Harckham said, “At a time when every dollar counts, New York State is proactively helping seniors and middle-class New Yorkers. The disbursement of $2.2 billion in STAR property tax relief funds this summer and fall will make an important difference in the lives of taxpayers and support the local economy of the Hudson Valley.”

    State Senator Monica R. Martinez said, “Thanks to the STAR program, nearly 3 million New York State families, including more than 580,000 on Long Island, are seeing meaningful tax relief this year. Providing $2.2 billion in assistance will ease a financial burden on New Yorkers, improve homeownership affordability, and give families more flexibility in managing their household budgets. I thank Governor Hochul for working with the Legislature to continue providing this support for property owners across our state.”

    State Senator Rachel May said, “The STAR program helps make homeownership more affordable for seniors and families across New York. In Central New York, this kind of targeted tax relief makes a real difference. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for continuing to support a program that helps so many of our neighbors stay in their homes.”

    State Senator Robert Jackson said, “In a time when working families are being priced out of the very neighborhoods they helped build, the STAR program is not a luxury—it’s a lifeline. I commend Governor Hochul for delivering $2.2 billion in direct relief to nearly 3 million New Yorkers, including seniors who have spent decades strengthening our communities. This is how government should work: putting public dollars back into the hands of the people. Tax justice is housing justice—and STAR is helping keep that promise real, one check at a time.”

    State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “The STAR program is one of many ways we are tackling affordability in New York and making our state a place where everyone is able to live and thrive. With billions in relief being sent out, including over $205 million for the Finger Lakes region, I want to thank Governor Hochul for putting money back in the pockets of New Yorkers and for her commitment to increasing the quality of life across our state.”

    State Senator Samra Brouk said, “Working families in New York State need our support. Through New York School’s Tax Relief (STAR) program, more homeowners and older adults will receive property tax relief so they can keep money in their pockets. I applaud Governor Hochul for investing in New Yorkers and helping our families thrive.”

    State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “Delivering over $630 million in property tax relief for homeowners across the Mid-Hudson Valley and Capital Region is a big deal. At a time when the cost of everything is up—from groceries to utilities—putting more money back into people’s pockets is critical to easing the pressure on working families and seniors. The STAR program is a big help in reducing that financial strain, and we’ll continue to push for the tax relief New Yorkers deserve through this and other state initiatives.”

    State Senator Lea Webb said, The STAR program is a lifeline for hardworking families and seniors across the Southern Tier and I’m proud to see $109.6 million for residents in my district. This year’s tax relief means more money in the pockets of nearly 3 million New Yorkers and for our communities, that makes a real difference. Whether it’s covering heating bills, groceries, or home repairs, this support helps people stay rooted in the homes they’ve worked hard to build.”

    State Senator Nathalia Fernandez said, “At a time when working families’ budgets are being stretched in every direction, this STAR tax relief serves as a real lifeline. I appreciate Governor Hochul’s commitment to getting this done, and for ensuring that New Yorkers can access the relief they deserve.”

    State Senator April N.M. Baskin said, “The STAR program provides real relief to seniors and eligible homeowners in our great state. In her State of the State address, Governor Hochul emphasized the need for affordable housing. I commend the governor for her follow through, ensuring that Western New York receives nearly $180 million and that many other areas across the state are benefiting from this essential program.”

    Assemblymember William Colton said, “The STAR tax credit is a great way for homeowners to save money on their property tax bill for their primary residence. If you haven’t applied, but think you might be eligible, based on income level, I urge you to do so. In particular, seniors who meet eligibility requirements may be entitled to the benefits of the Enhanced STAR program, which are extremely meaningful to those on a fixed income. Because the maximum income for eligibility for Enhanced STAR has been raised this year, more seniors who previously didn’t qualify will be able to claim the added tax relief, which is really important as prices have continued to rise on so many necessities.

    Assemblymember Charles D. Lavine said, “I am grateful to Governor Hochul for supporting this wonderful program and making it easier than ever to get real money back in the pockets of New Yorkers. She continues to prioritize the economic needs of hard-working families and seniors, and I commend her for that. I encourage everyone to use the online STAR resource center to determine eligibility.”

    Assemblymember Steven Otis said, “Governor Hochul and the State Legislature have again funded the popular STAR tax relief program. This is an important part of the effort in this year’s state budget to address issues of affordability for families. Established decades ago, Basic STAR and Enhanced STAR help reduce the burden of school property taxes across the state. Each year I support continued state commitment in our enacted state budgets for STAR.”

    Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon said, “As the cost of living goes up, the STAR program continues to provide much-needed relief for seniors and homeowners. For many, it is the difference between buying groceries and going hungry. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for ensuring this vital relief reaches New Yorkers in need.”

    Assemblymember Latrice Walker said, “I hear almost daily from constituents about their ongoing struggles to pay for food, utilities, and other necessities. They live in a day-to-day affordability crisis where every dollar counts. I applaud Gov. Kathy Hochul for her leadership in bringing tax relief to nearly 3 million New Yorkers, including 483,000 right here in the five boroughs. Homeowners, especially our beloved seniors, need this type of relief now.”

    Assemblymember Rebecca A. Seawright said, “As Chair of the Aging Committee and Assembly Member of the largest cohort of older adults in Manhattan, I am grateful to Governor Hochul for her enduring leadership on affordability in our city and state, particularly for aging New Yorkers. The STAR and Enhanced STAR Credits provide invaluable tax relief to qualifying homeowners and elders. They also enable aging in place for elder New Yorkers – including over sixty thousand constituents in my district – which enhances their health and advances quality of life at significant, taxpayer cost savings over institutionalized care. The STAR program is both compassionate and common sense.”

    Assemblymember Clyde Vanel said, “As New Yorkers continue to feel the pressure of a rising cost of living, Governor Hochul’s commitment to the STAR program ensures that millions of families and seniors in the state can keep more of their hard-earned money. This critical tax relief will continue to strengthen communities across our state and I applaud the Governor for her unwavering support of this vital program.”

    Assemblymember Harvey Epstein said, “As the cost of living continues to increase in our state, it is important to put money back in the pockets of New Yorkers. The STAR tax credit will offer property tax relief to many homeowners who need it.”

    Assemblymember Charles D. Fall said, “Many of our homeowners—particularly seniors on fixed incomes—depend on the STAR program to help offset the burden of rising property taxes. That’s why I’ve remained a strong advocate for increasing public awareness and ensuring our community understands how to access this vital benefit. With nearly three million New Yorkers set to receive STAR credits this summer and fall, the impact of this program is undeniable. Whether the relief amounts to $350 or $1,500, every dollar matters—especially as the cost of living continues to rise. I remain committed to making sure no one in our district is left behind when it comes to receiving the support they’re entitled to.”

    Assemblymember Jen Lunsford said, “The STAR and Enhanced STAR credits are some of the most effective tools we have to put money back in the pockets of New Yorkers. We don’t levy school or property taxes at the state level so we have to get creative about providing relief. The improvements we’ve made in this year’s budget will mean hundreds, and in some cases over a thousand, dollars to our homeowners and seniors, helping them make ends meet at a time when they need it most.”

    Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas said, “I commend the Governor Hochul, Speaker Heastie, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and my colleagues in the Legislature for ensuring New York homeowners get the support they need in our rapidly changing economy. New Yorkers are navigating challenging circumstances and need all the relief they can get. The STAR rebate check disbursement by Governor Hochul is a great opportunity to support homeowners in our city and state as budgets have only gotten tighter, and bills have gone higher. Thank you to all who helped make this happen so we can provide more economic relief to all New Yorkers.”

    Assemblymember Nily Rozic said, “Property tax relief is one of the most direct and meaningful ways we can support the working and middle-class. This investment through the STAR program will provide real relief for homeowners and seniors across Queens and throughout the state. I thank Governor Hochul for making affordability a priority and putting money back into the pockets of New Yorkers.”

    Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia said, “At a time when so many families and seniors are feeling the strain of rising costs, the STAR relief program is meaningful assistance that puts money back in people’s pockets. I’m proud to support programs like STAR that make it easier for New Yorkers to stay in their homes and build financial stability. I thank Governor Hochul for continuing to prioritize assistance for seniors and homeowners across our state.”

    Assemblymember Dana Levenberg said, “The STAR program provides incredibly important tax relief in my district. I am proud to have protected it and fought for more middle-class tax relief in this year’s state budget, and pleased that my constituents will begin seeing some relief in the coming months. As the country’s economic outlook becomes more uncertain, I will continue working with my colleagues and the Governor to provide whatever relief we can to New York’s working and middle-class households.”

    Assemblymember Gabriella A. Romero said, “I’m proud to share that this year, over 242,000 homeowners in the Capital Region will see $144.5 million in STAR property tax relief. This vital investment prioritizes those hit hardest by the rising cost of living and delivers lasting relief where it’s needed most. I’m honored to stand with Governor Hochul and my colleagues in the State Legislature who ensured this was included in this year’s budget.”

    Assemblymember George Alvarez said, “At a time when the cost of living continues to burden working families and seniors across our state, the STAR program provides critical relief that puts money directly back into the hands of homeowners. I applaud Governor Hochul’s commitment to easing the financial pressure on nearly three million New Yorkers, including many in my district, through this meaningful investment in property tax relief”.

    Assemblymember Steven Raga said, “Homeownership should be a reward for a lifetime of work — but in New York, the high cost of living is putting that dream in jeopardy. That’s why I’m happy that under Governor Hochul’s leadership, eligible homeowners and seniors are receiving $2.2 billion worth of tax relief this year. From working-class families in Elmhurst to seniors on fixed incomes in Westside, eligible residents of New York will receive checks between $350-$1,500 — a much relief to our tax burdened communities. I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her commitment to strengthening this program, and for recognizing the importance of preserving and expanding efforts that meet the evolving needs of our communities.”

    Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky said, “STAR provides desperately needed property tax relief to New York’s homeowners. With major funding cuts coming from Washington, these benefits will be even more crucial as our households struggle harder to make ends meet. I urge our homeowners to check their eligibility for both Basic STAR and Enhanced STAR, and to consult the delivery schedule for their area. Thanks to Governor Hochul for getting the word out!”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM): Council and Parliament strike a deal on its simplification

    Source: Council of the European Union

    The Council presidency and European Parliament’s negotiators reached a provisional agreement today on one of the proposals of the so-called ‘Omnibus I’ legislative package: a regulation, which simplifies and strengthens the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM).

    MIL OSI Europe News –